I 35 Bridge Collapse EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT!

I am sick and tired of the flyin' lies of the Right Wing.

This is the span of I35 that collapse in 2007.  Bush's Executive Branch focused on a 'gusset design' as the cause of the collapse.  That is a lie.

The I-35 Bridge may have had a design that would not support the 'DEMANDS' of the bridge, BUT, that was not the fault of the engineer, it was the fact that a bridge built in 1967 was OVER-EXTENDED in its use and it was never, ever updated or stated to be INSUFFICIENT for the traffic it would come to serve.

In 1967, the Interstate 35W Mississippi River Bridge (click title to entry - thank you)  in Minneapolis opened to traffic. The bridge was 1,907 feet long, had 14 spans, and by 2007 carried a daily average of 140,000 total vehicles north and south over four lanes between University Avenue and Washington Avenue. The vehicle count made it one of the busiest bridges in the country over the Mississippi River, and one of three principal arteries into downtown Minneapolis, a city with one of the highest population densities in the Midwest....

President Obama is absolutely correct.  The infrastructure of the USA is sadly in need of repair.  The I-35 Bridge was NEVER designed to withstand the rigors of its demands.  The reason BUSH's Executive Branch focused on 'failure' of a gusset is because there would be demands for monies for USA infrastructure spending rather than his burgeoning emergency with Goldman Sachs.

The BRIDGE failed (click here) and the place where it 'gave way' was probably predictable given the high demand FORTY YEARS LATER !!!  The lives lost that day were never given sufficient justice, just excuses.

 

 

 

 

Treasury Secretary John Snow Resigns  (click here)

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

...In the latest turnover in his administration, Bush called Paulson a "superb addition to my Cabinet," one who comes from one of the most respected firms on Wall Street.   

“Mr. President, if confirmed, I look forward to working with you, your administration, and the Congress to help keep the American economy strong and competitive,” Paulson said.

Snow’s departure comes after more than a year of rumors and speculation that he would leave when Bush began making changes to his White House staff earlier this year....

Home prices drop for third straight quarter  (click here)

Realtors report that markets are still softening

By Les Christie, CNNMoney.com staff writer

July 1 2007: 6:36 PM EDT

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- U.S. home prices fell for their third straight quarter, according to an industry report released Tuesday.
The median price of a single-family home fell 1.8 percent to $212,300 for the three months ended March 31, compared with the first quarter of 2006, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR)....


Drop Foreseen in Median Price of U.S. Homes  (click here)

By DAVID LEONHARDT and VIKAS BAJAJ

Published: August 26, 2007

The median price of American homes is expected to fall this year for the first time since federal housing agencies began keeping statistics in 1950.

...While the housing slump has already rattled financial markets, it has so far had only a modest effect on consumer spending and economic growth. But forecasters now believe that its impact will lead to a slowdown over the next year or two.
“For most people, this is not a disaster,” said Nigel Gault, an economist with Global Insight, a research firm in Waltham, Mass. “But it’s enough to cause them to pull back.”...

Paulson declares EMERGENCY !

Quantitative Easing Explained

According to the New York Times the 'mood' of the country is at an all time low in the past two years. Two years. Well, that is because the electorate is CHRONICALLY disillusioned, disappointed and burdened.

The Republicans promised to do what is right for the country and job creation. The myth through the nation is that the Republicans know how to handle the economy best.

Hm.

...Mr. Obama has considerable support (click title to entry - thank you) for his proposal to end tax cuts for those households earning $250,000 a year and more: 72 percent of respondents approved of doing so as a way to address the deficit....


I feel for everyone. I am not happy, but, the same myth that put the Republcans into office in 2010 is a cancer in this country.

In order for the people of the USA to 'take control' of THEIR economy they first have to admit the Republicans are incapable of governing.  They have stated they are incapable of job creation.  The electorate of the USA has to admit the Bush/Cheney years were some of the most toxic economic years in recent recent history.  They were morally toxic and eocnomicly toxic.  When the electorate of the USA comes to terms with that reality they can 'move on.' 

The Bush Years of Janaury 2001 through Janaury 2009 never GREW jobs.  We lost jobs chronically.  Jobs were outsourced, every legislative measure during those years was a 'spending program.'  There was no legitimate legislation unless it was addressing social conservativism, such as "Terry's Law."  That means there is was no governance.  The Republicans don't expect to create jobs, they HOPE to 'create a business climate' that will 'encourage' jobs to be created.

Big difference.  I do believe when the 'Great Depression' occurred the President EXPECTED to create jobs and he did. 

The problem with 'the mood' of the country is that most Americans don't 'think about' the economy except in small terms, namely their own check books.  In realizing that, there are ways to 'think about' the economy that can be extrapolated into an understanding of what is being DONE TO the USA economy. 

ASSETS.  Everyone understands what assets are.  The USA has assets.  Those assets are concrete, but, there are also very fluid aspects like 'the brain trust' and 'future potential' of the country.  Don't think for one minute 'educational costs' are not about the economy, they are directly related the economy and 'the wealth of the nation.'  But, Americans also understand their own budgets and 'savings' that will result in 'payouts' of costs, be it vacations or anticpating the need for a new car or refrigerator.  They understand how 'groups of money' with a 'label' for their use is important. 

What occurred in the last quarter of 2008?  What sincerely occurred?  Was it a tragedy?  Was it something the USA had in its capacity to 'absorb?'  It certainly was something that happened and 'was handled' in order to 'bailout' huge banks and an insurance firm that was 'in service' to those banks.  Everyone wants to blame all kinds of reasons for what occurred in 2008, but, there is no doubt the 'crash' of 2008 was 'engineered' and the people, like Paulson, that came begging knew exactly what he was doing.

There are a lot of money reserves in the USA.  During the Bush years most were excoriated for their 'balance' and laid waste.  In other words, the 'protections' of things like airlines that carried a 'reserve of money' were manipulated to 'return those monies' to circulation and increase the circulating wealth that Wall Street brokerages could play with, including investment firms such as Goldman Sachs.

For those that had a bird's eye view of this mess, it was completely astounding.  The average American was too busy 'trying to do the right thing,' and believing they were actually accomplishing something to realize how far "W"rong the 'global economy,' including the USA was headed.  It was fairly 'stark' to watch it all transpiree and the only thing that could be done by spectators was to keep ones fingers crossed in 'hopes' those 'in control' were actually moral people with the best interest of the global and USA economy at heart.  Hoping all the time that citizens were actually peasants, but, 'regarded.'  As it worked out 'the person' was the 'last loyality' to these 'institutions of wealth.'  Or, best said, 'toys of wealth' that have value and loss it, only to 'pressure' governments to act to uphold their integrity without guarantees to their countrymen.

The truth of the matter is the 'wealth toys' have been running out money to play with.  Any reason is a good reason to play.  Like, 'let's try quantitative easying' to 'make jobs' happen.  If one recalls the first QE occurred as soon as a majority of Republicans were elected to the USA Congress.  Why?  TO HELP THEM LOOK GOOD as if they actually were doing something.  It didn't work, so Wall Street needed anti-depressants and then there was QE2. 

Now, if QE1 was in response to an election to help the Republicans 'look good' what does that mean?  Does it mean they PREFER Republcans.  Yes, but, not in the way one would think.  Not that 'The Fed/ The Wealthy/The Players' believe Republicans are their friends, but, that Republicans LACK the morality to consider citizens important enough to actually put them at the center of policy.  Republicans don't put citizens at the center of policy, they put their cronies at the center of policy. 

Now, back to the 'monetary reserves' within the USA.  Not necessary, money 'sitting around,' but money LEGISLATED.  The fluidity of the USA is its capacity to move money.  To legislate policy that moves money.  The economy.  Okay?  So, when Republicans write legislation like the recent bill that funds the wealthy and defunds the poor and the elderly, they are doing it realizing 'there is a reserve of legislated money.'  No surprise, right? 

The reasons Republicans legislatie is for wealth.  That is a fact.  That is a VERIFIBLE fact.  They do not legilslate to benefit the citizen.  That is the role of govenrment.  Government is suppose to uphold the dignity of the citizen through policy that works for them.  There is nothing "W"rong or anti-government or anti-democracy about the theory 'cradle to grave.'  That better be at the center of government policy even if that means upholding the private sector to supply the 'needs' of the people.  That is not occurring anymore.  That 'loyality' to the citizen is not at the center of government policy.

The Recovery and Reinvetment Act was about the citizen.  The 'neglected' infrastructure of the country took a priority and it was decided we needed a tax break to help the Middle Class recover from the disasterous events of the last quarter of 2008.  The Recovery and Reinvestment Act put money in the hands of many and infused the eoconomy with purchasing power.  The tax break to the Poor and Middle Class helped the economy to stabilize.  That is a fact.

We also needed a new energy infrastructure.  We had aging power plants, growing need for domestic oil which was escalating in cost, a 'grid' that was grossly neglected and needed to be reconstructed, so there were 'significant' incentives to businesses to begin to move the USA out of the dark ages of energy production and into a 'bold new world.'  Two years later and we are finally seeing the private sector reacting to those funds.  Los Angeles is working on improving its air quality by being the first city in the USA to promote and institute 'public electric charging stations.'  We are witnessing the implimentation of "Cape Wind.'  We finally have solar manufacturing in New Mexico and wind turbines in Michigan.  Home grown new infrastructure.  Finally.  That doesn't happen overnight and it doesn't happen without the commitment of government with support of the citizen.  Slowly, but, surely the USA is turning this huge 'energy beast' into a 'friendly face' of benign environmental damage or danger.  OR DANGER.  DANGER.  Like, destroyed fisheries and polluted tourist areas.

The Affordable Care Act became reality.  It has been sabotaged a bit by a USA Senator named Joe Liberman, whom will no longer run for office.  He put his 'insurance cronies' before the people of this country and defeated a vital Public Option necessary to 'control' private industry costs to the consumer.  But, the Affordable Care Act is a magnificent document.  It has stopped the bleeding, literally and figuratively.  Oh, I know the costs of health insurance are being inflated before all the provisions go into effect, but, that will be addressed over time.  Importantly, people are receiving coverage.  There are lives being saved and longevity now within reach of people that didn't believe they would ever 'see the light at the end of the tunnel.' 

Before we go down the road again of pursuing a Public Option again, we should see how this flies.  The real challenge to contaiing 'health care premiums' lies in 'containing costs.'  Secretary Sebilius has her hands full and the 'panels' funded by the Affordable Care Act will be invaluable to her, the the President and to the American people.  There is every indication there will be strides in changing 'the dynamic' of 'the cost' of American health care once 2014 rolls around and the entire nation is 'on board.'  I have confidence in the 'due dilligence' of President Obama and Secretary Sebilius to bring 'the best' of health care to the American people with a focus on cost and cost containment.

I may be by the year 2016, the topic of The Public Option will surface once again, IF, the American government cannot legislate to win compliance and loyalty of the Health Care Insurance Industry.

There have been significant impacts in social issues where President Obama has been able to impact our infrastructure, the most revolutionary being the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  It is such a hideous name and hideous concept.  I always thougt it was laughable.  But, the gracious First Lady Michelle Obama has been at the forefront in regard to tackling a profoundly worrisome health problem with our children, obesity.  If one wants a healthy nation, then there needs to be a strong effort to return sanity to The American Diet and the First Lady is doing it.  We are lucky to have a Second Lady, namely Mrs. Jill Biden that is compelling when it comes to advancing the purpose of Community Colleges and setting importance on education as a pathway to financial success for our nation.  She and the First Lady have also 'dug in' to support military families to make a difference in lives and keep families together rather than disintegrating under the pressures of deployment.

But, as to why the country is so unhappy now, is because they wanted a bi-partisan Congress to work with the President to bring back jobs, encourage small businesses and HONOR the American citizen by containing the National Deficit, WITHOUT draconian cuts and victimization of women and the poor;  while addressing the 'beginnings' of the National Debt.  None of that has happened.  We, as a nation, have witnessed more partisan politics than desired.  Partisan politics that hurts 'the citizen' while 'indulging' the wealthy.

The point to all this is 'to temper' the 'mood' if you will in a hope that 'some outreach' will actually make a difference. 

The American people are not interested in 'destroying' their country in order to allow exploitation of their Constitution and legal system.  They are not interested in having their 'money reserves' for Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security LUSTED by Wall Street or 'lame' ideas about what is important other than 'entitlements.'  The American people know what is important and it is NOT radical. 

The American people want the dignity of their country upheld.  They want leadership.  Meaningful leadership.  They want their senior citizens to receive their benefits as promised, their health care as needed and compassion for the needy in sufficient amounts.  They want their military to be respected, but, also to be respectable; but they want their soldiers home from a war front where people are mostly illiterate and unable to 'learn' to be soldiers.  They want to stop throwing money and weapons at meaningless military agendas and they want the spending brought BACK to Pre-Iraq War levels.  They want their deficit addressed in a dignified way that will not destroy the Poor or Middle Class.  They want an economy returned to them that will 'in time' be sustainable and productive with MEANINGFUL employment. 

The people of the USA want a Middle Class.  They want to honor a right for collective bargaining, they want to be able to have community leaders be honorable and produce good products and services for the country.  We want responsible and honorable labor without calling union workers 'lazy' or 'unnecessary.'  Labor is some of the most skilled in the world and there is no reason why the produces produced are the best in the world.  No reason.  If we can launch a Space Craft, we can build an electric car. 

The people of the USA want to be put FIRST rather than last when it comes to government policy.  They want reasonable policy that recognizes 'the right' of people to 'think' and carry out their lives uninterrupted and unexploited.  The American people are not a commodity.  Their economy and hopes for a better life is NOT a method to deceive and 'engineer' profits at the cost of lives and their 'striving.'

The American people want beauty in their lives, parks to enjoy, protections for their wildlife and an Earth environment that HONORS the priorities of their country and the safety of the future of their children. 

The people of this country, in the year 2011, are very disillusioned and not completely able to 'get their minds' around the 'best' method to address their problems, all they know is that what is transpiring is exploitive, hideous and ruinous to this country.  The 'methods' of finacial market places are NOT honorable , nor have they been for nearly ten years now. 

The American People are still striving to 'Get Their Country Back,' but, what they don't realize is that is chronically shanghaied by Republcans that kiss the ground Wall Street walks on.

What the electorite has to remember is that they continue to trip over their own naivety in being willing to believe everything they hear and everything they see from sources not willing to listen to them, but, only for a while until they have the POWER they seek to once again exploit the people of the USA from their economic morality in a country where 'caring for each other' actually matters.

I have said it over and over and over again, the agenda of the Republicans for nearly ten years has resulted in the destruction of the American Dream.  When are the people going to make that connection and stop their own disappointment because of the poor decisions they make at the ballot box?

Builders of New Homes Seeing No Sign of Recovery  (click here)

By DAVID STREITFELD

Published: April 22, 2011

...Kim Meier’s spring promotion, which includes a $17,000 credit at a nearby General Motors dealer, has produced seven sales since the beginning of March, a veritable windfall of business for a builder who sold only 20 houses last year. “We needed to do something dramatic,” said Mr. Meier. “The market’s been soft.”...

Offering a car as a bonus to purchasing a home?  Wow.  That is really 'out there.'  The Ameican electorate has to put people into federal office to stop this excoriation of the American landscape. 

It's Earth Week. Three tragic tornado events in less than five days. Is everyone getting the message?

A hot planet takes 'man hours' of cost and the repairs that go along with it in order to do business.  Human Induced Global Warming is expensive.  It adds to the cost of doing business and it imperils human life.  How many more times and in increasing magnitude does this have to happen before everyone 'gets it?'  That means the nationa stops denying the dangers of the use of fossil fuels and they do it now.



Crews inspect damage to the roof of Concourse C at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on Saturday.

By BJ Lutz

A plane (click title to entry - thank you) that was moments away from beginning its journey to Chicago was hit by flying debris and lifted off the ground as a tornado passed through Lambert-St. Louis International Airport on Friday night, passengers said.

Chicagoan Jackie Hamm and four of her friends were heading back home after vacationing in Miami.  Already delayed by weather, Hamm said she was happy to finally board American flight 699 for O'Hare.

"We passed the pilot on his way out, and he said, 'Well, I hope you guys brought a couple of books because it's going to be a while.'  And we were like, 'Oh, that's so frustrating that they put us on the plane and now we have to wait on this plane,' but we're so grateful that we did because probably 15 minutes after we got on the plane our terminal was pretty much destroyed by the tornado."

Hamm, a freshman English teacher at Urban Prep Academy, said she's looking forward to getting back to the classroom on Monday and sharing her story with her students....

Tornado rolls right through Lambert-St. Louis Int'l Airport  (click here for video - thank you)

Apr 23, 2011 12:32pm

(NECN: St. Louis, MO) - The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport remains shut down after a tornado rolled right through the airport. Gigantic plate glass windows were blown out, and it was pretty scary inside as we could see from some home-shot videos.

Crews are surveying the damage, and they hope to have the airport back at 70% capacity Sunday, and 100% by midweek. Luckily, no serious injuries have been reported so far, and there were no deaths. There were about four injuries reported from flying glass....

There is no such thing as safe methane 'extraction' as sea or on land.

The BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster was caused by an exploratory well that when 'accessed' was 50% crude oil and 50% methane. The videos of the disaster shows an offshore drilling platform listing and burning, but, the videos show more than that, they show an uleashed vat of fossil fuel deposits reaching the surface of the sea with uninhibited fury.

The burning of the Deepwater Horizon, a state of the art drilling platform, was unabated.  There was absolutely nothing any human or human imagination could do to stop that well from doing exactly what occurred.  Sure there were huge mistakes along the way.  Complete abandonment of the original drilling plan as the vat became more and more challenging to access.  A Blowout Preventer that was never going to work even before it was lowered to the seabed.  Substandard materials, substandard practices and more and more 'bargaining' with fate as the vat became more and more unattainable. 

By the time BP's disaster became reality, it had abandoned its business plan, its safety margin, its insight and its desire for anything except greed.  That is no wrod of a lie.  The event will be the worst disaster to the USA in its history and continues to cause huge environmental damage was guaranteecd to happen.  The petroleum industry is out of control and that is never more evident as the hydraulic fracturing that is occuring around the world.

Chesapeake Energy (click here) suspended the use of a controversial natural-gas production technique in Pennsylvania on Thursday as it worked to contain a well blowout that spilled toxic fluid into a local waterway....

Evidently the way to have a save environment in the USA is to first destroy it !

Definately see the movie. Disney is donating funds for protections during the first week.

When watching the movie keep in mind that 'in the wild' these magnificent animals have a chance to survive. 

But.

The entire scenario changes when a human enters the scene with a single gun.

Wildlife and natural places that remain on Earth are endangered in the most profound ways.  If humans become uncivilized these animals haven't got a chance.  The 'wild' is not the place for humans and it is the way it should be.

Today is Earth Day. And don't forget it.

Starbucks, Caribou offering free coffee Friday for Earth Day  (click title to entry - thank you)

By Rob Manker, Tribune reporter

8:20 p.m. CDT, April 21, 2011

Carrying around your own coffee mug on Friday could prove lucrative, while also benefiting Mother Earth.

Coffee giants Starbucks and Caribou are among the retailers offering freebies and other specials to customers Friday in observance of Earth Day. Both are giving away free coffee to people who bring in their own mugs, and Starbucks is also offering free tea.

Caribou normally gives mug-presenting customers 50 cents off, while Starbucks ordinarily gives 10 cents off....

...In 1993, the Rainforest Alliance (click here) and its partner groups in the Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) demonstrated that traditional, forested coffee farms are havens for wildlife. Now, coffee lovers everywhere can support farmers who maintain these rainforest refuges simply by buying beans stamped with the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal of approval....

Gadaffi wouldn't talk to anyone. He used his people as human shields.

NATO is introducing USA Predators Drones to understand ways to help the people of Libya.

...Western forces (click title to entry - thank you) began air raids on Libya on 19 March to enforce a United Nations-sanctioned no-fly zone and to protect civilians from attacks by government troops....

There are some ground troops from within NATO; I think it was Great Britain.  The USA is not sending troops.  The purpose of the drones is to continue to attempt control over Libya's irreverent military to UN sanctions and orders for protection of the civilians. 

The Predator Drones are usually effective and far more invasive than simple aircraft.  Their technology can fidn a 'fly' on a wall without much sound.

I heard Pakistan is getting some small 'spy' drones.  I guess.  I don't believe the ISI will put them to good use.  The only real solice is that they drones Pakistan is getting can be dismantled by the Predators without much effort. 

Cameron rules out occupation role  (click here)

(UKPA) – 2 hours ago

David Cameron has insisted there is no prospect of British forces becoming part of an "occupying army" in Libya.
Amid concerns that the deployment of UK military personnel as advisers to the rebels is a sign of mission creep, the Prime Minister said: "We're not allowed, rightly, to have an invading army, or an occupying army."
He added: "That's not what we want, that's not what the Libyans want, that's not what the world wants."
MPs have expressed alarm at the announcement that British forces were being sent to Libya to act in an advisory capacity to opponents of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi....

When I think of the Pakistani ISI and their acquisition of spy drones, it more or less reminds of my sons when they were young.  They played with toys for awhile but they always had to try to figure out what makes them tick. 

The only real reason I can come up with in providing Pakistan with spy drones is for the USA to actually spy with them to find out what they are up to.  That is the best I can up with.  Radio frequencies and that stuff.  If the Pakistani ISI thinks for one minute they aren't going to be monitored by the USA through shared radio frequencies;...well, they have some awakenings coming.  Mullens doesn't trust them as far as he can spit, so I can't imagine they are going to get away with much.

Oops.  Did I say too much?

Well, its all for the purpose of peace.  Can't go wrong there.  I hope Pakistan behaves before there is a greater war they didn't think they were going to get.  There goes Waziristan.  How are things after the flood?

Wazirastan Return Tank

The people look in good condition.  What's this thing about a tank?  Their traffic jams always look like the circus just got there.

Hey, what do I know?

Bahrain needs to stop being stupid. Bahrain would rather face human rights abuses rather than a few unarmed protesters?

A wounded Shia man is treated in Salmaniya hospital in the Bahraini capital, Manama. (click title to entry - thank you)

"The Independent" is a good news source.  I do not doubt their reporting.  I can't help but wonder why Bahrainian leaders are being so silly about their own people.

Please stop, the government is hurting itself more than its people.

...At least 32 doctors, including surgeons, physicians, paediatricians and obstetricians, have been arrested and detained by Bahrain's police in the last month in a campaign of intimidation ...

There is simply no reason for this type of paranoya in Bahrain.  The police and whatever mlitary they may have are loyal to the government. 

The economy of Bahrain is entrenched in tourism, the treatment of their own people in a manner that is going to cause 'pause' to visitors will hurt not only the economy of Bahrain, but, the reputation of being an open and progressive society. 

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is concerned for his country, as is his Queen and his son, the heir apparent, however they are hurting themselves by taking such an aggressive stand toward unarmed protesters.  I believe King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is capable to understanding the unrest he finds in his country and seek resolve to it without such strong retaliation. 

As in Egypt, it is some of the impoverishment in the country that has the citizens intent on removing their President.  Bahrain has its poor.  It has its young people that have ideas of democracy.  The best course for Bahrain is to recognize the unrest and address it though forums where the people can be heard.  I wouild expect that to be the best redress of the circumstances, especially if the King is planning on abandoning the Kingdom.

Bahraini ruler suspected of transferring $42bn to Swiss banks  (click here)

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

By Yehonathan Tommer
MANAMA, BAHRAIN – Bahraini ruler, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has moved $42 billion into Swiss Banks amid mounting anti-government protests in his country, according to Press TV, an English language Iranian media network.
This is “an indication of the apprehension about their (the ruling family’s) ultimate fate,” Ralph Schoenman, political observer and author of The Hidden History of Zionism told Press TV.
“The truth of the matter is that these country-selling regimes are creations of the US … [and it is the] political power of the imperialism that sustains these regimes,” Schoenman said....
Regardless, the people of Bahrain need their physicians and it is against any oath to practice medicine of any kind to ignore the needy and allow those that can be helped to die.

Bahrain needs to stop being difficult with its citizens and return to a state of calm and give confidence to its reputation rathar than its uncertainty.

This is not the Korengal Valley. The USA is not there to take care of journalists. Civilians are dying. This is different. Sorry.

Why Misurata?  Because it is the stepping stone to kill Gaddafi.  The Libyan dictator isn't giving up with a white flag.  This is not an 'embed' opportunity.  Journalists are armed with the art of communication, not anti-tank weapons or assassin scopes.  Give the English speaking Libyan  rebel soldiers a small hand held camera and edit the results.  A helmet cam or something.  Don't do this.

A pair (click title to entry - thank you) of clean new Hongmahwang loafers and a pair of gilded, tacky Italian slippers. The footwear of a madman caught last month hiding in a rat-filled hole almost within sight of one of his many palatial palaces....

Donald Trump is a crack pot.

Trump's 'Jobs Program' is to target China and raise their tariffs for goods sold on USA markets by 25%.

There is such a thing in international law called the GATT.

The GATT is the World Trade Organizations rules for "General Agreement on Tariff and Trade originally written in 1994.  (click title to entry - thank you)

I don't think there needs to be much more said about Mr. Trump's insincere run for the Presidency.  He is a crack pot.  He has always been a crack pot and his 'star quality' for television is nothing short of being a crack pot. 

Trump hasn't got a clue and I believe that is fairly obvious.  Unless, he is going to become an isolationist and break away from the WTO.  That might work.  No allies.  But, it would definately create jobs in the USA.

To some men 'the truth' is an irresistable force.

My sympathies to his family and friends.  He was brilliant.  His passion for the truth when no one else could achieve it was stunning.  He'll be missed.

Tim Hetherington's Courage Under Fire  (click title to entry - thank you)

Photographer Killed In Libya Won Awards for 'Nightline' Coverage of Afghanistan, Army Major: 'He Was a Brother to Me'

By BRIAN ROSS

April 20, 2011

 

...In a message sent from his Twitter account yesterday, his first tweet in months, Hetherington wrote: "In besieged Libyan city of Misrata. Indiscriminate shelling by Qaddafi forces. No sign of NATO."...

This is the system that delivered tornadoes and large snow falls within a 24 hour period.

April 20, 2011
0500.13z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the USA (click title to entry for 12 hour loop - thank you)

The velocity of the wind crossing the nation has moved and condensed the 'system' and forced it to the east coast.  Right now there should be concern in Arkansas and Mississippi for turbulent weather and potential tornadoes.

April 20, 2011
1830.13z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of USA.



National Weather Service, Little Rock, Arkansas (click here)

April 20, 2011
1815z
Infrared Satellite of USA

Where is the heat?  Where is the turbulence?

As opposed to this ! And it could happen again. The 'existing' wells are excluded from new regulations, but, renewed standards for inspections.

I don't want to hear a word about any moritorium either.  BP received huge tax breaks because IT LOST MONEY.  What a shame  We should all have a pity party for BP.  One company is trying to improve the circumstances of Americans, such as GE, while another just doesn't give a damn, like BP.  If GE received tax incentives to HELP the USA move away from fossil fuels, they are heroes.  There is no need for fossil fuels as far as I am concerned.  They are dirty and dangerous. 

Go, GE, Go!

Gulf drilling delays fail to stem US oil flow  (click here)

By Ed Crooks and Sheila McNulty

Published: April 20 2011 19:32 | Last updated: April 20 2011 19:32

US oil production this year is on course to rise, independent forecasters believe, in spite of delays to drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, as the boom in the onshore oil industry offsets the slowdown offshore.
On the first anniversary of the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig, which killed 11 men, there were memorials for the dead and protests from environmental campaigners....

The new regulations resulting from the President's commission sadly does nothing to existing wells except to re-engage more stringent inspections to be sure early signs of failure are found.

The new regulations require all companies planning exploration and/or drilling submit a "Safety Test" to outline all the dangers their particular well could face.  In that, the company also has 'in place' all necessary precautions before drilling begins.  In my opinion that means MANDITORY relief wells to be drilled at the same time as the exploratory well to immediately intrupt a rupture if it occurs.

These measures are completely necessary and appropriate and are not over reaching of government.  Our fisheries are vital to the nation and to the lives of the people and families that make a living within them.  Additionally, the coastal USA is vital to tourism and the beaches are paramount to a healthy economy.

Someone has to start making a difference.

T.C. April 20th, 2011 Snowstorm - Front yard

T.C. April 20th, 2011 Snowstorm - Back yard

Missouri and Illinois Tornadoes!!! April 19, 2011