News for today's 2018

SYRIA: US MILITARY INTERVENTION

3:28 PM Tukiyooo 0

<br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55rbg1LT2Z-W56Z0ms67LtpA7UZOyhv-yVYblanAeHUAw2BzjHaAI9ewFToIDyrTl8Aa0oci7lbCPD6GOstV5CRTMAWPb2TSxCcBsKzjI605fnmu_euYmTVRJ49Nhl484Evvy9BWAPYM2/s1600/obama-red-line-syria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55rbg1LT2Z-W56Z0ms67LtpA7UZOyhv-yVYblanAeHUAw2BzjHaAI9ewFToIDyrTl8Aa0oci7lbCPD6GOstV5CRTMAWPb2TSxCcBsKzjI605fnmu_euYmTVRJ49Nhl484Evvy9BWAPYM2/s400/obama-red-line-syria.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">LIKELY FORTHCOMING SCENARIO </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The US administration placed itself in a dilemma after announcing the “Red Line” doctrine regarding the use of chemical weapons in SYRIA. In order to maintain its credibility the US is now forced to react, at least that is what the US wants the public to believe. AMERICAN public on the other hand strongly oppose US intervention and involvement in SYRIA.</span></b><br /><br /><i><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Update: </span></b></i><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Element of surprise lost</i></span> </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="color: black;"></span></b></span></span><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><i><span class="hps"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">From the military perspective</span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">, current attack revelations by the <span class="hps">U.S. government</span> <span class="hps">in terms of</span> <span class="hps">SYRIA is</span> <span class="hps">counterproductive.</span><span class="hps">The impending</span> <span class="hps">strike against</span> <span class="hps">the Assad regime</span> <span class="hps">is the</span> <span class="hps">best</span> <span class="hps">pre- </span>announced <span class="hps">missile attack</span> <span class="hps">in history.  Thus the element of surprise is lost and therefore the US are now stalling by claiming the administration has not yet decided if and when to attack. Or are this just deceiving tactics? </span></span></i></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span class="hps">Another scenario could be that ISRAEL has received updated intelligence to the fact that if the US and its allies initiate a strike, Assad could launch bio - chemical warheads against ISRAEL and its allies in the region. And thus the US and its allies are debating if they are able to knock out the majority of chemical weapon storage sites in Syria efficiently. </span></span></i></span></b><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><span style="color: black;"> </span> </b></span></span><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SHORT SURGICAL MISSILE STRIKES BY USA AND ITS ALLIES, SIMILAR TO THOSE CONDUCTED BY ISRAEL IN RECENT PAST </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Thus a US military intervention in SYRIA in most likelihood will be short surgical missile strikes similar to those conducted by ISRAEL in recent past in SYRIA, and let the UK, FRANCE and TURKEY intervene in a more complex, mainly clandestine way. But even public opinion in the UK seems to oppose UK involvement in the conflict, thus making every step Britain’s politicians make, precarious one. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With short surgical missile strikes the USA saves its face by sticking to its threat; mainstream media on the other hand has its action extravaganza, portraying the intervention in an inflated way in order to continue the propaganda-media war which has raged in SYRIA since the beginning of the uprising and last but not least the weapons industry will also be a benefiter, for the uprising in SYRIA will continue for quite some time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Interesting to note is that GERMANY’S stance is hardly ever mentioned when it comes to an allied military intervention in SYRIA. Granted GERMANY has upcoming elections in a couple of weeks and thus prefers to keep a low profile on the international stage, but on the other hand is the key player in the EUROPEAN UNION and usually does not let FRANCE and BRITAIN take the helm regarding EU foreign policies. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RUSSIA WILL NOT INTERVENE </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RUSSIA on the other hand, despite being a strong ally of SYRIA will not intervene in case of US military intervention in SYRIA. Thus the question remains if IRAN will openly intervene. Most probably not, IRAN will use strong accusative rhetoric’s but will refrain from engaging openly in the conflict, but rather step up terror attacks against ISRAEL and the USA and its allies through its proxy, Hezbollah in LEBANON. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">CLOSE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE USA AND ISRAEL </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUlQcScuOYyMsprGiHEWtbIMRTgvkHQ0mAEW6mWvoyU0AGuW5KpwP10TnWSwJWyB-q0w19_0DkOXkBT7FWej7Y_qpsGJOSPlNdIX_tUDTIWPGapebtRhDaDqa_x5DHTbrGWcHs8M2B87A/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUlQcScuOYyMsprGiHEWtbIMRTgvkHQ0mAEW6mWvoyU0AGuW5KpwP10TnWSwJWyB-q0w19_0DkOXkBT7FWej7Y_qpsGJOSPlNdIX_tUDTIWPGapebtRhDaDqa_x5DHTbrGWcHs8M2B87A/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post US intervention scenario </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">ISRAEL clearly will have strong influence on US decision making and on how the intervention in SYRIA will be conducted, for clearly the repercussions of such attack will be significant for ISRAEL, thus surgical – cosmetic strikes are the most likely scenario. Which leaves the question, why BRITAIN and FRANCE are so eager to engage in SYRIA?  </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Is it a deception tactic coordinated with the USA and ISRAEL, or do the two former imperialist, colonialist powers of the region anticipate geo- strategic advantages if the current regime is toppled in order to implement a similar strategy as was the case with the Sykes Picot Agreement between FRANCE and BRITAIN, which divided the region and specifically SYRIA between the two countries. The 1915 agreement some argue, was the reason not only for the division of SYRIA but also the starting point of the ISRAELI Palestinian conflict and thereby causing instability in the entire region.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">See: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">SYKES PICOT AGREEMENT</b> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes%E2%80%93Picot_Agreement">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sykes%E2%80%93Picot_Agreement</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">FRANCES COLONIAL AMBITIONS IN SYRIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/frances-colonial-ambitions-in-syria.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/12/frances-colonial-ambitions-in-syria.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">SYRIA WILL PROBABLY CONDUCT A FEW CONVENTIONAL MISSILE ATTACKS AGAINST UNPOPULATED AREAS IN ISRAEL</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In retaliation to a Western attack, SYRIA will most likely launch one or two conventional missiles into ISRAEL, making sure to cause minimum damage, for they know ISRAEL favors the current regime over a scattered Islamic fundamentalist regime. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Geopolitical Analysis and Monitoring wrote June 2012: ISRAEL’S INTERESTS </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">……..This is almost certainly because the ISRAELI Prime Minister would, on balance, prefer the Assad regime to continue; it is a known quantity and any new regime could severely destabilize the effective balance-of-power between two uneasy neighbors’………… </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">(Read the entire article at:<b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria-feasts-and-rites-of-confusion.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria-feasts-and-rites-of-confusion.html</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><b>  </b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">TURKEY and the GULF STATES will provide support for the USA but will refrain from conducting their own intervention scenario and focus on clandestine insurgence operations, propaganda and logistic support. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">RUSSIA, as mentioned above, will not intervene militarily once the US engages in SYRIA, but most probably will increase weapon supplies to SYRIA, a lucrative business for all parties involved, because the civil war in SYRIA will in most likelihood continue for a long time, similar to the civil war in LEBANON which lasted 15 years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">US PIVOT: IT IS NOT US INTENTION TO TOPPLE ASSAD!</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Interesting to note is that the USA recently claimed it is not the USA’S intention to topple Assad, because he is the lesser of the two evils, when it comes to choose between Assad and Islamic Fundamentalists. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The reason for this shift in rhetoric’s could be that the US is finally becoming fully aware that if Assad is cornered, he might really launch his bio – chemical weapons, thus ignite a full scale war in the region, for unlike IRAQ, SYRIA possesses bio – chemical warheads</b>. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">GEOPOLITICAL ANALYSIS AND MONITORING</span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> wrote <u>March 08<sup>th</sup>2012</u> that: Contrary to the weapons of mass destruction hoax fabricated by the USA in order to justify the IRAQ invasion, SYRIA really posses such lethal arsenal and <span style="background: yellow;">probably will not hesitate to use them when cornered. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="background: yellow; color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> full article at: <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/given-fact-syria-does-possess-chemical.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/03/given-fact-syria-does-possess-chemical.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">UNPREDICTABLE REACTION FROM THE ASSAD CLAN IF CORNERED  </span></b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <a href="http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/06/syria-israel-iran-and-usa.html">http://geopoliticsrst.blogspot.co.at/2012/06/syria-israel-iran-and-usa.html</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">SYRIA’S BIO – CHEMICAL WARFARE THREAT? LEGITIMATE, OR A WELCOME EXCUSE FOR US INTERVENTION? </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 1.0pt 4.0pt 1.0pt 4.0pt; padding: 0in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria_11.html">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com.ar/2012/06/syria_11.html</a></span><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE EAST</span></b></span></span></div><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">IRAN is backing Assad. The GULF STATES are against Assad! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Assad is against the Muslim Brotherhood. The Muslim Brotherhood and Obama are against General Sisi. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">But the GOLF STATES are pro-Sisi! Meaning they are against the Muslim Brotherhood! <br />Iran is pro. Hamas, but Hamas is backing the Muslim Brotherhood! </span><br /><br /><span style="color: #cc0000;">Obama is backing the Muslim Brotherhood, yet Hamas are against the US! <br /><br />The GULF STATES are pro US. </span></span></b></span></div><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; line-height: 115%;">TURKEY is with GULF STATES against Assad; yet TURKEY is pro-Muslim Brotherhood and against General Sisi, and General Sisi is being backed by the GULF STATES! <br /><br /><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Welcome to the MIDDLE EAST and have a nice day. </span></span></span></b></span></span></div></div></div>

SYRIA: US MILITARY INTERVENTION

LIKELY FORTHCOMING SCENARIO The US administration placed itself in a dilemma after announcing the “Red Line” doctrine regarding the use of...

Housing problems still not solved, 50 years later

2:39 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9PX6qY0mepF__1IF0wh05ry4BN3rc83euyJSrSPIa7X1Lo9cMVtzRDdyfOw8YT2P8fauD0T_fFOpXNSvT4MbfsWoEgDgBBFuP1zk6CW7O5dyDrH6bz-6iRuau_ZIZVCUKBAuu43pph8d/s1600/kids+in+bad+neighborhoods.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9PX6qY0mepF__1IF0wh05ry4BN3rc83euyJSrSPIa7X1Lo9cMVtzRDdyfOw8YT2P8fauD0T_fFOpXNSvT4MbfsWoEgDgBBFuP1zk6CW7O5dyDrH6bz-6iRuau_ZIZVCUKBAuu43pph8d/s320/kids+in+bad+neighborhoods.png" width="279" /></a></div><i>Today is the 50<sup>th</sup>anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  Marchers, including Teamsters from across the country, gathered in Washington, DC to call attention to civil rights issues, especially the need for good jobs for all people.  This series focuses on how well (or not) our society has met the 50-year-old demands of the marchers. So far, we’ve discussed </i><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/minimum-wage-lower-today.html"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the decline of the minimum wages</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/port-drivers-regressed-since-1963.html"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">gaps in labor law protections</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span></i><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/march-on-washington-jobs.html"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">underwhelming federal focus on job training programs</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, and </span></i><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/education-goals-not-met-after-march.html"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the impact of continuing segregation in schools</span></i></a><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></i><br /><br />Between the struggle for better jobs and political freedom was a fight that hit closer to home.<br /><br />Marchers demanded access to equal housing opportunities, as African-Americans across the country struggled to find affordable and safe housing equivalent to the options that white households had.<br /><br />They demanded that the president sign “an Executive Order banning discrimination in all housing supported by federal funds” and that decent housing would be guaranteed to all Americans in a “comprehensive and effective civil rights legislation from the present Congress.”<br /><br />Discriminatory housing was so prevalent across the country that a satellite protest for the March on Washington in Seattle <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/CityArchives/Exhibits/Housing/panel7.htm">focused exclusively on expanding open housing</a>.<br /><br />In response to public pressure, both demands were met – and exceeded.  The Civil Rights Act was expanded in 1968 <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/programdescription/title6">to guard against racial, sexist, religious, and other forms of discrimination</a> in all sectors of the housing market.  <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/FHLaws">Various executive orders</a> have also strengthened the federal government’s commitment to ending housing discrimination.  Today, the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Fair Housing Program focuses on providing equal access to housing for all Americans.<br /><br />Although housing discrimination is now illegal, segregated communities are commonplace, especially in denser areas. Cities have been devastated by the housing crisis that began with banks' predatory lending and concluded with aggressive, often illegal foreclosures. The <a href="http://www.ncrc.org/images/stories/pdf/research/ncrc_foreclosurewhitepaper_2011.pdf">National Community Reinvestment Coalition</a> reports that more than 10.5 million properties went into foreclosure in the 53 months beginning January 1, 2007. And,<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">...up to 12 million more foreclosures were projected from the fourth quarter of 2008 to 2014... .As of December 12, 2010, 1,762,694 borrowers were seriously delinquent (i.e., over 60 days delinquent, or over 30 days delinquent in case of bankruptcy)  ... The total equity lost by families with recently foreclosed properties is estimated at $5.6 trillion...  In addition, an estimated $502 billion in property value has been lost due to nearby foreclosures....  The effects of the economic crisis have been enormous, both nationally and globally, and the confidence Americans once had in homeownership as a path to wealth has been shaken. Current and future generations will be impacted for decades to come.</blockquote>Fifty years after protesting for an end to housing discrimination in the city, a 2011 fair housing test in Seattle found that <a href="http://www.seattle.gov/civilrights/Documents/2011FairHousingTestingReportfinal.pdf">over half of the properties tested showed evidence of illegal discrimination</a>.  Two-thirds of properties gave better terms to white homebuyers and renters.<br /><br />The US Department of Justice says on its website that: <br /><div><blockquote class="tr_bq">Race discrimination in housing continues to be a problem. The majority of the Justice Department's pattern or practice cases involve claims of race discrimination. Sometimes, housing providers try to disguise their discrimination by giving false information about availability of housing, either saying that nothing was available or steering homeseekers to certain areas based on race.Because potential homeowners are often not aware of the manipulation, it becomes very difficult to fight the discrimination.</blockquote>Regardless of how illegal housing discrimination has been for decades, <a href="http://www.s4.brown.edu/us2010/Data/Report/report0727.pdf">race is still more predictive of housing status than income</a>.<br /><br />African-American, American Indian, and Latino children are <a href="http://www.aecf.org/~/media/Pubs/Initiatives/KIDS%20COUNT/D/DataSnapshotonHighPovertyCommunities/KIDSCOUNTDataSnapshot_HighPovertyCommunities.pdf">between six and nine times more likely</a> than white children to live in areas with a high concentration of poverty.<br /><br />Forty-five percent of black children live in areas where over one in three people live in poverty, while only 12 percent of white children live in similar areas.<br /><br />The effects are very clear. Neighborhoods with high levels of poverty have <a href="http://www.aecf.org/~/media/Pubs/Topics/Economic%20Security/Asset%20and%20Wealth%20Development/TheReEmergenceofConcentratedPovertyMetropolitanTrendinthe2000s/reemergence_of%20concentrated%20poverty_kneebone_nadeau_berube.pdf">fewer educational opportunities, higher crime rates and higher costs for private investment and businesses</a> – exactly where families do not want to live.<br /><br />Continued housing discrimination, especially a generation after the government supposedly solved it, is a disgrace. It is time to march again.<br /><br /></div>

Today is the 50 th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Marchers, including Teamsters from across the country,...

Financial Analyst (# 109989)

2:33 PM Anonymous 0

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="WordSection1"><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Position:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Financial Analyst<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Location:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Milpitas, CA<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Duration:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> Full time<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Job Description:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">KLA-Tencor has manufacturing sites across the globe, including Belgium, China, Germany, Israel, Singapore and Milpitas (CA).  The Global   Operations (GOPS) team, comprised of Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, Manufacturing Engineering, Installation, and Quality, is responsible for manufacturing our leading-edge technology.  We partner with our world-wide supply base and our design engineering   teams to bring new products to market.  The GOPS team is continuously working to build our products Better, Faster, Cheaper.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Responsibilities:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">The Role:  Financial Analyst<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">We are looking for a sharp finance professional to join our Global Operations Financial Planning and Analysis team who will be responsible   for forecasting, strategic operations planning, analytics, and management reporting.  The ideal candidate would have an interest in manufacturing operations and the metrics that help to drive improvements.  You will be a key contributor to driving Operations   headcount planning, Gross Margin improvement, Inventory management and Materials Cost reduction. You will interact with executives and have high visibility throughout the company.  Successful candidate will be a top performer who has a passion to champion   positive change throughout the organization.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Essential Functions:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">1) Provide financial and analytical support for the company's forecasts and results<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">2) Create and implement process improvement across the company in all regions<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">3) Create new reports and models to meet the business' needs and drive decisions<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">4) Perform ad hoc financial analyses and special projects<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">5) Perform ad hoc financial analyses in support of US Operations<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">6) Prepare quarter end executive reports<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">7) Support improvements of our financial planning models and system<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">8) Participate in all budgeting and forecasting processes<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">9) Monitor and report operating results against budget and forecast<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">10) Create and distribute scalable weekly, monthly and quarterly management reports<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Skill Requirements:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Team player with a positive attitude<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Strong Analytical skills<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Strong computer skills and extensive knowledge of Excel<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Fast learner with new tools and systems<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Ability to think strategically and proactively<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Organized, detail-oriented, and able to multi-task<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Strong ability to partner and build relationships<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize; to troubleshoot and problem solve<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">- Must be comfortable presenting data to senior management<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Preferred Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">MBA preferred<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Experience with Cognos TM1 preferred but not required<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Basic Qualifications:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Bachelor's Level Degree with at least 3 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Master's Level Degree with at least 2 years of experience.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">OR<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.  <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Kindly send your resume to  <b><a href="mailto:raju.balaji@kla-tencor.com">raju.balaji@kla-tencor.com</a></b>  </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div></div></div>

Financial Analyst (# 109989)

Position: Financial Analyst Location: Milpitas, CA Duration: Full time Job Description: KLA-Tencor has manufacturing sites across the glo...

Library Branch Manager - Windsor Public Library

1:27 PM Anonymous 0

<strong>Library Branch Manager - </strong><strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Windsor Public Library</span></strong></strong> has an excellent opportunity for a full-time ALA-accredited MLS  librarian with experience in public library operations to manage its  branch library. The Wilson Branch Library is a 4,400 square foot  facility in the Wilson neighborhood. It is a vital center for the  community and offers a range of innovative programs. To become a  successful leader of the branch team the individual will manage the  branch budget and facility; select and oversee a collection of  materials; assist patrons in person, by phone and via email in the  selection and use of library materials and provide professional advice  on library issues to senior staff and the Library Director. The  incumbent will organize and conduct  programs and activities for adults,  teens and children as well as special programs including a tutoring  program and notary service; prepare a variety of reports; perform  community outreach; produce newsletters and press releases; and recruit,  hire, motivate and evaluate a part-time staff. Candidates should have  3-5 years public library experience. Previous supervisory experience is  preferred. Good oral, written, organizational and communication skills  are a must, as well as creativity, comfort with technology and social  media, and a solid understanding of library theory. Starting salary  range is $55,000-$60,000 commensurate with experience. Comprehensive  benefit package is included.  To apply, please complete an online  application, including cover letter and resume, at <a _fcksavedurl="http://www.townofwindsorct.com/humanresources/" href="http://www.townofwindsorct.com/humanresources/" target="_blank">www.townofwindsorct.com/humanresources/</a>.  Deadline for submission of application materials is Friday <span style="color: red;">September 13, 2013</span> by 5:00 p.m. The Town of Windsor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels of the workforce.

Library Branch Manager - Windsor Public Library

Library Branch Manager - Windsor Public Library has an excellent opportunity for a full-time ALA-accredited MLS librarian with experience ...

Library Assistant (LTA 1, part-time) - Essex Public Library

1:23 PM Anonymous 0

<strong>Library Assistant (LTA 1, part-time) -</strong> <strong><strong><span style="color: #48286d;">Essex Public Library</span></strong><span style="color: #48286d;"> </span></strong>seeks  a reliable person with excellent customer service skills to work  afternoons/evenings and occasional Saturdays, 15 hours per week.  Duties  include staffing the Circulation Desk, checking in and processing ILL  materials, and other tasks as assigned.  Qualifications include a high  school diploma and experience working in a public library. Must be able  to stand for extended periods of time and lift up to 40 lbs.   Familiarity with III Sierra or Millennium ILS is a plus.  This position  does not include healthcare benefits.  Hourly rate depends on experience  and skills, but meets or exceeds the CLA LTA 1 minimum. Send cover  letter, the names of three work references and a résumé to: <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:staff@essexlib.org" href="mailto:staff@essexlib.org">staff@essexlib.org</a> (no phone calls, please) by <span style="color: red;">September 14, 2013</span>.  The Essex Library is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Library Assistant (LTA 1, part-time) - Essex Public Library

Library Assistant (LTA 1, part-time) - Essex Public Library seeks a reliable person with excellent customer service skills to work after...

Evergreen Systems Specialist - Bibliomation, Inc., Waterbury

1:19 PM Anonymous 0

<strong>Evergreen Systems Specialist - <span style="color: #48286d;">Bibliomation, Inc.</span></strong> (Waterbury) is Connecticut’s largest library consortium consisting of  over 60 member libraries.  Bibliomation libraries manage resources and  materials using a shared Evergreen open source integrated library  system.  Other member services include website hosting, email,  downloadable electronic media, and network telecommunications. Offices  are located in Waterbury, CT. Bibliomation is seeking an Evergreen  Systems Specialist to join the Evergreen support team. The Evergreen  Systems Specialist will: Report to the Evergreen Systems Manager,  working closely to manage the Evergreen system which is operated using a  virtual Linux multi-server environment. Assist in troubleshooting  software issues by performing log analysis and error debugging. Assist  in technical tasks associated with backup and recovery activities.  Monitor system performance and adjust operating systems and applications  to avoid performance issues. Install and test new Evergreen software  patches and releases. Make new recommendations or modify existing system  configurations based on member library needs. Perform systems  integration testing of various operating systems, databases, system  utilities, and hardware upgrades. Required: Bachelor’s degree or  equivalent in Computer/Information Science or in a related field; 1-3  years working experience; Proficiency with Linux operating systems;  Relational database experience, including SQL scripting; Familiarity  with HTML, CSS, JavaScript; Familiarity with virtualization tools; Oral  and written communication skills; Ability to collaborate well within a  team environment. Preferred: Working knowledge of or experience with  software development and version control; Familiarity with libraries or  education; Experience with open source software projects. Benefits:  Bibliomation offers a comprehensive benefit package. The salary range  for this position is $50-55k. Deadline:  Cover letters and resumes  should be submitted to <a _fcksavedurl="mailto:jobs@biblio.org" href="mailto:jobs@biblio.org">jobs@biblio.org</a> by Friday, <span style="color: red;">September 27, 2013</span>.

Evergreen Systems Specialist - Bibliomation, Inc., Waterbury

Evergreen Systems Specialist - Bibliomation, Inc. (Waterbury) is Connecticut’s largest library consortium consisting of over 60 member lib...

200K strike against trade in Colombia as TPP fears mount

1:09 PM Tukiyooo 0

Colombia Hoffa TPP trade 200K strike against trade in Colombia as TPP fears mount

An astonishing 200,000 Colombian workers have been on strike for the past 10 days against unfair trade, privatization and poverty. It'...

Closed Circuit: They're watching us!

12:35 PM Tukiyooo 0

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>Closed Circuit</i> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>(2013) • <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/focus_features/closedcircuit/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">View trailer</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>Four stars. Rating: R, for profanity and brief violence</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>By <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12885694730612878577" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">Derrick Bang</a></b></span></b></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>            <br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nobody does an edgy, paranoid espionage thriller better than the British.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No doubt it comes from living under the unblinking eyes of all those surveillance cameras. (Big Brother, indeed!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3l0KsHUsvdx2v4u6oKIX0sB77dkHGduMU20Oyl0Gj0nEOuibVP50jbV0ndxMIxjZG9sE1J9Lbwoaq0kwujQZ0vDmRZdZTQo1UjycBkAY1ZO9XJ42AM1nnejMC5ZG8_SIEPDPxOYu9mec/s1600/Closed+Circuit+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3l0KsHUsvdx2v4u6oKIX0sB77dkHGduMU20Oyl0Gj0nEOuibVP50jbV0ndxMIxjZG9sE1J9Lbwoaq0kwujQZ0vDmRZdZTQo1UjycBkAY1ZO9XJ42AM1nnejMC5ZG8_SIEPDPxOYu9mec/s400/Closed+Circuit+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">With their supposedly slam-dunk case having gone increasingly pear-shaped, Martin<br />(Eric Bana) and Claudia (Rebecca Hall) wonder about their next step. Trouble is,<br />they shouldn't even be a "they"; because of the nature of this terrorism trial, Martin<br />and Claudia aren't supposed to communicate ... even when each begins to worry<br />about pernicious surveillance.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Way back in the day, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closed Circuit</i> would have been a tidy little B-entry, designated as the bottom-of-the-bill companion to some prestige A production. The irony is that many of those so-called B-films were far more entertaining than their big-budget cousins.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The same can be said for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closed Circuit</i>, which outshines several of this summer’s disappointing blockbusters: better acting and directing, and a vastly superior script.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And yet, sadly, it probably won’t make a dime. Getting released immediately prior to the Labor Day weekend is akin to television’s Saturday evening kiss-of-death timeslot: Nobody will notice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s a shame, because scripter Steven Knight definitely knows his way around this genre, having previously dazzled us with his twisty plots for 2002’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dirty Pretty Things</i> and 2007’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Eastern Promises</i>. This guy can write; he has a gift for putting ordinary people into extraordinary situations, while avoiding the burst of brilliant resourcefulness that turn American action stars into invulnerable, lone wolf superheroes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the two protagonists in this narrative eye each other bleakly, during a calm between storms, and acknowledge that there’s no way to put this particular Humpty Dumpty together again — no successful exit to the catastrophe — we know they’re right. The situation is beyond salvation, beyond their control.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, maddeningly, it always has been.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Closed Circuit</span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"> — marvelous triple-entendre title, by the way — opens its ripped-from-the-headlines story with a terrorist attack at a busy London market. With 120 civilians dead and the British public screaming for justice, an anonymous tip leads police to one surviving member of the suspected terrorist cell: Farroukh Erdogan (Denis Moschitto).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Preparations begin for what promises to be the trial of the century.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><br />  <div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Six months pass, as attorneys and government officials get all their procedural ducks in a row. Then, on the eve of the trial — apparently succumbing to stress — Erdogan’s defense barrister commits suicide. The assignment then falls to Martin Rose (Eric Bana), a tenacious legal warrior with sharp observational skills and near photographic recall. Right away, Martin finds flaws in what he fears is to be little more than a scripted show trial, and his unwillingness to “play along” draws a cautionary rebuke from the Attorney General (Jim Broadbent).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broadbent is perfect for this role, projecting hail-fellow-well-met good cheer while delivering a seemingly innocuous line ... and then, seconds later, we register the latent menace lurking beneath his deceptively bland comments, and realize that the twinkle in his eye isn’t the slightest bit friendly.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The disapproving Attorney General is the least of Martin’s problems. Because of the nature of this case, the government intends to prosecute Erdogan with classified evidence: details so secret that neither he nor his attorneys will be allowed to see or hear them. Enter a government-appointed Special Advocate, Claudia Simmons-Howe (Rebecca Hall), who will have clearance to view this evidence, and then — if she so chooses — can argue for its full disclosure during a closed session in court.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, once she takes possession of this eyes-only material — as crisply explained by a natty government spook (Riz Ahmed, as Sharma) — Claudia cannot communicate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">at all</i> with the defendant or the rest of his defense team.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve no idea if justice would proceed in such a fashion across the pond, given such a case, or indeed if a “Special Advocate” even exists in the British legal system. But that’s the beauty of Knight’s script: It’s a fascinating premise, and if he made it up, he sure did a great job. It sounds plausible, and everything building from that intriguing foundation is equally persuasive.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, the situation grows increasingly complex, giving both Martin and Claudia ample reason to jump at shadows, and wonder about the possibility that eyes are on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">them</i>. If so, why?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Martin’s growing unease is fueled further by a British-based New York Times journalist (Julia Stiles) with her own suspicions ... but no proof.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, oh yes, Martin and Claudia are compromised going in, by virtue of an affair they had some time back: a detail both absolutely should have acknowledged before agreeing to work together, and which both concealed. One little lie of omission, and now they’re compromised.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The result: a crackling, tautly paced drama.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bana rarely gets credit for solidly anchoring projects that range from the gritty drama of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Munich</i> to the poignant fantasy of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2009/08/time-travelers-wife-it-flies.html">The Time Traveler’s Wife</a></i>. He’s often better than his material — as with his performance as Hector, in the overcooked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Troy</i>, or his grim portrayal of the title character’s father, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2011/04/hanna-revenge-served-hot.html">Hanna</a></i> — and he’s every inch the dedicated defender of justice required by this story.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bana projects disappointment superbly. We sense that Martin’s ideals have been shattered in the past, and that he’s determined not to let it happen again. Certainly his personal life is a shambles: details deftly sketched by Knight via a few quick scenes, and even quicker comments.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That’s something else I admire about British cinema: It’s economical. At a crisp 96 minutes, director John Crowley doesn’t waste a scene. Nothing feels superfluous, with every incident, large or small, building to an eventual payoff.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hall is a lot of fun to watch, her Claudia the epitome of a smart, accomplished woman who could cut a man dead with a few sharp retorts. Her mocking gaze is delicious, her eyes flashing an unmistakable warning: Don’t even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">try</i> to pull anything on me. Claudia’s initial encounter with Sharma is a stand-out scene in a film laden with memorable verbal skirmishes: She all but chases him into a corner, not at all impressed by his air of superiority.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But then, just as quickly, we wonder: Did he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">let</i> her believe she prevailed, during this first meeting?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The always engaging Ciårán Hinds plays Devlin, the congenial, unflappable solicitor who works alongside Martin. Devlin has been around the block a few times, and his rumpled deportment suggests a long-ago decision to let chips fall where they may. But some fire remains in this aging dog, and he can’t help sharing Martin’s nervous excitement, as their seemingly “scripted” case goes off-book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kenneth Cranham is marvelous as the crusty judge who oversees this unusual trial.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although Knight’s script delivers what we expect from a suspense thriller, he also injects a telling note of real-world concern that is equally applicable on this side of the Atlantic: What price, protection? As graphic novelist Alan Moore asked so presciently in his career-making graphic novel, who watches the Watchmen? Who gets to decide when — indeed, if — the law should be subverted, in the cause of actual justice?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crowley has quietly built a résumé of respectable films, starting with 2003’s ensemble dramedy, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Intermission</i>, and continuing with 2007’s crime drama, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boy A</i>, and then a whimsical 2008 charmer with Michael Caine, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Is Anybody There?</i> Near as I can tell, the latter got no more than a hiccup release here in the States, after a screening at the 2009 Phoenix Film Festival, which explains why Crowley continues to remain unknown on our shores. Sadly, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Closed Circuit</i> is unlikely to help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There’s no justice in that. Yes, this is a “little” film, perhaps the sort of thing one would expect to find in a movie slot on PBS or BBC America. But that’s hardly an indictment; the British film industry long ago ceased to view any distinction between the tube and the big screen, believing instead that a good cast, slick writing and solid production values succeed either way.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Closed Circuit</span></span></i><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> definitely is worth time and attention, particularly for viewers who enjoy twisty thrillers. So if it doesn’t hang around long enough to be seen on the big screen — and I’m sure its stay there will be brief — then be sure to catch up with the eventual video release.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

2013 Ciaran Hinds Denis Moschitto Eric Bana Four Star Films Jim Broadbent Julia Stiles Kenneth Cranham Rebecca Hall Riz Ahmed thriller Closed Circuit: They're watching us!

Closed Circuit (2013) • View trailer Four stars. Rating: R, for profanity and brief violence By Derrick Bang Nobody does a...

Tomorrow’s low-wage worker strikes continue King’s fight for good jobs

12:01 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zr5Uhv1OuOJiVJ3smh59neaiP0YJapyb0rT7BiQ-ptYxE5hN2v55LnbsdaVOuFs_P1kTBDXb-hLN0GGthzJTeTKoUw4SVEDnzEdZyzV3ESR1eW5RR7XEbLUMcGF_fOcXvVgYG2nT1Y56/s1600/fast+food+i+am+a+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zr5Uhv1OuOJiVJ3smh59neaiP0YJapyb0rT7BiQ-ptYxE5hN2v55LnbsdaVOuFs_P1kTBDXb-hLN0GGthzJTeTKoUw4SVEDnzEdZyzV3ESR1eW5RR7XEbLUMcGF_fOcXvVgYG2nT1Y56/s320/fast+food+i+am+a+man.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today thousands have descended on Washington, D.C, to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. Tomorrow </span><a href="http://lowpayisnotok.org/" rel="nofollow"><span style="font-family: inherit;">hundreds of fast-food workers will strike</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in cities across the country in an ongoing movement to win the demands of the 1963 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_on_Washington_for_Jobs_and_Freedom">March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom</a>. </span>And just yesterday,<a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/la-port-strike-ends-with-return-to-work.html" rel="nofollow"> truck drivers at the Port of L.A.</a> staged the first-ever one-day strike to protest retaliation for trying to form a union.<br /><br />Speakers at today’s commemoration in D.C. are paying homage to Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_a_Dream" rel="nofollow">I Have A Dream</a>” speech. But 50 years later, King’s dream of economic and racial justice is still just a dream for thousands of working-class Americans who are jobless or stuck in low-wage jobs.<o:p></o:p><br /><br />As we have reported <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/minimum-wage-lower-today.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">here</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, one of the demands of the March on Washington was “A national minimum wage act that will give all Americans a decent standard of living.” Organizers in 1963 said “anything less than $2.00 an hour fails to do this.” That’s the equivalent of $15.27 an hour today. <br /><br />Today’s minimum wage of $7.25 an hour shows just how little economic justice has been won since King led the March on Washington<br /><br />Teamsters</span> General President Jim Hoffa wrote this week in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-p-hoffa/living-wage-now_b_3823563.html?utm_hp_ref=politics">Huffington Post</a></i>, <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Millions of solid middle-class jobs disappeared during the last decade because of the recession and unfair trade agreements. </span><a href="http://www.alternet.org/recession-forever-10-reasons-american-workers-are-screwed" target="_hplink"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">By a three-to-one margin</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, they have been replaced by those in low-wage occupations. Jobs that used to be the first step in the economic ladder for teenagers and college students are now filled by adults trying to pay their bills.</span> </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">And all of this is happening when the nation's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/profits-at-high-wages-at-low-2013-4" target="_hplink"><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit;">corporations are doing better than ever</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Sales are going through the roof while workers are being forced into untenable situations.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">The demand for better jobs with living wages and dignity in the workplace is inseparable from the spirit that moved 250,000 people to march on Washington 50 years ago. While many of the formal barriers to racial equality have fallen since then, the economic barriers that keep so many Americans living at or near the poverty line are as strong as ever.</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />And the erosion of the achievements made by King’s struggle is multi-layered. When the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act earlier this summer, it put its stamp of approval on voter suppression laws that protect corporate power against workers and the poor.<br /><br />"The fierce urgency of now” that King talked about in his “I Have A Dream” speech continues to inspire the bravery of low-wage workers who have been waging aggressive strikes in the fast-food, retail, trucking, and warehouse industries.</span><br /><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Increasingly…we are seeing workers stand up for their rights. Walkouts have become commonplace. They know they are getting a raw deal and are revolting. Whether it's one-day strikes by warehouse, retail and fast-food workers or on-going protests in North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin, the American public is demanding to be heard.</span></span>  </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: inherit;">People are joining together to raise awareness about the plight of low-wage workers in this country. And more and more each day are realizing the unfairness of the system.</span></blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Teamsters are supporting the port truck drivers in L.A. who returned to work today after a successful </span><a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/08/LA-port-strikers-picket-trucks.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">one-day strike yesterday against Green Fleet Systems</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. They are part of the broad movement that includes workers at Walmart, warehouses, government contractors and fast-food chains. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Five years after the original March on Washington, King launched the “</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_People's_Campaign"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Poor People’s Campaign</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">,” which he saw as the second phase of the civil rights movement. The campaign included demands for an “economic bill of rights” and living wages for all workers. <br /><br />King was assassinated later that year in Memphis while supporting striking sanitation workers, some of whom made as little as 65 cents an hour.<br /><br />Standing in this proud tradition, fast-food workers will strike in cities nationwide tomorrow, demanding a $15 an hour wage and the right to organize without retaliation.<br /><br />These workers won’t be speaking from the stage at the National Mall today, but they are the real heroes honoring the legacy of King. They are confronting the powerful forces that continue to stand in the way of King’s dream – forces that include political and corporate bosses who pretend to celebrate the March on Washington while at the same time dismissing the demands of low-wage workers</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">.</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If King were still alive, today he would march. But tomorrow he would be out on the picket line with fast-food workers.</span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>

fast-food strike low wage workers. walmart March on Washington port strike Tomorrow’s low-wage worker strikes continue King’s fight for good jobs

Today thousands have descended on Washington, D.C, to mark the 50th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. Tomorrow hundreds of fa...

Dragon Age: Inquisition: Dragon Keep Announced

9:21 AM Tukiyooo 0

<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gRpf4kfDMQM/Uh4jc8sPYkI/AAAAAAAADEU/OUNf9jnySlU/s1600-h/blog-keep%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="blog-keep" border="0" height="728" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xTU68nXDCwc/Uh4jdmi1u3I/AAAAAAAADEc/VhzmqsRumvA/blog-keep_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="blog-keep" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Dragon Age has always been a story where your choices and decisions impact the world.  For the third installment of the game, the details on how past decisions will be handled and implemented has just been </font><a href="http://blog.bioware.com/2013/08/28/the-dragon-age-keep/" target="_blank"><font size="3">announced</font></a><font size="3">.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Dragon Age Keep will allow players to customize the world of Thedas according to past decisions made.  Don’t worry if you’ve lost files or if they’ve become corrupted over time.  Past decisions can be implemented by the player within the keep without having to access previous saves.  The Keep will exist on the cloud.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Head over to the announcement for more detailed information on the decisions behind the making of the Keep.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e95acfdb-197b-43c0-8f51-b9a9457e20f8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dragon+Age+III%3a+Inquisition" rel="tag">Dragon Age III: Inquisition</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Bioware" rel="tag">Bioware</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Dragon+Age" rel="tag">Dragon Age</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Keep" rel="tag">The Keep</a></div>

Bioware Dragon Age: Inquisition video games Dragon Age: Inquisition: Dragon Keep Announced

Dragon Age has always been a story where your choices and decisions impact the world. For the third installment of the game, the details ...

Assassin’s Creed III

9:13 AM Tukiyooo 0

<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QxjVW5R0rCc/Uh4hjVBId7I/AAAAAAAADEA/Pk6TsbjtkJw/s1600-h/assassins-creed-3-playstation-3_xbox-360_wii-u_pc_150525_ggaleria%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="assassins-creed-3-playstation-3_xbox-360_wii-u_pc_150525_ggaleria" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-68w2A8P1Jj4/Uh4hjsdMQxI/AAAAAAAADEE/XW7nR7hcKPc/assassins-creed-3-playstation-3_xbox-360_wii-u_pc_150525_ggaleria_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="assassins-creed-3-playstation-3_xbox-360_wii-u_pc_150525_ggaleria" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-US/games/assassins-creed-3/index.aspx" target="_blank"><font size="3">Assassin’s Creed III</font></a><font size="3"> is amazing.  No seriously, it is amazing.  It is beautiful, the soundtrack is haunting, and the quality of the story telling is equal to that of the best in the industry.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">We have burned through the franchise in the last couple of weeks, well ok hubby more than I, and have enjoyed the stories immensely.  I’ve skipped finishing Brotherhood and Revelations because I know how Ezio’s story concludes through hubby’s games.  I’m sure I will go back and finish them if time permits.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">The alternative and imaginative history telling is fascinating.  There have been many a sparked conversation around here about whether or not Sam Adams is a Templar or not.  I will also admit that there are all kinds of comments and discussions about parallels to modern day issues.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-us/home/index.aspx" target="_blank"><font size="3">Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag</font></a><font size="3"> releases October 29, 2013 in the US and we are both looking forward to it immensely.  We will be getting it for the XboxOne.  It will be worth the slight wait for the release on the new console.</font>  </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Now, excuse me, I need to go back to playing Assassin’s Creed III so I can do more homestead missions and find Daniel Boone.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:eec4dde1-b2a9-45cf-b69a-b1c45f4b5953" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Assassin's+Creed" rel="tag">Assassin's Creed</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Assassin's+Creed+III" rel="tag">Assassin's Creed III</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Assassin's+Creed+IV" rel="tag">Assassin's Creed IV</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/XboxOne" rel="tag">XboxOne</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Xbox" rel="tag">Xbox</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Assassins" rel="tag">Assassins</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Templars" rel="tag">Templars</a></div>

Assassin's Creed Assassin's Creed III console gaming Ubisoft video games Xbox Xbox One Assassin’s Creed III

Assassin’s Creed III is amazing. No seriously, it is amazing. It is beautiful, the soundtrack is haunting, and the quality of the story...

Guide To Understanding Treadmills

9:01 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Lacey Hall</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>The Significance Of Exercise<br />  <br />  With the contemporary world placing a premium on speed and comfort, bodily health has been put at stake. If you would like your health to peak to desirable levels, though, then you have to exercise. One way to come up with a regular workout routine is to have a treadmill in your house. <a href="http://ezinearticles.com/?Fitness-Systems-For-Training&id=7833122">Treadmill reviews</a> supply insightful thoughts on what sorts of activities you can try out.<br />  <br />  Treadmills And Their Rewards<br />  <br />  Running, jogging or even simply walking on a treadmill can really condition and strengthen your body with time. Such cardio-intensive exercise allows you to burn more calories than a cycling machine or some other gym workouts. You can pick the treadmill workout program that will fit your goal best, like losing those pounds, for instance. The treadmill's ease of use and wonderful benefits make it the top choice for the individual who wishes to up their health and fitness level.<br />  <br />  Know Your Treadmill Better<br />  <br />  Treadmills can vary in form and shape, but they are all built with a feature that allows you to manipulate its speed. Other basic features include those that allow you to adjust and vary your workouts according to your health goal. These treadmill features also make workout routines exciting and motivate you to continue exercising daily.<br />  <br />  Recent treadmill models include built-in exercise programs. The feature works effortlessly: just select the program that corresponds to your health objective, and you're good to go. As you operate the treadmill, the speed and incline will immediately change at regular intervals. This can be a gradual increase or in a predetermined mixed pattern.<br />  <br />  If you want to take note of your heart rate during your workouts, there are built-in programs designed for that purpose in conjunction with a heart rate monitor. This monitor may need to be clipped to your body or held in your hand. High-quality treadmills utilize a chest-strap heart rate monitor to correctly track your heart rate and calories burnt. You'll enjoy this feature if you are into monitoring your heart fitness level and exercise level in one.<br />  <br />  To avoid wasting time, you can save your preferred workout settings in your treadmill so you don't have to punch them in each time you exercise. If other individuals are using the treadmill as well, there's no doubt you'll love this feature. Some treadmills also save your workout history; you are able to track your fitness progress with time and boost your previous performances.<br />  <br />  One high-tech feature that makes treadmills great workout venues is the iFit Live. This convenient feature lets say, sports athletes prepare for the next race that happens in another venue. The iFit Live means that you can "compete" with other people who are as well on the same training course as yours. Any treadmill that has Internet connection and is compatible with the iFit Live technology can perform this convenient feature. Modern treadmills even have full-color LCD touch screens and a music player to keep your rhythm going as you exercise.<br />  <br />  The Treadmill Anatomy<br />  <br />  The very key of the treadmill is its conveyor belt. Because the belt is built to move backward, you need to move in a forward motion and coordinate its pace so you stay on it. The conveyor belt supports your weight by letting it flow over the treadmill. For an even more challenging exercise, simply just increase or decrease the position of the treadmill deck. A simple resetting in the angle can create a great healthy improvement in your treadmill regimen.<br />  <br />  Damping elements are positioned under the deck to help in shock absorption. Shock-reducing efforts, such as adding cushions on the belt, help decrease the event of injury during treadmill use. As a group, the motor, belt, deck and rollers control a treadmill's quality and performance.<br />  <br />  You can fold the treadmill frames back or not. The foldable variety are best for home gyms where area is limited. Foldable treadmills, with the deck reaching the arms when folded up, are all about being compact. You might want to pay more for a strong foldable treadmill that lasts several years. But if you are searching for a treadmill that's designed for the everyday grind, go for the non-foldable types.<br />  <br />  The Types Of Treadmills<br />  <br />  Apart from the selection of features, there are treadmills designed for different user types and usage. Get your full money's worth by selecting the treadmill that meets your purpose and health goal. Consider the weight and body built of whoever will be employing the treadmill frequently. Taller users must have a treadmill with a lengthier tread belt that can easily support their long strides. If your home gym treadmill will be used by the whole family, consider the increased wear and tear that the machine will go through.<br />  <br />  Wrapping It Up<br />  <br />  Fitness buffs will agree: a treadmill is an essential health arsenal in every home. Before rushing to make a purchase, give consideration to your health, fitness and sturdiness needs, and the features that you'll use often. Often-overlooked factors include the place at home and the types of treadmill users. Pick up the treadmill that meets all these requirements and suits your budget.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'>Choosing the best workout system is typically a troublesome task. <a href="http://loricampbell.insanejournal.com/1102.html">ProForm treadmill websites</a> are excellent resources to get going with. Research what people have to say and you'll see that these products are best of their kind.</div><br />  </div><br />

Guide To Understanding Treadmills

By Lacey Hall The Significance Of Exercise With the contemporary world placing a premium on speed and comfort, bodily health has bee...

The Guide To A HCG Diet

9:01 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawbyline'>By Andrea Davidson</div><br /><br />  <div class='uawarticle'>The HCG Texas diet or human chorionic gonadotropin is a diet with low calories relying on hCG administration to suppress appetite and the burning of fat. Originally, it was devised by Dr. A. T. W. Simeons back in the fifties. He noticed something peculiar whilst researching the hormone for its effects. He noticed that those who took the hormone lost weight.<br />  <br />  Simeons started to do research on the use of this particular hormone. Weight loss was the intended result and dieters would noticeably consume few calories. As long as the hormone was being consumed, headaches, physical weakness and extreme hunger was generally avoided.<br />  <br />  HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin is produced by the pregnant and is useful in aiding the progesterone production in the body. People think this will cause the body to release fats that have been stored so that the fetus will be nourished. This is appropriate if the woman is consuming an inappropriate amount of calories.<br />  <br />  Those that are following or want to follow the diet are provided the hormone under the belief that fat will be burned much quicker. The plan normally allows for an intake of five hundred calories per day. Originally, unsweetened tea or coffee was allowed with milk the size of a single tablespoon during breakfast. Artificial sweeteners like Saccharin and stevia were allowed to take the place of sugar.<br />  <br />  The other meals like lunch or dinner is known to consist of poultry, low fat, or meat, which would have one hundred grams as its pre cooked weight. To cook it, oil or butter is often utilized. Fruits, bread sticks and even Melba toast can be eaten with these meals, or they can be taken separately and by themselves as snacks.<br />  <br />  There are several variations that exist out there. However, you will find that they are not very different to the original. It is still more or less five hundred calories, making up of protein mostly and a few carbs. There are variants that will include appetite suppressant injections.<br />  <br />  Those that participate in this are going to receive a regular dose for as much as forty days. Simeons had recommended at least six weeks off after forty days. This is due to his studies suggesting that the human body may build up a certain immunity to it after some time.<br />  <br />  He also recommended that the treatment can be resumed after the six weeks, for a total of around four treatments. HCG is available only by prescription. It is somewhat difficult to find a doctor in some areas who will prescribe it for the purpose of losing any weight.<br />  <br />  The process overall has been very effective as far as the quick losses are concerned. Dieters are more than capable of losing up to one or two pounds per day. The critics of this method are quick to point out that it does not encourage actually learning how to eat healthy. Even the most significant progress made is not due to balanced meals, nor do people learn how to do it in this way. The <A href="http://MySlimSolution.com">hCG Texas</A> dieters will also gain weight the moment they are off the diet. The lack of exercise has also been criticized.<br />  <br />  </div><br />  <div class='uawresource'><br />  	<div style='font-style:italic;' class='uawabout'><br />  		About the Author:<br />  	</div><br />  	<div class='uawlinks'>You can visit the website <a href="http://MySlimSolution.com">MySlimSolution.com</a> for more helpful information about The Guide To A HCG Diet </div><br />  </div><br />

The Guide To A HCG Diet

By Andrea Davidson The HCG Texas diet or human chorionic gonadotropin is a diet with low calories relying on hCG administration to suppr...

Look! I have a CHIN!! JUST ONE!

8:58 AM Tukiyooo 0

Look! I have a CHIN!! JUST ONE!

My double Chin is going away!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!! I am excited!! Friday I weigh in. I "THINK" I may have reached the 30 pound ma...

i HATE my maytag dishwasher

8:00 AM Anonymous 0

I am so behind. I've got piles of work to do, emails to answer and projects to finish amongst other things. So if you are waiting on an email from me I'm sorry I haven't responded yet.<br /><br />But for the moment I just have to vent and let you know that I HATE MY DISHWASHER.<br /><br />We have a <a href="http://www.maytag.com/Kitchen-1/Kitchen_Dishwashers_and_Kitchen_Cleaning_Dishwashers-3/102120003/" target="_blank">Maytag QuietSeries</a> and it has sucked from the first month we got it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI7iwtDspdQLUuDf-OpBr-Bh48mKXZ8hyphenhyphenALYlvkv7anyBHqKO1eZ3eEBPdzWjRFeAmTDK778MxCDIN4h0Woiqnm93XKjCUjanP2vDhOTfv3_GpJSpkCQeWciAmp4Rb0IcneSUA5qa-T7x/s1600/maytagdishwashersarebad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI7iwtDspdQLUuDf-OpBr-Bh48mKXZ8hyphenhyphenALYlvkv7anyBHqKO1eZ3eEBPdzWjRFeAmTDK778MxCDIN4h0Woiqnm93XKjCUjanP2vDhOTfv3_GpJSpkCQeWciAmp4Rb0IcneSUA5qa-T7x/s400/maytagdishwashersarebad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It doesn't clean dishes but actually leaves so much goo on them that they are often worse when we take them out. There is never a load that I don't have to re-wash at least a quarter of the items again. Now I know I am not a mechanical engineer but I was under the impression that a dishwasher was supposed to...wash!<br /><br />The prongs inside the racks started to rust and fall off within six months of purchasing it brand new from the Maytag store.<br /><br />We've called and emailed and I can tell you that <a href="http://www.maytag.com/service_support" target="_blank">Maytag customer service</a> doesn't know how to clean up a mess any better than their dishwashers do. They gave us gems like 'read the manual' or 'call a repair man'. I felt supported.<br /><br />Then, about two years into our hate/hate relationship we got a letter from Maytag saying that the dishwasher was being recalled for a faulty drying system (that isn't all that is faulty about it Maytag). They offered to send a repair man free of charge to fix this issue (and only that issue) OR issue us a $100 credit toward a new dishwasher. However, that new dishwasher had to be at least $300 more than we paid for our existing dishwasher.<br /><br />I am not buying a single thing from Maytag again so that credit was of course thrown out. I've spoken to others who have had similar issues with Maytag. I guess misery loves company.<br /><br />Do you have any dishwasher recommendations? Had any problems with an appliance in your house? Ever wanted to strangle an inanimate object?

i HATE my maytag dishwasher

I am so behind. I've got piles of work to do, emails to answer and projects to finish amongst other things. So if you are waiting on an ...