The President is determined to unit the nation even if he has to do it himself.

President Obama is a brilliant man.  I congratulate him on hitting the EXACT tone for his State of the Union speech which reached across all potlical barriers.

That is amazing.

...This year, (click title to entry - thank you) 82 percent of those who watched the speech said they approve of the president's plans for the economy, up from 53 percent who approved before the speech. Eighty percent said they approved of Mr. Obama's plans for the deficit -- in contrast to 45 percent before the speech. Eighty-three percent approved of Mr. Obama's proposals regarding Afghanistan, which received only a 57 percent approval ...

He had good numbers last year as well, but, the message is always blurred by the Plutocratic lies to achieve political wins to favor policies that cause the country exploitation of its treasury.

...Last year, 83 percent of viewers approved of Mr. Obama's State of the Union remarks...

The Democrats need to take the State of the Union message, find their footing in political action committees, put people back to work themsselves in ways that carries that message into the electorate.  There have to be sincere and honest facts and figures that accompany the message that cannot be disputed.  In his State of the Union speech the President treats the country with the dignity it deserves and that should be the 'hallmark' of the Democratic effort to reclaim the country.  Make all the lawmakers live up to what is best for the country and the President obviously knows what that is.

Go, Democrats, Go.

FACTS need TWO VALID sources.

Don't let the President's tone and message become distorted EVER again.  The country needs this clarity and wants it.

January 26, 2011

Polls show rave reviews for SOTU  (click here)

By Politico Writer

Politico.com

Americans responded with overwhelming positivity to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union speech, two polls conducted after the Tuesday night speech found.

In a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll of people who watched the speech, 52 percent of respondents said they had a very positive reaction to Obama’s message. Another 32 percent said their reactions were somewhat positive. Just 15 percent responded negatively to the speech.

Last year, 78 percent of those surveyed after Obama’s State of the Union reported a positive reaction, while 21 percent said they perceived the speech negatively.

The speech, which included a roadmap for “winning the future,” also improved Americans’ outlook on the direction the country is headed. Before the speech, 61 percent of Americans said his policies would lead the country in the right direction. Afterward, 77 percent did....

According to 'healthy' skepticism, the deficit and debt may actually be larger and growing than the CBO stated.

The CBO predicts (click title to entry - thank you) a deficit of $1.5 trillion for 2011, but then steadily falling amounts through 2014. Good news? Not really. The CBO had to make assumptions about US policies its officials seem to have little faith will be implemented....

The President HAD a plan to BEGIN incredible deficit reduction which would 'in turn' begin to destroy the debt, BUT, "The Republicans" held the people making LESS than $250.000 per year hostage and demanded "The Bush Tax Cuts for The Wealthy" survive until 2012.

YES, we do.  And we know those 'tax HOLIDAYS' for the wealthy produce NO JOBS !Do we KNOW the 'Bush Tzx Cuts for the Wealthy" are hugely disproportionate to the people making LESS than $250,000 per year.Hello?

...With the economy recovering and some government spending programs ending, the 2012 shortfall will be $1.1 trillion, representing about 7 percent of US gross domestic product, say the CBO’s budgeteers. In 2013, those figures will be $704 billion and 4.3 percent of GDP, and in 2014 they’ll be $533 billion and 3.1 percent of GDP.

That’s what the CBO predicts, anyway. But here’s the interesting thing: the CBO does not appear to really trust its own deficit projections for 2012 and beyond.

Why is that? Because the CBO can only crunch numbers and make predictions based on existing law. And CBO officials sound as if they do not believe that Congress and the White House will permit a number of scheduled money-saving moves to happen....

It is time for all Democrats to start calling Republican lawmakers on Capital Hill and demanding they STOP catering to the wealthy.  The Congressional seats in the country where the Plutocracy was able to PLACE DOUBT in relation to Republican candidates having a NEW CREED in life and Conservative Democrats were ousted are especially important and we know exactly where that occurred from the 2010 elections.

The Democrats have to demand SERIOUS changes to the deficit and national debt by raising taxes on the wealthy and WINDFALL profits to bring down all the NECESSARY programs to date that stopped the economic slide of the country beginning with the investment banking collapse.

The other reason the Democrats need to make DAILY CALLS to their own lawmakers and soft Republican candidates is to demand JOB CREATION and STABILIZING the government budget at current levels for the next five years because we know that increasing jobs incresases the tax base and is serious deficit and debt reduction. 

It is upto nearly half the populous of the USA, the Democrats, to bring about the necessary pressure on the House in places where we know the 'hard core' corrupt are without sincere influence.  The electorate in 2006 and 2008 did the right thing by putting Democrats in the House in a majority, but, they were sadly deceived by the rhetoric of the Right in 2010 and we have to help them reclaim their country and protect the course President Obama has thoughtfully placed it on.

FORM POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES.

PUT YOURSELVES TO WORK doing the job the President desperately needs you to do.

GET THE JOB DONE !

So. To risk redundancy, but, not consolidation. A quick review.

Does throwing money at the wealthiest of any venacular create jobs in the USA? 

Let's see.

Do tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans create jobs?

No.

Do tax cuts for global corporations or those seeking to expand globally create jobs?

No.

Do tax breaks to USA corporations create jobs?

No.

Does Quanitative Easing create jobs?

No.

Are the wealthiest Americans entitled to a 'disproportionate' tax CLASS as they earn their wealth and deserve it?

No, that is like saying the remainder of Americans didn't earn their income.  Hello?

Is it moral to have tax breaks in the Tax Code that favor the wealthiest Americans while adding to the nation's deficit and debt?

No.

Is it corrupt to favor tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans when facing the challenge of reducing the national deficit and debt?

Yes.

Should those that 'practice' such corruption face ethics investigations and proceedings?

Yes.

Will such investigations and charges be brought?

No.  Not a chance.

What does that say about 'the ideologies' at work within the conservative belief system?  What does that say about justice in the USA?  What does that say about 'the value system' our young people and children are exposed to?

But.

More than that...when will the injustice and corruption end when it is obviously in PLAIN SIGHT of the electorate?  What incentives to the electorate continues to corrupt the electorate?  When are those incentives going to be separated from American elections, put into context and given a place within our cultures and society to permit 'the best choice' in elections prevail?

Never ?

What does that say to the rest of the world about the people of the USA and their priorities even among themselves?

Have a better day.

The money that was allocated by the federal government to the wealthy and corporations that do not provide USA jobs during the years before the economic collapse which increased the national debt is a CRIME.  Literally.

The Bush "Homeland Reinvestment Act"  (The actualy legislation is not readily found with the help of Google, otherwise, the link would be at the title to the entry.  Perhaps it will show up later.)


Tax Break for Profits Went Awry (click here)

By FLOYD NORRIS

Published: June 4, 2009

 

...The law specifically said the money could not be used to raise dividends or to repurchase shares....

...Now the most detailed analysis of what actually happened — using confidential government data as well as corporate reports — has estimated what happened to the $299 billion companies brought back from foreign subsidiaries. About 92 percent of it went to shareholders, mostly in the form of increased share buybacks and the rest through increased dividends....

So far, my objection to Mr. Bernanke's $600 billion Wall Street bailout is valid. I am not alone, either.

...Investors don’t have the same positive regard for the Federal Reserve’s actions, (click title to entry - thank you)  particularly the decision in November to inject $600 billion of stimulus into the financial system. A plurality of respondents, 35 percent, say that policy, know as quantitative easing, hasn’t had any significant effect on the economy; another 33 percent say the asset purchases risk a rise in inflation to dangerous levels. Just 27 percent say the plan to buy Treasuries is working as intended to help reduce unemployment and boost growth....

I am worried about inflation.  The tight monitoring of ANY indication has to be acted on and not simply reported.  The economic recovery of the USA is going well and sailing smoothly, there is no reason to rattle the path to success now.

When it snows it is global warming and when it doesn't it is global warming. Why?

Because 'climate' is grossly different in definition than weather and 'weather' is dominated by climate.  The subject seems to be beyond the capability in the USA to comprehend.  Pity.  Sort of like understanding the etiology of the Great Recession, there is a political divide in the USA that causes changes in cognition.

Unusually cold December weather in some places distracted attention from warmth elsewhere

2010 was the warmest year since global temperature records began in 1850 - although margins of uncertainty make it a statistical tie with 1998 and 2005. (click title to entry - thank you)

Arctic Oscillation Chills North America, Warms Arctic (click here)

Posted January 26, 2011

Snow fell in the U.S. Deep South, severe storms battered the East Coast, and International Falls, Minnesota, set a new temperature record: -46 degrees Fahrenheit (-43 degrees Celsius) on January 21. But in areas north of the United States and southern Canada, temperatures were above normal. In fact, unusual warmth forced residents of Iqaluit, capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, to cancel their New Year’s snowmobile parade....

 

President Obama gave a good speech and was very concise as he usually is with optimism in good measure.

The speech had imposing realities, but, the President managed to address those realities with dignity.

The President focused on aspriations to provide our nation's children with promising futures in a highly competitive world where currently the USA simply is not up to the task.

The President recognizes the need for all members of the House and Senate to work together to actually accomplish the needs of the nation.

His focus on jobs and the deficit was 'spot on.'  It was obvious, although not directly stated, the key to reducing the debt is by returning good jobs wtih longevity to Americans.  In establishing a vigorous 'job economy' the national debt will come into reach.  To shrink government for the sake of shrinking government is ideological and does not provide a better path for the country.

The President stated, the 'operating infrastructure' of the federal government is laborious and redundant.  It is 'aged' and 'outdated' without recognizing the technology that exists to modernize it.  I simply thought the 'Salmon Example' was wonderful.  It almost sounds as though the federal infrastructure operates as separate nations rather than a streamlined and concise form of administration.

The deficit reduction was well addressed.  The 'idea' that improving the Affordable Health Care Act was a priority where it is needed.  I thought Secretary Sebilius was not looking her best.  I thought she looked sad, but, that might have to do with the Congresswoman.  I am sure there are members of the government that feel the distress of the Gabby's circumstances more than others.  Perhaps with her background and focus Secretary Sebilius was effected and it showed.  I would love to hear her speak on the ongoing process her department is engaged in and how it is going.  Upto today, we only get snapshots of what the Department of Health and Human Services is undergoing to institute the changes to the nation as legislated under the new law.  I think it would be helpful if she spoke at length and/or issues an 'operational' statement specifically addressing 'facts' and 'figures' in these years of transition.  It would remove some of the mystery and myth that floats around the country.  At any rate, I hope she is doing well, her job is going smoothly and she is not hounded or harassed in her responsibilities.

Secretary Gates had an ear to ear smile at the beginning of the evening.  Hillary looked good.  Secretary of Energy was his dashing self.  His department was highlighted tonight with young entrepreneurs leading innovation in alternative energies for the nation.

The mised seating was refreshing.  At some points in the speech there seemed to be a great deal of discussion going on in the house.  I didn't notice Chief Justice Roberts among the Justices and of course Scalia and Alito saw no reason to attend.  At least one of them can't contain his political activism at these events, so rather than being impeachable he decided to make money at a speaking engagement instead.  That was probably a wise career choice.

My complete impression is that I am in agreement with all if not everything the President stated on all subjects including mass transit.  It was good to hear how we weren't expanding war, but, ending it.  The soldiers are coming home with dignity except for nearly 5000 that didn't make it back home alive from Iraq.  Of course, Afghanistan is an ongoing concern.  I really believe Afghanistan is more a NATO and UN agenda item rather than a USA priority.  The trouble is more a 'regional' problem with fluid borders and odd economic dynamics.  The Taliban is a problem.  It is primarily the Taliban that remains the problem and that is a global focus, especially since they are actively seeking to disrupt entire important cities such as Punjab.

It was a good speech.

I listened to Mr. Ryan's response.  He made some deliberate 'mis-statements' such as the EPA has a Cap and Trade agenda.  That is a gross error in what the EPA is engaged in and what their authority is to even consider such hideous notions.  I wish the Republicans would not interject lies to their point of view. It was grossly out of step with bipartisan objectives. 

Rep. Bachman really was in opposition to most of what Mr. Ryan had to say and it only proves how divided the GOP sincerely has become.  There really are two parties regardless of the Bachman statements otherwise.  She almost needed Rove's White Board for all the 'structural' differences and rhetoric she engaged in.

I simply hope the House will find a way to be 'real' and 'reasonable' and keep the future of our children in mind to rebuild this country.  The national debt is a concern, but, addressing it dysfunctionally would only create more problems for our children and not less.

I believe the President did a remarkable job in addressing all the 'topics' circulating in the country with his usual concise focus and good sense of humor.  Well done.

Michelle was her usual lovely self and gracious hostess to all the guests.

Unlike Wall Street, the States need to 'produce' more income to 'reinfuse' their pension funds.

No BAILOUTS for the States.  They actually have a lot of power to move their investments to higher earnings.  It is the 'RISK' that needs to be monitored.

The pensions to public employees are actually some of the reason why their wages are a lower cost to consumers.  It is DELAYED gratification.  In all honesty, this is a FIDUCIARY promise to the public employees and it needs to be respected.

The one thing that bothers me and I am sure Bernanke and the Fed are looking at it, is the small inflation in the economy due to higher oil and gas costs (Production costs), including food. 

The States need to get their act together, which isn't easy in a hostile political environment and FUND their pensions soon, before The Fed is forced to start raising interest rates to stem inflation that might be hidden in the energy costs.

...“Private equity fundraising should pick up this year,” said Joncarlo Mark, senior portfolio manager at the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, the largest U.S. public pension plan, with $226 billion of assets. “Other asset classes may outperform their benchmarks, but public plans still need the extra pop from private equity to get out of the holes they’re in.”...

The fastest growing JOB as of 2009 is the Registered Nurse with good salaries. What was that about the health care job destroying bill?

Fastest-growing jobs have low pay (click title to entry - thank you)

August 31, 2010|By Property of The OC Register

Four of the five fastest-growing job categories from 2006 to 2009 paid less than the U.S. median wage of $15.95 an hour, reports the Economic Policy Institute....

Cutting government payrolls ACTUALLY equates to higher costs to consumers !!!

Public employees AND their unions are not interested in gouging taxpayers.  They are taxpayers, too.

...Keefe offered some suggestions (click here) for why these public employees are often perceived to be overcompensated. For starters, public sector workers are, as a group, more highly educated, work in more highly paid occupations and they tend to work moderately fewer hours than those in the private sector. In addition, it is frequently noted that public employees earn more in benefits such as health care and pensions: therefore, a simple wage comparison will not accurately capture difference in total compensation. Nonetheless, after controlling for multiple factors including level of education, hours worked and non-cash compensation, Keefe found that, on average, full-time state and local employees are undercompensated compared to “otherwise similar private-sector workers.”...

Private sector job growth depends on increased demand for services.  The 'opportunity' to grow those jobs depends on CAPITAL available 'TO EVEN GO THERE.'

I always have to laugh when I hear how cutting government SPENDING is going to increase jobs and income to the business sector.  Really?  Where EXACTLY is the 'capital' coming from to increase the ABILITY for small businesses to increase their production, increase jobs and increase the tax base? 

EXACTLY WHERE?

Where?

From the EXACT place that prints the currency and distributes the funds THROUGH GOVERNMENT SPENDING, that's where.

The BANKS are getting FUNDING from the GOVERNMENT to facilitate increased opportunity for increased productivity, job growth and increased tax base THAT WILL PAY THE DEBT.  Now, everyone want to try this AGAIN?  Without the nonsense, this time!

A full year ago this MEASURE was proposed and then acted on by a majority Democratic legislature.  It is NOW taking effect. 

Hello?

Nothing happens overnight except sex.

Banks to Get $30 Billion for Small Business Loans  (CLICK HERE)

Treasury says its new fund, an idea in the 2010 State of the Union address, will soon start pumping capital into community banks

Policy January 24, 2011, 2:50PM EST

During his last State of the Union, President Barack Obama trumpeted a new $30 billion fund designed to boost small business lending....

...Now the money from the Small Business Lending Fund is about to start flowing, with investments expected to be made in the first quarter, according to Jason Tepperman, the Treasury program's director...

SPECIFICS, not rhetoric. "Cut and Grow.' Huh?

We have heard the rhetoric before.  It always comes WITHOUT specifics.  WHERE are the jobs going to SPROUT from when government jobs are cut?

Where are there MORE jobs when government JOBS are cut?

Where IS our 'tax base' going to increase that will provide for more income to PAY DOWN THE DEBT when AN EXISTING TAX BASE of government employees lose their jobs? 

What will occur with unemployment and the NEWLY unemployed?

When rhetoric 'takes over' the dialogue in the media the result are responses to past experience that has proven TO BE TRUE. 

Where is THE LONG TERM COMMITMENT by businesses to ADD jobs to the USA economy that will actually provide for deficit reduction and debt payment? 

SPECIFICS, not rhetoric.  We want facts and figures and solid CONTRACTURAL promises and not MANIPULATION of 'heart strings' placed in 'faux hopes' that end up in heartache and disappointment.

...Wealthy business (click title to entry - thank you) is not passing down the wealth by hiring more people, (middle class) workers. They are putting all their savings by this policy into their own pockets.

The tax cuts only profit their companies, giving them more profits. Without these taxes, they are not contributing the money needed for a good education for out future generations, and health care, which they can afford the very best, but the middle and low income cannot. They don't want any regulations on big business — let them pollute anything and everything.

Let the rich keep filling their pockets only, not ours....

Raising the age of 'eligibility' to SSI is more than just a legislative agenda item.

This Congressional Budget Office (CBO) paper, (click title to entry - thank you)  prepared at the request of the Committee on Ways and Means minority, provides material relevant to that debate. In particular, it contains new information about the characteristics, circumstances, and financial resources of men and women who began receiving Social Security benefits at age 62 or 63 in recent years. In accordance with CBO's mandate to provide objective and impartial analysis, this paper contains no recommendations....

This is the measure that raised the age in 1999 to 65 for FULL benefits.  There is 'merit' to the idea, however, it is not without problems that will cause citizens 'legitimate' concerns.

To begin, whenever the age of full eligibility is raised THAT means, there has to be MORE JOBS in the economy to accommodate the 'continuation'of income by those still ABLE to work.  In a struggling economy that needs 'permanent' jobs developed; that pay 'good wages;' that is nearly impossible to 'realize.' 

So, the proposal has to be accompanied by a strict understanding as to what the 'joblessness' rate is in the USA and the demographics of that rate.

Simply put, when people stay in jobs longer they tend to be paid more than 'new' employees to government or the private sector. THAT is a paradigm shift that impacts THE YOUNG PEOPLE entering the job market AND the advancement of existing employees, the 'bottom line' of the companies and the cost to government.

THERE IS A LOT TO IT.

When the eligibility of SSI increases by one month per year for the next thirty-six years that is a 'soft landing' for that paradigm shift, HOWEVER, the shift will occur and there needs to be an understanding as to the 'definition' of that paradigm shift.  AND how it impacts labor, business, government and ultimately the 'quality of life' of Americans.

When retriement is postponed there is also a huge impact on the tourism economy and 'service workers.' 

To simply state moving the age of eligibility by one month per year for the next thirty-six years will FIX the SSI entitlement problems is NOT addressing the larger dynamic at work that it will impact.

That is a simplistic idea that is NOT acceptable in any way, especially in the year 2011 when there is a 'soft economy' in the USA.

Working to the benefit of raising the FULL benefit eligibility age will also take on the dynamic of an ever increasing 'disability' benefit payout as a percentage of older adults will be unable to continue to the age of 68.  That means the eligibility of Medicare and Medicaid will be effected as well and it might even push some older adults into a disability benefit if they thought they could 'see it through' to the full benefit age of 65.

There are a lot of 'variables' in this equation and all that needs to be PRESENTED the correct way to allow the legislature to make intelligent decisions about the 'proper' deployment of such a paradigm shift.

No one wants to force older adults to lose their savings or homes or assets of any nature simply because the federal government decided to 'play politics' with their 'eligibility.' 

So. 

That said, what EXACTLY are "The Pauls' talking about.

If one wants to understand Europe than read about Europe everyday. The European INFLUENCE globally is exceptionally interesting.

The 'seat' of current Free World culture began there. 

This is from The Internatinoal Herald Tribune.  I read that paper daily for years and I still have my notes.  They used to 'feature' a country and/or a peoples and/or a culture daily on what used to be Page 2 or 3. 

At any rate, today President Sarkozy casts a light on the struggles in Tunisia and why France has to stand down from the dynamics that might be viewed as 'a liberation.'

...“France did not take the full measure (click title to entry - thank you) of the despair of the Tunisian people,” Mr. Sarkozy said. “We in France probably underestimated the aspirations of the Tunisian people for freedom.” He argued that France had to act “with a certain reserve” regarding its former colonies....

The Paul Dialogue on the Federal Budget is bad for the country. The USA is NOT Europe.

There is no way one can compare the USA with the EU and expect to solve budget and tax debates.  It is unrealistic.  The countries in Europe, the populous and demographics and culture are completely different than the USA and to compare any venacular of the two is hideous and dysfunctional.  That is just the beginning. 

The "Pauls" want to cut corporate income tax and that is EXACTLY the same dynamic as the Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy; there is NO result in jobs.

Why are jobs IMPORTANT?  Becuase it builds the tax base.  The tax base in the USA at the 'employment' level has shrunk over the past decade and a half which means if one cuts the taxes for corporations the country will face larger deficits and not less.  The job base equals the tax base IF the corporate tax rate is reduced and the TAX BASE RESULTING FROM EMPLOYMENT is not equal in ANY WAY.

There is also a very dysfunctional occurrance in the USA when corporate rates are cut; THEY LEAVE THE COUNTRY and outsource jobs.  When the USA gives tax cuts to corporations they have too much cash and they take their jobs outside the country and completely shoot themselves in the foot by eliminating USA based markets at the same time.

The "Pauls" are full of rhetoric that SOUNDS logical and FEEDS 'the intution' of the public, but, it has no basis in reality or sound policy,

Comparing the USA to ANY other country is completely dysfunctional and hideous.  It lacks sincere love of the citizens of the USA as well.

...After speaking (click title to entry - thank you) to his fellow incoming freshmen on Capitol Hill, Paul said he “found that there was some steadfastness there to push the leadership towards more” budget cuts....

If the newly elected can't bring NEW ideas other than rhetorical political rants then what were they elected for in the first place?  They were elected by extremists that got us in trouble in the first place.

Our Police Officers aren't safe. This is ridiculous.

....“It’s a very troubling trend where officers are being put at greater risk than ever before,” said Craig W. Floyd, the group’s chairman. “Many of these criminals are outgunning our police officers. We’re seeing criminals with high-velocity clips on their guns.”....

These are hardened and lifetime criminals.  They are prepared to kill the police because they are guilty and will be headed for prison.

I thought it might be related to the federal crackdown on organized crime, but, serving a warrant on a sex offender isn't about organized crime.

Body armor.  I don't know what else in the short term is going to answer the immediate problem.

Weapon confiscation with Swat Teams and plenty of body armor.  The police cars have to be beefed up and there needs to ba a 'rethink' on how these officers are actually performing their duties.

Miami is known to have higher rates of drug issues as well.  These criminals are not 'simply' breaking the law, this is their livelihood.  The criminals have nothing to lose and we have everything to lose.

Two officers and a gunman killed in St. Petersburg shootout (click here)

BY ILEANA MORALES, WAVENEY MOORE, JAMAL THALJI AND EMILY NIPPS

St. Petersrburg Times

ST. PETERSBURG -- ST. PETERSBURG - Two St. Petersburg police officers and a gunman were fatally shot and a U.S. marshal was injured early Monday in gunfire that broke out as police tried to serve a domestic battery warrant at a St. Petersburg home.
``Our community has suffered a loss today,'' St. Petersburg police Chief Chuck Harmon said during a somber press conference with Mayor Bill Foster outside Bayfront Medical Center.
Suncoast Benevolent Association President Mark Marland confirmed the fallen officers as Sgt. Tom Baitinger and Jeffrey Yaslowitz.
By Monday afternoon, police were able to enter the home where the shooting happened. They confirmed that the shooter, Hydra Lacy Jr., also was dead....

It isn't much of a reassurance that the criminal is dead if he took two officers with him.  I can't say it enough, there needs to be a 'rethink' about the approach officers are taking when they are carrying out the law.  There are too many high powered weapons on the street. 

This could be a 'secondary' level of criminals that were 'in service' to the organized crime, too. 

AND THEY ARE HUNGRY AND DON'T HAVE 'THEIR BOSSES AND PROTECTION' EITHER.  THEY THINK 'LYING LOW' WILL PROTECT THEM AND THEY ARE PREPARED TO KILL.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  IT JUST SOUNDS LIKE SOMEONE WAS SEEKING A SAFE HARBOR UNTIL HIS GIRLFRIEND GOT ANGRY.

When police officers are out gunned and the economy is stressed, a desperate person sees no reason to NOT turn to crime as an answer and 'make that decision' conscienously.  In other words, shooting through an attic is well contemplated and a 'readyness' to kill if law enforcement showed up.  These officers are NOT  prepared for that level of assault when they are trying to make arrests. 

If I were a mayor and the 'action' was getting this tenuous for my officers, they would be chilling and patrolling and catching up on paperwork and testimony to prosecutors until the body armor arrived.  In the meantime, I'd have my SWAT leaders coming up with training sessions and TACTICAL PLANS to carry out arrests.

Citizens have to come forward as well.  In other words, when these warrants are being issued and the officers are taking the complaints they HAVE TO ASK about the kind of conditions they are facing to arrest the individual, too.  The complaint might even be a 'set up,' too and I would not dismiss that possiblity.  Who is making these complaints.  I'd be working on prosecutor warrants before I'd work on civil warrants.  Something one knows is real.  ANY CHANCE there is something in the 'media' somewhere that brings this under 'one roof' as a plan or a fad or a 'gang' loyalty?

I don't believe these law enforcement bureaus can be too prepared.  The criminals are ALREADY PREMEDITATING MURDER before it happens.  The guns are making them feel CARELESSLY POWERFUL.

AND.

Get that crap off of the television.  They are like lesson plans from the most extremist imaginations in the country.

I like Lawrence Welk reruns on slow days.

Time for the FBI to start taking a look at this mess.

Federal hearings on gun control and bring in the mayors and police captains.  They can't protect citizens if they can't protect themselves.

...Mr. Wexler and several senior police officials said they also believed that the shootings reflected a broader lack of respect for authority in American society....

Gee, where have I heard this before?

The Florida State Bureau of Investigation needs to start profiling neighborhoods and making 'no go zones' and strategies to deal with them.  These officers need more than 'back-up.'  I don't believe anyone can 'over think' this.

Deepest sympathies to the families.  Make their memories count.  Get this under control.

Comcast doesn't want me as a viewer anymore.

The Young Turks (click title to entry - thank you) is a computer based political 'educational' website. 

Comcast is trying to pull web based audience to come to the television.  It won't work.  There is no way this is enhancing my viewing.

There was no mention of a simulcast 'online.'  That is the only way it is going to increase viewers.  This is supposed to bring a younger audience. 

I am not learning anything here.  This program is not for me and Comcast could not care less about what I am about.

Bye.

US Automakers are showing significant increases in market share.

Ford is expecting to give bonuses to their employees that will at least match last year.

...Hourly bonuses (click here) are certain to top last year's $450, but a Ford official cautioned they would not be as large as some reports have indicated.

A memo to Ford's salaried workers Thursday said that salaried workers would get their bonuses, which are based on profits, market share and other performance metrics, in March.

Still, the memo from Mark Fields, Ford's president of the Americas, also said there would be no merit pay increases this year because a market study showed workers were being fairly compensated and Ford must be vigilant in managing its costs....

Current energy rates are going up, mostly in the area of oil and gas.  Ford held an edge over GM when it had monies set aside as money was cheap.  Ford did not need to be bailed out as GM did.  So, it makes sense Ford would seek to hold down its production costs by deferring merit pay due to its prudent management in the past.  With a more than 12% increase in profits globally, GM could be able to out save Ford in the future and put market pressure on Ford by keeping their prices down.  I think Ford is doing what it should until this 'new car market' (as fuel costs rise) is better understood.

 ...The energy index increased in December.(click here) The gasoline index rose  sharply and accounted for about 80 percent of the all items seasonally adjusted increase. The household energy index, which declined in November, increased as well. The food index increased slightly in December, with the fruits and vegetables index rising notably....

Toyota out sold GM, but, only by a margin.  That is a global inventory.  It is noted the China market for autos has picked up which indicates the Chinese are beginning to spend more on quality of life.  The problem is that the cars being sold in China aren't necessarily the most energy efficient, but, there is always Russian petroleum that doesn't rack up the overseas transportation costs.

I really think China is an excellant example as to when consumers are paid well for the economies they live in they purchase.  The purchase power of the Chinese is increasing.  The same would be true in the USA if people were back to work manufacturing cars for their own country.  The USA needs to focus on domestic production and return a better outcome to consumers seeking fuel efficient cars.  China is proof.  The outsourcing worked, but, it is killing the USA market place.  China has to domesticate its economy and labor force to allow the USA to 'take back' domestic manufacturing.

If citizens of any country don't have money to spend, they can't purchase.  Just that simple.

GM's China sales top U.S. total, a first for the automaker (click title to entry - thank you)

General Motors' sales in China increased 28.8% in 2010 while U.S. sales rose just 6.3%. GM is one of the best-positioned automakers in emerging markets, even better than Toyota, says one expert.

By Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times

January 24, 2011, 9:16 a.m.

...GM's sales in China rose 28.8% last year to 2,351,610 vehicles, GM said Monday. U.S. sales rose just 6.3% to 2,215,227, in part because of the slow economy and GM's closure or sale of the Saturn, Pontiac, Hummer and Saab brands as part of its financial restructuring....

...Meanwhile, Toyota wasn't showing much growth in North America (click here) — and growing slower in China than GM — partly because it lacks the U.S. automaker's extensive model lineup such as large-size sedans, he said.
Toyota's global sales, including truckmaker Hino Motors Ltd. and Daihatsu Motor Co., which makes small cars, rose 8 percent from 2009, driven by solid sales growth in China and other Asian nations, the Japanese manufacturer said.
Toyota Motor Corp. dethroned General Motors as the world's No. 1 automaker in worldwide vehicle sales in 2008 — a position GM held for nearly eight decades. Since then, General Motors, now called General Motors Co., was bailed out by the U.S. government and underwent restructuring after a brief period in bankruptcy protection.
George Hansen, a GM spokesman in Tokyo, played down the importance of Toyota's bigger sales numbers.
"We don't focus on who is No. 1," he said of the so-called "new GM."...

Let's hope Hezbollah has found a peace way of co-existing in the Middle East now.

There is always that "W"orry that democracy doesn't achieve the same STABILITY in the Middle East as it might elsewhere.  Let's home the New Mikati government proves that "W"orry "W"rong.

Lebanese MP and former Prime Minister Najib Mikati smiles as he delivers a news conference after meeting Lebanon's President Michel Suleiman at the presidential palace in Baabda, near Beirut,

...But caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri (click title to entry - thank you) said he and his Future Movement would not take part in a government where the Shi'ite militant group has the upper hand.
Lebanon was plunged into political crisis after Hezbollah and its allies walked out of Hariri's unity government on January 12 in a dispute over still-confidential indictments by a U.N.-backed tribunal which is investigating the 2005 killing of statesman Rafik al-Hariri, the premier's father.
Hariri has stayed on in the interim and hoped to form a new coalition. But support from Jumblatt and six members of his parliamentary bloc -- added to the 57 members of Hezbollah and their allies, plus Mikati himself -- will give Mikati 65 votes in the 128-member parliament....

Political crisis threatening Lebanon's economic gains (click here)

Country’s history of managing difficulties may be an advantage despite analysts’ fears
Monday, January 24, 2011

Bassem Mroue

Associated Press

BEIRUT: The political crisis in Lebanon is threatening to derail economic progress after a year that saw 7 percent economic growth, a record number of tourists and bank deposits among the highest in the Middle East.

Lebanon’s Western-backed government collapsed on Jan. 12 after Hezbollah and its allies resigned from the Cabinet in a row over a U.N.-backed court investigating the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

The court, which is widely expected to accuse the Shiite militant group, filed a sealed draft indictment last Monday, touching off a process many fear could ignite new bloodshed nearly six years after the massive truck bombing along Beirut’s waterfront that killed the former prime minister.

“This is a very deep and troubling crisis in Lebanon,” said Lebanese economic analyst Kamel Wazni. “The continuation of this crisis with the absence of any political resolution any time soon will have its implications in terms of growth and in terms of development.” Still, Lebanon is accustomed to managing in crises. Street protests and violence have been the scourge of this tiny Arab country of 4 million people for years, including a devastating 1975-990 Civil War and sectarian battles between Sunnis and Shiites in 2008....

Looks like it is time to pull the plug on aid to Lebanon.  Does Hariri need a new place to stay?

US threatens to stop Lebanese aid if Hezbollah leads government, says report  (click here)

Sunday, January 23, 2011

ISTANBUL - Daily News with online dispatches

The United States will stop aiding Lebanon if the Shiite militant group Hezbollah leads the new government in the country, Israeli media reported, citing a pan-Arab newspaper’s report.
Lebanon's national unity government recently collapsed after Hezbollah and its allies withdrew from the cabinet to protest against caretaker Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri's reluctance to cut ties with the U.N. tribunal that is probing the 2005 assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri.
In the first reported U.S. comment on the possibility that a Hezbollah-controlled government could rise from the ashes of the current Lebanese crisis, a U.S. official told London-based Asharq al-Awsat on Sunday that such a power shift could mark the end of American aid to Israel's neighbor to the north. According to the top U.S. official quoted in the report, Congress would refuse to provide additional aid to anyone "taking orders from Hezbollah."
Israeli newspaper Haaretz said that late last year two top U.S. lawmakers attempted to hold up $100 million that was approved for Lebanon's army but not yet spent, saying they wanted to make sure neither funds nor arms meant for the Lebanese army would reach Hezbollah....

What recruit of al Qaeda was traveling out of Somalia or Yemen? No different than London and the G8, this is probably linked to Davos.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has postponed his trip to the World Economic Forum in Davos following the blast / AFP Source: AFP

AND. 

Then there is this THANKLESS statement by Abbas.

 If this is true it proves Abbas has no control over his people and/or aligns with them in violence.  Like, what kind of thing is this to say to a Russian President seeking solutions for peace?  Sounds like a threat to me.

Abbas urges Quartet to put pressure on Israel (click link below). 

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH AND HERB KEINON 
01/18/2011 22:43

...Medvedev stops short of saying border of future Palestinian state should be 1967 lines; PA president praises Russians for support of Palestinians.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday urged the Quartet members, who are scheduled to meet in Munich next month, to issue decisions that would oblige Israel to return to the negotiating table with the Palestinians.

Abbas, who was speaking during a joint press conference in Jericho with visiting Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, said there were only two options: Negotiations or violence and terrorism....

http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=204226

At least 31 killed and 130 injured in Moscow airport bombing (click here)

January 25, 2011 3:24AM

A SUICIDE bomber has killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 130 others this morning.

"Today at 4:32 pm [local time] an explosion went off in the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport," the Russian investigative committee said in a statement.
There were scenes of carnage at Domodedovo airport in southern Moscow as corpses were stretchered out of the arrivals area after the blast, the latest deadly attack to hit the capital after the metro bombings in March.

Describing the attack as an act of terror, President Dmitry Medvedev chaired an emergency meeting of transport and security officials and ordered a special security regime across the country's main airports and railway stations.

"Today at 4.32pm an explosion went off in the international arrivals hall of Domodedovo airport," the Russian investigative committee said in a statement....

What have I been saying and for how many years? Why was it clear to me and NOT you?

Topsy-Turvy Weather: U.S. Is Frigid, Artic Is Balmy

By JUSTIN GILLIS

Published: January 24, 2011

Judging by the weather, the world seems to have flipped upside down.

For two winters running, an Arctic chill has descended on Europe, burying that continent in snow and ice. Last year in the United States, historic blizzards afflicted the mid-Atlantic region. This winter the deep South has endured unusual snowstorms and severe cold, and a frigid Northeast is bracing for what could shape into another major snowstorm this week.

Yet while people in Atlanta learn to shovel snow, the weather 2,000 miles to the north has been freakishly warm the past two winters. Throughout northeastern Canada and Greenland, temperatures in December ran as much as 15 or 20 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Bays and lakes have been slow to freeze; ice fishing, hunting and trade routes have been disrupted....

The New York Times places the Climate Crisis on the top of its website for the first time in history IN PROPER AND CORRECT CONTEXT.

What did I say about these weather satellite COMPLIMENTS of UNISYS every time I would post them?

Didn't I call those huge monsterous water vapor 'trails' in the upper troposphere 'Heat Transfer Systems?"

Yes?

Why would I call them that?

January 24, 2011
15:30:13z
UNISYS North and West Hemisphere Water Vapor Satellite (click title to entry for 12 hour loop - thank you)

Through some of the most difficult political pressure the "Free Press" ever experienced UNISYS 'found a way' to stay online and stay connected.  I am eternally grateful to them.  At one point there were faux charges of some kind of federal crime.  I mean you talk about control and hate.  If UNISYS found the will to do all that regardless, why couldn't the 'Free Press?"  And how FREE is it really?

They like to call me "The Rebel Without a Cause."  I don't think so and I never did.

Now.

The Satellite above exhibits minimally two discernable upper tropospheric vortexes.  One off the East Coast of the USA/North American Continent and one off the West Coast. 

The one off the West Coast is a formation called "The Arctic Oscillation."  This formation, when Earth is in NORMAL carbon dioxide/greenhous gas BALANCE would not be found daily NOR in joint 'appearance' with any other VOLITILE and EARTH COOLING MECHANISM.  This formation can under NORMAL Earth conditions spawn 'Mid-latitiude vortex' that deliver the most turbulent of weather across North America.

The one off the East Coast is a HUGE heat transfer system removing heat from the Equator and carrying it to the Arctic Circle, where the hotter air rises above the colder and denser air forcing down to the lower latitudes lowering temperatures and raising temperatures over the Ice Ocean.

With lack of PUBLIC acceptance of THAT FACT and reality, scientists have been seeking 'solid' more 'public friendly' ways of PROVING the existence of a dangerous and UNIQUE Earth event that would bring unrelentless warming that was deadly.

It would seem as though their persistence has paid off.

...Murray Roberts, a bioscientist (click here) at Heriot-Watt University in the UK, is impressed by the experimental work. "This is a very exciting result, and one of the nicest demonstrations of the importance of cold-water corals of archives of environmental change," he says. "[The researchers] have uncovered new evidence that the recent warm and nutrient-rich conditions in the north-west Atlantic off Nova Scotia may be rather different to earlier times – and this change seems to be related to anthropogenic climate change."...

The weather in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, USA (Crystal Wind Chime) is:

 

Local Time  ::  6:38 AM AKST (GMT -09)

Lat/Lon  ::  58.8° N 137.0° W

Elevation  ::  33 feet

Temperature  ::  39 Fahrenheit

Windchill  ::  32 Fahrenheit

Dew Point  ::  36 Farhenheit

Wind  ::  10 mph from the SE

Pressure  ::  29.75 inches and rising

Visibility  ::  10.0 miles

UV  ::  0 out of 16

Clouds  ::  Overcast 3300 feet  (Above Ground Level)

Elevation  ::  33 feet

Temperatures Map of Canada from "The Weather Network."

January 24, 2011
10:00 EST

Current Temperatures across Canada noted to be colder in the more southern locations and warmer at the Arctic Circle.

And below Canada is the Continental USA.

January 24, 2011

1345 GMT

Continental USA Temperature Map showing frigid temperatures extending to the subtropical areas of the Southern USA.

Have a better day.