Tag Archives: u.s.

Idaho, U.S.

Some examples of how hot & dry it is in southeastern Idaho

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Some people might think local officials are being a little too cautious with their control over who has access to the Charlotte Fire burn area, at the south end of  Pocatello.  But, it really is so dry out their that I wouldn’t be surprised if the cause of the fire was spontaneous combustion of tinder dry field grasses (I’ve seen it happen in hay stacks).

I recently got my city of Chubbuck, Idaho, water bill for 08 May 2012 to 05 June 2012.  It shows you what you used the previous year.  For the same time in 2011 I used 4,000 gallons (15,141.6 liters). Yet, for 2012 I used 13,000 gallons (49,210.35 liters), a 9,000 gallon increase!  And I was really trying to conserve, but I have a large yard with a victory garden and the amount of water I used in May was just barely enough to keep most plants from dying.

I have a pear tree and several plum trees, and for the first time in more than a decade they have no fruit!  My Golden Delicious apple tree has not even half the amount of fruit it normally does.

Two of my three grape vines returned to dormancy two months ago, and have only now started to come back, after tons of water was flooded onto them.  One of my two blackberry vines died.  My normally over productive raspberry vines are now struggling, with only two raspberries visible.

My huge decades old pine tree stopped dropping pine cones a month ago.  This is normal when you get into dry summer months, but since my pine tree is located in the middle of my back lawn it usually drops cones throughout summer because it gets enough water when I water the lawn.  This year I’ve been flooding sections of the lawn, including around the pine tree, due to how dry the grass is getting, and yet no pine cones.

By the way, lawn grass is the most inefficient plant on the planet, and yet our incompetent municipality leaders create laws forcing us to maintain a grass lawn, for the sake of property values!  And then they jack up our water/sewer/trash rates!!!

For example: In 1998 I swear I was paying a basic water/sewer/trash rate of $38.00 USD per month (not counting the per thousand gallon water charge). In 2010 it was more than $77.00.  Now, in 2012 the basic water/sewer/trash rate is more than $92.00!!!

Between 1998 and 2002 water conservation actually helped keep my water bill down, but at this point none of my water saving efforts are paying off, because the city has jacked up the basic services rate so high!  And you can’t conserve too much because then the city hits you with violation of beautification codes!

The city of Chubbuck actually has employees driving around neighborhoods in “code enforcement” vehicles, giving out warnings.  If warnings are not heeded the city brings in landscapers and sends you the bill.

Another sign of how hot and dry it is: Laundry.  I hang my laundry to dry outside in summer, it so hot/dry that a full load is dry within 20 minutes or less.  That’s much less time than if I used the dryer in the house.

How about southeast Idaho reservoir levels?

Devil Creek reservoir, north of Malad City, Idaho, off Interstate Highway 15, 29 June 2012. Two months ago it was full.

Deep Creek reservoir, east of Malad City, on Idaho State Highway 36, 29 June 2012. Two months ago it was full.

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello Charlotte Fire update: 80% contained. Vulture/desperate contractors already descending. 19 fireworks cases despite ban! Respect for dead pets found in fire.

“Today is the day we are really going to attack this fire.”-Lorin Nielsen, Bannock County Sheriff

01 July 2012, Sunday morning press conference reporting 80% containment of Charlotte Fire, in Pocatello, Idaho.

Today is a critical weather day, a red flag warning is in place until 21:00 hours.  About 40 fire fighting trucks and 150 personnel are hoping to fully contain the fire by Monday morning.

The city of Pocatello, and Bannock County, banned fireworks, yet there were 19 fireworks case calls over night.  Police stated no tolerance was applied to those caught.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Pocatello residents with gas BBQs with lids can continue to use them.

Hot spots and flares up still occurring within the center of the burn area. There were problems in the Mink Creek area, but law enforcement has resumed escorting residents into that area.

State and local officials expressed concern over the number of looky loos trying to get into the burn area.  Also, construction contractors, who’re either vultures or just desperate for work, have already been pestering those people who’ve suffered lost or damaged property.  County officials are warning people of fraudulent contractors.

Fire fighters are reporting finding dead pets in the burn area, they are leaving them in place and covering them with towels.

Bannock County Humane society is giving away food for dogs and cats to victims of the fire.

Charlotte Fire 50% contained. No return home

 

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

Global Class War: Hungary taxes potato chips last year, now adds cell phone calls! Nebraska already suffering with highest cell phone tax rate in United States!

In September 2011, Hungary joined several countries placing extra taxes on snacks like potato chips.  Full of crap western news media said it was an effort to fight obesity, but a recent Japanese report straight up said it was a way for the Hungarian government to raise more money to pay its out of control debts!

In May 2012, Hungary also passed an extra tax on cell phones calls!  It’s called the voice-traffic levy.  The Hungarian government hopes the new phone tax will create at least $133.6 million USD this year.

NHK (nippon housou kyoukai/Japan Broadcasting Corporation) reporting that Hungary was forced to create the extra tax under demands from the European Union.  But some people have switched to using smartphones which can make calls through the internet.  Hungarian officials did not tax internet based calls.

Here in the U.S. state of Idaho, groceries are already taxed.  It’s fun to watch people from out of state go into shock when they find out they have to pay tax on groceries.

Idahoans are not happy about the decades old grocery tax.  Political leaders have tried to throw us a bone by allowing a grocery credit on the end of year tax filings.  But woe to them that try to add extra taxes on snacky foods in the name of forcing us to be healthy, when in reality they just want to steal more of our increasingly limited money.

But wait, there’s more!  According to a 2011 Money article, Nebraska leads the U.S. with the highest cell phone tax rates!  Combined federal, state and local cell phone tax rates amounted to 23.69% in 2011!!!

Idaho’s state and local tax rate was 2.2% (not counting federal taxes).

“Cellphone users are overtaxed relative to consumers of other goods, and at risk of double taxation. Additionally, the wide number of taxing authorities and the wide variety in rates makes tracking problematic and burdensome.” -Joseph Henchman, Tax Foundation Director of State Projects

The reason this is class warfare is that these kinds of taxes do not affect the elitist wealthy, they target the overwhelming majority of citizens who are not rich!

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello Charlotte Fire update: 50% contained. BBQ outlawed! No return home until Monday! Sunday critical weather day

“I’m still in shock from what happened. My home just seemed to vaporize.”-Suzanne Bielinski

Saturday morning, 30 June 2012, officials reported the Charlotte Fire 50% contained, with hopes for full containment by Sunday.  At least one building re-ignited overnight.

Officials think homes in the Johnny Creek area escaped damage.

Pocatello Police and Bannock County Sheriff’s deputies are escorting some residents back to their homes, however there’s been an increase of looky loos trying to sneak in by car, or even trying to hike in: “Please don’t make us start arresting people.”-Lorin Nielsen, Bannock County Sheriff

Not only are fireworks banned, in Pocatello, but so are outdoor BBQs.

People are reporting lost pets, but officials said it will be at least Monday before pet owners can check with Pocatello Animal Shelter.

 “I’m sorry that people lost their houses but we did the best we could. Every agency worked their guts out trying to save those houses, but we couldn’t save them all.”-Steve Hadley, Bannock County Commissioner

Friday, 29 June 2012, evacuees from the Charlotte Fire at the south end of Pocatello, Idaho, were told Monday would be the soonest they could enter the burn area.

Buildings the Charlotte Fire missed. Near Mink Creek, Johnny Creek and Gibson Jack areas Pocatello, Idaho, 29 June 2012.

Many people are wondering why such a delay in allowing residents back in, especially when it looks like the fire is out? Local officials insist there are still hot spots, and many downed power lines.  They are also concerned about weather conditions, as air temperatures are expected to be even hotter on Saturday and Sunday. Weather forecasts are calling for near record high temps.

Smoke still rising from Mink Creek, Johnny Creek and Gibson Jack areas, 29 June 2012.

The wind is also an unpredictable factor, as anyone who lives here can tell you.  Forecasts are calling for single digit wind speeds, but as temps rise so does the wind speed.  The winds are also finicky as to which way they like to blow, wait five minutes and wind’ll change direction.

Another reason is that more than a dozen investigators are trying to find out why the fire started.  They say they’ve determined the ignition point, but are still trying to figure out how it started.

At this point 66 homes were lost, along with 29 outbuildings (sheds, detached garages, barns, etc).  A rough estimate on the cost of damage to homes is $7.6 million USD.  There is still conflicting acreage reports.  Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center claims an estimated 1,038 acres burned, however, state and federal fire agencies say only 450 acres burned.

More than 1,000 people were evacuated from the Mink Creek, Johnny Creek and Gibson Jack areas.  Some roads around the burn area are open to residents only, who must prove they live there using identification such as Idaho drivers license.

Little Bird (Air Tractor 802F) water dropper ready for another run, Pocatello (Pokey) airport, 29 June 2012.

So far the cost to fight the Charlotte Fire has exceeded $1 million USD.  Despite some evacuees being a little upset about not being allowed back home ’till Monday, they applauded efforts to fight the fire.

Ex USN PV2 Neptune, now a water bomber operated by Neptune Aviation Service of Montana.

Charlotte Fire, 66 homes now destroyed

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello Charlotte Fire still burning! 66 homes now destroyed! Residents not allowed to return until Sunday, maybe. New 10 Mile Fire east of McCammon

“It’s a long ways from being out, even though we don’t see big 40 foot flames.”-Brian Blad, Mayor of Pocatello

Click on the pics to make them bigger.

Smokey night Charlotte Fire 

Business/Economics, International, U.S.

LIBOR: Evil British Empire banks forced businesses to take on loan insurance, while they jacked up international interst rates! More proof the Too Big To Fails caused the economic crisis! More proof of Trilateral Commission operations!

29 June 2012, British news media reporting the LIBOR scandal isn’t over.  Not only was Barclays (and other British and U.S. banks) involved with manipulating international interest rates, but they also forced smaller businesses to buy loan insurance, “mis-selling” it as a way of protecting themselves from those high LIBOR interest rates!

Recently Barclays settled with the U.S. government over manipulation charges.  Barclays is the tip of the British banking empire LIBOR scandal iceberg, which dominates western economies.

Investigators say the LIBOR fixing took place from 2005 to 2009.  The scandal involved too big to fail banks in North America, Europe and Japan (the regional members of the Trilateral Commission).

 

 

Technology

Overwhelming proof that printer ink gives you Cancer

For at least a decade now there have been cancer cases, and studies from around the world suggesting that printer ink, and other chemicals used for printers, cause cancer.

Recently the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, in Japan, announced they are now studying the high rate of cancer among people who work in printing operations.

This came after several researchers revealed that people in one factory were dying from an unusually high rate of bile duct cancer.

According to Shinji Kumagai, an associate professor at the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, the cancer rate at this particular printer company is 600 times higher than the average Japanese man who dies from bile duct cancer.

University researchers began looking into the situation last year, when a former employee died of bile duct cancer.  He claimed that many of his coworkers had the same cancer.  He had quit the factory five years prior, saying “The work environment is bad, with organic solvents in the air.” 

Four people recently died from the cancer in Osaka, in western Japan.  Another person died in Miyagi Prefecture, in northern Japan.  A former printing company worker in Tokyo has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, says they are now investigating at least 500 printing companies throughout Japan.

In 2007 an Australian study showed that printer ink can get into the air when printing.  Printer inks contain Carbon Black, which causes cancer.  There was also concern with other toxic chemicals in the inks.

In 1996, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reported that many studies through out the 90s revealed “significant” increases in cancer rates among people involved with all kinds of printing, from newspapers to silk screen.  The cancers studied were of the lung, oropharynx, bladder and kidney, and Leukemia.

However the IARC downplayed the dozens and dozens of studies by prefacing the case reports with “…studies did not provide clear patterns of results.”,  “…poor specificity of exposure information.”  and “…the findings are not strong or consistent enough to be evaluated.”

2018 Update, here’s a list of main stream articles and/or studies concerning cancer and inks:

UrduPoint News: Ink When Mixes With Oily Foods Can Cause Cancer

Cure Today: Think Before You Ink 

U.S. National Library of Medicine (PebMed): Tattoo ink particles can spread into lymph nodes

ScienceAlert: Ancient Chinese Ink Could Hold a Surprising New Way to Kill Cancer

Science Daily: Ink from ancient Egyptian papyri contains copper

SafeCosmetics:  Carbon black is a dark black powder used as a pigment in cosmetics  … been linked to increased incidence of cancer and negative effects on organs.

Karger:  Carbon Black Nanoparticles and Other Problematic Constituents of Black Ink

Emerging Technologies: Nanoparticles in tattoo ink could cause cancer

OnLineLibrary: Risk of lung cancer following exposure to carbon black, titanium dioxide and talc: Results from two case–control studies in Montreal

Cancer related Blind Bat News: HOW WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR COFFEE? BLACK, WHITE OR ASIAN? OR, WOULD YOU LIKE SOME CANCER WITH YOUR TEA OR ENERGY DRINK?

 

Idaho, U.S.

Smokey night for Pocatello & Chubbuck. Charlotte Fire still burning.

29 June 2012, at 00:00 hours dozens of fires still burning on the hills where homes were ravaged, at the south end of Pocatello, Idaho.  Associated Press reporting more than 1,000 people evacuated.

The winds have calmed down, but have also shifted northwest, smoke filtering slowly a few miles northwest into the city of Chubbuck overnight.

South end of Pocatello, dozens of fires still burning at 00:00 hours 29 June 2012. Bright light at top of pic is the full Moon.

Weather forecasts predict calm winds for the rest of Friday, good news for firefighters.  Air temperatures expected to get into the 90s Fahrenheit (30s Celsius).

Camera not good enough to take pics at night, and I couldn’t get close enough ’cause of the police road blocks.  By 23:30 hours, 28 June 2012, U.S. Bureau of Land Management said about 1,038 acres burned with no containment (reports of burned acreage conflict, National Interagency Fire Center, based 236 miles away in Boise, says 450 acres. another report out of Boise said 20% containment).   As many as 700 homes threatened, at least 20 known destroyed.

The fire is dubbed Charlotte Fire (starting near Charlotte Road in the Mink Creek area), and local fire officials say the big concern now are downed power lines.

Portneuf Medical Center enacted their emergency plan, and reported two trauma cases, but unknown if connected to the fire.

Evacuees were told to go to Century High School or Idaho State University.  Pets were being taken to Pocatello Animal Shelter.  Livestock taken to Bannock County Fairgrounds.

Local businesses have been offering help to evacuees and firefighters. Officials suspect the fire was human caused.

Pocatello burning! Evacuations!

Idaho, U.S.

Pocatello burning! Evacuations! Southeast Idaho burning! Bannock County bans fireworks, declares state of emergency!

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Click on pics to make them bigger. Pics by me.

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. occupation of Afghanistan; 23 June – 27 June. Oil starts flowing, Iran joins oil production, Uzbeistan interferes. More U.S. led troops die. Afghans accuse U.S. led troops of stealing their money, Israeli style. Cops poisoned. Cops join Mujahideen. More girls poisoned.

27 June 2012

International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) stated that two U.S. led occupying personnel were killed by an explosion in eastern Afghanistan.

“It is ISAF policy to defer casualty identification procedures to the relevant national authorities.”

iCasualties.org reports 217 occupying forces killed so far this year.

In Ghazni Province, local officials report gun battles between locals and supposed Mujahideen/Taliban. They believe the shootout was the result of people refusing to join a specific organization.

In Paktiya Province, local officials claim that 28 Mujahideen were killed in battles there. The battles were between Mujahideen and Afghan government forces backed up by U.S. led occupying forces.

ISAF claims 10 Mujahideen killed and 21 captured in battles in Ghazni, Logar, Nangarhar, Parwan and Wardak provinces.

26 June 2012

In Helmand Province, five family members were assassinated.  The family had just accepted agricultural seeds from the local government.

In Takhar Province, a suicide bomber was captured before he blew himself up.  Afghan police say he is connected with the Jendullah Group of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.

ISAF claims seven Mujahideen killed and six captured in Ghazni, Khost, Paktika and Wardak provinces.

25 June 2012

In Badghis Province, Mujahideen claim 15 local cops defected to them.  Local government officials admit cops did defect, but not that many.

In Logar Province, locals are complaining that U.S. led occupying forces are taking their money and government identification documents. It’s happening during night time raids on homes (Israeli style).  Some people also say the occupiers are taking electronic items like computers.

One unnamed occupying official said items, including money, are taken because U.S. led forces believe such things will be used against them (same excuse the Israelis use when they steal stuff from the Palestinians). ISAF Brigadier General, Carsten Jacobsen, claims that people are given paperwork which allows them to get their money/items back, but many Afghans say they are still waiting months later, with no response from ISAF.

In Uruzgan Province, at least six cops were killed by an explosion, three others were wounded after the explosion when Mujahideen open fired on them.

An Italian occupying troop was killed, two wounded, in eastern Afghanistan when a police shooting range was bombed.

Dozens of people killed when Afghan Mujahideen attacked Pakistani border patrol forces.  Mujahideen released a video of the beheading of 17 Pakistani soldiers (who says Pakistan isn’t doing enough for the United States?).

In Helmand Province, about 40 cops were poisoned. It happened at the police academy. The cops recovered.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, at least 90 Rahmatabad high school girls were poisoned. They have recovered.

Afghan security officials are claiming they have proof that Uzbekistan is trying to stop oil production in the Amu River basin.  China’s National Petroleum Corporation was awarded the oil extraction contract last December.

An unnamed security official said U.S. puppet General Abdul Rashid Dostum (accused of the Dasht-i-Leili massacre where hundreds of unarmed prisoners were murdered) has been hired by the Uzbek government to interfere with the Amu River oil project.

Iran announced a oil pipeline project between Iran and Afghanistan. The proposed pipeline will bring Afghanistan refined petroleum products.

24 June 2012

ISAF announced two U.S. led occupiers were killed in a traffic accident, in southern Afghanistan. Another occupier died from a non-combat incident in eastern Afghanistan.

In Ghazni Province, one person was killed, another wounded, after explosives planted on a “cycle” exploded.

In Bamiyan Province, local officials claim they captured a Mujahideen leader.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, extraction of oil from the Amu River Basin officially begins.

Afghan Attorney General officials announced investigations regarding General  Dostum’s interference in oil field production.

ISAF claims to have captured Mujahideen explosives expert in Paktiya Province.

23 June 2012

ISAF reports one U.S. led occupier killed by an explosion in southern Afghanistan.

In Sar-e-Pul Province, about 116 people, mostly girls, were poisoned at the Hazrat Imam Zada Yahya high school.

In Parwan Province, a Mujahideen leader, and a woman he was involved with,  were killed by fellow Mujahideen.  Mujahideen claim the leader and the woman were actually double agents for the Afghan government.

In Nangarhar Province, an explosion near a Hindu owned CD shop left two people dead, and two people wounded.

In Logar Province, a local police boss was assassinated.  Local cops say one body guard was killed, one wounded, and two Mujahideen killed in the attack.

In Kandahar Province, an Australian occupying force CH-47 Chinook helicopter force landed.  It happened while providing close support to ground troops. One crewman was injured: “One of the aircrew was injured and has been treated on site. All other personnel onboard underwent precautionary health checks following the incident.”-Major General Stuart Smith

In Uruzgan Province, three people killed, one wounded, when they drove over a mine.

In Faryab Province, a local cop and four members of his family were assassinated.

Afghan officials claim 11 Mujahideen killed, seven wounded and 51 captured, in battles in Kabul, Nangarhar, Baghlan, Balkh, Kandahar, Helmand, Zabul, Khost, Paktia, and Ghazni provinces.