Tag Archives: taxes

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Hoku pulls stocks from NASDAQ, deregisters with SEC.

Hawaii based Hoku Corporation is no longer selling stocks, through NASDAQ anyway.  At the beginning of September 2012, Hoku filed a Form 15 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), asking for their existing shares to be deregistered.

This means Hoku will not have to make any reports to the SEC for the next 90 days.

Back in July Hoku delisted from NASDAQ.  Hoku Corp. is blaming their fall on the crashing price of polysilicon.  Hoku Corp. shut down their Hoku Materials polysilicon operation in Idaho, back in May.

Hoku Corp. is looking for a buyer for its Hoku Solar division.

Hoku Corp. stocks are now being traded Over The Counter (OTC). As of  17 September 2012, they were selling for only .07 cents per share.

HOKU CONTINUES DOWNWARD SPIRAL. POCATELLO PLANT MOTHBALLED! 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 17 – 20 September 2012. The war ain’t going away! Steps towards war with Pakistan! Governors chosen by Karzai, not elected! 1,000 Mujahideen launch major offensive! Wives who runaway go to prison!

20 September 2012

ISAF said: “An International Security Assistance Force service member died following an insurgent attack in southern Afghanistan today.”

Afghan foreign ministry officials announced they will file a complain against Pakistan, with the UN Security Council.

President Hamid Karzai announced the appointment of 10 new provincial governors.  This comes as a report suggested that seven governorships had already been altered from election results  (this is a fine example of the United States’ spreading of democracy).

In Bamyan and Kabul provinces, thousands of people protested the U.S. made anti-Islam movie.

The government of Afghanistan is about to issue electronic ID cards, for the upcoming elections.  The system is costing $120 million USD, and you can easily guess where that money came from.

19 September 2012

In Nangarhar Province, about 1,000 people protested the U.S. made anti-Islam movie.

In Kandahar Province, a suicide bomber killed two cops and one civilian, and wounded five cops, after he blew up his motorcycle.

In Helmand Province, two cops and a civilian were shot dead.  The shooter escaped.

In Kunar Province, at least 1,000 Mujahideen launched a major offensive.  The assault on Afghan police began at 04:30 hours.  Local police officials say the battles are ongoing, but they managed to kill a “leader”.  They think the Mujahideen are being supported by Pakistan.

Mujahideen claim they destroyed another U.S./NATO supply convoy.  The ambush came on a highway that links Herat, Kandahar and Farah provinces.

ISAF said: “As the security force approached the IMU [Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan] leader’s location, he and one other insurgent maneuvered from the compound and displayed hostile intent towards the Afghan and coalition troops. The security force positively identified the insurgent threat and engaged. The insurgent was killed and the IMU leader was arrested without injury.”

In Herat Province, a police academy was bombed. Two cops killed five wounded. The United States has personnel operating in the police academy.

18 September 2012

ISAF said: “In Nad ‘Ali district, Helmand Province, today, an Afghan and coalition security force arrested one of the Taliban leaders behind Friday’s Camp Bastion attack.”

In Kabul Province, a female suicide bomber killed 12 people, including nine foreigners.  It’s believed the target was U.S. personnel, however the foreigners killed were from South Africa.  The Islamic Party of Afghanistan said the attack was in response to the U.S. made anti-Islam movie.

Also in Kabul, a bus was rammed by another vehicle packed with explosives. The explosion killed 12 people,.

In Zabul Province, Mujahideen ambushed a U.S./NATO supply convoy, destroying 13 fuelers, wounding one person.

In Kunar Province, an explosion killed one civilian, and three U.S. personnel.  One civilian wounded.  According to ISAF the U.S. personnel were repairing a bridge at the time.

In Parwan Province, hundreds of protestors tried to enter U.S. controlled Bagram airbase.  Police kept them back.  The protestors are upset over the U.S. made anti-Islam movie.

ISAF/NATO says they are limiting military operations involving U.S./NATO and Afghan  government forces: “This will likely lead to adjustments in exactly how, when and where ISAF troops operate, especially during the current period of heightened tension.”-unnamed U.S. military official

17 September 2012

In Helmand Province, an Afghan soldier fired on U.S./NATO vehicles. One U.S./NATO personnel wounded.

In Kabul Province, an attack on a prison was foiled. Local police say they arrested the plotters.  They say one of the plotters is from Pakistan.

Also in Kabul, 50 Afghan cops were wounded protecting the very same infamous prison from people protesting the U.S. made anti-Islam movie. A police check point and police vehicle were burned.

The Afghan government’s own human rights commission has discovered that 70% of imprisoned women are there for the crime of running away from home!!!

“This is a major issue and women are jailed over adultery after escaping from their home. If the government does not have a specific law in this regard then it should be referred to us in order to modify a regulation in a bid to clarify the rules and prevent misunderstanding and misuse by Afghan attorney and police regarding the Afghan women.”-Fawzia Koufi, Parliamentarian Commission for Human Rights, Civil Society and Women’s Affairs

 

 

 

 

 

Idaho, U.S.

Idaho Wildfire Update, 20 September 2012: Another smokey day, still leading the nation, firefighter accused of starting fire! Forecasted dry winter, not good!

20 September 2012, Idaho leads the United States with eight major fires.

Smoked out sky over Cotant Park, Chubbuck, Idaho, about 08:45 hours 20 September 2012.

Even though the sun was high after 08:00 hours (8am for 12 hour clock users), the light was no brighter than dawn (don’t you love your itchy eyes?).

Boise County Sheriff’s Department has arrested an 18 year old firefighter accused of starting the Karney Fire, which burned at least one home, and is threatening another 100.

The firefighter was arrested while fighting the very fire he’s accused of starting.  Sheriff’s officials think the motive was to get attention!

Weather forecasters are calling for another dry winter for Idaho. Idaho has been in a drought since 2000.

Regarding the Mustang Complex Fire, officials said the only thing that’ll put it out is hoped for autumn rain and winter snow.  But, if this winter is going to be dryer than last year then we’re in for a really long fire season!

For 2013 the National Research Council predicts another record fire year!

Idaho now has 807,308 acres (326,705.9 hectares) of burned land.

Halstead (Salmon-Challis National Forest): 172,128 acres (69,657.7 hectares), area closures are in effect.

Karney (Southwest Area Office, Idaho Department of Lands): 350 acres (141.6 hectares), structures are threatened, evacuations are in effect.

McGuire Complex (Nez Perce National Forest): 59,141 acres (23,933.5 hectares), communities threatened, evacuations are in effect.

Mustang Complex (Salmon-Challis National Forest): 327,017 acres (132,339 hectares), area closures are in effect.

Powell SBW Complex (Clearwater National Forest): 49,925 acres (20,203.9 hectares).

Sheep (Nez Perce National Forest): 41,036 acres (16,606.6 hectares), structures are threatened.

Trinity Ridge (Boise National Forest): 146,832 acres (59,420.8 hectares), area closures are in effect.

Wesley (Payette National Forest): 10,879 acres (4,402.5 hectares), residences are threatened.

IDAHO WILDFIRE UPDATE, 17 SEPTEMBER 2012:  PURPLE HAZE

Business/Economics, Idaho, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? Idaho’s Coldwater Creek loses $17 million! Store closings will continue!

On 29 August 2012, Coldwater Creek reported a 2nd quarter loss of $17 million USD.  It’s the third quarter in a row for the women’s apparel retailer.

The Sandpoint, Idaho, based company blames it on falling sales (again).

Direct catalog sales dropped $5 million, retail/outlet stores and spas dropped $12.3 million, compared to the same time last year.  Some of the sales loses were blamed on the closing of 24 Coldwater Creek stores across the United States, since 2011 (four closed during the 2nd quarter of 2012).

Company officials say one of their plans to improve financial performance is to move existing stores into smaller locations, as well as closing another 20+ stores by 2013.

NASDAQ is threatening to delist Coldwater Creek from its stock exchange, because the price of one share is still below $1.00.

Also at the end of August, a former Coldwater Creek official was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and more than $246,000 in restitution, after pleading guilty to embezzling the company.  The judge rejected a plea agreement which called for a sentence of only 90 days in jail.

Idaho, U.S.

Idaho Wildfire Update, 17 September 2012: Idaho leads with most active fires, Purple Haze air quality!

17 September 2012, Idaho leads the U.S. with seven large fires. Montana, Washington and Wyoming have four each. California and Utah with one each.

Click pics to make bigger.

The weather is being blamed for an increase in smoke.  Two counties in Idaho have been issued Purple Air Quality alerts, the second worst condition after Maroon (Hazardous).  Purple means visibility is only one to one and a half miles (1.6 to 2.4 kilometers).

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issued the alerts to Lemhi and Custer counties.

The smoke is hurting local business: “It has been smokey up here off and on for six weeks. It looks like everybody has fires in their yards because the smoke is hanging in between the trees. It burns your eyes and it smells like you are standing over a campfire. We’ve lost a tremendous amount of business.”-Sharon Osgood, Greyhouse Bed and Breakfast

Jan Flynn, Idaho Director of the American Lung Association, says she’s never seen it so bad in the Gem State: “I’ve never experienced smoke like that before.”

The problem is a low pressure system off the California coast, and a high pressure system near Washington/British Columbia. They are not moving, holding the building smoke in the Rocky Mountain area.  Weather forecasters don’t think the pressure systems will move until after this coming weekend.

IDAHO WILDFIRES, POCATELLO TANKER BASE: 13 SEPTEMBER 2012, SIKORSKY & USMC IN TOWN

IDAHO WILDFIRE UPDATE, 12 SEPTEMBER 2012: MORE AIR TANKERS ARRIVE AT POCATELLO TANKER BASE. EVACUATIONS IN EFFECT!

International, U.S.

DNA evidence proves sex crimes charges against Assange false!

17 September 2012, a condom given to Swedish police, in relation to the sex crimes charges against Julian Assange, has tested negative for his DNA!

Two laboratories were used, and both concluded the DNA did not belong to Assange!

The revelation came in a 100 page police report.  A condom from another alleged victim did have his DNA, however, the police report says the woman did not mind having sex with him.

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. deploys two company size elements into Yemen! What happened to the platoon sized element? Saudi official kidnapped by al Qaeda, yet Yemen leaders blame Iran!

“We do not accept any foreign forces in Yemen, be it small or big forces, and for any reason!“-Yemeni parliament statement, 15 September 2012

17 September 2012, the United States was supposed to send a platoon sized element of U.S. Marines, but it turns out that at least 250 U.S. personnel, along with 200 AFVs (armored fighting vehicles), have deployed into Yemen!  And it turns out they’ve been in country since 15 September, according to the Yemeni newspaper Al Ol.

On 16 September 2012, the U.S. puppet leader of Yemen said he would allow a platoon from the USMC to guard the U.S. embassy in Sana’a (the Yemeni government said 50 of those 250 U.S. personnel were directly guarding the U.S. embassy.  That’s still slightly more than a platoon size element).  U.S. Marines are also guarding a hotel where embassy staffers stay.

Back in March a Saudi official was kidnapped in Yemen. The government there blamed al Qaeda in Yemen.  In July Yemen officials claim they broke up an Iranian spy ring that had been in operation for seven years.  Then on 16 September Yemen’s Foreign Minister, Abu Bakr al-Qirbi, tried to blame everything that has been going on in his country on Iran: “We have informed the Iranians of our concerns regarding these developments. While there has been no evidence indicating the Iranian authorities were directly involved, unfortunately it does seem that there are Shiite groups in Tehran that played a role in this network.”

The problem is that most people in Yemen are Arabs, most people in Iran are Aryans.  Al Qaeda is connected to Arabs who are Wahhabi Islam, most Iranians are Shi’a Isalm, which al Qaeda has sworn to kill.  Sounds like more U.S. attempts to get people riled up for war with Iran.

International, U.S.

World War 3: More U.S. embassies closed! More evacuations! Yemen changes mind, allows U.S. Marines in! Canada closes embassy in Iran!

“We will destroy America like this flag!”-Indonesian protestor

17 September 2012, after first refusing U.S. Marines, the U.S. puppet government of Yemen is now allowing one platoon of Marines to guard the U.S. embassy, temporarily.

Over the weekend the U.S. Department of State issued a warning to U.S. citizens in Yemen, to get the hell out now!  The embassy was also closed.

A similar warning was issued in Tunis: “The airport in Tunis is open and U.S. citizens are encouraged to depart by commercial air.”

So far, 100 U.S. citizens have left Tunis.

Sudan is still refusing to allow U.S. Marines to protect the embassy there.  U.S. personnel are being evacuated: “…on September 15, 2012, the Department of State ordered the departure of all dependents of U.S. direct hire personnel and all non-emergency U.S. government personnel from Sudan…”

Germany began evacuations of its Sudan embassy.

The embassies in Sudan and Tunis were also closed.

Today the United States announced closures of their embassies/consulates in Thailand and Pakistan.

In Pakistan protestors entered the consulate in Lahore, before being driven back by police.  Several people wound, two killed.

In Afghanistan: “We wish to remind U.S. citizens that past demonstrations in Afghanistan have escalated into violent attacks on Western targets of opportunity.”   So far, most of the people wounded in the Afghan protests are Afghan cops protecting the embassy. At least 50 police were wounded, one cop car set on fire.

In India: “…the Department of State strongly recommends that you avoid travel to the state of Jammu and Kashmir…” also  “A protest in the Azad Maidan area of South Mumbai has turned violent with reports of vehicles being set on fire.  Police have used tear gas and fired shots to try to disperse the crowd….. The Consulate [in Mumbai] has advised its staff to return to their homes…. “

In Egypt protests continue, however, according to a United Press International report the U.S. embassy has re-opened.  UPI stated the announcement came from an embassy staffer and there is no confirmation on the embassy website.

On 14 September, Canada closed its embassy in Iran permanently.  Foreign Affairs Minister, John Baird, cited security issues.  Canada has temporarily closed its embassies in Egypt, Libya and Sudan.

On 17 September, an Iranian government spokesperson said they would not be surprised if more western embassies closed in their country.

 

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

What Economic Recovery? Wars on Terror, anti-Islam movies, sanctions against Iran, all part of conspiricy to jack up oil prices beyond $150 per barrel? The real shadow war?

16 September 2012, get ready for higher oil prices!

Iranian officials in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said the real price per barrel of oil should be around $150 USD.  Their reasoning varied from the time of the year, to comparisons of prices by inflation (1970s compared to 2000).  They even said the World economy can handle much higher prices.

Not sure if they are talking about British Brent crude prices, or U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil.

On 14 September 2012, Brent crude went over $117 USD per barrel.

Reading a Canadian report, turns out that’s still not high enough!  The Canadian province of Newfoundland/Labrador have set their government budget in the hopes that Brent crude will go over $124 USD per barrel.  The province makes most its money off oil production.

In fact, because Brent hasn’t hit the magic money mark, yet, the provincial Premier, Kathy Dunderdale, had to cut their budget: “I’m not so worried about this year. I’m more worried about next year. Because if oil stays where it is, our deficit could be around $1 billion [CAD] next year.”

In other words, some governments, who’s major money making industries happen to be the oil industries, want oil prices to skyrocket!!!

However, Iranian OPEC officials say the United States is trying to bring down oil prices, by demanding OPEC members increase oil production.

A few years ago I read an article that explained that most oil producing countries (including members of OPEC) would be losing money if oil were less than $90 per barrel.

So, the reason why the U.S. wants to bring down prices, while other countries want prices to go up, could be that the U.S. domestic oil industry can handle lower oil prices (except for shale oil).  Most other countries have higher oil production costs (like Canada) because of the type of oil and labor costs.

The U.S. model is a kind’a WalMart tactic; keep prices cheap and sell as much in volume as you can until your competition quits.

So what we have are those who want oil prices even higher than they are now, and those who want them to drop.  Is this the real shadow war taking place behind the deadly facade of War on Terror, sanctions and insulting other people’s religions?

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. embassy in Yemen closed! U.S. citizens need to get the hell out!

16 September 2012, the U.S. embassy in Yemen has suspended all consular services for the next two weeks: “The Embassy will be closed for all consular services through Saturday, September 29. An American citizen with a serious emergency should call the Embassy at 755-2000 to reach the duty officer.”

Emabassy officials are demanding that U.S. citizens get the hell out of Yemen: “U.S. citizens who are already in Yemen should depart. The security threat to all U.S. citizens in Yemen remains critical.”