USDA RECALLS 9 MILLION POUNDS of MEAT

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">*****FOOD ALERT*****</span> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MEAT DECLARED UNFIT FOR HUMAN FOOD </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>DISEASED and UNSOUND ANIMALS </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTHzQSD39P4IMF3yADkM9TpycFBgWHD2r7K8cOLw80IOHIbLdUqXDiMmFrQJRCxRbDWycgmv3Ufl59tGfJCdci7y0WIj-4_n_wMJeIIynKZ_dhkv_KViSOZMuhJl1KT1NzT_MZJujqRU/s1600/BeefMeatPIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsTHzQSD39P4IMF3yADkM9TpycFBgWHD2r7K8cOLw80IOHIbLdUqXDiMmFrQJRCxRbDWycgmv3Ufl59tGfJCdci7y0WIj-4_n_wMJeIIynKZ_dhkv_KViSOZMuhJl1KT1NzT_MZJujqRU/s1600/BeefMeatPIC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>  </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>*****MAJOR MEAT RECALL by USDA*****</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>COULD CAUSE MAJOR SUPPLY SHORTAGES</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>FAST FOOD RESTAURANT CONCERNS RISE</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/09/nearly-nine-million-pounds-of-meat-recalled-because-they-came-from-diseased-unsound-animals/" style="color: red;">http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/02/09/nearly-nine-million-pounds-of-meat-recalled-because-they-came-from-diseased-unsound-animals/</a></b><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The issue is how much of this made it to the shelves?  And could this cause a large outbreak of FOOD POISONING? </b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tfTnGsoyrTY?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TL8Gj9OIQSI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

USDA RECALLS 9 MILLION POUNDS of MEAT

*****FOOD ALERT***** MEAT DECLARED UNFIT FOR HUMAN FOOD  DISEASED and UNSOUND ANIMALS   *****MAJOR MEAT RECALL by USDA***** COULD CAUSE MAJ...

Read more »

NATIONWIDE GUN CONFISCATION ALERT

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Jobs_and_People/Police/Siren_2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Jobs_and_People/Police/Siren_2.gif" border="0" src="http://www.gifs.net/Animation11/Jobs_and_People/Police/Siren_2.gif" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****<b>EMERGENCY 2ND AMENDMENT ALERT*****</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>They're coming for your guns!</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgXnGmyldtojy_ftyFWoR__oGnCO3IMJZVanVinWIJfA0EQbg9ViZA2MMk5_OdEcP1WGdLaKGbHy8qD57QuRFPo4KrELkPTp0sx9SnC48IIezbminmiKXyI-U-zUUfHpCJfga5fHjE1E/s1600/AR-15bushmaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgXnGmyldtojy_ftyFWoR__oGnCO3IMJZVanVinWIJfA0EQbg9ViZA2MMk5_OdEcP1WGdLaKGbHy8qD57QuRFPo4KrELkPTp0sx9SnC48IIezbminmiKXyI-U-zUUfHpCJfga5fHjE1E/s1600/AR-15bushmaster.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>NATIONWIDE GUN CONFISCATION BAN</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">  <span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Mayors in cooperation with the globalist corporatist empire are planning NATIONWIDE GUN CONFISCATION across America.</b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.infowars.com/mayor-nationwide-gun-confiscation-is-goal-of-mayors-against-illegal-guns/" style="color: red;">http://www.infowars.com/mayor-nationwide-gun-confiscation-is-goal-of-mayors-against-illegal-guns/</a></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/EPoWUyM8v0M?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is HUGE NEWS!   Watch the EXTENSIVE COVERAGE here on INFOWARS:</b></span><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HQ610eK4z1I?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/I0C0ZkUCgq8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div><br /><b>...developing...</b>

NATIONWIDE GUN CONFISCATION ALERT

***** EMERGENCY 2ND AMENDMENT ALERT***** They're coming for your guns! NATIONWIDE GUN CONFISCATION BAN     Mayors in cooperation with th...

Read more »

Why Russians Do Not Smile At You

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwXrAOuybfqsthhG5m1LiKND-hGDvYv1P7WB1E-YpO-iuCy_kxTZq8jLabL4EE94SPx-WABGS1C5JSl8WJUXqqwu919KTlEKtFyxaykLDOTc64eszQtZGmhoZ80PACENXZz6_m-BswP_Y/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwXrAOuybfqsthhG5m1LiKND-hGDvYv1P7WB1E-YpO-iuCy_kxTZq8jLabL4EE94SPx-WABGS1C5JSl8WJUXqqwu919KTlEKtFyxaykLDOTc64eszQtZGmhoZ80PACENXZz6_m-BswP_Y/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Why Russians Aren't Smiling At You In Sochi -- Marina Koren, National Journal</b></span></div><br />The first rule about smiling at Russians is you do not smile at Russians.<br /><br />When Ed Leigh arrived in Sochi to cover the Winter Olympics, something struck him as odd: None of the Russians there returned his smiles.<br /><br />When Leigh asked a native why that was, the man told him, "In Russia only two types of people smile: idiots and rich people—and rich people don't walk on the street."<br /><br />For Russians, a smile in public is not the polite expression that Americans reflexively offer strangers on the street. A smiling person must have a good reason for doing it, and it should be obvious what that reason is. When people smile without hesitation—for no reason—Russians find those grins artificial or insincere. And they think those people have a few screws loose.<br /><br />Americans, on the other hand, seem to smile for any reason at all. The "American smile" has a long-standing bad reputation in Russia, explained Michael Bohm, the opinion-page editor of The Moscow Times, in an in-depth 2011 story on the matter.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/why-russians-aren-t-smiling-at-you-in-sochi-20140207">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> There is a lot of truth in this story. My nationality is Russian .... and I cannot recall my father ever smiling. My uncles and male cousins do not smile .... my Russian aunts and female cousins do (but they are the exception). As for myself .... I experienced this shocker a few years ago. I rented a villa by the ocean on the Big Island (Hawaii) where I invited everyone in the family to show up. I had a routine when I was there .... I would wake up at 6:00 AM and walk to the coffee shop to have a coffee and read the paper. At 7:00 AM I would walk to the beach and swim. By 8:00 AM I was back and reading my email and messages. By 9:00 AM I was making breakfast for everyone. But on one particular morning everything was going super-duper great. I woke up feeling great. The coffee was fantastic. The sunrise was beautiful. The newspaper was filled with positive international news. The swim at the beach was warm and comfortable. Going back home I read my email and I learned that I scored a major business deal. And in such a happy and positive mood .... I walked into the kitchen to make everyone breakfast. But while making breakfast both my mother and brother came up to me with a concerned look .... they were wondering why did I look so angry!!!!!<br /><br />Sighhhh .... <br /><br /><b>Update:</b> My GF just confirmed to me that I rarely smile .... which is unfortunate because (according to her) she loves my smile. Grrrr ..... you just cannot win.

Why Russians Do Not Smile At You

Why Russians Aren't Smiling At You In Sochi -- Marina Koren, National Journal The first rule about smiling at Russians is you do not smi...

Read more »

Mankind's Fascination With Footages Of Real-Life Deaths Is Now Becoming A Disturbing Trend Online

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgM_ZsP5VTMgucZJ4N_LXssPzxktq3faTtr8KCL0iYyGCOxo3aLuPJGStOekQO0ArOC5CqTYKM-mzAH5gAJfrYEV13LbMclGjmKLgUhcpuEi5IGyM7e4ptdTPpjwwpqZZtUz63dyCU6f/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgM_ZsP5VTMgucZJ4N_LXssPzxktq3faTtr8KCL0iYyGCOxo3aLuPJGStOekQO0ArOC5CqTYKM-mzAH5gAJfrYEV13LbMclGjmKLgUhcpuEi5IGyM7e4ptdTPpjwwpqZZtUz63dyCU6f/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">On the Cordoba front during the Spanish Civil War, a Loyalist fighter is killed in action in September 1936. <a href="http://life.time.com/history/robert-capas-falling-soldier-the-modest-birth-of-an-iconic-picture/#1">Robert Capa—Magnum</a></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>End Game: Footage Of Real-Life Deaths Has Become A Disturbing New Online Commodity -- The Independent</b></span></div><br />Thirty years ago, television editors would have been responsible for death censorship. But, with the spread of video recording technology and the rise of user-generated video sites, the power now lies with the little man<br /><br />One sunny November afternoon last year, in a suburb of Los Angeles popular with street racers, a CCTV camera picked up footage of an eruption of smoke 100m down the road, first thin and white, then thick and black.<br /><br />Moments later, a car pulled over by its source. A man got out, holding a camera. The film he took – shaking and swearing as it goes – records one minute and six seconds of the aftermath of a nauseating car crash. There was no way for the filmmaker to know that inside the crumpled, flaming chassis was the actor Paul Walker, star of the Fast & Furious film series. The clip ends as the man runs to a safe distance down the pavement.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/end-game-footage-of-reallife-deaths-has-become-a-disturbing-new-online-commodity-9112229.html">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> Robert Capa's <b><a href="http://life.time.com/history/robert-capas-falling-soldier-the-modest-birth-of-an-iconic-picture/#1">"Fallen Soldier" </a></b>published buy LIFE Magazine in 1936 is probably the first ever picture of someone being killed .... and it created an enormous stir then. Flash forward to today .... advancements in technology have made it all to easy to now capture moments of death from many of the world's war zones today. As for this blog .... I have a policy of not showing such videos .... for I have seen more than enough in the past few years.

Mankind's Fascination With Footages Of Real-Life Deaths Is Now Becoming A Disturbing Trend Online

On the Cordoba front during the Spanish Civil War, a Loyalist fighter is killed in action in September 1936. Robert Capa—Magnum End Game: Fo...

Read more »

If Credit Is the Lifeblood of Our Economy...

...then we are officially @#$%ed.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR_5XRQVGZ3QP8isyN1oUXsMGVgiW1JRMFLxjW_vYCfR4hHAqOqeXpgAhLakNVP6jgVZfgqGcbmUFv8ULU7jLLR5FCKSJ2ZRiCtSANJA9k-NtwrZNss2qyUrYPVreQpnOKn5XjHBXOt0/s1600/Bank+Credit+Growth+vs.+Savings+Growth.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjR_5XRQVGZ3QP8isyN1oUXsMGVgiW1JRMFLxjW_vYCfR4hHAqOqeXpgAhLakNVP6jgVZfgqGcbmUFv8ULU7jLLR5FCKSJ2ZRiCtSANJA9k-NtwrZNss2qyUrYPVreQpnOKn5XjHBXOt0/s320/Bank+Credit+Growth+vs.+Savings+Growth.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Credit growth (in red) is slowing.<br />Savings growth (in blue) is slowing.<br /><br />Without either of those two, I guess we'll just have to rely on wage growth. Good luck on that one. Sigh.<br /><br />This is not investment advice.<br /><br /><b>See Also:</b><br /><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/low-cd-rates-lending-drought-and.html">Low CD Rates: Lending Drought and Savings Monsoon</a><br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rVb">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

If Credit Is the Lifeblood of Our Economy...

...then we are officially @#$%ed. Credit growth (in red) is slowing. Savings growth (in blue) is slowing. Without either of those two, I gue...

Read more »

FX SCANDAL could exceed Libor scandal

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The SHTF is getting really close</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">HINT:  Keep an eye on Wall Street :-)</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MARKET RIGGING investigations </b></span><br /><b><br /></b><b> </b><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fx-fixing-scandal-boe-condoned-traders-private-client-data-sharing-1435479" style="color: red;">http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fx-fixing-scandal-boe-condoned-traders-private-client-data-sharing-1435479</a></b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Is it about that time that there could be say, a run on the banks?  I'm really not sure how to prepare for this.  Some say GOLD and SILVER.  Others say CASH.  Still others say LEAD BULLION.  Stay tuned...</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Just imagine what's going on behind the scenes here in the U.S.A.</b>  <b>If some prominent whistleblower rises out of the financial system we could see some real resets and computer driven chaos. :-)</b></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SObOOXhwYQI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>...developing...</b></div>

FX SCANDAL could exceed Libor scandal

The SHTF is getting really close HINT:  Keep an eye on Wall Street :-) MARKET RIGGING investigations    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fx-fixing-s...

Read more »

Edward Snwoden Used Readily Available and Low Cost Tools To Breech NSA Security

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eB7QwpMa25Jzw3PScwd4agmLiYHBABT_yUxYy3lqzxW7hDFLfqXaMnVEeSr5XhbzqoiVMWtRyvwz8UX0xGlBLQZ50V00fEGZGpjVr2rnHlRPpNrw7AI4X3dLK6zFlTufTzLMz77W9Zd9/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/AVvXsEj6eB7QwpMa25Jzw3PScwd4agmLiYHBABT_yUxYy3lqzxW7hDFLfqXaMnVEeSr5XhbzqoiVMWtRyvwz8UX0xGlBLQZ50V00fEGZGpjVr2rnHlRPpNrw7AI4X3dLK6zFlTufTzLMz77W9Zd9/s1600/2013-09-12-BZSSR.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, an analyst with a U.S. defence contractor, is seen in this still image taken from video during an interview by The Guardian in his hotel room in Hong Kong June 6, 2013. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro offered asylum to former U.S. intelligence contractor Edward Snowden on July 5, 2013 in defiance of Washington, which is demanding his arrest for divulging details of secret U.S. spy programs. Picture taken June 6, 2013. MANDATORY CREDIT. Credit: Reuters/Glenn Greenwald/Laura Poitras/Courtesy of The Guardian/Handout via Reuters</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Snowden Used Low-Cost Tool to Best N.S.A. -- New York Times</b></span></div><br />WASHINGTON — Intelligence officials investigating how Edward J. Snowden gained access to a huge trove of the country’s most highly classified documents say they have determined that he used inexpensive and widely available software to “scrape” the National Security Agency’s networks, and kept at it even after he was briefly challenged by agency officials.<br /><br />Using “web crawler” software designed to search, index and back up a website, Mr. Snowden “scraped data out of our systems” while he went about his day job, according to a senior intelligence official. “We do not believe this was an individual sitting at a machine and downloading this much material in sequence,” the official said. The process, he added, was “quite automated.”<br /><br />The findings are striking because the N.S.A.’s mission includes protecting the nation’s most sensitive military and intelligence computer systems from cyberattacks, especially the sophisticated attacks that emanate from Russia and China. Mr. Snowden’s “insider attack,” by contrast, was hardly sophisticated and should have been easily detected, investigators found. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/09/us/snowden-used-low-cost-tool-to-best-nsa.html?ref=politics&_r=0">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><b>My Comment:</b> You would think that the NSA .... with all of it's money and expertise .... would have prevented such a breech. Clearly they were either asleep and/or to overconfident on their own capabilities and security measures. What an expensive and costly way to learn from your mistakes.

Edward Snwoden Used Readily Available and Low Cost Tools To Breech NSA Security

NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, an analyst with a U.S. defence contractor, is seen in this still image taken from video during an intervie...

Read more »

Journalists may be GUILTY OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Glenn Greenwald warns of CRIMINALIZING JOURNALISTS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>America is heading for the eventual federalization of media...</b></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/RZkXzYhygvY?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe> <b>...developing...</b></div>

Journalists may be GUILTY OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT

Glenn Greenwald warns of CRIMINALIZING JOURNALISTS America is heading for the eventual federalization of media... ...developing...

Read more »

Eonomic Collapse Imminent: PREPARE NOW

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The U.S. DEBT BUBBLE is OVERBLOWN</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The PRECIOUS METALS are OVERSOLD</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Are you ready for SHTF?</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The GOLD MARKET is rigged worse than Libor...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>I'm thinking guys like Greg Hunter were let go from mainstream media for a reason.  That reason is likely because they were getting too close to the truth.  Many concerned Americans have resorted to YOU TUBE and various other media creations to get the word out.  Are you ready for the coming financial debacle?  You better listen to this:</b></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/AwxIa3pBIiI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Eonomic Collapse Imminent: PREPARE NOW

The U.S. DEBT BUBBLE is OVERBLOWN The PRECIOUS METALS are OVERSOLD Are you ready for SHTF? The GOLD MARKET is rigged worse than Libor... I&#...

Read more »

U.S. Vows To Defend Japan In The Event Of War Against China

<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/G-xAHCgTeNc" width="560"></iframe><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>U.S. Stresses Commitment To Defend Japan In Washington Talks -- Reuters</b></span></div><br />(Reuters) - The United States on Friday stressed its commitment to the defense of Japan and stability in the Asia-Pacific region against a backdrop of increasingly assertive territorial claims by China.<br /><br />After a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida, Secretary of State John Kerry emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship, which both countries say remains robust in spite of a bump after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited a controversial war shrine in December.<br /><br />Kerry said the United States and Japan were committed to closer security collaboration and stressed the long-standing U.S. commitment to defend Japan if it is attacked.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/08/us-usa-japan-idUSBREA161T020140208?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews">Read more</a></b> ....<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>More News On U.S. Commitment To Defend Japan In The Event Of War Against China</b></span></div><br /><a href="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/02/08/national/u-s-vows-to-defend-japan-if-conflict-erupts-in-east-china-sea/#.Uvepv4W0ykM">U.S. vows to defend Japan if conflict erupts in East China Sea </a>-- Japan Times/AFP<br /><a href="http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/kyodo-news-international/140207/us-committed-defend-japan-over-territorial-claim-e-chi">US Secretary of State John Kerry vows to back Japan in East China Sea </a>-- Global Post/Kyodo News<br /><a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-us-will-defend-japan-in-case-of-east-china-sea-conflict-john-kerry-1960464">US will defend Japan in case of East China Sea conflict: John Kerry</a> -- DNAIndia<br /><a href="http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1423677/us-secretary-state-john-kerry-vows-back-japan-east-china-sea">US Secretary of State John Kerry vows to back Japan in East China Sea</a> -- South China Morning Post<br /><a href="http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001015970">Japan, U.S. agree to prevent expansion of China ADIZ </a>-- Japan News<br /><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/japan-assures-us-calm-response-china-tension-22415438">Japan Assures US of Calm Response to China Tension</a> -- AP

U.S. Vows To Defend Japan In The Event Of War Against China

U.S. Stresses Commitment To Defend Japan In Washington Talks -- Reuters (Reuters) - The United States on Friday stressed its commitment to t...

Read more »

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...

Read more »

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...

Read more »

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 ...

Read more »

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,...

Read more »

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...

Read more »

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...

Read more »

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...

Read more »

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...

Read more »

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

Read more »

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...

Read more »