Tag Archives: taxes

Business/Economics, International, Technology, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Sony to force 2,000 employees into early retirement!

19 October 2012, four years later and still losing money, electronics giant Sony says it’s forced to push 2,000 Japanese employees into early retirement.

This means those employees will have much less retirement money coming to them, with reduced or no benefits.  That means people not able to spend as much money as they planned, pushing the consumer driven economy further down.

The new announcement could be part of the already planned layoffs of 10,000 employees worldwide.  Even so, Sony admits the job cuts will have limited impact on revenue.  That’s because of all the people who’s incomes have dropped, or ceased all together (no thanks to the too Big to Fail Corporations/Banks), who can no longer buy the latest high tech electronic devices!

Sony is also closing a Japanese factory that makes lenses for digital cameras.

Business/Economics, Idaho, International, U.S.

Global Food Crisis & What Economic Recovery? Crops being destroyed by weather, disease and plagues of Red Squirrels! Crop prices going up, good for Idaho farmers with crops to sell, bad for you at the grocery store check out! Is it all smoke & mirrors bull shit?

17 October 2012,  despite reports indicating crop destruction worldwide, and within the U.S., the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports (in their newly released October 2012 report) that overall crop production in the United States is way up (if you throw out corn & soybeans).

A major indicator of crop destruction is the announcement by Farm Credit Service of America (FCSA) that insurance payouts, to U.S. farmers who’ve lost crops, will be at least $25 billion USD, but could hit $40 billion for 2012.

FCSA blames the insurance claims for most of the U.S. crop losses on drought.  Even the USDA reported that the entire state of South Dakota is suffering severe to exceptional drought.  South Dakota farmers, alone, have filed more $149 million in insurance claims.

Some states are now experiencing corn crop destruction because of early freezing temps.  So, in states like Arkansas and Kentucky, not only have drought and cold weather hurt corn production, but the October/Halloween corn mazes aren’t happening because the stalks are too short. The result is that revenue from agritourism is going down (the USDA does agritourism surveys every five years, the last one in 2007).

It’s so bad that corn crops from the Midwestern states are considered destroyed (U.S. corn production is at its lowest point since 1995).  The result is corn prices are soaring.  By 15 October, corn commodity prices increased 5% at the Chicago board of trade.

Last year U.S. corn prices averaged $6.22 per bushel, this year the average is now $7.80!  Some analysts say it’ll hit $8.25 before the end of the year.

The U.S. corn crop destruction is part of a worldwide decline in corn crops. Currently international corn stockpiles are 14 million metric tons below what was expected!  (keep that in mind; “what was expected”, research UN data and you’ll learn that there’s still a lot of corn out there)

Apples are down as well. My own apple tree (here in Idaho), as well as my neighbors’ apple trees, have produce only a fraction of what they normally put out.  In the state of Michigan apple farmers are reporting the same thing, saying their trees produced only 10% of normal output!  An apple farmer in Michigan reports his agritourism revenues way down at his U-Pick apple farm.

In Indiana, apple farmers report getting only 25% of their normal apple harvest.  The Washington Growers Clearing House reports that apple commodity prices are 13% higher than last year.  But that’s good news for Washington state apple farmers; they’re reporting a record harvest.

Even with their record harvest, apple growers in Washington can not make up for crop loses in the rest of the U.S.  As a result, with the high commodity prices for apples, Washington apple farmers could see a record $7 billion in revenue for 2012!  By the way, if your willing to pick apples reports say Washington apple farmers are unable to fill 700 apple picking jobs.

Why the decrease in apples in the rest of the country?  Some states are blaming earlier than normal freezing temps, but several states are reporting a plague of red squirrels.  In Vermont some apple farmers report the squirrels ate half their crop.  In South Carolina, squirrels are blamed for killing more than 100 apple trees.

While biologists suggest that warmer than normal temps caused an increase in squirrel populations (causing an increase in food sources), they admit no one could have predicted this year’s huge numbers of squirrels.  The squirrels are now devouring apples because their normal food source, acorns and beechnuts, are way down this year.

Around the world, in Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Korea (north), India, Pakistan, and in African countries, crops have been destroyed by drought, or other extreme weather events like flooding.

In Japan, domestic agriculture has not only been affected by weather but by the ongoing nuclear disaster at Fukushima Daiichi.

In Afghanistan, farmers report hundreds of acres of crops destroyed by disease.

In Zimbabwe, farmers who couldn’t pay their electric bills had the power cut off to their irrigation pumps.  A farmer said the power was cut without warning, even thought they tried to make payment arraignments with the utility company: “We admit we owe ZESA a debt of $3,000 but they should not have disconnected us without discussing our payment arrangements which we had submitted. The farmers were willing to settle their debts after harvesting their crop during the first week of November.”-Newton Gwetu

In India it’s not just weather, but animals.  Farmers are reporting that their crops are being destroyed by rampaging wild boars and elephants. Elephant rampages have been reported since August.

It’s not just elephants in India, but elephants in African countries are also rampaging.  In Tanzania, officials report elephants have destroyed villages and crops: “Up to now people are helpless and TANAPA [Tanzania National Park] rangers are just watching the destruction without taking any action.”-Jumanne Kwiro, Serengeti District Council

In Australia, the climate change is being blamed for driving feral pigs to eating farmers’ crops: “We’re seeing enterprises being destroyed, also pressure in grazing lands that we haven’t seen before. Going into drier seasons we’re really looking at grazing problems as well as destruction of crops.”-Rachel Pratt, Queensland’s AgForce

Australian ag officials are also concerned the exploding feral pig population will affect cattle: “Pigs carry diseases like bruscellosis, leptospirosis and paracites and also they can also carry potentially exotic diseases like foot and mouth.”-Ben Gardiner, Australian Veterinary Association

The International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) recently reported that corn and wheat crops in Central America are expected to continue their downward trend, averaging a loss of $120 million per year by 2020: “Even with our most conservative estimates, it’s clear that climate change could transform the agricultural landscape across Central America.”-Anton Eitzinger, CIAT

One activist said farmers need to be more adaptable to radical changes in climate: “Extension services across the region need to be reinvigorated to train small farmers in soil and water management. And governments need to lead, they have the ability to make a real difference through setting climate-smart agricultural policies.”-Paul Hicks, Catholic Relief Services

War can be blamed for crop destruction as well. Not just the obvious destruction by bombing and gunfire, but illegal Israeli settlers, in Palestinian territory, have been actively destroying Palestinian olive trees.  More than 500 Palestinian olive trees destroyed by illegal Israeli settlers, so far in 2012!

But what about crops that we don’t eat?  The clothes on your back could be threatened as well.  Cotton crops in Pakistan and India have been destroyed by recent floods.  However, Indian officials have stated that many cotton farms that survived the floods will actually produce bumper yields.  (also, cotton production in the U.S. is up, according to the October 2012 USDA report)

Again, those areas that are not suffering from crop destruction tend to be enjoying bumper crop yields, which means those farmers will also enjoy the higher revenue due to the higher commodity prices, created by speculators supposedly fearful of crop destruction.

While researching Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) I noticed that their most recent graph of global food production shows a steady increase, year after year.  Yet back in August, the UN actually asked the United States to stop bio-fuel production so those crops could be used for food!

The problem isn’t a lack of crops, the problem is the increasing cost to people who need to eat those crops.

There are several examples from the 1990s, such as U.S. rice rotting on Haitian docks because Haitians couldn’t afford to buy it, and African tomato farmers who left their crops to rot in the field because forced competition from Italian companies drove down tomato prices so low it wasn’t worth harvesting the fruits.

Is that what’s happening now, but on a global scale?  Is this what our leaders  mean by leveling the playing field of globalization?

I live in a state that is experiencing bumper crops: Idaho.

Idaho’s dry bean production is up 61% from 2011 (in fact bean production for the entire U.S. is expected to be 56% more than last year).  Despite bean production being so high, speculators are also keeping prices for beans high. Commodity prices for beans are currently about 40 cents per pound, some bean prices are down from last year but they’re still near record highs: “That’s still the best price I’ve ever got myself! I’m not going to complain.”-Dana Rasmussen, Idaho bean farmer

The USDA says Idaho’s canola production has doubled from last year (canola production is also up in Washington & Oregon).  Ag officials attribute this directly to higher commodity prices driven by speculators: “The number one  reason for this increase is there have been excellent and very competitive prices available for farmers.”-Jack Brown, University of Idaho

Idaho’s alfalfa production was down 7%, but that reflects those hay farmers who do not have irrigated fields.  Idaho hay farmers with irrigation actually saw bumper alfalfa yields: “I would say our yields were up a half to a ton per acre. It was a warm summer, and alfalfa loves heat and water.”– Will Ricks, Idaho Hay and Forage Association

Even though Idaho hay farmers with irrigation had bumper crops, the demand for those crops far exceeded supply: “Hay producers were getting calls from dairies in the Midwest. They were willing to pay $300 per ton plus shipping, but nobody had any hay to sell.”-Glenn Shewmaker, University of Idaho

Ag Officials from other states are lamenting just how much Idaho’s ag industry has grown: “Idaho has increased in just two years the equivalent of the entire state of Maine’s production. The July 2012 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop production report showed Oregon at 41,000 acres, Colorado at 55,000, Michigan at 46,000, Minnesota at 51,000, Maine at 59,000, New York at 17,000 and Wisconsin at 63,000 acres.”-Bob Davis, Maine Farmers Exchange

What is Bob Davis talking about?  Idaho’s farming acreage has grown, in just two years, to 345,000.   That’s 13,000 more than Oregon, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Maine, New York and Wisconsin combined!!!

You might say Idaho’s ag industry is good for the economy, providing jobs for Idahoans.  But that ain’t so.  Most ag workers are migrants, and even though there’s a shortage of migrant workers many Idaho farmers complain that Idahoans aren’t willing to work for the peanuts they pay.

Idaho law states that farm workers must be paid minimum wage (currently $7.25 per hour in Idaho), however, if a farm laborer is “contracted” that’s a different story: “When I first talked to the farmer about work, he told me that he would pay me $14 per acre. I worked nine hours every day for over a week, but the work was so hard I was only able to do three acres a day. On payday, my boss made up all kinds of excuses and ended up paying me just $11 per acre, which comes out to about $3.60 an hour…. I didn’t know what to do. I have two children to feed.”–Gloria Paniagua, Cassia County, Idaho

Being a contracted farm worker is similar to being on salary, a really bad salary.

According to a report by Idaho Community Action Network, and the Northwest Federation of Community Organizations, the average wage earned by farm workers in Idaho is $5.97 per hour, working ten hours per day, six days per week.

So what’s the point of all this?  There is no food shortage!  Reports show that while there are massive crop losses, those farms still producing are producing record yields!  UN agencies (FAO) report record global ag production almost year after year!  Crony capitalist speculators (who’re probably working for the corporate farms) are driving up food prices, even when there is no shortage of the resources!  Farmers with crops to sell are making big money because of the increased commodity prices and because of the dirt wages they pay their workers!  Don’t forget to add in escalating transportation costs! The net result is everyone is going to pay unjustifiably more for their food at the grocery store or restaurant!

Did you get a pay raise?

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 13 – 15 October 2012. U.S./NATO bombs children, again! Iran deal making with Mujahideen? Mujahideen using sticky bombs.

15 October 2012

In Herat Province, a doctor, two nurses, and their driver were kidnapped.  They all worked for the International Red Crescent.  So far, no one knows why they were kidnapped, or by whom.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed six security guards and destroyed three fuelers.

In Khost Province, a Afghan National Army soldier joined the Mujahideen.

In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was attacked. Mujahideen claim they killed security guards and destroyed one tanker truck.

A former member of the Iranian Revolutionary Force, Fatima Khazarpoor, claims that Iranian government officials have been holding secret talks with Mujahideen.  The talks concern a variety of issues including what will happen post U.S./NATO pullout. She says Iranian officials have been meeting with Pakistani officials as well.  Khazarpoor now lives in Afghanistan and says she and her family have been threatened by Iranian agents.  Is this just another scam to justify keeping U.S./NATO troops in Afghanistan?

Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, paid a visit to Afghanistan, over increased Green on Blue attacks: “I spoke to President Karzai about our concern about insider attacks and sought an assurance from him that everything that can be done is being done.”

14 October 2012

In Parwan Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked the convoy of Afghanistan’s Second Vice President, Karim Khalili.  Mujahideen say they killed eight security guards, wounded several more, but are not sure if they were successful in assassinating the Second Vice President.

Five of the seven Red Coat Royal Marines, arrested a few days ago, have been officially charged with murdering an Afghan man.

In Farah Province, reports that local police tortured a man to death, then hid his body in a pile of garbage.

In Helmand Province, a U.S./NATO airstrike killed three children and two adults collecting firewood. U.S./NATO claims the victims were Mujahideen planting mines.

In Bamiyan Province, a United Nations helicopter made an emergency landing. UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan officials say it was due to mechanical problems.

In Kandahar Province, Mujahideen claim they repelled several airborne assaults  by U.S./NATO forces.

13 October 2012

In Herat Province, Mujahideen say they used a “sticky bomb” to blow up a police car. The bomb, similar to a Limpet Mine, was attached to the side of the vehicle.

ISAF said: “One coalition forces service member and one coalition forces civilian died following an improvised explosive device attack in southern Afghanistan.”   Independent reports say the deaths were the result of multiple bomb attacks in Kandahar Province.  Besides the ISAF personnel killed there were four Afghan intelligence agents killed, and three wounded as well.

Also in Kandahar Province, two local police joined the Mujahideen in Panjwaee.

In Zabul Province, co-ordinated explosions killed two people and wounded three.  Also, Mujahideen claim a U.S./NATO helicopter crashed and caught fire.  Mujahideen say the helicopter was having mechanical problems and that they did not shoot it down.

In Baghlan Province, Mujahideen claim to have set two U.S./NATO supply trucks on fire.

 

 

Business/Economics, International

British Empire allows Scotland to vote on Independence!

“….the agreement will see Scotland take an important step toward independence, and the means to create a fairer and more prosperous Scotland!”-Alex Salmond, Scottish First Minister

15 October 2012, United Kingdom Prime Minister, David Cameron, has signed an agreement with Scottish First Minister, Alex Salmond.

The agreement allows the people of Scotland to hold elections in 2014 (to coincide with the 700th anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn), to decide their possible independence from the British Empire.

One reason that some Scottish want independence is that they pay more to the British Empire in taxes than what they get back in British government services (similar to some states in the U.S. who pay more in taxes than what they get back from the federal government).

The people of Scotland should not be fooled, as history is full of examples of the British Empire reneging on its promises.  Even David Cameron stated: “…I passionately hope and believe that they will vote to keep the United Kingdom together. We are better off together, we are stronger together, we are safer together.” 

The British Empire could lose its bases for its nuclear submarines, but it should be noted that Scotland has lots of oil (Alex Salmond is a former oil economist), would the British Empire really want to lose that?

So far, most polls have shown about 40% of Scottish support independence, for the next two years there will be intense political campaigns to influence the voters.

U.S.

U.S. West Nile Virus update, 14 October 2012: Record number of cases! Victims relapsing! Golf official dies from virus! Watch for Canaries in the coal mine.

“I don’t know if she is going to be permanently crippled or paralyzed or memory loss, and there’s a thing on the back of her eye.”-Ebonie Conner, mother of West Nile virus victim

14 October 2012, an Arlington, Texas, teenager has become sick for a second time.  The 17 years old girl first got sick in August, was showing signs of recovery, but has relapsed.

The Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) stated that the number of cases has exceeded the West Nile outbreak of 2003.   As of 09 October, 4,249 cases have been reported to the CDC.  At least 168 people have died.  Half of all cases are the more severe neuroinvasive diseases, such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Nearly 70% of cases in eight states: Texas, California, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Dakota, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Illinois.

In Oklahoma, a victim has a warning for people, just ’cause you don’t see mosquitoes doesn’t mean you won’t get sick:“I don’t remember getting bit. I don’t remember where, when, why or how!”-Bob Matthews

Matthews got sick back in July, he’s been in a wheelchair ever since.  Doctors even told his wife to call a priest for last rites, after he fell into a coma for two weeks.

Also In Oklahoma, on 12 October Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) official, Doug Brecht, died after fighting the virus for three months.  He got sick while in Ohio.

In Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, state health officials found another infected horse.  The state ranks third in the United States for veterinary cases.

Some reports say most of the cases involving horses, are horses that have not been vaccinated.  There is a vaccine for horses, but not for humans.  A veterinarian in Missouri says horse owners have gotten lack in vaccinations: “We had a pretty good outbreak about seven years ago and everybody vaccinated at that point.  Well, since we vaccinated, the disease kind of went away, so people stopped vaccinating. Well, now it’s coming back, so a lot of these younger horses haven’t been vaccinated…”-Scott Espy

A veterinarian from Louisiana says it’s not pretty when a horse gets sick: “Supportive care for horses that cannot eat, drink, or get up on their own include IV fluids, sling support, or feeding through a stomach tube. Complications may arise from being down, including colic, pressure sores, and muscle injury. Unfortunately, even with the state-of-the-art, round-the-clock care, horses that go down and cannot rise usually do not survive.”-Kristi Gran, Baronne Veterinary Clinic

Gran adds that about 60% of horses with West Nile survive, but about 90% of horses with related Eastern Equine Encephalitis die, or have to be killed.

On 13 October, Louisiana reported another human death, and nine more cases.  12 people have died from the virus in that state.

Massachusetts media could be jumping the gun, when they reported cases of West Nile and Eastern Equine Encephalitis “on its way out”.  They made the claim based on freezing overnight temps, but state health officials continue to urge caution.

On 13 October, officials in Suwannee County, Florida, issued an alert, saying the risk of getting West Nile was actually increasing.

A man from Box Elder County became the first person to die from the virus in Utah.

In New Jersey, Ocean County Health Department reported an eighth human case.

In California, health officials warning of increased cases.  Recently, dozens of dead birds have tested positive for West Nile, and the number of mosquitoes testing positive for the infection has surpassed last year’s numbers, in some counties.

Illinois health officials are reporting the first case of a dead bird testing positive for West Nile.  No dead birds tested positive for the virus in 2011.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 09 – 12 October 2012. British Empire spreads with Sandhurst style academy in Kabul, British taxpayers pay for it. Red Coat Marines arrested for murdering Afghans! NATO reveals plans to stay past 2014! Pakistani officials say war in Afghanistan is Holy!

12 October 2012

In Farah Province, a NATO heavy transport, carrying a armored fighting vehicle (AFV), was ambushed by Mujahideen.  Both the transport and AFV were destroyed.

In Ghazni Province, a U.S./NATO nighttime airstrike killed 14 people.  ISAF says the airstrike killed Mujahideen.  The United States must now consider children and mothers Mujahideen, because three children and their mother were among those killed.

In Maidan Wardak Province, a Canadian man and U.S. woman were kidnapped. No word on what the two civilians were doing in the province.

Seven U.K. Red Coat Royal Marines were arrested for violating British Rules of Engagement (RoE).  One Red Coat Marine confessed that an Afghan was killed in violation of the RoE.  The incident took place in Helmand Province last year, no further details.

In Nangarhar Province, reports saying that U.S./NATO forces at Jalalabad airport have been hit with at least ten artillery rockets.

In Kandahar Province, local government police are reporting that religious leaders are now openly condemning the Karzai government.  Police officials also claim the religious leaders are actually from Pakistan and Iran.  Also, Mujahideen claim they fired artillery rockets at several U.S./NATO bases.

In Paktia Province, a security guard/local militiaman joined the Mujahideen.

11 October 2012

In Kandahar Province, an 88 years old man shot at U.S./NATO personnel, who were conducting reckless searches of homes, destroying property.  He hit three of them before being killed by return fire.

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have launched artillery rockets, and fired mortar rounds at two U.S./NATO bases.

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan.”  It might be a Georgian soldier, as the government of Georgia also reported: “Corporal Abashidze died while fulfilling a combat task under the ISAF mission in Afghanistan.”  Soldiers from Georgia are operating alongside U.S. Marines in Helmand Province.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim they attacked a U.S./NATO armored personnel carrier (APC) in the middle of the night.  They say that at 03:00 hours they climbed on top of the APC, dropping two grenades into it.  The explosions killed the crew, and the Mujahideen captured a U.S./NATO machine gun.  Also, Mujahideen in Maktab area of Helmand, claim that U.S./NATO forces have been seen abandoning their outposts.

Near Kabul city construction of the Afghan National Military Academy was begun. The academy is being paid for by United Kingdom, at a cost to the British taxpayer of about $42 million USD.  The academy is being model on the British Sandhurst military school, and it will be staffed with 120 trainers from the British Empire.  This is just a sneaky way the United Kingdom will maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.

In Kabul Province, a security chief in charge of Bagram Prison was possibly wounded by an explosion. Reports are confusing, but the prison boss and two other security guards were attending a ceremony when an explosion took place.  Some reports say all three men were wounded, other reports say the prison boss was not hurt.

In Balkh Province, a security chief and his bodyguard were killed by an explosion.  Five other security officials were wounded.

10 October 2012

In Nangarhar Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed.  Two supply trucks were burned, no word on casualties.

In Pakistan, Imran Khan, the current boss of the Pakistani Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI), said the war being fought by Mujahideen against the U.S. led occupiers in Afghanistan, is justified.

U.S. President, Barack Obama, nominated USMC General Joseph Dunford to lead the war effort in Afghanistan and oversee plans to withdraw most of America’s combat forces by the end of 2014.

NATO has revealed plans to stay beyond the 2014 pull out date.  They call it a “post combat mission”.

ISAF said: “Afghan and coalition forces killed Haqqani leader, Nasrullah, in an operation in Paktiya Province…”

In Kandahar Province, people of Muhammad Khelo village say U.S./NATO personnel conducted an illegal night time raid.  Seven family members were arrested and one was killed.

In Paktika Province, hundreds of people protested against the continued illegal night raids by U.S./NATO forces.

In Helmand Province, seven cops were killed when a car bomb went off (some reports say it was a roadside bomb).

09 October 2012

In Wardak Province, a U.S./NATO supply convoy was ambushed. At least three supply trucks were destroyed, and several security guards killed.

In Helmand Province, local people say a U.S./NATO drone crashed.  Mujahideen say a “large” aircraft crashed in their area.  Also, one cop was killed and two other cops were wounded when they failed to defuse a bomb.  Also, three civilians were killed when they drove over a mine.

UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Jan Kubiš, said the United Nations will not let the puppet government of Afghanistan fall, after the 2014 pull out date: “The International Community stands shoulder by shoulder with Afghanistan and will not allow any crisis in Afghanistan which have been predicted by various groups.”

Afghan Defense Ministry officials announced three Afghan National Army (ANA) personnel killed, 14 wounded in battles with Mujahideen. ANA claims to have killed seven Mujahideen, wounding nine and capturing ten. The battels took place in Khost, Paktiya, Ghazni, Zabul, Nimroz and Kunar provinces.

Australian Defense Minister, Stephen Smith, said: “Australian and ISAF commanders continue to be confident that we are on track to transfer to Afghan-led security in Uruzgan over the next 12 to 18 months.”

In Uruzgan Province, a senior religious leader was assassinated. He was shot.  The gunmen got away.

In Kandahar Province, people of Nasiro village say a U.S./NATO airstrike hit one of their homes killing one person.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

World War 3 & What Economic Recovery? IMF says U.S. led War on Terror destroying hopes of economic recovery! World Bank says bailing out big corporations is not the answer!

“Perhaps the greatest roadblock will be the huge legacy of public debt, which now averages almost 110% of GDP for the advanced economies, the highest level since World War Two!“-Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director

12 October 2012, officials with the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, issued dire warnings about any possible economic recovery, and they blamed the worsening economy on war and big corporations!

The IMF’s Lagarde said government spending on war prevents government spending on true economic growth: “This leaves governments highly exposed to subtle shifts in confidence. It also ties their hands, especially as they seek to build the infrastructure of the 21th century while respecting social promises.”

The IMF and the World Bank held meetings in Tokyo, Japan, this past week.  The new President of the World Bank, Jim Yong Kim, said big corporations should not be counted on to create jobs: “I’ve learned that the best solutions to economic and social problems lie with individuals and communities coping with these challenges in their daily life.”

According to Kim, one of those solutions would be to make loans easier to get, for emerging economies: “We’re developing new diverse instruments [loans] customized to their needs. As emerging economies take on a growing role in the global economy, I am personally committed to ensuring they have a strong voice within our institution.”

And that’s the point, this new financial help is not intended for countries like the United States, in fact the IMF says the U.S. and Europe need to get their acts together: “Whether you turn to Europe, to the United States of America, to other places as well, there is a level of uncertainty that is hampering decision makers from investing, from creating jobs….We need action…”-Christine Lagarde, IMF managing director

For the most part World Bank’s Jim Yong Kim played good cop, confidently presenting hope for recovery, while the IMF’s Christine Legarde played bad cop, hitting the audience with a dose of reality: “The recovery is still too weak.  Job prospects, for untold millions, are still too scarce.  And the gap between the rich and poor is still way too big.”  

Business/Economics, International, Opinion, Technology, U.S.

World War 3 & What Economic Recovery? USS Stennis joins up with USS Washington near Myanmar. On way to Iran, or preps for war with China? Employing new Advanced Precision Kill Weapons. An example of what’s wrong with the U.S. economy!

“As the Asia-Pacific region continues to grow in importance, we must ensure we are capable of operating in a complex environment in order to continue to promote peace, cooperation and stability here.”-Rear Admiral Chuck Gaouette, commander of the Stennis CSG

12 October 2012, two Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) led by USS Stennis and the USS Washington, conducted joint flight operations and anti-submarine drills in the Andaman Sea.

The Andaman Sea is just west of Myanmar.  The two CSGs employ more than 10,000 USN and USMC personnel.

Rear Admiral Gaouette mentions the importance of increasing the presence of the United States in the Asia Pacific area (aka forward presence operations), but no mention of the original plan to send the USS Stennis to the Persian Gulf.

At the beginning of 2012, Iranian military officials gave a dire warning: “…we are not in the habit of repeating a warning and we warn only once.”-Major General Ataollah Salehi, Iranian Army, 03 January 2012 threat against USS Stennis

Iranians claim the USS Stennis deliberately sailed through Iranian naval war games, and sailed danger close to Iranian oil platforms.

In July it was announced the USS Stennis would return to the Persian Gulf, four months ahead of schedule. The aircraft carrier left its home port in Bremerton, Washington, on 27 August 2012 for an eight month deployment.

So far, the two CSGs have spent a lot of time in and around the now hotly disputed South China Sea.  Most of the countries that border the South China Sea are currently in a war of words over who has rights to access natural resources, mainly petroleum.  Those countries include Korea, Japan and China.

In September it was revealed that the Stennis CSG is armed with a new Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS). These weapons come from a Red Coat British empire company, BAE.

The APKWS is basically “…a standard unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rocket into a precision laser guided rocket to give warfighters a low cost surgical strike capability.”-BAE statement

Admiral Jonathan Greenert says the updated short range missile (now that it’s guided it’s a missile) system is needed to fight off smaller Iranian attack ships. Greenert wants all U.S. military vessels, deploying to the Persian Gulf, to be equipped with the BAE system.   Reports are confusing as it seems the Stennis CSG is not completely updated with APKWS.  Greenert said the cost to update a CSG is about $250 million (U.S. taxes going to make money for the Red Coats).

BAE is the result of a merger between British Aerospace and Marconi Electronics. It is the sixth largest military contractor for the United States. They just won a $97 million U.S. taxpayer dollar contract to “reset” Bradley armored personnel carriers  (more U.S. taxes going to make money for the Red Coats).

Speaking of U.S. taxpayer money being spent outside the U.S., according to officials with the city of Phuket, Thailand, U.S. military personnel spent up to $326,000 USD during their five day shore leave. And that’s just one out of dozens of port of calls made by the U.S. Navy and Marines around the world.

U.S. military personnel are paid with tax dollars, but while thousands of sailors and Marines are spending hundreds of thousands of U.S. taxes in foreign ports (for who knows what), their loved ones back home in the states are spending money to donate items to sailors and Marines!

According to he Wythe-Bland Navy for Moms project, for the end of year holiday season at least 4,800 care packages and cards will be sent to USN and USMC personnel (supposedly most people back in the states think these highly paid warriors are somehow deprived).

Someone should do a study to see how much is spent in the U.S. on care packages versus how much is spent by USN and USMC (as well as USAF & USA) personnel in other countries!

Don’t bitch at me! I’m former military, as is my father, uncle, grandfathers, great grandfathers, and my son (until he had a stroke, which the USA conveniently label “prior existing condition” so he doesn’t get VA help!).  What I can’t stand is inefficiency, waste and ignorance. Here we have prime examples of U.S. taxpayer money being spent on weapon systems made by foreigners, U.S. military personnel spending huge amounts of their taxpayer funded paychecks in the countries they visit rather than at home where the economy is going down the toilet, and their loved ones struggling to put together care packages ’cause they think that somehow their warriors are deprived!?

The city of Phuket, Thailand, also reported that 19 sailors (only 19 out of the thousands that make up a CSG?) volunteered to help build a drainage line for rainwater runoff at an orphanage.

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 05 – 08 October 2012. U.S. occupation results in increased rapes & ‘honor’ killing! Red Cross says U.S. mission a big FAIL! Report says U.S. puppet goverment will collaspe in 2014! U.S. now contradicts NATO!

08 October 2012

In Helmand Province, a car bomb exploded at a police station, killing two intelligence agents and wounding at least 15 people.

The christian based International Red Cross (IRC) said the U.S. occupation has made life worse for most Afghans: “I am filled with concern as I leave this country. Since I arrived here in 2006, local armed groups have proliferated, civilians have been caught between not just one but multiple front lines, and it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary Afghans to obtain health care. Hardship arising from the economic situation, or from severe weather or natural disaster, has become more widespread, and hope for the future has been steadily declining.”-Reto Stocker, former boss of IRC-Afghanistan

The Afghan Human Rights Commission (HRC) says that since the U.S. occupation began cases of rape and ‘honor’ killing have increased! Just in the first six months of 2012, at least 100 women and girls have been raped and/or killed: “Honor killings are mostly committed by the family members specifically the husbands of the women and majority of the rape victims are girls who are under 18 years of age…”-Suraya Sobrang, HRC-Afghanistan

Sobrang also made the bold accusation that some of the very ‘authorities’ supposedly trying to make Afghanistan a better place, are actually instigating the rapes and killings.

In Kunar Province, local government officials claim Pakistan launched yet another round of artillery strikes against their province.  No casualties reported.

A report by Crisis Group, says the U.S. backed Afghan government “….could collapse upon NATO’s withdrawal in 2014.”  Seems to me this report is just what U.S./NATO needs to use as an excuse to stay.

In Nooristan Province, at least nine local government militiamen/security guards joined the Mujahideen.

In Paktia Province, two local government militiamen/security guards joined the Mujahideen.

07 October 2012

In Nangarhar Province, Mujahideen fired artillery rockets on Jalalabad airbase.

In Helmand Province, Mujahideen claim to have destroyed a U.S./NATO armored vehicle while it was refueling.

In Kandahar Province, four local police officers joined the Mujahideen.

Afghan religious leaders now offering a $300,000 USD reward for the killing of the producer of the U.S. made anti-Islam movie. They are also offering $100,000 for the killing of the French cartoonist who published anti-Islam comics.  One religious leader said he will sell all his land to help pay the reward.

06 October 2012

In Kunar Province, Mujahideen claim to have launched a assault on a major U.S./NATO base in Narang.

In Ghazni Province, two children of a local police officer were assassinated.

A British man died after being infected with a rare hemorrhagic fever.  The man caught Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever while in Afghanistan, he died after returning to United Kingdom.

International Security Assistance Force confirmed that two U.S. personnel were killed in Wardak Province. They were shot.

Afghan elected officials held closed door meetings with defense and intelligence bosses, to discuss how to retaliate against Pakistan.  The issue behind the supposed Pakistani artillery attacks is directly connected to the border.  When the British created Pakistan, at the end of the 1940s, they got Afghan leaders to agree to give up the eastern part of Afghanistan to help create the new Pakistan.  The new elected officials of Afghanistan refuse to recognize that agreement and want the land back.

The United States is now contradicting an earlier NATO report concerning Green on Blue attacks.  NATO had said it was due to disrespect and mistreatment of Afghan troops by U.S./NATO troops. Now, in line with the Afghan puppet government, the U.S. is blaming Pakistani Haqqani Network!

In Kandahar Province, local government officials say a night time U.S. led airstrike killed five people.  Also, Mujahideen claim to have attacked a U.S./NATO outpost with 82mm recoiless guns. They say the base caught fire and U.S./NATO forces had to evacuate.

In Herat Province, two artillery rockets hit Herat airbase. Also, a police chief was assassinated.

In Paktia Province, an Afghan National Army soldier joined the Mujahideen.

05 October 2012

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said: “I think it would be helpful if the president [Karzai] every once and awhile expressed his thanks for the sacrifices that have been made by those who have fought and died for Afghanistan, rather than criticizing them.”  You’re the invader/occupier you numb nuts!!!

In Kunar province, an Afghan National Army soldier shot and killed his commander, then joined the Mujahideen.

In Parwan Province, at least eight artillery rockets hit the U.S. run airbase at Bagram. No casualties reported.   Mujahideen claim dozens of attacks launched across Afghanistan.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Iraq says United States will burn by fire! U.S. behind war in Syria, behind continued violence in Iraq, behind al-Qaeda!

“He who starts a fire will be destroyed by fire in the end!”-Nouri al-Maliki, Prime Minister of Iraq

In an interview with RT (aka Russia Today) the Prime Minister of Iraq gave a dire warning for countries, like the U.S. and Israel, who’re instigating the war inside Syria.

Here’s al-Maliki’s responses to two of the questions, concerning the U.S./European/Israeli meddling in other countries’ affairs.

RT: Do you share the view that it’s foreign interference in Syria’s affairs that’s made the situation in the country so dangerous?

NaM: Absolutely. And they will keep driving it to an even more dangerous degree until eventually it will backfire on the states that are now sponsoring the Syrian opposition. All these states will face upheavals and unrest due to sectarian violence, foreign interference, the spillover effect and expansion. They’re already feeling it. If these countries keep sending arms and using force for a regime change, their stability will be in jeopardy, and the situation inside these countries will be no better than in Syria.

RT: Both the Iraqi government and its citizens still suffer from regular terror attacks. Who is behind this violence, international players interfering in your affairs or al-Qaeda militants opposing the political process? Or are there any other reasons that the Iraqi people are not aware of? Why is it so hard to take out these armed groups that are still out there?

NaM: Violence continues and it’s been down to all the factors you have mentioned. Foreign intervention is fully underway. What they want to do is to use these acts of violence to prepare for the next, post-Syrian stage. It’s the same states that are now interfering in Syria. They are sending arms and militants there, over and over again. Their goal is to change Syria, then Iraq, and ultimately the entire region. Also, al-Qaeda is back, it came to life again – regrettably, as part of the Arab Spring. It flooded the streets in the capitals of Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen. Its slogans, groups and terrorist attacks are clear signs of its revival, and Iraq couldn’t escape that. And those states that are interfering won’t escape it either.