Tag Archives: health

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? IMF declares European economy in “Critical” condition, calls for Trilateral Commission style single banking system!

“Despite major policy actions, financial markets in parts of the region remain under acute stress, raising questions about the viability of the monetary union itself.”-IMF statement

18 July 2012, the International Monetary Fund has declared the European Union (EU) economy as “critical”.

The IMF is also pushing for the creation of a single banking union for the EU.  Germany is so far opposed to such an idea.

IMF officials say one of the reasons for the critical economic situation in the EU, is that people are pulling their money out of banks.  Example: Some wealthy Greeks pulled their money out of Greek banks and put it into banks of other European countries that were more financially sound.  By creating a single EU banking system it would prevent that.

Despite being “critical” the economy of the EU is still bigger than that of the United States, and directly affects U.S. business, which is why so many U.S. investors are glued to news from Europe.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Israel holds emergency War meeting concerning Syria! Israel may be behind assassination of Syrian defense officials! Israelis killed in Bulgaria may be Syrian retaliation! Russia says it will punish those behind assassinations of Syrian officials!

“We expect the organizers of the act of terror in Damascus to be identified and for them to face their deserved punishment.”-Russian Foreign Ministry statement

“Israel is closely monitoring all the developments in Syria.”-Ehud Barak, Israeli Defense Minister

“An explosion occurred in a passenger’s bus with Israeli citizens at the Burgas Airport.”-Dimitar Nikoliv, Mayor of Burgas, Bulgaria

18 July 2012, there are reports that Ehud Barak, the Minister of Defense for Israel, just finished an hours long emergency meeting with IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) top brass.

This after two explosions, one that assassinated the top Syrian defense official, and the other which killed at least three Israelis, and wounded 20, on a bus in Bulgaria!

Prior to the attack on the Bulgarian airport shuttle bus carrying Israeli passengers, IDF officials praised the assassination of Syrian officials, rating it “…a 7 on the Richter scale!”

Witnesses to the Bulgarian bus explosion say the entire bus went up in flames.

Russia and China have stated they will veto any new UN Security Council resolutions against Syria.

Fukushima

One Year Later: Radioactive village fenced off! Rice fields left to contamination!

Midnight 16 July 2012, a ceremony was held as Iitate Village, in Fukushima Prefecture, was officially fenced off.

Iitate is now divided into three zones, based on radiation levels.

In the most radioactive area only people with homes in the area are allowed in, but only for a few hours and never overnight!

This is the beginning of government efforts to manage decontamination efforts, more than one year after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident began.

However, 85% of Iitate is woodland and rice fields, and the government has not announced any plans to decontaminate those areas.

Idaho, Technology

S-70 Firehawk caught in rain storm, Pocatello Airport 2012

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After weeks of hot dry weather, and lots of wildfires, eastern Idaho gets hit with random thunder/rain storms!

Click on pics (by AAron B. Hutchins) to make bigger:

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRES 2012: MAINTENANCE DAY FOR SKYCRANE FIRE FIGHTER @ POCATELLO AIRPORT

International, U.S.

Government Incompetence & World War 3: Clinton attacked with tomatoes and shoes in Egypt! Even Egyptian Christians denounce the United States!

“We are, first of all, opposed to the American visit to Egypt. Why? Because they (Americans) are trying to put pressure on the new presidential institution. And we fundamentally cannot accept any interference in Egyptian affairs!”-Protester attacking Hillary Clinton

15 July 2012, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with Egyptian Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, supposedly to convince the junta to turn government power over to the newly elected Egyptian President (at least that’s the official report by Chock Full o’Crap western media).

But the Egyptian people (90% Muslim) are not buying that claim, especially since after the meeting Tantawi continues to say he will not give power to anyone who is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In Alexandria protestors threw bottles, tomatoes and shoes at Clinton’s motorcade. Similar protests were held at the Cairo hotel where she was staying Saturday night.

The elected President is the first Egyptian President not connected to the military since 1952.  He is a member of the Muslim Brotherhood.  Reports say the Obama Administration is asking the junta to go easy on the Muslim Brotherhood, and this has Egyptian Christians upset.

Coptic businessmen and church leaders have issued written objections to U.S. melding in Egyptian politics.   Looks like the U.S. is damned if they do and damned if they don’t in Egypt.

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 08 July – 11 July. Deadliest day for NATO! Germans run over children! Despite billions in donations from other countries, the money is not helping average Afghans, only helps Corporations!

11 July 2012

“Unfortunately four of our brave local police were killed and two others injured in this cowardly attack.”-Hekmatullah Kochi, Zhari district police spokesman

In Kandahar Province, Afghan police turned on each other. Four people killed after two cops began shooting at other cops. Local officials are saying the Mujahideen infiltrated local police units.

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) says a U.S. led occupying soldier was killed by an explosion: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

At least 237 U.S. led occupying personnel have died in Afghanistan since the beginning of this year.

ISAF claims to have captured two Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan leaders.  The capture actually took place on 07 July 2012.

10 July 2012

In Kunduz Province, local police officials are reporting that German troops ran over children with their armored vehicle. They say one child was killed and two wounded.  The U.S. puppet German government has not commented.

While in Japan raising more international taxpayer money for his country, President Hamid Karzai told reporters that Mujahideen were involved with current peace talks.  However, Mujahideen groups around Afghanistan immediately denied that they were involved with peace talks with the Afghan government.

09 July 2012

In Paktiya and Nuristan provinces, local officials are reporting fire fights with Mujahideen. In Paktiya about 400 Mujahideen attacked a local government compound.  At least one cop and two Mujahideen were killed. In Nuristan, local officials claim residents repelled an attack by so called Mujahideen.

Afghan government officials are also claiming that residents in the provinces of Ghazni and Faryab repelled so called Mujahideen attacks.

In Kandahar Province, five people were killed.  Some reports say three of those killed were suicide bombers. Their car bomb went off too soon according to local police. The other two killed were children.

In Maidan Wardak Province, Mujahideen claim they killed five U.S. Marines.  Reports say NATO confirmed the attack, but not the identity of those killed.

What Economic Recovery? A 92 year old Afghan newspaper, Etifaq-e-Islam, has finally called it quits. This after surviving the Soviet occupation, Civil War and Taliban government.  Apparently working under U.S. occupation was too much financially.  The newspaper had been relying on subsidies from local supporters, but the last few financial backers called it quits.

In Helmand Province, five people killed, 13 wounded, when a motorcycle bomb exploded: “An explosive laden motorbike was detonated through a remote control device near an Afghan Local Police checkpoint in Mirmandab area of Gereshk district Sunday evening, as a result two ALP policemen and three civilians lost their lives.”-Daud Ahmadi, local government spokesman

A former Chicago State University professor, who specializes in studying Afghanistan, Mohammed Duad Miraki, says the majority of the billions of USD in aid money does not go to the Afghan government. Regarding some $60 billion USD in aid, only 23% made it to the Afghan government, “…the rest has been used by international corporations and donors and over priced experts.”

Miraki added: “None of the $60 billion that have come to Afghanistan in any shape and form has affected the Afghan people in a positive way.”

Recently the international community, led by the U.S., has agreed to give Afghanistan another $16 billion USD, and of course it’s coming from taxpayers!

In Samangan Province, a traffic accident involving Afghan soldiers who just completed basic training, left 11 dead and 19 injured. It took place on Kabul-Mazar-e-Sharif highway. Local officials say reckless driving is to blame. This comes as the Afghan government recently admitted that many deadly traffic accidents are being caused by reckless driving by police!

In Kandahar Province, a series of coordinated explosions killed three people, and wounded two children.

ISAF claims to have captured another leader, along with several suspects, this time in Khost Province.

08 July 2012

70 countries pledged $16 billion USD to Afghanistan at the Tokyo Conference.

In Ghazni Province, the provincial prosecutor was assassinated.  He was shot, and no one claims responsibility.

In Kandahar Province: “This morning a tractor and small truck hit roadside bombs in Arghistan district, killing 14 people and wounding three.”-Abdul Raziq, local police chief

In Helmand Province, local officials say Mujahideen attacked and killed five cops.  Local police say they killed 22 Mujahideen.

ISAF reports eight U.S. led NATO occupying troops killed by a Mujahideen attack.  The attack took place on 07 July.

An unnamed U.S. official confirmed the ISAF/NATO report, and added that six of the occupying personnel killed in southern Afghanistan were U.S. troops.

NATO also reported that two other occupying troops were killed on 07 July, but their nationality has not been released.  This makes 07 July 2012 the deadliest day for NATO, so far.

 

 

 

 

Idaho, Technology

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: Maintenance day for Skycrane fire fighter @ Pocatello Airport

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Photos by AAron B. Hutchins. Pics get bigger when you click on them:

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRES 2012: CURRENT FIRES FOR 12 JULY

BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIRPORT, AS FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

SIKORSKY SKYCRANE LEAVES POCATELLO AIRPORT FOR COX’S WELL FIRE

Idaho, U.S.

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: Current fires for 12 July

The following is a list of fires burning on 12 July 2012, from the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (EIIFC);

Butte City #2 Fire: 186 acres, began 11 July, 70% containment.

Midway Fire: Southeast of Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1). 8,900 acres, 25% containment.  Began 10 July.  One of my co-workers had to detour to Idaho Falls, as the fire shut down Highway 26 to Blackfoot.

Cedar Butte WSA Fire: 1,200 acres, began 11 July, 30% containment.

Ross Fire: Began 12 July, contained, less than one acre burned.

Rooster Rock Fire: Southwest of Pocatello, 2,500 acres, began 11 July, 90% contained.

Knox Canyon Fire: 600 acres, began 11 July, 35% contained.

However, I saw smoke from several fires, some maybe not mentioned in the EIIFC report.

12 July, smoke (from Knox Canyon Fire?) seen west of Pocatello Century High School (you know, the new one that looks like a prison). The hill in the foreground was burned during the 28 June 2012 Charlotte Fire.

12 July, smoke seen rising (hard to see in this pic) north of Simplot Don Plant (Cedar Butte WSA Fire?).

12 July, smoke seen rising about ten miles southwest of Pocatello Airport (Rooster Rock Fire?).

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRE 2012: BUSY 30 MINUTES AT POCATELLO AIRPORT, AS FIRE FIGHTING AIRCRAFT FLY INTO ACTION

Idaho, Technology

East Idaho Wildfire 2012: Busy 30 minutes at Pocatello Airport, as fire fighting aircraft fly into action

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The following pics (which you can make bigger by clicking on them) were taken by AAron B. Hutchins, within a thirty minutes period, at the Pocatello Regional Airport (USFS Air Tanker Base), on 12JUL2012, between 11:30 hours and 12:00 hours.

Remember, these pics were taken within a 30 minute period.

EAST IDAHO WILDFIRES 2012: MORE NEW FIRES ON 11 JULY, FIRE NEAR NUKE REACTOR, CRATERS OF THE MOON

Crews preping S-64 Skycrane to join in battle against Cox’s Well Fire. Photo by AAron B. Hutchins, 10JUL2012.

SIKORSKY SKYCRANE LEAVES POCATELLO AIRPORT FOR COX’S WELL FIRE

Idaho, U.S.

East Idaho Wildfires 2012: More new fires on 11 July, fire near nuke reactor, Craters of the Moon

11 July 2012, yesterday’s Cox’s Well Fire, near Springfield (east of Craters of the Moon National Monument), is supposedly 100% contained, although the EIIFC website is still showing 70% containment. Lightning is blamed.

But now several other fires have sprung up, because of lightning. Reports said there was a fire southwest of Atomic City, and a fire near the EBR-1 nuclear reactor.

EBR-1, ancient nuclear reactor in the middle of nowhere eastern Idaho. Near Midway Fire, which started on 10 July.

New fires reported on 11 July, by the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center (EIIFC), are;

Old Grade Fire: Near Arco, they expect to have it controlled by 20:00 hours.

Butte City #2 Fire: 186 acres, no estimate on containment.

Cedar Butte WSA Fire: 1,200 acres, no estimate on containment.

Knox Canyon Fire: 600 acres, no further info.

Smoke from Knox Canyon Fire. Pic taken about 8 miles south of Arimo, on the north side of the Malad Pass, facing west.

Rooster Rock Fire: Southwest of Pocatello, 2,500 acres, extra fire fighting help has been called in.

Power County Assist #2 Fire: Power County Fire Department on scene.

Massacre Fire: Southwest of American Falls, 475 acres, 3 buildings destroyed, now contained.

Air Tractor fire fighter takes off from Pocatello Airport, as Skycrane undergoes maintenance after a busy day, 11 July 2012.

There are still fires burning from days ago;

Midway Fire: Southeast of Experimental Breeder Reactor-1 (EBR-1). 5,000 acres, no estimation on containment.  Began 10 July.

Box Canyon Fire: 380 acres, 50% containment, northwest of EBR-1. Started 09 July.