Tag Archives: war

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. Postal Service to cut operating hours, by as much as six hours per day! Northrop Grumman sues!

May 9, 2012, Postmaster General, Patrick Donahoe, is trying to alleviate concerns over the possible closing of 3,700 post offices, which were to begin in May.  Now the USPS will try to keep as many open as possible, by drastically reducing their operating hours.

The reduction of operating hours would also take place in post offices that are not slated for closing, as many as 13,000 post offices could see hours reduced by two to six per day.

The other option is the creation of Village Post Offices, which would replace the standard post office.  The Village Post Office would operate through a retail business such as WalMart, Walgreens, etc.

Of course Congress has to approve the new plans.

The USPS is also considering letting go any employee who is not protected by labor contracts, and they’re going to do another round of early retirement buyouts.

The Postal Service, which makes its money off the services they provide, not taxes, is facing an $11 billion USD future retirement pre-payment later in the year, as well as health payments.  There are some people who say the U.S. Treasury is actually using the money for other things.

In September 2011, National Association of Letter Carriers president, Fredric Rolando, said most of the blame is on Congress: “I’m here to tell you that the Postal Service is not broke. The Postal Service just needs access to its own money. And Congress needs to get busy and give them that access.”-PBS Newshour interview

He also pointed out that the USPS does not make its money from taxes: “The Postal Service actually has somewhere between $50 billion and $125 billion in their other funds that is not taxpayer money. They haven’t used a dime of taxpayer money in over 30 years! And the Congress just needs to act responsibly and quickly to give them access to that — those funds.”

Postmaster General, Patrick Donahoe agreed: “Fred is exactly right around the issues that we have faced in the last few years. In that same time, we have been required [by Congress] to prepay employee retirement funding.”-PBS Newshour interview

Congress has made concessions, by releasing some Postal Service money, but requiring that the money be used only to reduce the number employees with early retirement buyouts!

The latest Senate bill would allow the USPS to use taxpayer money for the first time in 30 years.  The Senate bailout bill would give the Postal Service $34 billion in tax revenue.

To make matters worse, Northrop Grumman (the third largest USPS contractor) and the USPS are suing each other!

The dispute involves a 2007 automated mail processing contract.  Northrop Grumman says the USPS owes them $180 million USD.  The Postal Service says Northrop owes them $341 million!

They both claim the other failed to meet numerous contractual agreements.

 

 

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: Attacks not being reported by ISAF. Drug war designed to raise the price of Opium.

“The price hike will definitely pressure us a lot. The tendency towards cultivation will grow, it will create resistance, law and order issues, and it will raise the casualty rate.”-Zarar Ahmad Muqbel Osmani, Counter Narcotics Minister of Afghanistan

Anti-opium officials in Afghanistan report that a double whammy of poppy field burning by police, and a fungus that is destroying the plant’s ability to produce opium, is resulting in skyrocketing prices for the drug.

The fungus is attacking crops in Helmand, Kandahar and Farah provinces.  Ending opium production was one of the excuses for the continued U.S. occupation of Afghanistan, but the opposite has happened (as it always does where ever the U.S. takes over).

2011 saw a 61% increase in opium production under U.S. occupation.

May 8, 2012, Ghulam Gawas Malayar, the deputy provincial police chief of Farah Province, reports five of his police officers killed after they drove over a mine.

In Paktika Province four Education Ministry workers, and their bodyguard, were killed when their vehicle hit a mine, and then they were ambushed by Mujahideen.  The local education director was wounded.

In Logar Province two police officers were killed in a Mujahideen ambush.

None of these incidents were reported in Tuesday’s 24 hour report given by Afghan government and ISAF officials.  The incidents are being reported by local officials.

May 9, 2012, representatives from the 203 Thunder Brigade, Afghan army, say two of their troops were wounded by an explosion in Paktika Province.

And now for the ISAF 24 hour report (Joint Command Morning operational update) for May 9, 2012.: Once again more missions to capture “leaders”, this time in Kandahar, Helmand, Ghazni and Wardak provinces.

The statement said they captured several Mujahideen, but there was no indication that they actually captured the “leaders” they were going after  (Afghan government sources claim they captured the “leaders”).

In Helmand two big drug busts.  One weighing 470 kilograms (1,030 pounds), the other coming in at 900 kilograms (1,980 pounds).  You gotta wonder; ten years of supposedly fighting the drug trade in Afghanistan, and the result is an increase in drug trafficking!

 

 

 

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

Terror Drones: April 30 – May 6. Canada to use drones on its own people, new arms race. Drones on trial in U.S.

May 5, 2012, U.S. drone strike kills at least eight people in Pakistan.

May 2, 2012, U.S. drone strikes kill at least 15 people in Yemen.

From April 30 to May 6, the U.S./NATO increased airstrikes in Afghanistan.  They include the use of drones.  The result is an increasing number of civilians deaths.

May 3, 2012: U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, numb nuts Ryan Crocker, stated that the new military pact between Afghanistan and the United States could allow drone strikes to continue past 2014.

May 5, 2012: U.S. Mormon news source, Deseret News, supports the FAA issuing civilian licenses for drone operation.  Their article points out that many businesses would benefit, like photography, sports, real estate, etc.  Despite the fact that the Federal Aviation Administration has yet to issue civilian licenses, Utah State University has already been using a drone, taking pictures.

May 5, 2012: According to The Canadian Press, the Royal Canadian Air Force will expand the testing of drones to include operations by police: “We know we need to use them, and the Canadian Forces from a capability point of view are moving ahead to ensure there is domestic capability as part of its UAV program in the future.”-Lieutenant General Walter Semianiw

General Semianiw admitted the use of drones by Canadian police is to commit acts of violence: “You must remember that, in Canada, within the domestic construct, I do not have the right to be able to apply lethal force in Canada. That is the responsibility of the police.”

Canadian officials also implied that there is a drone arms race going on between the United States and Canada, by pointing out that the U.S. has military drones patrolling along the U.S.-Canadian border.

Canada has used Israeli made drones in Afghanistan.

May 4, 2012: The Seattle Times opinion piece says that since so many people use the cameras in their cell phones to take pictures of just about anything, then police using drones to take pictures of you in your back yard does not constitute invasion of privacy.

May 3, 2012: It’s the opening stage of the first trial for a U.S. citizen arrested with the use of a drone.  The man arrested was tasered several times, but local police in North Dakota called in a Predator drone because they were concerned for their safety!

What happens at this trial could affect how drones are used by police against the citizens of the U.S.: “There is, furthermore, no existing case law that bars their use in investigating crimes.”-Douglas Manbeck, ND state prosecutor

 

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: U.S. admits to targeting civilians, Karzai says new military pact is finished if such attacks continue.

May 8, 2012, U.S. led ISAF admitted they killed a family of civilians: “At this point in the investigation we are able to confirm the incident and will be formally apologizing in the next couple of days…”-Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Upton, USMC, ISAF

The attack was reported by local Afghan officials on May 7, but the U.S./NATO airstrike actually took place on May 4.

This is not the only recent case, other local Afghan officials are reporting an increase in the number of civilians who are getting killed by U.S./NATO forces.

As a result President of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, says the new military pact he signed with President Barack Obama, in a midnight meeting, is threatened.  A spokesman for Karzai said: “Karzai signed the strategic pact with the United States to avoid such incidents (civilian casualties) and if Afghans do not feel safe, the strategic partnership loses its meaning.”

And now for another 24 hour ISAF/Afghan government forces’ seek, destroy or capture report, May 8, 2012: 25 Mujahideen were killed throughout the eastern regions of Afghanistan, including Kabul, Zabul and Paktia provinces.

A “leader” was captured in Faryab Province.

A “bomb maker”, and several Mujahideen were captured in Zabul Province, along with weapons and ammo.

Two Afghan army soldiers were killed, one by an explosion in Logar Province, the other was killed in Maidan Wardak Province.

 

International

World War 3: Israeli government disintigrating, Right Wing Zionists pushing for total control. Netanyahu admits he is an Elite!

May 7, 2012, the right wing Zionists in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) are about to push through a motion to dissolve the current government.

New elections will be held on September 4.  Polls are showing that political parties that are not warmongers would lose if elections were held soon.

On May 6, Prime Minister Binyamin (Benjamin) Netanyahu said: “The achievements of this government are a result of a joint vision and a partnership that was possible due to political stability. We have not had such a stable government in decades.”

In other words, the right wingers are admitting there is growing opposition to them, and they want to get rid of those opposing political parties.  Netanyahu also said the new Israeli government can not be subject to “populism”.

This proves that Israel’s government does not represent to will of the people, as “populism” is a term used to refer to the rule of the people over elites!  In other words, Nentanyahu just admitted that he is one of the “elites”, and he doesn’t give a crap about what the “people” of Israel want!

 

International, U.S.

World War 3: More U.S./NATO deaths. More civilian deaths. U.S. investigation finds Taliban are stronger than ever. French elections threaten NATO in Afghanistan.

May 7, 2012, International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said at least three U.S./NATO personnel were killed in eastern Afghanistan, by an explosion.

Around 147 NATO service members have been killed in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2012.

In Helmand Province local officials say a U.S./NATO airstrike killed a woman and her five children.  In Badghis Province five people were killed and 11 wounded, after U.S./NATO airstrikes.  ISAF has not commented on the reports from local officials.

Girls at yet another high school were poisoned on May 7.  More than 31 girls were treated for poisoning in Bamiyan Province.  Officials are concerned because the school was already under 24 hour security watch.

Hospital officials say the girls breathed toxic gas.

Officials from Paktika Province say four Mujahideen were killed on May 6, after a firefight with Afghan police.

The four Mujahideen had taken a provincial compound, and 32 people hostage.  Police claim only one civilian was killed.

Also on May 6, ISAF announced that two U.S./NATO personnel had been killed.  One was blown up in eastern Afghanistan, and the other was shot by an Afghan army soldier in southern Afghanistan.

Elections in France has some NATO officials worried.  Right wing warmonger, Nicolas Sarkozy, lost the election.  Socialist Francois Hollande is the new President of France.

One of Hollande’s campaign promises was to get French troops out of Afghanistan now: “I believe that, without taking any risks for our troops, it is the right thing to withdraw our combat troops by the end of 2012.”

On May 6, FOX News interviewed Senate Intelligence Committee Chairwoman, Democrat Dianne Feinstein. She stated: “I think we both say that what we found is the Taliban is stronger.”

House Intelligence Committee Chairman, Republican Mike Rogers, backed up her statement.  Their report contradicts the Defense Department’s claim that “Obama’s” increased troop deployment to Afghanistan has weakened the Taliban.

Oddly ISAF has not issued the usual 24 hour report for May 7, yet.

Here’s a very skimpy 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report, and update to previous reports, for May 6, 2012: A “leader” was captured in Kandahar on May 6.

Weapons captured or destroyed in Uruzgan Province on May 5.

In Helmand Province U.S./NATO/Afghan forces were attacked by Mujahideen on May 3.  Several Mujahideen killed.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Aussie Diggers blown up in Afghanistan. U.S./NATO troops kill teacher in illegal night raid. Cops killed. Assistant to Karzai assassinated?

It seems the usual ISAF/Afghan 24 hour report for May 5 was a little lacking in detail, much more is being reported by other Afghan officials, and other countries.

Sebghatullah Sanjar, Afghanistan’s Chief of the Policy Department at the Afghan presidential palace, was killed in a car accident.  The Kabul police chief said Sanjar’s car was slammed by an armored military vehicle.  His wife and daughter were also killed.  The military vehicle driver has been arrested.

Australian Defence Ministry reporting today, May 5, that at least three “Diggers” were wounded after a bomb went off on May 3.  The official report says they were “…mid-way through the mission.” when the bomb exploded.

Lieutenant General Ash Power also said: “Insurgents engaged the partnered force multiple times during the mission.”

Two of the wounded were in serious condition and were flown to Germany for medical treatment.

The Australian Defence Ministry press release said: “Defence delayed the release of this information until the mission was complete…”

Local officials in Nangarhar Province say at least four police were killed, and four wounded, in two separate incidents.  The incidents took place between May 4 and 5.  One group of police were attacked by Mujahideen, the other cops drove over a mine near the Afghan-Pakistan border.

The parliament representative for Kunar Province, Saleh Mohammed Saleh, said on the night of May 4, U.S./NATO troops raided a home and killed a school teacher.  They also detained five people.

Saleh is protesting saying the night raid violates recent agreements signed between Afghanistan and the United States.

13 government officials have been arrested on corruption charges: “A number of high level finance ministry and local administration employees have been detained over corruption charges and embezzlement of 25 million Afghanis and their legal cases will be forwarded to judiciary institutions in the near future.”-Abobakar Rafiee, Attorney General

However, officials from Afghanistan’s Finance Ministry say only three people were arrested, and the case actually happened a year ago. Those arrested are still awaiting trial.  So why is the Afghan Attorney General presenting it as if it just happened?

 

Fukushima

One Year Later: Last Nuclear Reactor shut down in Japan

05 May 2012, on the northern big island of Hokkaido, Japan’s last operating nuclear reactor is being shut down.

By Saturday night (Japan time), and after 42 years, the country will be free of electricity produced by nuclear reactors.

The Hokkaido Electric Power Company is shutting down Reactor 3 of the Tomari Nuclear Power Plant.  The reactor will be completely shut down by 02:00 hours Sunday morning.

While the Tomari reactor is not scheduled for re-start, those that are have been blocked by local governments.  In Japan the local governments have the final word on reactor re-start, and because of the on going disaster reactors at Fukushima Daiichi, the majority of people in Japan are against re-starting any reactors.

For the summer of 2011 Japan’s domestic industries suffered greatly because of an electrical power shortage, even with 37 reactors operating.  Now Japan is heading into summer 2012, with not one nuclear reactor up and running.  National officials are scrambling to find ways to convince the local governments to re-start reactors.

There has been a push for wind power, but, just like here in the United States, there’s been a backlash of people who are against it because those windmills are “eyesores” and reduce property value.

International, U.S.

World War 3: Brits killed in Afghanistan. ISAF & Afghan government claims to have killed dozens of Mujahideen in past 24 hours. Fertilizer will get you arrested!

May 5, 2012, United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MoD) confirmed that two British soldiers were killed in Helmand Province.

They were killed on May 4, when Mujahideen attacked FOB (Forward Operating Base) Ouellette with indirect fire.  Afghan media say it was mortars, but the U.K.’s MoD did not specify.

And now for another 24 hour seek, destroy or capture report given by Afghan and ISAF officials, for May 5, 2012:  Afghan army and police units killed 42 Mujahideen in the provinces of Kunduz, Helmand, Ghazni, Khost, Wardak and Farah.  They claim to have captured at least 28.

In Kapisa Province three Mujahideen were killed by U.S./NATO airstrike.

In Khost and Ghazni provinces, several people were detained after “testing positive” for making explosives.  The test detects traces of nitrates, which are used in explosives.  The problem is that it’s also used in fertilizer and two of the those detained had been handling fertilizer, however, the local police said the fertilizer was “illegal”.

Business/Economics, U.S.

What Economic Recovery? U.S. April retail sales worst in past three years!

May 4, 2012, major retailers operating in the United States, including Costco, Macy’s and Target, reported dismal sales for April.

In fact sales were below what analysts and experts were predicting.  It was hoped that the retail industry would see at least a 1.5% increase in sales, instead they got a stagnant 0.8%!  It’s the worst April since 2009!!!

The U.S. retail industry represents 70% of all U.S. economic activity.  Some analysts blame the lack of increased consumer spending on the fact that unAmerican Corporate America continues to layoff employees!