Low Prices due to high inventory.
Poor wages for unskilled labor.
A really screwed up Trade Balance.
Debt in the government instead of revenue.
It's ridiculous.
Warehouses replaced Main Street and the only employees needed are tow motor operators.
Ridiculous.
When domestic companies produce their products 'to demand' their profit margins increase, their work force stabilizes, their labor force is more competent and their wages and benefits increase with efficiency and competency.
Transportation costs go down while the quality of products increase with better labor.
The entire economy of the USA is backwards. Completely, absolutely backwards.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
All those tax cuts for businesses the Republicans claim to need to stimulate jobs?
It isn't about jobs, it is about destroying entitlements. Absolutely. Never thought otherwise.
I don't know why anyone votes them into office. Seriously.
I don't know why anyone votes them into office. Seriously.
Oh, heck, no.
The 'cost cutting' Republicans want to do to 'stimulate' job creation is not a real priority. We know for a fact that is an artificial agenda item ESPECIALLY in this economic environment.
Nope. That isn't it.
Any CEO will state "The best tax structure for a company to increase jobs is ZERO tax burden."
Well, sure. But, that is not a guarantee there will be jobs created.
A ZERO tax burden for the entire Middle Class will stimulate jobs more than a ZERO tax burden for corporations. As a matter of fact, ZERO tax burden on the Middle Class will stimulate the economy beyond any imagination and the American people could probably recover the economy themselves.
But, this economic environment it is not possible to do that. The governments at any level are important and cannot be abandoned for the sake of anarchy. So, the idea ZERO tax burden for Middle Class is a priority is not prudent. An agenda item, but, not a priority.
But, to believe cutting taxes on corporations will stimulate jobs is nonsense. We know it is nonsense.
The disproportionate Bush tax cuts for the wealthy have to stop. They are ridiculous. I do believe the wealthy have hired all the lawn maintenance people they are going to hire in the last ten years.
Enough for now.
Nope. That isn't it.
Any CEO will state "The best tax structure for a company to increase jobs is ZERO tax burden."
Well, sure. But, that is not a guarantee there will be jobs created.
A ZERO tax burden for the entire Middle Class will stimulate jobs more than a ZERO tax burden for corporations. As a matter of fact, ZERO tax burden on the Middle Class will stimulate the economy beyond any imagination and the American people could probably recover the economy themselves.
But, this economic environment it is not possible to do that. The governments at any level are important and cannot be abandoned for the sake of anarchy. So, the idea ZERO tax burden for Middle Class is a priority is not prudent. An agenda item, but, not a priority.
But, to believe cutting taxes on corporations will stimulate jobs is nonsense. We know it is nonsense.
The disproportionate Bush tax cuts for the wealthy have to stop. They are ridiculous. I do believe the wealthy have hired all the lawn maintenance people they are going to hire in the last ten years.
Enough for now.
A couple of things and then I'm finished for now.
Rebekah Brooks stated the legal services paid for and the agreement to pay for them by News Corp is a form of accommodating the crime.
I am going to displace the concept to bring focus. Let's say there is malpractice in a hospital and a lawsuit if filed. The hospital employs many people. Those people are witnesses to any malpractice or negligence. Commonly, very commonly, nurses and those that document are mentored into 'documenting defensively.' In other words they are not suppose to implicate any physician, staff member or anyone else in any way in committing any incident the hospital might be legally responsible.
That is a fact and it happens in the medical profession everyday.
In the larger world professionals such as physical therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists have the option of having a personal liability policy to cover any such incident so they aren't impacted by others or themselves in their lives.
This is getting ugly and lengthy, but, then imagine a nurses working on a hospital unit having their own insurance and some not having their own 'practice' insurance. (practice insurance is know by the public as malpractice insurance). Now, imagine 'an incident' of negligence occurring on that unit. There are anywhere from two to three shifts per unit with professionals rotating through to cover the 'care needs' of the patients on that unit. The documentation by the 'staff' is not necessarily going to be identical for several reasons, but, one of those reasons is that some see themselves as 'safe' to practice according to ethical and legal standards of their profession and some are not. Where professionals providing patient care are only insured by the hospital their 'demeanors' and 'their advice' regarding any incident that requires testimony in court is dictated by the same legal team serving the hospital. There are hospitals in this country that ask all their staff to not carry independent practice policies for that reason alone. Because if a nurse has a personal practice policy the lawyers involved with her policy will be different than those representing the hospital and the testimony of that nurse, based on her documentation, could be very different and implicate others rather than exonerate them.
The same dynamic is playing out here with the testimony of the people subpoenaed to testify today to the British panel. Rebeckah Brooks stated the legal fees were paid and will be paid by New Corp because the employees leaving asked that to be the case. It is my estimation the legal fees were offered as a settlement to those leaving the paper so News Corp had control of the outcome through their legal team. At any rate, it is unethical for such dynamics to exist, even though it does, because of conflict of interest between the employees and the company. Actions by employees are not necessarily within policy, especially where that corporate culture is corrupt and over reaches its authority.
In regard to USA Entitlements and the Debt Ceiling.
Oh, yeah, Brooks also contradicts the amount of 'contact' between the Managing Editors and Rupert. He stated, 'when he had to' and she stated, 'one or twice a week.' Once or twice a week of a global organization the size of New Corp is micromanagement, company policy and practice and not a casual interest. It is my estimation Brooks is more correct as she has been arrested and has more on the line as her testimony will be considered in her legal charges which could even extend them.
I want to entertain the thought that 'extending and strengthening' Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid might be an excellent strategic move for the Middle Class and Poor.
If I may.
There was a profound reality that existed in the years of Bush and Cheney and that was SSI, Medicare and Medicaid were under attack in a very unique way. I have mentioned this before. :Literally, Bush would remove the military budget and submit it to Congress annually in that context. It was "W"rong and unethical, but, always seemed to be justified in one way or another and never received the attention it should except perhaps in the pages of newsprint concerned with the topic.
President Obama is looking at the future of the programs and deciding how best to protect them after his years as President. One of the ways is to reduce the size of the PERCENTAGE these programs carry in the federal budget especially since the country and the Joint Chiefs are actively seeking to reduce their budget as time goes by.
We cannot admit there was no such strategy or attack against our entitlement programs that protects the most vulnerable in our country. I happened and if allowed to continue long enough would have succeeded. Part of the goal that is actively generated over and over and over again by this House of Representatives is to bring spending down without raising taxes to provide more stress on the entitlement programs to fall under scrutiny to end them or change them. They don't care about destroying Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. They have already proven to be hostile to the citizens of the USA in their repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act which never passed the Senate.
Eventually, President Obama will leave the Oval Office and the American citizen will be vulnerable to the ravages of extremist conservatives, which Bush and Cheney are, all over again. I am fairly sure that all problems with our entitlements are being looked at by President Obama and I am also sure he means what he says when stating, "to extend and strengthen' the entitlements.
It is "W"rong that so many Republicans hate the agenda of the American citizens to provide security to our most vulnerable and portraying a country committed to their people without question. It can even be said that destroying entitlements is a human rights violation. But, that does not change the 'status' of the potential to destroy these programs should 'the wind change again' and hostile political interests come into power over our government.
That perspective might be laughable by some. I hope it is. But, the President I elected does the best he can for all of us and I still believe that without any doubt. He doesn't even come close to being "Bush Light" and I'll discuss the issue of the military later.
It has been a day not to forget.
Regards.
I am going to displace the concept to bring focus. Let's say there is malpractice in a hospital and a lawsuit if filed. The hospital employs many people. Those people are witnesses to any malpractice or negligence. Commonly, very commonly, nurses and those that document are mentored into 'documenting defensively.' In other words they are not suppose to implicate any physician, staff member or anyone else in any way in committing any incident the hospital might be legally responsible.
That is a fact and it happens in the medical profession everyday.
In the larger world professionals such as physical therapists, nurses, respiratory therapists have the option of having a personal liability policy to cover any such incident so they aren't impacted by others or themselves in their lives.
This is getting ugly and lengthy, but, then imagine a nurses working on a hospital unit having their own insurance and some not having their own 'practice' insurance. (practice insurance is know by the public as malpractice insurance). Now, imagine 'an incident' of negligence occurring on that unit. There are anywhere from two to three shifts per unit with professionals rotating through to cover the 'care needs' of the patients on that unit. The documentation by the 'staff' is not necessarily going to be identical for several reasons, but, one of those reasons is that some see themselves as 'safe' to practice according to ethical and legal standards of their profession and some are not. Where professionals providing patient care are only insured by the hospital their 'demeanors' and 'their advice' regarding any incident that requires testimony in court is dictated by the same legal team serving the hospital. There are hospitals in this country that ask all their staff to not carry independent practice policies for that reason alone. Because if a nurse has a personal practice policy the lawyers involved with her policy will be different than those representing the hospital and the testimony of that nurse, based on her documentation, could be very different and implicate others rather than exonerate them.
The same dynamic is playing out here with the testimony of the people subpoenaed to testify today to the British panel. Rebeckah Brooks stated the legal fees were paid and will be paid by New Corp because the employees leaving asked that to be the case. It is my estimation the legal fees were offered as a settlement to those leaving the paper so News Corp had control of the outcome through their legal team. At any rate, it is unethical for such dynamics to exist, even though it does, because of conflict of interest between the employees and the company. Actions by employees are not necessarily within policy, especially where that corporate culture is corrupt and over reaches its authority.
In regard to USA Entitlements and the Debt Ceiling.
Oh, yeah, Brooks also contradicts the amount of 'contact' between the Managing Editors and Rupert. He stated, 'when he had to' and she stated, 'one or twice a week.' Once or twice a week of a global organization the size of New Corp is micromanagement, company policy and practice and not a casual interest. It is my estimation Brooks is more correct as she has been arrested and has more on the line as her testimony will be considered in her legal charges which could even extend them.
I want to entertain the thought that 'extending and strengthening' Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid might be an excellent strategic move for the Middle Class and Poor.
If I may.
There was a profound reality that existed in the years of Bush and Cheney and that was SSI, Medicare and Medicaid were under attack in a very unique way. I have mentioned this before. :Literally, Bush would remove the military budget and submit it to Congress annually in that context. It was "W"rong and unethical, but, always seemed to be justified in one way or another and never received the attention it should except perhaps in the pages of newsprint concerned with the topic.
President Obama is looking at the future of the programs and deciding how best to protect them after his years as President. One of the ways is to reduce the size of the PERCENTAGE these programs carry in the federal budget especially since the country and the Joint Chiefs are actively seeking to reduce their budget as time goes by.
We cannot admit there was no such strategy or attack against our entitlement programs that protects the most vulnerable in our country. I happened and if allowed to continue long enough would have succeeded. Part of the goal that is actively generated over and over and over again by this House of Representatives is to bring spending down without raising taxes to provide more stress on the entitlement programs to fall under scrutiny to end them or change them. They don't care about destroying Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid. They have already proven to be hostile to the citizens of the USA in their repeal of the Affordable Health Care Act which never passed the Senate.
Eventually, President Obama will leave the Oval Office and the American citizen will be vulnerable to the ravages of extremist conservatives, which Bush and Cheney are, all over again. I am fairly sure that all problems with our entitlements are being looked at by President Obama and I am also sure he means what he says when stating, "to extend and strengthen' the entitlements.
It is "W"rong that so many Republicans hate the agenda of the American citizens to provide security to our most vulnerable and portraying a country committed to their people without question. It can even be said that destroying entitlements is a human rights violation. But, that does not change the 'status' of the potential to destroy these programs should 'the wind change again' and hostile political interests come into power over our government.
That perspective might be laughable by some. I hope it is. But, the President I elected does the best he can for all of us and I still believe that without any doubt. He doesn't even come close to being "Bush Light" and I'll discuss the issue of the military later.
It has been a day not to forget.
Regards.
Pie in the face is not a terrorist act. It is usually considered a compliment by comedians.
Media mogul (click here) and Fox News founder Rupert Murdoch was reportedly attacked by a pie-thrower during hearings before members of the British Parliament Tuesday.
According to live reports, a man threw a “white substance” at Murdoch during the hearings. The screen capture above, posted by Reuters’ Felix Salmon, clearly shows a of some kind. Someone, perhaps Fox executive Janet Nova and perhaps Murdoch’s wife Wendi Deng Murdoch, intercepted the pie. Murdoch was not hit.
The pie-throwing incident gave a surreal twist to the hearings, which are aimed at uncovering more information about the allegations of voicemail hacking by employees of the Murdoch-owned (and now shuttered) News of the World.
While insulting the self made CEO of "News Corp" is gratifying for some, it is unfortunate as it gives a reason for embarrassment of the members of the board questioning the Murdochs and distracts from the brevity of the fact a young girl's cell phone was hacked sending parents and police into wild imagings that the girl would be home 'if only.'
Is a pie in the face a terrorist act? (click title to entry - thank you)
JOHN LEWANDOWSKI
Halifax— The Canadian Press
Published Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010 11:04AM EST
Last updated Monday, Mar. 15, 2010 3:49PM EDT
A Liberal MP thinks the federal government should investigate a U.S.-based animal rights group under Canada’s anti-terrorism laws after a pie was pushed into the face of Fisheries Minister Gail Shea.
Gerry Byrne’s outrage stems from an incident Monday in which Ms. Shea was hit in the face with a tofu cream pie as she was about to deliver a speech in Burlington, Ont….
James and Rupert Murdoch seemed to have come completely unprepared for questions.
I stated, "I reviewed my notes, the facts of the case and any official reports." It would seem as though the Murdochs lack the 'quality' of preparedness.
How convenient. I suppose their calendars are so full, there is simply no time to prepare for such 'consequential' hearings following such a scandal.
One might consider that rude. One might consider it prudent. But, the only real 'quality' that comes to mind is 'piss poor management and attitude' regarding any and all matters of brevity.
The time delay in broadcasting the Murdochs testimony has GROWN to a full sentence and increasing...
...soon it will become a burdened viewership and they will start to change to other topics.
That much of a growing delay in broadcasting live testimony is CENSORSHIP. That is the ability of digital signal over others, so interject their own reality if necessary. What a reality check that would be for the FOX network to promote.
CNN and MSNBC are simulatious in their coverage and far more 'uninterrupted' than FOX.
Monday, July 18, 2011
"Implied Consent" - Rupert Murdoch is involved in all this up to his ears. He can't get away...
Anyone that wants to glamorize the devil and the hell he created is questionable in his own right. No matter the defense, I ain't buying it.
...Nearly 60 years later, (click title to entry - thank you) Murdoch is the head of a $33 billion media empire, the News Corporation, dominated by its holdings in television and film. Yet even though newspapers account for less than 17 percent of the company’s revenues, Murdoch still thinks of himself as a newspaperman. And there is still nothing more thrilling to him than a scoop by one of his papers — the more salacious, the better. How those stories are obtained has never been of much concern to him. In Murdoch’s mind, at least, it’s still life or death....
He turned a 168 year old newspaper into a scandal rag without ethics that operated above the law. There is nothing to say anymore, except, the archives will sell well at "Sotheby's" or "Christies."
The United States of America, Murdoch's preferred homeland, is either 235 years old or 228 years old depending on whether one recognizes the Treaty of Paris in 1783 as international communities do. "The News of the World" covered most of the USA's existence. THAT is meaningless? Allowing such history to be transformed into lawlessness is okay? I don't think so. Not where I was born and raised.
"He ain't Muslim is he?"
Herman Cain, there is nothing NEW about religious bigotry.
So. Baptist Chides Herman Cain for Mosque Comments (click title to entry - thank you)
Mon, Jul. 18 2011 02:09 PM EDT
Southern Baptist leader Richard Land chided presidential candidate Herman Cain for disregarding the constitutional rights of U.S. Muslims during a Monday C-SPAN interview. He reminded Cain that as a Christian and an African American, he should have a special interest in the enforcement of the constitution in all communities, not just approving ones….
I happen to greed with every aspect of what Baptist Leader Land stated.
And.
I would also be very worried about THE INFRINGEMENT on the First Amendment IF the governments of the USA were to begin to pass "Sharia Law" in legislation. Careful now, because, there are many aspects of Christianity that is universal and if Sharia Law is to be banned ANYWHERE in legislation, then so must Christian Law.
Interesting though, Jesus Christ is a Prophet to the Muslim faith. Odd, that Mr. Cain could not see it clearly when he victimized the Muslim people of Murfeesboro.
Mr. Cain is being nothing short of a 'flame thrower' while fanning the flames of hate. He needs to apologize to the Muslims of Murfeesboro and pay a visit to their congregation for a town hall on hate and the inappropriate nature of violent speech when it translate into harm and actions. If I didn't know better the hate mongers against the Murfeesboro Mosque are hoping to push someone, anyone in the Muslim Community over the edge. Maybe, if they get lucky, the Imam himself. Then, for sure, they and all the hate mongers in the USA will find their justification with something called "Aggravated Crime of one kind or another !" What will be obvious to everyone else is exactly whom aggravated it.
PEACE.
And.
I would also be very worried about THE INFRINGEMENT on the First Amendment IF the governments of the USA were to begin to pass "Sharia Law" in legislation. Careful now, because, there are many aspects of Christianity that is universal and if Sharia Law is to be banned ANYWHERE in legislation, then so must Christian Law.
Interesting though, Jesus Christ is a Prophet to the Muslim faith. Odd, that Mr. Cain could not see it clearly when he victimized the Muslim people of Murfeesboro.
Mr. Cain is being nothing short of a 'flame thrower' while fanning the flames of hate. He needs to apologize to the Muslims of Murfeesboro and pay a visit to their congregation for a town hall on hate and the inappropriate nature of violent speech when it translate into harm and actions. If I didn't know better the hate mongers against the Murfeesboro Mosque are hoping to push someone, anyone in the Muslim Community over the edge. Maybe, if they get lucky, the Imam himself. Then, for sure, they and all the hate mongers in the USA will find their justification with something called "Aggravated Crime of one kind or another !" What will be obvious to everyone else is exactly whom aggravated it.
PEACE.
Today, on the "Sean Hannity" radio circus, Senator John McCain drank the tea.
So, Senator McCain BELIEVES "Cap, Blah, Blah, Blah and Balance" is the right thing for the country.
Let me tell you what this irresponsible legislation does.
First, from "The Christian Post."
'Cut, Cap, and Balance' Is Responsible Approach, Say GOP Freshmen (click title to entry - thank you)
Christian Post Reporter
...Plans to vote on a “Cut, Cap, and Balance” bill on Tuesday in the House was the main topic. The bill would cut fiscal year 2012 spending by $111 billion, cap future spending at 18 percent of GDP, and propose a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution....
The purpose of this legislation is to REDISTRIBUTE the responsibility for the National Debt to the Middle Class and Poor.
The Republicans are to scared to actually own up to the fact they incurred the National Debt as it is today by avoiding recalling The Bush Tax Cuts when it was apparent the nation was going to war. They simply sent out checks to the country instead of raising more taxes for the one reason the nation would understand. We no longer had a surplus we could count on, the nation was going to war to defeat al Qaeda.
No, they didn't RECALL the Bush Tax Cuts.
They not only sent out checks, but, they top loaded the construction business, levied favors for banks and approved subsidies for oil barrons. In my opinion, if oil drillers can't afford the business they are in, they should not be in it.
They not only levied favors and bailouts for investment bankers, they allowed those responsible to walk away without legal consequences, thus allowing them to do it all over again.
These actions by Republicans in the years 2000-2009, caused the nation the hardship they face today with lower real estate values, sincerely small businesses unable to get loans for nearly two years and a work force abandoned.
So.
Now.
That the devil has delivered his calling card in the form of the National Debt Ceiling, Republicans are once again placing UNDO burden on the Middle Class and Poor without IMPOSING on their cronies, wealthy and Wall Street. The oil subsidies stay, the disproportionate Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy stay and tax rates for Wall Street will be slashed whenever possible.
The Republicans, and among them Hannity and Neil Boortz are two of the worst, always complain how Democrats redistribute the wealth.
BUT.
They never complain about how the Republicans ALWAYS REDISTRIBUTE THE DEBT !!!
The purpose of this legislation is to REDISTRIBUTE the responsibility for the National Debt to the Middle Class and Poor.
The Republicans are to scared to actually own up to the fact they incurred the National Debt as it is today by avoiding recalling The Bush Tax Cuts when it was apparent the nation was going to war. They simply sent out checks to the country instead of raising more taxes for the one reason the nation would understand. We no longer had a surplus we could count on, the nation was going to war to defeat al Qaeda.
No, they didn't RECALL the Bush Tax Cuts.
They not only sent out checks, but, they top loaded the construction business, levied favors for banks and approved subsidies for oil barrons. In my opinion, if oil drillers can't afford the business they are in, they should not be in it.
They not only levied favors and bailouts for investment bankers, they allowed those responsible to walk away without legal consequences, thus allowing them to do it all over again.
These actions by Republicans in the years 2000-2009, caused the nation the hardship they face today with lower real estate values, sincerely small businesses unable to get loans for nearly two years and a work force abandoned.
So.
Now.
That the devil has delivered his calling card in the form of the National Debt Ceiling, Republicans are once again placing UNDO burden on the Middle Class and Poor without IMPOSING on their cronies, wealthy and Wall Street. The oil subsidies stay, the disproportionate Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy stay and tax rates for Wall Street will be slashed whenever possible.
The Republicans, and among them Hannity and Neil Boortz are two of the worst, always complain how Democrats redistribute the wealth.
BUT.
They never complain about how the Republicans ALWAYS REDISTRIBUTE THE DEBT !!!
The Republicans need to get serious. I am very surprised a former candidate for President, John McCain would actually endorse rhetoric rather than delivering "THE TRUTH" of the measure going before the House tomorrow.
Using the US House of Representatives as a POLITICAL PLATFORM with legislation that extends suffering to those powerless to do anything about it, is unethical, should be vigorously investigated for corruption and needs to be replaced with legislation that is meaningful RATHER THAN political.
I cannot believe this is happening to my country.
A dog and pony show. McCain one of the ring masters.
Using the US House of Representatives as a POLITICAL PLATFORM with legislation that extends suffering to those powerless to do anything about it, is unethical, should be vigorously investigated for corruption and needs to be replaced with legislation that is meaningful RATHER THAN political.
I cannot believe this is happening to my country.
A dog and pony show. McCain one of the ring masters.
Stop. Just stop. Murdoch was the problem, not the employees, regardless, of their involvement.
...Sean Hoare, (click title to entry - thank you) a former show business reporter at the News International paper, part ofNews Corp, had also told the BBC he was asked by former editor Andy Coulson to tap into phones.
Coulson has denied being aware of any wrongdoing at the paper.
"The death is currently being treated as unexplained, but not thought to be suspicious. Police investigations into this incident are ongoing," Hertfordshire police said in a statement. They would not confirm the identity....
The employees of the News Corporation enterprises and their affiliated commentors, etc., are to blame for the pressure that exists regarding the lack of OVERSIGHT and the allowed content of the media services. It is wrong, it is very wrong, but, the employees are the victim to the monster, just as the public was.
I swear the size of Great Britian is a benefit, but, during times like this the familiarity of each other sometimes is too much to bear. Sean was a victim to the run away media empire that thrived on scandal and victimization. There is nothing MORAL about the content of most of what occurs in the media of News Corporation. The employees were 'captured' by opportunity and money, but, it was the lack of moral content and ETHICS that plagued the media service until it finally victimized the INNOCENT.
There is no shame among those even arrested as they were doing their jobs in a CORRUPTED CULTURE that developed over decades of time. "Anything goes" so long as power and manipulation of the public and their money won the day. It was "W"rong, very, very wrong, but, no one is more responsible than the self-styled billionaires that claimed the notoriety of LUST FOR MONEY above any other understanding of life lived as it should be.
I speak for NO ONE BUT MYSELF, but, the decency that will come of this is a goal worth pursuing.. The return of morals and ethics and PRIVACY will be a victory for all those that stand in the glare of the light of day and win the day. It doesn't matter who it is, it matters what the outcome will be and who will be the champion for the decency and morality lost while in a 'pressure cooker.'
My sympathies to the families facing hardship and perceived shame.
This in time too will pass and we will all be better for it.
The victory goes to the brevity of truth that brings about a better society and culture for us all.
We will all get through this together.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
"Good Night, Moon"
The Moon for Sunday, Jul 17, 2011at 11:14 PM EST is Waning Gibbous as viewed from the Northern Hemisphere.
Illuminated Fraction: 0.904
3.0 days after full moon
91% of Full Moon
Until next week...
...good night.
...good night.
President Obama dials space shuttle Atlantis crew
July 17, 2011 6:02 PM
Astronauts wrap up space station resupply (click title to entry - thank you)
By William Harwood
…The primary goal of the 135th and last shuttle mission was to deliver five tons of supplies and equipment to the space station, including more than 2,600 pounds of food. Combined with logistics scheduled for delivery aboard Russian Progress supply ships, the lab complex should be able to support a full-time crew of six through 2012…
The 'lopsided view' of The Great Recession. Nothing like keeping focus of the responsibility off Wall Street and on the President.
I believe what I found worrisome was the fact Wall Street isn't paying attention to itself.
I thought this was interesting.
Fed Says Spending Down $7,300 per Person From ‘Bubble’ Pace (click here)
July 11, 2011, 4:17 PM EDT
By Vivien Lou Chen
July 11 (Bloomberg) -- The 18-month U.S. recession that ended in June 2009 has so far cut spending by more than $7,300 per person, or about $175 a month, from the pace that prevailed during the housing boom, said a Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco researcher.
The $7,300 figure reflects the period from December 2007 to May 2011, and was calculated by comparing the inflation-adjusted path of consumer purchases to pre-crisis levels, senior economist Kevin Lansing wrote in a paper released today. Per- capita consumption is still 1.6 percent below its pre-recession peak, 42 months after the recession started, he said.
“The purpose of the paper was to give an idea of how much stimulus was coming from the housing bubble,” Lansing said in a phone interview. “People are wondering why consumer spending is so slow these days. What they should be asking is: Why was it so strong in previous years?...
...You’re comparing it to an artificial economy that was driven by debt.”...
After realizing the Bush/Cheney economy was one of debt, just as Reagan's economy and H. W. Bush, I thought I would help the Senator DeMint with some insight from his favorite investment firm, Goldman Sachs. It might help him understand 'missing payments' is a little different than missing payments on any Tiffany Revolving Credit Account.
a research note just out from Goldman Sachs (bold is mine - journalist - click title of entry - thank you):
There are essentially two plausible outcomes. One is that the two sides agree on a deal in coming weeks, with headline cuts of $2+ trillion over a 10-year horizon, probably mostly composed of discretionary spending caps that gradually squeeze projected outlays in a highly back-end loaded fashion...
... The other outcome – whose probability has unfortunately risen in recent weeks – is that there is no deal by August 2. Even in this case, we continue to believe a default is extremely unlikely, as the Treasury would likely prioritize interest payments, Social Security and Medicare payments, and “essential” defense payments over other types of spending, and should have enough revenues to cover the essentials....
...But make no mistake: the negative consequences of failing
to make other payments would be very severe....
In the month of August, projected outflows exceed projected inflows by about $150bn (not annualized), or about 12% of GDP. Even if we allow for a further decline in cash holdings in the Treasury’s account with the Fed, this means that a failure to reach a deal would imply a huge, immediate fiscal retrenchment. The economic consequences of such a retrenchment would likely force a deal within a few days....
I think this is where Senator DeMint gets somewhat confused. The journalist goes on to state:
...Again, the issue is a government shutdown, not a default.
A government shutdown. Hm. That sounds like a familiar tune from the Tea Baggers. They don't the government and dearly want to rid the USA of it. It took over 200 years to build this nation and the Tea Baggers want it destroyed in two decades. If that isn't treason, don't ask me what is.
At any rate the statement, "Again, the issue is a government shutdown, not a default." is playing with semantics. If the government shuts down there will be no payments at all and the country will default for lack of employees that work to produce those payments at the US Treasury and otherwise. Shutting down the government is not an option at any time. Any time !!!
I thought a little Public Health might be in order.
There seems to be a considerable amount of work that has been done in the area of Avian Flu since it became know a few years ago. It was important to put it here.
Health reporter Jordanna Schriever
From: The Advertiser
July 12, 2011 12:00AM
A new vaccine for bird flu will be tested on infants as young as six months old. Source: AdelaideNow
A VACCINE for bird flu will begin trials today in infants as young as six months old.
Avian influenza is tipped to cause the next flu pandemic .
A seven-month-old will be the first baby in SA to be injected with the vaccine, which has already been trialled in older children.
Associate Professor Helen Marshall, the director of the Vaccinology and Immunology Research Trials Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital, said she expected to gain ground in preventing deaths among children should an outbreak of avian influenza - also known as H5N1 - occur.
"This particular influenza strain tends to be a strain that causes severe disease ... in the cases that have occurred in Asia there was about a 50 per cent fatality rate for those infected," Associate Professor Marshall said....
When a virus becomes resistant it means it is mutating. A virus replicates very fast and allows generations of mutation to occur quickly. A resistant Avian Flu is not a good thing.
Sravani Sarkar, Hindustan Times
Bhopal, July 12, 2011
Bhopal, July 12, 2011
One of the two available medicines for bird flu in the country
If the avian influenza virus, H5N1, grows entirely resistant to Amantadine, another drug will have to be developed soon, which is an expensive and time-consuming proposition.
The detection was made recently at the High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL) in Bhopal.
Joint director in-charge of HSADL, Dr SC Dubey told HT: “We tested virus samples and found genomic alterations in about ten batches. They show resistance to the drug. This is a first for the country.”
Amantadine resistance has been detected in China, Vietnam and Thailand. The scientists are however, relieved the Amantadine resistant virus batches are still resistant to Tamiflu.
OH governor vetoes lake lowering law
The quote from the Ohio Governor, John Kasich is, "Business needs to come out and simply state to the governments that they have had enough."
Really?
Well, if that was the case then let's hope the Ohio Legislature realizes its folly and prevents injunctions and litigation costs for the people of Ohio when they try to override this veto.
Plutocrats were bound to try this and take away the Great Lakes as necessary bodies of water that control climate in the region. This only speaks to more and more disrespect by Republicans of the citizens and their right to a safe climate. If the Great Lakes are drained for the purposes of business the drought won't be contained on the Eastern Seaboard of the USA, the south and Southern California. The Great Lake States will find themselves in a climate disaster when that happens.
The Great Lakes is NOT a natural resouirce like timber or coal or oil, it is a precious part of the REGIONS climate. The Great Lakes cannot be tampered with OR sold for purposes of business. Absolutely not !!!
The lack of snow into New York State alone would begin a drought that would effect agriculture, watersheds, and temperatures. The idea is idiotic and outrageous !
Ohio governor faces pressure to veto water bill (click title to entry - thank you)
Factories seek to get more from Lake Erie
Jul 15, 2011
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Gov. John Kasich faced growing pressure from Michigan and New York on Thursday to veto a bill that would allow Ohio factories to pull more water out of Lake Erie.
The proposal, intended to align the state with the Great LakesCompact, cleared the Republican-led state Legislature last month over the objections of two former Ohio governors and a former state natural resources director. Newspapers across the state also have urged a veto.
"There is potential legal action" ahead between the states if the Ohio bill becomes law, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Thursday. "We don't want to get involved in a dispute with another state if we can avoid it, and we're going to have conversations because it is a situation that causes us concern."
Overall, the USA drought continues to be profound.
It is spreading somewhat. North on the Eastern Seaboard to Pennsylvania. When a drought spreads this far in a couple of weeks it is rather atypical. Drought is an emergency which has developed over time, so this began at least ten years ago and I am confident rainfall records reflect that. There is no reason not to be prepared for drought. It is not a surprise by any means.
The fire incidents in the country number only a few, so, citizens are paying attention to this emergency and parks are closing to camp fires appropriately.
Alaska seems to be slightly better this week and Hawaii with the same intensity, but, a little larger in area. Texas is growing in intensity and the Gulf Coast seems static this week. Florida's southern region is less impacted, probably from rain that may have 'happened' there due to the first hurricane that made landfall in Mexico.
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