We need to 'bring home' our National Security. We don't need our military R&D and manufacturing 'exported' or 'imported.' There was a time in the USA when 'Made in America by Americans' was part of the standard that insured our National Security. We need to return to sanity in our Defense Deparment and stop 'outsourcing' our interests to privateers.
Bring the jobs to insure our nation's security back home again !
"...Under the administration’s plan, funding for defense, exclusive or war costs, is projected to continue to grow through FY 2009, and then decline slightly. However, by FY 2011 funding for defense (exclusive of war costs) would still be very high by historical standards—some 20 percent above average Cold War budget levels in real terms, and slightly above the average levels sustained even during the 1980s, the decade of the Reagan buildup...." (click title to entry - thank you)
Monday, December 08, 2008
The Dangers of Repeating Republican Abuse. Not Pork. Not Republican Infrastructure, but, the spawning of economic permanence.
Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley hold a copy of the second in a series of reports by the U.S. Conference of Mayor's on infrastructure projects that are "ready to go" during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, today.(Susan Walsh/AP Photo)
Barak Obama promised "Change." It was a profound message for a profound time in the USA. It sparked enthusism and hope that cannot be disregarded or ABUSED.
At time Barak simply seems a little scary. A new President. A Democrat with more influence than most in the past as he is taking office as the first Minority President to a majority House and Senate. It is a 'Dream Come True Administration' and we have an opportunity before us to hone this country into a progressive and modern society with jobs and vision that will set our path on a defyingly wonderful future while preserving our history and traditions. To say this administration has the potential to be the most exciting since George Washington, might be an understatement.
Everyone has their designs on 'the ideal' expenditures. In an article in Popular Mechanics, there are many interesting perspectives, but, some misdirection as well. While 'advise' is always a good idea and something Bush, Paulson and Bernanke should have sought a long time ago, it can also set the "W"rong priorities for the demands of our nation to be productive and NOT political.
And this may be a 'guy thing' but why does 'infrastructure' have to mean building stuff? There is a right way and a "W"rong way of proceeding with 'goals' of becoming a country with an economy that sustains without burdening others in the world with disasters due to Climate Change.
Obama's $700 Billion Infrastructure Plan (click here)
Four rules for spending the coming infrastructure fund.
By Jerry BeilinsonPublished on: December 8, 2008
By Jerry BeilinsonPublished on: December 8, 2008
Rule 1: Reward CompetenceSeems obvious, yes? But since political leaders are talking about employing people and stimulating the economy, it's easy to see how cost overruns and blown schedules might be tolerated as long as paychecks are going out and invoices from Joe's Cement and Job Creation are coming in.
Rule 2: Fund Goals, Not Technologies
SunPower Corporation's best "back-contact" photovoltaic cell can produce energy (in the form of electricity) equal to 23.4 percent of the energy (in the form of radiation from the sun) that hits its surface. That's 50 percent better than a conventional solar cell, and a good argument for why the incoming administration should throw its weight behind back-contact PV cells. But wait....In the meantime, political leaders would do well to leave the technical decisions to others and try to focus their vision thing: Promote broad goals rather than specific machines and materials....
Rule 3: Invest in Information
...The same principle applies to all sorts of infrastructure. No one knows how many miles of levees wind their way through America's lowlands, or how many lives they guard, or how many burrow-loving mammals are scratching out homes beneath them, to their own detriment and ours. Given the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, the episodic drowning of portions of the Midwest and the perpetual threat hanging over the heads of Arnold Schwarzenegger and the other residents of Sacramento, Calif., you'd think we'd pay more attention to these humble mounds of earth and rock. We need a levee database and better computer modeling of flood patterns, and we need them quickly....
Rule 4: Address the Biggest Problem
...And the winner is...water. We can pour the concrete to fix every highway, and some decade soon we may even figure out fusion and stop worrying about energy, but the amount of freshwater in the world is fixed, and it's not enough. Soggy Atlanta had severe water shortages last year. Three more years of drought, and Lake Mead could drop below the level of one of the major intake valves supplying Las Vegas. And climate change is likely to make things worse, a point made at a joint PM/National Science Foundation conference last spring by Pat Mulroy, the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority....
I think building infrastructure that is 'valuable' to the future is important, but, there is no room for spending that leads to questions of corruption or misdirection of our purpose. Economic stimulus is important, but, providing a 'vision' to our measured spending is important to the youngest members of our society.
For six years, the Republicans made fools of themselves in spending on 'empty' money projects based in 'political gaming' rather than 'the change the nation needed.' I mean did we really need "Six Flags over Lincoln?" Maybe. But, at the expense of increased USA debt while attempting to pay for wars 'gone wrong.?' I don't think so.
We have an 'opportunity' to help the nation heal and change infrastructure that just doesn't work. Some of the poorest states in this country are in the south, to begin Alabama. How long will they claim their economy based on the largest number of hazaradous dumps?
Schools from Pre-K to High School are needed. Colleges that teach to improve the performance of our educational system. While its important to spend on building infrastructure that provides for worn out concrete, as in bridges that kill, let's make sure they go somewhere other than 'nowhere.' I would love to know 'the wish list' of Ray Nagin because I know it includes 'returning of The Wetlands of New Orleans' through restoration projects to protect once again the City of New Orleans.
We have an 'opportunity' before us. An opportunity to return 'faith in government' and return function to our Treasury. We need to 'invest' in spending that will 'build on itself' even in places like the Midwest where farmers are struggling to hang on in some instances.
To demonstrate how hideous 'big money' can be, I can relate a story about a university that now touts to be one of the most progressive 'Green Schools' in the South because the parking deck they are building will give preference in permitting to 'Green Cars' over any others.
Ready for this?
The parking deck, which has no basis in need so much as 'Pork,' was at the cost of fifteen acres of pristine, threatened Long Leaf Pine. The clear cutting of an entire section of academic forest took precedent over preservation of a TRULY Green Space. It is that 'hideous' nature of 'Big Money' that needs to be scrutinized and while that sounds like 'oversight after oversight' causing bureaucracy instead of infrastructure, we as citizens have to be involved in the priorities of our Mayors and Governors when they are provided with funds that will help rebuild and heal this nation.
The state govenment should have never indulged a Chancellor and local politicians in 'greasing the palms' of their donors, so much as re-examined the needs in Public Primary and Secondary Schools where the money was truly needed. We can improve our performance in spending or we can make the same stupid mistakes of the Republicans of Bush/Cheney, but, eeking out every advance and every improvement that leads to a wider and sustaining tax base requires a vision and dedication to purpose. It requires citizen activism and the desire to return good paying jobs to Americans.
There is nothing wrong with investing in Research and Development and there can't be any 'control' as to whom is a 'better risk' than any other by government. That is like being able to predict the outcome of R&D before it happens. There is room in this movement for everyone and when it comes to creating a more productive and stronger Main Street, pandering to Wall Street just ain't in the picture.
I don't envy our new President-Elect, but, applaud and seek his fervor. We need to 'be there' for him and his administration, but, more so we need to 'be there' for the future of our children and their hopes of a great country that protects them from disaster, be it terrorist network, marading politicians or environmental collapse.
It's going to be exciting. I know 'we can do this,' oh yes we can !
Sunday, December 07, 2008
44 Days until Inaguration - Opus the Penguin has retired.
What does Barak Obama got to do with Opus the Penguin?
Not a darn thing, except, it was November 2, 2008 when the Opus comic strip was retired. The Presidential race was so intense and Bill Ayers had yet to address the nation that I dare not take a moment to remove attention from the soon to be New President.
So today we are within a week's reach of the half way point until the Obama Inauguration and it was time for a stretch.
I think Barak has been magnificent. He has accomplished more in a month than any President-Elect is expected to and he hasn't wavered in his ability to reach into the deep troubles of this nation with anticipation and longing for resolve. He is a magnificent patriot. I think he deserves a little time to enjoy 'the moment.' Thank you, Mr. President-Elect. Our nation is grateful. We are in dedicated and competent hands and we appreciate you.
But, for now. I'm going to take the time to say good-bye to Opus.
Goodbye Little Penguin: Berke Breathed Retires Opus (click here)"I'll be leaving Opus in a way that it should be very clear that this time there's no going back home," says Breathed.
November 2, 2008
The Pulitzer-winning Breathed first burst onto the national scene during the Reagan years with Bloom County. That strip's little penguin lived on in Breathed's Sunday-only strip Outland in the 1990s and returned to the funny pages in 2003 -- his plump figure a little different, his color a little more saturated.
The Newly Elected Pakistan Government has turned on the terrorist networks within its borders in response to Mumbai attacks.
Karzai isn't equipped and hasn't been equipped to quell the unrest in the Afghan population which will favor the Taliban if they can deliver food to the hungry. The hungry will be easy to recruit. Supplies to Afghanis has to be airlifted in and the mountain regions need 'air drop shipments' similar to what was done at the beginning of the invasion in 2001. The air drop supplies need to be identified whom they are from and that they will continue throughout the winter.
The Afghan government is trying to align with the Taliban because they are able to deliver the people out of an impoverished state where Karzai continues to fail. Being a stateman is one thing, but, providing for the Afghan citizens from day to day is another thing. Just because Karzai is in power in Kabul doesn't mean the rest of the country is at peace.
Karzai needs clout with the people to reduce the influence of the Taliban. The impoverishment of these people has to stop, it puts 'stability' at risk.
These tribal regions of all these countries are tenuous all the time. The people of these villages will be loyal to those that can provide for them. Karzai is attempting to bring a peace to the country by allowing the Taliban to be benevolent caregivers. It will backfire and the Taliban will be in power as they will see no need for Karzai or any freely elected government.
Afghan policemen inspects the site of an explosion on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. Police said an improvised explosive device (IED) went off a few minutes after a member of Parliament's car went past the road, wounding one boy.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (click here)
Winter of hunger looms in Afghanistan
By HEIDI VOGT – Nov 27, 2008
NILI, Afghanistan (AP) — The farmer squats barefoot on packed earth in front of his two-room mud house. He has looked at his bags of wheat, he says, and counted the days.
Ghulam Sakhi, 50, says his family will run out of food in mid-January — only a third of the way through Afghanistan's frigid winter.
As the days shorten and the nights grow colder, this winter threatens to be Afghanistan's most desperate in nearly two decades.
Life has always been hard in this poor, war-ravaged land, but this year a combination of drought, high food prices and Taliban attacks on supply routes could leave a bigger shortage than emergency food aid can cover....
Pakistani employees inspect burned-out trucks at a NATO terminal. (click here)
...The attack came less than a week after Taliban militants destroyed a dozen trucks in Peshawar containing supplies for NATO troops in Afghanistan, killing two people in the process....
They cannot do this alone. Where is everyone? Where is Bush/Cheney and Gates? There is a crisis brewing in Pakistan. These are the bad guys and they won't stop until the government is over thrown and their coup leadership is back in power. This will cause unrest in the country. Pakistan needs military advisors, foreign intelligence, not troops !
Rocket Fired At NATO Supply Trucks (click title to entry - audio)
PESHAWAR: Militants fired rockets at NATO provision supply trucks here early Sunday morning; no casualties were reported in the attack.
According to details at least ten rockets were fired on trucks laden with provision including oil for NATO forces, fighting in Afghanistan.
Rockets were fired at Al Faisal terminal in Peshawar; Al Faisal terminal is a place where all the trucks and containers supply go through for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Sources also said that most of the rockets were landed in near by farm while fire also erupted at Al Faisal terminal, where after the attack heavy firing started, sources added.
The Afghan government is trying to align with the Taliban because they are able to deliver the people out of an impoverished state where Karzai continues to fail. Being a stateman is one thing, but, providing for the Afghan citizens from day to day is another thing. Just because Karzai is in power in Kabul doesn't mean the rest of the country is at peace.
Karzai needs clout with the people to reduce the influence of the Taliban. The impoverishment of these people has to stop, it puts 'stability' at risk.
These tribal regions of all these countries are tenuous all the time. The people of these villages will be loyal to those that can provide for them. Karzai is attempting to bring a peace to the country by allowing the Taliban to be benevolent caregivers. It will backfire and the Taliban will be in power as they will see no need for Karzai or any freely elected government.
Afghan policemen inspects the site of an explosion on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. Police said an improvised explosive device (IED) went off a few minutes after a member of Parliament's car went past the road, wounding one boy.(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) (click here)
Winter of hunger looms in Afghanistan
By HEIDI VOGT – Nov 27, 2008
NILI, Afghanistan (AP) — The farmer squats barefoot on packed earth in front of his two-room mud house. He has looked at his bags of wheat, he says, and counted the days.
Ghulam Sakhi, 50, says his family will run out of food in mid-January — only a third of the way through Afghanistan's frigid winter.
As the days shorten and the nights grow colder, this winter threatens to be Afghanistan's most desperate in nearly two decades.
Life has always been hard in this poor, war-ravaged land, but this year a combination of drought, high food prices and Taliban attacks on supply routes could leave a bigger shortage than emergency food aid can cover....
Pakistani employees inspect burned-out trucks at a NATO terminal. (click here)
...The attack came less than a week after Taliban militants destroyed a dozen trucks in Peshawar containing supplies for NATO troops in Afghanistan, killing two people in the process....
They cannot do this alone. Where is everyone? Where is Bush/Cheney and Gates? There is a crisis brewing in Pakistan. These are the bad guys and they won't stop until the government is over thrown and their coup leadership is back in power. This will cause unrest in the country. Pakistan needs military advisors, foreign intelligence, not troops !
Rocket Fired At NATO Supply Trucks (click title to entry - audio)
PESHAWAR: Militants fired rockets at NATO provision supply trucks here early Sunday morning; no casualties were reported in the attack.
According to details at least ten rockets were fired on trucks laden with provision including oil for NATO forces, fighting in Afghanistan.
Rockets were fired at Al Faisal terminal in Peshawar; Al Faisal terminal is a place where all the trucks and containers supply go through for NATO forces in Afghanistan.
Sources also said that most of the rockets were landed in near by farm while fire also erupted at Al Faisal terminal, where after the attack heavy firing started, sources added.
NATO has to airlift supplies. Doing it this way will only fuel the militants and support their efforts. They will eventually stop torching these convoys and simply capture the supplies if they haven't been doing that already.
Pakistani militants torch Humvees for western forces (click here)
Sun Dec 7, 2008 2:39am EST
By Faris Ali
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Reuters) - Hordes of Pakistani militants set on fire 96 trucks carrying Humvees and military vehicles for Western forces in Afghanistan in a raid in the northwestern city of Peshawar on Sunday, police said.
Security guards said they were overpowered by more than 200 militants who attacked two terminals on Peshawar's ring road, where trucks carrying Humvees and other military vehicles were parked.
"It happened at around 2.30 a.m.. They fired rockets, hurled hand grenades and then set ablaze 96 trucks," senior police officer, Azeem Khan, told Reuters.
Most supplies, including fuel, for U.S. and NATO forces in landlocked Afghanistan are trucked through Pakistan, much of it the fabled Khyber Pass that runs through the mountains between Peshawar, capital of North-West Frontier Province and the border town of Torkham....
Pakistan is under attack ! Opposing militants in Pakistan is difficult. Peace with India will demand action against the militants after the Mumbia attacks. This is only the beginning. It may well be we have rousted out the war that never took place before in Afghanistan against al Qaeda. Pakistan has always been their stronghold and Osama bin Laden and Omar among others are at stake. This violence should not be undersold as if 'just internal struggles' among people as there is in Greece today. The riots in Greece happen annually. This uprising in Pakistan is serious especially considering the Mumbai attacks.
Rocket attack kills 3 in Pakistan (click here)
Press Trust of India
Sunday, December 07, 2008, (Islamabad)
At least three persons were killed on Sunday when militants armed with rockets attacked a bus terminal in northwestern Pakistan that is used by trucks ferrying supplies to US-led coalition troops in Afghanistan.
Heavily armed pro-Taliban militants fired up to 10 rockets during the attack on the complex in Peshawar early on Sunday morning. A watchman and two others were killed in the attack, officials told TV channels.
The rockets fired by the militants sparked a fire that damaged up to 80 armoured vehicles and trucks parked at the complex, reports said. The attack also triggered an exchange of fire between militants and security forces though there were no reports of casualties among the rebels.
This was the second attack within a week on the terminal in Peshawar. On December 1, two persons were killed and over two dozen trucks were damaged when militants attacked the complex.
This violence and the attacks in Mumbai are all a part of the same war in Afghanistan. They cannot be treated differently.
Now this is what I call a coup !
General picked as US veteran boss (click title to entry, thank you)
07 Dec 2008 12:31 am
One of the truly nauseating moments in the run-up to the Iraq war was the humiliating public rebuke that Paul Wolfowitz, then Donald Rumsfeld's #2 at the Pentagon, delivered to Eric Shinseki, then a four-star general serving as Army chief of staff.
07 Dec 2008 12:31 am
One of the truly nauseating moments in the run-up to the Iraq war was the humiliating public rebuke that Paul Wolfowitz, then Donald Rumsfeld's #2 at the Pentagon, delivered to Eric Shinseki, then a four-star general serving as Army chief of staff.
Shinseki, a wounded combat veteran of Vietnam, was by career and reputation a cautious, methodical person. Those who criticized his performance as Army chief mainly complained that he was too traditional and non-innovative in his approach. Thus, he was constantly at odds with Rumsfeld's crew, who viewed him as a passive-aggressive, fuddy-duddy obstacle to doing things in their new lean-and-mean way.
The showdown came just before the war began. Shinseki, who had direct experience with land warfare (in Vietnam) and post-combat occupation (in the Balkans), was urging that the U.S. go in with a force large enough to ensure that it could maintain order and genuinely control Iraq's sizable territory and potentially fractious society after it ousted Saddam. Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz hated this whole idea....
The Real Bill Ayers
But. Will he be the next Secretary of Education?
I mean up to now Obama's choices are fairly lack luster and boring.
Ayers would definately get the job done !
No more Neil Bush in the USA Classroom !
I was really surprised when Marvin Bush didn't qualify for Homeland Security Secretary. That was a real set back for the country, I thought !
...I was cast in the “unrepentant terrorist” role; I felt at times like the enemy projected onto a large screen in the “Two Minutes Hate” scene from George Orwell’s “1984,” when the faithful gathered in a frenzy of fear and loathing....
I mean up to now Obama's choices are fairly lack luster and boring.
Ayers would definately get the job done !
No more Neil Bush in the USA Classroom !
I was really surprised when Marvin Bush didn't qualify for Homeland Security Secretary. That was a real set back for the country, I thought !
...I was cast in the “unrepentant terrorist” role; I felt at times like the enemy projected onto a large screen in the “Two Minutes Hate” scene from George Orwell’s “1984,” when the faithful gathered in a frenzy of fear and loathing....
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Tim Whewell, a Russian favorite, wins The Golden Word award.
19:37 05/12/2008
Tim Whewell wins Golden Word prize for film about conflict in South Ossetia.
(click title to entry - thank you)
British journalist Tim Whewell won the Mediasoyuz association’s Golden Word prize for a film that changed Europe’s view on the war in South Ossetia.
What really happened in South Ossetia? (click here)
Page last updated at 16:56 GMT, Tuesday, 28 October 2008
After gaining exclusive access to South Ossetia, Tim Whewell has discovered evidence Georgia may have committed war crimes in its attack on its breakaway region in August.
The Kremlin and the World - Part One (click here)
...Tim Whewell's journey begins with a look at what the newly elected Russian President, Vladimir Putin had envisaged for his country back in 1999.
He promised to promote democracy and strength and to make peace Russia's priority.
He was the first foreign leader to reach out to President George Bush, immediately after the 9/11 attacks.
As a favour, he persuaded many leaders in Central Asia to allow US military bases in their countries
He thought this would bring Russia and the US closer in the fight against terror and make the world understand his stance in Chechnya.
However, this act of sympathy backfired and what enraged the Kremlin most was that it saw the hidden hand of the West behind the wave of revolutions in former Soviet republics....
Tim Whewell wins Golden Word prize for film about conflict in South Ossetia.
(click title to entry - thank you)
British journalist Tim Whewell won the Mediasoyuz association’s Golden Word prize for a film that changed Europe’s view on the war in South Ossetia.
What really happened in South Ossetia? (click here)
Page last updated at 16:56 GMT, Tuesday, 28 October 2008
After gaining exclusive access to South Ossetia, Tim Whewell has discovered evidence Georgia may have committed war crimes in its attack on its breakaway region in August.
The Kremlin and the World - Part One (click here)
...Tim Whewell's journey begins with a look at what the newly elected Russian President, Vladimir Putin had envisaged for his country back in 1999.
He promised to promote democracy and strength and to make peace Russia's priority.
He was the first foreign leader to reach out to President George Bush, immediately after the 9/11 attacks.
As a favour, he persuaded many leaders in Central Asia to allow US military bases in their countries
He thought this would bring Russia and the US closer in the fight against terror and make the world understand his stance in Chechnya.
However, this act of sympathy backfired and what enraged the Kremlin most was that it saw the hidden hand of the West behind the wave of revolutions in former Soviet republics....
So, what are they doing in Crawford these days?
STOP the NeoConning of America (click here)
"They Drown the Bullets in Blood" (click here)
"...Albatross wings, they cover the sun
As the destiny of nukes pervade
But the dove is truth in America's heart
In the winds of war charade....
...Your name's on the bullet that sail in Iraq
Your name's on the bullet at home.
Til justice prevails and the scoundels are tasked
That bullet continues to roam."
...The US government, formally known as the Municipal Corporation of the District of Columbia, has decided to indenture our great-great grandchildren with a debt paid into the coffers of their friends and associates, banks in Europe that have been stealing us blind for generations already. The wrongness of it is so palpable that Congress was inundated with a rage of missives, calls and emails....
Loblolly pine responds to mechanical wounding with increased resin flow
Jonathan J. Ruel, Matthew P. Ayres, and Peter L. Lorio, Jr.
Abstract: The oleoresin produced by many conifers has a deleterious effect on numerous associated herbivores, including bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), and may have evolved as a plant defense mechanism. Three experiments with juvenile loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) used mechanical wounding to drain resin reserves and assess the effects of prior bark wounding on subsequent resin flow up to 7 days post-treatment. Resin flow returned to pre-treatment values within 2 days after wounding began and, in nearly every tree in each experiment, continued to increase on subsequent days. On average, resin flow reached double the pre-treatment values (mean ± SE: 2.10 ± 0.10 vs. 1.13 ± 0.10 g/3 h and 2.28 ± 0.09 vs. 0.90 ± 0.09 g/3 h for wounded vs. pre-treatment in experiments 1 and 2, respectively). Considering its timing and magnitude, this previously undescribed response may be important in modulating interactions between pine trees and bark beetles. In addition, resin flow following treatment was greater in trees in larger crown size classes (thinned > edge of stand = unthinned in experiment 1; edge of stand > thinned > unthinned in experiment 2). This may help explain why trees in thinned stands are less susceptible to southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.) infestation than trees in unthinned stands.
More violations of Native American Tribal Rights. By whom? Bush of course ! No surprise here.
I guess Canada will have to truck it in !
Tribes seek to stop pipeline (click here)
By Joe Kafka, The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
PIERRE -- Four Native American tribes have gone to federal court at Pierre in an effort to stop construction of the Keystone oil pipeline through eastern South Dakota and North Dakota.
The tribes argue that treaties, as well as federal laws and regulations, were broken during the environmental assessment of the route and subsequent granting of a presidential permit for the pipeline....
Tribes seek to stop pipeline (click here)
By Joe Kafka, The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
PIERRE -- Four Native American tribes have gone to federal court at Pierre in an effort to stop construction of the Keystone oil pipeline through eastern South Dakota and North Dakota.
The tribes argue that treaties, as well as federal laws and regulations, were broken during the environmental assessment of the route and subsequent granting of a presidential permit for the pipeline....
...The Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Rosebud, Santee and Yankton Sioux Tribes filed the lawsuit. Tribal leaders say that officials have not done a proper environmental assessment of the pipeling. The leaders also say the pipeline corridor will affect at least 87 tribes in six states....
Food ! The Pacific Fisheries are in rapid and dangerous decline.
Marine Harvest, an enterprise backed by Canada (click here).
Poor decision making in Conservation is also very expensive !
...Twenty years ago the people of Klemtu turned to salmon aquaculture to try to replace the economic opportunity lost in the decline of the commercial salmon fishery. This pioneering salmon aquaculture business lasted for five years but eventually declining salmon prices and high operating costs combined to shut down the operations in 1993....
...“After two years of regional collaboration on a plan for Columbia and Snake River salmon and steelhead, it is clear we have found common ground,” said the statement from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the Bonneville Power Administration. “This is no longer just a federal plan, it is now more of a regional plan explicitly supported by three states and six tribes.”Columbia Basin salmon returns have historically been the West Coast’s largest, and once numbered 10 million to 30 million, but overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and dam construction over the past century have caused their numbers to dwindle precipitously....
...When dams block rivers, however, the migrating fish – especially juveniles – can have a tough time traveling between their spawning grounds and the open ocean....
Why is it important to chose the correct form of conservation? Because the "W"rong kind causes more problems than it solves, and decisions can't be based in 'cultural' consent. Why monitor species depletion and unusal events in the natural world? Because poor choices by humans frequently show up in ways that are warnings to the outcome.
At the basis of all this, are scientists that know they are correct in species preservation. To safe species in the world is to save human civilization. 60% of the breathable air of Earth comes from single cell plants in Earth's oceans, that cannot be ignored and the food chain they sponsor is vital to human survival. Fisheries along any coast is a primary source of survival in many countries.
Oregon expert tries to solve salmon shark deaths (click here)
by Michael Milstein, The Oregonian
Friday December 05, 2008, 8:59 PM
First came the fang-toothed lancetfish, washing up on Oregon beaches last spring and summer.
Then came the young salmon sharks -- which resemble baby great whites -- turning up on the sand through October.
Now Bill Hanshumaker, a marine education specialist at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, wants to figure out why at least 10 or more of each species beached up on Oregon shores in the past several months. It's not unusual to find a few each summer, but this year's high numbers remain a mystery....
by Michael Milstein, The Oregonian
Friday December 05, 2008, 8:59 PM
First came the fang-toothed lancetfish, washing up on Oregon beaches last spring and summer.
Then came the young salmon sharks -- which resemble baby great whites -- turning up on the sand through October.
Now Bill Hanshumaker, a marine education specialist at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, wants to figure out why at least 10 or more of each species beached up on Oregon shores in the past several months. It's not unusual to find a few each summer, but this year's high numbers remain a mystery....
Poor decision making in Conservation is also very expensive !
Demoralizing science and scientists in their 'best practice' should never be directed as a 'cultural right' in this society or any other. And if that is a scary thought, than examine your own ethics and the treatment of people that feel differently !
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Commercial fisherman, river guides, charter boat operators, fish processors and other salmon related businesses harmed by the closure of the 2008 Chinook salmon season could be eligible for $170 million in disaster relief appropriated by Congress.
The California Salmon Council is conducting outreach efforts to identify eligible businesses who faced economic hardship from the closure.
Disaster relief will be disbursed to fishing communities in California, Oregon and Washington.
Salmon related enterprises that require a Department of Fish and Game license to operate have been sent disaster forms.
The deadline to apply for the relief is Dec. 31.
Disaster relief forms can by obtained at the following websites:
Eligible businesses must demonstrate that salmon is at least 30 percent of their normal business. They must also provide documentation indicating a loss of up to a maximum of $225,000.
For more information contact the California Salmon Council at 916-933-7050 or the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission at 877-695-3457.
He's not cabinet level.
The problem today is that we are still picking up after eights years of a Bush, a really nasty one, too. So, it takes one to know how to deal with one. It will be up to the American people to rate the performance of these people and advocate for their replacement as they are found to be ineffective.
This move is about a 'no-brainer' as it gets.
The President of the USA shouldn't be out to destroy a State's role in the lives of citizens. It was a goal that Bush had. He hated the 'idea' that people in Blue States were willing to accept higher taxes to fund their State's government. As a result, the federal cuts to States became hideously deep while his Republicans continued to pour money into Pork within their own districts and states to satisfy their electorate.
So, this measure is automatically re-vitalizes a sluggish economy without having to 're-build' the management infrastructure to do it. Governor's are in place and their staff and employees are ready to take on some great projects for the citizens of their state. With federal dollars to assist in the return of a State Tax Base, it will automatically renew people's faith in their Governors, so don't look for a high turnover in Governors for awhile. And that 'faith' is not wrongly placed. The Governors got their act together and took their case to Obama. Fair enough. With a widening State tax base there automatically is a widened federal tax base and there in lies recovery. With additional dollars coming into the USA Federal Treasury, there can be allotments to the car industy and changes in energy and transportation infrastructure.
However. Even though we are 'cleaning up' after a Bush, it shouldn't take forever to see real change in the way the USA is structuring its economy and the return to sound American values, including the passage of aggressive regulations to control Human Induced Global Warming and a return to Conservation measures including restoration of National Parks enhancing fire control. We also need species monitoring as well as maintained National Forests. We have a bettle to defeat.
There is a lot to do in the USA. The values dear to the average American have been ignored for a long time and all that means 'catching up' and lots of work. Neglect of America's 'dearest' values rather than maintenance, means there is restoration along with a return to sanity in maintaining our treasures and deterioriating infrastructure.
One other thing. If there are infrastructure improvements in the States, such as roads and bridges, Americans need 'state of the art' cars to utilize them. This measure by Obama and his financial team is not very different than FDR. Did I say FDR? Oh. That explains why the Republicans are raiding the Treasury.
Obama Pledges Public Works on a Vast Scale (click here)
By PETER BAKER and JOHN M. BRODER
Published: December 6, 2008
...Mr. Obama’s remarks sought to expand the definition of traditional work programs for the middle class, like infrastructure projects to repair roads and bridges, while also pushing a federal effort to bring in new-era jobs in technology and so-called green jobs....
This move is about a 'no-brainer' as it gets.
The President of the USA shouldn't be out to destroy a State's role in the lives of citizens. It was a goal that Bush had. He hated the 'idea' that people in Blue States were willing to accept higher taxes to fund their State's government. As a result, the federal cuts to States became hideously deep while his Republicans continued to pour money into Pork within their own districts and states to satisfy their electorate.
So, this measure is automatically re-vitalizes a sluggish economy without having to 're-build' the management infrastructure to do it. Governor's are in place and their staff and employees are ready to take on some great projects for the citizens of their state. With federal dollars to assist in the return of a State Tax Base, it will automatically renew people's faith in their Governors, so don't look for a high turnover in Governors for awhile. And that 'faith' is not wrongly placed. The Governors got their act together and took their case to Obama. Fair enough. With a widening State tax base there automatically is a widened federal tax base and there in lies recovery. With additional dollars coming into the USA Federal Treasury, there can be allotments to the car industy and changes in energy and transportation infrastructure.
However. Even though we are 'cleaning up' after a Bush, it shouldn't take forever to see real change in the way the USA is structuring its economy and the return to sound American values, including the passage of aggressive regulations to control Human Induced Global Warming and a return to Conservation measures including restoration of National Parks enhancing fire control. We also need species monitoring as well as maintained National Forests. We have a bettle to defeat.
There is a lot to do in the USA. The values dear to the average American have been ignored for a long time and all that means 'catching up' and lots of work. Neglect of America's 'dearest' values rather than maintenance, means there is restoration along with a return to sanity in maintaining our treasures and deterioriating infrastructure.
One other thing. If there are infrastructure improvements in the States, such as roads and bridges, Americans need 'state of the art' cars to utilize them. This measure by Obama and his financial team is not very different than FDR. Did I say FDR? Oh. That explains why the Republicans are raiding the Treasury.
Obama Pledges Public Works on a Vast Scale (click here)
By PETER BAKER and JOHN M. BRODER
Published: December 6, 2008
...Mr. Obama’s remarks sought to expand the definition of traditional work programs for the middle class, like infrastructure projects to repair roads and bridges, while also pushing a federal effort to bring in new-era jobs in technology and so-called green jobs....
45 Day until Inauguration - Are Marine Mammals Important Enough? Doesn't seem like it.
How many of our scientists are under-employed in their chosen profession? How many of 'the liberal's values' in education are working in low paying service jobs? How many college graduates never find the work they love and the country needs to nuture?
There is plenty of opportunity for invigorating the USA economy; one just has to be attuned to it. When is a high school education going to bring a person fulfillment of a dream and desire rather than failure to achieve a noble cause? When will a high school diploma become a great achievement and a promise to a better life? There are many disappointments in the USA and they employed in the jobs service and construction industry.
Hello?
...Escalating noise from ships, seismic surveys for oil and gas, and military sonar is drowning out the sounds whales and dolphins use to communicate, said groups led by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, who were attending a UN conference on the Convention on Migratory Species. The volume could get pumped up, they added, by surprise effects of ocean acidification, plus an oil and gas rush in the thawing Arctic....
There is plenty of opportunity for invigorating the USA economy; one just has to be attuned to it. When is a high school education going to bring a person fulfillment of a dream and desire rather than failure to achieve a noble cause? When will a high school diploma become a great achievement and a promise to a better life? There are many disappointments in the USA and they employed in the jobs service and construction industry.
Hello?
...Escalating noise from ships, seismic surveys for oil and gas, and military sonar is drowning out the sounds whales and dolphins use to communicate, said groups led by the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, who were attending a UN conference on the Convention on Migratory Species. The volume could get pumped up, they added, by surprise effects of ocean acidification, plus an oil and gas rush in the thawing Arctic....
...problems in our housing, credit and financial markets...
Bush on the Economy Dec 05, 2008 Unemployment 34 Year High!
The Anti-American Bush Administration.
The current opportunity before the country, is to have what they want finally from the USA Auto Industry. We have yet to have available to us the automobiles that will facilitate the future of our children on a planet well protected from Human Induced Global Warming.
With the USA as a partner we could actually oversee the biggest corporate restructing of an industry to help our economy and provide safe, reliable and environmentally friendly personal transportation. It is one part of the overall transportation industry. It has its place and it may as well have a benevolent place.
The reason the USA Automakers have failed IS BECAUSE the USA has had over 30 years of Republican policy whereby they 'dictated' that the 'free market economy' would take care of everything.
Well, it didn't.
What did occur was a highly contentious experience with the USA Automaker as a result of their determination to produce vehicles no one wanted. Everything the Republicans have to say about this issue is no different than the nonsense they have rhetorically put forward about national health insurance. They believe competition in the market place will take care of everything.
Private enterprise in the USA isn't about 'any' opportunity at 'any' time in order to buoy politics. It is however about providing necessary services to the country, both in what is needed and enjoyed. Regulation to protect workers, their jobs and their families has always been a vital role of the USA infrastructure. Research and Development has to be a vital aspect to free economy that protects its citizens from disaster.
It is time the country 'got over' the 'moralistic' nonsense of the Republican Party. They mix religion with politics and then in order to keep 'their base' they attempt to legislate morality while raiding the USA Treasury and its regulatory infrastructure. The Obama Administration has to provide re-examination of all regulation as they existed before Reagan and find those laws that have done the most damage and their effectiveness in protecting the rights of Americans today.
Americans today are happy to be able to salvage one home out of this 'free for all' Republican Ritual of Deregulation for the facilitating of an economy. Barak Obama is more than correct when he states we need to address the needs of Americans in the future by addressing our infrastructure today. Investing in a car industry that actually produces cars that Americans need is not only a 'nice idea' it is a 'requirement' to a return of a 'worker's economy.' We have to change our energy and transportation infrastructure and realize how much that makes every aspect of our economy more valuable.
In the very near future, when there is no more oil, what car are you going to buy and which ones will maintain their value? When oil, in October-November of 2009, starts to skyrocket again, which home will have more value, the one with the solar collector or the one with the oil/gas fired furnace. OPEC has already stated, this fall in prices is only for a little over a year. It will end about the fourth quarter of next year.
We need a different economy, one that will actually return jobs and a tax base to the USA economy. You won't achieve that by 'waiting' for the housing glut to turn around. You'll achieve an economy by invigorating 'innovation' and applying it to need and then to leisure. Got to think outside the box everyone. It is time to 'Take American Back' and it won't happen by indulging the financial markets while depriving the job markets. Investing only in Wall Street will only provide 'More of the Same.' It won't work. We need to change the way we conduct 'business' in the USA. We need to return to 'sensible' regulation that faciliates growth and protects Americans.
The Anti-American Bush Administration.
The current opportunity before the country, is to have what they want finally from the USA Auto Industry. We have yet to have available to us the automobiles that will facilitate the future of our children on a planet well protected from Human Induced Global Warming.
With the USA as a partner we could actually oversee the biggest corporate restructing of an industry to help our economy and provide safe, reliable and environmentally friendly personal transportation. It is one part of the overall transportation industry. It has its place and it may as well have a benevolent place.
The reason the USA Automakers have failed IS BECAUSE the USA has had over 30 years of Republican policy whereby they 'dictated' that the 'free market economy' would take care of everything.
Well, it didn't.
What did occur was a highly contentious experience with the USA Automaker as a result of their determination to produce vehicles no one wanted. Everything the Republicans have to say about this issue is no different than the nonsense they have rhetorically put forward about national health insurance. They believe competition in the market place will take care of everything.
Well, it won't.
The reason a free market economy will take place in a benevolent way is because there is government regulation to provide for products the country needs and Americans want. Throughout history, the government regulated the way in which corporations impacted the country. It was healthy and necessary. It limited 'the market share' available to an industry and honed the best out of it. Whenever, one looks at the past and Republican deregulation it has resulted in greed and 'disasterous opportunity' for those unequipped to provide a valued service to the country.
Private enterprise in the USA isn't about 'any' opportunity at 'any' time in order to buoy politics. It is however about providing necessary services to the country, both in what is needed and enjoyed. Regulation to protect workers, their jobs and their families has always been a vital role of the USA infrastructure. Research and Development has to be a vital aspect to free economy that protects its citizens from disaster.
It is time the country 'got over' the 'moralistic' nonsense of the Republican Party. They mix religion with politics and then in order to keep 'their base' they attempt to legislate morality while raiding the USA Treasury and its regulatory infrastructure. The Obama Administration has to provide re-examination of all regulation as they existed before Reagan and find those laws that have done the most damage and their effectiveness in protecting the rights of Americans today.
The housing market slumped because of the 'Republican High Life Lie' to all their electorate and constituency. It was a myth without any end in sight and if regulatory measures were in place could have never occurred. The increase in unemployment due to housing, credit and finance will have to be redirected back into productive jobs that benefit the USA. Why? Because there are far more houses on the market today than will be necessary in the future. Americans were purchasing three or more houses under Bush's Re-election strategy. You gotta be joking? Four Americans can be living in houses previously owned by one.
The 'math' on this in the next five years just isn't there, folks !
If construction workers can't find jobs, its because they won't in the near future either.
The finance industry needs to examine its methodology in foreclosure. To change the locks on the door and taking over a deed isn't effective or beneficial foreclosure. To begin the houses are in such high volume they can't be maintained in good condition for resale. Houses foreclosed by banks literally are left empty without regard to a leaky pipe or broken pipes especially when freezing temperatures penetrate a home. Then to realize that the foreclosure market has few to no buyers makes it hideous to even proceed. It is better to offer some kind of rental agreement than foreclose and then maintain the homes until sale can be made.
The volumes of empty and foreclosed homes and devastated families in the USA because of an election strategy is not only ruthless, but, hideous in its manifestation. The construction industry has to scale back its expectations and to completely believe as Bush and Paulson and Bernanke do that simply adding liquidity to the market will 'fix it' is nothing but pure moronity.
Americans today are happy to be able to salvage one home out of this 'free for all' Republican Ritual of Deregulation for the facilitating of an economy. Barak Obama is more than correct when he states we need to address the needs of Americans in the future by addressing our infrastructure today. Investing in a car industry that actually produces cars that Americans need is not only a 'nice idea' it is a 'requirement' to a return of a 'worker's economy.' We have to change our energy and transportation infrastructure and realize how much that makes every aspect of our economy more valuable.
In the very near future, when there is no more oil, what car are you going to buy and which ones will maintain their value? When oil, in October-November of 2009, starts to skyrocket again, which home will have more value, the one with the solar collector or the one with the oil/gas fired furnace. OPEC has already stated, this fall in prices is only for a little over a year. It will end about the fourth quarter of next year.
We need a different economy, one that will actually return jobs and a tax base to the USA economy. You won't achieve that by 'waiting' for the housing glut to turn around. You'll achieve an economy by invigorating 'innovation' and applying it to need and then to leisure. Got to think outside the box everyone. It is time to 'Take American Back' and it won't happen by indulging the financial markets while depriving the job markets. Investing only in Wall Street will only provide 'More of the Same.' It won't work. We need to change the way we conduct 'business' in the USA. We need to return to 'sensible' regulation that faciliates growth and protects Americans.
This house was purchased at the worst time possible. The President is indulging in a market slump? Come on, so something with this guy !
Who's going to grow your food, America? Bush? Cheney? Paulson? No. But, they might sell you some melamine. Kindly click video below. Thank you.
Mortgage Foreclosure - The Family Farm
First couple drops $2.07 million on 1.13 acre Dallas spread.
Foreclosures carry same sting when it comes to credit (click here)
BY COURTENAY EDELHART, Californian staff writer cedelhart@bakersfield.com
Friday, Dec 5 2008 6:11 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Dec 5 2008 5:57 PM
Brent Bowser assumed that with a credit score of 725, he’d have no trouble getting a conventional home loan.
But because he only had 5 percent to put down, he was forced into a Federal Housing Administration loan insured by the federal government. That’s going to cost him at least another $100 a month more than a conventional loan.
“I understand they had to tighten up their criteria because of the foreclosures, but I think they’ve gone too far,” lamented Bowser, who is bidding on a short sale with his fiancee.
Nance Fillmore of Fillmore Realty and Financial Services thinks so, too....
Mortgage Foreclosure - The Family Farm
First couple drops $2.07 million on 1.13 acre Dallas spread.
Corporate raiders aren't the people to put into government office. This house is bought in completely poor taste based on the struggle of the nation. That is amazing.
Foreclosures carry same sting when it comes to credit (click here)
BY COURTENAY EDELHART, Californian staff writer cedelhart@bakersfield.com
Friday, Dec 5 2008 6:11 PM
Last Updated: Friday, Dec 5 2008 5:57 PM
Brent Bowser assumed that with a credit score of 725, he’d have no trouble getting a conventional home loan.
But because he only had 5 percent to put down, he was forced into a Federal Housing Administration loan insured by the federal government. That’s going to cost him at least another $100 a month more than a conventional loan.
“I understand they had to tighten up their criteria because of the foreclosures, but I think they’ve gone too far,” lamented Bowser, who is bidding on a short sale with his fiancee.
Nance Fillmore of Fillmore Realty and Financial Services thinks so, too....
How to get a Dallas Texas Foreclosure List
Friday, December 05, 2008
46 Day until Inauguration - The Federal Reserve Bankrupts the Country to Cover-Up Failure
There are no guarantees this economy will turn around. If the impetus and beginnings of job growth and an expanding tax base isn't achieved in good measure within the next legislature the country is in trouble. We have to 'go there.' There is no choice. The interest on $3 Trillion US deficit is enough to cause the wheels to spin on the USA economy. It's all uphill from here and it is a royal Republican mess !
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (2nd from left) speaks to colleagues the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Annual Conference on Bank Structure and Competition May 15, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The three-day conference called "Credit Market Turmoil: Causes, Consequences, and Cures" runs through tomorrow.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images North America)
Six years of Republican Rule with Bush and Cheney running the show was a complete fiscal disaster for the USA. This is some of the most hideous debt that has ever been engaged by the USA. How many more days of these idiots? This is a lot of risk taking for any Fed Chairman to embark on considering the future of America rides on it. The Fed isn't suppose to gamble with the assets of this country, they are suppose to insure from the disaster that could beset the country.
Fed Takes a $3 Trillion Gamble to Spur Lending: John M. Berry (click here)
Commentary by John M. Berry
Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve officials are throwing everything they have into the fight to stabilize financial markets and restore economic growth. In the process, the Fed balance sheet is ballooning to $3 trillion, if not more.
It's a risky approach because all the cash piling up in the banking system might spark rising inflation down the road. The alternative -- just relying on traditional interest-rate cuts -- might leave markets and the economy mired in the mud for years.
Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and his colleagues know that when the markets stabilize and the economy turns around, they will have to move fast to take back the extra cash and shrink the central bank's balance sheet....
There is only one way that foreclosure serves the market and that is if there are actually buyers from within the USA ready to purchase property. The Federal Reserve and USA Treasury is in such trouble, they are demanding Americans be put of their homes to make room for ANYONE, including foreign purchasers to 'bailout the bailout.'
US Fed demands foreclosures push (click here)
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has called on the government to take action to stem the increasing number of home foreclosures.
He said banks should consider reducing existing mortgages by writing down negative equity in people's homes.
The Fed chairman said the government had several options, all using public funds, that could reduce foreclosures.
"Weakness in the housing market has proved a serious drag on overall economic activity," he added.
"Despite good-faith efforts by the private and public sectors, the foreclosures rate remains too high."
Mr Bernanke said several solutions were being examined, which would allow borrowers who fell behind with their mortgage payments to stay in their homes....
Bernanke is "W"rong and running scared. There is a model that is working. It was developed by the FDIC, you know the folks that have FOREVER insured the deposits of Americans that bank within the federal system. It is called the IndyMac Model and it is known to benefit Americans already in their homes.
FDIC pushes IndyMac model for troubled mortgages
November 20th, 2008, 4:10 pm The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is encouraging private lending institutions to emulate the agency's program for helping distressed borrowers at IndyMac Federal Bank, which the FDIC seized in July. Under the FDIC's program, distressed borrowers can arrange loan modifications with a goal of 38 percent of gross income going to house payments through the use of interest rate reductions, amortization term extensions, and in some cases, principal deferments."I would encourage all industry participants to adopt the FDIC Loan Modification Program as the standard approach in dealing with the grave problems facing us with continued mounting foreclosures," said Sheila Bair, the FDIC chairwoman.Last week, Bair proposed a $24 billion federally-backed bailout program for distressed homeowners, which has been opposed by other members of the Bush Administration.As of today (Nov. 20) IndyMac has completed more than 5,300 loan modifications in response to mailings sent to more than 23,000 eligible borrowers, the FDIC said. Thousands more modifications are in the pipeline....
http://mortgage.freedomblogging.com/2008/11/20/fdic-pushes-indymac-model-for-other-troubled-mortgages/3366/
The FDIC were the folks who bailed out Bush, Sr. oldest idiot, Neil, Silverado and the S&L failure. Everywhere there is a Bush there is fiscal failure. All the time. H.W. even tanked the economy when he was in office. The problem this time is that "W." is the worst of the bunch thus far. He not only bankrupt every company he was ever affiliated with, along with Cheney, now they have the USA economy to add to their resume. When are Americans going to realize they don't need Bushs on God's side they need to speak to their ministers.
The FDIC is the only entity in this mess that can be trusted at this point and they are worth taking recommendation from. Treasury is talking about a lower interest for securities purchased from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but, that was supposed to have happened months ago. So, what has taken so long? Paulson had to make sure, Goldman-Sachs had enough latitude that even Obama can't sink them? I mean for real already !
Financial industry pushes for lower mortgage rates
Under the proposal, the Treasury Department would purchase mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae to lower the rate on a 30-year loan to 4.5%.Associated PressDecember 4, 2008Reporting from Washington -- Financial industry lobbyists are urging the Treasury Department to take steps to lower mortgage rates in hopes of stabilizing the housing market.
Under the proposal, the Treasury Department would seek to lower the rate on a 30-year mortgage to 4.5%, Scott Talbott, a vice president at the Financial Services Roundtable, said Wednesday. That's about 1 percentage point below the current rate of 5.6%.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mortgage4-2008dec04,0,6502961.story
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (2nd from left) speaks to colleagues the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's Annual Conference on Bank Structure and Competition May 15, 2008 in Chicago, Illinois. The three-day conference called "Credit Market Turmoil: Causes, Consequences, and Cures" runs through tomorrow.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images North America)
Six years of Republican Rule with Bush and Cheney running the show was a complete fiscal disaster for the USA. This is some of the most hideous debt that has ever been engaged by the USA. How many more days of these idiots? This is a lot of risk taking for any Fed Chairman to embark on considering the future of America rides on it. The Fed isn't suppose to gamble with the assets of this country, they are suppose to insure from the disaster that could beset the country.
Fed Takes a $3 Trillion Gamble to Spur Lending: John M. Berry (click here)
Commentary by John M. Berry
Dec. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Federal Reserve officials are throwing everything they have into the fight to stabilize financial markets and restore economic growth. In the process, the Fed balance sheet is ballooning to $3 trillion, if not more.
It's a risky approach because all the cash piling up in the banking system might spark rising inflation down the road. The alternative -- just relying on traditional interest-rate cuts -- might leave markets and the economy mired in the mud for years.
Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and his colleagues know that when the markets stabilize and the economy turns around, they will have to move fast to take back the extra cash and shrink the central bank's balance sheet....
There is only one way that foreclosure serves the market and that is if there are actually buyers from within the USA ready to purchase property. The Federal Reserve and USA Treasury is in such trouble, they are demanding Americans be put of their homes to make room for ANYONE, including foreign purchasers to 'bailout the bailout.'
US Fed demands foreclosures push (click here)
US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke has called on the government to take action to stem the increasing number of home foreclosures.
He said banks should consider reducing existing mortgages by writing down negative equity in people's homes.
The Fed chairman said the government had several options, all using public funds, that could reduce foreclosures.
"Weakness in the housing market has proved a serious drag on overall economic activity," he added.
"Despite good-faith efforts by the private and public sectors, the foreclosures rate remains too high."
Mr Bernanke said several solutions were being examined, which would allow borrowers who fell behind with their mortgage payments to stay in their homes....
Bernanke is "W"rong and running scared. There is a model that is working. It was developed by the FDIC, you know the folks that have FOREVER insured the deposits of Americans that bank within the federal system. It is called the IndyMac Model and it is known to benefit Americans already in their homes.
FDIC pushes IndyMac model for troubled mortgages
November 20th, 2008, 4:10 pm The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. is encouraging private lending institutions to emulate the agency's program for helping distressed borrowers at IndyMac Federal Bank, which the FDIC seized in July. Under the FDIC's program, distressed borrowers can arrange loan modifications with a goal of 38 percent of gross income going to house payments through the use of interest rate reductions, amortization term extensions, and in some cases, principal deferments."I would encourage all industry participants to adopt the FDIC Loan Modification Program as the standard approach in dealing with the grave problems facing us with continued mounting foreclosures," said Sheila Bair, the FDIC chairwoman.Last week, Bair proposed a $24 billion federally-backed bailout program for distressed homeowners, which has been opposed by other members of the Bush Administration.As of today (Nov. 20) IndyMac has completed more than 5,300 loan modifications in response to mailings sent to more than 23,000 eligible borrowers, the FDIC said. Thousands more modifications are in the pipeline....
http://mortgage.freedomblogging.com/2008/11/20/fdic-pushes-indymac-model-for-other-troubled-mortgages/3366/
The FDIC were the folks who bailed out Bush, Sr. oldest idiot, Neil, Silverado and the S&L failure. Everywhere there is a Bush there is fiscal failure. All the time. H.W. even tanked the economy when he was in office. The problem this time is that "W." is the worst of the bunch thus far. He not only bankrupt every company he was ever affiliated with, along with Cheney, now they have the USA economy to add to their resume. When are Americans going to realize they don't need Bushs on God's side they need to speak to their ministers.
The FDIC is the only entity in this mess that can be trusted at this point and they are worth taking recommendation from. Treasury is talking about a lower interest for securities purchased from Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, but, that was supposed to have happened months ago. So, what has taken so long? Paulson had to make sure, Goldman-Sachs had enough latitude that even Obama can't sink them? I mean for real already !
Financial industry pushes for lower mortgage rates
Under the proposal, the Treasury Department would purchase mortgage-backed securities from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mae to lower the rate on a 30-year loan to 4.5%.Associated PressDecember 4, 2008Reporting from Washington -- Financial industry lobbyists are urging the Treasury Department to take steps to lower mortgage rates in hopes of stabilizing the housing market.
Under the proposal, the Treasury Department would seek to lower the rate on a 30-year mortgage to 4.5%, Scott Talbott, a vice president at the Financial Services Roundtable, said Wednesday. That's about 1 percentage point below the current rate of 5.6%.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-mortgage4-2008dec04,0,6502961.story
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Is Russia Over-reaching?
Medvedev is a very ambitious and aggressive Russian President. Not overly aggressive, but, certainly able to keep up a presence that is daughting impressive to a 'resigned' USA under Bush/Cheney/Rice.
The thing is this. With Russia seeking to advocate for small ethnicities and seeking to support everything from Indian nuclear plants to protection of Cuba and Venezuela with the assistance of China; is the world's biggest brother over extending itself as it is not immune completely to the global economic dynamics as well.
I state this in support of the Russian President and his ambitions for peace and prosperity and to insure that the agenda will occur without paranoid fear of the USA. The agenda of Bush will be put to rest in January. Russia should anticipate peace. Medvedev should be preparing the next ABM Treaty and economic agreements with the USA. Perhaps we have to start over with cultural exchanges.
A woman attended to a child as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia took questions during a nationally televised town hall style session in Moscow on Thursday.
While there is nothing wrong with preparing for global control of any possible threat to Russia and its allies, there may be estimations about USA aggressions that will find itself poorly considered that could sap Russia of its current military agility. I sincerely believe there is nothing about the Black Sea the USA will be actively seeking as a place for war. It will be a place where peace should be a high priority to improve the quality of lives of that region. I would hope Russia's Medvedev would view that same reality as attainable within the Obama administration. I do believe natural gas supplies to Europe are reassuring measures of codependencies that provide paths to peace a higher priority than any war. Quite frankly, I don't know why those realities haven't presented in dialogues over unnecessary Missile Shields.
The Black Sea? The likelihood of Turkey being more a destabilizing entity when chasing down preceived regional terrorist groups, poses a greater threat than anything the USA wants to see happen. The USA under Obama will return to a nation of Defensive measures in cooperation will expanding allies, not aggressive measures that are unattainable.
Obama's possible wars (click here)
...The United States is also likely to concentrate on the former Soviet Union, especially the Black Sea area. It is going all-out to get Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, but in Europe this position is unreservedly backed only by Poland and the Baltic nations. NATO's old members are either adamantly against this, or believe that this step would be premature....
It would be premature for Russia to rachet up the rhetoric to attempt intimidation of a new administration in DC. Gates will not have the same directive as under Bush. Both Gates and the General are there more so for 'transition of national security' of terrorist networks, anticipating a Russia just as concerned as the USA.
The thing is this. With Russia seeking to advocate for small ethnicities and seeking to support everything from Indian nuclear plants to protection of Cuba and Venezuela with the assistance of China; is the world's biggest brother over extending itself as it is not immune completely to the global economic dynamics as well.
I state this in support of the Russian President and his ambitions for peace and prosperity and to insure that the agenda will occur without paranoid fear of the USA. The agenda of Bush will be put to rest in January. Russia should anticipate peace. Medvedev should be preparing the next ABM Treaty and economic agreements with the USA. Perhaps we have to start over with cultural exchanges.
A woman attended to a child as Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia took questions during a nationally televised town hall style session in Moscow on Thursday.
While there is nothing wrong with preparing for global control of any possible threat to Russia and its allies, there may be estimations about USA aggressions that will find itself poorly considered that could sap Russia of its current military agility. I sincerely believe there is nothing about the Black Sea the USA will be actively seeking as a place for war. It will be a place where peace should be a high priority to improve the quality of lives of that region. I would hope Russia's Medvedev would view that same reality as attainable within the Obama administration. I do believe natural gas supplies to Europe are reassuring measures of codependencies that provide paths to peace a higher priority than any war. Quite frankly, I don't know why those realities haven't presented in dialogues over unnecessary Missile Shields.
The Black Sea? The likelihood of Turkey being more a destabilizing entity when chasing down preceived regional terrorist groups, poses a greater threat than anything the USA wants to see happen. The USA under Obama will return to a nation of Defensive measures in cooperation will expanding allies, not aggressive measures that are unattainable.
Obama's possible wars (click here)
...The United States is also likely to concentrate on the former Soviet Union, especially the Black Sea area. It is going all-out to get Ukraine and Georgia into NATO, but in Europe this position is unreservedly backed only by Poland and the Baltic nations. NATO's old members are either adamantly against this, or believe that this step would be premature....
It would be premature for Russia to rachet up the rhetoric to attempt intimidation of a new administration in DC. Gates will not have the same directive as under Bush. Both Gates and the General are there more so for 'transition of national security' of terrorist networks, anticipating a Russia just as concerned as the USA.
Hillary takes a pay cut. It is a matter of whom is best qualified at a time when there is no room for error.
...The Senate is working on a bill to rescind the raise -- a strategy also used in 1973 so that Senator William Saxbe, an Ohio Republican, could become attorney general. And House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, through a spokesman, said this week that she'd go along....
..."To our knowledge, Senator Clinton played no role in the salary raise, and she clearly had grander ambitions than Secretary of State when the law was signed. But while the issue will strike some as trivial, it is no small matter to ignore the Constitution's direct words. Giving Mrs. Clinton a pay cut is a minimum gesture of deference required to the document that Mr. Obama will soon swear an oath to preserve, protect and defend," it said.
..."To our knowledge, Senator Clinton played no role in the salary raise, and she clearly had grander ambitions than Secretary of State when the law was signed. But while the issue will strike some as trivial, it is no small matter to ignore the Constitution's direct words. Giving Mrs. Clinton a pay cut is a minimum gesture of deference required to the document that Mr. Obama will soon swear an oath to preserve, protect and defend," it said.
This was interesting. I also believe American Auto Makers have to accept full responsiblity regardless of Union Concessions.
This is a huge issue for the very reason it has disaffected the future of the children of the USA. The car industry is in the middle of a global emergency as their fiscal stability hangs in the breach.
This decision is difficult to make because the car and oil companies have never owned up to their responsiblity regarding Human Induced Global Warming. The question is, are the car manufacturers of the USA being singled out for ridicule when the banking industry is being pandered to in ways that nullifies any hope for the USA economy to recover in a productive way to facilitate the futures of Americans both environmentally and economically?
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