Afghanistan isn't improving.

...It still isn’t entirely clear (click here) whether the man arrested for fatally shooting the four French fighters and injuring 16 other people in eastern Afghanistan Friday was an Afghan army soldier, or instead a Taliban infiltrator. In some ways, however, that may be academic. The killing of Western forces by assailants in Afghan army uniform has become an increasingly frequent occurrence–one that earlier claimed the lives of two French Legionnaires less than a month ago. Yet something has clearly changed between those two attacks. While Sarkozy’s response to the French deaths blamed on Afghan soldiers in December was low key, his reaction Friday was both swift and dramatic. He announced an immediate suspension of French involvement in the training and joint patrols with Afghan army forces, and dispatched Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Juppé and Defense Minister Gérard Longuet to Afghanistan to review the situation—a deployment of cabinet heavyweights designed to highlight the gravity of Paris’ diplomatic state of mind....

By NBC News and news services

Updated at 3:33 a.m. ET: A helicopter crash (click title to entry - thank you) in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan killed six U.S. Marines, the NATO military command in Kabul told NBC News early Friday.

Officials said there were no signs of enemy activity in the area at time of the crash.

The Marines have a substantial presence in Helmand province....

Posted Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Bombings in southern Afghanistan leave 20 dead (click here)

 

BY ALI SAFI

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

KABUL, Afghanistan -- At least 20 people have been killed in suicide attacks in southern Afghanistan, authorities said Thursday, including seven civilians who died when a bomber blew himself up near an airport used by the U.S.-led coalition.

The attack near the entrance to the airfield in Kandahar - Afghanistan's second-largest city and the traditional heartland of the Taliban insurgency - occurred Thursday afternoon when a suicide bomber detonated a white Toyota Corolla, said Zalmai Ayubi, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Two children were among the dead, authorities said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on its website. The insurgents said the target was a convoy of foreign nationals who were leaving the airfield, which is one of the largest bases used by the NATO coalition. Many civilians use the busy entrance as well, however....

Does this need an explanation?

Senator Reid makes statement on Washoe Fire (click here)

Published: 1/19 4:19 pm

Updated: 1/19 4:24 pm

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) - Senator Harry Reid made the following statement in regards to the Washoe Fire:

"My thoughts are with those affected by the wildfires in Northern Nevada. I especially express my sympathies to those who have lost their home as a result. My appreciation goes to the first responders and firefighters who are on the scene and working very hard to keep residents safe. I will continue to monitor the situation as information becomes available. "

Moist ground will stop fires.  But, moist ground does not necessarily yield crops or satisfy the thrist of livestock.

2011 Wildfire Season Worst in Texas History (click title to entry - thank you)

Friday, January 20th, 2012
Posted by Chace MurphyLast year’s wildfire season was the worst in Texas history.

The Texas Forest Service says wildfires destroyed nearly 4 million acres and 4,000 homes and other structures. Ten people died.

The agency recently declared Oct. 31 as the end of the 2011 season after going back to study fire activity and weather. The season started in mid-November 2010.

Two months ago officials said the season could drag on until spring, because large blazes could ignite anywhere across the drought-stricken state. But Thursday state fire officials said November rainfall turned out to be more widespread than expected.

The state’s longest wildfire season was from April 2005 through September 2006, when blazes charred about 2 million acres and left 12 people dead.

The 2012 Texas wildfire season hasn’t started yet.

Snow, rain, ice and a mess the northwest is struggling to survive.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Operating Limited Schedules in Seattle (click title to entry - thank you)
By Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Last modified: 2012-01-20T03:29:44Z
Published: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 - 7:29 pm
SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Freezing rain and snow continue to affect Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air operations, which forced the carriers to cancel 310 flights to and from Seattle by early evening, affecting 29,000 passengers. Only 15 of Alaska's 114 daily flights and one Horizon flight had departed Seattle by that time as the region was hit by an extraordinary ice storm.

"We are doing our best to operate as many flights as possible to get people where they need to go as we cope with severe ice accumulation on our planes," Alaska Airlines' President Brad Tilden said. "We appreciate customers' patience and understanding as we contend with the freezing rain that has disrupted travel throughout the region. Our operational decisions will continue to be guided by our commitment to safety."

January 20, 2012
1330z
UNISYS Goes West Water Vapor Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

As first glance the reason for such turbulence and vascillation of 'weather' is due to the Arctic Oscillation.  But, that isn't it alone and this is a prime example why the verbiage of current weather/climate labels doesn't address the Climate Crisis.

Normally, the Arctic Oscillation is a big deal all by itself, but, this disasterous weather is also combined with a heat transfer system from across the Pacific.  The heat transfer system mixing with the Arctic Oscillation has delivered varying weather, but, a lot of water in the form of rain and flooding.  This is definately a weather pattern to pay attention to and is not in any imagination NORMAL.  Also noted is another very wet air pattern that may deliver more moisture to Texas, but, again the drought of the land is so profound the likelihood there will be improvement in the climate is remote, very remote.


Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington state declared a state of emergency on Thursday authorizing the use of National Guard troops in the aftermath of snowmaggedon now turned icemaggedon that has paralyzed much of the state with downed trees and tens of thousands without electricity.

Authorities say that over 2,300 car wrecks have taken place so far, according to KCPQ News.
Up to 230,000 customers are without electricity according to Andy Wappler from Puget Sound Energy, according to KOMO 4 News. Some will be without power for up to five days.

First came a historic snow storm, then that snow turned to ice which put weight on trees causing some to fall or large branches to break off on to roadways and over power lines, now the concern is the next couple of days bringing a warm front that likely will cause flooding....

Tacoma, WA chain link fence

State of Emergency in WA after storm: 3 dead (click here)

Jan 19, 2012 at 5:08 PM PST

By Stephanie Ealy

Mr. One Percent can't handle his own reality. His aggressive defensive stance PROVES 'Guilty as charged."

And Mr. One Percent (without a doubt he is) would consider other government constitutions as a potential answer for the USA?  Since when? 

Mr. One Percent is insensitive to the real issues and all his answers to date are to recover his lost Wall Street earnings that make up the most of his income.  It is noted that while Goldman Sachs had a better than expected outcome for the quarter they are still disappointing investors.  I heard complaints about how the earnings across the board aren't the way they used to be.  Well.  No.  I guess not.

Let's get this right, Wall Street is not happy.  Regardless of their earings, they aren't happy.  They are still seeking to 'best' the $14,000 Dow under Former Secretary Paulson.  Spending a few million on candidates is nothing compared to what the 'good ole days' were like.

...With the cost-cutting, (click here) Goldman managed to partially offset a 26 per cent slump in fourth-quarter net revenue and surprise analysts with net income of $1.1bn. That equates to earnings of $1.84 a share, outstripping consensus expectations of $1.23 a share.

The bank’s ratio of total pay to revenue for 2011 was 42.4 per cent – up from 39.3 per cent in 2010, and likely to fuel some arguments that Wall Street still needs to drastically slim down. Shareholders have to contend with a 3.7 per cent return on equity for the full year, though Goldman shares jumped more than 6 per cent to $103.93 in afternoon trading in New York on Wednesday....

A paltry 42.4 percent.  My, my.

January 31, 2007 Goldman's stocks sold for $212.16 per share. 

In 2007, the New York Stock Exchange hit $14,000.  July of 2007 when the banks in the USA were beginning to fail. 

Ruthie Ackerman
07.19.07, 6:15 PM ET

...The Dow Jones (click here) industrial average closed above 14,000 for the first time on Thursday on the heels of a strong technology sector. The comeback was a sign that Wall Street has bounced back after Wednesday’s disappointing earnings reports and testimony by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that the fallout from the subprime debacle would cause substantial financial losses....

Paulson had taken office as Treasury Secretary May of 2006.  This is an article from "Rolling Stone" about Mr. Paulson.

Hank Paulson's Crony Capitalism (click here)

POSTED: December 1, 9:15 AM ET

By Tim Dickinson

Crony capitalism isn't usually this bald. But then again, this is Hank Paulson we're talking about.

This week, Bloomberg reported that in the summer of 2008, while serving as Treasury secretary under president George W. Bush, Paulson gave a gathering of Wall Street titans detailed, inside information about the government's plans for the troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

It was July 2008, and Paulson had been insisting in public that Fannie and Freddie would remain privately owned. In private, Paulson gave his former colleagues in the investment banking world a preview of his true intentions: The government would be taking both Freddie and Fannie into conservatorship, largely wiping out stockholders....

What is a little insider trading among friends after all?

On November 28, 2008 Goldman Sachs hit a low at $78.99.  In the long view of Goldman that wasn't bad because before the "Goldman Boom" the stock sold about $86.00 or so.  It was not a high earner and when it started to move it received a great deal of clout in the market.  So, across the spectrum of Wall Street these days there is DISAPPOINTMENT because they don't have the BUBBLE back YET.

Boom or Bust.  It is the way Wall Street likes it and adrenalin is Romney's best friend.  Promise the 1% the return of the $14,000 as a bench mark and all is well for the GOP. 

Yep.

Nothing like the good ole days of George Walker Bush and Dick Cheney.  You could count on them. 

So, 'adrenalin hooked' Mr. One Percent Willard Romney just can't wait to prove that Bain Capital can out perform them all.  Isn't that right Mitt?

Bain is the next Halliburton or is it Goldman?  Be prepared for greater impoverishment and a hotter planet.

Goldman's Five Year Performance graph is at the title to the entry.  Hm?  I wonder.  What was Bain Capital's during this time?

The count for Romney was 2. That was one, two....

...and the official reporting was 22.  That was twenty-two.  Who was playing with the count?  Where are the charges of fraud?

I don't care if it would not change the outcome for any Iowa county.

This was an official reporting to the State assignment of candidates. 

There needs to be an investigation and every complaint needs to be taken seriously regardless of the final outcome.  Who is playing with the outcomes of the primaries? 

This is a Presidential election, not one for 'your favorite Bozo.'

The GOP is a joke. They absolutely NEED their billions to buy the elections. No doubt in my mind.

Iowa GOP Chairman Strawn

Not one of the candidates in the debates tonight addressed the incompetency and/or corruption in Iowa.

GOP won't declare a winner of state caucuses (click title to entry - thank you)

By David Pace

Associated Press

January 19, 2012

...The final, certified results announced Thursday in Des Moines by Iowa Republican Chairman Matt Strawn had Rick Santorum 34 votes ahead of Mitt Romney. But Strawn said the party cannot declare a winner because the results are incomplete -- eight of the state's 1,774 precincts did not report their certified totals by Wednesday's 5 p.m. deadline....

The GOP can't competently hold their caucuses and primaries and they actually expect the country to take them seriously for a Presidential Election?

I don't think so.  Not one of the candidates stated they were worried about the gross amount of "human" errors in Iowa that has a strong spell of corruption.  I mean you have got to be joking.  This is the election of a nominee for President of the United States of America and the nation is suppose to look the other way while they supposedly get their act together.

No, no, no!

Romney virtually ignored Iowa until very late while Santorum was there for month after month walking door to door and all of a sudden Romney is the winner?  Tell me that makes sense.  Nothing about the dynamics of Iowa speaks to a party prepared to do political business honestly.  Who paid who?  And when?

It reeks of investigation and no one at the debate even breached the fact the outcomes are suspicious?  There is something very "W"rong here.  Do I have to remind that the year of 2000 was a complete afront to freedom?  This is not a minor issue, but, hey let's just sweep it under the carpet, okay?

I have yet to hear how any legislator, union official or petroleum industry magnet proposes to protect what is most important. And it ain't the oil.

This is the USA Corn Belt (click here).

...The Corn Belt states of the US are ideal for campervan vacations and the endless miles of grain make great photo opportunities. The down to earth locals of the Corn Belt have a reputation for friendliness and community pride. A holiday in America's Wheat Belt is rewarded with plenty of memoriable sights, experiences and an encounter with old fashioned hospitality few holiday makers will forget.

This is a map of the varied and many routes for the plans of the Keystone Pipeline. 

What the Republicans did in December of 2011 was nothing short of incompetent.  They demanded the pipeline options be expedited to supply less than 10 thousand jobs.

One single accident could do incredible damage to the most productive agricultural land in the world.  Why does anyone honestly vote for these people? 

President Obama made the only decision left open to him and he made that decision competently and dedicated to the best outcome for people of the USA. 

I have never witnessed the expression of more anger and hatred by a Speaker of the USA House in my life.

Speaker Boner stated he does not have the word "Compromise" in his vocabulary.

It is a shame what money does to a person.

The decision by President Obama was not about caving to environmentalists.  There are legitimate concerns about this pipeline. Quite frankly, the final destinations for the sale of the oil out of Texas doesn't exist anymore, so the purpose of the pipeline makes no sense.  None.  The pipeline is has become a political icon and nothing more.

What exactly do we need the oil for?

Springfield, IL   
Wed, Jan 18, 2012   
USDA-IL Dept of Ag Market News
Eastern Cornbelt Ethanol Plant Report (click title to entry - thank you)

Downsizing = $$$$$$$$$$

Romney states his
? investment ? role in companies touched 100 different and separate companies.

Why didn't the 'investment' result in the development of at least 101 companies?

I'd like to know how the investor actually improved the local economies?

The Former Governor does not want to release his tax reporting because part of what he claims is the USA tax rate is the highest in the world.  Is there really a doubt that the tax rates are precisely where they belong?  When one considers all the deductions, credits and evasions at any cost that actually robs the USA Treasury of its income, Romney has no basis for his statements.  I have said before, the USA tax rate on businesses, not individuals, is more than competitive because the 'effective' tax rate is below that of most other nations.

The tax code needs to be changed to exclude the current structure that allows Mr. Willard One Percent Romney from paying ONLY 15% on personal income.  A new code that demands a rock solid TWENTY-THREE percent Willard and not a penny less.

Mrs. Palin came out today to advocate for a longer primary.  The reasons are hers because it doesn't make sense.  I think she is seeking to have a 'Tea Bagger' in the Presidential spot.  She might even get a second chance at Veep.  But, is it more likely if the GOP can't find a candidate by the end of the primary season, she and Trump might have their own run.  A divided GOP would give a third party a sincere advantage.

Obama Takes Aim at Offshore Tax Havens (click title to entry - thank you)Updated
President Obama will present a set of proposals on Monday aimed at changing international tax policy, calling for the elimination of benefits for companies and wealthy individuals that harbor their cash in offshore accounts....

By JEFF ZELENY

STOP - The Assault Against Democracy (Do something - click title to entry - thank you)

STOP SOPA

(Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA, H.R. 3261)

STOP PIPA

( Protect IP Act (PIPA, S. 968)

Call and Fax and e-mail your USA House Representative and USA Senators.  Thank you.

Reba McEntire - Turn On The Radio

McEntire in her S&M video is advocating radio listening. This song and video came out at the same time there was a compaign on Right Wing Radio called, "I heart radio." The 'heart' is a visible heart symbol.

"iHeartRadio" (click here)

I suppose promoting radio is a way of increasing 'product distribution' but it is really odd a Country singer as popular as McEntire actually uses herself as a commercial for the industry.  I think Reba wades into political activism more than anyone wants to talk about.

I haven't heard anything about Reba being a guest on Limbaugh.

Reba --Van & Cheyanne Get Food Stamps

The "Gingrick Food Stamp" gaffe is based in a Right Wing cultural attack. It is amazing how far the "County Community" (Reba McEntire) will go to back up their 'idea of political fun.'


The USA has suffered the worst economic recession in recent history due to the policies of the Republican administration of Bush and the info-tainment industry actually ridicule Americans that are receiving food stamps.


The drama that plays out pn "Reba" actually portrays Americans as lazy and enjoying 'government dependancy.' Not only that but the food stamps are viewed as a 'pay off' for the people. "Reba" continues past this segment to make the statement that employment is just waiting for those too lazy to look for it.


The entire show was amazing to realize how it aimed (displaced an entire 'class') anger directly at a group of Americans of a growing poverty level due to Wall Street abuses and abandonment. Maybe as Iraq is becoming the next China or India all the impoverished Americans need to emigrate.

Food stamps have become a populous political expression for the lazy in the USA.  It is bigger than Gingrick's statements.  There was a reason for the applause and it stems from the 'populous' expression of anger.  It relates to the deficit and debt.  See, the national debt would disappear if it weren't for the lazy poor in the country.

Maybe the Repubicans are simply trying to cover up the fact their welfare reform under Gingrick has resulted in the unemployed under Bush.

The 'condition' of the land has a direct effect on climate.

January 10, 2012
USA Drought Monitor

Despite rains that have visited Texas in recent weeks, the drought is profound.

In the satellite picture below it is noted to have a heat transfer system extending from Mexico to the eastern third of the country.

There is an 'interruption' in the image over the extremely dry southern tip of Texas.  That is not simply 'the weather' is a result of 'the drought.'

January 17, 2012

1730 z

UNISYS Infrared Satellite Image of the continental USA

The land in Texas is so parched it does not lend itself to rainfall. 

When the weather system passes over poorly conditioned land the air heats up and absorbs the heat.  As a result the 'water vapor' contained in the weather system is evaporated. 

The reason Texas is remaining unrecoverable from the drought is because it has created its own hostile climate outcome.

One of the remarkable climate on the West Coast is contained in the Redwood Forest.  There is not necessarily rain in the region in general, but, every morning when the ocean mist rests over the Redwoods it accumulates a humidity within the trees themselves due to the trees use of water for growth and nutrition.  As the day progresses and the trees 'respirate' they provide high humidity to the own climate.  Literally, the Redwood Forest maintains its own climate due to its storage and use of water vapor.

The same is true in Montain Forests or Cloud Forests.  They create and maintain their own climate through their use of water vapor.

In the case of Texas the drought has created a very dry climate for the region.  That dry climate simply reinforces itself due to lack of 'climate systems' that provide their own climate and the surrounding region.

Those two images are a full one week apart, yet it is profoundly simple to realize why they are so strongly related.

The auditors are not finished reviewing the Governor's past ten years of returns yet!

by Tom McGregor
Thu, Jan 5, 2012, 03:31 AM

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, (click title to entry - thank you) a multimillionaire and the wealthiest GOP presidential candidate, disclosed that he would never release his income tax returns if he wins the party’s nomination. He’s setting himself apart from past nominees in both political parties who have routinely done so.

Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports that, “Romney whose recent disclosure in august estimated his personal wealth as much as $250 million, said Dec. 22 he had already released extensive financial information and had no ‘current plans’ to make his current tax returns public.”…

Time to bring in the salvage companies.

This is the most hideous accident I have ever witnessed.  The crew was completely incompetent in conducting the safety of passengers.  Their only defense is the bizarre content of the disaster. 

If divers cannot find those missing there is a chance it is a dangerous situation to explore.  The divers need to assess the prospects of retrieving any people still within the hull of the ship.  The reality may be, those still missing are not within reach in the current position of the ship.

I am not familiar with the tides and underwater environment including stability of the soils, but, there is the possibility the ship could drift further offshore with arrival of rough weather, etc. 

The shipline should be held responsible in the most profound manner for this disaster.  Besides the missing and traumatized there will be a environmental disaster accompanying it.  I can't believe commercial interests of 'seeking cheap thrills for passengers' actually took priority over every other operational priority.  Amazing.  Competition is that tough, huh?  If competition is that tough then it isn't profitable to leave port at all.

...my living will not be in vain.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. -
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Morning Papers" - Its Origins

The Rooster
"Okeydoke"

"Good Night Moon"

The last quarter, 21.9 day old moon, 52.6% lit:

How much is the religious bigotry, based in fear of Muslims, of the right also impacts American minorities?

...After (click title to entry - thank you) winning the Heavyweight Championship of the World, Cassius Clay announced his conversion to the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims) under Elijah Muhammad. From that point forward, Mohammed Ali used his world celebrity to tell America of the plight African Americans had suffered. He was articulate and possessed an excellent speaking voice. And so, at the height of the conflict for Civil Rights, it was decided the best way to silence and punish Ali for his outspoken remarks was to draft him into the service....

Indeed, that left wing dominated media is a real killer, isn't it?

Real conservatives.  Hmmm...  Sort of like 'the orthodoxy,' right?  The unshakable.  The 'proud to be a slave owner' history.  Those 'real' conservatives?

...Real conservatives (click title to entry - thank you) do not go peeking under mattresses to try and flush out people who are not politically correct. That's what liberals do, like this guy in the Nation magazine who finds racism in ever utterance by a Republican.

In fact, the writings this bozo cited were all work I did for a newsletter that existed for the very purpose of puncturing pretensions of political correctness. It was called  Heterodoxy and it was published by David Horowitz and Peter Collier.

As the name implies, the whole and entire purpose of Heterodoxy was to challenge the reigning orthodoxy embraced by the liberals who mostly control the mass media....

The GOP's Blatant Racism (click here)

Gary Younge

January 10, 2012  

 

This article appeared in the January 30, 2012 edition of The Nation. (from Real Clear Politics - click here)

 

...Neither is the point to show how Republicans leverage racial anxiety for electoral effect. According to the Agriculture Department, more whites use food stamps than blacks and Latinos combined. By coloring poverty and food insecurity black, even in areas where few black people exist, Republicans hope to spin food stamps as a racial entitlement program, diverting attention from their attempts to balance the budget on the stomachs of the poor. Republicans want to slash spending on food stamps by around 20 percent and in June voted to cut the WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, which provides assistance to poor pregnant women, mothers and children, by 10 percent. All of this is important. But efforts to encourage whites to identify with their race rather than their class, as though the two could be separated and then ranked, is an age-old ploy perfected first by Southern Democrats....

"The Color of Conscience" (click title to entry - thank you)

Middle Schoolers Study Area Racism (click here)

Jan. 13, 2012 8:42 a.m.

Middle school students in Coeur d'Alene are viewing film footage of their own community this morning, as part of a classroom lesson on racism. The Idaho Public Television special, “The Color of Conscience,” is being shown to Lakes Magnet Middle School students. Following the showing of the film, students in all the school's advisory classes will participate in  teacher-led followup discussions on racism. Produced by Idaho Public Television host, Marcia Franklin, “The Color of Conscience” first aired in May....