Thursday, January 28, 2016

Donald Trump has been emulating extreme conservative values since the Tea Party formed in 2008 immediately after the November election. He hasn't wavered and today the Tea Party is endorsing him and the latest is Sheriff Joe.

There is no doubt by his supporters he represents their values.

Isn't this the second fund raiser for veterans during his campaign? He had an announcement a few months ago about his military values. I thought that was a fund raiser, too.

Sarah Palin had pizza with him during her run with John McCain. Romney and his wife visited with him during their run in 2012. Donald Trump is recognized by the Tea Party and the values of that party. It won't change.

No one should underestimate his campaign from winning any election he enters. Don't underestimate his candidacy. 

Wall Street is back to "Let's Pretend" with a market that trending down.

The let's make a wish club.

January 28, 2016
By Anthony Mirhaydari

...Amid (click here) a flurry of fourth-quarter earnings activity, U.S. equities pushed higher on Thursday on crossing headlines that maybe, just maybe, OPEC and Russia could warm up to the idea of cutting production to stabilize prices.

In the end, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.8%, the S&P 500 went up 0.6%, the Nasdaq Composite finished 0.9% higher and the Russell 2000 ended the day with a 0.1% gain. Overall, treasury bonds strengthened, the dollar weakened, gold ended slightly lower and oil gained 4.2% to close at $33.64 a barrel....

The Trump Campaign has over ticketed the event this evening.

There is a short time before the event starts, but, I hope the Trump Campaign has arranged for live streaming to the thousands of supports standing outside. There should have been outdoor television screens, or at least one, for those outside to hear and see all that occurs.

His Twitter account has 5.89 million followers (click here). That is amazing. I am sure the people are from many different countries and not just the USA.


I would not be surprised if the Donald Trump Foundation starts their own veteran's fund.

I am sure he or someone from the Donald Trump organization saw this article. No is accusing anyone of breaking the law, but, there is a real question as to whether or not different leadership could deliver more of the millions to benefit the veterans.

January 27, 2016
By Dave Phillips 

In 2014, after 10 years of rapid growth, (click here) the Wounded Warrior Project flew its roughly 500 employees to Colorado Springs for an “all hands” meeting at the five-star Broadmoor hotel.
They were celebrating their biggest year yet: $225 million raised and a work force that had nearly doubled. On the opening night, before three days of strategy sessions and team-building field trips, the staff gathered in the hotel courtyard. Suddenly, a spotlight focused on a 10-story bell tower where the chief executive, Steven Nardizzi, stepped off the edge and rappelled toward the cheering crowd.
That evening is emblematic of the polished and well-financed image cultivated by the Wounded Warrior Project, the country’s largest and fastest-growing veterans charity.
Since its inception in 2003 as a basement operation handing out backpacks to wounded veterans, the charity has evolved into a fund-raising giant, taking in more than $372 million in 2015 — largely through small donations from people over 65...

Mosquito Aedes Aegypti

The Zika virus should be a very profound teaching moment. This nasty virus has spent decades surviving and even thriving in the Third World. It goes to prove how important mosquito control is in the USA as well as the Third World. 

Earlier the USA was terrified of Ebola. I would think that should have been instructive about disease in the Third World, but, it would seem as though a far more dangerous virus might be the one lesson the First World finally learns it's best protections of disease.

As Earth warms the latitudes of opportunity for this mosquito to live and breed will widen. Treat disease where it first starts in the Third World. It will provide wellness to all people. Preventing disease is far better than chasing a cure after it has already done it's damage.


Zika Virus. Let's take a look at it.

Every virus has a life cycle because the virus itself is incomplete for reproduction. Virus only has RNA and uses the host cellular DNA to complete it's reproduction. The mosquitoes are a vector (carrier). Control of mosquitoes, which the USA is normally very good at so long as the laws still exist about maintaining the public health. Given the experience with lead in the water, who knows what goes on anymore. But, mosquitoes need to be controlled Zika virus or no Zika virus.

There is a great deal medicine knows about this virus that has been known for decades. Zika is not a mysterious virus that showed up yesterday. It has existed for awhile now.

Zika virus (click here) is an arthropod-borne Flavivirus member of the Spondweni serocomplex, transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. We report here the complete coding sequence of a Zika virus strain belonging to the Asian lineage, isolated from an infected patient returning from French Polynesia, an epidemic area in 2013/2014.

The gene sequencing was published on 5 June 2014. Why is this important? Because there is a concern microcephaly is the result of this strain of virus. If the genome is known I don't see why the next step in understanding the direct link to the human genome can't be discovered.

Realizing this is a genetic issue, it may need a genetic solution, although, I have to admit when and where in the process of human embryonic development could a genetic solution be applied. That idea seems nearly impossible so the best medicine is prevention and I come back to mosquito control.

This virus has symptoms. It is also stated to resemble Dengue Fever (click here), but, more like Dengue Light. It tends to have milder symptoms. The USA has a very, very, very rare occurrence of Dengue Fever. 

The symptoms:

The symptoms of Zika virus are similar to those of dengue , however, the Zika virus is weaker and so the symptoms are milder and disappear between 4-7 days, however it is important to see a doctor to confirm if it really is with Zika

Initially , the symptoms can be mistaken for a simple flu , causing

Fever 37.8 ° C and 38.5 ° C (100.4 F and 101.3 F)
Pain in the joints , especially the hands and feet ;
Pain in the muscles of the body;
Headache , located mainly behind the eyes ;
Conjunctivitis which is an inflammation of the eye and causing eye color red , stinging leading to tearing , swelling of the eyelids and yellow secretion ;
Hypersensitivity in the eye , and increased sensitivity to light ;
Red spots on the skin, on the face and it can spread throughout the body and which can be mistaken for measles ;
Physical and mental fatigue 
Apart from these symptoms also can be seen, less often, digestive problems such as pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation and mouth sores.

I think the skin rash gives the best view of the tenacious invasion of the body. The virus is able to carry it's reproduction with the help of every cell in the body. The symptoms are extensive in all body systems. There is something about the RNA that seems friendly to the cell of human beings. Given this, it potentially causes severe malformation in a fetus, this virus should be considered highly toxic and potentially fatal to generations of children. It is a very dangerous virus simply for it's masking RNA to introduce itself into cells of the human body. There needs to be a thorough investigation of the genetic RNA of this virus and the DNA of the victims.


I am not surprised the virus is spreading wildly through the Americas. There is no prior exposure to this viral RNA. In other areas of where Zika is known there probably is exposure to other strains that allows the body to build up some degree of immunity. It is my guess this form of virus has resulted in mutation. So, if a person was exposed to less virulent strains over the past two or three generations they have some immunity and recognizes this nasty virus RNA.

When recognizing the map as accurate, there is a limitation to the virus in the way of latitudes. It seems restricted between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Equator regardless of east or west hemisphere.


The conjunctivitis is just as invasive as it comes. This virus has some really invasive RNA. I think this has the potential to be a very dangerous virus. The genetic codes of virus and victim have to be investigated with vigor. I don't like the invasive quality of it and with this degree of exhibited symptoms it could invade human DNA at the cellular level right into the gonad and quite possibly the actual chromosomes themselves.

The hand shaking that occurs at the cellular level to this RNA is so finely tuned the symptoms can be made to be far less in intensity. I can't help believe this is a mutation of Denge from generations of exposure to adapt to the human body as it's host.

Given the dense symptoms of the human body at the adult level it has to be considered as potentially teratogenic. Every possible precaution should be executed for the protection of children. My first thought is chemical repellent, bed nets and vigorous mosquito containment. 

It is our responsibility to protect human life and when we are not sure as to the depth of disease then assume the worst and begin vigorous elimination of what actually will work to defeat this virus.

I would seek out survivors of Zika and review their white blood cells. The closer to the exposure the better to catch immunity development.

Thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the end of this potentially generational killer.
President Rouhani is making friends in his first visit to Europe. There are economic paths opening. He also visited Pope Francis. President Rouhani has stated he sees a clear and stable path for peace. That has always been the ultimate hopes of the nuclear talks with Iran. There is every reason such economic ties are on their way. The nuclear monitoring program will continue as stated in the agreement, but, it is not inhibiting the Iranian desire to participate in trade that will provide at the very least relief to the Iranians, but, more so a real chance for peace in the middle east. I remain optimistic.

PARIS (AP) " The Latest on Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's visit to Europe (all times local):
France's Peugeot-Citroen has announced a joint venture with automaker Iran Khodro to make 200,000 cars a year outside Tehran, as both countries seek to boost trade after the lifting of Western sanctions.
Carlos Tavares, chairman of the PSA Peugeot-Citroen managing board, announced the deal Thursday during a visit to France by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani.
It will be a 50-50 joint venture, aiming to produce three new models of cars starting late next year.
Peugeot was a major player in Iran's car market before the sanctions were imposed, and the company said negotiations for this deal have been under way since before the sanctions were lifted.

Of course the biggest news is the respect Rome showed to Rouhani. Amazing.

Italy has covered up ancient nude statues (click here) ahead of Iranian president Hassan Rouhani's official visit to Rome.
As the leader arrived to meet Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and the Pope, plain white boards were pictured obscuring the sculptures in the city's Capitoline Museum.
A video published on Italian news websites showed the measures taken at the attraction.

I tell you what, we should take such offense by this accommodation we should scrap all economic ties and go straight for guns. The Vatican should not feel bad about the accommodation of President Rouhani, the USA had to cover similar nude statues in the lobby of the US Justice Department while John Ashcroft was Attorney General. We didn't have drapes over those statutes for just a high end visit from a foreign dignitary, we had to put up with it for the entire times Ashcroft was in office. Ashcroft is gone and so are the drapes.

Now all we have to figure out is how to make this work out of water.

Do not try this at home. Seriously.

The Peace Front.

January 28, 2016
Islamabad (AP) " Pakistan's Foreign Ministry (click here) says representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States will meet in the Pakistani capital Islamabad next month to discuss how to resume stalled peace process between Kabul and the Taliban.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said Thursday the Feb. 6 meeting was part of the efforts aimed at laying out a roadmap to peace for the war-shattered Afghan nation. It will be third such meeting in recent weeks.
Khalilullah said Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will soon travel to Qatar as part of that effort, but did not elaborate on that visit.
The announcement came days after the Afghan Taliban said its "political office" in Qatar was the only entity authorized to carry out negotiations on its behalf.
China is a determined mediator within these talks. China has committed to rebuild Afghanistan. China currently holds the world's largest natural resource of rare earth elements. Afghanistan has untapped rare earth elements, so China is bargaining to protect it's status as the largest holder of this commodity. 

There has been an increase in fighting recently between Afghan troops and the Taliban. The Taliban is also fighting a Deash influence. The peace talks are not going to be successful if China doesn't enter the war front and end the influence of Daesh. If China wants to rebuild Afghanistan and is committed to it's economic improvement, China will have to put troops in the country to achieve a degree of stability.

The Taliban are cornered, there is no place else in the world that accepts their for of governance which is pure brutality. The Taliban is determined to make Afghanistan their own for that reason alone. They won't surrender to end the conflict, disband their militarization and go home to carry out a life of peace. They rather die in war than submit to a governance coming out of Kabul. 

I hesitate to call the Taliban similar to the circumstances in Kashmir, but, the longevity of the hate and gun induced fights just seem to go on forever.

The USA has a new commander in Afghanistan.

January 27, 2016
By Tom VanDen
Washington — Army Lt. Gen. John “Mick” Nicholson (click here) has been selected to take command of U.S. and allied troops in Afghanistan where security has grown tenuous as local security forces battle a resilient Taliban insurgency, the Pentagon announced Wednesday.
Nicholson will succeed Army Gen. John Campbell who has led allied forces there since the middle of 2014. There are 9,800 U.S. troops in Afghanistan who advise Afghan forces and also conduct counter-terrorism missions. Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook announced the change in command at a briefing for reporters.
Campbell told USA TODAY late last month that he wanted to maintain that troop level for as long as possible in 2016. President Obama has called for a residual force of 5,500 to remain after this year. Campbell also said that he could request additional American forces for Afghanistan if needed.
There has been no change in the drawdown plan, Cook said. However, it could be reconsidered if commanders request it.

There is also more instability in the region. It is also blatantly misuse of the American military to support the economic ventures of China. 

January 29, 2016
BAKU, Azerbaijan (AP) " Representatives of organizations (click here) including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank are in Azerbaijan to discuss financial support for the oil producing country's ailing economy.
The ex-Soviet nation in the Caucasus has been hit hard by the sharp drop in prices of its oil and gas exports over the last year.
Zaur Rzayev, spokesman for the World Bank's local office, says the IMF and World Bank are "are discussing both immediate and longer-term measures."
The World Bank is offering $1 billion in financial support to Azerbaijan, a government official told The Associated Press, while the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development will seek to help the private sector. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because talks were ongoing.

Leonardo DeCaprio is a global hero and influence, including countries like Russia.

January 28, 2016

Vatican City (AP) " Pope Francis (click here) is meeting with a fellow green activist: Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Oscar-nominated actor had a morning audience with the pope Thursday. The Vatican offered no immediate comment, other than to confirm the meeting was on the pope's agenda.
Francis' environmental encyclical Laudato Si (Praise Be) has been embraced by environmentalists for its denunciation of the world's fossil fuel-based economy and demand for greener energy sources.
Di Caprio, nominated for an Oscar for his role in "The Revenant," is a longtime environmental campaigner who in 1998 launched his eponymous foundation to support initiatives aimed at sustainability. He recently addressed the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, announcing the foundation was donating another $15 million to environmental projects and pleading with business leaders to battle global warming.

Wait for it, wait for it....

January 28, 2016


Frankfurt, Germany (AP) " Deutsche Bank CEO John Cryan (click here) the bank is making "good progress" on a wide-ranging restructuring despite losing 6.8 billion euros ($7.5 billion) last year.
The bank was hit by 5.2 billion euros in expenses to settle regulatory litigation, and by 5.8 billion euros in write-offs on the value of assets and businesses.
Cryan said Thursday the bank would face further legal expenses in 2016 as it pushes to settle remaining litigation "as soon as possible."
He is leading a push to simplify the bank by leaving or selling risky or less profitable lines of businesses. It plans to shed 35,000 jobs by 2020.
The bank has faced legal issues over rigging of financial benchmarks, and last year paid $258 million for violating U.S. sanctions against Iran and other countries....

As a citizen in a first world country that leans on Wall Street for contentment of the wealthy, I am beginning to believe I have the Stockholm Syndrome.

January 28, 2016
maker Electrolux says it fell to a 393 million kronor ($46.1 million) loss in the fourth quarter from a 970 million kronor profit a year earlier after it failed in its bid for General Electric Co.'s appliance business.
The world's second-largest appliance maker after U.S rival Whirlpool, Electrolux said sales rose only 1 percent to 31.8 billion kronor ($3.7 billion).
Earlier this month, CEO Keith McLaughlin said he would retire Feb. 1, and would be replaced by Jonas Samuelson, current head of an Electrolux division for Europe, Middle East and Africa area.

Electrolux said Thursday Dan Arler had been tapped to become head of its European appliances unit, while Alan Shaw was named new head of Electrolux's North American unit.

Stockholm syndrome, or capture-bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending and identifying with the captors.

Yeah, it is strange to think of GE merging in order to survive. Immelt reassessed with a rapidly changing investment environment with China's instability and oils crash. That is what a CEO is suppose to do. A CEO isn't suppose to set his goal to reach the end of the cliff and keep on going.

October 11, 2015
By Lewis Krauskopf

General Electric Co (GE.N) (click here) raised its 2015 outlook for its industrial manufacturing businesses on Friday as it reported a 5 percent increase in its quarterly industrial profits, helped by stronger performance in its power division offsetting weak oil segment results.
Revenue for GE's manufacturing businesses rose 5 percent, when excluding the effects of currency swings and deals, and cost savings helped profit margins improve more than some analysts expected.
GE shares rose 1.5 percent in premarket trading.
Investors are focused even more greatly on the U.S. conglomerate's manufacturing of big-ticket products such as jet engines and power turbines as GE Chief Executive Jeff Immelt backs the company away from financial services.
"These are good numbers," said Tim Ghriskey, chief investment officer at Solaris Asset Management. "The organic growth rates were quite compelling in various parts of the industrial segment."

The rise in unusual virus and/or more virulent viruses and bacteria are KNOWN to be part of a warming world.

January 28. 2016
By Lucy Cormack


The recent outbreak (click here) of the mosquito-borne Zika virus in South America serves as a stark reminder of the health risks linked to a warming world, health experts say.
The virus, linked to brain damage in thousands of babies in Brazil, has already been discovered in Australian travellers returning from South America, and was detected in six Australians last year.
Zika is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which also spreads the dengue and chikungunya viruses. The Zika virus generally only causes symptoms in one in five people....

One of the first such monster infective was the coronavirus, SARS. Some folks like me believe it was released from melting glaciers. It was a complete grandparent of the common cold. It is not unusual for virus to mutate over time to allow the host to live through it's life span.

According to the World Health Organization the current Zika does not appear to be the culprit in microcephaly although it is being widely stated otherwise. 

This report by ABC is nothing more than speculation. There is no confirmation Zika is related to these fears.

There is nothing wrong with finding a vaccine of any virus.

I feel so much better that as a viewer of ABC I can tweet the good doctor with my fears. 

January 27, 2016
By Gillian Mohney

At the center of the Zika virus crisis (click here) is the rise of a dangerous condition called microcephaly. The rare birth defect has affected thousands of infants in Brazil, leading officials to call up the military and hundreds of thousands of health workers to combat the virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes....

This is the best laugh I'd had in a week.

...David Carney, (click here) Republican strategist who ran Rick Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign, said Mr. Trump made a wise move in pulling out of the debate when he could not count on turning in a strong performance. “The debates aren’t his thing,” he said, predicting it would not hurt Mr. Trump with his supporters....

The New York Times, is that right? Yeah, it is correct. The New York Times is so desperate to bring Donald Trump down, they are quoting a losing GOP election operative. Consider the complete irrelevant source of the statement. It is not just any ordinary Republican campaign operative. The source that has the greatest and most reliable election results of all time, the strategist for Rick Perry.

You want to try that again? Maybe next time it might actually make sense.