US Navy Sailors Seek £600m Damages From The Owners Of Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant For Radiation Related Illnesses

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2011-03/hires_110312-N-SB672-108a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2011-03/hires_110312-N-SB672-108a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The USS Ronald Reagan is underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, March 12, 2011. The Ronald Reagan has been directed to Japan following a 8.9 earthquake and tsunami to render humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as directed. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dylan McCord </span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>US Navy Sailors Seek £600m Damages From Owners Of Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant -- The Telegraph</b></span></div><br />Nearly three years after the Fukushima disaster, more than 70 US Navy sailors who participated in rescue operations claim that radiation exposure has left them sickened for life <br /><br />Dozens of American sailors who assisted Japan during the 2011 nuclear disaster are suing the operators of Fukushima power plant for more than £612 million (US$1bn) in damages, claiming that they have become sick from radiation exposure. <br /><br />The sailors were on board the USS Ronald Reagan super-carrier when it was diverted to northeast Japan following the devastation of the March 11, 2011 earthquake which triggered a tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster. <br /><br />As they helped rescue victims and evacuate disaster zones, the claimants allege that they drank, bathed and waded through water contaminated with radiation from the damaged nuclear power plant and were reportedly exposed to radioactive plumes. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/10624946/US-Navy-sailors-seek-600m-damages-from-owners-of-Fukushima-nuclear-power-plant.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> <a href="http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_02_09/US-Navy-sailors-sue-Fukushima-operators-for-600m-3939/">US Navy sailors sue Fukushima operators for £600m</a> -- Voice of Russia/The Telegraph<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> 79 US sailors have filed in this suit .... and this number is rising. If more sailors become sick .... and I suspect that this will be the case .... expect this to be an even bigger story in the next few years.

US Navy Sailors Seek £600m Damages From The Owners Of Japan's Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant For Radiation Related Illnesses

The USS Ronald Reagan is underway in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility, March 12, 2011. The Ronald Reagan has been directed to Japan foll...

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Why Is China Being Permitted To Ignore Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9W5hXnelS7xPA0ARRDGwEYhfvQg93KkggyZDangw9naxkJ7Z5fPHx5jyilYEoyWuInDv2Y_IU_JcB27467DaCU-3gQ1vBHDJ_J4Q_spCSzJN8hipHgwG5KGXxUxLbzvGCd5UV1uBvdkM/s1600/200px-US-DefenseIntelligenceAgency-Seal.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9W5hXnelS7xPA0ARRDGwEYhfvQg93KkggyZDangw9naxkJ7Z5fPHx5jyilYEoyWuInDv2Y_IU_JcB27467DaCU-3gQ1vBHDJ_J4Q_spCSzJN8hipHgwG5KGXxUxLbzvGCd5UV1uBvdkM/s1600/200px-US-DefenseIntelligenceAgency-Seal.svg.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">China Making A Mockery Of The Nuclear Suppliers Group, And No One Seems To Care -- Vaughan Winterbottom, The Interpreter</span></b></div><br />China is pushing forward with plans to finance and construct  new nuclear power plants in Pakistan, in direct violation of its obligations to the <a href="http://www.nuclearsuppliersgroup.org/" target="_blank">Nuclear Suppliers Group</a> (NSG). Yet <a href="http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/10/china-pakistan-and-the-nuclear-suppliers-group-commitments" target="_blank">barely a whisper of protest has been heard</a>. US officials have appeased their Indian friends<a href="http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-10-16/news/43107332_1_china-and-pakistan-chashma-chinese-foreign-ministry" target="_blank"> by expressing 'concern' about recent deals</a>. When it comes to nuclear non-proliferation, however, 'concern' is the diplomatic equivalent of a yawn. <br /><br />China has a long history of cooperation with Pakistan on nuclear technology. Beijing sees the country as a useful counterweight to a nuclear India, and it was instrumental in the development of Pakistan's first two reactors, at Chashma in Punjab province. <br /><br />China joined the NSG in 2004. Member states are subject to stringent rules on the export of nuclear technology and materials, which are intended to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2014/02/06/China-is-making-a-mockery-of-the-NPT-and-no-one-but-India-seems-to-care.aspx">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: I cannot help but feel that we are on the verge of entering a period in which uncontrollable nuclear proliferation will be the norm rather than the opposite. So much for leaving the world in a safer place for our children.

Why Is China Being Permitted To Ignore Nuclear Suppliers Group Guidelines

China Making A Mockery Of The Nuclear Suppliers Group, And No One Seems To Care -- Vaughan Winterbottom, The Interpreter China is pushing f...

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Trading and Investing in PRECIOUS METALS

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #741b47;">*****A GOLD and SILVER webinar*****</span> </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Apple Investor talks PRECIOUS METALS </b></span></div><br />The PRECIOUS METALS are making news again as the price of the metals have fallen into OVERSOLD TERRITORY and reports are surfacing of a growing demand in PHYSICAL BULLION in Dubai, various Arab nations, Asia, and the Far East.<br /><br />There is a growing market for NUMISMATIC COINS and collectors are taking advantage of FIRST STRIKE and various GRADED COINS and ROUNDS to get a head start on growing some long term investments.   An unusually large demand of American Silver Eagles is also being noted by the U.S. MINT which is also causing an increased interest in physical precious metals.<br /><br />There are also various QUASI-NUMISMATIC COLLECTIBLE coins and rounds being produced by various mints that have a becoming very popular with collectors which are resulting in a growing demand carrying higher premium prices and incredibly inflated resale value due to their limited mintage.<br /><br />When it comes to the discussion of PRECIOUS METALS there are several opinions on the subject among investment enthusiasts including constitutional money, their asset value, their inherent asset protection properties, collectible value, and potential investment return, all of which is now even making the news on CNBC and other news sources nationwide.<br /><br />There is also an indication in the FUTURES MARKETS that the GOLD and SILVER sector has been heavily shorted and is now in a curious condition of being OVERSOLD.   Investors are watching this sector carefully as a large SHORT SQUEEZE may soon develop not only with the metals themselves but along with various mining stocks and electronic trading funds such as GLD and SLV and directly in the futures market on the COMEX.<br /><br />This is becoming a HOT SECTOR again and the word out for those who are interested in this type of investment is to "KEEP STACKIN'." <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hSI_qUI9uEw?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Trading and Investing in PRECIOUS METALS

*****A GOLD and SILVER webinar***** The Apple Investor talks PRECIOUS METALS The PRECIOUS METALS are making news again as the price of the ...

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U.S. Aid To Afghanistan Will Continue After The Departure Of U.S. And NATO Forces

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2014-02/hires_140121-M-EX245-024a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2014-02/hires_140121-M-EX245-024a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A U.S. Marine provides security during a joint patrol with Afghan local police outside Camp Dwyer in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 21, 2014. The Marines are assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Eric S. Wilterdink</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>U.S. Aid Plan Seeks to Shield Afghanistan From End to War Economy -- New York Times/Reuters</b></span></div><br />KABUL — The Obama administration will unveil on Monday a package of aid initiatives it hopes will help Afghanistan, still one of the world's poorest countries after a dozen years of massive international aid efforts, shield itself from the departure of foreign troops and an expected drop in assistance.<br /><br />The announcement from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) of three new development initiatives worth almost $300 million is part of a U.S. effort to ensure that Afghanistan, as its 'war economy' ends, won't slide backwards into greater poverty or reverse gains made over the last 12 years in health, education and other areas.<br /><br />"The question is, what can we do now to make sure Afghanistan is as healthy, sustainable and feasible as possible going forward," Larry Sampler, the agency's chief official for Afghanistan and Pakistan, said in an interview.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2014/02/09/world/asia/09reuters-usa-afghanistan.html?smid=tw-share">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment</b>: $300 million in aid for a country as large as Afghanistan that is in the middle of a brutal civil war and is now facing the withdrawal of U.S./NATO security forces .... this is all fantasy.

U.S. Aid To Afghanistan Will Continue After The Departure Of U.S. And NATO Forces

A U.S. Marine provides security during a joint patrol with Afghan local police outside Camp Dwyer in Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 21,...

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Low CD Rates: Lending Drought and Savings Monsoon

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqSmu4ty8m-FzY-T4A4PhzUdUzXTq5jPZ3epIXhHKLEhbXxzf0FhewLuk2pp3hE4swlgOzcmvr5SKpeNFmoVivHic8xtIlWGkAUKYsFl-NHGK3pFikyb7oa_RRMiIoTb5fV2_HVx7xwM/s1600/Credit,+Savings,+and+Rates.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqSmu4ty8m-FzY-T4A4PhzUdUzXTq5jPZ3epIXhHKLEhbXxzf0FhewLuk2pp3hE4swlgOzcmvr5SKpeNFmoVivHic8xtIlWGkAUKYsFl-NHGK3pFikyb7oa_RRMiIoTb5fV2_HVx7xwM/s320/Credit,+Savings,+and+Rates.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />The data in red (left scale) shows bank credit of all commercial banks divided by total savings deposits at all depository institutions. Think of it as a lending to savings ratio proxy.<br /><br />The data in black (right scale) shows the 5-year CD rate (national rate of banks).<br /><br />The data in blue (right scale) shows the 5-year treasury yield.<br /><br />I would argue that the red data is a primary driver of interest rates (perhaps not the only one). All things being equal, as people deposit more money in banks relative to what banks are lending, interest rates go down. Put another way, banks have no incentive to offer great interest rates on savings when there is so much money being deposited.<br /><br />Note that the 5-year treasury (in blue) has recently tried to diverge from this pattern. This is not its first attempt. Its last attempt (back in 2011) failed miserably. For what it is worth, I'm not a believer that it will succeed this time either. Rising interest rate environment? I don't think so. Could be wrong of course. Time will tell.<br /><br />And lastly, note the extreme lack of a recovery in the lending to savings ratio (in red). It's just been down, down, down.<br /><br />Here is a closer look at that lending to savings ratio over the past year (using weekly data instead of smoothed semiannual data).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVWM17zb4X_6eQsQyy9zmRcfiKget6AbSs1fWdr-vzeUhEGknAEc2OjTVqkECVshB7UccaUL4h-ZgzvCe7y_PqUvQUN9E4MOikMFVnOwzXhVYUj9Z81qZpLclwpu6LzzCo6ygf-0dtgM/s1600/Bank+Credit+vs.+Savings.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVWM17zb4X_6eQsQyy9zmRcfiKget6AbSs1fWdr-vzeUhEGknAEc2OjTVqkECVshB7UccaUL4h-ZgzvCe7y_PqUvQUN9E4MOikMFVnOwzXhVYUj9Z81qZpLclwpu6LzzCo6ygf-0dtgM/s320/Bank+Credit+vs.+Savings.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Once again, it's just down, down, down. The lending drought and savings monsoon continues. Those patiently waiting for higher CD rates and higher 5-year treasury yields may be very disappointed. But what's new? <a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-long-term-death-of-real-yields.html">They've generally been disappointed for 30+ years.</a><br /><br />This is not investment advice.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rUN">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #1</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rUR">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #2</a>

Low CD Rates: Lending Drought and Savings Monsoon

Click to enlarge. The data in red (left scale) shows bank credit of all commercial banks divided by total savings deposits at all depository...

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Planning de la semaine du 11 au 15 février 2014

<br /><br /><h2><strong><span style="color: #005c9b; line-height: 113%;">Permanences</span></strong><br /></h2><ul><li>Le <strong>Conseil Général du Loiret</strong> sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans<br />- le lundi 11 février de 9h à 12h30,<br />- le mardi 12 février de 9h à 12h30 et de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le mercredi 13 février de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le jeudi 14 février de 13h30 à 17h,<br />- le vendredi 15 février de 13h30 à 17h.</li><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.fr/2009/01/egee-nouveau-partenaire-la-maison-de.html">EGEE</a></strong> - lundi 11 février de 13h30 à 17h (sur rendez-vous)</li><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2007/11/boutique-de-gestion.html">Boutique de Gestion</a></strong> - vendredi 15 février de 09h à 12h30 (sur rendez-vous)<br /></ul><h2><strong><span style="color: #005c9b; line-height: 113%;">Ateliers</span></strong></h2><ul><li><b>CV</b> - mardi 12 février de 09h à 12h30</li><br /><li><b>Lettre de Motivation</b> - mardi 12 février de 13h30 à 17h</li><br /><li><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.fr/2014/09/simulations-dentretien-assistees-par.html">Préparation à l'entretien/Simulation Vidéo</a></b> - jeudi 14 février de 9h à 17h</li><br /><li><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.fr/2008/12/atelier-parcours-emploi.html">Parcours Emploi</a></b> - jeudi 14 février de 14h à 17h</li><br /><li><strong>Pôle-emploi.fr</strong> - vendredi 15 février de 10h à 11h30</li><br /><li><strong><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2009/07/atelier-situtilises-tu-trouves.html">Sit'Utilises tu trouves</a></strong> - vendredi 15 février de 14h à 16h</li></ul>

Planning de la semaine du 11 au 15 février 2014

Permanences Le Conseil Général du Loiret sera présent dans les locaux de la Maison de l'Emploi du bassin d'Orléans - le lundi 11 fé...

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Afghan Soldiers Are Demanding That President Karzai Sign The U.S. - Afghan Security Agreement

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2014-02/hires_140203-A-CB167-002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.defense.gov/imgHandler.ashx?h=350&w=0&img=/dodcmsshare/photoessay/2014-02/hires_140203-A-CB167-002a.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Strait, left, meets with one of his counterparts at the Afghan national police headquarters in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, Feb. 3, 2014. Strait is assigned to a security force advise and assist team attached to the 10th Mountain Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team. U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Eric Provost</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Afghan Soldiers Desperate For Pact With U.S., Criticize President Karzai For Delay -- Washington Post</b></span></div><br />ZABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan soldiers fighting the Taliban have grown confident in their ability to combat an agile insurgency. But for those on the front lines, one question casts a shadow over the young army’s progress.<br /><br />What if the United States — and its funding — vanish from Afghanistan?<br /><br />That outcome has become increasingly probable with President Hamid Karzai’s refusal to sign a bilateral security agreement that would allow the United States to maintain a small military presence here beyond 2014. Now, Afghan troops are beginning to raise their voices against Karzai, demanding at great personal risk that he sign the pact.<br /><br />“If the international community leaves, there is no question that we will lose ground to the Taliban,” Col. Mohammad Dost, a battalion commander in Zabul province, said in an interview. “It’s the biggest worry for every soldier now.”<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-soldiers-desperate-for-pact-with-us-criticize-president-karzai-for-delay/2014/02/08/7caf4b4a-891b-11e3-a760-a86415d0944d_story.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> I sense in this article that if a U.S. - Afghan security pact is not signed .... many of these Afghan soldiers are going to desert .... and who would blame them.

Afghan Soldiers Are Demanding That President Karzai Sign The U.S. - Afghan Security Agreement

U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Strait, left, meets with one of his counterparts at the Afghan national police headquarters in Jalalabad, Afg...

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European Weakness Revealed When It Comes To Russia And Ukraine

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/nWZAY6FtuIo" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The F-Bomb Heard Around the World -- Walter Russel Mead, American Interest</b></span></div><br />EU Greatly Offended - Again<br /><br />Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secretary of State whose intemperate remark about the European Union were secretly recorded and released on YouTube (allegedly by the Russians), probably wouldn’t have received high marks from Emily Post. But if Nuland’s wording is crude, her analysis is essentially correct, as yet another secretly recorded conversation reveals—this one between Helga Schmid, a representative of EU High Commissioner Catherine Ashton, and the EU Ambassador in Ukraine:<br /><br /><i> HS: “I just wanted to tell you one more thing in confidence. The Americans are going around and saying we’re too soft, while they’re moving more firmly toward sanctions. […] Well, we’re not soft! We’re about to issue a very strongly worded statement about Bulatov!“</i><br /><br />Newsflash to the EU: A very strongly worded statement rarely accomplishes much in the realm of international diplomacy, and it certainly is not going to persuade Russia to abandon its quest to become a great power. <a href="http://www.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2013/12/03/the-great-ukrainian-knife-fight-2/">Baguettes are no good in knife fights</a>, as we’re fond of saying.<br /><br />One can, however, hardly blame the Europeans for being a little offended by Ms Nuland. We all have our moments of frustration, but in this world of phone taps and leaks diplomats must watch what they say. A good rule for all of us: if you don’t want it repeated on the front page of the newspaper, don’t say it in the first place.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.the-american-interest.com/blog/2014/02/07/the-f-bomb-heard-around-the-world/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> "Baguettes are no good in knife fights" .... what a priceless statement. As to what can the EU and the U.S. do when it comes to the Ukrainian crisis .... I have to say not much. This is an internal Ukrainian crisis that has deeply divided the country along political and cultural lines .... and outsiders have limited (if any) real influence. Ukraine's Russian minority want to keep close ties with Russia, and those in western Ukraine want closer ties to the West .... hence the division. Even the Kremlin (aside from the comment of a senior aid that Russia will <b><a href="http://warnewsupdates.blogspot.ca/2014/02/senior-putin-aide-russia-will-intervene.html">intervene with it's military</a></b>) is staying out of this mess .... preferring to observe and use what <b><a href="http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/russia-presses-ukraine-debt-amid-protests-201428143340764412.html">limited financial resources</a></b> it has to influence the debate knowing all too well that if they do get directly involved, it will only polarize the situation even more.

European Weakness Revealed When It Comes To Russia And Ukraine

The F-Bomb Heard Around the World -- Walter Russel Mead, American Interest EU Greatly Offended - Again Victoria Nuland, the Assistant Secret...

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Map Depicting The USSR Gulag Camps From 1923 To 1961

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">Map depicting the USSR Gulag camps, which existed between 1923 and 1961 <a href="http://t.co/ATfdkRTGqK">pic.twitter.com/ATfdkRTGqK</a><br />— Tom T. (@VRWCTexan) <a href="https://twitter.com/VRWCTexan/statuses/432001721082982400">February 8, 2014</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>

Map Depicting The USSR Gulag Camps From 1923 To 1961

Map depicting the USSR Gulag camps, which existed between 1923 and 1961 pic.twitter.com/ATfdkRTGqK — Tom T. (@VRWCTexan) February 8, 2014

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A Sign Of The Times

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0mxqNcJo7ISpeWwPuoNmq9Eq4h8gOXiOhNRsgSKuI3gzKybLBEe0Bl09UK6rVGo5qx-akyL-f7hxabPdhno6QjfneeHqyQJQn5Y8Co1TqbhQWhshWjppRBytF94LdPez39k0ogq1Zm8S/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0mxqNcJo7ISpeWwPuoNmq9Eq4h8gOXiOhNRsgSKuI3gzKybLBEe0Bl09UK6rVGo5qx-akyL-f7hxabPdhno6QjfneeHqyQJQn5Y8Co1TqbhQWhshWjppRBytF94LdPez39k0ogq1Zm8S/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Google, which became the world’s largest online advertiser through its dominant search engine, has a market capitalization of $393.5 billion. Photographer: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Google Briefly Tops Exxon As Second-Most Valuable Company -- Bloomberg Businessweek</b></span></div><br />Google Inc. (GOOG:US) briefly surpassed Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM:US) as the second-most valuable company, trailing only Apple (AAPL:US) Inc. and underscoring the growing role of technology in the economy.<br /><br />Google, which became the world’s largest online advertiser through its dominant search engine, had a higher market capitalization during intraday trading today before falling back at the close in New York to a value of $395.4 billion compared to Exxon’s $395.7 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Apple had a market value of $463.5 billion. Software company Microsoft Corp. is No. 4 with $303.5 billion. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-02-07/google-passes-exxon-to-become-second-most-valuable-u-dot-s-dot-company">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Fadel Gheit, an analyst at Oppenheimer & Co. in New York is right ..... “It’s the sign of the times .... out with the old and in with the new.”

A Sign Of The Times

Google, which became the world’s largest online advertiser through its dominant search engine, has a market capitalization of $393.5 billion...

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Team USA winners lose with the IRS

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The IRS and Winter Olympic winners</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwncoUbNgsNKINaW3SqlrkeaUAETTT6Fqs3qArqSpukc5ZBnBvI-_9n64s0BhTZtCkKBLvkRIi51P28ossmnFC3bTUwRS807KVmgsGeLPx5kSML1TaD1AK751UtV9cRBI8yuJNYpugIOY/s1600/UncleSAM.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwncoUbNgsNKINaW3SqlrkeaUAETTT6Fqs3qArqSpukc5ZBnBvI-_9n64s0BhTZtCkKBLvkRIi51P28ossmnFC3bTUwRS807KVmgsGeLPx5kSML1TaD1AK751UtV9cRBI8yuJNYpugIOY/s1600/UncleSAM.jpeg" width="149" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Go TEAM USA!  :-)</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome back to the IRS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>WINNERS?  or LOSERS? </b></span></div><b><br /></b><b>Come back and owe the IRS for your fake gold....What?...</b><br /><br /><b>U.S. Olympic metal winners could own the IRS up to $10,000...</b><br /><br /><b><b>Not only do you win a medal which is not pure gold but you get to pay a health IRS tax upon returning to the good ol' U.S.A.</b> </b><br /><b><br /></b><b>WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NBzk0s19tR8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><b>...developing...</b></div>

Team USA winners lose with the IRS

The IRS and Winter Olympic winners Go TEAM USA!  :-) Welcome back to the IRS WINNERS?  or LOSERS? Come back and owe the IRS for your fake go...

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Do people know what's going on with America?

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The SHTF SCENARIO is approaching</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>When everything completely falls apart soon it will be too late...</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dPrhcTO1Wlg?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Do people know what's going on with America?

The SHTF SCENARIO is approaching When everything completely falls apart soon it will be too late... ...developing...

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It's Getting Worse In Venezuela

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8HA9S2nCtqYl9Z8TCYXK2WnR-aZfOt26hL6Fom_2aZ3euf0wOb_00WDcVp-Tx2zIIA4ZUfqNTaYj_tHVNzwJdf6JGtvAbJWdl5Mc6V3adr1cbdw4E_TjhbN9pJYqevN35bHMEogRMWjq/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS8HA9S2nCtqYl9Z8TCYXK2WnR-aZfOt26hL6Fom_2aZ3euf0wOb_00WDcVp-Tx2zIIA4ZUfqNTaYj_tHVNzwJdf6JGtvAbJWdl5Mc6V3adr1cbdw4E_TjhbN9pJYqevN35bHMEogRMWjq/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A man walks past big samples of Venezuelan bank notes at the Central Bank headquarters in Caracas August 22, 2013. Credit: <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/01/us-venezuela-forex-idUSBRE99019S20131001">Reuters/Carlos Garcia Rawlins</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Venezuela’s Biggest Enemy — Hyperinflation -- Andres Oppenheimer. Miami Herald</b></span></div><br />When I interviewed the head of the International Monetary Fund’s Western Hemisphere division last week, he didn’t mince words about the possibility of Venezuela descending into even greater economic chaos.<br /><br />Alejandro Werner, the senior IMF official, said there is a “high” probability that Venezuela, which already has the world’s highest inflation rate, will see even higher rates this year.<br /><br />Noting that Venezuela’s annual inflation rate reached 56 percent last year, I asked him whether a country can maintain such inflation rates without falling into hyper-inflation —a situation in which the local currency becomes virtually worthless, merchants close down their stores, the entire economy collapses, and in many cases governments end up falling.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/02/08/3920434/andres-oppenheimer-venezuelas.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Having grown up in a society where the government controlled the price and distribution of goods (Russia) .... I know that such policies will always (I repeat always) result in shortages and the devaluation of the currency. The Venezuelans are beginning to learn this hard lesson right now.

It's Getting Worse In Venezuela

A man walks past big samples of Venezuelan bank notes at the Central Bank headquarters in Caracas August 22, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Carlos Ga...

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Eric Holder announces National Sodomy ORDER

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****FEDERAL LAW***** </span></span></b><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">Attorney General Eric Holder issues decree: </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">ORDER:  All Justice Department Employees will be briefed...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>"On Monday I will issue a new POLICY MEMORANDUM that will for the first time in history formerly instruct all Justice Department employees to give lawful same sex marriages full and equal recognition to the greatest extent possible under the law."</b></i><br /><b><i>--Attorney General, Eric Holder </i></b><br /><br /><b>More victory for the LGBT COMMUNITY:  All sorts of rights and benefits need to be addressed...</b></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NsskF36NS1o?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What this means...</b></span></div><br /><i><b>"This means in every courthouse, in every proceeding, and in every place where a member of the Department of Justice stand on behalf of the United States they will strive to ensure that same sex marriages receive the same privileges, the same protections, and the same rights as opposite sex marriages under federal law..."</b></i><br /><i><b>--Attorney General, Eric Holder</b></i><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oEwUarJBwNw?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Eric Holder is a minister of God</b></span></div><br /><b>If you don't like what's happening in America just remember that just like President Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder is a minister of God to thee for good: </b><br /><br /><b>The powers that be are ordained of God.  So we submit to them in all of this and please God for they are not a terror to the good but to the evil.   Right?</b><br /><br /><i><b>Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.</b></i><br /><i><b>Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.</b></i><br /><i><b>For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:</b></i><br /><i><b>For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to <i>execute</i> wrath upon him that doeth evil.</b></i><br /><i><b>Wherefore <i>ye</i> must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.</b></i><br /><i><b>For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.</b></i><br /><i><b>Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute <i id="yui-gen85">is due</i>; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.</b></i><br /><i><b>--ROMANS 13.1-7</b></i>  <br /><br /><b>LEARN MORE on ROMANS CHAPTER 13:</b><br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/12/romans-chapter-13-rightly-divided_18.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2012/12/romans-chapter-13-rightly-divided_18.html</a></b><br /><br /><b>...developing...</b>

Eric Holder announces National Sodomy ORDER

*****FEDERAL LAW***** Attorney General Eric Holder issues decree: ORDER:  All Justice Department Employees will be briefed... "On Monda...

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Savannah, Georgia BURNING RUBBER

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/pjOhctRoA60?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Savannah, Georgia BURNING RUBBER

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Silicon Valley Threats and Nationalizing the Power Grid

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More SHTF Revelations </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Aftermath of the PG&E Substation shooting  </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Notice YOU TUBE is trying to keep this information from getting out...</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/U266c5mOuME?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RQzAbKdLfW8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cow2cCp4cC0?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GacLkjrh18s?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Silicon Valley Threats and Nationalizing the Power Grid

More SHTF Revelations The Aftermath of the PG&E Substation shooting  Notice YOU TUBE is trying to keep this information from getting out...

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U.S. Approaches Oil Independence

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Kp-5jH9V6Hcx1Fgt7WY4xBJGpz5lgpn53RhhJXZiA96cZg4BkmL1zt8ku8R3hOLp2NO7FSCXJvXQFMg9OwFwzbxyhaBsjgadpRtUMz7SNJdk97rnmyiViaeWBEBDfzogzq5VEOCTWwOv/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Kp-5jH9V6Hcx1Fgt7WY4xBJGpz5lgpn53RhhJXZiA96cZg4BkmL1zt8ku8R3hOLp2NO7FSCXJvXQFMg9OwFwzbxyhaBsjgadpRtUMz7SNJdk97rnmyiViaeWBEBDfzogzq5VEOCTWwOv/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Roughnecks wrestle pipe on a True Company oil drilling rig outside Watford, North Dakota, October 20, 2012. Thousands of people have flooded into North Dakota to work in state's oil drilling boom. <a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/us-surpasses-russia-become-largest-oil-natural-gas-producer-energy-dependent-countries-india-are">Reuters</a></span> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>U.S. May Be Inching Toward Oil Independence -- USA Today</b></span></div><br />U.S. oil imports are down 17% since 2010, helping narrow the trade deficit.<br /><br />U.S. oil imports fell sharply again in 2013 while petroleum exports rose, leading some analysts to proclaim that a new era of energy independence is just a few years away.<br /><br />Experts largely credit new drilling techniques that have unearthed vast troves of previously inaccessible oil embedded in shale deposits in states such as North Dakota and Texas.<br /><br />"We're at the beginning of a long upswing," says Citigroup analyst Eric Lee.<br /><br />Crude oil imports declined 9% last year to 2.8 billion barrels and are down 17% since 2010, according to the Census Bureau.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/02/07/falling-oil-imports/5268819/">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Oil and gas fracking technologies have clearly changed the dynamics of the energy industry that has impacted the power of OPEC and some of it's member states .... and for the good. So much for peak oil theorists.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Here is a good post on how much oil we are talking about in <b><a href="http://seekingalpha.com/article/2003121-apache-a-look-at-the-wolfcamp-and-lng-potential?source=iphoneportfolioapp_twitter">just one U.S. shale deposit</a></b>. Hint .... the estimated recovery for the Spraberry/Wolfcamp is 50 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE), which is only beaten by the Ghawar oil field in Saudi Arabia. (Hat Tip: <b><a href="http://prairiepundit.blogspot.ca/">Prairie Pundit</a></b>)

U.S. Approaches Oil Independence

Roughnecks wrestle pipe on a True Company oil drilling rig outside Watford, North Dakota, October 20, 2012. Thousands of people have flooded...

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Cannabis kicks Lyme disease to the curb

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/307cbbKw0xM" width="420"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">'Lyme disease has been controversial for some years. Many medical practitioners misdiagnose it, while several think that it's mental. With Lyme disease, there are so many symptoms, so many debilitating, agonizing manifestations, that it's often misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, lupus or a mental issue.<br /><br />Lyme disease is caused by a spirochetal bacteria of the <i>Borrelia</i> genus. Spirochetes are composed of about 40% DNA and have double-membrane envelopes that make them difficult to trace and kill. They're apparently able to hide in deep tissue and change shapes to disguise their identities.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Read <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/043834_cannabis_Lyme_disease_medical_marijuana.html">more...</a></span>

Cannabis kicks Lyme disease to the curb

'Lyme disease has been controversial for some years. Many medical practitioners misdiagnose it, while several think that it's menta...

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Dying cancer patients are being milked of every last dollar

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://exposethemedicalmafia.com/AMA_Mafia_logo.jpg" class="decoded" height="223" src="http://exposethemedicalmafia.com/AMA_Mafia_logo.jpg" width="400" /></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">'Recent studies and reports have revealed that terminal cancer patients are frequently given harsh chemotherapy drugs and radiation treatments long after they have been diagnosed as hopeless. In many instances such treatments continue up until the moment of death. As a result, many cancer patients are subjected to needless expense and suffering and little time is left for alternative treatments that otherwise might have saved their lives.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">The Oncologist reported that about one in five dying cancer patients are given chemotherapy within 14 days of their deaths. The report also stated that one-third of terminal cancer patients are not sent to a hospice until they have less than three days left to live. Last year, Virginia Commonwealth Massey reported that 25% of Medicare expenses for terminal cancer patients are spent in their final month.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Read <a href="http://www.tbyil.com/Dying_Cancer_Patients.htm">more... </a></span>

Dying cancer patients are being milked of every last dollar

'Recent studies and reports have revealed that terminal cancer patients are frequently given harsh chemotherapy drugs and radiation trea...

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Study Confirms That Matters of the Heart Directly Influence The Health of Your Heart

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://scontent-a-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1/1545807_10151923398432499_192843947_n.png" style="height: 480px; width: 380px;" /></div><br /><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">'University of Utah researchers have shown that the ways in which you are supported, can actually have significant bearing on your overall cardiovascular health. The findings announced by <i><a href="http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/heart-disease-risk-linked-with-spouses-social-support.html" target="_blank"> Psychological Science</a></i> reveal that when both partners perceive having mixed feelings about the support they get from each other, each partner’s levels of coronary artery calcification (CAC) tend to be particularly high. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> “There is a large body of epidemiological research suggesting that our relationships are predictors of mortality rates, especially from cardiovascular disease,” explains Bert Uchino, psychological scientist of the University of Utah. “But most prior work has ignored the fact that many relationships are characterized by both positive and negative aspects -- in other words, ambivalence.”'<br /> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Read <a href="http://preventdisease.com/news/14/020714_Matters-of-Heart-Influence-The-Health-of-Heart.shtml">more...</a></span>

Study Confirms That Matters of the Heart Directly Influence The Health of Your Heart

'University of Utah researchers have shown that the ways in which you are supported, can actually have significant bearing on you...

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