The Rooster "Okeydoke"
Saturday, January 30, 2010
What the Massachusetts Election meant to Russia.
Russia is learning very quickly how toxic the propaganda of the Political Right can be to the electorate of the USA. Russia will NOT tolerate another Iraq War.
New Russian-U.S. arms treaty expected soon - foreign minister (click title to entry - thank you)
13:1225/12/2009
A new U.S.-Russian strategic arms reduction treaty should be signed in the very near future, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
"The work has effectively entered the home stretch," he said. "Just a little is left to be done: The presidents have issued unambiguous instructions, and now it is up to professionals and experts to commit that to paper."
Moscow and Washington are expected to sign a new document at the beginning of 2010 to replace the START 1 treaty, which expired on December 5.
Lavrov said last week the new treaty envisions "radical" cuts in the number of strategic offensive weapons.
Medvedev and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama announced at their first meeting in April that the countries would replace the START I treaty as part of their efforts to "reset" bilateral ties.
The treaty's outline agreed by the presidents included cutting nuclear arsenals to 1,500-1,675 operational warheads and delivery vehicles to 500-1,000.
MOSCOW, December 25 (RIA Novosti)
Both the President of Russia, Dmitriy Medvedev and the President of the USA, Barak Obama will sign a Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. My guess is within the year. But, Russia will not ever again trust the USA with global stability. The Massachusetts election proved the USA is far to fluid a country to expect a stable and corruption free government.
While the people of the USA exhibit a very short memory to the past decade, Russia and the other nations around the globe remember all too clearly the issues that presented with Iraq and the USA Investment Banks. The global community will posture itself from here on to protect from such issues again.
Recently Taiwan purchased weapons as well and China is having a fit. China is so angry it is backing away from environmental agreements and now with the exhibit of the poor choices of the American electorate, the game will change in a significant way.
I don't blame them. At all. As a matter of fact, it would be best if Russia were accepted into NATO.
During the Bush/Cheney years the confidence in the USA as a peacemaker and benevolent global power was completely shattered. Russia and China have been busy all those years in diplomatic relations with 'near border' nations to the USA. That diplomacy will continue and we will see more and more trade with Russia and China into Central and South America. I would not be surprised if Russia and/or China come to the aid of Mexico in President Calderon's plea for UN relief to his government.
The more the demographics of the House and Senate shift to elections of Republicans, the more the USA will again be marginalized globally both economically and diplomatically. It isn't as though Russia isn't seeking a sound and benevolent relationship with President Obama and the USA. Quite the contrary. Russia wants to engage in nuclear non-proliferation, but, it remembers all too well the three page document handed to then President Putin that destroyed nuclear arms stability by Walker Bush.
Obama's prescription for America (click here)
21:1628/01/2010
...Obama did not apologize for anything, nor did he admit any failures of his first year in the White House. He made it clear that his election slogan about "change we can believe in" remains on the agenda. America will change....The Russian Military Industrial Complex has been tooling up to produce whatever conventional weapons are marketable. Russia is turning a profit on its military industry while remaining mostly 'at peace' with other countries. I say mostly at peace, as both South Ossetia and Abkhazia are high priorities for Russian vigilance.
The Irish Times - Saturday, January 30, 2010
Georgia plans for ties with Abkhazia and S Ossetia (click here)
DANIEL McLAUGHLINGEORGIA HAS drawn up a plan to strengthen economic and social links with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in the hope of eventually regaining control of two rebel regions that Russia has recognised as independent states.
The Georgian government said it “rejects the pursuit of a military solution” in seeking to “achieve the full de-occupation . . . and reverse the process of annexation of these territories by the Russian Federation”, following a five-day war between Moscow’s and Tbilisi’s forces in August 2008.
Tbilisi’s new strategy is intended to restore grassroots co-operation between Georgians, Abkhaz and South Ossetians, by restoring trade links, developing social and cultural projects and improving access to healthcare and education for people in the two disputed territories.
Russia’s military crushed a Georgian bid to retake control of South Ossetia in 2008 and swiftly poured troops into that region and Abkhazia and recognised them as independent states....
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| MOSCOW, January 29 (Itar-Tass) (click here) - Russia prepares an agreement on fight against illegal migration to be signed with Abkhazia and South Ossetia, deputy director of the Federal Migration Service Anatoly Kuznetsov told reporters on Friday. Kuznetsov took part in a session of the Coordinating Council of heads of CSTO competent agencies on fight against illegal migration. “Our department is drafting agreements on fight against illegal migration to sign them with South Ossetia and Abkhazia,” he said, specifying that the documents are almost ready. “We are ready to sign shortly an agreement connected with fight against illegal immigrants,” he summed up. |
Russia and the global community have exhibited a great deal of patience for the American people to come out of their 'funk' over September 11th and the ravages of adverse propaganda that resulted in a second disasterous term of Bush and Cheney. But, with more and more uncertainty of the 'mood' of the American electorate, the overall optimism will diminish to the 'return of sanity' by the American people.
Basically, Russia will be sure every country on the global was sufficient conventional weapons to protect its borders and sovereignty while they are also free to create alliances that will secure their economies and international trade.
Sadly, the lability of the American electorate is proving to be too much a burden for most nation's reassurance of national security.
Russia, Libya Sign $1.8 Billion Arms Deal (click here)
30 January 2010Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says Moscow has agreed to sell Libya weapons in a $1.8 billion deal.
Mr. Putin made the announcement Saturday while meeting with the head of Izhmash, a major Russian gun manufacturer.
He said the contract was signed Friday, and covers both small arms and more complex weapons.
Russia's Interfax news agency had quoted a "military diplomatic source" as saying Libya was ready to buy about 20 fighter planes from Moscow, as well as air defense systems and several dozen tanks.
Libyan Defense Minister Major General Younis Jaber met with officials in Moscow earlier this week.
The deal with Libya follows a report by Russia's state-owned arms export monopoly claiming overseas sales of military equipment rose 10 percent in 2009....
Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Published: Jan. 20, 2010 at 5:38 PM
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- First lady Michelle Obama asked U.S. mayors Wednesday not to cut the fat from their budgets but to help children overcome obesity.
Obama spoke about childhood obesity during the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington. Obama last week said the issue would be one of her key initiatives as she begins her second year as the first lady.
"Right now, nearly one third of children in America are overweight or obese -- one in three," Obama said. "And one third of all children today will eventually suffer from diabetes (and) in the African American and Latino communities, it goes up to almost half."
She called obesity "one of the biggest threats to the American economy."...
Obesity is a serious health concern for children and adolescents. (click title to entry - thank you) Data from NHANES surveys (1976–1980 and 2003–2006) show that the prevalence of obesity has increased: for children aged 2–5 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 12.4%; for those aged 6–11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5% to 17.0%; and for those aged 12–19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0% to 17.6%.1, 46...
An Overview of Childhood Obesity (click here)
The Post defines overweight children as those with BMI in the 85th to 94th percentile and obese as those in the 95th and higher. This follows the 2007 recommendations of the Expert Committee on the Assessment, Prevention and Treatment of Child and Adolescent Overweight and Obesity.
If New York City does not want the trials of international criminals responsible for terrorist attacks, then I think it is a no brainer really.
U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia
Ever since that terrible day in September the nation has deferred to the wishes of the people of New York City and primarily the 911 families. I don't see that the nation has to be any less sensitive under the Obama Administration.
I find it admirable that President Obama has stared down the security issue and is confident a trial can be conducted in New York City, but, there is no reason to get folks upset.
The U.S. District Court in Alexandria, Virginia has already been tired for security and effective handling of terrorist suspects. It has known capacity and it should be the place where future trials are conducted.
That is my opinion.
In case no one recognizes the place where Zacarias Moussaoui was convicted, this is it. The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is where the trial was held while the military supervised his transport, etc. It would be a smooth transition with military supervision from Gitmo to the courts to be sentenced and moved to Super Max.
I simply don't see the return of military tribunals for anything except battlefield issues. The issue with military tribunals is the 'terms' of which prisoners are held. They are POWs and we have already witnessed ineffective handling of the two men that were sent to Saudi rehabilitation programs and then returned to Yemen. It wasn't a good idea. I don't believe we have to revisit that blunder.
The people that commit such heinous acts need to be tried and sentenced, not perpetually held for torture the rest of their lives.
More older Americans struggling with chronic conditions, study finds.
MONDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) -- The disability rate among U.S. senior citizens is on the rise, a surprise considering the rate had been falling since the 1980s, new research has found.
"People are living longer, but many are also living sicker," study co-author Amani Nuru-Jeter, an assistant professor of community health and human development at the University of California Berkeley School of Public Health, said in a university news release. "This study is providing an early warning sign that the decline in disability rates we've been hearing about might be ending."
After analyzing the period from 2000-2005, the researchers found a 9 percent increase in the number of non-institutionalized people aged 65 and older who said they have difficulty handling day-to-day activities, including dressing and bathing, because of a problem lasting six months or more....
National Center for Geriatrics and Gerentology (click here)
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (click here)
Office of Applied Studies
Division of Population Surveys
1 Choke Cherry Road, Room 7-1044
Rockville, MD 20857
September 2009
Date: 1/29/2010
Media Contact: HHS: (202) 690-6145
Telephone: 240-276-2130
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULES REQUIRING PARITY IN TREATMENT OF MENTAL, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS (click here)
Paul Wellstone, Pete Domenici Parity Act Prohibits Discrimination The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury today jointly issued new rules providing parity for consumers enrolled in group health plans who need treatment for mental health or substance use disorders.
“The rules we are issuing today will, for the first time, help assure that those diagnosed with these debilitating and sometimes life-threatening disorders will not suffer needless or arbitrary limits on their care,” said Secretary Sebelius. “I applaud the long-standing and bipartisan effort that made these important new protections possible.”
“Today’s rules will bring needed relief to families faced with meeting the cost of obtaining mental health and substance abuse services,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The benefits will give these Americans access to greatly needed medical treatment, which will better allow them to participate fully in society. That’s not just sound policy, it’s the right thing to do.”
“Workers covered by group health plans who need mental health and substance abuse care deserve fair treatment,” said Deputy Treasury Secretary Neal Wolin. “These rules expand on existing protections to ensure that people don't face unnecessary barriers to the treatment they need.”
The new rules prohibit group health insurance plans—typically offered by employers—from restricting access to care by limiting benefits and requiring higher patient costs than those that apply to general medical or surgical benefits. The rules implement the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA)....
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act
Pictured from left to right are Marcelle Leahy, wife of Senator Leahy, Lilly Ledbetter, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy, Jeanne Hulit, SBA Regional Administrator, and Jacqueline Cooke, Women's Bureau Regional Administrator.
Vermont's "Women's Economic Opportunity Conference"
The U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau was a key sponsor of Vermont's "Women's Economic Opportunity Conference" presented by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and featuring special keynote speaker, Lilly Ledbetter, on October 17, 2009 at Vermont Technical College in Randolph, Vermont. Approximately 300 women participated in the exciting Conference hearing a stirring speech about the the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the first bill signed into law by President Obama in January 2009, by Ms. Ledbetter. The Saturday event also included exhibits and workshops on the economy, resume writing, public speaking, business development, and education. The Women's Bureau staffed an exhibit table with information on non-traditional occupations for women, financial literacy, workplace flexibility, and the history of the Bureau. Additional sponsors and exhibiters included the Vermont Commission on Women, the Vermont Department of Labor, Vermont Works for Women, the Vermont Small Business Development Center, and Vermont Technical College.
Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis (click here)
Remarks as Prepared for Delivery
National Council of Negro Women
Washington, DC
December 2, 2009
Good morning.
It's a pleasure to be here.
Thank you Tina (Tchen) for that kind introduction.
I want to thank Tina Tchen (Chen) for work she's done for women and families, and the great work she is doing in the Office of Public Engagement and as Executive Director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Dorothy Height may be in the audience. I also want to acknowledge and thank Dr. Height for her decades of hard work for equality and human rights.
I'm proud to be part of the Obama Administration and serve my country as the Secretary of Labor. And I am proud to be part of an Administration dedicated to improving the lives of America's women and girls. I'm honored to work among a diverse group of women leaders in this administration, and to join the ranks of the largest contingent of African American women and Latina's to work for this president...
...All of these experiences and lessons have shaped me and my goal for the Department of Labor. My goal is simple ... a good job for everyone. Good jobs are:
- Jobs that can support a family by increasing incomes and narrowing the wage gap.
- Jobs that are safe and secure, and give people a voice in the workplace.
- Jobs that are sustainable — like green jobs.
- And jobs that rebuild and restore a strong middle class.
Good jobs are still a challenge for many of our young African-American and Latino brothers and sisters. And even though women have made great strides in education and in the job market, we need to take a closer look at the realities....
Hope for the Jobless
Instant View: Durables up slightly in Dec; jobless claims fall (click here)
NEW YORK (Reuters) - New orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods increased less than expected in December, restrained by an unexpected drop in civilian aircraft bookings, while jobless claims fell last week.KEY POINTS:
* The Commerce Department said durable goods orders rose 0.3 percent after a 0.4 percent decline in November, which had been reported as a 0.7 percent drop in the government's most recent report.
* The government this month revised down factory and durable goods orders data for November, citing a processing error. Analysts polled by Reuters forecast orders rising 2 percent last month on the basis of 59 aircraft orders received by Boeing, up from only nine in November.
* The report showed non-defense aircraft and parts orders tumbled 38.2 percent last month after a 40.0 percent drop the month before. Defense aircraft orders rose 14.7 percent after a 10.4 percent fall in November.
JOBLESS CLAIMS: The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance fell last week in a sign of stronger labor market conditions, but the drop was less than expected, government data showed on Thursday....
1. Purpose. The purpose of this joint issuance from the Assistant Secretary of the
Employment and Training Administration and the Deputy Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division is to provide guidance to states that may be considering implementation of subsidized work-based training initiatives for unemployed workers, which could include
claimants who are receiving unemployment compensation (UC), exhaustees of UC, and/or other unemployed workers who may not be eligible for UC. This advisory is intended to help states understand applicable Federal laws, regulations, and policies
related to the Social Security Act and the Federal Unemployment Tax Act (which govern the Unemployment Compensation program), the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as amended, as they develop and implement these types of initiatives....
The American Bald Eagle. It is with us today because of American conservation and the Endangered Species Act.
January 26, 2010
Milford, Pennsylvania
It is always an amazing thing to see when I look at these raptors how they can perch and look behind them. It is an adaptive genetic characteristic. They live in pairs. They are good parents.
The only way I won't be on the net to carry out my patriotic duty is if the power goes down due to ice and snow. There is currently a foot of snow outside the door and it is still coming down.
I remember the last time the snow blower came out of the shed. It was a storm similar to this one.
In my testimony to the EPA, page 8 of 27 shows the citations to note the storm and the picture NASA took of the region. (click here)
December 4 and 5, 2002 – CNN.com/weather, “Winter comes early to Carolinas, Forecasters say 1 million could be without (electrical) power.”
If President Obama wasn't a man of god I would be worried about our nation.
The President and the Democratic majorities need to move past the rhetoric of the Republicans.
I sincerely appreciate President Obama's outreach project, but, people are dying from lack of health care and the Republicans haven't been serious about that fact for nearly two decades.
With all do respect, the Republicans do not have a good track record and their greatest strength to date has been propaganda. Something tells me we are caught in a rut. I understand the methodology the the good President is using, but, in all honesty it requires too much schooling to bring Republicans 'up to speed' and it is time to move on.
Please.
I will remind, the electorate has been struggling to place a Democratic majority in the House and White House for over half a decade, now is not the time for outreach. I don't think I can say that any more simply.
I'll read the Republican bill to the public through this website beginning tomorrow, but, it is time to move the agenda forward and forget about the lies and the web of deceit they enjoy. Reading their plan might actually bring about insight that can bridge the gap, but, if that document is the Republican plan it lacks significant substance by the jokingly appearance of it.
I believe the Republican Health Care bill they referred to in conference yesterday is HR 3400 (click here).
It is a tedious website, but, someone has to do it. I'll tell you right now it is a flop.
"To provide for incentives to encourage health insurance coverage, and for other purposes."
This has been the venue of The Republicans since time began. They use 'incentives' to eek out some kind of cooperation. That means there is no 'teeth' to this bill and what has held true of every Republican administration over the past three plus decades is true here. The USA Middle Class and Health Care Consumer is left in an abyss of authority. There is absolutely no reason why health insurance companies have to do anything if they don't want to. The bill is laced already with the word "incentives." Health care insurance in the year 2010 is NOT about incentives. Incentives are corrupt and it is why Republicans are never trusted with these issues, but, I'll read it anyway and with an open mind.
This is the RNC website and I'll be happy to read this as well. Click here.
It is real easy for me to say these things because I have lived the Republican nightmare called the USA for too long and it is time to 'get over it.'
Tomorrow then.
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