Sunday, January 17, 2016

Another water crisis in Michigan.

January 17, 2016
By Sarah Roebuck
A boil water notice (click here) has been issues for customers on the Timberlee Water System in Elmwood Township. The boil water notice was reported Sunday. The Grand Traverse Department of Public Works says a nearby neighbor reported the leak and a repair crew has been called to the site. The cause of the leak is under investigation. Due to repairs taking place, the system is experiencing pressure loss, which makes the system susceptible to contamination....

Dems continued

10:35 PM

Two are dead in Florida because of tornadoes. (click here)

Lone Wolves 
Clinton - we need intelligence cooperation - first line of lone wolf attacks are among the Muslim Americans 


O'Malley - in homeland - the fusion centers - better prepared first responders - if Donald Trump wants to start a registry by faith - he can start with O'Malley 

Sanders - agrees with clinton and omalley

Lone wolves are not synonymous with Muslim Americans? Where was I the entire time? Not watching FOX? 

Wow.

Economy

Clinton will use her spouse as a consultant in areas that are his specialty, especially when defeating poverty

Sanders - administration stacked with Wall Street appointees it won't accomplish much - Goldman Sachs won't be putting their employees into a Sanders administration

"I cannot walk down the street without being told how much I have to attack Secretary Clinton. I have avoided that by carrying out an issue oriented campaign. I will take on the issues facing the American people.

10:43

I think there is a problem with the idea of Lone Wolves and the Muslim American people. They are not the same. That analogy is very troublesome to me. Take into consideration the leap of faith FOX makes about hatred and fear and that means a very, very troublesome problem for the USA. The idea of Lone Wolf and Muslims involved with gun violence is a worry. I would much rather identify the murderers as individuals with very disoriented realities where Daesh has been successful. 

I think the San Bernardino murderers were very troubled people to act against the employer that valued them. Everyone they murdered knew them and their child. It is very upsetting to realize Daesh uses the death of people familiar with each other to cause fear and hatred. That is the issue. They were a beautiful Muslim couple with a beautiful child. That wasn't important to Daesh. Their death while carrying out the death of others was more important. 

Closing statements.

Thank you Hillary - she mentioned Flint, Michigan. They are very upset people looking for a visit from President Obama. They have lost complete confidence in Michigan leadership. The people of Flint are scared. I would not doubt the people of Michigan are scared.

Sanders - Ask for resignation of the Governor. He is correct. Flint and Michigan are more upset than most realize.

"Revitalize the political system of America." - it is obvious it is a high priority for Senator Sanders.

Well done all. 

Thank you.

Dems continued...

10:11 PM

Unfortunately scientists have been demonized. The most intelligent people in the world that want to save human lives are demonized. How did that happen? Oh, yeah, money.


ISIS and Late Breaking News

President Obama and his statements today. 

Iran.

Sanders - I think we have to do is more aggressively as we can to normalize relations with that country knowing we disagree about some aspects of that country in their support of terrorists. I believe we are seeing a thaw in our relationship with Iran. I don't think we should open an embassy in Iran tomorrow, but, we should bring better relations.

Clinton - she was responsible for sanctions put in place in negotiations - we have to be sure they are going to go along with the agreement and then we have to go after them about their other issues such as their involvement in Syria

Ground Forces

Clinton - The iraqi army is beginning to show more ability - disrupt supply chain of foreign fighters and money and internet space - slow down and end the carnage in Syria 

Sanders - the USA has to learn the lesson of Iraq and getting our young people involved in the middle east again would be an unmitigated disaster - King Abdullah of Jordan  states they need to put their own troops on the ground along with other countries in the region to protect their countries.

O'Malley - we need to reduce the threats before it rises to this level - we don't use the words in our debates the Republicans do "Boots on the Ground" - basically it dehumanizes our soldiers.

Sanders - opposed the invasion into Iraq - there wasn't any kind of thought about what happens after the invasion - "You have incredibly wealthy countries in that region......They need to put some skin in the game and stop asking the USA to do it."

Planned Missile Strikes against Damascus

I think that is an unnecessary question. Chemical weapons came out of Syria. What line in the sand didn't occur?

Credibility? Ask Assad.

Sanders - Syria quagmire - Assad is a butcher of his own people - beyond disgusting - first priority in the region - getting rid of ISIS and then working with Iran and Russia to bring Assad's methods to an end.

O'Malley - the USA does not have human intelligence to know what happens after there are actions by the military. Don't need to repeat ISIS.

Russia 

Clinton - What we got a new START treaty reducing nuclear weapons, signed on to sanctions in regard to Iran, there were many issues solved because of the RESET button.

Currently Putin has a mixed relationship with the Russian people. I think the USA has to be careful in what we are seeking. The Europeans have to be more willing to stand up and be more united to prevent a more aggressive stance by Russia.

Tech Companies

Privacy vs security

O'Malley - warrants should be required when privacy is at risk - collaborative leadership with Silicon Valley - we have rights to be secure in our homes and we should require warrants - we need to develop juris prudence to address issues of security.

Lone wolves 

Sanders - I voted against the US Patriot Act - it isn't the government we only have to worry about - I agree. There is enormous disregard to Americans in the degree Wall Street digs through personal information for their profits. The American people privacy and constitutional rights are important and more important than anyone wants to address.

Basically, Sanders has similar views as O'Malley.

We never got to lone wolves.

continued....

Dems continued

9:51

Big Banks

Sanders doesn't take monies from Big Banks - they have entirely too much power over the economy and financing of all aspects of America's political life. 

Clinton - We disagree about President Obama for his donations from Wall Street. President Obama has lead the USA out of the worst recession - President Obama pushed through the Dodd Frank and signed it and I support and defend President Obama. 

Sanders - I worked for the election and re-election of President Obama. "Can we really reform Wall Street when they are paying billions for elections..." He opposes the enormous speaking fees they pay to politicians.

Clinton - I have a plan that most commentators have stated builds on the Dodd-Frank and takes on shadow banking and hedge funds. The big banks and Karl Rove are attacking her for her policies. 

O'Malley states he has put forward legislation that works. I believes there is a big difference between all three candidates. He doesn't believe Clinton goes as far as he does. He wants a form of Glass-Steagall put back.

Clinton - She states Martin O'Malley has taken a lot of money from Wall Street. 

Sanders - He is correct. Goldman Sachs puts their employees into government to influence the outcomes of decisions. It is interesting to realize the number of Goldman Sachs employees have served in government to influence financial outcomes.

Clinton - List of untrustworthy votes by Sanders regarding Wall Street. The Republicans want to repeal Dodd Frank and give them more power within the government policies.

Sanders - Wall Street invest in politicians so they get off their backs. They need to have the US Government back on their case to protect Americans.

I want to rebuild our infrastructure and improve this country rather than letting Wall Street to offshore monies. I want our kids to have a better future. He stands for many things and sees no reason why the wealthy are not paying their way in this country.

Clinton - child care paid family leave bring down student debt and that will come out of the pockets of the wealthy. 

Middle Class Taxes

Sanders - Medicare for all will substantially lower the cost to middle class families. We are doing away with health insurance premiums - that middle class families will save $5000 per year on health care. 

There are issues for the Dems to discuss the BALANCE SHEET for expenditures. That should not be an issue. Dems are used to paying as they go. Republicans are very irresponsible when it comes to paying for the legislature they pass. Two wars were completely unpaid for and they have the nerve to say they have the answer for balancing the national budget.

I missed O'Malley's response.

Climate Change 

You Tube about carbon. The fight against climate change is made more difficult by Republicans.

Sanders - Christmas Eve 68 degrees. People know what is going on. The debate is over. It is causing major problems and a bad situation is becoming worse. The Republicans don't have the decency to listen to the scientists. Trump states it is a plot by the Chinese.  Sustainable energy and he has comprehensive legislation in the Senate.

O'Malley wants a 100 percent electric energy grid by 2050. 

Hillary didn't get a chance to respond. Anyone I know already knows Hillary will be demanding vast improvements to move off fossil fuels.
continued...

Democratic Debate Notes

They are impressive. The Democrats have three great candidates. Hosting the debate is the Black Caucus. Nice. Martin Luther King's birthday. Very thoughtful.

Hillary Clinton is very prepared for the office of President. Bernie Sanders wants to recommit to 

Dr. King's vision. There is a lot of corruption in the USA political system and it's government. I agree. Martin O'Malley states Dr. King and the USA minorities have dedicated themselves to the best values of the country. He wants to build on the gains President Obama carried out.

Think Big:


Sanders - That is what his campaign is about. Thinking big. $15 minimum wage, health care system that cares for all Americans and a country that works for everyone not just big business.

Hillary - Minimum wage increase, guaranteeing women equal pay for equal work, cap on prescription drug costs, health insurance business needs a more stable platform, immigration reform and the usa should be able to accomplish that agenda together.

OMalley - immigration reform, increase minimum wage, climate change and better options for our cities that are clean and green and provide good employment for the American people.

Guns

Sanders - Believes Hillary is disingenuous - D minus with NRA - in this country we should not be selling military style weapons, instant background check including criminals and mentally unstable - (they are in Charleston) - in this city the USA witnessed a heinous killing due to gun violence - prohibit ammunition that would kill cops with protective clothing. Bernie is going to look at gun regulations again and bring about working laws.

Clinton- doesn't like Bernie's voting record on guns - she is outraged by the deaths in the USA - believes gun manufacturers are given a pass on responsibility

O'Malley - he doesn't think Sanders or Clinton and believes both have been inconsistent. He states he is the one person on the stage that was consistent on guns - His memory of gun injuries haunt him because it touches children so profoundly. He believes hunters are responsible and doesn't recall any hunter demanding an AR15 to make the shot.

Racism in Justice System

Clinton - Heartbreaking stories such as Walter Scott. End profiling, training police better, one out of three African American men in the USA will face prison. The results in the USA justice system is scewed toward Caucasian people. 

Sanders - our justice system is broken. There are large unemployment rates for African American teens. We need to take a hard look at our justice system. 

Polling is not favored by Sanders. In Iowa and NH the race is very close. According to polling today I am running ahead of Secretary Clinton facing Donald Trump as the Republican nominee. Bernie states his campaign has the momentum and will win.

O'Malley - ? tough on crime " - He states they were burying far too many black men in Baltimore and that is why her ran for Mayor. He created a civilian board and gave them their own investigations. I think that is a great idea. He was the first Governor to repeal the death sentence south of the Mason Dixon Line.

Tamir Rice and lack of indictment


Sanders - US Justice needs to get involved. Any deaths of Americans that die in police custody should receive an automatic investigation by US Justice. When an officers break the law they must be held accountable. The USA has to demilitarize the police. Police departments should look like the people they serve. (demographics)

Drug Problem in USA

Clinton - work with states about $1 billion per year - policing needs to change - Narcan should be administered by police, fire and first responsders to save lives.

I think if Narcan is provided to people to save their lives by all First Responders it will help turn the mess around. I think the idea of pharmaceuticals have responsibility is a good idea. The pharmaceutical companies can start by giving educational classes to the Doctors, nurses and all those that administer the drugs and to the public, especially high school and junior high school students. If I were a CEO of a pharmaceutical company I'd roll out an education program to high school and junior high school students ASAP. The problem with Wall Street these days is that they don't respond without asking or legislating to the problems their products cause in the USA. No one should even have to ask to roll out an educational program to our young people, it should already be on the way.

Sanders - responsibility lies along the drug companies but he agrees with Clinton's idea - mental health treatment needs to be rendered when it is important and not months later.

Health Care

Clinton - she took on the health care insurance companies in the 1990s and I haven't stopped being concerned. She has a different idea than Sanders. The Affordable Care Act finally was passed. It has been on the agenda since Harry Truman. 

Sanders - He is not interested in ending Medicare and Children health care legislated. He helped write the Affordable Care Act. He wants to continue to strive to insure all Americans including some that are still falling through the cracks.

Hillary says there are improvements to be made to the ACA, but, it is wrong to tear it up and start over. 

Bernie says we are spending three times more than the British, twice as much as the French - "We are going to move beyond that to a Single Payer."

O'Malley - He states pay fee for service is not used in Maryland. The ACA has allowed the state to move into a place where people receive care without repeated admissions to hospital.


Medicare for All

Sanders - What about the rejection of such a program in Vermont? The Governor could not get it achieved. "We have a campaign finance system that is corrupt..." It is whether the legislators have the guts to stand up to the insurance companies."

I think Bernie believes the ACA is corrupted by the health care insurance companies. That is a task to chase down. The Secretary of HHS should know all the problems that haven't been solved and any circumventing by the companies.

Clinton has worked hard with many bipartisan challenges including a treaty with Iran, Tricare and Children's Health Care.

Sanders - Congress is owned by big money and refuses to do what the American people want them to do. He worked for better benefits for veterans. Demand the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. 

Democratic Socialist - Sanders

I believe the Democratic Party needs major reform. We need a fifty state strategy. I agree. We don't need Superpacs, we need to be dependent on small contributors. We need to expand the input to the Democratic Party. His campaign has a remarkable response to donations.

O'Malley - Shaheen? 

Sanders - We have to deal with a handful of millionaires that tie up the USA political system.

The Young Vote

Clinton - 5 millions viewers on You Tube quite an accomplishment - college affordable - student debt easy to be paid off - economic prospects - free college with debt free tuition - protect our rights, voting, civil, women and worker rights. Young people value their rights a great deal. Invite more Americans to vote and register. PLEASE.

She has a great deal of respect for Senator Sanders and his supporters. I will continue to work hard to win the confidence of all American voters.

The Economy

continued...

Tonight is a Democratic Presidential Debate. 

It begins at 9:00 PM (click here)

Thank you.

I wish the majority of media would find a way to have their stories processed through real journalists. It is a gross mistake to rely on FOX for facts. There is no such thing at FOX.

Major news networks should stop to realize how many Pinocchios they issue. The politicians don't do their own research. The Republicans rely on FOX to build a consensus among their viewers to vote according to FOX's lies. FOX is the only one that has control over their lies. Then the politicians spew their mess to the electorate and Pinocchio comes in behind them and attempts to straighten it out. It is a vicious cycle and the lies are made fact by that time and the election is guaranteed. Professional organizations need to do something about this. I really don't think it is good for any legislator to ask "How many Pinocchios did it get?" Politicians ask that all the time and I guarantee there are more lies that slip past Pinocchio because the lies are happening from morning until night. How many lies can be caught?

FOX commentators are not reading the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, The Chicago Tribune, the Huston Chronicle, Miami Herald or the Washington Post. FOX reads their own lies and that is all they read, otherwise it would be a quality place for news. It is not. FOX has size and monopoly, not quality.

Speaking of the Miami Herald:


Orlando: 
Disney habitually says of its attractions, “It’s all about the story.” The company won’t build a ride, won’t design a setting for a character meet-and-greet, won’t even mold a character topiary for Epcot’s garden festival until that feature has a story. So when the resort discarded its plan for a redesign of Downtown Disney a few years ago, it brought in its Imagineers to develop a new story and an expansive makeover for the dining, shopping and entertainment district.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/biz-monday/article55022535.html#storylink=cpy
Now, the feel of the district — newly renamed Disney Springs — is finally emerging as new shops and restaurants open. The final piece — a “neighborhood” called Town Center, built around manmade springs that will tie it all together — will be completed late this year.
It’s the latest incarnation of a small commercial development that Disney opened 40 years ago primarily for local residents. That little shopping center has grown to a free tourist destination that will have more than 150 businesses — more than doubling the number of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues — strung along a mile-long walkway with a new emphasis on the waterfront.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/biz-monday/article55022535.html#storylink=cpy

FOX states Democratic Debates are either "tame or lame" because they don't act like Republicans.

I can't believe there are that many people with titles lying within one company. FOX. The last 13 minutes of "Judge Whoever" was nothing but lies. They stated the USA has no sanctions against Iran's Ballistic Missile tests. Do these TV people simply not read or what? Amazing. Maybe their first name on their  birth certificate is "judge." Maybe the only title they have is the paper certifying their birth. It sure isn't their school aptitude tests scores.

I am trying to find the "International Detainee Laws" that FOX states Iran broke. This is all I've got so far. 

The IDC envisions a world without unnecessary immigration detention. (click here)

Any enforceable dialogue begins with the UN. 

Here. International regulations of detention refers to refugees, not others.

(Sept. 27, 2012) On September 21, 2012, (click here) the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) issued new international guidelines on the detention of persons seeking asylum, a practice the UNHCR opposes in principle. Issuance of the Detention Guidelines, which supersede those issued by the UNHCR in 1999, is related in particular to the agency’s concern that the use of detention is growing in a number of countries.

13 minutes and all they did was lie and defame President Obama. Unbelievable. I stare at the screen in disillusion because I thought all journalists cared about ethics and their own dignity. I guess not.

FOX is a lot of nonsense. Fear mongering. I think they really believe their own lies. It starts with FOX breaking news and it continues with their commentators. Someone needs to ask FOX moderators what they read. Forget  the candidates, what the heck are the moderators reading before they start their rant every hour on the hour.

I never read FOX. I get the information I need and I do it without FOX. I won't even read "The Australian." I think FOX publications are untrustworthy. Consider I have been blogging since 2004 and on the NYTimes message boards and Yahoo message boards since 2002. I never have trusted FOX. I read the BBC if I am looking for a reliable source to validate facts stated elsewhere.

I think it is a darn shame what happened to the newspapers in the USA. It shows now.

The rumors so far is that Senator Sanders would raise taxes to pay for Single Payer. I think we need to hear it from Bernie before it can be discussed. Supposedly there is a 52 percent tax on those making $10 million or more a year. Last I checked that wasn't the Middle Class. 

The wealthy making that kind of money every year will never pay 52 percent, but, they will pay more than $0 dollars in taxes.

It is too early and also too late to start on evaluation of Bernie's plan. It is to early because we haven't heard it from Bernie. It is too late because the debate is in less than an hour.


The Benghazi attacks (the consulate and the CIA compound) are absolutely not unprecedented even though they’re being treated that way by Republicans who are deliberately ignoring anything that happened prior to Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009.
January 22, 2002. Calcutta, India. (click here) Gunmen associated with Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami attack the U.S. Consulate. Five people are killed.
June 14, 2002. Karachi, Pakistan. (click here) Suicide bomber connected with al-Qaida attacks the U.S. Consulate, killing 12 and injuring 51.
October 12, 2002. Denpasar, Indonesia. (click here) U.S. diplomatic offices bombed as part of a string of “Bali Bombings.” No fatalities.
February 28, 2003. Islamabad, Pakistan (click here). Several gunmen fire upon the U.S. Embassy. Two people are killed.







May 12, 2003. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (click here) Armed al-Qaida terrorists storm the diplomatic compound killing 36 people including nine Americans. The assailants committed suicide by detonating a truck bomb.
July 30, 2004. Tashkent, Uzbekistan. (click here) A suicide bomber from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan attacks the U.S. Embassy, killing two people.
December 6, 2004. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Al-Qaida terrorists storm the U.S. Consulate and occupy the perimeter wall. Nine people are killed.
March 2, 2006. Karachi, Pakistan again. Suicide bomber attacks the U.S. Consulate killing four people, including U.S. diplomat David Foy who was directly targeted by the attackers. (I wonder if Lindsey Graham or Fox News would even recognize the name “David Foy.” This is the third Karachi terrorist attack in four years on what’s considered American soil.)
A suicide attacker rammed a car packed with explosives into a vehicle carrying an American diplomat in Pakistan’s largest city, killing four people — including the diplomat — ahead of President Bush’s visit to Pakistan.
Bush condemned the attack near the U.S. Consulate and a luxury hotel in Karachi, and said “terrorists and killers” would not prevent him from going to Pakistan on the final leg of his tour of South Asia.
“We have lost at least one U.S. citizen in the bombing, a foreign service officer, and I send our country’s deepest condolences to that person’s loved ones and family,” Bush said at a news conference in neighboring India , without naming the diplomat.
The American was identified by Pakistan officials as David Foy, Reuters reported. His driver, a Pakistani working for the consulate, and a Pakistani paramilitary trooper in the attack were also killed. A fourth body has not been identified, but police suspect it to be that of a suicide bomber....
September 12, 2006. Damascus, Syria. (click here) Four armed gunmen shouting “Allahu akbar” storm the U.S. Embassy using grenades, automatic weapons, a car bomb and a truck bomb. Four people are killed, 13 are wounded.
January 12, 2007. Athens, Greece. (click here) Members of a Greek terrorist group called the Revolutionary Struggle fire a rocket-propelled grenade at the U.S. Embassy. No fatalities.
March 18, 2008. Sana’a, Yemen (click here). Members of the al-Qaida-linked Islamic Jihad of Yemen fire a mortar at the U.S. Embassy. The shot misses the embassy, but hits nearby school killing two.

Hillary Clinton is being held to a very different standard by the US Congress.
July 9, 2008. Istanbul, Turkey (click here). Four armed terrorists attack the U.S. Consulate. Six people are killed.
September 17, 2008. Sana’a, Yemen. (click here) Terrorists dressed as military officials attack the U.S. Embassy with an arsenal of weapons including RPGs and detonate two car bombs. Sixteen people are killed, including an American student and her husband (they had been married for three weeks when the attack occurred). This is the second attack on this embassy in seven months.

Why a double standard? The previous administration never promised transparency for anything. 

Thomas Kean (click here) remembers finally having the opportunity to read those twenty-eight pages after he became chairman of the 9/11 Commission—“so secret that I had to get all of my security clearances and go into the bowels of Congress with someone looking over my shoulder.” He also remembers thinking at the time that most of what he was reading should never have been kept secret. But the focus on the twenty-eight pages obscures the fact that many important documents are still classified—“a ton of stuff,” Kean told me, including, for instance, the 9/11 Commission’s interviews with George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, and Bill Clinton“I don’t know of a single thing in our report that should not be public after ten years,” Kean said.
Magnificent. We have very good friends in this world. All this would not be possible without them.

Thank you.

President Obama is correct to speak to young Iranians.

Robin Wright wrote a great article regarding the current demographic of Iran:

July 27, 2015
By Robin Wright

...Iran's revolutionaries are aging. (click here) Most are in their late fifties, sixties and seventies. The Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, turned seventy-six this month. More than sixty percent of Iran's eighty million people are under the age of thirty-five. A baby-boom generation, born after the revolution, doesn't share all of its' priorities.

"It's a tsunami," Said Rahmani, the CEO of Sarava, Iran's first venture-capital fund, told me. "This generation is worldly. They're educated. They work. They have spending power. They're not dependent on anyone. They have a different range of thinking....

Read the entire article. Young Iranians are capitalists. Don't read too much into that, except, Iranians are learned and are sophisticated. The young Iranians are very different than the previous generations. They understand human rights abuses and don't want the shadow of nuclear military power. 
Marco Rubio does not live in the real world. He believes sanctions can be the answer to everything including Americans trapped in other countries. His answer to the Iranian hostages was to state, "They should not be hostages at all."

He said Bergdahl is an example for militants all over the world in trading him for the release of those sent back to the Taliban.


Bergdahl was a POW. The USA has an obligation to bring their POWs home. Rubio's statements assume far too much. Let's say Rubio doesn't value people.

What Marco Rubio is saying is that people should remain in international prisons forever until the country anti-ups as if playing poker. Human beings matter in this world and they matter to families and their countries. Stating there will be no attempts made to bring Americans home is politically vicious. 

If President Obama could have brought any Americans, finding themselves in foreign jails, home the very next day he would have.

Does Marco Rubio actually believe Americans are only in Iranian prisons or Taliban POW camps? Really?

Vietnam POWs Return Home oFebruary 14, 1973, 18 days after the Vietnam peace agreement was signed, the first American prisoners of war returned home from Vietnam. The first man off the plane, Capt. Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., calls for U.S. citizens to unify.

Our people were in Vietnam POW camps for a very long time. John McCain lost the easy use of his arms because of his detention. What does Marco Rubio think he is saying when there is absolutely no negotiations between the USA and other countries?

Americans are in prison in many countries. Which one more often than others Hong Kong, China is number one in jailing Americans. Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, the UK are all places where Americans are in prison and no one puts them on a diplomatic table.

...5. Hong Kong, China (click here)
Some of America's favorite pastimes -- like baseball, or bitching about the government, or searching for "Tiananmen Square" on Google -- are illegal in China (Ok, maybe not baseball), so it could be our love of free speech that keeps getting us in trouble in Hong Kong. That, or we keep overstaying our visas....


The reason Americans are a priority in prisons like that in Iran is because it is known they do not do well. Their physical health deteriorates. Third World countries consider prisons a place where people go to stay after they have broken the law. They mostly consider the "American Model" of losing their constitutional rights as the correct posture to take. If prisoners die it is because they lost their rights. In the case of China, those on death row can be counted on to donate organs for transplant for a fee.

The fact is the Third World is not going to invest in the health of prisoners when they have dearly little monies for their own people.

For that reason and to keep the integrity of human life as above all other issues, there were separate negotiations being conducted with Tehran for the Americans in their prison.

July 27, 2015
By Robin Wright

Fourteen months ago, (click here) President Obama authorized a top-secret, second diplomatic channel with Tehran to negotiate freedom for Americans who had disappeared or been imprisoned in Iran. It was a high-risk diplomatic gamble. The initiative grew out of nuclear negotiations, launched in the fall of 2013, between Iran and the world’s six major powers. On the margins of every session, Wendy Sherman, the top American negotiator, pressed her Iranian counterparts about the American cases. The Iranians countered with demands for the release of their citizens imprisoned in the United States for sanctions-busting crimes. More than a year of informal discussions between Sherman and her counterpart, Majid Takht Ravanchi, the Iranian Foreign Ministry official in charge of American and European affairs, led to an agreement, in late 2014, that the issue should be handled separately—but officially—through a second channel. After debate within the Administration, Obama approved the initiative. But it was so tightly held that most of the American team engaged in tortuous negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program were not told about it....

The fact there was separate talks about releasing Americans from prison is proof enough the topics of Iran's nuclear program and human life were not equated. They better not be. Ever!

History is going to paint those returned from Iran recently far differently than hostages. The Iranian hostages were taken when militants took over the US embassy. The Iranian hostages were on US Soil (embassy) when they were taken. They were never charged with crimes. 

While the USA is very pleased to have any Americans home, those recently released were detained do to the fact they were charged with crimes. I don't want to retry this issue, but, Iran had grounds within their law to do what they did. 

It is wrong for Iran to carry on with Americans as they did. The three hikers could not be more innocent in their actions. In the USA the accused actions are always taken into consideration. If the Americans put a toe over an Iranian border they were guilty. In the USA those same people were innocent. The hikers held no malice toward Iran, it was an innocent venture into a MISTAKE IN NAVIGATION. 

But, the current Americans returning home were charged with crimes before they became an issue for American Presidents.

I think it is very foolish for Republican candidates to play the US population as simpletons. There is no way an American President is going to turn their backs on Americans in foreign prisons. I just don't see it.


Whether it happens quickly enough is a separate discussion that goes something like, "How well can American negotiators impress an agenda for release from the hands of international criminals such as al Qaeda?" There have been Americans killed at the hands of international criminals. International criminals have no priorities to any sovereign country. International criminals are interested in ransom. That is the only thing that will free them and the USA doesn't negotiate with terrorists.

I often think, as I do today, why do Americans do this? They believe they are innocent as it is understood in the USA. When they apply for a passport, their knowledge of other countries and their laws should accompany such a privilege. 

I understand how important religious faith is to morality, however, ask the Roman Catholic Church how many valiant priests and nuns have been lost along the way. 

I just don't believe in taking chances. Americans have magnificent allies where foreign travel is nearly trouble free. Heck, in Europe and Canada health care needs by visiting those countries are never refused. Perhaps if Iran had an international hospital such as the one in Cuba our prisoners would be in better shape. 

I am glad they are home, but, rather than saying "Why are they prisoners in the first place;" my reply is "What the heck were they doing there?" Life as an American should not be as a martyr. Life for the majority of Americas is good, especially since health care is accessible. Health is a measure of quality of life. 

But, journalists are important people and very misunderstood abroad. Today, I thought, I wonder how the Washington Post is feeling. That publication has been running high risk to bring information to Americans. When this once again has occurred for the Washington Post, I can only reflect on Daniel Pearl. 

I really don't believe it is worth it. USA intelligence is suppose to decide about information not the American people. Jason was writing about the Iranian people and had a wife that was Iranian, but, it was not appreciated.

Social media has made the world appear closer and more friendly than it actually has become. I think it is prudent to place a priority on journalists and not necessarily the buy line.

I look forward to Jason's continued writings as his wife as well. May they both be satisfied with their life in the USA. 
I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Pilot unions should carry this in their contracts noting it as a significant threat to a pilot's health and career.

23 November 2015
By Gwyn Topham

British Airways pilot (click here) has reportedly been left with significant damage to his eyesight after a “military-strength” laser was shone into the cockpit of his plane landing at Heathrow, in what appears to be the most serious laser attack to date in the UK.
The pilot suffered a burned retina in his right eye and has not worked since, according to the head of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa).
The incident has escalated concerns over the problem of laser attacks. Balpa claims that one in two pilots has been in a plane targeted with lasers in the last 12 months.
The unnamed BA pilot was in the co-pilot’s seat as the plane was landing at the London airport in the spring, and was later treated for eye injuries at a hospital in Sheffield, Balpa’s general secretary, Jim McAuslan, said....

The pilots should have recognition of such dangers by their employers, otherwise, there is no reason for the employers to address this for government regulation.
Lasers (click here) are dependent on wavelength. That wavelength can be alerted to make them safe when used for celebration or with recreational activities.

Lasers have been used in science for a long time. The military conducts research on lasers, but, in the "Age of Indulgence" lasers are now among the public and potentially used by criminals against aircraft. We know an Israel jet flying out of Africa was once hit with lasers but was not effected.

I think there is a very viable debate about lasers and their appropriate use including modifications that could make them very dangerous.

The primary problem with Wall Street is the Chinese currency.

If it was oil causing Wall Street instability that would be a surprise. I think that is an excuse to take focus off the Chinese currency. In the past when oil fell the manufacturing sector did better because there were lower costs.

January 14, 2016
By Chao Deng
...China's yuan fell sharply (click here) in early trade in the offshore market Thursday, cutting into some of the gains the currency made earlier this week when the Chinese central bank intervened to prop up its value. It fell as much as 0.7% to 6.6128 to one U.S. dollar Thursday in the offshore market even after the central bank set the rate at which it trades in the domestic market stronger against the U.S. dollar.
The moves in the freely traded offshore yuan highlight Beijing's continued struggles to tame the currency and guide investor expectations on how far the yuan could fall. In recent weeks analysts have lowered their forecasts for where they think the yuan will trade against the U.S. dollar this year.
The gap between the offshore and onshore yuan is a sore point for Beijing as it seeks to promote the yuan as a stable currency with international stature.
"The [Chinese] currency is causing tension in the whole world," said Stephen Ma, head of greater China at BMO Global Asset Management. "What we're seeing now is the result of a lot of government intervention" from China.
Earlier, China's central bank fixed the yuan at 6.5616 to one U.S. dollar, slightly stronger from the previous fix of 6.5630 on Wednesday.
The onshore yuan, which can trade 2% above or below the central bank's daily guidance, was last at 6.5861, slightly weaker than 6.5756 the previous session....

China is saying the US Dollar is worthless because of the QEs of the Fed.


August 21, 2015
By Joseph Adinolfi


The dollar (click here) finished lower for the second week in a row Friday as plunging U.S. stocks pushed volatility to uncomfortable levels, forcing investors to reevaluate their expectations for the timing of the first Federal Reserve interest-rate hike since 2006.
The ICE U.S. dollar index DXY, -0.13% a measure of the dollar’s strength against a basket of six currencies, finished the week down 1.7% at 94.9720.
The monetary policy divergence trade — the notion that the Federal Reserve is tightening monetary policy while other central banks remain in easing mode — has helped the dollar appreciate over the past year.
But a confluence of destabilizing events — including last week’s depreciation of the Chinese yuan, the sell off in U.S. stocks and falling crude-oil prices — have caused market strategists to doubt a Fed rate hike will happen this year.
Some analysts now believe the Bank of England might raise interest rates ahead of the Fed....

In the past when stock became uncertain commodities, primarily petroleum, was a place to hide. That is gone. If currency is where everyone is taking shelter and the USA dollar becomes unstable and/or devalued there will be significant losses past those already realized.

I stated there was a very real reason to maintain a local economy post 2008. Here it is.

The military has to be realistic about training when the seas are too turbulent to run a successful rescue.

» Maj. Shawn M. Campbell, 41, College Station, Texas.
» Capt. Brian T. Kennedy, 31, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
» Capt. Kevin T. Roche, 30, St. Louis, Missouri.
» Capt. Steven R. Torbert, 29, Florence, Alabama.
» Sgt. Dillon J. Semolina, 24,Chaska, Minnesota.
» Sgt. Adam C. Schoeller, 25, Gardners, Pennsylvania.
» Sgt. Jeffrey A. Sempler, 22, Woodruff, South Carolina.
» Sgt. William J. Turner, 25, Florala, Alabama.
» Cpl. Matthew R. Drown, 23, Spring, Texas.
» Cpl. Thomas J. Jardas, 22, Fort Myers, Florida.
» Cpl. Christopher J. Orlando, 23, Hingham, Massachusetts.
» Lance Cpl. Ty L. Hart, 21, Aumsville, Oregon.

Hawaiian waters have been churning well over a week now. It was a bad idea. While training is important, helicopters are effected by wind conditions. The water they fly over has to be navigable otherwise there should  be no training mission. Why weren't ships already in the water for any rescue while the training was on going?

The lousy bastards at FOX are on a real mission.

They are beginning the next hour with "ISIS in America" after having their expert say yesterday the past 90 deaths in the USA since San Bernardino were by ISIS.

They lie to instill fear and then build on it to keep their viewers or listeners. This is crazy to allow such nonsense.

They don't care about this country or the people unless they have control over the political agenda.

Newt Gingrich "Gotham City" is not the description of the Trump campaign while Cruz is the fair haired boy from Texas. Cruz is going to be the intellectual design his strategy while Trump will be reactionary. The Democrats FIX IS IN' for Hillary Clinton will all the scandal she has to face,  but, as long as the Dems offer a free college election and marijuana along the way they won't lose their base. Newt states America can expect Jerry Brown and Al Gore to get into the 2016 race. Biden will get in if Clinton loses New Hampshire. FOX is full of blow hards and they don't care for anything except power.

Changing the trajectory of the rescue in Hawaii was to avoid lazers on a nearby beach. The Marines were not hit by that lazer.

January 16, 2015
By Star Advertiser Staff
A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules (click here) crew aiding in the search for 12 missing Marines was forced to alter their course this evening after the aircraft was hit by a green laser originating from Haleiwa Beach Park.
A Coast Guard spokeswoman said that had crew members been directly exposed to the laser, the aircraft would have been forced to land and the crew members examined.
Laser exposure can cause temporary blindness. Directing a laser pointer at an aircraft is a federal crime.
The incident has been reported to the police and Coast Guard investigative services....

No one in the USA was aiming for the helicopter. ISIS wasn't on the beach. Evidently, lazers are not regulated. It is time for the USA to take up lazers as it did drones.

These are so called professional journalists with FOX. Really? I don't and never did that, but, they are playing with fire trying to instill fear against Muslims and the religion itself. That is a foul. No news agency anywhere on USA soil has the right to cause death of Americans. There are journalists that have been tried at The Hague and now FOX is eligible.