A communications database may be started to keep track of everyone’s calls, emails, texts and internet use in The UK. My take? They are most likely already doing this and may just want to legitimize it and farm it out to a private companyEmail and Phones to be tracked
The American political consensus on Israel
Great article in Salon.com by Glen Greenwald. “Opinions about the Israeli-Palestinian dispute are so entrenched that any single outbreak of violence is automatically evaluated through a pre-existing lens, shaped by one’s typically immovable beliefs about which side bears most of the blame for the conflict generally or “who started it.” Still, any minimally decent human being — even those who view the world through the most blindingly pro-Israeli lens possible, the ones who justify anything and everything Israel does, and who discuss these events with a bottomless emphasis on the primitive (though dangerous) rockets lobbed by Hamas into Southern Israel but without even mentioning the ongoing four-decades brutal occupation or the recent, grotesquely inhumane blockade of Gaza — would find the slaughter of scores of innocent Palestinians to be a horrible and deeply lamentable event.”The American political consensus on Israel
If Americans knew
Did you know that 123 Israeli children have been killed by Palestinians and 1,050 Palestinian children have been killed by Israelis since September 29, 2000? And did you know that 1,062 Israelis and at least 4,876 Palestinians have been killed since September 29, 2000? And that During Fiscal Year 2007, the U.S. gave more than $6.8 million per day to Israel and $0.3 million per day to the Palestinians?
Go here to find out what everyone should know… If Americans Knew
US House Prices Fall almost 20%
House prices have fallen almost 20%, the fastest rate on record, in 20 US cities. “Frankly, we’re in the midst of a downward spiral and the momentum is building,” Chief Executive Officer Stuart Miller said on a conference call with analysts. House prices fall
US Bank Robberies up 50% in some cities
Some cities such as Los Angeles have reported a 50% increase in bank robberies in 2008, All other cities have seen sharp increase as well, and the economy is the likely reason according to Bank Of America analysts. I suspect that you will see those numbers double or worse in 2009. Bank Robberies Up
Cost of shipping dry materials down a whopping 93%!
The Baltic Dry Index is the daily average price to ship raw materials and it represents the cost paid by an end user to have a shipping company transport raw materials across seas on the Baltic Exchange, the global marketplace for brokering shipping contracts. And its down 93% since this past summer. What do you think that means? Watch this video… BDI Falls 93%
Almost 50% of homeowners fear losing their homes
Almost half of middle class homeowners fear that they could lose their homes next year because they are struggling to pay their mortgages, research seen by The Daily Telegraph shows. owners fear losing their homes
Japan’s Stock Market finished its worst year in its history
Japan’s stock market finished its worst year in history today after the world’s second-largest economy was buffeted by the global financial crisis, a deepening recession and a soaring currency. Japan\'s Market crash
Who is right in I/P conflict?
I couldn’t agree more with this great diary by Stephen Daugherty over at TheDailyKos : “Israel’s strategy is the geopolitical equivalent of putting a lid on a boiling pot and turning it up. It make keep your stove clean for the time being, but it definitely won’t cool the situation down, and sooner or later, you’ll get burned. Palestine, the Arab world, and Hamas’s strategy is the equivalent of seeing a hornet’s nest and justifying hitting it with a stick on the basis of the last stings you got from doing the same thing. The logic on both sides is questionable, and dependent on the idiocy of the other side to continue”.Forget the Horse Shit
73,000 US stores to close in the first half of 2009
U.S. retailers face a wave of store closings, bankruptcies and takeovers starting next month as holiday sales are shaping up to be the worst in 40 years. Up to 73,000 stores in the first half of 2009, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers and Talbots Inc. and Sears Holdings Corp. are among the chains shuttering that will be shuttering. Again I think these are really conservative numbers, and things could be twice as bad. Holiday Sales Drop to Force Bankruptcies, Closings
Is it a “Crisis” or is a scam?
Economist Dean Baker explains the situation in simple terms: The media “are blaming the economic collapse on a ‘credit crunch’ instead of the more obvious problem that consumers just lost $6 trillion of housing wealth and another $8 trillion of stock wealth.” Was the \'Credit Crunch\' a Myth Used to Sell a Trillion-Dollar Scam?
List of banks that are in trouble
A list the bankers don’t want you to see: a list of banks that may fail. Go here…Failing Banks
Over 300 Palestinians dead. One Israeli dead.
War is Hell as they say. Its also a game played by liars, thieves and fools. Hama’s rockets have killed 20 Israelis in 8 years. Israeli rockets have killed 300 in 2 days. If you agree that in most if not all circumstances that murder is wrong, then who would be more of the “bad guy” here? Robert Fisk weighs in with his opinion tonight here….Leaders lie, civilians die, and lessons of history are ignored
660.000 jobs to be slashed in England
According to forecasts published today, more than 660,000 additional jobs will be axed in England in the coming 12 months, making 2009 the worst year for job losses in over two decades. I believe that things may be much worse, maybe double that and maybe in the next 6 months. Look for the cuts to start happening in the retail sector in the next few days. Yes, Woolworths was only the beginning…British jobs expected to disappear in downturn
Thoughts on Israel and Gaza
The attacks by Israel against Gaza continue today and over 300 and counting are dead. Some in the mainstream news, at least when it comes to the internet (CNN, BBC, FOX) have gone from their typical bias (we all know what that is) to having to come clean on the situation, after all those images going around are sure hard to ignore. And in the blogsphere as well, on sites which usually must be “careful” about certain topics, some Jews and Israel supporters are coming out against the attacks in Gaza. Even some of the big papers in Israel have come out against the attacks. So the war as far as the media is concerned has already been lost, and with Israel being the loser. But one thing that is certain is that this new war in/on Gaza will be bad for everyone: Jews, Palestinians, and everyone else. And especially any innocent victims in Gaza.
Post Christmas sales a bust
Well, at least in the states, the post Christmas sales are just more Christmas blues for retailers. Shoppers are saying no to even 70% off. One reason I think shoppers may not be that excited is that retailers already went as low as they could go before Christmas. More here :Post-Christmas Sales May Not Help Retailers Salvage Holidays Email | Print | A A A
10 things that won’t survive the Recession
Over at InfoWorld, some predictions that mirror my own as far as what awaits The USA next year: Many if not most shopping malls, book stores, CD and Video stores GONE. 1/2 or more of all Silicon Vally companies GONE. And much more,..check it out10 things that won\'t survive
Trouble in Paradise
Yesterdays strike in Gaza IS bad for everyone. DailyKos.com has some good post on the news that says it better than I ever could. Check it out. Doomed, you say? Maybe so. But let\’s give it a shot Then there is The Israeli and Palestinian Conflict: Who is the real terrorist? AND THIS Israel\’s ongoing war
Real Estate agents in BIG trouble…and next to be bailed out?
Over 32,000 housing agents have lost their jobs in the UK. Housing market crash While in the USA the Commercial Real Estate Industry is asking the Goverment for a bailout. CNSNews.com Commercial Real Estate Industry Asks Treasury for Govt. Bailout
1/3 of banks in the USA to fail
CNBC reports that1/3 of Banks Will Disappear Next Year
because most don’t have enough money to survive into 2009, but that mergers will keep most of their brands alive. 1/3 of Banks to Fail
Many retaliers will fall soon.
I predict that in the US you will begin to see many major retailers and chains close for good within the next few weeks, if not the next few days. The same for Europe, although England will be hit the worst. Expect 20 to 35% of the mom and pop establishments the shut their doors as well. With 50 to 90% price BEFORE Christmas and and traffic in the stores down at least 20 or more percent, trouble is brewing. Visits to U.S. Retailers Fell 24% on Weekend Before Christmas
Shoplifting on the Rise
I have seen this personally at the supermarkets and shops here. It seems like almost every time I am shopping I see someone get caught, or someone stealing. And it seems like the theft of item such as food, baby supplies etc are on the increase as the economy stumbles. Shoplifting on the rise as economy stumbles
The Dominoes Are Falling
Over at the Telegraph UK, one of the only voices of reason in The MSM regarding the crisis has written a must read. The recent and growing civil unrest in Russia, China, Greece and the rest of Europe may be spreading sooner than you think.Protectionist dominoes are beginning to tumble across the world
Screwing the working man and the poor
In England , Gorden Brown wants to charge a whopping 27% interest ON LOANS TO THE POOR, while homeowners who have NEVER MISSED A PAYMENT on their mortgage can have their home taken away. Labour MP\’s revolt RBS case highlights repossession threat even when mortgage repayments have been paid
25% Rise in Unemployment?
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, based in Paris, predicts a 25% rise in unemployment globally. That would mean a total of 210 million by the end of 2009. Just remember kids, these are just the “official numbers”. The real numbers may be double that or even more. OECD warns 25% Rise
Top 25 Censored stories of 2008
This years list from Project Censored include “Bush Profiteers Collect Billions From No Child Left Behind” and much much more stuff that the MSM won’t touch but that truly matter….Project Censored
Maddoff Invester kills himself in NYC
Thierry de la Villehuchet, an investment banker in France who put 1.4 billion in a Madoff scheme was found dead today in NYC of an apparent suicide. Liliane Bettencourt, the world’s richest woman and the 86-year-old daughter of L’Oreal founder Eugene Schueller are both to have invested through Mr. Villehuchet. Madoff investor found dead
Now for some fun. Get out your aggresion on those pesky crminals otherwise known as AIG executives…
Nice Flash browser fun. Try to get rid of the evil bankers before they “blow” all the money…AIG EXEC Catcher
Homeless Surge warning
In my city I have noticed a steady increase in the homeless.
They seem to be everywhere, in all the barrios. News reports from all parts of the USA the last few months have announced a major and worrying increase in “new homeless” with many of them being family’s. And the BBC reports today of a “surge” warning. Warning of Homeless Rise
10 Retail Chains to close after Christmas?
More than 10 national or regional retail chains in England risk going bust next month, insolvency experts warn. I believe though that within the next 3 months we will see the closure of 1/3 of all retail shops10 Chains face closure
Cheap Gas goes up in flames…
Putin has announced that the era of cheap gas is over. This plus a new possible petrol “cartel” and upcoming problems between Russia and the Ukraine spell bad news indeed. Putin Says…
No wonder people throw their shoes at Bush.
Its seems that a Bush insider who planned to to tell all has been killed in a plane crash. Or did he just get Roved over? Bush Insider who planned to tell all killed
the IMF warns of doom and gloom…and The US ARMY too
The head of the IMF warned last week of violent unrest if The Govments don’t get their shit together. IMF Chief warns The US ARMY also warns of massive unrest and more. Are you listening? Doomsday: U.S. report warns of \'strategic shock\' leading to massive unrest
Riots in Greece: Photos and comments
Boston.com has a great page of powerful photos. Below the photos and some interesting comments on the Riots, many from people in Greece….2008 Greece Riots
Bankers killing themselves.
Another direct death due to the crisis. This time a banker in England was found hanged in a room at a 5 star hotel. In the last 6 months there have been others who apparently couldn’t handle the stress. In the next few months I think we will see much more of this. Top banker found hanged in hotel room
Got Money? The Banks do. And its your money.
The bailout money that was given to the banks in America. The money that is coming from the taxpayers. Well don’t ask where that money is. The banks won’t say…Where\'d the bailout money go? Shhhh, it\'s a secret
Want to keep up on The Crisis…???
Then read this blog. Now. I discovered via DailyKos a while back. Its a daily must read. Its about whats really happening with our economy. It is Informative and well written. Go there now. The Automatic Earth
Who says George Bush was not good for the Economy?
It seems that the company that makes the shoes that were used as projectiles against Mr.Bush are in big big demand. In fact its created 100 new jobs. Lets hope those workers are paid very well. Stampede for \’Bush shoe\’ creates 100 new jobs
Are you ready for “Greek Syndrome” ?
If the Greeks sneeze, will the rest of Europe catch a cold? While the unrest has been spreading to a small degree in Spain, France and Sweden we have yet to see the widespread anger that has struck in Greece. But with things about to get more than just a little bad around here economically…… \'Greek Syndrome\' is catching as youth take to streets
Total Meltdown?
How bad will it get? As bad as 1929? As bad as a “Total Meltdown? The leader of one the biggest banks in Spain joins a chorus of those in the know who think so….World faces \"total\" financial meltdown: Bank of Spain chief
