The New York Times has an article about the CIA's overthrow of Iran's elected government in 1953, and how it caused "blowback" and led to the 1979 hostage taking.
How a Plot Convulsed Iran in '53 (and in '79)
Some text from the article:
The document, which remains classified, discloses the pivotal role British intelligence officials played in initiating and planning the coup, and it shows that Washington and London shared an interest in maintaining the West's control over Iranian oil.
Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, in an address in March, acknowledged the coup's pivotal role in the troubled relationship and came closer to apologizing than any American official ever has before.
"The Eisenhower administration believed its actions were justified for strategic reasons," she said. "But the coup was clearly a setback for Iran's political development. And it is easy to see now why many Iranians continue to resent this intervention by America in their internal affairs."
Monday, December 28, 2009
Facing Truth
This article discusses how we can face truth to accept reality and find serenity.
More often than not, the solution to our problems is to apply Acceptance and embrace the simple, complete Truth. Wisdom often comes once Acceptance has been fully embraced. It is then that Courage may be needed to address the obvious.
More often than not, the solution to our problems is to apply Acceptance and embrace the simple, complete Truth. Wisdom often comes once Acceptance has been fully embraced. It is then that Courage may be needed to address the obvious.
Terrorist Escort
A report from a Michigan couple who was on the plane with the alleged terrorist (on Christmas Eve) claims the couple saw the person escorted on the plane by a sharp-dressed man even though the person had no passport.
Flight 253 passenger: Sharp-dressed man aided terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab onto plane without passport
...
A Michigan man who was aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 says he witnessed Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab trying to board the plane in Amsterdam without a passport.
...
Flight 253 passenger: Sharp-dressed man aided terror suspect Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab onto plane without passport
...
A Michigan man who was aboard Northwest Airlines Flight 253 says he witnessed Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab trying to board the plane in Amsterdam without a passport.
...
Friday, December 18, 2009
Autism Up 57%
Is the autism rate up due to better diagnosis, more child vaccine usage, or both?
Autism Rates Jump 57% as Awareness of Disease Grows
By Tom Randall and Ellen Gibson
Dec. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Autism rates increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006, part of a decades-long surge of cases as doctors and parents become more aware of the disorder.
About 1 in every 110 8-year-olds in the U.S. had autism spectrum disorder in 2006, according to a report today released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. While more cases are being identified as people become aware of the disorder, a rise in the number of kids affected “cannot be ruled out,” the CDC said.
...
Autism Rates Jump 57% as Awareness of Disease Grows
By Tom Randall and Ellen Gibson
Dec. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Autism rates increased 57 percent from 2002 to 2006, part of a decades-long surge of cases as doctors and parents become more aware of the disorder.
About 1 in every 110 8-year-olds in the U.S. had autism spectrum disorder in 2006, according to a report today released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. While more cases are being identified as people become aware of the disorder, a rise in the number of kids affected “cannot be ruled out,” the CDC said.
...
Friday, December 11, 2009
Secret Agent
Speeding, failure to stop at traffic signal, impersonating police, driving while intoxicated, and many more failure/reckless/whatever is handled in Germany. The person was released. In the USA, this would have called for a helicopter news crew, multiple cruisers, tasers, and a hospital stay for the driver.
"Secret agent" busted in late night car chase
BERLIN (Reuters) - German police arrested a man who claimed to be a "secret agent" after a high speed chase in pursuit of a car with a blue flashing light on its roof.
Police in the southern city of Fuerth caught up with the man after he raced past them, ignored signals to pull over, and ran a red light as they gave chase.
Smelling strongly of alcohol, the 44-year-old whispered only that he was "one of them," on a secret mission ...
"After matters were taken care of, the would-be 'Mr. Bond' was again released," police said in a statement on Thursday.
...
"Secret agent" busted in late night car chase
BERLIN (Reuters) - German police arrested a man who claimed to be a "secret agent" after a high speed chase in pursuit of a car with a blue flashing light on its roof.
Police in the southern city of Fuerth caught up with the man after he raced past them, ignored signals to pull over, and ran a red light as they gave chase.
Smelling strongly of alcohol, the 44-year-old whispered only that he was "one of them," on a secret mission ...
"After matters were taken care of, the would-be 'Mr. Bond' was again released," police said in a statement on Thursday.
...
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
American Consumer Dream
"I think he makes people angry because they have this belief that if only they had a little more money, they'd be happy," Nash says. "His lifestyle is a challenge to their Holy Grail, the American consumer capitalist dream."
That quote is from an interesting human interest article about a college educated person who lives outside Moab in a cave.
"The point is to live freely, in the present, freely giving and freely taking, which is the way of nature," he says. "The idea is to give up control of credit and debt, and just trust the cycle of nature."
That quote is from an interesting human interest article about a college educated person who lives outside Moab in a cave.
"The point is to live freely, in the present, freely giving and freely taking, which is the way of nature," he says. "The idea is to give up control of credit and debt, and just trust the cycle of nature."
Saturday, November 14, 2009
California Department of Finance Director Reads Constitution
In this article about California's budget mess, California's finance director claims he looked for a way to secede.
"I looked as hard as I could at how states could declare bankruptcy," said Michael Genest, director of the California Department of Finance who is stepping down at the end of the year. "I literally looked at the federal constitution to see if there was a way for states to return to territory status."
While it is unclear how leaving the USA would help California's budget mess, history is clear about what happened when states tried to secede. Remember the Civil War (sometimes known as the War Against Southern Independence)?
"I looked as hard as I could at how states could declare bankruptcy," said Michael Genest, director of the California Department of Finance who is stepping down at the end of the year. "I literally looked at the federal constitution to see if there was a way for states to return to territory status."
While it is unclear how leaving the USA would help California's budget mess, history is clear about what happened when states tried to secede. Remember the Civil War (sometimes known as the War Against Southern Independence)?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
USA Is A Corporation?
Dun and Bradstreet, a provider of business information, provides an interesting view into the federal government.
The following results were obtained by going to http://www.dnb.com/us/
and entering
obama
united states
district of columbia
Why would THE US CAPITOL, GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BARACK H OBAMA, and UNITED STATES SENATE be businesses?
The following results were obtained by going to http://www.dnb.com/us/
and entering
obama
united states
district of columbia
Why would THE US CAPITOL, GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BARACK H OBAMA, and UNITED STATES SENATE be businesses?
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Vaccine Pusher Ca$hing In
This medical doctor is pushing vaccines while owning stock in vaccine manufacturers. This is unethical and a glaring conflict of interest.
Conflicts of interest? Dr. Mehmet Oz owns 150,000 option shares in vaccine technology company
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
(NaturalNews) Dr. Mehmet Oz is a huge promoter of vaccines. He's been on television reinforcing fear about H1N1 swine flu and telling everyone to get vaccinated. But what he didn't tell his viewing audience is that he holds 150,000 option shares in a vaccine company that could earn him millions of dollars in profits as the stock price rises.
...
That evidence includes an SEC document detailing how Dr. Oz. bought options on stocks for SIGA Technologies in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. SIGA Technologies (stock symbol SIGA) is a vaccine technology company with many advanced developments whose success depends on the widespread adoption of vaccines.
...
Conflicts of interest? Dr. Mehmet Oz owns 150,000 option shares in vaccine technology company
Tuesday, November 10, 2009 by: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
(NaturalNews) Dr. Mehmet Oz is a huge promoter of vaccines. He's been on television reinforcing fear about H1N1 swine flu and telling everyone to get vaccinated. But what he didn't tell his viewing audience is that he holds 150,000 option shares in a vaccine company that could earn him millions of dollars in profits as the stock price rises.
...
That evidence includes an SEC document detailing how Dr. Oz. bought options on stocks for SIGA Technologies in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. SIGA Technologies (stock symbol SIGA) is a vaccine technology company with many advanced developments whose success depends on the widespread adoption of vaccines.
...
Saturday, November 07, 2009
Fluorescent Lights Linked To Cancer
An article about CLF bulbs and other fluorescent lighting sources may be linked to increased cancer rates.
Ministers to warn: Exposure to fluorescents may cause skin cancer
...
Research carried out in Israel has shown that radiation from the lamps also increases the risk of breast and prostate cancers. Research by the University of Haifa's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, published two years ago, concluded that in Israeli towns whose streets are lit with fluorescent lamps there are more breast cancer cases.
...
Ministers to warn: Exposure to fluorescents may cause skin cancer
...
Research carried out in Israel has shown that radiation from the lamps also increases the risk of breast and prostate cancers. Research by the University of Haifa's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, published two years ago, concluded that in Israeli towns whose streets are lit with fluorescent lamps there are more breast cancer cases.
...
Thursday, November 05, 2009
23 CIA Convicts, CIA Torture
Illegal behavior by the CIA has resulted in conviction and prison sentences.
What would America think if people on American soil were being kidnapped, transferred out of the country, and tortured? Do these kidnap and torture programs by the American government create friends or long-term enemies?
Italian Judge Convicts 23 in CIA Kidnap Case
By COLLEEN BARRY, Associated Press Writer
MILAN – An Italian judge on Wednesday convicted 23 Americans in absentia of the 2003 kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric from a Milan street, in a landmark case involving the CIA's extraordinary rendition program in the war on terrorism.
...
Former Milan CIA station chief, Robert Seldon Lady, received eight years in prison. The other 22 convicted American defendants each received a five-year sentence.
...
The Americans were accused of kidnapping Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, on Feb. 17, 2003, in Milan, then transferring him to U.S. bases in Italy and Germany. He was then moved to Egypt, where he says he was tortured. He has since been released, but has not been permitted to leave Egypt to attend the trial.
...
The court also ruled that those convicted must pay 1 million euros to the Egyptian in damages and 500,000 euros to his wife.
CIA sent people to be ‘raped with broken bottles’
The CIA relied on intelligence based on torture in prisons in Uzbekistan, a place where widespread torture practices include raping suspects with broken bottles and boiling them alive, says a former British ambassador to the central Asian country.
Craig Murray, the rector of the University of Dundee in Scotland and until 2004 the UK's ambassador to Uzbekistan, said the CIA not only relied on confessions gleaned through extreme torture, it sent terror war suspects to Uzbekistan as part of its extraordinary rendition program.
"I'm talking of people being raped with broken bottles," he said at a lecture late last month that was re-broadcast by the Real News Network. "I'm talking of people having their children tortured in front of them until they sign a confession. I'm talking of people being boiled alive. And the intelligence from these torture sessions was being received by the CIA, and was being passed on."
...
What would America think if people on American soil were being kidnapped, transferred out of the country, and tortured? Do these kidnap and torture programs by the American government create friends or long-term enemies?
Italian Judge Convicts 23 in CIA Kidnap Case
By COLLEEN BARRY, Associated Press Writer
MILAN – An Italian judge on Wednesday convicted 23 Americans in absentia of the 2003 kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric from a Milan street, in a landmark case involving the CIA's extraordinary rendition program in the war on terrorism.
...
Former Milan CIA station chief, Robert Seldon Lady, received eight years in prison. The other 22 convicted American defendants each received a five-year sentence.
...
The Americans were accused of kidnapping Osama Moustafa Hassan Nasr, also known as Abu Omar, on Feb. 17, 2003, in Milan, then transferring him to U.S. bases in Italy and Germany. He was then moved to Egypt, where he says he was tortured. He has since been released, but has not been permitted to leave Egypt to attend the trial.
...
The court also ruled that those convicted must pay 1 million euros to the Egyptian in damages and 500,000 euros to his wife.
CIA sent people to be ‘raped with broken bottles’
The CIA relied on intelligence based on torture in prisons in Uzbekistan, a place where widespread torture practices include raping suspects with broken bottles and boiling them alive, says a former British ambassador to the central Asian country.
Craig Murray, the rector of the University of Dundee in Scotland and until 2004 the UK's ambassador to Uzbekistan, said the CIA not only relied on confessions gleaned through extreme torture, it sent terror war suspects to Uzbekistan as part of its extraordinary rendition program.
"I'm talking of people being raped with broken bottles," he said at a lecture late last month that was re-broadcast by the Real News Network. "I'm talking of people having their children tortured in front of them until they sign a confession. I'm talking of people being boiled alive. And the intelligence from these torture sessions was being received by the CIA, and was being passed on."
...
Monday, November 02, 2009
American Cancer Society Admits
The ACS, after decades of evidence, finally admits that early detection of cancer does not extend life span. ACS also admits that some people are harmed by overtreatment.
"The advantages to screening have been exaggerated."
"... vast majority of these additional men did not benefit from early detection."
Read the NPR article A Rethink On Prostate and Breast Cancer Screening.
"The advantages to screening have been exaggerated."
"... vast majority of these additional men did not benefit from early detection."
Read the NPR article A Rethink On Prostate and Breast Cancer Screening.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Kidneys4Cash
Brits overloaded with debt are advertising to sell their kidneys for cash.
Cash-strapped sell their kidneys to pay off debts
Sarah-Kate Templeton, Health Editor
British victims of the credit crunch are offering to sell their kidneys for £25,000 or more to help pay debts, an investigation by The Sunday Times has revealed.
...
One person willing to sell a kidney is a 26-year-old mental health nurse who said he needed the money to pay debts after a business he set up went bankrupt. Another is a 43-year-old taxi driver from Lancashire, who wants to raise cash to pay off some of his mortgage and buy a new kitchen.
Both men said they wanted to help those in need of kidney transplants at the same time as relieving their financial difficulties. A leading doctor said the phenomenon highlighted the need for a public discussion of the issue of selling organs.
...
Cash-strapped sell their kidneys to pay off debts
Sarah-Kate Templeton, Health Editor
British victims of the credit crunch are offering to sell their kidneys for £25,000 or more to help pay debts, an investigation by The Sunday Times has revealed.
...
One person willing to sell a kidney is a 26-year-old mental health nurse who said he needed the money to pay debts after a business he set up went bankrupt. Another is a 43-year-old taxi driver from Lancashire, who wants to raise cash to pay off some of his mortgage and buy a new kitchen.
Both men said they wanted to help those in need of kidney transplants at the same time as relieving their financial difficulties. A leading doctor said the phenomenon highlighted the need for a public discussion of the issue of selling organs.
...
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Low Temperaturs In Bavaria
An all-time low October temperature.
All-time October low recorded in Bavaria
Meteorologists on Tuesday morning recorded the lowest ever October temperature in Germany, as the mercury dipped to a chilly -24.3 degrees Celsius in Bavaria’s Berchtesgaden national park.
...
All-time October low recorded in Bavaria
Meteorologists on Tuesday morning recorded the lowest ever October temperature in Germany, as the mercury dipped to a chilly -24.3 degrees Celsius in Bavaria’s Berchtesgaden national park.
...
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Candy & Violence
Interesting link between daily candy in childhood and later issues with violence and criminal actions.
Daily Candy in Childhood Linked to Violence in Adulthood
By Jennifer Thomas
FRIDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Children fed candy and sweets on a daily basis are more likely to be convicted of violent crimes as adults, a new study finds.
Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales looked at data on 17,415 children born in a single week during April 1970 in the United Kingdom. The data, from the British Cohort Study, included detailed health and lifestyle information on the children at several points during their lifetimes, including ages 5, 10 and throughout adulthood.
...
"There appears to be a link between childhood diet and adult violence, although the nature of the mechanism underlying this association needs further scrutiny," said study author Simon Moore, a senior lecturer in the Violence and Society Research Group at Cardiff University.
...
Daily Candy in Childhood Linked to Violence in Adulthood
By Jennifer Thomas
FRIDAY, Oct. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Children fed candy and sweets on a daily basis are more likely to be convicted of violent crimes as adults, a new study finds.
Researchers from Cardiff University in Wales looked at data on 17,415 children born in a single week during April 1970 in the United Kingdom. The data, from the British Cohort Study, included detailed health and lifestyle information on the children at several points during their lifetimes, including ages 5, 10 and throughout adulthood.
...
"There appears to be a link between childhood diet and adult violence, although the nature of the mechanism underlying this association needs further scrutiny," said study author Simon Moore, a senior lecturer in the Violence and Society Research Group at Cardiff University.
...
Twitter Double Standard
When protesters in Iran used twitter, it was seen as a good thing.
When protesters in Pittsburgh used twitter, they were arrested.
Rights activists see double standard in Twitter arrest
By Michelle Nichols
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The arrest of a New Yorker for using Twitter to alert protesters to police movements at a meeting of world leaders in Pittsburgh last month would be deemed a human rights violation if it happened in Iran or China, rights activists charge.
Pittsburgh police arrested Elliot Madison, 41, on September 24 as hundreds of people -- some throwing rocks and breaking shop windows -- protested on the first day of a summit of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations.
...
"The same conduct (of authorities) in Iran or China during recent demonstrations would be called human right violations whereas here it's called necessary crime control," Vic Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, told Reuters. "It's a real double standard."
Twitter was used by protesters in Iran amid the protests and government clampdown that followed the country's disputed June elections. At one point, the U.S. State Department even urged Twitter to delay a planned upgrade that would have temporarily cut service to Iran.
China has blocked access to online sites such as Twitter several times, including in May ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown and again in July following ethnic unrest in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.
Pittsburgh police, asked about what was illegal about Madison's actions, noted the charge that Madison was hindering apprehension or prosecution by law enforcement.
...
When protesters in Pittsburgh used twitter, they were arrested.
Rights activists see double standard in Twitter arrest
By Michelle Nichols
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The arrest of a New Yorker for using Twitter to alert protesters to police movements at a meeting of world leaders in Pittsburgh last month would be deemed a human rights violation if it happened in Iran or China, rights activists charge.
Pittsburgh police arrested Elliot Madison, 41, on September 24 as hundreds of people -- some throwing rocks and breaking shop windows -- protested on the first day of a summit of the Group of 20 rich and developing nations.
...
"The same conduct (of authorities) in Iran or China during recent demonstrations would be called human right violations whereas here it's called necessary crime control," Vic Walczak, legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, told Reuters. "It's a real double standard."
Twitter was used by protesters in Iran amid the protests and government clampdown that followed the country's disputed June elections. At one point, the U.S. State Department even urged Twitter to delay a planned upgrade that would have temporarily cut service to Iran.
China has blocked access to online sites such as Twitter several times, including in May ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown and again in July following ethnic unrest in the northwestern region of Xinjiang.
Pittsburgh police, asked about what was illegal about Madison's actions, noted the charge that Madison was hindering apprehension or prosecution by law enforcement.
...
Monday, October 05, 2009
Feds Say Dangerous BPA Chemical Is Safe
Despite years of significant evidence that BPAs (which leach from bottles) are not safe for humans, the federal government insists that human consumption of BPAs is safe.
The Food and Drug Administration is not working for the interests of the people.
Scientists Around the World Condemn FDA for Declaring BPA is Safe
(NaturalNews) An international consortium of experts on the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) has issued a statement condemning the FDA's insistence that the chemical is safe.
...
BPA, used to make plastics hard and transparent, is commonly used in everything from baby bottles and water bottles to CD cases, eyeglasses and the resin that lines cans of food and infant formula. Yet research has implicated the substance as an endocrine disruptor that mimics the effects of estrogen in the body, leading to health problems including developmental and reproductive defects, hampered immune function, brain damage and disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
...
In the past 10 years, 130 different scientific studies have linked BPA to health problems, even at doses far beneath the levels considered safe by the FDA.
Yet the FDA continues to insist that the chemical is safe, based only on two industry-funded studies.
...
The Food and Drug Administration is not working for the interests of the people.
Scientists Around the World Condemn FDA for Declaring BPA is Safe
(NaturalNews) An international consortium of experts on the toxic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) has issued a statement condemning the FDA's insistence that the chemical is safe.
...
BPA, used to make plastics hard and transparent, is commonly used in everything from baby bottles and water bottles to CD cases, eyeglasses and the resin that lines cans of food and infant formula. Yet research has implicated the substance as an endocrine disruptor that mimics the effects of estrogen in the body, leading to health problems including developmental and reproductive defects, hampered immune function, brain damage and disease, diabetes, and heart disease.
...
In the past 10 years, 130 different scientific studies have linked BPA to health problems, even at doses far beneath the levels considered safe by the FDA.
Yet the FDA continues to insist that the chemical is safe, based only on two industry-funded studies.
...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Flu Vaccine Increases Risk Of H1N1
Researchers in a Canadian province had found the flu vaccine increases the risk of H1N1 infection.
Province may suspend flu shots after vaccine's safety questioned
B.C. might suspend the seasonal flu shots as early as today, in the wake of a Canadian study that suggests people who get the flu vaccine are twice as likely to contract the H1N1 virus.
Several news outlets reported the preliminary findings of the study, which is still under peer review. Researchers found that those who received the seasonal flu vaccine in the past were more likely to catch H1N1.
...
Click here for a list of contaminants in vaccines.
In the 1970s, 60 Minutes reported on the injuries caused by the swine flu vaccine given at that time.
Watch an online movie about vaccines Vaccine Nation
Province may suspend flu shots after vaccine's safety questioned
B.C. might suspend the seasonal flu shots as early as today, in the wake of a Canadian study that suggests people who get the flu vaccine are twice as likely to contract the H1N1 virus.
Several news outlets reported the preliminary findings of the study, which is still under peer review. Researchers found that those who received the seasonal flu vaccine in the past were more likely to catch H1N1.
...
Click here for a list of contaminants in vaccines.
In the 1970s, 60 Minutes reported on the injuries caused by the swine flu vaccine given at that time.
Watch an online movie about vaccines Vaccine Nation
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Empire Lifespan
Apparently the lifespan of an empire is just over 238 years.
...
A historian and linguist from South Africa recently wrote me a fascinating letter, in which he chronicled the major world empires of history, dating the time of their rise and fall. Here is what his calculations look like:
Assyria (859-612 B.C.): a 247-year reign.
Persia (538-330 B.C.): a 208-year reign.
Greece (331-100 B.C.): a 231-year reign.
The Roman Republic (260-27 B.C.): a 233-year reign.
The Roman Empire (27 B.C.-180 A.D.): a 207-year reign.
The Arab Empire (634-880 A.D.): a 246-year reign.
The Mameluke Empire (1250-1517 A.D.): a 267-year reign.
The Ottoman Empire (1320-1570 A.D.): a 250-year reign.
Spain (1500-1750 A.D.): a 250-year reign.
Romanov Russia (1682-1916 A.D.): a 234-year reign.
Great Britain (1700-1950 A.D.): a 250-year reign.
The USA (1790-2009 A.D.): 219 years and counting.
...
...
A historian and linguist from South Africa recently wrote me a fascinating letter, in which he chronicled the major world empires of history, dating the time of their rise and fall. Here is what his calculations look like:
Assyria (859-612 B.C.): a 247-year reign.
Persia (538-330 B.C.): a 208-year reign.
Greece (331-100 B.C.): a 231-year reign.
The Roman Republic (260-27 B.C.): a 233-year reign.
The Roman Empire (27 B.C.-180 A.D.): a 207-year reign.
The Arab Empire (634-880 A.D.): a 246-year reign.
The Mameluke Empire (1250-1517 A.D.): a 267-year reign.
The Ottoman Empire (1320-1570 A.D.): a 250-year reign.
Spain (1500-1750 A.D.): a 250-year reign.
Romanov Russia (1682-1916 A.D.): a 234-year reign.
Great Britain (1700-1950 A.D.): a 250-year reign.
The USA (1790-2009 A.D.): 219 years and counting.
...
EveryMortgage.gov
The Federal Reserve is effectively buying all newly issued mortgages. This is a complete takeover of the mortgage market to artificially depress interest rates, and the actions are outside the Fed's charter because the loans do not have the full faith and backing of the government.
As Subprime Lending Crisis Unfolded, Watchdog Fed Didn't Bother Barking
The Fed may lose its consumer protection duties to a proposed new agency.
By Binyamin Appelbaum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 27, 2009
...
Under a policy quietly formalized in 1998, the Fed refused to police lenders' compliance with federal laws protecting borrowers, despite repeated urging by consumer advocates across the country and even by other government agencies.
The hands-off policy, which the Fed reversed earlier this month, created a double standard. Banks and their subprime affiliates made loans under the same laws, but only the banks faced regular federal scrutiny. Under the policy, the Fed did not even investigate consumer complaints against the affiliates.
...
As Subprime Lending Crisis Unfolded, Watchdog Fed Didn't Bother Barking
The Fed may lose its consumer protection duties to a proposed new agency.
By Binyamin Appelbaum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, September 27, 2009
...
Under a policy quietly formalized in 1998, the Fed refused to police lenders' compliance with federal laws protecting borrowers, despite repeated urging by consumer advocates across the country and even by other government agencies.
The hands-off policy, which the Fed reversed earlier this month, created a double standard. Banks and their subprime affiliates made loans under the same laws, but only the banks faced regular federal scrutiny. Under the policy, the Fed did not even investigate consumer complaints against the affiliates.
...
Monday, September 28, 2009
Security Video Missing Crucial Minutes
Security tapes of firms around the Pentagon on 9/11 completely disappeared. In Oklahoma, a few critical minutes of tape have disappeared.
Attorney: Oklahoma City bomb tapes appear edited
By TIM TALLEY, Associated Press Writer – Mon Sep 28, 7:15 am ET
OKLAHOMA CITY – Long-secret security tapes showing the chaos immediately after the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building are blank in the minutes before the blast and appear to have been edited, an attorney who obtained the recordings said Sunday.
"The real story is what's missing," said Jesse Trentadue, a Salt Lake City attorney who obtained the recordings through the federal Freedom of Information Act as part of an unofficial inquiry he is conducting into the April 19, 1995, bombing that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more.
...
"Four cameras in four different locations going blank at basically the same time on the morning of April 19, 1995. There ain't no such thing as a coincidence," Trentadue said.
...
"The interesting thing is they spring back on after 9:02," he said. "The absence of footage from these crucial time intervals is evidence that there is something there that the FBI doesn't want anybody to see."
...
Attorney: Oklahoma City bomb tapes appear edited
By TIM TALLEY, Associated Press Writer – Mon Sep 28, 7:15 am ET
OKLAHOMA CITY – Long-secret security tapes showing the chaos immediately after the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building are blank in the minutes before the blast and appear to have been edited, an attorney who obtained the recordings said Sunday.
"The real story is what's missing," said Jesse Trentadue, a Salt Lake City attorney who obtained the recordings through the federal Freedom of Information Act as part of an unofficial inquiry he is conducting into the April 19, 1995, bombing that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more.
...
"Four cameras in four different locations going blank at basically the same time on the morning of April 19, 1995. There ain't no such thing as a coincidence," Trentadue said.
...
"The interesting thing is they spring back on after 9:02," he said. "The absence of footage from these crucial time intervals is evidence that there is something there that the FBI doesn't want anybody to see."
...
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Surge in Homeless Children
Government encouraged people to depend on government - subsidized school lunch, subsidized housing vouchers, food stamps, etc. Now the government is about to be overwhelmed with people needing assistance, yet the charity organizations have been weakened because people were taught to believe government would take of everything.
We are watching government fail, at great cost to families and children.
Surge in Homeless Pupils Strains Schools
... the number of schoolchildren in homeless families appears to have risen by 75 percent to 100 percent in many districts over the last two years, according to Barbara Duffield, policy director of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth ...
We are watching government fail, at great cost to families and children.
Surge in Homeless Pupils Strains Schools
... the number of schoolchildren in homeless families appears to have risen by 75 percent to 100 percent in many districts over the last two years, according to Barbara Duffield, policy director of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth ...
Monday, September 14, 2009
Census and ACORN
ACORN has recently been exposed for providing counseling to a (pretend) pimp and prostitute who claimed to be importing minor sex workers.
The Census Bureau has decided to not use ACORN workers. A question is, why would the Census Bureau have thought it would be OK to use ACORN in the first place?
The Census Bureau late this afternoon “severed” its relationship with the non-profit housing and grassroots community organizing group ACORN for the 2010 Census.
Census Bureau spokesman Stephen Buckner said officials in the bureau, which is part of the Department of Commerce, had been concerned with news reports about ACORN for awhile and “had been monitoring them.”
The Census Bureau has decided to not use ACORN workers. A question is, why would the Census Bureau have thought it would be OK to use ACORN in the first place?
The Census Bureau late this afternoon “severed” its relationship with the non-profit housing and grassroots community organizing group ACORN for the 2010 Census.
Census Bureau spokesman Stephen Buckner said officials in the bureau, which is part of the Department of Commerce, had been concerned with news reports about ACORN for awhile and “had been monitoring them.”
Friday, September 11, 2009
Broke: Fannie, Freddie, FDIC, soon The Fed
In 1913, Congress authorized The Federal Reserve (a private banking cartel) to regulate the money supply and set interest rates. Part of the act that created the private Fed allowed the Fed to buy debt if the debt is fully backed by the US government, thus prohibiting the Fed from speculating on debt that could potentially default.
This article from Reuters quotes a Fed governor (not really a "governor" - this is more subterfuge by the Fed to use government-sounding title in their private organization) says, "However, he [Kohn] did caution that the increase in the balance sheet was not without risks, and warned that if this led to credit losses at the Fed, it could force the Fed to go hat in hand to the U.S. government, compromising its policy independence."
The Fed isn't allowed to purchase debt other than from the federal government in order to ensure the Fed can't possibly have a credit loss. Why is the Fed now discussing the possibility of credit losses from the debt on their balance sheet? The Fed appears to be acknowledging they have stepped beyond the boundaries of their authority.
It's time to have a full audit of the Fed to find out what risks they are taking with our money.
This article from Reuters quotes a Fed governor (not really a "governor" - this is more subterfuge by the Fed to use government-sounding title in their private organization) says, "However, he [Kohn] did caution that the increase in the balance sheet was not without risks, and warned that if this led to credit losses at the Fed, it could force the Fed to go hat in hand to the U.S. government, compromising its policy independence."
The Fed isn't allowed to purchase debt other than from the federal government in order to ensure the Fed can't possibly have a credit loss. Why is the Fed now discussing the possibility of credit losses from the debt on their balance sheet? The Fed appears to be acknowledging they have stepped beyond the boundaries of their authority.
It's time to have a full audit of the Fed to find out what risks they are taking with our money.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Kids Should Not Take Swine Flu Vaccine
Kids should not be given swine flu vaccine: agency
Children under three-years-old should not be vaccinated against the swine flu, the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) has stated in a new recommendation.
...
Children under three-years-old should not be vaccinated against the swine flu, the Swedish Medical Products Agency (Läkemedelsverket) has stated in a new recommendation.
...
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Right To Travel
Man protests driving regulations
In this troubleshooters report: A Pender County man who refuses to get a license plate, registration, or insurance on his truck.
Donald Sullivan says the Constitution gives us the right to travel the public highways, and he shouldn't be charged or regulated for simply exercising his right.
You might be surprised to hear a judge ruled in his favor. ...
In this troubleshooters report: A Pender County man who refuses to get a license plate, registration, or insurance on his truck.
Donald Sullivan says the Constitution gives us the right to travel the public highways, and he shouldn't be charged or regulated for simply exercising his right.
You might be surprised to hear a judge ruled in his favor. ...
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Posse Comitatus Violations
The posse comitatus act is federal law that prohibits military doing law enforcement within the borders of America. In the state of Washington, a military person has been exposed as spying on peace activists in the state. The spy has allegedly admitted his role and confirmed his spying and reporting to all levels of government.
Why do we spend our tax dollars investigating and spying on peaceful American activists?
Why are we violating federal law?
Where are the indictments?
Video report:
Why do we spend our tax dollars investigating and spying on peaceful American activists?
Why are we violating federal law?
Where are the indictments?
Video report:
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Easy FDA Product Approval
The Food and Drug Administration approves medical products, supposedly to protect consumers. As proved by a Congressional committee, anyone can get anything approved.
Drug and device makers along with hospitals and university research facilities must retain an independent IRB to oversee the methodology and safety issues for human studies.
People may assume the IRBs are well-regulated. On the contrary, IRBs are a sham.
About 6,350 IRBs are registered with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Fake products and fake IRBs.
Coast IRB LLC of Colorado Springs, Colo., did approve a study for the fictitious adhesive gel, "Adhesiabloc." Five months after approving the study for abdominal surgery patients, Coast learned that neither Adhesiabloc nor its maker, Device Med-Systems of Virginia, existed.
The committee, working with the Government Accountability Office, Congress's investigatory arm, named the CEO of the fake IRB Truper Dawg, after a staffer's three-legged dog, now deceased. Other fake names included "April Phuls" and "Timothy Wittless," which lawmakers said should have signaled irregularities to HHS. The department registered the IRB.
Drug and device makers along with hospitals and university research facilities must retain an independent IRB to oversee the methodology and safety issues for human studies.
People may assume the IRBs are well-regulated. On the contrary, IRBs are a sham.
About 6,350 IRBs are registered with the Department of Health and Human Services.
Fake products and fake IRBs.
Coast IRB LLC of Colorado Springs, Colo., did approve a study for the fictitious adhesive gel, "Adhesiabloc." Five months after approving the study for abdominal surgery patients, Coast learned that neither Adhesiabloc nor its maker, Device Med-Systems of Virginia, existed.
The committee, working with the Government Accountability Office, Congress's investigatory arm, named the CEO of the fake IRB Truper Dawg, after a staffer's three-legged dog, now deceased. Other fake names included "April Phuls" and "Timothy Wittless," which lawmakers said should have signaled irregularities to HHS. The department registered the IRB.
Monday, August 17, 2009
DNA Evidence Can Be Faked
DNA Evidence Can Be Fabricated, Scientists Show
By ANDREW POLLACK
Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases.
The scientists fabricated blood and saliva samples containing DNA from a person other than the donor of the blood and saliva. They also showed that if they had access to a DNA profile in a database, they could construct a sample of DNA to match that profile without obtaining any tissue from that person.
“You can just engineer a crime scene,” said Dan Frumkin, lead author of the paper, which has been published online by the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics. “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”
...
By ANDREW POLLACK
Scientists in Israel have demonstrated that it is possible to fabricate DNA evidence, undermining the credibility of what has been considered the gold standard of proof in criminal cases.
The scientists fabricated blood and saliva samples containing DNA from a person other than the donor of the blood and saliva. They also showed that if they had access to a DNA profile in a database, they could construct a sample of DNA to match that profile without obtaining any tissue from that person.
“You can just engineer a crime scene,” said Dan Frumkin, lead author of the paper, which has been published online by the journal Forensic Science International: Genetics. “Any biology undergraduate could perform this.”
...
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Town Hall Green Houses
Congress is having their summer recess, and many of the members of Congress are using this time to connect with local voters through town hall meetings. The meetings have the theme of health care reform, and are being used to push further federal government control.
The Lone Star Times has video from a town hall meeting where an Obama for President campaign worker asks a question and presents herself as a "general practicioner" who has been practicing for "four years". These actresses are plants to create an impression of agreement with the government takeover of health care. Some call this "astro turf" because it is fake grass roots. Others are calling the town hall health care meetings "green houses" because of the abundance of plants.
Follow the link to watch the video of the actress impersonating a doctor.
Obama camp plants fake doc
by Matt Bramanti
I was reading the Chron’s piece about Sheila Jackson Lee’s town hall, when something caught my eye:
One supporter, Dr. Roxana Mayer, a physician who does not live in Jackson Lee’s district, praised the reform plan for overhauling a broken system.
“I don’t know what there is in the bill that creates such panic,” she said.
In this video, Mayer claims to be a general practitioner, eliciting applause and even a hug ...
I’m not sure why, but something didn’t smell right. So my colleagues and I did a little digging, and wouldn’t you know it? Roxana Mayer is, like, totally not a doctor.
But she is an Obama campaign volunteer.
Our own David Jennings secured a phone interview, in which Mayer admitted to impersonating a physician, saying — get this — she thought it would help her credibility. (It didn’t.)
...
The Lone Star Times has video from a town hall meeting where an Obama for President campaign worker asks a question and presents herself as a "general practicioner" who has been practicing for "four years". These actresses are plants to create an impression of agreement with the government takeover of health care. Some call this "astro turf" because it is fake grass roots. Others are calling the town hall health care meetings "green houses" because of the abundance of plants.
Follow the link to watch the video of the actress impersonating a doctor.
Obama camp plants fake doc
by Matt Bramanti
I was reading the Chron’s piece about Sheila Jackson Lee’s town hall, when something caught my eye:
One supporter, Dr. Roxana Mayer, a physician who does not live in Jackson Lee’s district, praised the reform plan for overhauling a broken system.
“I don’t know what there is in the bill that creates such panic,” she said.
In this video, Mayer claims to be a general practitioner, eliciting applause and even a hug ...
I’m not sure why, but something didn’t smell right. So my colleagues and I did a little digging, and wouldn’t you know it? Roxana Mayer is, like, totally not a doctor.
But she is an Obama campaign volunteer.
Our own David Jennings secured a phone interview, in which Mayer admitted to impersonating a physician, saying — get this — she thought it would help her credibility. (It didn’t.)
...
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Sugar Shortage
Tariffs are a problem, along with the rising energy costs.
U.S. food giants warn of sugar shortage
(Reuters) - Large U.S. food companies said the country could "virtually run out of sugar" unless the Obama administration eased import curbs, the Wall Street Journal said.
...
U.S. food giants warn of sugar shortage
(Reuters) - Large U.S. food companies said the country could "virtually run out of sugar" unless the Obama administration eased import curbs, the Wall Street Journal said.
...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Whole Foods Style Health Care Reform
The co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods wrote an interesting piece on health care. Some of the points
+ health care is not a right, even in Canada and the UK
+ many degenerative diseases (heart disease, cancer, obesity) are choices
+ allow tax-deductible donations to help those who don't have health care
+ encourage high-deductible health care plans
The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare
Eight things we can do to improve health care without adding to the deficit.
...
• Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits. Now employer health insurance benefits are fully tax deductible, but individual health insurance is not. This is unfair.
• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines.
...
• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover.
...
+ health care is not a right, even in Canada and the UK
+ many degenerative diseases (heart disease, cancer, obesity) are choices
+ allow tax-deductible donations to help those who don't have health care
+ encourage high-deductible health care plans
The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare
Eight things we can do to improve health care without adding to the deficit.
...
• Equalize the tax laws so that employer-provided health insurance and individually owned health insurance have the same tax benefits. Now employer health insurance benefits are fully tax deductible, but individual health insurance is not. This is unfair.
• Repeal all state laws which prevent insurance companies from competing across state lines.
...
• Repeal government mandates regarding what insurance companies must cover.
...
Friday, August 07, 2009
Vaccination Plan A Big Experiment
A/H1N1 vaccination plan a big experiment, doctor says
The enormous vaccination programme against the A/H1N1 swine flu virus due to start this autumn across Germany is nothing less than a huge experiment, a prominent critic of the pharmaceutical industry says.
Wolfgang Becker-Brüser, doctor and publisher of the arznei-telegramm magazine which details critiques of the pharmaceutical industry, says current safety testing rules allow for up to a quarter of a million people to have serious reaction against the vaccine.
...
This means that if the target of 25 million Germans being vaccinated is met, nearly 250,000 could have a serious reaction against the vaccine. ...
The enormous vaccination programme against the A/H1N1 swine flu virus due to start this autumn across Germany is nothing less than a huge experiment, a prominent critic of the pharmaceutical industry says.
Wolfgang Becker-Brüser, doctor and publisher of the arznei-telegramm magazine which details critiques of the pharmaceutical industry, says current safety testing rules allow for up to a quarter of a million people to have serious reaction against the vaccine.
...
This means that if the target of 25 million Germans being vaccinated is met, nearly 250,000 could have a serious reaction against the vaccine. ...
Friday, July 31, 2009
Army Job Ad For Resettlement Specialist
The Army is ramping up these specialties. What big dislocating event is in our futures? Will they be deployed within the USA?
Internment/Resettlement Specialist (31E)
Internment/Resettlement (I/R) Specialists in the Army are primarily responsible for day-to-day operations in a military confinement/correctional facility or detention/internment facility. I/R Specialists provide rehabilitative, health, welfare, and security to U.S. military prisoners within a confinement or correctional facility; conduct inspections; prepare written reports; and coordinate activities of prisoners/internees and staff personnel.
Some of your duties as an Internment/Resettlement Specialist may include:
Assist with the supervision and management of confinement and detention operations
Provide external security to confinement/corrections facilities or detention/internment facilities
Provide counseling and guidance to individual prisoners within a rehabilitative program
Prepare or review reports and records of prisoners/internees and programs
Training
Helpful Skills
Advanced Responsibilities
Related Civilian Jobs
Related Army Positions
Civilian Certifications Earned
Job training for an Internment/Resettlement Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in a field environment. Some of the skills you'll learn are:
Military laws and jurisdictions
Level of Force Procedures
Unarmed Self-Defense Techniques
Police Deviance and Ethics Procedures
Interpersonal Communications Skills
Close confinement operations
Search and restraint procedures
Use of firearms
Custody and control procedures
back to top
Helpful attributes include:
An ability to think and react quickly
An ability to remain calm in stressful situations
An interest in law enforcement and crime prevention
Being physically fit
back to top
Advanced level Internment/Resettlement Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level I/R Specialist, you may be involved in:
Supervise and establish all administrative, logistical and food support operations, confinement/correctional, custodial, treatment, and rehabilitative activities
Responsible for all personnel working in the confinement/correctional facility, including security, logistical, and administrative management of the prisoner/internee population
Provide command and control, staff planning, administration/logistical services, and custody/control for the operation of an Enemy Prisoner of War/Civilian Internee (EPW/CI) camp
Provide command and control, staff planning, administration/logistical services, and custody/control for the operation of detention facility or the operation of a displaced civilian (DC) resettlement facility
back to top
The skills you'll learn as an Internment/Resettlement Specialist will help prepare you for a future with federal, state, county or city law enforcement agencies or the federal penal system. You might also be able to pursue a career as a security guard with industrial firms, airports or other businesses and institutions.
Internment/Resettlement Specialist (31E)
Internment/Resettlement (I/R) Specialists in the Army are primarily responsible for day-to-day operations in a military confinement/correctional facility or detention/internment facility. I/R Specialists provide rehabilitative, health, welfare, and security to U.S. military prisoners within a confinement or correctional facility; conduct inspections; prepare written reports; and coordinate activities of prisoners/internees and staff personnel.
Some of your duties as an Internment/Resettlement Specialist may include:
Assist with the supervision and management of confinement and detention operations
Provide external security to confinement/corrections facilities or detention/internment facilities
Provide counseling and guidance to individual prisoners within a rehabilitative program
Prepare or review reports and records of prisoners/internees and programs
Training
Helpful Skills
Advanced Responsibilities
Related Civilian Jobs
Related Army Positions
Civilian Certifications Earned
Job training for an Internment/Resettlement Specialist requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you'll learn basic Soldiering skills, and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training. Part of this time is spent in the classroom and part in a field environment. Some of the skills you'll learn are:
Military laws and jurisdictions
Level of Force Procedures
Unarmed Self-Defense Techniques
Police Deviance and Ethics Procedures
Interpersonal Communications Skills
Close confinement operations
Search and restraint procedures
Use of firearms
Custody and control procedures
back to top
Helpful attributes include:
An ability to think and react quickly
An ability to remain calm in stressful situations
An interest in law enforcement and crime prevention
Being physically fit
back to top
Advanced level Internment/Resettlement Specialist provides guidance, supervises and trains other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level I/R Specialist, you may be involved in:
Supervise and establish all administrative, logistical and food support operations, confinement/correctional, custodial, treatment, and rehabilitative activities
Responsible for all personnel working in the confinement/correctional facility, including security, logistical, and administrative management of the prisoner/internee population
Provide command and control, staff planning, administration/logistical services, and custody/control for the operation of an Enemy Prisoner of War/Civilian Internee (EPW/CI) camp
Provide command and control, staff planning, administration/logistical services, and custody/control for the operation of detention facility or the operation of a displaced civilian (DC) resettlement facility
back to top
The skills you'll learn as an Internment/Resettlement Specialist will help prepare you for a future with federal, state, county or city law enforcement agencies or the federal penal system. You might also be able to pursue a career as a security guard with industrial firms, airports or other businesses and institutions.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Flu Risk and Starvation
While government authorities have many of us fearful and willing to accept dangerous vaccines, we overlook the opportunity of feeding those people who die from starvation.
Preventative Health 101: How do you protect yourself and your family from Swine Flu?
The most important thing to realize about the Swine Flu is that the vaccine is more dangerous than the disease. Our government and medical establishment would have us believe otherwise, but check it out for yourself. Also check out "alternative" and "complementary" medical techniques.
The first US human trials of a a new swine flu vaccine will being in eight cities in August. To maintain the climate of fear that keeps them in business the World Health Organization confirmed that more than 700 people had died from the virus worldwide. So the drug and medical industry are now ready to get us to spend lots of money to protect ourselves from this virus. Meanwhile, 25,000 people die needlessly EVERY DAY of starvation.
...
Preventative Health 101: How do you protect yourself and your family from Swine Flu?
The most important thing to realize about the Swine Flu is that the vaccine is more dangerous than the disease. Our government and medical establishment would have us believe otherwise, but check it out for yourself. Also check out "alternative" and "complementary" medical techniques.
The first US human trials of a a new swine flu vaccine will being in eight cities in August. To maintain the climate of fear that keeps them in business the World Health Organization confirmed that more than 700 people had died from the virus worldwide. So the drug and medical industry are now ready to get us to spend lots of money to protect ourselves from this virus. Meanwhile, 25,000 people die needlessly EVERY DAY of starvation.
...
Friday, July 17, 2009
Cancer Screening Hazardous?
A New York Times article describes how seemingly every body part has a cancer advocate and how early detection in the US leads to similar cancer survival rates as other countries that don't actively encourage early detection.
The article goes on to describe how widespread early detection can be harmful to many people:
"But in fact, except for a few types of cancer, routine screening has not been proven to reduce the death toll from cancer for people without specific symptoms or risk factors — like a breast lump or a family history of cancer — and could even lead to harm, many experts on health say."
The article goes on to describe how widespread early detection can be harmful to many people:
"But in fact, except for a few types of cancer, routine screening has not been proven to reduce the death toll from cancer for people without specific symptoms or risk factors — like a breast lump or a family history of cancer — and could even lead to harm, many experts on health say."
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Expensive Habit
Man Charged $23 Quadrillion for Smokes
MANCHESTER, N.H. - A New Hampshire man says he swiped his debit card at a gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes and was charged over $23 quadrillion dollars.
Josh Muszynski checked his account online a few hours later and saw the 17-digit number -- a stunning $23,148,855,308,184,500.
Muszynski says he spent two hours on the phone with Bank of America trying to sort out the string of numbers and the $15 overdraft fee. ...
MANCHESTER, N.H. - A New Hampshire man says he swiped his debit card at a gas station to buy a pack of cigarettes and was charged over $23 quadrillion dollars.
Josh Muszynski checked his account online a few hours later and saw the 17-digit number -- a stunning $23,148,855,308,184,500.
Muszynski says he spent two hours on the phone with Bank of America trying to sort out the string of numbers and the $15 overdraft fee. ...
Monday, July 13, 2009
Cool Summer
Global warming? Really?
Chicago has its coolest July 8 in 118 years
By Tom Skilling
July 9, 2009
For the 12th time this meteorological summer (since June 1), daytime highs failed to reach 70 degrees Wednesday. Only one other year in the past half century has hosted so many sub-70-degree days up to this point in a summer season -- 1969, when 14 such days occurred.
Wednesday's paltry 65-degree high at O'Hare International Airport (an early-May-level temperature and a reading 18 degrees below normal) was also the city's coolest July 8 high in 118 years -- since a 61-degree high on the date in 1891. ...
Frost in July hits P.E.I.
CBC News
Temperatures dropped to a record low in Prince Edward Island overnight Tuesday, with reports of frost throughout the province.
An official record low of 3.8 C was set early Wednesday morning at Charlottetown airport.
The previous record for that date was 5.1 C, set in 2005.
Bob Robichaud, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said that to his knowledge, frost has never been reported before in July in P.E.I. ...
Chicago has its coolest July 8 in 118 years
By Tom Skilling
July 9, 2009
For the 12th time this meteorological summer (since June 1), daytime highs failed to reach 70 degrees Wednesday. Only one other year in the past half century has hosted so many sub-70-degree days up to this point in a summer season -- 1969, when 14 such days occurred.
Wednesday's paltry 65-degree high at O'Hare International Airport (an early-May-level temperature and a reading 18 degrees below normal) was also the city's coolest July 8 high in 118 years -- since a 61-degree high on the date in 1891. ...
Frost in July hits P.E.I.
CBC News
Temperatures dropped to a record low in Prince Edward Island overnight Tuesday, with reports of frost throughout the province.
An official record low of 3.8 C was set early Wednesday morning at Charlottetown airport.
The previous record for that date was 5.1 C, set in 2005.
Bob Robichaud, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said that to his knowledge, frost has never been reported before in July in P.E.I. ...
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Oklahoma City Bombing (Massacre?)
USAF Brig. General Ben Partin (Ret.) describes the physical and structural incompatibilites with the claimed source of demolition (truck bomb). Partin shows how the truck could not physically carry anywhere near the needed explosives and he suggests explosive charges were planted inside the building.
Video presentation:
Video presentation:
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Afghanistan: Obama's War
Some voters believed Obama would be for peace. Obama kept Bush's Secretary of Defense, Obama is supporting unConstitutional domestic wiretapping, and Obama is covering up torture. Obama is continuing the Bush policies, so we can accurately call them Obushma.
The Marines are a small force, so for the Marines this is a huge force commitment.
Marines Deploy on Major Mission
Thousands Fan Out in Afghanistan's South in Crucial Test for Revised U.S. Strategy
By Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 2, 2009
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, July 2 -- Thousands of U.S. Marines descended upon the volatile Helmand River valley in helicopters and armored convoys early Thursday, mounting an operation that represents the first large-scale test of the U.S. military's new counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan.
The operation will involve about 4,000 troops from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which was dispatched to Afghanistan this year by President Obama ...
The Marines are a small force, so for the Marines this is a huge force commitment.
Marines Deploy on Major Mission
Thousands Fan Out in Afghanistan's South in Crucial Test for Revised U.S. Strategy
By Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, July 2, 2009
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan, July 2 -- Thousands of U.S. Marines descended upon the volatile Helmand River valley in helicopters and armored convoys early Thursday, mounting an operation that represents the first large-scale test of the U.S. military's new counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan.
The operation will involve about 4,000 troops from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, which was dispatched to Afghanistan this year by President Obama ...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
They Don't Have Autism
Two groups of children without autism.
"... thousands of children cared for by Homefirst Health Services in metropolitan Chicago have at least two things in common with thousands of Amish children in rural Lancaster: They have never been vaccinated. And they don't have autism. "We have a fairly large practice. We have about 30,000 or 35,000 children that we've taken care of over the years, and I don't think we have a single case of autism in children delivered by us who never received vaccines," said Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, Homefirst's medical director who founded the practice in 1973."
Read the article about the two groups of children without autism.
"... thousands of children cared for by Homefirst Health Services in metropolitan Chicago have at least two things in common with thousands of Amish children in rural Lancaster: They have never been vaccinated. And they don't have autism. "We have a fairly large practice. We have about 30,000 or 35,000 children that we've taken care of over the years, and I don't think we have a single case of autism in children delivered by us who never received vaccines," said Dr. Mayer Eisenstein, Homefirst's medical director who founded the practice in 1973."
Read the article about the two groups of children without autism.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
FEMA Videographer Speaks Out
FEMA's video person had full access to the WTC areas, and is releasing his pictures. His book about the events has been published. People are speaking out and the official 9/11 myth is showing some cracks.
9/11 FEMA videographer at Ground Zero goes public
As official videographer for the U.S. government, Kurt Sonnenfeld was detailed to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, where he spent one month filming 29 tapes: "What I saw at certain moments and in certain places ... is very disturbing!" ...
9/11 FEMA videographer at Ground Zero goes public
As official videographer for the U.S. government, Kurt Sonnenfeld was detailed to Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, where he spent one month filming 29 tapes: "What I saw at certain moments and in certain places ... is very disturbing!" ...
Global Cooling Cover-Up
EPA insider is censored and re-assigned for not supporting the politcally correct global warming myth.
... Carlin's report listed a number of recent developments he said the EPA did not consider, including that global temperatures have declined for 11 years; that new research predicts Atlantic hurricanes will be unaffected; that there's "little evidence" that Greenland is shedding ice at expected levels; and that solar radiation has the largest single effect on the earth's temperature. ...
... Carlin's report listed a number of recent developments he said the EPA did not consider, including that global temperatures have declined for 11 years; that new research predicts Atlantic hurricanes will be unaffected; that there's "little evidence" that Greenland is shedding ice at expected levels; and that solar radiation has the largest single effect on the earth's temperature. ...
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Congressman Alleges Fed Cover-Up
While the accusation is being made by a Republican Congressman, this is not a partisan issue. The issue is the private cartel Federal Reserve going beyond their authorized functions.
Fed accused of "cover-up" in BofA deal: lawmaker
By Kim Dixon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve sought to hide its involvement in Bank of America Corp's (BAC.N) acquisition of Merrill Lynch as Merrill's financial condition worsened, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said on Wednesday.
The Fed "engaged in a cover-up and deliberately hid concerns and pertinent details regarding the merger from other federal regulatory agencies," Representative Darrell Issa said in a statement released to Reuters. ...
Fed accused of "cover-up" in BofA deal: lawmaker
By Kim Dixon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve sought to hide its involvement in Bank of America Corp's (BAC.N) acquisition of Merrill Lynch as Merrill's financial condition worsened, the top Republican on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee said on Wednesday.
The Fed "engaged in a cover-up and deliberately hid concerns and pertinent details regarding the merger from other federal regulatory agencies," Representative Darrell Issa said in a statement released to Reuters. ...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
NRA Gun Control
The NRA is the more-compromise gun control lobby.
HB 2853, a bill to force Oregon into compliance with the Brady Campaign/NRA sponsored gun control bill, HR 2640, passed out of the House Rules Committee today.
Only one member of the committee,Bill Garrard, voted no.
...
The NRA’s Oregon consultant, who had previously expressed opposition to the bill, changed his position and declared the NRA neutral on the bill.
We now move one step closer to the complete big brother, centrally located, Federal database of people who will be denied gun purchases. ...
HB 2853, a bill to force Oregon into compliance with the Brady Campaign/NRA sponsored gun control bill, HR 2640, passed out of the House Rules Committee today.
Only one member of the committee,Bill Garrard, voted no.
...
The NRA’s Oregon consultant, who had previously expressed opposition to the bill, changed his position and declared the NRA neutral on the bill.
We now move one step closer to the complete big brother, centrally located, Federal database of people who will be denied gun purchases. ...
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Counterfeit Bonds
Apparently a couple Japanese were caught smuggling US Treasury bearer bonds from Italy to Switzerland with the value of over $100 BILLION.
The US Treasury has said the bonds appear to be fake, but there has not been a definitive statement.
If the bonds are not fake, who made them and who was trying to unload them in Switzerland? If the CIA is printing their own funds, or a foreign government is printing US funds, there is big economic trouble ahead.
Bond smugglers likely to be Japanese
Italy says 2 men detained at its border on suspicion of trying to smuggle 134 billion dollars in US bonds have been confirmed as Japanese nationals.
Italian police say the 2 Japanese passport holders, one in his 50s, and the other in his 60s, were caught on July 3rd at the Swiss-Italian border on a train from northern Italy. They say one man is a resident of Kanagawa Prefecture, central Japan, and the other is from Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan.
Police say the men were carrying bonds worth 134.5 billion dollars, including 249 US bonds, each with a face value of 500 million dollars, hidden in a suitcase.
They were allegedly heading for Zurich, Switzerland, from Como, Italy, with the undeclared bonds.
Police say although the men were suspiciously carrying 8 cell phones, they released them later in the day after their Italian lawyer guaranteed their identities. ...
The US Treasury has said the bonds appear to be fake, but there has not been a definitive statement.
If the bonds are not fake, who made them and who was trying to unload them in Switzerland? If the CIA is printing their own funds, or a foreign government is printing US funds, there is big economic trouble ahead.
Bond smugglers likely to be Japanese
Italy says 2 men detained at its border on suspicion of trying to smuggle 134 billion dollars in US bonds have been confirmed as Japanese nationals.
Italian police say the 2 Japanese passport holders, one in his 50s, and the other in his 60s, were caught on July 3rd at the Swiss-Italian border on a train from northern Italy. They say one man is a resident of Kanagawa Prefecture, central Japan, and the other is from Fukuoka Prefecture, western Japan.
Police say the men were carrying bonds worth 134.5 billion dollars, including 249 US bonds, each with a face value of 500 million dollars, hidden in a suitcase.
They were allegedly heading for Zurich, Switzerland, from Como, Italy, with the undeclared bonds.
Police say although the men were suspiciously carrying 8 cell phones, they released them later in the day after their Italian lawyer guaranteed their identities. ...
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Fire The Watchdogs
Transparency? Openness? Change?
The White House Fires a Watchdog
The curious case of the inspector general and a Presidential ally.
President Obama swept to office on the promise of a new kind of politics, but then how do you explain last week's dismissal of federal Inspector General Gerald Walpin for the crime of trying to protect taxpayer dollars? This is a case that smells of political favoritism and Chicago rules. ...
The White House is also participating in the Treasury withholding documents from the inspector appointed to oversee the bank bailouts.
Senator asks about firings of watchdogs
Removal of 2 inspectors general prompts questions
WASHINGTON - -- He was appointed with fanfare as the public watchdog over the government's multi-billion dollar bailout of the nation's financial system. But now Neil Barofsky is embroiled in a dispute with the Obama administration that delayed one recent inquiry and sparked questions about his ability to freely investigate.
...
Sen. Charles Grassley, R- Iowa, sent the letter Wednesday to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner demanding information about a "dispute over certain Treasury documents" that he said were being "withheld" from Barofsky's office on a "specious claim of attorney-client privilege." ...
The White House Fires a Watchdog
The curious case of the inspector general and a Presidential ally.
President Obama swept to office on the promise of a new kind of politics, but then how do you explain last week's dismissal of federal Inspector General Gerald Walpin for the crime of trying to protect taxpayer dollars? This is a case that smells of political favoritism and Chicago rules. ...
The White House is also participating in the Treasury withholding documents from the inspector appointed to oversee the bank bailouts.
Senator asks about firings of watchdogs
Removal of 2 inspectors general prompts questions
WASHINGTON - -- He was appointed with fanfare as the public watchdog over the government's multi-billion dollar bailout of the nation's financial system. But now Neil Barofsky is embroiled in a dispute with the Obama administration that delayed one recent inquiry and sparked questions about his ability to freely investigate.
...
Sen. Charles Grassley, R- Iowa, sent the letter Wednesday to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner demanding information about a "dispute over certain Treasury documents" that he said were being "withheld" from Barofsky's office on a "specious claim of attorney-client privilege." ...
Missing Metal
Paper precious metal may not exist. You really own gold and silver when it is in your possession.
Royal Canadian Mint ordered to call in RCMP over missing gold
The Canadian Press
The federal government has told the Royal Canadian Mint to call in the RCMP to help find its missing gold and silver.
Rob Merrifield, minister responsible for the mint, told the House of Commons Tuesday he has instructed the agency to seek assistance from the Mounties.
The Toronto Star reported Tuesday that auditors are trying to track precious metals, believed to be gold, worth in the "double digits" of millions. ...
Royal Canadian Mint ordered to call in RCMP over missing gold
The Canadian Press
The federal government has told the Royal Canadian Mint to call in the RCMP to help find its missing gold and silver.
Rob Merrifield, minister responsible for the mint, told the House of Commons Tuesday he has instructed the agency to seek assistance from the Mounties.
The Toronto Star reported Tuesday that auditors are trying to track precious metals, believed to be gold, worth in the "double digits" of millions. ...
Friday, June 12, 2009
Dog Hunt
Incompetent Dog Hunt
Chihuahua is shot by police
A family have slammed police who failed to subdue their pet Chihuahua with a Taser stun gun - then shot him dead.
The dog, called Jack, escaped from their garden and bit the hand of an officer who caught him.
...
Her husband Scott said: "Two grown men that can''t gather up a 5lb dog - and they're trained police officers...it's ridiculous."
...
Chihuahua is shot by police
A family have slammed police who failed to subdue their pet Chihuahua with a Taser stun gun - then shot him dead.
The dog, called Jack, escaped from their garden and bit the hand of an officer who caught him.
...
Her husband Scott said: "Two grown men that can''t gather up a 5lb dog - and they're trained police officers...it's ridiculous."
...
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Comedian Geithner
Secretary of the Treasury Geithner is a multi-year tax cheater. He recently gave a speech in China in which he literally had the audience laughing. Unfortunately for America, the audience was laughing at Geithner.
Geithner insists Chinese dollar assets are safe
US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was laughed at by an audience of Chinese students after insisting that China's US assets are safe.
By Edmund Conway
In his first official visit to China since becoming Treasury Secretary, Mr Geithner told politicians and academics in Beijing that he still supports a strong US dollar, and insisted that the trillions of dollars of Chinese investments would not be unduly damaged by the economic crisis. Speaking at Peking University, Mr Geithner said: "Chinese assets are very safe."
The comment provoked loud laughter from the audience of students. ...
Geithner insists Chinese dollar assets are safe
US Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was laughed at by an audience of Chinese students after insisting that China's US assets are safe.
By Edmund Conway
In his first official visit to China since becoming Treasury Secretary, Mr Geithner told politicians and academics in Beijing that he still supports a strong US dollar, and insisted that the trillions of dollars of Chinese investments would not be unduly damaged by the economic crisis. Speaking at Peking University, Mr Geithner said: "Chinese assets are very safe."
The comment provoked loud laughter from the audience of students. ...
Sunday, May 24, 2009
USA "Out Of Money"
Finally a politician speaks truth, and it is the President! Will the President continue to sign deficit spending into law?
Portion of CSPAN transcript of interview over the holiday weekend:
SCULLY: Yet, it all takes money. You know the numbers, $1.7 trillion debt, a national deficit of $11 trillion. At what point do we run out of money?
OBAMA: Well, we are out of money now. We are operating in deep deficits, not caused by any decisions we've made on health care so far. This is a consequence of the crisis that we've seen and in fact our failure to make some good decisions on health care over the last several decades
Portion of CSPAN transcript of interview over the holiday weekend:
SCULLY: Yet, it all takes money. You know the numbers, $1.7 trillion debt, a national deficit of $11 trillion. At what point do we run out of money?
OBAMA: Well, we are out of money now. We are operating in deep deficits, not caused by any decisions we've made on health care so far. This is a consequence of the crisis that we've seen and in fact our failure to make some good decisions on health care over the last several decades
Weimar Hyperinflation
This article describes Weimar hyperinflation as caused by currency speculators taking advantage of a weakened economic system.
The article has a useful discussion of fiat currency that has seemed to work in the past.
The article has a useful discussion of fiat currency that has seemed to work in the past.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Pension Guarantee Agency Chief Refuses To Testify
This shows that government can't manage things any better than a fake free market. The solution is a true free market with fast and free information flow so people can make their own decisions based on the numbers.
The socialized and overly-regulated system doesn't work. Government running the show doesn't work. Let's try real free markets!
Shortfall Triples at U.S. Pension Guaranty Agency
By DARRELL A. HUGHES and JOHN D. MCKINNON
The federal agency that backstops corporate pension plans reported that its deficit tripled in the last six months, to $33.5 billion. Despite the shortfall, the agency said it has enough assets to pay benefits for many years, even if the holder of one of the largest retirement programs, General Motors Corp., were to file for bankruptcy.
The news came as the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.'s former director invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to lawmakers' questions about possible mismanagement under the Bush administration. The PBGC's inspector general last week issued a report saying that the former director had violated prohibitions on contacting bidders that were seeking investment contracts.
The former director, Charles Millard, has denied allegations that he had inappropriate contacts with several Wall Street firms that won contracts to advise the agency, and said his actions were approved by agency counsel. But his attorney, Stanley Brand, said in a statement that it was best if Mr. Millard didn't testify at a Senate hearing Wednesday, in what he described as a "biased and hostile environment."
...
The socialized and overly-regulated system doesn't work. Government running the show doesn't work. Let's try real free markets!
Shortfall Triples at U.S. Pension Guaranty Agency
By DARRELL A. HUGHES and JOHN D. MCKINNON
The federal agency that backstops corporate pension plans reported that its deficit tripled in the last six months, to $33.5 billion. Despite the shortfall, the agency said it has enough assets to pay benefits for many years, even if the holder of one of the largest retirement programs, General Motors Corp., were to file for bankruptcy.
The news came as the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.'s former director invoked the Fifth Amendment in response to lawmakers' questions about possible mismanagement under the Bush administration. The PBGC's inspector general last week issued a report saying that the former director had violated prohibitions on contacting bidders that were seeking investment contracts.
The former director, Charles Millard, has denied allegations that he had inappropriate contacts with several Wall Street firms that won contracts to advise the agency, and said his actions were approved by agency counsel. But his attorney, Stanley Brand, said in a statement that it was best if Mr. Millard didn't testify at a Senate hearing Wednesday, in what he described as a "biased and hostile environment."
...
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Restaurant Manager Stops Robbery
The manager refused to be a victim.
Restaurant with anti-gun policy saved by a gun
April 21, 9:46 AM
Oleg Volk, A Human Right
Oh, the irony.
The manager of an Atlanta restaurant, Taco Mac, stopped an armed robbery Sunday morning by firing his own gun at the armed robber. What makes this story ironic is that the CEO of the company that owns this particular Taco Mac was one of the people that strenuously fought against the passage of the Georgia law last year that made it legal to carry a firearm in this restaurant.
... Taco Mac has not had an armed robbery in 30 years. Taco Mac posted the Georgia Restaurant Association signs banning firearms, which tells criminals that this is an easy target. Then it is robbed. So what is the conclusion to be drawn? That gun free zones encourage armed criminals to prey upon the disarmed people inside?
...
Restaurant with anti-gun policy saved by a gun
April 21, 9:46 AM
Oleg Volk, A Human Right
Oh, the irony.
The manager of an Atlanta restaurant, Taco Mac, stopped an armed robbery Sunday morning by firing his own gun at the armed robber. What makes this story ironic is that the CEO of the company that owns this particular Taco Mac was one of the people that strenuously fought against the passage of the Georgia law last year that made it legal to carry a firearm in this restaurant.
... Taco Mac has not had an armed robbery in 30 years. Taco Mac posted the Georgia Restaurant Association signs banning firearms, which tells criminals that this is an easy target. Then it is robbed. So what is the conclusion to be drawn? That gun free zones encourage armed criminals to prey upon the disarmed people inside?
...
Sunday, May 17, 2009
US Spends $2.6 Million To Study Chinese Prostitute
The US can't pay it's bills so it borrows from China. Some of the borrowed money is then spent in China studying Chinese prostitute alcohol abuse.
U.S. Will Pay $2.6 Million to Train Chinese Prostitutes to Drink Responsibly on the Job
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
By Edwin Mora
(CNSNews.com) -- The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will pay $2.6 million in U.S. tax dollars to train Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly on the job.
Dr. Xiaoming Li, the researcher conducting the program, is director of the Prevention Research Center at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.
...
U.S. Will Pay $2.6 Million to Train Chinese Prostitutes to Drink Responsibly on the Job
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
By Edwin Mora
(CNSNews.com) -- The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAA), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), will pay $2.6 million in U.S. tax dollars to train Chinese prostitutes to drink responsibly on the job.
Dr. Xiaoming Li, the researcher conducting the program, is director of the Prevention Research Center at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.
...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
8th Grade Exam From 1895
Consumers today may have been less willing to take on excess debt (credit card, car, house) if they understood basic math from an 1895 8th grade exam. The 6th question is about calculating interest.
Arithmetic (Time, 1.25 hours)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide.
How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1050lbs.for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000.What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find cost of 6720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.long at $20 per meter?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9.What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance around which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
Arithmetic (Time, 1.25 hours)
1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.
2. A wagon box is 2 ft deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide.
How many bushels of wheat will it hold?
3. If a load of wheat weighs 3942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1050lbs.for tare?
4. District No. 33 has a valuation of $35,000.What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?
5. Find cost of 6720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.
6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.
7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft.long at $20 per meter?
8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.
9.What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance around which is 640 rods?
10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
John McCain And Torture
John McCain knows that waterboarding is torture and punishable as a war crime, yet John McCain voted to allow waterboarding torture.
On November 29, 2007, Sen. McCain, while campaigning in St. Petersburg, Florida, said, "Following World War II war crime trials were convened. The Japanese were tried and convicted and hung for war crimes committed against American POWs. Among those charges for which they were convicted was waterboarding."
...
Politifact, the St. Petersburg Times' truth-testing project (which this week was awarded a Pulitzer Prize), scrutinized Sen. McCain's statement and found it to be true. Here's the money quote from Politifact:
"McCain is referencing the Tokyo Trials, officially known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. After World War II, an international coalition convened to prosecute Japanese soldiers charged with torture. At the top of the list of techniques was water-based interrogation, known variously then as 'water cure,' 'water torture' and 'waterboarding,' according to the charging documents. It simulates drowning." Politifact went on to report, "A number of the Japanese soldiers convicted by American judges were hanged, while others received lengthy prison sentences or time in labor camps."
McCain does or doesn't support torture, but in the end McCain allows the US government to torture.
McCain supports Bush veto of bill banning harsh interrogation tactics
Doesn't want CIA limited to methods used by military
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, March 9, 2008
When President Bush vetoed legislation Saturday that would have prohibited the CIA from using physical force in interrogations, he had the support of Sen. John McCain - the most outspoken of any presidential candidate in his opposition to torture. ...
On November 29, 2007, Sen. McCain, while campaigning in St. Petersburg, Florida, said, "Following World War II war crime trials were convened. The Japanese were tried and convicted and hung for war crimes committed against American POWs. Among those charges for which they were convicted was waterboarding."
...
Politifact, the St. Petersburg Times' truth-testing project (which this week was awarded a Pulitzer Prize), scrutinized Sen. McCain's statement and found it to be true. Here's the money quote from Politifact:
"McCain is referencing the Tokyo Trials, officially known as the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. After World War II, an international coalition convened to prosecute Japanese soldiers charged with torture. At the top of the list of techniques was water-based interrogation, known variously then as 'water cure,' 'water torture' and 'waterboarding,' according to the charging documents. It simulates drowning." Politifact went on to report, "A number of the Japanese soldiers convicted by American judges were hanged, while others received lengthy prison sentences or time in labor camps."
McCain does or doesn't support torture, but in the end McCain allows the US government to torture.
McCain supports Bush veto of bill banning harsh interrogation tactics
Doesn't want CIA limited to methods used by military
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, March 9, 2008
When President Bush vetoed legislation Saturday that would have prohibited the CIA from using physical force in interrogations, he had the support of Sen. John McCain - the most outspoken of any presidential candidate in his opposition to torture. ...
Al Gore Debunking
35 errors in Al Gore's movie are documented. There is a lot to learn here, even by reading the quick summary of each of the 35 items.
Monday, May 11, 2009
False Flags For Cuba Invasion
In his new exposé of the National Security Agency entitled Body of Secrets, author James Bamford highlights a set of proposals on Cuba by the Joint Chiefs of Staff codenamed OPERATION NORTHWOODS. This document, titled “Justification for U.S. Military Intervention in Cuba” was provided by the JCS to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara on March 13, 1962, as the key component of Northwoods. Written in response to a request from the Chief of the Cuba Project, Col. Edward Lansdale, the Top Secret memorandum describes U.S. plans to covertly engineer various pretexts that would justify a U.S. invasion of Cuba. These proposals - part of a secret anti-Castro program known as Operation Mongoose - included staging the assassinations of Cubans living in the United States, developing a fake “Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington,” including “sink[ing] a boatload of Cuban refugees (real or simulated),” faking a Cuban airforce attack on a civilian jetliner, and concocting a “Remember the Maine” incident by blowing up a U.S. ship in Cuban waters and then blaming the incident on Cuban sabotage. Bamford himself writes that Operation Northwoods “may be the most corrupt plan ever created by the U.S. government.”
Download the report here.
Download the report here.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Federal Reserve Inspector General Knows Nothing
Either the lady is lying when she claims to be the Inspector General of the Federal Reserve, or there is a giant scam being perpetrated on America.
How can Inspector General Elizabeth A. Coleman be so clueless?
How can Inspector General Elizabeth A. Coleman be so clueless?
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Punishment In China
Will the US financial regulators have any penalty?
China Quick to Execute Drug Official
Eye Press, via Associated Press
Zheng Xiaoyu, who had admitted to taking bribes over medicines, was put to death Tuesday.
By JOSEPH KAHN
Published: July 11, 2007
BEIJING, July 10 — China executed its former top food and drug regulator on Tuesday for taking bribes to approve untested medicine, as the Beijing leadership scrambled to show that it was serious about improving the safety of Chinese products.
The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court carried out the death sentence against Zheng Xiaoyu, 62, the former head of the State Food and Drug Administration, shortly after the country’s Supreme Court rejected his final appeal.
Mr. Zheng, who had appealed his May 29 sentence on the grounds that it was too severe and that he had confessed to the bribery charges against him, became the first ministerial-level official put to death since 2000 and the fourth since China opened its doors to the outside world nearly 30 years ago.
...
China Quick to Execute Drug Official
Eye Press, via Associated Press
Zheng Xiaoyu, who had admitted to taking bribes over medicines, was put to death Tuesday.
By JOSEPH KAHN
Published: July 11, 2007
BEIJING, July 10 — China executed its former top food and drug regulator on Tuesday for taking bribes to approve untested medicine, as the Beijing leadership scrambled to show that it was serious about improving the safety of Chinese products.
The Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People’s Court carried out the death sentence against Zheng Xiaoyu, 62, the former head of the State Food and Drug Administration, shortly after the country’s Supreme Court rejected his final appeal.
Mr. Zheng, who had appealed his May 29 sentence on the grounds that it was too severe and that he had confessed to the bribery charges against him, became the first ministerial-level official put to death since 2000 and the fourth since China opened its doors to the outside world nearly 30 years ago.
...
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Radiation Media Spin
New York Times covers up effects of dropping atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Media cover-ups have been ongoing and it is not changing.
... W.H. Lawrence contradicted himself one week later in an article headlined NO RADIOACTIVITY IN HIROSHIMA RUIN. For this article, the Pentagon's spin machine had swung into high gear in response to Burchett's horrifying account of "atomic plague." W.H. Lawrence reported that Brigadier General T. F. Farrell, chief of the War Department's atomic bomb mission to Hiroshima, "denied categorically that [the bomb] produced a dangerous, lingering radioactivity." Lawrence's dispatch quotes only Farrell; the reporter never mentions his eyewitness account of people dying from radiation sickness that he wrote the previous week. ...
... W.H. Lawrence contradicted himself one week later in an article headlined NO RADIOACTIVITY IN HIROSHIMA RUIN. For this article, the Pentagon's spin machine had swung into high gear in response to Burchett's horrifying account of "atomic plague." W.H. Lawrence reported that Brigadier General T. F. Farrell, chief of the War Department's atomic bomb mission to Hiroshima, "denied categorically that [the bomb] produced a dangerous, lingering radioactivity." Lawrence's dispatch quotes only Farrell; the reporter never mentions his eyewitness account of people dying from radiation sickness that he wrote the previous week. ...
Monday, May 04, 2009
NY Fed Chairman's Insider Trading
Investopedia defines insider trading
What Does Insider Trading Mean?
The buying or selling of a security by someone who has access to material, nonpublic information about the security.
Investopedia explains Insider Trading
Insider trading can be illegal or legal depending on when the insider makes the trade: it is illegal when the material information is still nonpublic--trading while having special knowledge is unfair to other investors who don't have access to such knowledge.
"it is illegal when the material information is still nonpublic"
The SEC's definition of insider trading.
During the time the Federal Reserve was bailing out financial institutions and allowing companies such as Goldman Sachs to become banks, the Federal Reserve of course had responsibility to regulate those banks.
Stephen Friedman was and is the New York Federal Reserve's Chairman and sat on Goldman Sach's board of directors AT THE SAME TIME. There is an apparent conflict of interest when the regulator works for the bank that is being regulated. Stephen Friedman would not only have access to material non-public information from both the Federal Reserve and Goldman Sachs, he would also have conflicting obligations to work for the regulator and the regulated bank.
During this time (December 2008), Stephen Friedman purchased 37,300 shares of Goldman Sachs stock according to the same Wall Street Journal article.
Stephen Friedman worked for the regulator, he worked for the regulated bank, he was in posession of material non-public information about banking bailouts, and he purchased 37,300 shares of Goldman Sachs which have risen $1.7M in value (according to same Wall Street Journal article).
Will Stephen Friedman be investigated for insider trading, convicted, forced to disgorge the ill-gotten gains, stripped of his jobs, and sent to prison?
Stephen Friedman's purchase of 37,300 shares of Goldman Sachs in December 2008 in SEC database. "purchase of 37,300 shares of the Issuer's common stock by the Reporting Person at an average weighted purchase price of $80.7792 per share"
The current price of Goldman Sachs stock is 134.16.
134.16 - 80.7792 = 53.3808.
53.3808 * 37,300 = $1,991,103.84 of ill-gotten gains from insider trading by Stephen Friedman.
Where is the outrage?
What can an average citizen do?
An average citizen can file a complaint with the SEC online or via email to enforcement@sec.gov. An average citizen can even apply for a bounty from the SEC.
What Does Insider Trading Mean?
The buying or selling of a security by someone who has access to material, nonpublic information about the security.
Investopedia explains Insider Trading
Insider trading can be illegal or legal depending on when the insider makes the trade: it is illegal when the material information is still nonpublic--trading while having special knowledge is unfair to other investors who don't have access to such knowledge.
"it is illegal when the material information is still nonpublic"
The SEC's definition of insider trading.
During the time the Federal Reserve was bailing out financial institutions and allowing companies such as Goldman Sachs to become banks, the Federal Reserve of course had responsibility to regulate those banks.
Stephen Friedman was and is the New York Federal Reserve's Chairman and sat on Goldman Sach's board of directors AT THE SAME TIME. There is an apparent conflict of interest when the regulator works for the bank that is being regulated. Stephen Friedman would not only have access to material non-public information from both the Federal Reserve and Goldman Sachs, he would also have conflicting obligations to work for the regulator and the regulated bank.
During this time (December 2008), Stephen Friedman purchased 37,300 shares of Goldman Sachs stock according to the same Wall Street Journal article.
Stephen Friedman worked for the regulator, he worked for the regulated bank, he was in posession of material non-public information about banking bailouts, and he purchased 37,300 shares of Goldman Sachs which have risen $1.7M in value (according to same Wall Street Journal article).
Will Stephen Friedman be investigated for insider trading, convicted, forced to disgorge the ill-gotten gains, stripped of his jobs, and sent to prison?
Stephen Friedman's purchase of 37,300 shares of Goldman Sachs in December 2008 in SEC database. "purchase of 37,300 shares of the Issuer's common stock by the Reporting Person at an average weighted purchase price of $80.7792 per share"
The current price of Goldman Sachs stock is 134.16.
134.16 - 80.7792 = 53.3808.
53.3808 * 37,300 = $1,991,103.84 of ill-gotten gains from insider trading by Stephen Friedman.
Where is the outrage?
What can an average citizen do?
An average citizen can file a complaint with the SEC online or via email to enforcement@sec.gov. An average citizen can even apply for a bounty from the SEC.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Sweden Allowed CIA "Terror Flights"
Sweden spied on CIA 'terror flights'
Published: 24 Apr 09
The government led by former Prime Minister Göran Persson knew that Sweden was used as a transit destination for clandestine CIA flights transporting suspected terrorists, according to a report in the Expressen newspaper on Friday.
The Swedish defence forces conducted a secret surveillance operation in 2005 monitoring a US government plane at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
"The assignment to carry out this operation came from the defence ministry to the defence forces," according to an Expressen source who confirmed that the Swedish government harboured suspicions that the CIA was using so-called rendition flights to force people out of the USA against their will.
The surveillance team confirmed these suspicions and found that the CIA plane was filled with chained prisoners clad with black hoods and unable to move, the newspaper reports, citing several independent anonymous sources.
...
Published: 24 Apr 09
The government led by former Prime Minister Göran Persson knew that Sweden was used as a transit destination for clandestine CIA flights transporting suspected terrorists, according to a report in the Expressen newspaper on Friday.
The Swedish defence forces conducted a secret surveillance operation in 2005 monitoring a US government plane at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
"The assignment to carry out this operation came from the defence ministry to the defence forces," according to an Expressen source who confirmed that the Swedish government harboured suspicions that the CIA was using so-called rendition flights to force people out of the USA against their will.
The surveillance team confirmed these suspicions and found that the CIA plane was filled with chained prisoners clad with black hoods and unable to move, the newspaper reports, citing several independent anonymous sources.
...
Constitution Repealed
It appears President Bush modified Executive Order 13375 so Americans can be sentenced to indefinite quarantine without following the rule of law. This effectively removes American's Constitutionally protected rights and makes the federal government a dictator.
DHS Sets Guidelines For Possible Swine Flu Quarantines
...
"The Department of Justice has established legal federal authorities pertaining to the implementation of a quarantine and enforcement. Under approval from HHS, the Surgeon General has the authority to issue quarantines."
McGaw appears to have been referring to the section of federal law that allows the Surgeon General to detain and quarantine Americans "reasonably believed to be infected" with a communicable disease. A Centers for Disease Control official said on Tuesday that swine flu deaths in the U.S. are likely.
Federal quarantine authority is limited to diseases listed in presidential executive orders; President Bush added "novel" forms of influenza with the potential to create pandemics in Executive Order 13375. Anyone violating a quarantine order can be punished by a $250,000 fine and a one-year prison term.
...
DHS Sets Guidelines For Possible Swine Flu Quarantines
...
"The Department of Justice has established legal federal authorities pertaining to the implementation of a quarantine and enforcement. Under approval from HHS, the Surgeon General has the authority to issue quarantines."
McGaw appears to have been referring to the section of federal law that allows the Surgeon General to detain and quarantine Americans "reasonably believed to be infected" with a communicable disease. A Centers for Disease Control official said on Tuesday that swine flu deaths in the U.S. are likely.
Federal quarantine authority is limited to diseases listed in presidential executive orders; President Bush added "novel" forms of influenza with the potential to create pandemics in Executive Order 13375. Anyone violating a quarantine order can be punished by a $250,000 fine and a one-year prison term.
...
Friday, May 01, 2009
Feds Drop Espionage Case
Well-connected lobbyists with massive federal governement influence have succeeded in having their espionage cases dropped.
Just because the information exchanges that are common among government officials happen frequently doesn't mean they should happen frequently. Common lawlessness calls for aggressive prosecution of crimes, particularly espionage.
What if the bankers committed fraud with collateralized debt securities and used their political connections to avoid prosecution? Oh right, that's also happening now.
WASHINGTON (AFP)--Federal prosecutors are dropping espionage charges against two former pro-Israel lobbyists, court documents showed Friday.
The move ends a four-year case that critics charged was an attempt to criminalize information exchanges that are common among government officials, journalists and lobbyists.
Just because the information exchanges that are common among government officials happen frequently doesn't mean they should happen frequently. Common lawlessness calls for aggressive prosecution of crimes, particularly espionage.
What if the bankers committed fraud with collateralized debt securities and used their political connections to avoid prosecution? Oh right, that's also happening now.
WASHINGTON (AFP)--Federal prosecutors are dropping espionage charges against two former pro-Israel lobbyists, court documents showed Friday.
The move ends a four-year case that critics charged was an attempt to criminalize information exchanges that are common among government officials, journalists and lobbyists.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bird Flu & Martial Law
The number of confirmed bird/swine/human flu is officially (according to WHO) seven. Not hundreds. Seven.
What was the real purpose of the hysterical fear-mongering? Was the purpose to scare people into accepting martial law?
Mass. Senate approves pandemic flu prep bill
By Associated Press
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed a pandemic flu preparation bill that has languished in the Legislature before the recent swine flu outbreak.
The 36-0 vote today sends the measure to the House. Both branches have taken it up in past years, but have not been able to agree on the details.
The new Senate version would allow the public health commissioner — in a public health emergency — to close or evacuate buildings, enter private property for investigations, and quarantine individuals.
...
What was the real purpose of the hysterical fear-mongering? Was the purpose to scare people into accepting martial law?
Mass. Senate approves pandemic flu prep bill
By Associated Press
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
The Massachusetts Senate has unanimously passed a pandemic flu preparation bill that has languished in the Legislature before the recent swine flu outbreak.
The 36-0 vote today sends the measure to the House. Both branches have taken it up in past years, but have not been able to agree on the details.
The new Senate version would allow the public health commissioner — in a public health emergency — to close or evacuate buildings, enter private property for investigations, and quarantine individuals.
...
Hair Weave Weed Block
New food-growth product a bit hairy
A Florida company has developed an all-natural product that it says could revolutionize how food is grown in the U.S.
...
This warehouse is stacked floor-to-ceiling with hundreds of canvas bundles, shaped like giant sausages, filled with hair. The hair was boiled and sanitized before it was weaved into mats by needle-punch machines.
...
A Florida company has developed an all-natural product that it says could revolutionize how food is grown in the U.S.
...
This warehouse is stacked floor-to-ceiling with hundreds of canvas bundles, shaped like giant sausages, filled with hair. The hair was boiled and sanitized before it was weaved into mats by needle-punch machines.
...
Mass Immunization
A person with the World Health Organization says the death tally for bird/pig/human flu is overstated. Why are inflated death numbers being reported?
In any population, people will die from flu every day. Would Mexican authorities be served by implementing a crackdown?
Would American authorities be served by scaring people into taking risky immunizations?
Only 7 swine flu deaths, not 152, says WHO
April 29, 2009
A member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed claims that more than 150 people have died from swine flu, saying it has officially recorded only seven deaths around the world.
Vivienne Allan, from WHO's patient safety program, said the body had confirmed that worldwide there had been just seven deaths - all in Mexico - and 79 confirmed cases of the disease.
...
In any population, people will die from flu every day. Would Mexican authorities be served by implementing a crackdown?
Would American authorities be served by scaring people into taking risky immunizations?
Only 7 swine flu deaths, not 152, says WHO
April 29, 2009
A member of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has dismissed claims that more than 150 people have died from swine flu, saying it has officially recorded only seven deaths around the world.
Vivienne Allan, from WHO's patient safety program, said the body had confirmed that worldwide there had been just seven deaths - all in Mexico - and 79 confirmed cases of the disease.
...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
9/11 Fears Re-Ignited In New York City
White House Apologizes for Air Force Flyover
By A. G. Sulzberger AND Matthew L. Wald
An Air Force One lookalike, the backup plane for the one regularly used by the president, flew low over parts of New York and New Jersey on Monday morning, accompanied by two F-16 fighters, so Air Force photographers could take pictures high above the New York harbor.
But the exercise — conducted without any notification to the public — caused momentary panic in some quarters and led to the evacuation of several buildings in Lower Manhattan and Jersey City.
...
A group of financial services workers, who were gathered outside the same building but declined to give their names, described their reactions. “I saw the landing gear and I was out of here,” one said. Another said: “There were people in my elevator, sweating and shaking. There were women
crying. It was not an experience to be taken lightly.”
Andrew Burke, 49, a T-shirt vendor from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, said: “People panicked and ran into the streets thinking the worst.” He added, “It’s a real shame they couldn’t tell the city what they were going to do.”
...
By A. G. Sulzberger AND Matthew L. Wald
An Air Force One lookalike, the backup plane for the one regularly used by the president, flew low over parts of New York and New Jersey on Monday morning, accompanied by two F-16 fighters, so Air Force photographers could take pictures high above the New York harbor.
But the exercise — conducted without any notification to the public — caused momentary panic in some quarters and led to the evacuation of several buildings in Lower Manhattan and Jersey City.
...
A group of financial services workers, who were gathered outside the same building but declined to give their names, described their reactions. “I saw the landing gear and I was out of here,” one said. Another said: “There were people in my elevator, sweating and shaking. There were women
crying. It was not an experience to be taken lightly.”
Andrew Burke, 49, a T-shirt vendor from Crown Heights, Brooklyn, said: “People panicked and ran into the streets thinking the worst.” He added, “It’s a real shame they couldn’t tell the city what they were going to do.”
...
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Portugal Drug Decriminalization
Portugal decriminalize drug possession in 2001. Since then HIV infection rates are down, drug overdose deaths are down, and drug use is down.
Portugal's experience shows decriminalization can work
Both drug-related pathologies and overall drug use have decreased there since its drug law was moderated
BY PETER MCKNIGHT, VANCOUVER SUN COLUMNIST
APRIL 18, 2009
... Portugal formally decriminalized possession of all illicit drugs in 2001. ...
According to American constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald, who produced a report on Portugal's drug policy for the Washington-based Cato Institute, decriminalization has led to a reduction in drug-related pathologies -- precisely what advocates predicted -- and a reduction in drug use -- precisely the opposite of what opponents feared.
While experiencing severe drug problems in the 1990s, Portugal formed the Commission for a National Drug Strategy, which issued in 1998 a report stressing that criminalization drove resources away from treatment and deterred people from seeking help for addiction. Consequently, the commission recommended decriminalization to reduce both the use and abuse of illicit drugs.
...
Portugal's experience shows decriminalization can work
Both drug-related pathologies and overall drug use have decreased there since its drug law was moderated
BY PETER MCKNIGHT, VANCOUVER SUN COLUMNIST
APRIL 18, 2009
... Portugal formally decriminalized possession of all illicit drugs in 2001. ...
According to American constitutional lawyer Glenn Greenwald, who produced a report on Portugal's drug policy for the Washington-based Cato Institute, decriminalization has led to a reduction in drug-related pathologies -- precisely what advocates predicted -- and a reduction in drug use -- precisely the opposite of what opponents feared.
While experiencing severe drug problems in the 1990s, Portugal formed the Commission for a National Drug Strategy, which issued in 1998 a report stressing that criminalization drove resources away from treatment and deterred people from seeking help for addiction. Consequently, the commission recommended decriminalization to reduce both the use and abuse of illicit drugs.
...
Friday, April 24, 2009
Companies Dumping Drugs In Rivers
Pharmaceutical manufacturers are dumping drugs and drug manufacturing by-products into rivers that are sources for human drinking water. Most drinking water providers do not remove the toxic drug by-products.
The federal government continues to fail to regulate.
Tons of released drugs taint US water
April 20th, 2009 By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD , Associated Press Writers
(AP) -- U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water - contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked, according to an Associated Press investigation.
...
The federal government continues to fail to regulate.
Tons of released drugs taint US water
April 20th, 2009 By JEFF DONN, MARTHA MENDOZA and JUSTIN PRITCHARD , Associated Press Writers
(AP) -- U.S. manufacturers, including major drugmakers, have legally released at least 271 million pounds of pharmaceuticals into waterways that often provide drinking water - contamination the federal government has consistently overlooked, according to an Associated Press investigation.
...
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Lies, Fraud, Indictments?
When will Paulson, Bernanke, and Lewis be indicted for their lies and fraud?
Lewis Testifies U.S. Urged Silence on Deal
Bank of America Chief Says Bernanke, Paulson Barred Disclosure of Merrill Woes Because of Fears for Financial System
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and then-Treasury Department chief Henry Paulson pressured Bank of America Corp. to not discuss its increasingly troubled plan to buy Merrill Lynch & Co. -- a deal that later triggered a government bailout of BofA -- according to testimony by Kenneth Lewis, the bank's chief executive.
Mr. Lewis, testifying under oath before New York's attorney general in February, told prosecutors that he believed Messrs. Paulson and Bernanke were instructing him to keep silent about deepening financial difficulties at Merrill, the struggling brokerage giant. ...
Lewis Testifies U.S. Urged Silence on Deal
Bank of America Chief Says Bernanke, Paulson Barred Disclosure of Merrill Woes Because of Fears for Financial System
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and then-Treasury Department chief Henry Paulson pressured Bank of America Corp. to not discuss its increasingly troubled plan to buy Merrill Lynch & Co. -- a deal that later triggered a government bailout of BofA -- according to testimony by Kenneth Lewis, the bank's chief executive.
Mr. Lewis, testifying under oath before New York's attorney general in February, told prosecutors that he believed Messrs. Paulson and Bernanke were instructing him to keep silent about deepening financial difficulties at Merrill, the struggling brokerage giant. ...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Regional Fed Chief: Let Banks Fail
A Federal Reserve Regional Bank chief tells Congress to allow the broken banks to fail. It would have been nice to have had the powers that be in the Federal Reserve speaking this logic six months ago.
Regional Fed chief Hoenig: Let insolvent banks fail
Denver Business Journal - by Renée McGaw
Bailing out insolvent financial institutions is prolonging the recession and increasing its cost, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Tom Hoenig told members of Congress Tuesday.
Insolvent institutions should be allowed to fail, he said.
Hoenig, the head of a Fed district that includes Colorado, has emerged as a blunt critic of the federal government’s $700 billion bank bailout plan. He was summoned to testify at a hearing of the congressional Joint Economic Committee, a rare invitation for a leader of one of the Fed’s 12 regional banks.
...
He went on to say that maybe we shouldn't let some special banks fail. Who determines if a bank is important enough to get "triage" and if that bank is insolvent then why shouldn't their bond holders and stock holders be wiped out?
He recommended that the government “triage” systemically important financial institutions.
Regional Fed chief Hoenig: Let insolvent banks fail
Denver Business Journal - by Renée McGaw
Bailing out insolvent financial institutions is prolonging the recession and increasing its cost, Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Tom Hoenig told members of Congress Tuesday.
Insolvent institutions should be allowed to fail, he said.
Hoenig, the head of a Fed district that includes Colorado, has emerged as a blunt critic of the federal government’s $700 billion bank bailout plan. He was summoned to testify at a hearing of the congressional Joint Economic Committee, a rare invitation for a leader of one of the Fed’s 12 regional banks.
...
He went on to say that maybe we shouldn't let some special banks fail. Who determines if a bank is important enough to get "triage" and if that bank is insolvent then why shouldn't their bond holders and stock holders be wiped out?
He recommended that the government “triage” systemically important financial institutions.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Antarctic Ice Is Growing
It is apparent that variations in temperature is causing some warming and some cooling. The worldwide effort to regulate carbon dioxide output is being seen for what it is - a form of one-world-government taxation to put everyone under the control of those in power.
Antarctic ice is growing, not melting away
By Greg Roberts
The Australian
April 18, 2009
Cool down ... ice is expanding in much of the Antarctic, experts say / Reuters
* Ice expanding in much of Antarctica
* Eastern coast getting colder
* Western section remains a concern
ICE is expanding in much of Antarctica, contrary to the widespread public belief that global warming is melting the continental ice cap.
...
East Antarctica is four times the size of west Antarctica and parts of it are cooling. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research report prepared for last week's meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations in Washington noted the South Pole had shown "significant cooling in recent decades".
...
Antarctic ice is growing, not melting away
By Greg Roberts
The Australian
April 18, 2009
Cool down ... ice is expanding in much of the Antarctic, experts say / Reuters
* Ice expanding in much of Antarctica
* Eastern coast getting colder
* Western section remains a concern
ICE is expanding in much of Antarctica, contrary to the widespread public belief that global warming is melting the continental ice cap.
...
East Antarctica is four times the size of west Antarctica and parts of it are cooling. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research report prepared for last week's meeting of Antarctic Treaty nations in Washington noted the South Pole had shown "significant cooling in recent decades".
...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
America's Setting Sun; President Enables More Financial Theft
The well-respected Christian Science Monitor published a piece stating the days of the American empire are over. This is simply common-sense, though common-sense is rarely published.
America: a superpower no more
Decline is occurring more rapidly than we think. It's time to embrace a new agenda.
By Walter Rodgers
from the April 8, 2009 edition
Print this Letter to the Editor Republish Email and share E-mail newsletters RSS
Oakton, Va. - Two American icons, General Electric and Berkshire Hathaway, lost their triple-A credit ratings. Then China, America's largest creditor, called for a new global currency to replace the dollar just weeks after it demanded Washington guarantee the safety of Beijing's nearly $1 trillion debt holdings. And that was just in March.
These events are the latest warnings that our world is changing far more rapidly and profoundly than we – or our politicians – will admit. America's own triple-A rating, its superpower status, is being downgraded as rapidly as its economy.
President Obama's recent acknowledgement that the US is not winning in Afghanistan is but the most obvious recognition of this jarring new reality. What was the president telling Americans? As Milton Bearden, a former top CIA analyst on Afghanistan, recently put it, "If you aren't winning, you're losing." ...
The well-respected Bloomberg financial publishing house has an article by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz in which he states that Obama's financial bailout plan will fail to help America because it is actually a plan to bailout bankers at taxpayer expense. If the purpose of the financial bailouts are to transfer more of America's wealth to the fat-cat politcally-connected bankers, then Obama's Secretary of the Treasury (Tim tax-cheat Geithner) is working as planned.
Stiglitz Says Ties to Wall Street Doom Bank Rescue (Update1)
By Michael McKee and Matthew Benjamin
April 17 (Bloomberg) -- The Obama administration’s bank- rescue efforts will probably fail because the programs have been designed to help Wall Street rather than create a viable financial system, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz said.
“All the ingredients they have so far are weak, and there are several missing ingredients,” Stiglitz said in an interview yesterday. The people who designed the plans are “either in the pocket of the banks or they’re incompetent.” ...
America: a superpower no more
Decline is occurring more rapidly than we think. It's time to embrace a new agenda.
By Walter Rodgers
from the April 8, 2009 edition
Print this Letter to the Editor Republish Email and share E-mail newsletters RSS
Oakton, Va. - Two American icons, General Electric and Berkshire Hathaway, lost their triple-A credit ratings. Then China, America's largest creditor, called for a new global currency to replace the dollar just weeks after it demanded Washington guarantee the safety of Beijing's nearly $1 trillion debt holdings. And that was just in March.
These events are the latest warnings that our world is changing far more rapidly and profoundly than we – or our politicians – will admit. America's own triple-A rating, its superpower status, is being downgraded as rapidly as its economy.
President Obama's recent acknowledgement that the US is not winning in Afghanistan is but the most obvious recognition of this jarring new reality. What was the president telling Americans? As Milton Bearden, a former top CIA analyst on Afghanistan, recently put it, "If you aren't winning, you're losing." ...
The well-respected Bloomberg financial publishing house has an article by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz in which he states that Obama's financial bailout plan will fail to help America because it is actually a plan to bailout bankers at taxpayer expense. If the purpose of the financial bailouts are to transfer more of America's wealth to the fat-cat politcally-connected bankers, then Obama's Secretary of the Treasury (Tim tax-cheat Geithner) is working as planned.
Stiglitz Says Ties to Wall Street Doom Bank Rescue (Update1)
By Michael McKee and Matthew Benjamin
April 17 (Bloomberg) -- The Obama administration’s bank- rescue efforts will probably fail because the programs have been designed to help Wall Street rather than create a viable financial system, Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz said.
“All the ingredients they have so far are weak, and there are several missing ingredients,” Stiglitz said in an interview yesterday. The people who designed the plans are “either in the pocket of the banks or they’re incompetent.” ...
Friday, April 17, 2009
AIG Boss Enriches Himself With Taxpayer's Funds
plutocracy
1 : government by the wealthy
2 : a controlling class of the wealthy
The boss of the government (taxpayer) owned AIG says he is taking just $1 in salary. What about other compensation? Other compensation like the taxpayer's bailout money that you sent to Goldman Sachs to boost the value of the $3 million of Goldman Sachs stock he owns.
America has become a plutocracy of government by the wealthy, and the wealthy who control the government continue to steal from the taxpayers while pretending to take just $1. They are taking trillions of dollars.
AIG CEO Edward Liddy owns $3 million of stock in Goldman Sachs.
1 : government by the wealthy
2 : a controlling class of the wealthy
The boss of the government (taxpayer) owned AIG says he is taking just $1 in salary. What about other compensation? Other compensation like the taxpayer's bailout money that you sent to Goldman Sachs to boost the value of the $3 million of Goldman Sachs stock he owns.
America has become a plutocracy of government by the wealthy, and the wealthy who control the government continue to steal from the taxpayers while pretending to take just $1. They are taking trillions of dollars.
AIG CEO Edward Liddy owns $3 million of stock in Goldman Sachs.
Deflation In Germany
Germany is the large engine of European commerce and manufacturing. On a relative basis, the other European nations with less economic strength will really be suffering economically.
Governments in general are not prepared for deflation. As a corollary, the citizens aren't typically prepared. Citizens who have saved or who have secure fixed incomes will benefit from falling prices.
German wholesale prices see record decline in 22 years
BERLIN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Wholesale prices in Germany dropped 8.0 percent in March compared with the same month last year, the biggest year-on-year decline since January 1987, the German Federal Statistical Office said Wednesday.
Compared to February, however, wholesale prices declined 0.9 percent, said the Wiesbaden-based statistics office.
Governments in general are not prepared for deflation. As a corollary, the citizens aren't typically prepared. Citizens who have saved or who have secure fixed incomes will benefit from falling prices.
German wholesale prices see record decline in 22 years
BERLIN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Wholesale prices in Germany dropped 8.0 percent in March compared with the same month last year, the biggest year-on-year decline since January 1987, the German Federal Statistical Office said Wednesday.
Compared to February, however, wholesale prices declined 0.9 percent, said the Wiesbaden-based statistics office.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Unexpected Decline
An "unexpected" drop in sales? It is obvious to people in the real world that people are buying less in order to pay down debt and save some money.
Economy still vulnerable as retail sales fall
Retail sales disappoint; Obama, Bernanke warn of slow recovery amid signs of hope
Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The recession is easing? Not so fast. An unexpected drop in sales of just about everything from cars to clothes sent a sobering message Tuesday: The economy is still vulnerable.
...
Here is a juicy quote from a delusional person who is clearly not in the real world:
"I liken it to a lawnmower engine that hasn't been started in a while," said Richard Yamarone, economist at Argus Research Corp. "You're going to get some sputtering of activity, and you'll get a couple of false firings as well."
Economy still vulnerable as retail sales fall
Retail sales disappoint; Obama, Bernanke warn of slow recovery amid signs of hope
Jeannine Aversa, AP Economics Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The recession is easing? Not so fast. An unexpected drop in sales of just about everything from cars to clothes sent a sobering message Tuesday: The economy is still vulnerable.
...
Here is a juicy quote from a delusional person who is clearly not in the real world:
"I liken it to a lawnmower engine that hasn't been started in a while," said Richard Yamarone, economist at Argus Research Corp. "You're going to get some sputtering of activity, and you'll get a couple of false firings as well."
Conservation and Sustainable Living
Overconsumption has been blamed for many ills including "global warming". People are now consuming less, conserving, and their lives are becoming more sustainable.
Less consumption means less pollution and more affordable living. The greens and Al Gore should be dancing!
Consumer prices fall as energy demand slumps
By Lucia Mutikani
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. consumer prices fell in March and recorded their first 12-month drop since 1955, government data showed on Wednesday, as slumping demand amid a severe recession pushed down energy and food costs.
The Labor Department said its closely watched Consumer Price Index fell 0.1 percent, after increasing 0.4 percent in February. On a year-over-year basis, consumer prices dived 0.4 percent, the first 12-month decline since August 1955.
...
Less consumption means less pollution and more affordable living. The greens and Al Gore should be dancing!
Consumer prices fall as energy demand slumps
By Lucia Mutikani
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. consumer prices fell in March and recorded their first 12-month drop since 1955, government data showed on Wednesday, as slumping demand amid a severe recession pushed down energy and food costs.
The Labor Department said its closely watched Consumer Price Index fell 0.1 percent, after increasing 0.4 percent in February. On a year-over-year basis, consumer prices dived 0.4 percent, the first 12-month decline since August 1955.
...
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Video Of Gang Thugs Killing Unarmed Man
A gang of criminals wearing yellow jackets (their gang colors) assault and kill an unarmed man in England.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2009/apr/07/g20-police-assault-video
The man who shot the footage, a fund manager from New York who was in London on business, said: "The primary reason for me coming forward is that it was clear the family were not getting any answers."
The Guardian's dossier also includes a sequence of photographs, taken by three different people, showing the aftermath of the attack, as well as witness statements from people in the area at the time.
A number of witnesses provided time and date-stamped photographs that substantiate their accounts.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/video/2009/apr/07/g20-police-assault-video
The man who shot the footage, a fund manager from New York who was in London on business, said: "The primary reason for me coming forward is that it was clear the family were not getting any answers."
The Guardian's dossier also includes a sequence of photographs, taken by three different people, showing the aftermath of the attack, as well as witness statements from people in the area at the time.
A number of witnesses provided time and date-stamped photographs that substantiate their accounts.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Mark-To-Fantasy
FASB caved in to political pressure and will allow companies to guess at market values. This will allow "assets" to be priced at fantasy levels, thus reducing required reserves and making insolvent companies appear to be solvent.
In time, people will understand the impossibility of valuing companies and investors in mark-to-fantasy companies and industries will simply leave. In the meantime, bankers are relieved they will be able to manipulate "earnings" to ensure bonuses and the stock market is due for a relief rally.
Charles Bowsher understands the FASB change will allow more fraud, and he resigns postition on Board of Directors of Federal Home Loan Banks (2nd largest borrower in USA after the Feds). Charles Bowsher was previously the USA's Comptroller General.
Honest Man Emerges From Muck of Banking Crisis: Jonathan Weil
April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Remember this man’s name: Charles Bowsher. He’s one of the few people leaving the banking crisis behind with his reputation enhanced.
Bowsher, who was comptroller general of the U.S. from 1981 to 1996, had a simple reason for resigning last week as chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank System’s Office of Finance. He didn’t want to put his name on the banks’ combined financial statements, because he was uncomfortable vouching for them. Bowsher, 77, had held the post since April 2007.
...
Office of Finance Announces Resignation of Board Chairman
The FHLBanks Office of Finance, the debt issuance facility of the Federal Home Loan Banks, announced today that Charles A. Bowsher has resigned as the private citizen member of the Office of Finance Board of Directors. ...
FHLB Chairman Disgusted With FASB Accounting Alchemy, Quits
When the man in charge of the second largest borrower in the U.S. is willing to lose his job due to his discomfort with the FASB's shift in accounting rules, you can bet that the tragic fallout of all the "market buoying" recent events is only a matter of time. ...
Charles Bowsher, who was most recently Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank System's Office of Finance and previously served as U.S. comptroller general may be the only truly honorable man in the socialist nexus of politics and finance. The reason for his departure from this critical post - his discomfort in vouching for the banks' combined financial statements. And as Weil puts it succinctly: "Now the question for taxpayers is this: If Charles Bowsher can’t get comfortable with these banks’ financial statements, why should anybody else be?" ...
In time, people will understand the impossibility of valuing companies and investors in mark-to-fantasy companies and industries will simply leave. In the meantime, bankers are relieved they will be able to manipulate "earnings" to ensure bonuses and the stock market is due for a relief rally.
Charles Bowsher understands the FASB change will allow more fraud, and he resigns postition on Board of Directors of Federal Home Loan Banks (2nd largest borrower in USA after the Feds). Charles Bowsher was previously the USA's Comptroller General.
Honest Man Emerges From Muck of Banking Crisis: Jonathan Weil
April 2 (Bloomberg) -- Remember this man’s name: Charles Bowsher. He’s one of the few people leaving the banking crisis behind with his reputation enhanced.
Bowsher, who was comptroller general of the U.S. from 1981 to 1996, had a simple reason for resigning last week as chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank System’s Office of Finance. He didn’t want to put his name on the banks’ combined financial statements, because he was uncomfortable vouching for them. Bowsher, 77, had held the post since April 2007.
...
Office of Finance Announces Resignation of Board Chairman
The FHLBanks Office of Finance, the debt issuance facility of the Federal Home Loan Banks, announced today that Charles A. Bowsher has resigned as the private citizen member of the Office of Finance Board of Directors. ...
FHLB Chairman Disgusted With FASB Accounting Alchemy, Quits
When the man in charge of the second largest borrower in the U.S. is willing to lose his job due to his discomfort with the FASB's shift in accounting rules, you can bet that the tragic fallout of all the "market buoying" recent events is only a matter of time. ...
Charles Bowsher, who was most recently Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank System's Office of Finance and previously served as U.S. comptroller general may be the only truly honorable man in the socialist nexus of politics and finance. The reason for his departure from this critical post - his discomfort in vouching for the banks' combined financial statements. And as Weil puts it succinctly: "Now the question for taxpayers is this: If Charles Bowsher can’t get comfortable with these banks’ financial statements, why should anybody else be?" ...
Cortisol and Autism
It would be interesting to determine if diet and/or exercise would moderate the Asperger condition.
Asperger Syndrome Tied to Low Cortisol Levels
THURSDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Low levels of a stress hormone may be responsible for the obsession with routine and dislike for new experiences common in children with a certain type of autism.
U.K. researchers found that children with Asperger syndrome (AS) do not experience the normal twofold increase of cortisol upon waking up. Levels of the hormone in their bodies do continue to decrease throughout the day, though, just as they do in those without the syndrome.
...
Asperger Syndrome Tied to Low Cortisol Levels
THURSDAY, April 2 (HealthDay News) -- Low levels of a stress hormone may be responsible for the obsession with routine and dislike for new experiences common in children with a certain type of autism.
U.K. researchers found that children with Asperger syndrome (AS) do not experience the normal twofold increase of cortisol upon waking up. Levels of the hormone in their bodies do continue to decrease throughout the day, though, just as they do in those without the syndrome.
...
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Job Offshoring Patent
IBM tries to patent a computer system that will manage job offshoring while minimzing tax liabilities.
IBM files for patent on offshoring jobs
By Christine Young
Times Herald-Record
Posted: March 30, 2009
As IBM was firing thousands of American workers last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Big Blue's application to copyright a computerized system that calculates how to offshore jobs while maximizing government tax breaks.
Update: IBM withdraws its application, calling it an error.
In their application to patent a "method and system for strategic global resource sourcing," five Hudson Valley IBMers describe how it weighs such plans as "50 percent of resources in China by 2010," against such factors as labor costs, infrastructure and the "minimum head count to qualify for incentives."
...
IBM files for patent on offshoring jobs
By Christine Young
Times Herald-Record
Posted: March 30, 2009
As IBM was firing thousands of American workers last week, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Big Blue's application to copyright a computerized system that calculates how to offshore jobs while maximizing government tax breaks.
Update: IBM withdraws its application, calling it an error.
In their application to patent a "method and system for strategic global resource sourcing," five Hudson Valley IBMers describe how it weighs such plans as "50 percent of resources in China by 2010," against such factors as labor costs, infrastructure and the "minimum head count to qualify for incentives."
...
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Fat-Cat Banker Fraudulent Conveyance
The fat-cat bankers continue to enrich themselves while taking taxpayer-funded government bailouts. The profits from these sales should be clawed back because it was fraudulent conveyance.
Goldman allowed executives to exit funds
By Greg Farrell in New York
Published: March 27 2009
Two of Goldman Sachs’ top executives, including Jon Winkelried, the co-chief operating officer, were allowed to sell part of their positions in the firm’s proprietary, illiquid investment funds last year, according to Goldman’s preliminary proxy statement, filed on Friday afternoon.
Mr Winkelried and Gregory Palm, the firm’s general counsel, both entered into “related party” transactions with Goldman in 2008, allowing them partially to sell, or “cash out” of, their holdings. According to the filing, Mr Winkelried received $19.7m and Mr Palm $38.3m from the sales.
...
Goldman Sachs is forbidden to extend loans to executives such as Mr Winkelried or Mr Palm because of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Either man could have raised cash by selling stock, but such sales by executives would have had to be disclosed to the market.
...
"The glue that binds us as a nation."
Goldman allowed executives to exit funds
By Greg Farrell in New York
Published: March 27 2009
Two of Goldman Sachs’ top executives, including Jon Winkelried, the co-chief operating officer, were allowed to sell part of their positions in the firm’s proprietary, illiquid investment funds last year, according to Goldman’s preliminary proxy statement, filed on Friday afternoon.
Mr Winkelried and Gregory Palm, the firm’s general counsel, both entered into “related party” transactions with Goldman in 2008, allowing them partially to sell, or “cash out” of, their holdings. According to the filing, Mr Winkelried received $19.7m and Mr Palm $38.3m from the sales.
...
Goldman Sachs is forbidden to extend loans to executives such as Mr Winkelried or Mr Palm because of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Either man could have raised cash by selling stock, but such sales by executives would have had to be disclosed to the market.
...
"The glue that binds us as a nation."
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Who Watches The Watchers
What if the watchers are breaking the law? Who watches the watchers?
Interesting how this commentary is published outside the USA while USA sheeple are fed BS while they pay for a monstrous police state that spies on it's citizens.
Who's watching the watchmen?
Matthew Harwood
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 March 2009
There's an ominous and Orwellian sounding phrase creeping into Washington discourse: "homeland security intelligence". The heart of homeland security intelligence is this: getting good intelligence into the hands of local and state police officers so they can prevent a terrorist attack before it occurs.
This means the perfectly reasonable goal of building information-sharing systems that enable a mutual flow of intelligence between all levels of government to increase the likelihood that enough dots get connected to breakup a terrorist plot.
But what is good intelligence? This is where things get scary. Pioneered by the Los Angeles police department, law enforcement agencies nationwide are adopting suspicious activity reports (SARs) that task police officers with collecting and reporting information that indicates pre-operation terrorist planning. But much of what indicates terrorist planning also doubles as completely innocent behaviour such as taking pictures of buildings, bridges and monuments.
...
From 2005 to 2006, the Maryland state police, with help from DHS, surveilled non-violent anti-war and anti-death penalty groups and labelled 53 individuals and groups as diverse as the DC Anti-War Network and Amnesty International as terrorists.
In February, the ACLU criticised a leaked bulletin from the North Central Texas Fusion System that concocted a crazy conspiracy theory that Muslim civil rights and anti-war activists were working together to spread sharia law inside the United States, which even if true, would not be illegal. Among the possible unwitting co-conspirators was the US Treasury department for hosting a conference on Islamic finance.
...
If you hold a political opinion outside the conventional two-party system, you're suspect.
...
Interesting how this commentary is published outside the USA while USA sheeple are fed BS while they pay for a monstrous police state that spies on it's citizens.
Who's watching the watchmen?
Matthew Harwood
guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 24 March 2009
There's an ominous and Orwellian sounding phrase creeping into Washington discourse: "homeland security intelligence". The heart of homeland security intelligence is this: getting good intelligence into the hands of local and state police officers so they can prevent a terrorist attack before it occurs.
This means the perfectly reasonable goal of building information-sharing systems that enable a mutual flow of intelligence between all levels of government to increase the likelihood that enough dots get connected to breakup a terrorist plot.
But what is good intelligence? This is where things get scary. Pioneered by the Los Angeles police department, law enforcement agencies nationwide are adopting suspicious activity reports (SARs) that task police officers with collecting and reporting information that indicates pre-operation terrorist planning. But much of what indicates terrorist planning also doubles as completely innocent behaviour such as taking pictures of buildings, bridges and monuments.
...
From 2005 to 2006, the Maryland state police, with help from DHS, surveilled non-violent anti-war and anti-death penalty groups and labelled 53 individuals and groups as diverse as the DC Anti-War Network and Amnesty International as terrorists.
In February, the ACLU criticised a leaked bulletin from the North Central Texas Fusion System that concocted a crazy conspiracy theory that Muslim civil rights and anti-war activists were working together to spread sharia law inside the United States, which even if true, would not be illegal. Among the possible unwitting co-conspirators was the US Treasury department for hosting a conference on Islamic finance.
...
If you hold a political opinion outside the conventional two-party system, you're suspect.
...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)