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News Links, May 20, 2012

Rice Farmer - 3 hours 2 min ago
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
World's Richest Lose $33 Billion as Facebook Debut Stalls

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Beijing on 'high alert' over Huangyan
"Beijing has vowed to remain on 'high alert' over Huangyan Island in case of any provocations, after Manila on Friday postponed a protest trip to the island."
From Mubarak to Worse
"More than 15 months after Egypt's Tahrir Square uprising and four months after free parliamentary polls, many Egyptians say that daily living conditions are worse now than they were in the Mubarak era."
G8, raising pressure on Iran, puts oil stocks on standby
"Leaders of the Group of Eight major economies raised the pressure on Iran on Saturday, signaling their readiness to tap into emergency oil stockpiles quickly this summer if tougher new sanctions on Tehran threaten to strain supplies."
Just when you thought the Stupidity Level could not get any higher… -- RF

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Molotov cocktails launched in Montreal protests following legal crackdown

## Energy/resources ##
7 Reasons Speculators are Not to Blame for Higher Oil and Gas Prices
US shale boom to underpin global 'mismatch' of refining capacity: analyst
"The surge in output of US oil and natural gas liquids with over 50 API comes at a time when most US refining capacity additions have been geared towards heavy, sour crude, Sen told an oil conference in London."

## Got food? ##
US agriculture companies set millions for Africa
"A group of U.S. seed, chemical and equipment companies will invest at least $150 million over the next few years into African agricultural projects and products, the companies said on Friday."
Jim Rogers: Agriculture Will Fuel Commodities Rally

## Environment/health ##
The Big Fix: documentary exposes BP, U.S. Gov't on Gulf disaster
Unless they abandon the infinite-growth paradigm, their efforts are going nowhere. -- RF

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Anti-NATO activists weighed Obama HQ attack: prosecutors
"Three protesters arrested on terrorism-related charges ahead of the NATO-summit considered targeting U.S. President Barack Obama's re-election campaign headquarters and the home of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, according to court documents released on Saturday."
Google's New Search Tool to Use CIA and World Bank as Sources for 'Facts'

## Japan ##
Govt lays out power cuts for summer
"The government officially decided Friday on summer electricity consumption reduction targets, setting power savings goals of up to 15 percent of electricity demand seen in peak hours during the exceptionally hot summer of 2010."
Voluntary power-saving plan risky if heat, economy collide
Barclays Reiterates 'No Hard Landing' Call For China
Don't they know these GDP numbers are cooked? -- RF
And that's hardly a choice. You call this democracy? -- RF

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Breathing Space? Or not?

Emilie@Hermit - Sat, 2012-05-19 21:34

Source: Inter Press Service via Antiwar.com
Credits: Dated: 2012-05-19

Iran Hawks in Congress in Some Disarray

Hopes by Iran hawks here to get the U.S. Congress to wield the threat of a U.S. military attack on the Islamic Republic on the eve of next week’s critical negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program appear to have fallen unexpectedly short.

While the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Thursday to reject "any U.S. policy that would rely on efforts to contain a nuclear weapons-capable Iran", a key co-sponsor of the resolution emphatically denied that the measure was intended to authorize the use of military force and asserted that Tehran would have to test a warhead before it could be considered "nuclear weapons capable".

At the same time, the House leadership was poised to accept an amendment to the otherwise hawkish 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that declares explicitly "that nothing in this Act shall be construed as authorizing the use of force against Iran." The NDAA, as amended, is expected to clear the House Friday.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Capitol Hill, a tough new sanctions bill that was supposed to sail through the Senate Thursday was blocked by some Republicans who said it was insufficiently hawkish.

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 19, 2012

Rice Farmer - Sat, 2012-05-19 02:30
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Ex-ECB Chief Trichet Unveils Bold Plan to Save Euro
"Europe could strengthen its monetary union by giving European politicians the power to declare a sovereign state bankrupt and take over its fiscal policy, the former head of the European Central Bank said on Thursday in unveiling a bold proposal to salvage the euro."
China Stocks In Trouble As Hang Seng Breaks Support Again
"Bearish sentiment from investors has taken the Hang Seng Index through its 19,000 support level for the second time in less than 72 hours, opening nearly 500 points lower Friday in Hong Kong to 18782 points.  Investors seem to be heading for the mattress and safety deposit boxes, avoiding even the dollar and euro fixed income."

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Anti-war protesters march at Obama campaign headquarters
Al-Qaeda leader Ayam al-Zawahri calls on Saudi Arabia to rise up
"Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri has urged Saudis to follow the example of the Arab Spring and rise up against their rulers."
Thousands protest in Bahrain against Gulf union plan
"Tens of thousands of mainly Shi'ite protesters rallied in Bahrain on Friday against proposals for closer ties with other Gulf Arab countries, a plan pushed by Saudi Arabia to contain dissent in Bahrain and counter Iran's regional influence."
Charest launches legislation to crack down on student protests (Canada)
"Just hours after the Quebec government responded to student groups with an offer to resume negotiations, it unveiled legislation Thursday night that would crack down on protesters – and especially the student groups that endorse demonstrations."
Police detain 400 "Blockupy" activists in Frankfurt
"German police said they detained 400 anti-capitalist protesters in Frankfurt on Friday for defying a ban on demonstrations against austerity policies implemented to tackle the intensifying euro zone debt crisis."
Possible Sale for Strategic Oil Reserves on G8 Agenda
"At this weekend's meeting of the leaders of the G8 countries (the US, the UK,Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, France, and Russia) at Camp David, President Obama is expected to raise the issue of selling crude oil from strategic reserves in a move to lessen the impact of tough restrictions on the sale of Iranian oil which begin in July."
"Oil industry executives and bankers are assuming oil prices will stay above $100 a barrel in the year ahead, despite mounting economic worries, as any fall below that level would trigger a cut in Saudi Arabia's output and force closures at high-cost projects around the world."
Coal shortage may affect power sector: Vinacomin
"Vinacomin, or the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Corporation, said in a conference held by the General Department of Energy yesterday that it cannot afford the coal supply for the power sector, adding that the country may face power shortages in 2015 due to a short supply of coal."

## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Plaque to boys killed by IRA Warrington bomb stolen (UK)

## Environment/health ##
Deadly virus hits Canada salmon farm

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
House panel calls for serious cuts to propaganda spending (US)
Egad! The fiscal situation is much more desperate than I had imagined! -- RF
Exclusive: Drugmakers weigh emergency supply plan for Greece
"International drugmakers are working with European authorities on emergency plans to keep medicines flowing into Greece if the country crashes out of the euro."
Edano dissatisfied with Japanese bank's freezing of Iranian assets
"Japanese industry minister Yukio Edano expressed dissatisfaction Friday over the Bank of  Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ's freezing of the Iranian government's assets in response to an order by the New York State Supreme Court.
"'What's happened is clearly wrong because a U.S. court decision isn't supposed to apply outside the United States,' Edano said at a press conference after a Cabinet meeting."
"Unsold cars are crowding dealer lots in cities from Guangzhou in the south to Xi'an to the west. It's like a contagious disease that will spread."
Now you're talking! -- RF
British economy may 'never quite recover' from a severe Euro collapse

## US ##
Courts choking on cash deficit
"Deep budget cuts to state courts proposed by Gov. Jerry Brown have judges predicting a 'rationing' of justice."
"The House bill basically provides Israel with a blank check drawn on the U.S. taxpayer to maintain its "qualitative military edge" over all of its neighbors combined."

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

If you are poor and busy you won't make demands. Welcome to the new US economy all you poor and busy people

Emilie@Hermit - Fri, 2012-05-18 12:51

Source: al Jazeera
Credits: Noam Chomsky
Dated:  2012-05-16

[ Emilie says : Precariat. What a brilliant, needed word for the utterly insignificant. ]

Plutonomy and the precariat: On the history of the US economy in decline

The current US economy is built on 'growing worker insecurity' - people who are too busy and poor to make demands.

EPA

Since the 1970s, wealth has become increasingly concentrated in the hands of the financial sector PhotoCredits: EPA

The Occupy movement has been an extremely exciting development. Unprecedented, in fact. There's never been anything like it that I can think of. If the bonds and associations it has established can be sustained through a long, dark period ahead - because victory won't come quickly - it could prove a significant moment in American history.

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Cardiology : Statins : All people over 50 should be taking statins along with their baby aspirin.

Emilie@Hermit - Fri, 2012-05-18 11:43

Source: The Lancet via The Telegraph
Credits: Rebecca Smith (Medical Editor, The Telegraph)
Dated: 2012-05-17
Refer Also: 

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

The sacking of library.nu : Welcome to the new dark ages. The barbarians have won.

Emilie@Hermit - Fri, 2012-05-18 09:29

Source: al Jazeera
Credits: Christopher Kelty
Dated: 2012-03-01

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 18, 2012

Rice Farmer - Fri, 2012-05-18 00:09
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Spain GDP Contracts
Moody's downgrades Spanish regions
"Spain got yet another slap in the face Thursday, when Moody's Investors Service downgraded four regions of the country due to their poor fiscal performance.
"The credit ratings agency issued the downgrade of Catalunya, Murcia, Andalucia and Extremadura because the regional governments are using massive amounts of debt to fund their operations and are unlikely to meet a financial target set by Spain's central government."
Exclusive: ECB stops operations with some Greek banks
"The European Central Bank has stopped providing liquidity to some Greek banks as they have not been successfully recapitalized, the ECB said on Wednesday, confirming news earlier reported exclusively by Reuters."


## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
The Empire Holds Its War Council in Chicago
South Korea and Japan want EU insurance for Iran oil post - Embargo
"The News reported that South Korea and Japan are asking the European Union to give them access to European insurance for Iranian oil shipments even after July 1st 2012 embargo comes into effect."
S.Africa "confident" of solution to Iran oil ban
"South Africa, which receives a quarter of its crude from Iran, is holding almost daily discussions with the United States, EU Union and Iran about reducing its purchases and is 'confident' a deal can be struck to avert U.S. sanctions, a senior energy official said on Thursday."
Turkish jets stop 'Israeli violation' of airspace
"Turkey says it scrambled two military jets to chase away an Israeli plane which allegedly violated the airspace of Turkish-held northern Cyprus."
Chile advances plan to build submarine
"Chile is going ahead with plans to build its own submarine and patrol boats as part of a program to develop the Latin American nation's defense manufacturing industry."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Russian police detain protest leader, five others
India cannot afford import of large quantities of crude oil:FM 
"Amid rising global crude oil prices, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today warned of 'disastrous consequences' if corrective steps are not taken to deal with the problem as India cannot afford import of large quantities at high prices.
"'Petroleum prices are increasing by leaps and bounds. We cannot keep them under any carpet. If we do not take corrective measures, we will have to face disastrous consequences,' he said."
Summer Power-Saving Measures for Businesses Announced (Korea)
"Power-saving measures for the summer will take effect from June 1, one month earlier than usual, as there are already warning signs of an electricity shortage due to freak hot weather."
"Crude from the Bakken oil play and the Canadian oil sands sells at a steep discount to Brent crude, which sets the price benchmark on the Gulf Coast. Producers hope to boost the price they get for their crude if they can just get the black stuff to more liquid market. For consumers, closing the price differential will very likely mean higher prices."

## Infrastructure scavenging ##
Metal thefts: statue of Christ, crucifix and hundreds of cemetery memorial plaques found in raid on scrapyard (UK)
"Hundreds of memorial plaques from churches and crematoriums, a statue of Christ and entire intact cross were among a major haul of items seized by police in a raid on scrap metal dealer's yard."

## Got food? ##
"No civilization has ever faced the agricultural challenges confronting us over the coming decades. Ever. And if we can pull it off – wherever we CAN pull it off – it will necessarily be with an agriculture of maximum resilience; an agriculture that can get knocked down and stagger back up again and again and again. So let's do this."

## Environment/health ##
Nuclear Cheerleaders Use Voodoo Science to Pretend Low Levels of Radiation Are Safe … Or Even Good For You
UK Climate Experiment Canceled On Patent Concerns
"British scientists have abandoned an experiment to test the possibility of spraying particles into the upper atmosphere to stem global warming, largely due to concerns over a patent for some of the technology, the project's leader said."
Critics cry foul over Ohio frack proposals
"A measure passed by the Ohio Senate on hydraulic fracturing falls short of what's needed for responsible environmental oversight, an advocacy group said."
'Queen of Disco' Donna Summer 'thought she became ill after inhaling 9/11 particles'
"Donna Summer, the 1970s pop singer known as the Queen of Disco, has died of lung cancer, an illness she believes she contracted from inhaling toxic particles released after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York."
Agent Orange 'tested in Okinawa'
"Recently uncovered documents show that the United States conducted top-secret tests of Agent Orange in Okinawa in 1962, according to a veterans services employee."

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
9 Scary Ways Criminals Use Facebook to Scam and Rob You
100 Rio buildings risk collapse, official says
"More than 100 abandoned buildings in Rio de Janeiro are in such poor condition they are at risk of collapsing, the head of a regional engineering agency said Wednesday, a day after part of a two-story building crumbled in the Olympic city's colonial downtown."
Italy deploys 20,000 to protect sensitive targets
"Italy increased security Thursday at 14,000 sites, and assigned bodyguards to protect 550 individuals after a nuclear energy company official was shot and letter bombs directed to the tax collection agency."
Japan, Australia sign security information deal
"Japan and Australia on Thursday signed an agreement that will allow them to share intelligence as the Asia-Pacific region adapts to the rising power of China."

## Japan ##
Japan's GDP Accelerates on Government Outlays
"It's unclear, though, how long Japan itself can continue on that path, with policymakers also focused on trying to boost taxes to reign in the country's sovereign debt which is twice the size of its economy, the worst level among industrialized nations, and even worse than Greece."
"Due partly to the unit's shutdown, the company sees a 1.9 percent power shortage in August, and is expected to call on its customers to curb consumption during the peak power season."
Hot dog! It's a new era! -- RF
Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ freezes Iran transactions on U.S. court order
"The head of the Japan's banking lobby group said the action could affect crude imports, although the country's biggest refiner said it was not facing a problem paying for Iranian oil."
Ending an era, Toshiba pulls the plug on making televisions in Japan
Govt claims cyberdefense right / Says international laws should be applied to computer infiltration
"The Foreign Ministry believes Japan has the right of self-defense against cyber-attacks through existing international laws including the U.N. Charter, it has been learned."

## US ##
Food Stamp Use Picks Up Again, In Los Angeles County
"After a winter lull, food stamp participation in Los Angeles County picked up again in March, to rise to a new all time high of 1,036,078 persons."


Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 17, 2012

Rice Farmer - Fri, 2012-05-18 00:08
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Greeks pull funds from banks; emergency cabinet to be named
"Greece's political leaders meet on Wednesday to form a caretaker government to take it to a second election in just over a month, with its euro membership at stake and its president speaking of 'fear that could develop into panic' at its banks."
Shipping woes wipe out Maersk profits
"Woes in container shipping markets wiped out underlying first-quarter profits for Denmark's AP Møller-Maersk in the latest sign of the gravity of the problems facing the economically vital sector."
Default Swaps in U.S. Increase as Greece Heads for New Elections
"A gauge of U.S. corporate credit risk rose for a ninth day, reversing earlier declines, as attempts to form a new government in Greece failed, clearing the way for a new round of elections."

As Airlines Continue to Create New Fees, What Will Happen to the 'Standard Fare'?

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Blogger Shines Light on U.S. Shadow War in East Africa
Pakistan agrees to reopen NATO supply route to Afghanistan, but for a fee
"The cost of the U.S.-led war effort in Afghanistan is about to rise by $365 million annually under an agreement that would reopen a key NATO supply route through Pakistan that's been closed for nearly six months."
"'India has to do a tough balancing act between Iran and America. We have to ensure that our strategic engagement with the U.S. continues.'
"But South Asia expert Sumit Ganguly, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, said the likelihood of Washington imposing sanctions on India is 'pretty slim.'
"'If the U.S. imposes sanctions, I think the Indo-U.S. strategic partnership will basically fall apart,' Ganguly told Indian news Website Firstpost."
Many will profit if Pakistan reopens NATO supply routes
"U.S. commanders in Afghanistan want to get war supplies rolling across Pakistan's borders again. So do Pakistanis in places high and low — from officials trying to balance the nation's budget to black marketeers who stand ready to plunder the NATO-contracted trucks and oil tankers expected to shortly resume passage into Afghanistan after nearly six months of closed border crossings."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##

## Energy/resources ##
"Gladstone LNG hub may drain east coast gas supplies"
Is Your Bunker Fuel Guaranteed Iranian-Free?
"Western sanctions against Iran are becoming a major headache for European and other shipping companies whose vessels refuel in Singapore, as they face penalties if they use fuel that contains any Iranian oil."
U.S. to seek G8 support for oil reserve release: Kyodo
"U.S. President Barack Obama will seek support to tap emergency oil reserves from other Group of Eight leaders at a summit this weekend before the European Union's July embargo of Iranian crude, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday.
"The report suggests that a slide in oil prices to their lowest in months has not halted U.S. efforts to use strategic oil stockpiles to offset diminishing exports from Iran, which is facing tough new sanctions on its oil industry."
"Indonesian officials revealed additional plans to tax mineral exports from the resource-rich country, compounding worries that government policies could slow the flow of investment into one of Asia's fastest-growing economies."

## Got food? ##
"'Canada has long been seen as a land of plenty. Yet today one in 10 families with a child under six is unable to meet their daily food needs,' Olivier De Schutter, the United Nations special rapporteur on the right to food, said in a statement."

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##

## Japan ##
Blue Chips Take Another Beating On Worries About Growth, Yen
"Investors' latest bout of risk aversion has sunk Japanese blue chips even deeper amid anxiety over the outlook for the global economy and the possibility of a firming yen."
Welfare recipients hit another record
"The number of people on welfare hit another record high of 2,097,401 in February, up 5,499 from the previous month, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said Wednesday."
Kansai braces for summer heat without reactors
"News that the Kansai region will be asked to cut summer power consumption by at least 15 percent and that plans are afoot for outright restrictions on electricity use, including rolling blackouts, was greeted calmly by area political leaders and residents."
Japan utilities burn record LNG equivalent for April
Japan's Growth Seen Peaking as BOJ Pressed to Stimulate
"Japan's economic growth probably peaked in the first quarter and analysts forecast the pace of expansion will halve by year-end as the boost from earthquake reconstruction fades."
The "reconstruction boost" is already faltering, even though reconstruction has gone virtually nowhere. -- RF
Tepco halts dividends, so metro buses to run red ink
"The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's bus operations, running in the black since 2003, probably lost money for the first time for fiscal 2011, and the major reason is the dividends from Tokyo Electric Power Co. shares have dried up."

## China ##
"Bank lending plunged in April, according to the People's Bank of China, and has remained weak in May, said bankers and borrowers. The decline is because companies are wary about borrowing when demand is uncertain and profits are evaporating."

## US ##
Cheaper gas not enough to boost summer driving
Fox News Analyst: First American To Shoot Down A Domestic Spy Drone 'Will Become A Folk Hero'
That Which Is Unsustainable Will Go Away: Medicare
"Here are the sobering facts about the number of workers and those drawing Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid entitlements in the U.S. While the government claims to have a 'trust fund' to pay for Social  Security and Medicare, this is illusory propaganda. There are no funds set aside to pay these entitlements--they are 'pay as you go' programs funded by current tax revenues. If the tax revenues don't cover the programs' expenses, the Treasury sells bonds, i.e. issues debt to pay the entitlements."
Debt Weighs on A Third of Small Business Owners

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Telepresence : Legal Implications

Emilie@Hermit - Wed, 2012-05-16 21:34

Source: BBC
Credits: Laurence Peter
Dated: 2012-05-10

Real-world beaming: The risk of avatar and robot crime

A demonstration of how robot 'beaming' technology works

Laws might have to adapt to the fact that certain crimes can be committed at a distance, via the use of beamed technologies” -- Ray Purdy University College London

Microsoft Kinect

  • Game device that creates virtual likeness of the player
  • Launched in November 2010, eight million units sold in first 60 days
  • Similar devices developed for Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation
  • Captures an individual's non-verbal behaviour
  • Works as webcam-style add-on for Xbox 360 console, and also PCs
  • Infrared projector tracks points on body, updating them every second

The law and ethics of beaming

  • Risk of impersonation if avatar is hacked or stolen
  • Individual can embellish personal avatar, creating false image
  • Molestation or rape possible with physical interactions via internet
  • No single jurisdiction governs remote interactions across national borders
  • Controller must be identifiable to prosecute crime committed via avatar or robot
  • Better encryption may be needed to protect realistic avatars (so-called doppelgangers)

Beaming, Star Trek style

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Capital Punishment : Executing the Innocent

Emilie@Hermit - Wed, 2012-05-16 01:56

Source: The Atlantic
Credits: Andrew Cohen
Dated: 2012-05-14
Refer Also:

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 16, 2012

Rice Farmer - Wed, 2012-05-16 00:04
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Greece on brink of collapse
World edges closer to deflationary slump as money contracts in China
"All key indicators of China's money supply are flashing warning signs. The broader measures have slumped to stagnation levels not seen since the late 1990s."

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
EU says hits pirate targets on Somali coast by air
U.S. "not impressed" with India's efforts to cut Iran oil buys: envoy
"A top U.S. energy diplomat on Tuesday said he was 'not too impressed' with India's efforts to cut its imports of oil from Western sanctions-hit Iran."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Congolese mob opens fire on UN peacekeepers
Police arrest 9 'Occupy the Farm' protesters at Berkeley
"Three weeks after anti-poverty activists took over 2 acres of land belonging to the University of California at Berkeley and planted a vegetable garden for the needy, police in riot gear on Monday raided the site and arrested nine people."
Mauripur, Korangi roads blocked to protest power, water shortage (Pakistan)
"Residents of many areas of the city took to the streets on Tuesday to protest against prolonged power outages and water shortages. The protesters blocked a number of main roads, causing serious traffic jams."

## Energy/resources ##
Another Earth Needed to Meet Humans' Demand for Resources
"Humans are using resources at such a pace they need another world to meet demand for land to grow crops and forests and raise animals, WWF International said."
Spike in power demand (Korea)
"Unseasonably high temperatures have raised concerns about nationwide blackouts again this year. Demand for electricity remains high at a time when many power plants are under maintenance, reducing the power reserves to a worrisome level."
Saudi Security Tightens Around World's Biggest Crude Facility

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
DHS Considers Collecting DNA From Kids; DEA and US Marshals Already Do
"Documents just released by US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to one of EFF's Freedom of Information Act requests show that DHS is considering collecting DNA from kids ages 14 and up—and is exploring expanding its regulations to allow collection from kids younger than that."
Talking Surveillance Cameras Coming to U.S. Streets
"Talking surveillance cameras that bark orders at passers-by and can also record conversations are heading for U.S. streets."

## Japan ##
"Foreign direct investment into China fell for the sixth straight month in April, the latest sign of trouble for the world's second-largest economy."
David Cameron considers extra £25bn of welfare cuts

## US ##
Ron Paul will continue to run for GOP nod without campaign in primary states. (Run Ron Paul)
"Congressman Ron Paul has announced that he will no longer be using resources to campaign in primary states, instead focusing all of his efforts on delegate-selection events as he vows to continue to vie for GOP nomination for presidential candidate."
Exclusive: Over 55 and jobless, Americans face tough hunt
Credit Suisse to Dismiss 126 Workers at New York Site by August
J.C. Penney Reports First-Quarter Loss Amid Sales Slump

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 15, 2012

Rice Farmer - Wed, 2012-05-16 00:04
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
IMF to buy Gold worth $2.3 billion as credit risk increases
India Inflation Accelerates
"Inflation in India accelerated in April as prices of most commodities rose, squeezing the amount of room the central bank has to ease monetary policy and support faltering growth."
Global hyperinflation, gold at $5,000/oz, etc. Oh, dear! -- RF
S.Africa aims to lift savings, cut budget strain
"South Africa is looking to strengthen its social security system by encouraging a higher savings rate among its highly indebted households, which should help economic growth and reduce the burden on state finances, the Treasury said on Monday."
Good luck! -- RF

## Airline Death Spiral ##
Frontier dropping Tucson-Denver flights
Gulf Arabs to weigh closer union at Riyadh meeting
"Gulf Arabs began a summit to discuss a closer union on Monday, part of a strategy by wealthy Sunni Muslim monarchies to counter Shi'ite Muslim discontent in Bahrain and Iran's growing influence."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Hundreds of Uighurs lobby China for independence
"Around 200 ethnic Uighurs from around the world gathered in Japan on Monday for a five-day meeting to press their case for independence from China."

## Energy/resources ##
S.Africa battles to keep blackouts at bay
"It is five o'clock in the evening in South Africa and the computer dials at the nerve-centre of state electricity firm Eskom are cranking towards the red as millions of people get home and turn on their heating, hot water and cookers."
Gov't approves emergency measures for electricity market (Israel)
"Ministries authorized to apply 'crisis protocols' to keep Israelis from being kicked off electricity grid due to high summer demands"
The US, China, and India Risk Severe Water Shortages
"Research by the risk analysts Maplecroft has found that three global superpowers have vast regions that are at risk of drought as an unsustainable rate of water use is outstripping supply. The US, China, and India risk negative impacts on businesses and agriculture which could undermine economic growth."
What Is Our Energy Future?
"Global energy consumption will double by mid-century, regardless of what the United States does."
How high priced oil is changing our lives (Jeff Rubin)
"Only rich people will be able to afford cars. Everyone else will be taking public transit.
"Commuters will move into Toronto leaving the suburbs to revert to their former status as farmland.
"The only provinces creating jobs will be those with oil. The poorest regions may resort to job-sharing."
Bottom line: More oil must be found, or else... -- RF

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Algorithms: The Ever-Growing, All-Knowing Way Of The Future
"Homeland Security Documents Show Massive Nationwide Monitoring of Occupy Movement"
AP Finds Someone to Draw 'Evidence' Against Iran

## China ##
China's easing aimed at housing market

## UK ##
Nurses stretched to 'breaking point' as 60,000 frontline health service posts under threat, says RCN
"Overworked nurses are being stretched to 'breaking point' amid spending cuts that have placed more than 60,000 frontline jobs in the NHS at risk, it was claimed today."
Go ahead, sink your nest egg in muni bonds. But count me out. -- RF

And finally… Underwater Hotel to be Dubai's Latest Extravagance

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Teen Pregnancy and the Bible Belt

Emilie@Hermit - Tue, 2012-05-15 09:13

Source: The Hill
Credits: Mike Lillis
Dated: 2010-10-20

CDC finds stark regional disparities in teen-pregnancy rates

[ Emilie says : I dug out this old article to support another discussion. The huge social significance of teen pregnancy caused by a total lack of comprehension of their own biology is that it is indicative of an early beginning in reproduction, which combined with religion driven breeding imperatives and the much higher probability that religious people will engage in serial relationships with children, resulting in an ongoing population explosion. As each person needs water, food, housing, social services, etc., this implies that the resources available to everyone are reduced by each additional birth (in other words, once total costs are taken into account over time, everyone on the planet is made poorer as additional people are added to the population). This result is visible in America's exploding demographics and increasing poverty. ]

Although national teen-pregnancy rates are on the decline, the disparities between states are often dramatic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)reported Wednesday.

Some women's health advocates say the discrepancies are indication that comprehensive sex-education programs are producing results for states that offer them, while states emphasizing abstinence-only programs aren't faring as well.

read more

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Bigger than Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber? Introducing the beloved avatar, Hatsune Miku.

Emilie@Hermit - Mon, 2012-05-14 11:24

[ Emilie says : Unpaid, but very creative humans are producing this fantastically popular, totally imaginary characters' music. Clearly vast numbers of presumably quite rational people can, and have, fallen in love with an avatar - and are not being motivated by money. While this should put the corporate music industries claims that so-called "Intellectual Property" is required to stimulate productivity to rest, it doesn't yet reach the next level. Hatsune is marketed as being an "expressive instrument" which doesn't threaten anything, but she does suggest that question of who, if anyone, will "own" works created by artificial intelligence and, if it is asserted to be a human, if that will change if the artificial intelligence is a spirothete. ]

Hatsune Miku is a 16-year-old girl with long green pigtails and a voice with a range no human could ever hope to match.

She is an autotuned virtual singer with a computer-synthesized voice, a work by creators who met on the Internet.

Many of the songs she sang have proven to be so appealing that the music industry cannot ignore her. She has developed into a singer with a large worldwide following

Lets now see who Mikus creators are and how her world was formed.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hatsune_Miku

read more

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

2012-05-12 Rand Paul and Biblical Marriage

Emilie@Hermit - Mon, 2012-05-14 06:30

Meshed Gears Agrees With Rand Paul and even argues that Rand Paul has not gone nearly far enough!

Rand Paul is completely accurate. Apparently the bible regards:

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Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

Inoculation : International Inoculation Abbreviations

Emilie@Hermit - Mon, 2012-05-14 03:44

List of Vaccines, Single or Combination, and their Abbreviations (a mixture of upper and lower case is preferred)

Acellular Pertussis

aP

Anthrax

ANTH

Bacillus Calmette Guérin

BCG

Botulism Antitoxin

BAtox

Cholera

CHOL

Diptheria Antitoxin

DAtox

Diphtheria, Tetanus - adult

Td

Diphtheria, Tetanus - paediatric

DT

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio - adults

TdP

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio - paed

DTP

Diphtheria, Tetanus, Acellular Pertussis - adults

TdaP

Haemophilus influenzae type b

Hib

Hepatitis A

HA

read more

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 14, 2012

Rice Farmer - Mon, 2012-05-14 00:06
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
China Crashes in April, Shows Signs of Contraction

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Italy mulls using army to stem political violence
"Italy is considering using the army to protect the defense conglomerate Finmeccanica and the tax collection agency Equitalia, the targets of a series of attacks that are raising concerns about political violence, the interior minister said."

## Energy/resources ##
"In the face of probable electricity blackouts at home this coming summer, Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan called on the government Sunday morning to cease supplying power to the Gaza Strip."
Canada's Deal with China Could Make Uranium Boom

## Infrastructure scavenging ##
CBS47 Special Report: Copper Theft (US)
"It's a major problem on the streets of Fresno: lights out because of copper wire theft.  There are some 4,000 street lights that are off, which is about ten percent all the lights in Fresno."

## Got food? ##
Mad moms to food police: We'll eat what we want (US)
"Moms in Minnesota are preparing to defy state dictates over when and how they can access food supplies for their families, with a rally scheduled Monday to coincide with the beginning of the trial of the manager of a farm buying club, according to the Farm Food Freedom Coalition."
With food prices escalating, the G8 has to deliver on its plan for Africa
"A food importer in Shanghai reports that the industry is mired in financial distress; numerous importers with over 15 years of history have reportedly been sold off."

## UK ##
Patients 'treated in corridors', claims Royal College of Nursing
"Patients are being left stranded on trolleys for hours and forced to have treatment in corridors due in part to the loss of hospital beds, nurses say."
Gov. Jerry Brown calls for cuts as deficit jumps
"California's budget deficit has jumped to $16 billion, forcing Gov. Jerry Brown to call for even deeper cuts in state spending when he releases his revised budget plan on Monday."

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

An almost flawless face. Is this intended as a compliment?

Emilie@Hermit - Sun, 2012-05-13 14:11

 

Source: Reuters
Credits: Tara Cleary (Reuters)
Dated: 2012-05-10

A look at the U.K.’s most beautiful face (1:35)

[ Emilie wonders : Why hasn't Colgate hired her yet? She already has "the perfect Colgate smile." You may groan now. For some reason, this story seems to invite puns - see the Daily Mail article title and ultimate line below. ]

May 10 - An 18-year-old school girl's face is considered scientifically perfect after winning a television competition for 'Britain's Most Natural Beauty'. Tara Cleary reports.

read more

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 13, 2012

Rice Farmer - Sun, 2012-05-13 00:11
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Greece will run out of money soon, warns deputy prime minister
"Greece's deputy prime minister has said the country will run out of money in six weeks unless it honours its bitterly-disputed EU bailout deal."
World's Richest Lose $17 Billion as Slim's Fortune Drops
"The world's richest people lost a combined $17.1 billion this week as concern over JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM)'s $2 billion trading loss and the weakening euro pushed the Standard & Poor's (SPY) 500 Index to a two-month low."
This is heartbreaking. I shall pray for the rich tonight. -- RF
Steel market in India looses a long drawn battle
"Week 19 proved to be turning point in long product market with widespread cracks appearing across the nation. Economy and government in a logjam over acute monetary crisis and plummeting indicators can barely augur well."
Chaos, Derivatives, and Quantum Physics
"Every day the financial markets get more chaotic—a fact that couldn't be made any more clear than with a recent revelation given by ex-physicist and author, Nick Dunbar, in describing a new level of complexity facing banks and derivatives. Ironically, Thursday night's emergency conference call by JP Morgan of a massive $2 billion unavoidable loss is perhaps a confirmation of what banks are now starting to grapple with."

## Airline Death Spiral ##
American Airlines to explore merger options
"AMR Corp, parent of American Airlines, bowed to pressure on Friday from its unsecured creditors, including its largest labor unions, and said it would explore merger options while it is still in bankruptcy."
Lan Airlines First-Quarter Profit Drops 22% on Fuel, Cargo
"Lan Airlines SA (LAN), Latin America's largest carrier by market value, reported a 22 percent drop in first-quarter profit as fuel costs rose and growth in cargo operations slowed."

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
Putin's no-show at U.S. meeting with Obama sets a sour tone
US-Philippine alliance deepens amid China tensions
China denies preparing war over South China Sea shoal
"The defence ministry statement comes despite warnings to the Philippines that military conflict is possible over a reef known as the Scarborough Shoal."
Gulf leaders 'to discuss Bahrain-Saudi union'
"Gulf leaders will discuss a proposal for a closer political union among them that could begin with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the Bahraini information minister said on Saturday."
No need for trials. They only need to be suspects. -- RF
Men in Afghan Uniforms Kill 2 More NATO Soldiers
"Now almost a daily occurrence, the attack is the third of its kind this week."

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Thousands march against economic gloom in Spain, UK
"Thousands of Spaniards fed up with economic misery and waving banners against bankers marched on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of the grassroots "Indignados" movement that has sparked similar protests around the world."

## Energy/resources ##
Fuel Shortage of Power Generation Units (India)
Oil prices to stay high despite ample supply
"Tension between Iran and the West is likely to keep oil prices high despite a dramatic improvement in world supply and a big build in stocks, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Friday in its monthly Oil Market Report, adding that uncertainty remained."
Why Going "Naked To The Strip" Means More Pain For Nat Gas Companies
Fuel worth USD 5 million stolen monthly from Basra
"AKnews reported that more than USD 5 million worth of fuel is stolen each month from the amount allocated to three Turkish barges that produce power in Basra, a government investigation has revealed.
"The Iraqi Electricity Ministry announced the discovery from an ongoing investigation into fuel theft. The Turkish barges were used to help compensate for the acute shortage of energy in the region."

## Got food? ##
UN backs standards securing land, food rig
"A United Nations-backed committee Friday released new guidelines to help governments protect people's rights to own or access land, fisheries and forests."
Farmer fights delivery ban on raw milk
Here we have the laughably absurd, mad ravings of the Old Guard, which believes in expanding population to make more consumers and feed infinite growth. Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! -- RF
Japanese industry faces obstacles on road to recovery
"Looming power shortages and the prolonged sovereign debt crisis in Europe are overshadowing corporate Japan's hopes for a V-shaped earnings recovery for the current fiscal year."
Japan to avoid mandatory power saving in summer-media
"Japan will not impose mandatory restrictions on power consumption in parts of the country this summer, relying instead on voluntary saving measures following the shutting down of nuclear power reactors, the Yomiuri newspaper said on Saturday."
Power-saving to be requested for wide areas of Japan this summer
"The government is considering asking companies and households in wide areas of central and western Japan to cut electricity use by around 5 percent of the maximum demand recorded during the very hot summer of 2010, sources close to the issue said Saturday."
TEPCO to offer billing system to curb summer power use
"Facing criticism over its planned price hikes, Tokyo Electric Power Co. will offer consumers a 'peak shift plan,' which charges more for power during afternoon hours but reduces the rates at night."
Panel Approves Report That Expects 18.7% Power Shortfall In Kansai This Summer
"A panel set up by the Japanese government approved Saturday a report that predicts an up to 18.7% power shortfall this summer in the important manufacturing region around Osaka area."
Economic growth through debt expansion. We already know how this will end. And it won't be pretty. -- RF
Figures expose mounting crisis in care for elderly
"Britain's crisis over caring for the elderly is mounting because of a combination of rising costs and falling house prices, new research reveals."

## US ##
Chicago police prepare for NATO Summit with riot gear and sound cannon
Chesapeake wins breathing space with $3 billion loan
"Chesapeake Energy Corp said it had received a $3 billion loan from Goldman Sachs and Jeffries Group that will give it breathing room to sell assets and close a funding gap this year."
West Virginia coal-to-gasoline project lining up coal reserves
"TransGas Development Systems' planned coal-to-gasoline facility in Mingo County, West Virginia, is in the process of acquiring coal reserves to supply the plant, according to a project manager."
Domestic drones could be hijacked or jammed, pilots and manufacturers warn

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology

News Links, May 12, 2012

Rice Farmer - Sun, 2012-05-13 00:11
## Global Ponzi meltdown/House of Cards ##
Euro Economy to Shrink as Spain, Italy Re-Enter Recession
Container shipping firm sinks deeper into the red
"Container shipping firm Neptune Orient Lines (NOL) has posted yet another quarter of losses, as its new cost-cutting regime fails to stem the bleeding caused by high fuel costs and low freight rates."
AMR, creditors will explore merger option: source
"AMR Corp, the bankrupt parent of American Airlines, will consider merger options with rivals, including US Airways Group Inc, a deal AMR has long resisted, a source familiar with the matter said on Friday."

## Fault lines/flashpoints/powder kegs/military/war drums ##
The Energy Wars Heat Up (Michael T. Klare)
"From the Atlantic to the Pacific, Argentina to the Philippines, here are the six areas of conflict -- all tied to energy supplies -- that have made news in just the first few months of 2012."
Ship guards trigger clashes with pirates
"The growing use of armed guards on merchant ships plying the piracy-plagued waters of the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean has spawned increasingly violent encounters with Somali marauders, maritime security experts say."
Power struggle in Angola amid new oil boom
"Angola, Africa's second-largest oil producer, is locked in a power struggle over who'll succeed longtime strongman Jose Eduardo dos Santos amid signs offshore exploration will open up giant fields like those found by Brazil across the Atlantic."
South American Defense Spending Doubles in 5 Years: Report

## Global unrest/mob rule/angry people/torches and pitchforks ##
Energy Crisis: Power protesters go on rampage (Pakistan)
"Thousands of protesters took out rallies, staged sit-ins, ransacked offices and residences of lawmakers and politicians, attacked WAPDA installations, damaged vehicles and clashed with police, resulting in several injuries in different parts of the province."
Polish workers "chain in" lawmakers over pensions
"Hundreds of Polish trade union members protesting against plans to raise the retirement age chained together barriers meant to keep them out of parliament on Friday, locking lawmakers in for more than an hour."
Warnings of civil unrest in Venezuela (Financial Times)
"Politicians across the spectrum in Venezuela are trading dire predictions of impending violence in the vacuum left by uncertainty about the health of President Hugo Chávez."
Iran eyes electricity export market
"The Iranian Energy Ministry said it expects to secure export contracts for electricity with the Syrian and Lebanese governments in the near future."
India finds oil drilling off Vietnam a losing proposition
"India is likely to withdraw from an oil block in the South China Sea after hydrocarbons did now show up in an exploratory well, said government sources. Officials here have conveyed to Vietnam plans to terminate operations on commercial considerations, said the sources who knew about the talks."

## Infrastructure scavenging ##
If It's Made of Metal, Thieves Aren't Picky

## Got food? ##
Super Weeds No Easy Fix For US Agriculture-Experts
"A fast-spreading plague of 'super weeds' taking over U.S. farmland will not be stopped easily, and farmers and government officials need to change existing practices if food production is to be protected, industry experts said on Thursday."

## Intelligence/security/internet/systemic breakdown ##
Students made to carry 'Orwellian' locater tags (UK)
"College staff and students have been issued with compulsory electronic badges that are capable of tracking their movements, leading to criticism of 'Orwellian' tactics."
Fear we are returning to a time in history where it is a common occurrence to fight for one's life?
TEPCO officially applies to gov't to hike household electricity rates
"Tokyo Electric Power Co (TEPCO) on Friday officially applied to the government to hike household electricity rates by about 10% in July."
Many companies refusing to pay higher TEPCO rates
"About 30 percent of Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s corporate customers have been refusing to renew their contracts since electricity rates were hiked in April, sources close to the utility said."
Unexpected? -- RF
Well, there's the debt-driven infinite-growth economy for you. -- RF

And finally…

Categories: Economy, Energy, Politics, Resources, Technology
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