The USA is not going back to Iraq. End of discussion.

Last Updated Aug 7, 2014 1:52 PM EDT

The Pentagon (click here) is looking at conducting emergency air drops to the estimated 15,000 stranded ethnic minority Yazidis in northern Iraq, reports CBS News national security correspondent David Martin,
A decision is expected today. Martin says if the U.S. military makes drops, the transport planes would almost certainly be escorted by fighters.
Reuters, citing Turkish officials, reported Thursday that thousands of Yazidis had fled to the Turkish border to escape the the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which has advanced to northern Iraq....

There are other Arab nations in the area able to conduct air drops. Saudi Arabia has a very nice air force.

There will be no military movement by the USA Pentagon into Iraq or around Iraq by the USA without the direct permission of both houses of Congress. 

Take a good long look, this is what happens when wars are engaged for Wall Street profits (Halliburton) and vengeance by Presidents.

The Pentagon already has it wrong. This region is in chronic flux with borders changing on a regular basis. There is no Iraq as there was under "W." That is the first thing. Additionally, with changing borders and any American presence there will be doubt as to whom exactly the USA is assisting. Right now the brilliance of the USA Pentagon has failed the people of the former Iraq by entrusting huge amounts of American equipment and munitions to militants. ISIS would never have it's success without the "War Pollution" of the USA Pentagon.

If the USA were ever to return to Iraq according to it's old borders, there would be deaths of USA soldiers at the hands of what is usually considered Iraq military and police officers, any militants in area, it would confront Syria with the extent of ISIS and when Syria is confronted then Russia is involved.

The USA did the right thing by insisting Syria disarm from chemical weapons. We did our part and I am sure Syria would state the weapons were used against the current ISIS. Makes no difference. 

There are NGOs all over the Middle East and the Red Crescent is always there. I strongly suggest those with planes in the MIddle East consult with the Red Crescent and formulate a solution, both long term and immediate.

The USA is OUT OF THERE and the Middle East should be grateful. Don't let the USA open the door again!

How rarely does this occur?

August 7, 2014
1330.17z
UNISYS Goes West Water Vapor Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

Hawaii has never received a dual storm system in it's history.

Hawaii (click here) braced for its first direct hurricane hit in 22 years Thursday as Iselle headed toward the Big Island with a second storm on its tails. Bottled water and supplies were in high demand at stores ahead of the Category 1 storm’s expected impact on Thursday night. “It’s a fairly potent hurricane by Hawaiian standards,” Weather Channel meteorologist Kevin Roth said. Heavy rains totaling 5 to 8 inches, winds gusting up to 80 mph and flooding were expected, before Iselle was set to weaken to a tropical storm by the time it hit Honolulu at about 9 a.m. local time (3 p.m. ET) on Friday. Tropical storm warnings were issued for Oahu, Kauai and Maui, and a flash flood warning was in effect for the entire island chain....

This is NOAA's Satellite (click here)

This is a NOAA satellite from the Central Pacific that visualizes the larger circulation system west of Hawaii. I haven't found it documented anywhere in the east or west Pacific records to date.

This is it in the West Central Pacific satellite image. It is on the right side of the image. It dwarfs the two hurricanes now in route to Hawaii.

Here it is:

The track of Genevieve was just south of Hawaii. I would have been shocked if it wasn't documented somewhere.

Date: 25 JUL-07 AUG 2014
Hurricane-4 GENEVIEVE
ADV  LAT    LON      TIME     WIND  PR  STAT
  1  12.20 -134.00 07/25/06Z   35     - TROPICAL STORM
  2  12.30 -135.00 07/25/12Z   40     - TROPICAL STORM
  3  12.20 -135.80 07/25/18Z   40     - TROPICAL STORM
  4  12.10 -135.90 07/26/00Z   40     - TROPICAL STORM
  5  12.10 -136.40 07/26/06Z   35     - TROPICAL STORM
  6  12.20 -136.80 07/26/12Z   30     - TROPICAL DEPRESSION
  7  12.40 -137.50 07/26/18Z   30     - TROPICAL DEPRESSION
  8  12.50 -138.80 07/27/00Z   30     - TROPICAL DEPRESSION...

 ...37  11.90 -174.60 08/06/06Z   50     - TROPICAL STORM
 38  12.80 -176.80 08/06/05Z   65   990 HURRICANE-1
 39  13.50 -178.40 08/06/11Z   75   980 HURRICANE-1
 40  14.10 -179.70 08/07/03Z  120     - HURRICANE-4
 41  14.50  179.80 08/07/06Z  130     - HURRICANE-4
+12  15.50  177.70 08/07/18Z  145     - HURRICANE-5
+24  17.20  176.00 08/08/06Z  140     - HURRICANE-5
+36  19.50  175.30 08/08/18Z  130     - HURRICANE-4
+48  22.10  175.10 08/09/06Z  120     - HURRICANE-4
+72  26.60  173.90 08/10/06Z   95     - HURRICANE-2

Eye lids can carry the microbe into the body which begins the infection.

August 7, 2014
By Umaru Fofana and Clair Macdougall

...Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (click here) announced emergency measures late on Wednesday that will, for 90 days, allow her government to curtail civil rights by imposing quarantines on badly affected communities to contain an epidemic that has struck four West African nations.

In Geneva, World Health Organization (WHO) experts were due to hold a second day of meetings to discuss emergency measures to tackle the outbreak and whether to classify it as an international public health emergency.

Though the vast majority of cases are in the remote border area of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, concern over Ebola's spread grew last month when a U.S. citizen died in Nigeria of the virus after arriving from the region. A nurse who treated him has now also died in Lagos, and at least five other people have been isolated with symptoms....

The virus is highly contagious and takes very few microbes to begin an infection. If a few microbes are accidentally deposited on one's eye lids it can begin an infection. 

One of the problems with the spread of the disease in West Africa is the disbelief of the people. There are 24 hour radio broadcasts and workers driving around the city with announcements on loud speakers. But, not everyone has contact with a radio and may not live along the streets where workers drive to make announcements. This is the problem with poverty. This is why the USA spends monies abroad to assist in the health of nations. 

While Ebola is a microbe and contagious the real enemy is poverty and allowing people to live without the benefit of education and the opportunity to change their quality of life. In the case with the method above the problem exists when others can't read the words on the shirt. While compassion seems like a nice thing for the USA to do for others there are profoundly important reasons why that compassion occurs. It is important for every nation of people to have the opportunity to improve their quality of life and understand the complexities of their world. 

The compassion provided for others by wealthier nations has to be nondiscriminatory and void of religious priorities. Why? Because we have learned when religious organizations provide free care to others disease isn't necessarily defeated as in HIV/AIDS and the proven practice of using condoms. The prejudice of religious dogma supplied to people in other nations caused the spread of the disease. In the USA people practice their religion but are sophisticated enough to know prayers alone won't stop microbes. That is the level of sophistication that needs to be supplied to any aid.

What came first the chicken or the egg? How about the egg head?

Or. How about an incubator of educational standards that are world class?

That HAS been the educational system within Michigan. Michigan has a very long history of incubating some of the most successful people on Wall Street. Michigan? Yes, Michigan. 

There is no discrimination in Michigan, the list of famous people spans the USA economy from a USA President to the star studded stage and onto NASCAR. (click here). Among the most prolific incubators for the entertainment industry is Detroit.  There is a reason why there have been so many stages in Detroit.

The performance industry wasn't just populous talent. This is Jay Meetze of Flint a producer and composer of opera. So the talent and BRAIN TRUST RESOURCES the people of Michigan have walking among them is considerable. 

The home grown resources found opportunity in both genders even among the sciences. Emily Helen Butterfield from Algonac, Michigan pioneered the Michigan Women's Movement in the late 1800s. But, that isn't her only contribution.She founded the first women's business club in the entire country of the USA. It was the Detroit Business Women's Club. So, what was her business? I wouldn't really call it a business exactly.

Ms. Butterfield (I am sure she would approve of the Ms.) was educated in the Detroit Public Schools. She and her father loved art and she sketched nature and landscapes in her teenage years.

That affection for art they shared blossomed into an architectural firm called Butterfield and Butterfield in 1917. But, why would she be involved with an architectural firm, family or not? Why indeed. She became the first woman architect licensed in Michigan in 1907.

Did you notice? She came back to Michigan regardless of her travels to work hand in hand with Dad. A Michigan architectural firm born and breed right in the state.

Architecture is an art and science. Math and science. Engineering. Such a career requires high levels of learning from the beginning of any education including advanced information in High School. 

Anyone know the name Charles Moore? This is Charles Moore. He hales from Benton Harbor. He was an architect and what an architect he was. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and winner of the AIA Gold Metal of 1991. Below is a picture of Piazza d'Italia by Charles Moore (with Perez Architects), New Orleans. Now bad for a guy from Michigan. 

 

The highly COMPETENT education system in Michigan doesn't end the architects. That high competency in math and science belongs to Michael Bloomfield. No, not the mayor of NYC. He is an astronaut that has flown three missions on the Space Shuttle. 

Astronaut Bloomfield hales from Flint. But, any state in the nation can have a flash in the pan astronaut, but, how many can claim their fame with a long tradition of influence in aerospace with Roger B.

Chaffee, an astronaut in the Apollo Program. 

Roger Chaffee is among the great Americans that advanced the USA Space Program. He died for his country and it's space ambitions along with Gus Grissom and Ed White in a terrible accident within their capsule. Chaffee and Grissom are buried at Arlington National Cemetary and Ed White is buried at West Point Cemetary. The number of astronauts born in Michigan goes on from there. 

Then there is the car industry with people like Roy D. Chapin founding the Hudson Auto Company and John DeLorean who's father was employed by the union within the Ford Motor Company. 

John DeLorean was born and breed and educated in Detroit schools. He worked for a while for GM before he founded the DeLorean Motor Company. He was a first generation American born to immigrants. While working within GM his best loved contribution was the highly collectable Pontiac GTO. As a matter of fact John DeLorean was the youngest department head within GM at the Pontiac Division at the age of 40.

The infamous competition that started in Hamtramck, Michigan began with two brothers with the last name of Dodge. Their names were Horace Elgin and John Francis. They were born in Niles, Michigan and went to Detroit to work in a boilermaker plant and then followed that up as machinists for a company in Windsor, Ontario. They were self taught. Now, that is noteworthy of young men who are home spun in Michigan. That only begins the list of those that grew the automobile industry in Michigan. They were all home grown and educated. They did their state proud.

Anyone know the name Ballmer? Steve Ballmer? No? He was the son of two immigrants, Beatrice Dworkin from Belarus, she was Jewish and Fredric Henry Ballmer from Switzerland. Still no clue? Fredric Henry Ballmer was manager of Ford Motor. Still don't know Steve Ballmer? One last clue: He attended college prep and engineering classes at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, Michigan and graduated from Detroit Country Day School, a private college preparatory school in Beverly Hills, Michigan, with a perfect score of 800 on the mathematical section of the SAT.

Okay, Steven Ballmer was the first manage hired by Bill Gates at Microsoft. But, that isn't all. He became the defacto number two at Microsoft after 20 years following his hire, and leading several Microsoft divisions, including operations, operating systems development, and sales and support. February 1992 onwards, he was Executive Vice President, Sales and Support, led Microsoft's development of the .NET Framework. Ballmer was then promoted to President of Microsoft, a title that he held from July 1998 to February 2001. 

I could go on and on and on, but, what is the point to all this? Michigan is the point to all this. The educational system, it's free form structure allowing artistic development and free thinking is infamous. The Michigan's brain trust and what has been contributed to the USA and the world is rarely discussed. The FAILURE of the Michigan educational system is the only thing talked about today. Somehow the bottom fell out of the magic of Michigan.

Somehow along came Former CEO Snyder and decided he was the savior of Michigan. Snyder hasn't been a savior to anything except perhaps the profiteering of Wall Street. There is NOTHING Snyder has found or perfected or took away from democracy that wasn't already there. The ONLY problem with Michigan is the OUTSOURCING of it's brain trust to every other corner of the USA and the world. Why? Because Michigan, while a magnificent incubator of genius and strong work ethics, has a high quality of life. What does a high quality of life demand? It demands a Middle Class. What does a Middle Class demand? Good pay, disposable income and FREEDOM to spend their monies to continue to grow an economy. 

When Roger Smith knew he had to provide high profits to stockholders and outsourced the jobs to other nations he began the unraveling of the economy of Michigan, ultimately the region and contributing to the downward spiral of the Middle Class across the country. But, Ronald Reagan finished off the Middle Class when he fought Airline Controllers in California. The people who actually thought as industry leaders they knew what was best for their company's bottom line, didn't stop to realize where their status came from in the first place. The entire auto industry can and should thank the brain trust of Michigan. Without them it would be nowhere.

The ONLY problem with Michigan is the implosion of it's economy. The educational system is primarily intact except where Snyder have toyed with school systems and towns and cities to incorporate children of many cities into the school system of one. Snyder is the worst thing that has happened to Michigan. He only appreciates it's educational system where it delivers highly talented people that can be EXPLOITED for what they know and what they invent and their desire to be prosperous. 

The Governor of Michigan has no answers for the people of Michigan. He has answers for Wall Street. The Tech Sector he brags about existed long before he became Governor. The real question Michiganders have to ask themselves is with all this emphasis on the successful Tech Sector, "Why aren't there more jobs?" That is the only question that has to be answered and the answer is simple. While the Tech Sector is very successful, the companies are sold to Wall Street for profits and finding cheaper labor elsewhere. Sound familiar? Snyder's name may as well be Roger Smith. 

There are profound differences between the way industry and government run and why. Industry is built from the ground up. As the demand for it's products takes shape and there is demand, industry grows. Government has nothing in common with business or industry. Government EXISTS. Why does it exist? Did someone invent something and then grew Detroit? Detroit is land. Detroit exists because people came to the land and developed their livelihoods and economy. Governments grow because the people in a city or town increase. There is nothing remotely similar between a business model and a government. Government exists. It can't cut middle management because that middle management runs the trash collection department and the water department. The only way a government shrinks is if the people aren't there on the land anymore. And with Detroit we realized even if the government shrinks there is still a need for it to operate in someway. Detroit lost it's tax base because the economy collapsed. People didn't have jobs. The jobs that remained still has a viable existence and the people living there still needed a government. The people didn't do anything wrong in Detroit. The larger government didn't stem the economics loss.

Detroit and Benton Harbor as well as Flint and the rest of the cities are not at fault. If there was corruption that is a completely different issue. Corrupt government needs to be prosecuted. 

Wall Street failed for a long time and continues to fail the Michigan economy. I don't know why Michigan hasn't recovered, but, it seems to me the Michigan Brain Trust is a well kept secret for a reason. The problem is, do the people of Michigan believe there should be ways to promote the industries created in Michigan or can Wall Street exploit them so much better? 

Why not simply build the story of all stories (political narrative) to move people and governments around and allow exploitation of Michigan's land in a way Snyder and his buddies believe is best?

There is a challenge before the Mayors of Michigan. They need to recruit these home grown companies into their towns. That means the people that will work for them have a strong work ethnic and are 'educated enough' to create their product. 

Mayors have nothing to lose. 

If there is no Michigan Brain Trust Techy Industry in their town there is nothing going into the treasury anyway. If a Michigan Brain Trust Techy Industry comes to make a Michigan city or town their home, then people work, they buy homes and they pay property tax. The Mayors of Michigan can do this. There is no reason for them not to. If I were a Mayor of Michigan I'd want a conference of Mayors and invite the Chancellors of the major universities and ask how this can work out to the benefit the people, hence, their towns, counties and ultimately the state.

Snyder is not providing good leadership, he is providing the leadership he is only capable of; namely that of a Venture Capitalist. That isn't going to put people to work and will exploit natural resources rather than pursuing high tech resolves as better and more attainable. It is up to the people of Michigan to fire Governor Snyder and put someone in office that will provide SUPPORT to Mayors to bring home their home grown brain trust so people have jobs and those companies have profits.

Michigan's Snyder's assault against local governments.

August 6, 2014
By Michael Wayland

ACME TOWNSHIP, MI- In his first public speech (click here) after the passing of Proposal 1, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to tout the termination of the state's personal property tax as another example of Michigan's improving business environment.

"We've continued to create a great climate," he said Tuesday afternoon, prior to his Wednesday morning speech at the 49^th annual Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars near Traverse City. "Tomorrow morning, hopefully I can say we don't have a personal property tax on industrial equipment. Tat's a big deal."

The proposal phases out personal property taxes that small businesses pay on office equipment and manufacturers pay on industrial equipment. It also authorizes the creation of an authority to distribute existing use tax revenue to local governments who currently rely on personal property tax collections to provide services, including police and fire.

Snyder said the proposal is "another major indicator" about how the state is "becoming more competitive and a better place to do business."...

Excuse me? There are emergency managers all over the state and Detroit in up against the ropes and Snyder is padding the pockets of the wealthy? Really?

The unemployment rate in Michigan in January 2014 was 8.3 percent. Nationally the unemployment rate in January 2014 was 6.6 percent. Currently, Michigan's unemployment rate has flat lined at 7.5 percent over the past four months. Currently the unemployment rate nationally is 6.2 percent.

Snyder took office in January 2011 with an unemployment rate in Michigan of 11%. That is high, but, the unemployment rate in Michigan in May of 2010 was 13%. Michigan was already rebounding from the global economic collapse and it's collapsed auto economy. In contract the USA national unemployment rate in January of 2011 was 9.1 percent with a rate of 9.6 percent in May of 2010. 

Michigan has recovered at a faster rate in seven months before Snyder took office dropping by 2 percent in those seven months. Snyder's fuzzy math and emergency mangers have not only assaulted the democratic process and children within their school systems it slowed down the very rapid recovery Michigan was already experiencing.

Michigan would not see another 2 percent recovery for another thirteen months in May of 2012 when the rate was 9 percent. Now, 28 months on Michigan STILL has not recovered to a 7 percent unemployment rate, while the national rate is 6.2 at the end of July.

It is interesting the Michigan Governor is so persistent in pushing the idea there needs to be a better economic environment seeking all kinds of Visas for Chinese investment, which are monies that will leave the country except for meager employment. Now he is giving away more Michigan income from it's treasury while the cities are still without their democratically elected officials and the state's largest city is seeking settlements with unions. This is completely outrageous. I suppose all those connections in China from his time at "Gateway Computers" are still hot and delivering.

Snyder's funny math starts with manipulating monies for education with schools in trouble and then rather than harnessing the power of a full recovery he has decided to play tax reduction for the wealthy while the state can't keep up with the national recovery.

I can hear the campaign music playing now, "Well, the rest of the nation has fracking as it's best friend, so why don't we and we'd be recovered by now, too." Michigan could be producing huge amounts of wind energy right there on the lakes and selling it to the entire region. Why isn't that happening and why fracking at all?

Snyder came with a lot of baggage when he took the governor's seat. He had sold a perfectly viable Michigan business developed with a Michigan brain trust and sold it with to Wall Street while serving as CEO and Chairman of Ardesta, the venture capital firm and CEO of the company Ardesta had sold.

Snyder's dealings before his days as governor is not the only problem. He continues to use state monies and eyeing his relationship with Ardesta to develop high tech industry in Michigan with Michigan's brain trust and monies only to sell it to Wall Street.

October 13, 2013
By Gary Anglebrant

Michigan's medical device industry has witnessed the sale of a growing number of its companies in recent years. The following lists some that state experts and players in the industry consistently mention as the most noteworthy....

Exits and deals

Accuri Cytometers Inc.
City: Ann Arbor
Sold to: Franklin Lakes, N.J.-based Becton, Dickinson and Co. in 2011 for $205 million
Investors: Included Arboretum Ventures, Plymouth Venture Partners, Flagship Ventures, Baird Venture Partners
Business: University of Michigan spinoff making cytometers (automated cell analysis devices) small enough to sit on a desktop

Ostial Solutions LLC
City: Kalamazoo
Sold to: South Jordan, Utah-based Merit Medical Systems Inc. in 2012 for $30 million
Investors: Self-funded, angel investors
Business: Maker of a catheter used to implant coronary artery stents, founded by CEO R. Kevin Plemmons and the Fischell family of medical device inventors

Snyder did NOTHING to keep these jobs in Michigan and now he wants to pad the pockets of his friends? I don't think so.

Pioneer Surgical Technology Inc.
City: Marquette
Sold to: Alachua, Fla.-based RTI Biologics Inc. in July for $130 million
Investors: Included Beringea, Highlander Partners, Hopewell Ventures, Pharos Capital Group and River Cities Capital Funds
Business: Maker of spinal implants, bone grafts and other spine, cardiothoracic and orthopedic products; also offers contract manufacturing services. (See story.)

In the pipeline

Ablative Solutions Inc.
City: Kalamazoo

CytoPherx Inc.
City: Ann Arbor

Delphinus Medical Technologies Inc.
City: Plymouth Township

HistoSonics Inc.
City: Ann Arbor

Tangent Medical Technologies Inc.
City: Ann Arbor

Michigan's brain trust delivers some of the most sophisticated industries in the world and then people like Snyder and his friends steal them rather than Michigan providing a home to these inventors and companies and employing Michigan citizens. 

Snyder is Wall Street and Michigan is looking more and more like a picked over venture capitalist's dreamscape. When Snyder brags about the developing Tech Sector in Michigan, he surely had NOTHING to do with any of it. The tech sector was always in Michigan, but, is stolen before it has a chance to actually employ the citizens.

Muscle flexing by Russia is becoming suspicious of internal weakness.

August 5, 2014
The Guardian

...Twice in the past (click here) it has seemed as if a path away from confrontation might open up. The election of Petro Poroshenko in May was one such moment. The new president spoke with Vladimir Putin on the telephone, even met him briefly, and Russia hailed his “positive thinking”. But the opportunity, if such it was, slipped away. The downing of the Malaysian airliner last month offered another chance for re-evaluation. The tragedy was so shocking that a change of policy would not have been seen as a Russian defeat, while the Kiev government and its allies might also have been able to shift ground without looking weak.

At the very least a pause in the fighting while the crash was investigated might have been expected. But the fighting did not slacken. It got worse, as the Ukrainians continued to squeeze rebel-held territory. The fall of Slavyansk in early July had already marked a change in the military balance. The once outclassed Ukrainian army was on the offensive, an offensive that today threatens the two major cities still under rebel control. President Putin may soon face a choice between accepting that the game, in its present form, is lost, or intervening to push the Ukrainians back.

He is certainly assembling the means to do so, dispatching to the bordera combat-ready force that could, if it crossed into Ukraine, rapidly transform the situation. Nato sources suggest that the cover for such an incursion might be to label the troops as peacekeepers....

I think President Putin is more worried about the image of Russia than it's actual prowess. There is no doubt Russia could overrun Ukraine, but, it would be a threat not only to Ukraine but the former Soviet states currently members of NATO and Europe.

The Ukrainian people have spoken loud and clear, they want an autonomous country. Scary thought to that of Russia's internal political environment. If Russia isn't flexing it's muscles on a regular basis it runs the risk of appearing to crumble. That serves many, many purposes including the morale of the Russia military. But, the morale of the Russian states has to be supported as well.

The Russian Federation comprises 83 federal subjects. These have the same representation in the Federation Council but they have different amount of autonomy. 

The 83 subjects are: 
* 46 oblasts (provinces) 
* 21 republics (nominally autonomous) 
* 9 krais (territories) 
* 4 autonomous okrugs (autonomous districts) 
* 1 autonomous oblast (the Jewish Autonomous Oblast) 
* 2 federal cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg) 

We could say that there are no "states" in The Russian Federeation because none of the subjects are called "states". If we compare U.S. states with the Russian subjects then the republics are very similar to the states because they have both their own constitutions and governments.

Loyalty will not be the only support to politics if the lights don't go on. And there are the wealthy and comfortable oligarchs. With so many authorities it is difficult to know exactly what is going on in Russia. Besides that, there are the ethnic and religious in Russia. 

This is suppose to be the distribution of Muslims in Russia. (click here)

May 6, 2011
By Fred Weir
Nearly 20 years (click here) after the collapse of the atheistic Soviet Union, a recent poll found that 82 percent of Russians classify themselves as religious believers. But far fewer subscribe to organized religion....

The separation of Russia identity is so varied it keeps a Russian President up at night. There is strong concern for the stronger and stronger and more rigid demands of the Russia government and their "Russian Speaking" priorities. Unfortunately, the tighter the hold a government seeks to contain within it's borders the more likely Russians will silently commit in their hearts of hearts, they aren't sincerely Russians anymore.

President Putin is correct to seek to strengthen his economy while protecting his consumers and even extending higher pay rates to all citizens to make Russia more attractive and tempting. But, to endorse a government that seeks loyalty of a highly diversified population by enforcing a Russia identity while possibly punitively isn't nearly as attractive and creates a negative view of the Russian political climate.

VORONEZH, August 5 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin (click here) said Tuesday he has told the government to retaliate against Western sanctions.

“I have already prepared such instructions today,” the president said during a working trip to the Central Russian Voronezh Region.

“Of course, it should be done very carefully, so that domestic manufacturers are supported without detriment to consumers,” he added.

Putin said that the use of political instruments to put pressure on the Russian economy is “against all norms and rules.”

“Political instruments for putting pressure on the economy are inadmissible, this is against all norms and rules. In this respect, the Russian government has already come forward with an array of retaliatory measures to the so-called sanctions imposed by certain states,” he said.

The Russian leader said producers in various countries should be in an equal environment and this meets the national security interests and also the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

In July, the United States and the European Union announced new economic sanctions against Russia amid the Ukrainian crisis. Moscow has repeatedly called such measures counterproductive and stressed that Russia was not one of the sides of Ukrainian conflict.

The troop build up along the Russia border serves many purposes, but, President Putin sincerely isn't in a conflict. If Russia were to enter into a war economy I am not completely confident there would not be a repeat of December 2, 1991. Is that date correct? Yeah, December 2, 1991.

I want a "Class Picture."

This is a real coup for the President. The continent is under appreciated as an economic engine. The workers of South Africa proved exactly how intelligent and prepared they are to work. The South African work force has provided incredible profits to companies while they remained in poverty. I hope the unions were invited as well to bring about a perspective on how citizens can be empowered when a company realizes workers are an intricate part of profits. To achieve those profits workers have to have their health, pride in their work and the benefits work brings to them, their family and communities.

There were some strategies in the past to unit Africa, but, it never addressed the innate weakness of government to enforce law. The laws were also not necessarily benevolent laws which, along with poverty, spawned the rebel groups. The rebels tend to organize around religion. Religion lends itself to structure and morality. Unfortunately, it lends itself to the oppression and victimization of women. 

I am confident there is work to do, but, what a wonderful summit to bring all their agendas to the USA and interested companies. I especially liked the forthright statements of the governments seeking to end poaching in their countries. In particular, ending the markets for those living commodities is paramount to success. China needs to instill morality in their populous to end hideous deaths of precious and endangered animals such as elephants. 

These living creatures are more than a market commodity, they are the backbone of tourism which is very, very important to these beautiful countries. I fully expect there will be civilized approaches to any natural commodities. I want no mistreatment of the natural resources of Africa or ANY deaths of citizens in pursuit of such riches. I also fully expect the people of these beautiful countries to receive the rewards of their economies. No exception. This is a magnificent opportunity to begin anew in Africa and I fully expect that to occur. This is a wonderful opportunity for these leaders to begin again their relations with their citizens.

I am sure national security will be high on the agenda of most if not all these countries. I look forward to the people being safe within their borders. These leaders are remarkable people. Within their countries lie many ethnic groups, religious diversity and language. They are an asset to their nation as someone who can make the transition from USA and back to them to bring a message of hope and renewal. The leaders of these nations deserve respect from their nation, but, they will best get that through respect of the people as well.

It's a challenge. President Obama has done the right thing. It was a very brave adventure. I congratulate him. It is impressive.

One last thing. I expect the issue of WATER RESOURCES even if that includes dams and reservoirs for Ethiopia was high on the agenda, too. The USA EPA probably could provide insight to water quality along with the good work of the United Nations to date. The UN has been piecing water quality together in many ways, but, some consolidation to provide consistent water resources would be a very good thing.

First African Summit in D.C. to be largest ever; economic growth on agenda

August 4, 2014
By Anita Kumar and Lesley Clark

...Among the attendees (click here) will be a delegation from Libya, which Ben Rhodes, a deputy White House national security adviser, said the administration was "pleased" to welcome, given the unrest that prompted the U.S. to evacuate its embassy staff there.

"It's important for us to find ways to be able to engage Libyan leaders," Rhodes said.

The summit, which kicks off Monday, will focus on a need for companies to invest in the up-and-coming economies in Africa, as well as democracy-building, education and health care. Business deals worth $900 million are expected to be announced at the event.

“We’ve made enormous progress over the last several years in not just providing traditional aid to Africa...but rather partnering and thinking about how can we trade more and how can we do business together, and that’s the kind of relationship that Africa’s looking for,” Obama told reporters Friday.

Africa survived the economic crisis better than expected with growth in telecommunications, construction, transportation and banking. It has six of the world’s 10 fastest growing economies. Nations have averaged growth rates of 5-6 percent the last decade. By 2050, one in four workers worldwide will be in Africa....

Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/08/04/235248/first-african-summit-in-dc-to.html#storylink=cpy

If there are experimental treatments known to work, but, haven't been cleared for use in human beings, DO IT NOW!

I am sincerely not worried about the containment of the microbe. That isn't want this is about. Containment has been very effective with the first strain of Ebola for a very long time. The idea there are experimental medications or otherwise that can give people hope to fight back it needs to be administered. This is a fatal disease. HIV received very fast approval when the studies of AZT in Boston proved incredible new realities.

Why haven't these experimental medications and treatments been administered in West Africa long before now. I also see no reason why anyone coming from West Africa into the USA cannot be held in quarantine until they are proven to be free of the disease. I think the hospital in New York is negligent in taking the complaints of a PATIENT so minimally. 

This isn't the kind of disease that can be fought off by the bodies natural defenses. Perhaps, as the microbe might mutate it will become less and less virulent, but, that is not the reality today. Every experimental treatment and medicine with promise should already be in West Africa and in use. These people are dying. They at least have hope. There isn't funding SOMEWHERE to sponsor these programs? That is hideous. 


August 5, 2014
By Alan Blinder

...Samaritan’s Purse, (click here) which is paying for the transportation and medical costs for both aid workers, said that Dr. Brantly and Ms. Writebol had received doses of an experimental serum while in Africa. But an Emory doctor, Bruce S. Ribner, said at a news conference last week that he anticipated the “critical component” of their treatment here would be what he described as “supportive care.”...

Everyone train for escaping a chock hold, otherwise, the New York Examiner says, "Die."

This is how the NYPD intimidates citizens to end their exposure of illegal techniques and methods during police brutality.

These two individuals are INNOCENT by the charge of police harassment alone. I really don't care where they conduct their social lives AND/OR the ONLY employment available.

The NYPD harassed a 17 year old, charged her and ruined her life because they can't take the heat of their own failings.

Some of the final words by Eric Garner was the FACT he was continually harassed by the police. Where are the arrests of the illegal importers of cigarettes and tobacco? Eric Garner was not the one responsible for undermining the law. He did not purchase illegal cigarettes. Eric Garner dies just so the COPS can say they are doing something about illegal cigarettes on the street. The cops are that pathetic. They can't stop real crime, they have to harass average citizens to say they are earning a dollar. Well, Eric was earning a dollar, too.

YES, I am defending his activities. It is his REALITY!

Man Who Filmed NYPD's Fatal Chokehold Arrested On Gun Charges (click here)

Link: http://gothamist.com/2014/08/04/man_who_filmed_nypds_fatal_chokehol.php

According to the NYPD, at 9:45 p.m. on August 2, members of the "Staten Island Narcotics Module" saw Orta talking to a 17-year-old girl at Bay Street and Victory Boulevard. Cops say the pair walked into "the Hotel Richmond, a known drug prone location, located at 71 Central Avenue. The two suspects are inside only for moments and then depart."

Then, police say, plainclothes cops with their shields out approached the two, but Orta slipped an item into the girl's waistband. The officers then "took control of the two" and found an unloaded .25 caliber Norton handgun on her.

Orta was charged with criminal possession of a weapon while the girl, Alba Lekaj, was charged with criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of marijuana....

How to get out of a Choke Hold ! Street fighting

This is the quintessential definition of a MORON.

Brooks is the one sitting down. This is such a stupid statement. It only proves how much the GOP can't see past their own skin color.

August 4, 2014
By Jonathan Capehart

Ron Fournier spoke an objective truth yesterday on Fox News Sunday. “The fastest growing bloc in this country thinks the Republican Party hates them,” the National Journal writer said to Michael Needham, chief executive of Heritage Action for America....
The operative words here is "Ron Fournier" not red, WHITE and blue.
Ron Fournier is a sensationalist. Brooks didn't care about being called a racist he was interested in capturing the attention of Fournier's listening audience. It shows how the GOP pumps populism for something they call an electorate.

...Ron Fournier, (click here) the AP's Washington bureau chief, has such a keen ear, he can practically read the judge's and the senators' minds.

In the polite, white-hot world of confirmation hearings, senators and witnesses can't always say what they want to say. So they speak in code. Here's a translation of what was said in the opening moments of the Sonia Sotomayor confirmation hearings, and what the players actually meant....

So, for example, the audience heard Sotomayor thank her family this morning, and tell the Judiciary Committee, "If I introduced every one that's family, we'd be here all morning."...

It is how they roll, babe!
Allow me to translate. Brooks: Yes, I am Wall Street, I will kiss it's royal behind, I AM YOUR BOY! Throw money my way, I'll make sure the Middle Class disappears along with food stamps and health care insurance. With no contraception they'll multiple like rabbits. What could be better, Pure Profits. YEAH!
The GOP calls it politics. Right. There are real receipts for Wall Street within that racism. Republicans have no conscience, they only have wallets.

They are taking no prisoners. There is a dead general.

By Matthew Rosenberg and Haris Kakar 
August 5, 2014

...Massoud Hossaini, (click here) a photographer for The Associated Press, said that he arrived at the camp’s gate ahead of other journalists, and just as coalition armored vehicles were pulling out of the compound. A coalition soldier manning the roof-mounted gun on one of the vehicles shouted for Mr. Hossaini to “get away,” and then fired an apparent warning shot.

“I don’t know what he fired. It was fired near our car,” he said, adding that he left the scene straight away....

We don't belong in Afghanistan. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah is perfectly able to 
recruit and train soldiers. If the central government can't, too bad. This is 
another Green on Blue attack.

I guess the permafrost holes have to look like space aliens did it before people pay attention.

I've been posting the degradation of permafrost for over a decade now. Somewhere here is a picture of a patch of Alaskan permafrost or what used to be permafrost. It is all dead and dark in color. 

All the evidence and predictions are there. It is all documented. Governments never WANTED it to be real and the truth. The truth about the warming of Earth never served their politics because of the MONEY corrupting it.

June 25, 2014

The new EPA regulations are to CUT greenhouse gas pollution by the USA, not export it. (click here)

By JOHN MCDONNELL
UPDATED: 03:45 EST, 2 June 2011

...Meanwhile, (click here) the thawing of billions of tons of frozen plant matter in the Arctic could result in an acceleration in climate change as locked away organic carbon is released into the atmosphere, according to scientists....

November 25, 2013 

Blake de Pastino

Nov 19,2013

The frozen remains of a horse (click here)more than half a million years old have reluctantly given up their genetic secrets, providing scientists with the oldest DNA ever sequenced.

The horse was discovered in 2003 in the ancient permafrost of Canada’s west-central Yukon Territory, not far from the Alaskan border....

April 30, 2012

April 29, 2012 (click here)

...She and her colleagues say the Beaufort is the best place in the Arctic to assess the stability of undersea permafrost and gas deposits and to fill in big gaps in climate science.
They want to drill down through sediments that have rained onto the sea floor over eons, revealing how the Arctic ice has waxed and waned, and into the thick slabs of permafrost and frozen gas beneath the sea floor that have the potential to accelerate global warming....

On that same page:

David Adam, environment correspondent
Wednesday December 21, 2005The Guardian

Global warming could melt almost all of the top layer of Arctic permafrost by the end of the century. Scientists say the thaw would release vast stocks of carbon into the atmosphere, threaten ocean currents and wreck roads and buildings across Canada, Alaska and Russia....