Tag Archives: debt

World War 3, Asian Front-Afghanistan, 04-05 August 2013: Comedy of errors = U.S. kills teachers & cops! U.S. destroys life of UN security guard! Iran promises Karzai military help! India sends more cash!

In Ghazni Province, reports that U.S. forces shot and killed a grade school teacher.  Villagers say the U.S. forces also shot at cops who were responding to the shooting, one cop killed, four wounded.  The teacher was working in an orchard when he was shot.   Mujahideen report that what happened was that U.S. forces were arriving late to a battle between Mujahideen and Afghan National Police (ANP).  Mujahideen observed what happened, saying the U.S. forces thought the teacher, along with other civilians working in the orchard, were Mujahideen and shot at them.  Then the ANP responded, thinking the Mujahideen had returned.  The result was that U.S. and ANP fought each other.  Mujahideen had a good laugh watching the comedy of errors!

In Nangarhar Province, Jalalabad city, another round of explosions.  28 people wounded.

In Uruzgan Province, Tarinkowt city, an Afghan National Police (ANP) cop was shot and killed by other ANP personnel when he tried to bomb a bank where fellow cops were collecting their monthly pay.

In Kandahar Province, Kandahar city, four civilians killed, 27 wounded by a car bomb.  Other reports say it was a bomb hidden in a livestock cart.

Mujahideen report that at least a dozen ANP cops from several provinces joined the Mujahideen.  Some of those joining the Mujahideen included front line officers.

There have been many explosions in Afghan cities, many of which the Mujahideen do not claim the credit.  Mujahideen do take credit for explosions against government targets.  Yet another religious group has condemned suicide bombing.  The Ulema Council of Afghanistan declared suicide bombing as illegitimate in the religion of Islam.  The fact that so many religious leaders condemn suicide bombings makes you wonder who’s really behind the suicide bombings.

Flooding has hit nine Afghan provinces, including Nangarhar, Kabul, Khost, Laghman and Nuristan.  At least 84 people dead.

In the British empire country of Australia, one man pled guilty to sending harassing letters to families of dead Diggers.  He said it was his way of protesting the false War on Terror in Afghanistan.  He called the dead Diggers child killers, which in some cases is actually true, however the families of the dead Diggers didn’t want to be reminded.

India has promised Afghanistan another $100 million USD in cash: “After providing $20 million funds, we are again pledging $100 million in fresh aid, but the funds will be spent on small development projects which will boost the principles of social economy, since India wants a solid and strong Afghanistan.”– Amar Sinha, Indian ambassador to Afghanistan

The Secretariat of the National Security Council of Iran has signed a long term  strategic cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Afghanistan National Security Council.  It was signed before the inauguration of the new Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani.  The MoU includes military/police cooperation, information sharing and economic activities.

The reporter who was publicly beaten by the very governor of Parwan Province he accused of corruption, has asked the Afghan government for help: “Since the ministry of interior affairs of Afghanistan is responsible to provide security for the citizens of Afghanistan, and similarly each citizen has obliged to assist police, therefore, I, Nasratullah Iqbal, an ordinary citizen of Kabul city and reporter of Bokhdi News Agency would like to bring to the attention of interior ministry that my life is in risk, and request the ministry to take legal actions to prevent my own and my family’s concerns in this regard.”

A former Afghan UN security guard went public with the story of how U.S./ISAF destroyed his life.  In April 2008, as he was passing a U.S./ISAF convoy he was shot by U.S./ISAF personnel.  They claimed he was a suicide bomber.  He lost the use of one leg.  The United Nations fired him from his security guard job because he couldn’t walk.  His four children were kicked out of a private school because he could no longer pay, they were bullied out of a public school.  This week he spent hours in line at a local court, trying to stop his family’s eviction from their home.  His story is considered typical.  So much for the United States occupying Afghanistan in the name of security and stability.

It’s been revealed that U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with Pakistani officials to discuss a new official office of the Mujahideen (Taliban).

Ever since the Marine Corps Times revealed that Cragslist has become the place for military personnel to find gay sex partners in Iraq and Afghanistan, the newspaper is now warning that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in Afghanistan are now posing as homosexuals to catch the gay sex posters.  The U.S. Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) forbids even heterosexual sex in combat zones!

According to The Fiscal Times, Obama’s threat to pull all U.S. personnel out of Afghanistan (Zero Option) is actually a cover to try and save the broke U.S. government $112 billion!

A recent U.S. News & World Report revealed that many U.S. personnel killed or wounded in Afghanistan are college graduates who joined the military to payoff their massive student loans.  I write this because I’m still amazed by how many U.S. citizens think federal student loans (misleadingly called Federal Student Aid) equals free college education.

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 18 June 2013. Jack in the Box clown turns Mexican! More school & health care cuts!

In Brooklyn, New York, the 153 years old state run SUNY Downstate Medical Center/Long Island College Hospital shut down!  1714 people out-o-work!!!  At least 420 employees were laid off in 2012!  Hospital officials blamed crashing revenues. The Brooklyn Supreme Court has ordered hospital officials to account for every “stick” of hospital assets.  Also, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the five star Dressler restaurant closed suddenly.  The owners blamed the greedy property owner: “With much regret, an agreement could not be reached for a lease renewal.”-Dressler Family

The Christian God can’t stop Saint Mary’s Hospital from laying off 83 people in Michigan.  Currently open positions will not be filled.  “As our fiscal year 2013 comes to a close, we are facing declining volumes due to fewer people seeking inpatient care services, as well as sequestration shortfalls and lower reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare and other payers.” 

Video gamer maker EA continues to layoff employees.  This time 20 positions were cut.  In April 900 positions were cut as EA officials said they had to reorganize their company!

In Louisiana, Caddo Parish School Board axed another 105 jobs.  The positions include special education teachers, administrators, aides, reading specialist and secretaries.  The new budget also eliminated teaching supplies and reduced substitute teachers.

In Indiana, the Fremont School board laid off at least five teachers.  It’s blamed on budget cuts.

In North Carolina, military contractor DRS laying off 150 to 230 employees in Elizabeth City, despite winning a five year Coast Guard contract to maintain C-130 aircraft!  It’s blamed on federal sequestration budget cuts.  In Raleigh, Hewlett Packard laid off 147 people!  HP officials blamed it on the loss of a contract.

In Arizona, military contractor General Dynamics laid off 22 employees indirectly connected to the NSA domestic spying scandal.  It involves the company’s C4 project, which “….develops and integrates communication and information systems and technology for U.S. government programs, allied nations and select commercial customers.”  Company officials cryptically said the layoffs were caused by changes in business conditions.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shutting down 16 offices around the country.  According to some reports most of the closures will take place in regions hardest hit by the mortgage scandal.  The closures will affect 900 employees!

In Virginia, Smithfield Foods laid off 120 people!  This is the latest round of layoffs regarding the closure of their hot dog and deli meats factory.  In toto at least 400 people will be unemployed!

In Illinois, Spree thrift store (aka resale shop) closed.  35 employees affected.  No specific reason given for the closure.

Pennsylvania based maker of slipcovers, Sure Fit, taken over by Illinois based Focus Products Group.  The Lower Macungie Township distribution center being closed down, positions being moved to Illinois and California.  75 jobs affected.

In California, Nordstrom closing their Long Beach Rack store.  Company officials said they did not want to renew the lease.  Jack in the Box closing 67 fast food stores!  Company officials say they are switching to Qdoba Mexican Grill restaurants.

In New Mexico, Navajo blanket seller Packard’s on the Plaza closing down after 69 years in business.  19 employees will be unemployed in September.  The business is located in the 400 years old Santa Fe Plaza.  The current owners, who live in California, said they had to focus on family issues.  Another Plaza business, ACC Fine Furnishings, also closing down.  The company is consolidating operations, which is blamed on the bad economy.

In Colorado, Brueggers Bagels shut down.  The franchise owner did not want to renew the lease.

In Tennessee, the Nashville Symphony halts in house food service, laying off at least 37 employees. The Symphony is facing foreclosure of their Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

World War 3, Asian Front-Afghanistan, 02-03 August 2013: Major battles in Nangarhar, hundreds killed! Nearly 100 killed by Mother Nature!

In Nimruz Province, Delaram District, 25 NATO supply trucks were destroyed in an ambush that lasted one hour.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Sayedabad District, Mujahideen reported they observed several NATO/ISAF tanks stop, the crews dismounted and appeared to be in a meeting.  Mujahideen launched their attack at that point, killing four NATO/ISAF personnel and wounding several others.  U.S./NATO airstrikes were called in, killing at least two Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, Maiwand District, seven family members were killed when the van they were in drove over a landmine.  Three others were wounded.

In Faryab Province, Maimana city, about 300 people protested the rape and murder of a 12 years old boy.  The people accused the police of the crime, because it was reported that the crime took place near a police check point.

In Nangarhar Province, Shirzad and Khogyano districts, a major battle between Afghan National Police (ANP) forces and Afghan Mujahideen.  Government sources say 76 Mujahideen killed, 22 Afghan cops killed.  Mujahideen say they killed 84 cops, destroyed 13 vehicles and captured 16 vehicles. In Jalalabad city, the Indian consulate was hit by an explosion and gun battles.  At least eight people killed, 21 wounded.  Western news media said it was a suicide bomber, but local Afghan media said there was no confirmation of that.  Indian officials insinuated the attack was planned by Pakistan.  In Bati Kot District, NATO officials said they will investigate why they were asked to bomb a ANP building.  The Afghan National Army (ANA) called in the airstrike, saying the people around the building were Mujahideen.  At first it was reported that four cops were killed, but NATO stated they killed five cops.

In Ghor Province, Charsada District, ANP says a firefight left four Mujahideen dead.  ANP officials said they defused several bombs afterwards.

I recently heard a U.S. attorney say flooding is rare in Afghanistan. In Kabul Province, Surobi District, four villages were hit by massive flash flooding.  At least 96 people killed.  The bodies of 40 have been recovered. 430 homes and businesses were destroyed.  Also, the Washington Post confirmed that the U.S. is still controlling part of the infamous Bagram prison, or Second Gitmo.  At least 67 non-Afghans are being held there.

An investigation into Afghanistan’s child prisons, by The Guardian, revealed that the common child criminal is illiterate, but those who have joined the Mujahideen are the most well educated kids in Afghanistan!!!  The report also shows what I’ve stated before; education for boys isn’t anymore better than education for girls.  According to the Red Coat article, the only education source for most Afghan boys are Madrasas in Pakistan.  They come back literate but with bombs.  The Guardian article also said children are abused in the child prisons.

A few days ago the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) confirmed that U.S. tax dollars are going to Afghan contractors known to support Mujahideen.  Now, they’ve revealed just how much taxpayers have been ripped off in this latest U.S. military led scam: “Dating back to 2008, SIGAR has identified more than $150m in reconstruction contracts and sub-contracts that have been awarded to companies known to be providing material support to insurgent and terrorist organizations in Afghanistan.”-John Sopko, SIGAR

 

World War 3, Economic Front: California hit hard with Sears owned OSH closings! More Kmart closings! Chevron buying vacant stores!

17 August 2013 (19:44 UTC-07 Tango 16 August 2013)/10 Shawwal 1434/26 Mordad 1391/11 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

Sears is closing their Austintown, Ohio, auto parts and service center on Interstate Boulevard.  Sears automotive customers are being directed to Sears automotive centers located in area shopping malls.

Once controlled by Eddie Lampert (Sears Holdings) Orchard Supply Hardware (OSH) now bankrupt, and now owned by Lowe’s.  Already several of the California stores are reported to be closing down.  It’s been announced that the stores in Torrance, El Cerrito, Fairfield, Santa Clarita, Fountain Valley and Vacaville will close.  At least 17 of the 99 OSH stores have been publicly axed.  A report on 15 August said it was part of Lowe’s takeover of OSH through a bankruptcy court.  Lowe’s was the only corporation that bid on the bankrupt OSH.  Company officials estimate that each store averages 55 employees; 17 store closings equals 935 people out-o-work!

About a week ago reports said the small 35-40 years old (depending on the report) Coos Bay Kmart, in Oregon, would shut down in November.  The store averaged $4 million USD in sales every year.  The manager revealed that Kmart never held a long term lease, and in recent years was renewing annually.  This time they did not renew the lease.

And the Kmart in Orem, Utah, quietly announced their closing.  The articles posted gave no details what-so ever, other than the store was closing and big savings were to be had by shoppers.

The recently vacated Kmart in Moon, Pennsylvania, just sold to California based oil giant Chevron, for $12 million! Apparently Sears Holdings owned the property, and the sale to Chevron was the real reason for closing the Kmart and rendering 143 people unemployed.

In Mississippi, a federal judge threw out Kmart’s claim that they are owed compensation for flood damage in 2010, caused by a vacant Kroger grocery store next door.  The Kroger store went bust and was supposed to be torn down in 2005, but for some reason that was stopped by FEMA.

In New South Wales, Australia, government officials blocked property developers from building a new Kmart.  Wesfarmers is the corporation that operates Kmarts in Australia and New Zealand.

Here’s the updated list of U.S. Sears/Kmart store closings since the end of 2011:

Arizona: Scottsdale Sears/Great Indoors, Chandler Sears/Great Indoors.

Alabama: Gadsden Kmart (50 jobs lost), Mobile Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Auburn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Anniston Kmart (no word yet on how many jobs lost).

California:   El Monte Sears (at least 40 jobs lost. Damien Arrula, El Monte’s economic development director, said the store manager had lied about what was going on: “The general manager of the store had just indicated to me that they were remodeling.”), two San Diego Sears (at least 80 jobs lost), Pleasant Hill Kmart (more than 50 jobs lost), Torrance Kmart,  Fairfield Kmart (63 jobs lost), recently revealed Lampert owned OSH taken over by Lowe’s home improvement in bankruptcy court, at least 17 of 99 stores to be closed down (935 jobs lost!).

Colorado:  Broomfield Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Glenwood Springs Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lone Tree Sears/Great Indoors, Longmont Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Pueblos’ South Side Kmart (52 jobs lost),  Denver Kmart (number of jobs lost have not been made public at this time, but could be at least 40).

Connecticut:  Waterbury Big Kmart.

Georgia: Macon Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Buford Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Douglasville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Atlanta Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Columbus Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Jonesboro Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Cartersville Kmart (74 jobs lost).

Guam:  Sears Hometown Store.

Florida: Fernandina Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Callaway Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Orange City Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Deland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Stuart Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), West Palm Beach Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Port St. Lucie Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Crystal River Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), New Smyrna Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint Augustine Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Pompano Beach Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost),  Jacksonville Kmart on 5751 Beach Boulevard (71 jobs lost), second Kmart in Jacksonville on 4645 Blanding Boulevard (83 jobs lost), Ocoee Sears (102 jobs lost), Pensacola Kmart on Airport Boulevard closed in 2011, Pensacola Kmart on Mobile Highway closed in February 2013 (69 jobs lost),  Pensacola Kmart on East 9 Mile Road will close in May (73 jobs lost), Hialeah Kmart (67 jobs lost), Bonita Springs Kmart (67 jobs lost), Mount Dora Kmart (100 jobs lost), Lake Mary Kmart.

Hawaii: Honolulu Sears (owned by GGP, 372 jobs lost!!!),  Kauai Sears (41 jobs lost),  Iwilei-Honolulu Kmart for lease (no confirmation of store closing).

Vacant bedroom/bathroom section.

One corner of the half vacant Chubbuck, Idaho, Sears. No official closing announcement was made.

Idaho: Lewiston Sears (at least 60 jobs lost).  No official announcement, but it’s painfully obvious the Chubbuck Sears going’ down. Or, maybe it’s preps for Shop within a Shop, or one of those domestic spy data storage centers?

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Ever since the Kmart bankruptcy, this pad site for sale sign has been seen in the Pocatello, Idaho, Big Kmart parking lot. The Kmart is the only building on the lot.

Indiana:  Anderson Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Saint John Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Indianapolis Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Sears (49 jobs lost).

Illinois:  Alton Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Melrose Park Sears parts and repair center (50 jobs lost), Zion Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Lawn Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), McHenry Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Peru Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lombard Sears/Great Indoors (at least 40 jobs lost), Fairview Heights Kmart (81 jobs lost), Freeport Kmart (45 jobs lost), Pontiac Kmart (more than 47 jobs lost), Homer Glen Kmart (82 jobs lost), Streator Kmart (45 jobs lost), Lombard Kmart (70 jobs lost), Naperville Kmart (98 jobs lost), Calumet Sears (164 jobs lost), two Sears stores in Grand Crossing area of Chicago (247 jobs lost!), Mount Vernon Sears (68 jobs lost), Moline Sears (at least 60 jobs lost). 58 Chicago area stores up for lease or sale.  By the way, Illinois elected officials gave Sears Holdings/Hoffman Estates a $150 million USD tax break to keep their headquarters in the state.  The tax break was not tied to any promise not to close stores.

Iowa:  Cedar Rapids Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Davenport Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Burlington Kmart (50 jobs lost), Coralville Sears (94 jobs lost, this is a store sold to GGP earlier in the year).

Kansas: Lawrence Sears (at least 40 jobs lost).

Kentucky: Middlesboro Sears (in September 2012 the Sears store re-opened under independent ownership, official grand re-opening scheduled for November), Winchester Kmart (back in May, Rankin Paynter bought out what was left of the inventory and gave it to charity), Hazard Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lexington Sears (114 jobs lost!).

Maine: Lewiston Sears (60 to 70 jobs lost), Presque Isle Sears (80 jobs lost).

Maryland: Ellicott Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Gaithersburg Sears/Great Indoors.

Massachusetts: North Reading Sears Hardware store closed, lease not renewed.

Michigan: Novi Sears/Great Indoors, Brighton Sears Grand/Essentials,  Harper Woods Sears Full line, Monroe Sears Full line, Adrian Sears Full line, Washington Township Kmart, Chesterfield Kmart, Woodhaven Kmart, Flint Kmart (46 jobs lost), Gaylord Kmart (48 jobs lost).

Minnesota: Willmar Kmart, Duluth Kmart, New Hope Kmart, White Bear Lake Kmart, Bemidji Kmart, Monticello Kmart, GGP owned Sears Auto Center in the Apache Mall closed (10 jobs lost).

Mississippi: Jackson Sears Full line, McComb Sears Full line, Columbus Sears Full line, Gautier Sears (71 jobs lost), Waveland Kmart (32 jobs lost), one of the Gulfport Kmarts (52 jobs lost).

Missouri: Lee’s Summit Sears Grand/Essentials, Saint Louis Sears Full line, High Ridge Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Montana: Missoula Kmart (50 jobs lost).

New Hampshire: Nashau Sears Grand/Essentials, Keene Sears Grand/Essentials,  Portsmouth Kmart (30 jobs lost).

North Carolina: High Point Sears, Moorehead Sears, Rocky Mount Sears, Statesville Sears, Durham Kmart (79 jobs lost), Asheville Kmart (53 jobs lost),  West Smithfield Kmart (59 jobs lost), Winston-Salem Kmart (69 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (58 jobs lost), South Ashville Kmart on Hendersonville Road.

North Dakota: Jamestown Kmart (45 jobs lost).

New Jersey:  Lawnside Kmart (about 80 jobs lost), Howell Kmart (57 jobs lost).

New Mexico: Las Cruces Kmart (58 jobs lost).

New York: Depew (Lancaster?) Kmart (68 jobs lost).

Ohio: Chagrin Falls Kmart, Springfield Kmart, two Toledo Kmarts, Medina Kmart, Columbus Kmart, Columbus Sears/Great Indoors, Zanesville Sears (67 jobs lost), Trotwood Kmart (71 jobs lost), recently revealed Austintown Sears auto parts and service on Interstate Boulevard.   Also, Van Wert Sears franchise bought out by Kirk Berryman, owner of Computer & Networking Technologies (CNT), who plans on moving the store to a new location.

Oklahoma: Oklahoma City Sears (98 jobs lost, GGP owned, GGP wants a $2 million sales tax rebate, claiming it’s needed to offset capital investments needed to bring the space up to the standards for potential new tenants).

Oregon: Roseburg Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Tualatin Kmart Center (new property owner from California is tearing everything down for new shopping center, so far no indication the Kmart will be part of the new shopping center), Milwaukie Kmart (61 jobs lost), recently revealed Coos Bay Kmart (25 jobs lost).

Pennsylvania: Upper Darby Sears Full line, Pottstown Sears Full line, Pittsburgh Kmart, Wilkins Sears, Warminster Kmart (85 jobs lost), Shippensburg Kmart (46 jobs lost), Moon Kmart (143 jobs lost), Bethlehem Township Kmart (62 jobs lost).

South Carolina: Sumter Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Orangeburg Sears (57 jobs lost), Columbia Kmart on Fort Jackson Boulevard in 2012, Columbia Kmart on Bush River Road in 2009, Columbia Kmart on St Andrews Road (66 jobs lost), Irmo Kmart (no info on how many jobs lost),  both Greenville Kmarts (140 jobs lost between the two).

Tennessee: Antioch Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Cleveland Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Oak Ridge Sears (at least 40 jobs lost), Hendersonville Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Morristown Sears (about 70 jobs lost), Clinton South Kmart.

Texas: Two Sears parts and repair centers closing in The Woodlands (117 jobs lost), rebuild center in Garland (58 jobs lost), Farmers Branch Sears/Great Indoors, Houston Sears Great/Indoors.

Utah: Recently revealed Orem Kmart (no details reported).

Virginia: Norfolk Sears (at least 40 jobs lost),  Midlothian Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Richmond Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Lynchburg Sears (84 jobs lost), Fairfax Kmart (no word on how many jobs lost), Christiansburg Sears (59 jobs lost), Norfolk Kmart on East Little Creek Road (77 jobs lost), Manassas Kmart (71 jobs lost).

Washington: Walla Walla Sears Full line (in August 2012, it was reported that an independent owner of Sears Hometown stores will open a store in Walla Walla), Lacey Kmart (at least 40 jobs lost), Kelso Sears (47 jobs lost), Lakewood Kmart (59 jobs lost), Bellingham Sears (92 jobs lost),  Seattle Kmart (85 jobs lost), East Wenatchee Sears (59 jobs lost), Puyallup Kmart (51 jobs lost).

West Virginia: Oak Hill Kmart (59 jobs lost).

Wisconsin: West Baraboo Sears (at least 40 jobs lost, local village officials say the store generated 3% of local tax collections), Rice Lake Kmart (about 71 jobs lost).

On top of that, Sears Holdings sold stores to General Growth Properties (GGP), of which it has been reported that most of those stores will be closed.

Here’s the list of 11 Sears stores now owned by GGP:

Iowa: Coral Ridge Mall (it’s official the Sears is closing, see above), and Mall of the Bluffs

Texas: The Woodlands Mall (this does not involve the two repair centers being closed by Sears)

Florida: West Oaks Mall

Utah: Fashion Place, and Provo Towne Centre (note the evil British empire way of spelling town & center. Due to a favorable lease agreement the GGP owned Provo Sears will continue to stay open under Sears Holdings management)

Oklahoma: Quail Springs Mall (it’s official, the Sears will be closed, see above)

Hawaii: Ala Moana Center (will be closed, see above)

Washington: Bellis Fair Mall (Bellingham store, see above)

Minnesota: Apache Mall  (see update above, GGP will close Sears store by 2014)

Illinois: Market Place Shopping Center

World War 3, U.S. Economic Front: Job losses & store closings 15-17 June 2013. Obama Care making the health care industry sick as a dog! Universities suffer massive decline in student enrollment!

Provider of equipment and management services for cancer clinics, OnCure Holdings, now bankrupt.  The Colorado based company is being parted out, sold off, mass layoffs.  320 employees affected!  Company officials blame Obama/Romney Affordable Health Care Act for slashing and burning Medicare/Medicaid payments. OnCure is the third health care company to go bankrupt between April and June!  The other two bankrupt health care companies, Rotech Healthcare and Sound Shore Medical Center, both blame Obama Care!

The University of Missouri Health Care is laying off, or reducing the hours of 35 employees, plus 90 vacant positions will not be filled.  It being blamed on reduced Medicare/Medicaid payments!

In Michigan, non-profit health care research company, Altarum Institute, laid off 15 people.  They’re blaming it on the federal sequestration funding cuts.  What automotive industry recovery?  Germany based Benteler Automotive shutting down their Grand Rapids factory, in March 2014.  220 employees affected! The company said that all signs point to tougher competition in the automotive industry and they must become more efficient.  And two staffing contractors working for Detroit Public Schools laid off 650 employees!  The staffing companies say it’s because the school district has failed to pay them for services rendered!

In Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia School District laid off another 76 employees.  The week prior they laid off 3800 employees!!! A new tax on cigarettes was created to help fund the school district.  They are also considering raising the liquor tax.

In Illinois, the Chicago Public Schools laid off 850 employees!   Schools are being closed.

In Virginia, Isle of Wight Schools laying off 21 employees.  The budget for the district is $4 million USD less than last school year’s, despite an increase in local taxes!

Washington DC’s Howard University eliminated 75 jobs.  Apparently the school is in big financial trouble.

Iowa’s Ashford University is begging employees to voluntarily quit!  This includes employees at its Colorado and California campuses.  Reports say the university has suffered huge declines in student enrollment.  One report says enrollment is down 16000 from the year before!

The parent company of University of Phoenix, Apollo Group, laid off 24 people in Arizona.  It’s part of a planned layoff of 1000 employees!!!  It’s blamed on massive declines in student enrollment.

In Wisconsin, heavy equipment maker Caterpillar continues its trend of layoffs.  260 people unemployed due to crashing mining equipment sales!  Caterpillar has already laid off more than 500 hundred people in Illinois!

In Florida, the Palm Beach Ritz Carlton hotel laid off 452 people!  It’s the result of a major management change at the hotel.

California based OneWest Bank laying off 725 people in Texas!   OneWest was taken over by Georgia based Ocwen Financial.  And in Dallas, Saks Fifth Avenue shut down.  123 people out-o-work!

Speaking of the Golden State, the YWCA Thrift Store closed in Watsonville.  After 54 years of operations the bad economy did the non-profit store in.   In Sacramento, two The Beat music stores shut down after 30 years of business.  The business owner blames the property owner for jacking up the rents!

In Portland, Oregon, Solopower shut down. 29 people unemployed.

What oil boom? In Fargo, North Dakota, the 109 Consign store closed down.

Della Notte restaurant shut down in Baltimore, Maryland.  No reason given.

The 29 years old Sassafras Gift Shop closed in South Norwalk, Connecticut.  The owner blamed it on a declining market for gift shops, and on the fact that city officials expect businesses to be money makers for the city.

Another Mitt Romney Staples closing down.  This one is in the Barrington Shopping Plaza in Rhode Island.  It’s part of the Romney wounderkind’s plans to close stores across the United States and Europe.

In New York City, New York, Gleacher & Company Securities laid off 55 employees.  And Royal Health laid off 39 people.  In Syracuse, Scolaro, Shulman, Cohen, Fetter & Burstein, law firm, laid off 50 employees.  In Yonkers, Belmay closed.  60 people laid off.

And the Christian God can’t stop the North Grafton United Methodist Church from shutting down.  The 166 years old Massachusetts church is blaming it on lack of members.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) doesn’t count the hundreds of layoffs involving less than 50 people each, in its mass layoff reports. It also doesn’t count all the little ‘mom & pop’ businesses that shut down.

Breaking Martial Law News: Egyptian police allowed to imprison people for any reason!

14 August 2013 (14:20 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Shawwal 1434/23 Mordad 1391/08 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

The U.S. backed military junta has extended a curfew, anyone found breaking the curfew will go to jail.  Police can detain anyone for any reason.

235 civilians killed, 43 cops killed for a total of 278 killed.   Junta says civilians started shooting first, however, military and police units began assaulting crowds before gunshots were heard.  Reporters covering the now civil war say snipers on rooftops started the shooting.  It’s not known who the snipers were, the government claims they were protestors, however the overwhelming majority of killed and wounded are protestors.

At least 2001 protestors wounded.  Reporters showed that Mosques were turned into hospitals and morgues by protestors. No help from the government.

Junta officials claims protestors are getting weapons from the failed state of Libya (remember, that’s the country the U.S. and EU helped to destroy, and helped to bring in al Qaeda).

Breaking Martial Law News: Egyptians turn out in tens of thousands in mass protest in Port Said!

14 August 2013 (14:08 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Shawwal 1434/23 Mordad 1391/08 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

Egypt’s Interim Vice President, Mohamed ElBaradei, has resigned in protest of the U.S. backed junta’s crackdown on protestors.  ElBaradei said the junta’s crackdown will actually give extremist groups the excuse they need to go on the warpath.

Live video from Port Said shows tens of thousands of protestors on the streets.  Apparently Port Said is exempt from State of Emergency declaration.

The United States Congress has not halted billions in taxpayer funded military aid for Egypt, so far.

Breaking Martial Law News: Egyptian U.S. backed military government kills or wounds more than 2200 Egyptians in one day!!!

14 August 2013 (13:58 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Shawwal 1434/23 Mordad 1391/08 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

Egyptian government declares month long state of emergency/martial law!

Egyptian Health Ministry announces 235 people killed, more than 2000 wounded in U.S. backed Egyptian junta crackdown!

World War 3, Asian Front-Afghanistan, 31 July-01 August 2013: More proof the U.S. ain’t leavin’! NATO kills Afghan cops!

A U.S. Army 1st Lieutenant was found guilty of murdering two Afghans.  He was sentenced to 20 years in military prison.  The case involved the killing of Afghans riding a motorcycle.  The lieutenant ordered his unit to shoot and kill the Afghans.  Investigations show the Afghans were no threat to the unit.  U.S. military rules of engagement state that you must be shot at first, before responding in kind.

In Nangarhar Province, Bati Kot District, U.S./NATO airstrike killed at least four Afghan National Police (ANP) personnel.  Afghan government sources say Afghan National Army (ANA) special forces troops mistook the cops as Mujahideen and called in the U.S./NATO airstrike.  Interestingly, Mujahideen stated they had ambushed ANA forces in the same area.  They claim to have killed three ANA personnel.

In Nimruz Province, Chahar Burjak District, reports that 41 people were killed by U.S./NATO airstrike.  Local officials say they were all Mujahideen.

In Faryab Province, Almar District, a suicide bomber using an exploding motorcycle killed himself and several ANA troops.  Different government sources give conflicting reports.  The ANA says that four ANA troops were only wounded.  Local provincial government sources say between one and three ANA troops killed and two wounded.  Also, Mujahideen claimed they assassinated the mayor of Pul Chiragh District, as well as the police chief and two others.

In Jowzjan Province, Aqcha District, reports that 20 Afghan National Army and Police joined the Mujahideen.

In Kandahar Province, Panjwaee District, Sayedano village of Mooshan region was hit by Afghan government forces conducting an Israeli style raid.  Villagers say two people were killed, eight wounded.

In Helmand Province, Marjah District, an Israeli style home invasion took place in Haji Qayyum in Loe Charahi area.  Nine people kidnapped.

In Ghor Province, reports that a village near Chaghcharan city was attacked by unknown gunmen.  Two people killed, a woman and two children wounded.

The Central Council of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan are complaining because they have no representation in the U.S. backed Afghan Parliament.  Hindus and Sikhs are now asking the Afghan government to officially exile them so they can qualify for relocation assistance through the United Nations.

Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a long term strategic security agreement.

Australia has deported it’s first round of refugees from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea.  Reports say some of the men are Iranians.  Australia recently said they would not accept anymore refugees from Afghanistan, even though Australia has a hand in the evil that is taking place in Afghanistan.

An Afghan reporter lost his job after he ‘liked’ an article on Facebook.  The TV station did not give a reason, but it has something to do with a new employee from Germany and the posting on Facebook.  It was also revealed that a manager at the TV station was fired for “interfering” with the German employee.

The U.S. led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the Afghan government have agreed to a deal regarding the huge departure tax Afghanistan was levying on departing U.S./ISAF military equipment: “The Cabinet of Ministers for the Government of Afghanistan has approved the Ministry of Finance’s recommendation to waive penalties and fines associated with customs transit documentation.”-ISAF statement

A U.S. News & World Report article says it will cost U.S. taxpayers $6 billion USD to bring home $36 billion worth of military equipment from Afghanistan.  Another $7 billion worth of military equipment will be left behind!

The U.S. Department of Defense has told the U.S. Congress that the United States needs to maintain “substantial” long term military presence in Afghanistan, after the supposed 2014 pullout.

Breaking Martial Law News: Egyptian U.S. backed military government launching mass arrests nationwide! 149 civilians killed!

14 August 2013 (13:11 UTC-07 Tango)/07 Shawwal 1434/23 Mordad 1391/08 Geng-Shen (7th month) 4711

U.S. backed puppet government says no more protests will be allowed, will be met with military force “no matter the cost”!

Live press conference from bogus military coup interim Interior Minister, Mohamed Ibrahim, in Egypt.  They say they are launching mass arrests of Muslim Brotherhood political party members, all across Egypt!   All Muslim Brotherhood members arrested will be tortured!

Members of Palestinian Hamas being arrested!  Puppet military junta official says reports of civilian casualties are exaggerated.   Orders news media not to call civilians killed by U.S. backed government forces “martyrs”!