Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Bloomberg.com | Gold Futures Advance on Inflation-Hedge Demand; Silver Gains
Sept. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Gold rose, closing above $1,000 an ounce for the third straight session, as commodities climbed on demand for a hedge against inflation. Silver also gained.
Spaceweather.com | SOHO is monitoring an enormous prominence on the sun's southeastern limb
SOLAR ACTIVITY: Today, the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) is monitoring an enormous prominence on the sun's southeastern limb. Behold three hours of fiery action:
The prominence has been growing for more than a day. As it towers higher and higher above the surface of the sun, the odds increase that it will erupt and come crashing down--a must-see. Readers, if you have a solar telescope, train your optics on the sun's southeastern limb.
more images: from J. Macieszek and J. Stetson of South Portland, Maine
Science Centric | Scientists complete first global geological map of Jupiter's moon Ganymede
Larger than both planet Mercury and dwarf planet Pluto, it's also the only satellite in the solar system known to have its own magnetosphere. ...
Clif High - HalfPastHuman.com | Current Issue: Volume Zero, Issue Two is now available for $10 - September 15, 2009
The Shape of Things to Come (2010) - Issue Two
The Shape of Things to Come is available. Or by sending a check for 10 US dollars to the address below and INCLUDING your email address for delivery.
Current Issue: Volume Zero, Issue Two is now available. It runs over 40/forty pages in PDF format. This is delivered in ELECTRONIC form ONLY. NO HARD COPIES are shipped by us. If you can not accept electronic delivery, this report is not for you.
It may be printed from the PDF but not copied. This issue covers from August 22,2009 through to November, 2010 in some depth with continuation of some themes though into 2011 and beyond.
Reader Beware: Very very grim material indeed. NOT necessarily life enhancing.
Published: September 15, 2009
Thunderbolts.info | The Electric Universe Versus The Big Bang
The big bang was not "discovered" but contrived by mathematicians following the proposal of a Belgian Roman Catholic priest and astronomer, George Lemaitre, for the origin of the universe from a "primeval atom" or "Cosmic Egg exploding at the moment of the creation." The theory defies physics principles and is unrealistic, needing most of the matter in the universe to be invisible (not even dark) and a mysterious 'dark' energy.
Cave's Headlines | September 15, 2009
AirForceTimes.com | Combat vets having tough time in job market
The number of out-of-work but job-seeking Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is at 185,000 — just 9,000 fewer than the number of troops deployed to those two combat operations, said Justin Brown of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
The number of out-of-work but job-seeking Iraq and Afghanistan veterans is at 185,000 — just 9,000 fewer than the number of troops deployed to those two combat operations, said Justin Brown of Veterans of Foreign Wars.
KCRA.com | Sacramento, California Mayor Johnson said today there is no county money available for winter homeless shelters this year.
Sacramento's tent city -- a former homeless encampment at the north edge of downtown -- drew worldwide attention after journalist Lisa Ling profiled it on ...
Breaking News and Commentary from Citizens For Legitimate Government | 15 Sep 2009
Breaking: House passes resolution of disapproval --The House passed a resolution chastising Rep. Wilson, by a vote of 240 to 179. 15 Sep 2009 House Democrats dealt South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson a formal rebuke Wednesday, taking the rare step of passing a resolution of disapproval for his "you lie!" outburst last week in the House chamber. The vote was 240-179, falling almost exclusively along party lines.
Has Osama Bin Laden been dead for seven years - and are the U.S. and Britain covering it up to continue war on terror? --'In the video, Bin Laden can be seen writing a note with his right hand, although he is left-handed.' 11 Sep 2009 This new offensive is, of course, based on the premise that the 9/11 terrorist is alive. After all, there are the plethora of 'Bin Laden tapes' to prove it. Yet what if he isn't? What if he has been dead for years, and the British and U.S. intelligence services are actually playing a game of double bluff? What if everything we have seen or heard of him on video and audio tapes since the early days after 9/11 is a fake - and that he is being kept 'alive' by the Western allies to stir up support for the war on [of] terror?
'Hundreds of FBI agents are on the ground in Colorado, conducting round-the-clock surveillance on five suspects' Queens terror raids part of FBI probe into Denver-based cell plotting attack on 9/11 scale 15 Sep 2009 The massive FBI probe that triggered raids in Queens is focused on a Denver-based terror cell plotting another attack on the scale of 9/11, the Daily News learned Tuesday. Hundreds of FBI agents are on the ground in Colorado, conducting round-the-clock surveillance on five suspects - including a man who recently visited Queens, sources told The News. New York authorities searched three Flushing apartments and detained several men - later released - after getting a warrant to look for bomb-making components, explosive powders and fuses. "The FBI is seriously spooked about these guys planning another 9/11," a former senior counterterrorism official told the News. "This is not some ... FBI informant-driven case. This is the real thing."
FBI Warns Police Depts After NYC Anti-Terror Raid --FBI, Homeland Security warning lists indicators that could tip off police to homemade explosives, such as foul odors coming from a room or multiple window fans 15 Sep 2009 Counterterrorism officials are warning police departments around the country to be on the lookout for evidence of homemade bombs following raids on several New York City apartments in a hunt for explosives and possible links to al-Qaida operatives. Investigators issued warrants to search the residences early Monday for explosives material but did not find any, according to a person briefed on the matter who was not authorized to discuss the case and requested anonymity. The joint FBI and Homeland Security intelligence warning, issued Monday, lists indicators that could tip off police to homemade hydrogen peroxide-based explosives, such as people with burn marks on their hands, face or arms; foul odors coming from a room or building; and large industrial fans or multiple window fans. The warning, obtained by The Associated Press, also said that these homemade explosive materials can be hidden in backpacks, suitcases or plastic containers.
Police states we can believe in: 'Preventive' terror raid targets NYC apartments 15 Sep 2009 The investigation of a suspected 'al-Qaida' associate prompted the "preventive" raid of three New York City apartments -- but authorities said the target of any terror attack plan remained unclear. The searches early Monday came after the man, who was under surveillance for possible links to the terrorism network, visited New York City over the weekend and then left the area, said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. Sen. Charles Schumer said the law enforcement action was unrelated to President Barack Obama's visit to the city Monday. "There was nothing imminent, and they are very good now at tracking potentially dangerous actions, and this was preventive," said Schumer, D-N.Y.
FBI, NYPD Hunting For Al-Qaida In NYC --Feds looking through Queens neighborhoods for powders, gels, TNT and fuses 15 Sep 2009 Federal agents walked out of homes with bags and boxes of evidence after raiding several locations on Monday. "Full body armor, bulletproof vests ... two of them are holding machine guns," witness George Pollakis said. A swarm of FBI agents and NYPD detectives, part of the joint terrorist task force, carted away bags and boxes of material. A federal search warrant mentioning bomb-making components such as powder, gel, TNT, and nitroglycerin were among the items to be seized. Those who were there said the operation was a blitzkrieg at about 2 a.m. Monday at an address on 41st Avenue near 144th Street. [Click here for further updates.]
'When he arrived home from work afterward, he was told that one of his roommates had been hauled away.' 3 New York residences raided in terrorism probe 14 Sep 2009 FBI agents and police raided three apartments in New York City before dawn Monday during an investigation of a man suspected of being 'an al-Qaida' associate... New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne confirmed that searches were conducted in the borough of Queens by agents of a joint terrorism task force. Residents on Monday described officers armed with search warrants swarming their immigrant neighborhood at about 2:30 a.m. One, Afghanistan native Akbari Amanullah, said when he arrived home from work afterward, he was told that one of his roommates had been hauled away.
Panel to recommend keeping some color-coded terror alerts 15 Sep 2009 After a 60-day review of the nation's terror-alert system, a special task force is expected to recommend that the Obama administration keep color-coded alerts, but reduce the number of colors -- or levels of risk. There are currently five colors in the coded terrorism advisories. A bipartisan task force is expected to recommend reducing that to three colors, an official familiar with the review told The Associated Press.
City council delays giving police new powers for G-20 15 Sep 2009 Pittsburgh City Council balked at giving final approval today to legislation that could give police new powers in advance of anticipated G-20 Summit protests, putting the matter off until tomorrow. Council members said they have not gotten clear responses from Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration to concerns they've had with the proposed ordinance allowing police to cite people for having an array of items if they detect intent to defy a crowd dispersal order.
Blackwater Recruiting Agents Fluent In Urdu and Punjabi For Pakistan --Report Suggests Pakistani Envoy In Washington Has Issued 360 Visas to Americans In One Month Without Consulting Islamabad By AHMED QURAISHI 15 Sep 2009 Blackwater USA is looking for mercenaries fluent in Urdu, Pakistan's national language, and Punjabi, the language spoken by natives of Pakistan's largest populated province. The US military already deploys officers and commando units manned by people fluent in Pashto, spoken in most of western Pakistan and southern Afghanistan... A petition has been submitted to the Supreme Court of Pakistan today requesting that the government of Pakistan be ordered to explain why the US embassy in Islamabad is building a fortified embassy the size of an international airport, spread over 52 to 54 acres. The petitioner, who is a private Pakistani citizen, has accused the United States of constructing a military base in the heart of the Pakistani capital in the guise of an embassy.
Embassy guard photos evoke Abu Ghraib comparison 14 Sep 2009 A member of a federal commission investigating wartime spending said Monday that photos showing private security guards in various stages of nudity at drunken parties may be as damaging to U.S. interests in Afghanistan as images of detainee mistreatment at Abu Ghraib were in Iraq. Dov Zakheim, a former Pentagon comptroller, made the comment at a hearing Monday held by the Commission on Wartime Contracting on allegations of lewd behavior and sexual misconduct by employees of ArmorGroup North America, the company hired to protect the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.
Pittsburgh soldier suing KBR Inc. over Iraq toxin 14 Sep 2009 A retired Pittsburgh soldier has joined dozens of others nationwide in suing a contractor for exposure to a dangerous chemical while he guarded a water treatment plant in Iraq. Glen Bootay's federal lawsuit was filed Friday against KBR Inc., the same firm that has also been sued for allegedly faulty systems that led 18 soldiers to be electrocuted in barracks during the Iraq war.
KBR Australian unit wins $2.3 billion contract from Chevron 14 Sep 2009 A unit of KBR Inc. has been awarded a $2.3 billion engineering, procurement and construction management contract by Chevron Australia Pty Ltd. Kellogg Joint Venture Group will manage the liquefied natural gas downstream and logistics portion of the Chevron-operated Gorgon LNG Project. The project plans to develop the Greater Gorgon gas fields, located off the northwest coast of Western Australia.
Freed Iraq shoe-thrower claims "tortured" in custody 15 Sep 2009 The released Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former U.S. President [sic] George W. Bush said Tuesday he was tortured during the first days of being in custody. "I have been tortured by electric shocks, beatings and whipped by cords," Muntadhar al-Zaidi, who was freed earlier in the day after nine months of imprisonment, told in the news conference at the TV station where he works in Baghdad's northern neighborhood of Waziryah.
Biden welcomed by mortars shells in Baghdad 15 Sep 2009 Iraq's heavily fortified Green Zone has come under fire the same day US Vice President Joe Biden visited Baghdad, an Iraqi security official says. At least four mortar shells landed about 100 meters (yards) from the US embassy as Biden paid a surprise visit to the city on Tuesday, AFP reported.
Mortar attack during Vice-President Biden's green zone visit 16 Sep 2009 Four mortar shells exploded in Baghdad’s heavily secured green zone yesterday as Vice-President Biden arrived in Iraq to discuss the withdrawal of American forces. Iraqi police said that two of the mortar rounds, which were fired from the east bank of the River Tigris, landed near the US Embassy’s compound. Two civilians were killed and five wounded.
'One does not cooperate with a kangaroo court.' Israel and Hamas 'war crimes' in Gaza 15 Sep 2009 A UN investigation said "actions amounting to war crimes, and possibly in some respects, crimes against humanity" were committed by Israel in January, while the firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas meant it was also responsible for crimes. There is now a possibility that the allegations could be referred to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. Israeli government spokesman, Mark Regev, told Channel 4 news that Israel has conducted a "whole series of independent investigations" which are continuing, but said "this report was born in sin and is the product, unfortunately, of an unholy union between propaganda and between untruth". When asked why Israel had not participated in the inquiry, he said: "One does not cooperate with a kangaroo court."
Iran talks must address nuclear issue, US insists 15 Sep 2009 After Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cast doubts on talks over the country's nuclear case during negotiations with the West, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton moves to stress that the nuclear issue "cannot be ignored." Ahead of much-anticipated talks with major world powers, President Ahmadinejad urged the West on Sunday to make changes in their approach toward the Iranian nuclear case.
US 'may need more Afghan troops' 15 Sep 2009 The US may require more troops in Afghanistan despite almost doubling the size of its force there this year, its top military officer has said. Adm Mike Mullen told the Senate Armed Services Committee "a properly resourced counterinsurgency probably means more forces". He said that he did not know how many more troops were likely be requested.
Musharraf exit brokered by 'foreign powers' 15 Sep 2009 Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has revealed that his predecessor Pervez Musharraf was given a "safe exit" due to a secret deal in place with foreign powers. International and local powers were guarantors in Musharraf's resignation, Zardari said at an informal dinner meeting with journalists.
US becomes a member of UN Human Rights Council 15 Sep 2009 The United States for the first time has joined the UN Human Rights Council as a full-fledged member. After years of scathing criticism by the Bush regime, the UN Human Rights Council has welcomed US participation. The Bush Administration refused to join as an active member, claiming the panel was overly influenced by countries with their own serious human-rights issues.
U.S. approves H1N1 vaccine, says enough for everyone [No thanks.] 15 Sep 2009 U.S. health officials approved [squalene-laden, mercury-filled, Polysorbate 80-laced] vaccines from four drugmakers to help 'prevent' the H1N1 swine flu, ensuring there will be enough to inoculate Americans who want the protection, U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius told lawmakers on Tuesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared vaccines from Sanofi-Aventis SA, CSL Ltd, Medimmune and Novartis AG for the H1N1 strain of influenza, she said. "There will be vaccines for everyone," Sebelius said at a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. [See & sign: Petition against mandatory vaccines.]
BioCryst Inks Flu-Deals In Four Countries; Shares Up 15 Sep 2009 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals Inc. has signed letters of intent with three partners who will exclusively represent the company in selling its peramivir influenza treatment in four countries. The news sent shares up 9.2% premarket to $11.72. The flu-drug developer's stock through the close Monday had already surged nearly eightfold this year as investors have been flcoking to flu-drug makers amid fears about H1N1.
Wells Fargo fires executive who partied at repossessed Malibu mansion --US bank sacks vice president for misuse of $12m California beach house lost by victims of the Bernard Madoff fraud 15 Sep 2009 For an executive at the US bank Wells Fargo, a repossessed $12m beach house in southern California proved just too tempting. The financial institution has fired a top loans officer for using a luxurious Malibu property for a series of family getaways, culminating in a summer party at which guests arrived by yacht.
Previous lead stories: DHS Announces New Information-Sharing Tool to Help Fusion Centers Combat Terrorism --Select fusion center personnel with a federal security clearance will be able to access specific terrorism-related information resident on the DoD Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet). 14 Sep 2009 The Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD) today announced an initiative to grant select state and major urban area fusion center personnel access to classified terrorism-related information residing in DoD's classified network. Under this initiative, select fusion center personnel with a federal security clearance will be able to access specific terrorism-related information resident on the DoD Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNet)--a secure network used to send classified data. This classified data will be accessed via DHS' Homeland Security Data Network (HSDN)... This joint initiative will promote collaboration between DHS, DoD and other federal departments and agencies, enabling the trusted and secure exchange of terrorism-related information in order to detect, deter, prevent and respond to homeland security threats. [For more on Fusion Centers, see: Virginia Terrorism Threat Assessment: Universities Possible Terror Portals --2009 Virginia Terrorism Threat Assessment.]
Homeland Security tells businesses to quarantine sick workers 14 Sep 2009 A new federal guide for businesses on the H1N1 flu tells employers to quarantine sick workers and have them wear surgical masks. The guide was released Monday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "If an employee does become sick while at work, place the employee in a separate room or area until they can go home, away from other workers," the federal H1N1 guidebook says.
Prosecutors: Blackwater Guards Opened Fire to 'Instigate Gun Battles' 14 Sep 2009 Private security guards Terrorists who worked for Blackwater repeatedly shot wildly into the streets of Baghdad without regard for civilians long before they were involved in a 2007 shooting episode that left at least 14 Iraqis dead, federal prosecutors charge in a new court document. While traveling through Baghdad in heavily armored vehicles, at least one of the guards, under contract with the State Department to provide security for United States Embassy personnel, fired an automatic weapon "without aiming" while another deliberately fired into the streets to "instigate gun battles in a manner that was inconsistent with the use of force and escalation of force policies that governed all Blackwater personnel in Iraq," the federal prosecutors stated. [Looks like CLG was right all along for stating that Blackwater/Xe carries out acts of terrorism so that they are 'needed' to stop attacks that they are blaming on so-called insurgents. --LRP]
EarthObservatory.NASA.gov | Images - September 15, 2009
* Super Typhoon Choi-Wan
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40186&src=eoa-iotd
* Fires and Smoke in Borneo
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40182&src=eoa-iotd
* Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), Northern Israel
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40147&src=eoa-iotd
* Glaciers Flow into a Greenland Valley
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40169&src=eoa-iotd
* Space Debris
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40173&src=eoa-iotd
* Heavy Rain in Istanbul
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40152&src=eoa-iotd
* Deforestation in Malaysian Borneo
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40139&src=eoa-iotd
* Fires in Los Angeles County
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40118&src=eoa-iotd
* A Tour of the Cryosphere, Take Two
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40164&src=eoa-nnews
* New NASA Image Shows Extent of Station Fire Burn
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40165&src=eoa-nnews
* Pollution from California Wildfires Spreads Across the United States
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40166&src=eoa-nnews
* North by Northwest – S'COOL on First Leg of Ocean Passage
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40167&src=eoa-nnews
* Spacecraft Talk Continued During JPL Wildfire Threat
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40168&src=eoa-nnews
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40186&src=eoa-iotd
* Fires and Smoke in Borneo
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40182&src=eoa-iotd
* Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee), Northern Israel
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40147&src=eoa-iotd
* Glaciers Flow into a Greenland Valley
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40169&src=eoa-iotd
* Space Debris
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40173&src=eoa-iotd
* Heavy Rain in Istanbul
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40152&src=eoa-iotd
* Deforestation in Malaysian Borneo
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40139&src=eoa-iotd
* Fires in Los Angeles County
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=40118&src=eoa-iotd
* A Tour of the Cryosphere, Take Two
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40164&src=eoa-nnews
* New NASA Image Shows Extent of Station Fire Burn
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40165&src=eoa-nnews
* Pollution from California Wildfires Spreads Across the United States
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40166&src=eoa-nnews
* North by Northwest – S'COOL on First Leg of Ocean Passage
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40167&src=eoa-nnews
* Spacecraft Talk Continued During JPL Wildfire Threat
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/view.php?id=40168&src=eoa-nnews
Herbert to meet with nuke waste deal opponent - over proposal by nuclear waste company to split revenue with state if allowed to import foreign waste
Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA
... long been opposed to any efforts by EnergySolutions to expand its operation in Clive, Tooele County, including its efforts to store depleted uranium. ...
... long been opposed to any efforts by EnergySolutions to expand its operation in Clive, Tooele County, including its efforts to store depleted uranium. ...
MarketOracle.co.uk | U.S. Dollar Entering Free Fall Crash Territory
Our way of life, often based on consuming far beyond our means, is being flat-out rejected.
I can’t even exchange a $100 bill on the street here anymore: Most of the street money changers will take euros, Singapore dollars, even Chinese yuan. But fearful of losing their shirt with sinking exchange rates, they don’t want U.S. dollars.
Not long ago, I never traveled without my American Express card. Now, it sits in my office safe. Many in Asia no longer accept the card anymore. MasterCard and Visa are still OK, but they’re also losing market share to locally grown cards like Aeon.
The running joke in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur is that the U.S. is the place where even your pet could get a credit card or a home mortgage.
StanDeyo.com | Today's Headlines - September 15, 2009
NaturalNews.com | Today's Featured Stories - September 15, 2009
| Patrick Swayze dead at 57 after chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer (NaturalNews) Beloved actor Patrick Swayze died yesterday evening after a 20-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Having put his faith in conventional chemotherapy, he largely dismissed ideas that nutrition, superfoods or "alternative medicine" might... |
| Evidence Mounts: European Conference Highlights Natural Health Strategies to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease (NaturalNews) Natural health advocates have spread the word for decade after decade that heart disease and stroke can almost always be prevented by living a healthy lifestyle of optimum nutrition, exercise, fresh air and sunshine. But these strategies... |
| Chemo Does Not Cure: Often It Inflicts Damage and Spreads Cancer For years now, many of us who advocate natural health and natural approaches to beating cancer have warned against the dangers and the ineffectiveness of chemotherapy. The following report presented at the 27th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer... |
| Get the Right Laboratory Test for Vitamin B12 Deficiency Vitamin B 12 Deficiency is a very common cause of fatigue in certain population groups. While many doctors miss the obvious signs of vitamin B12 deficiency or require a condition called macrocytic anemia to be present first in order to justify... |
| Fatty Foods Boost Memory (NaturalNews) Oleic acids contained in fatty foods may help lead to improved memory, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California-Irvine and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The... |
| The Biggest Killer of the West: Learn the Risk Factors for Heart Disease Heart disease or coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when the arteries which supply the heart with oxygen become hardened. This is also known as the process of atherosclerosis. This can eventually result in complete blockage of a coronary... |
| Skipping Medical Insurance can Improve Your Health While Washington, drug companies, insurance companies, doctors, and many Americans believe not having medical insurance negatively impacts your health, there are actually a number of reasons not having medical insurance can actually... |
| Routine Consumption of Aspirin to Prevent Heart Attacks and Strokes "A Big Lie" (NaturalNews) Taking an aspirin a day appears to increase a person's risk of dangerous gastric bleeding as much as it decreases their risk of heart attack or stroke, researchers have found. "We don't have good evidence that, for healthy people, the... |
Docuticker.com | Daily update of new reports from government agencies, ngo’s, think tanks, and other groups - September 15, 2009
September 15th, 2009
MetroMonitor: Tracking Economic Recession and Recovery in America’s 100 Largest Metropolitan Areas
Source: Brookings Institution
The American economy continued to weaken during the months of April, May, and June 2009, but it was no longer in free fall. Employment remained on a downward path—the nation lost nearly 1.3 million jobs during those three months alone—and by June, the national unemployment rate had reached its highest rate in more than 15 years, at 9.5 percent. But the pace of economic decline also slowed during the second quarter. Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shrank at an annualized rate of 1 percent, far less than the 6.4 percent rate of contraction during the first quarter of the year. And signs began to emerge that the housing market was stabilizing, with sales of both new and existing single-family homes rising throughout the spring.
+ Full Report (PDF; 451 KB)
+ Interactive maps
Employer Health Benefits 2009 Annual Survey
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
From press release:
Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to $13,375 annually for family coverage this year—with employees on average paying $3,515 and employers paying $9,860, according to the benchmark 2009 Employer Health Benefits Survey released today by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET).
Family premiums rose about 5 percent this year, which is much more than general inflation (which fell 0.7 percent during the same period, mostly due to falling energy prices). Workers wages went up 3.1 percent during the same period. Since 1999, premiums have gone up a total of 131 percent, far more rapidly than workers’ wages (up 38 percent since 1999) or inflation (up 28 percent since 1999). For the past few years, the annual rise in premiums has been more moderate than the double-digit growth experienced earlier this decade.
As Congress considers health reforms building on the existing employment-based system, the annual Kaiser/HRET survey provides a detailed picture of private health insurance coverage and costs. Selected findings will also be published today as a Web Exclusive in the journal Health Affairs.
The survey found that 60 percent of firms offer health benefits to any of their workers this year. As in the past, the smaller the firm, the less likely it is to offer health benefits—with fewer than half (46 percent) of the smallest employers (three to nine workers) offering health benefits.
Among those firms offering benefits, 21 percent report they reduced the scope of health benefits or increased cost sharing due to the economic downturn, and 15 percent report they increased the worker’s share of the premium.
How Is the Financial Crisis Affecting Retirement Savings? August 2009, Update
Source: Urban Institute
The stock market lost 56 percent of its value between September 30, 2007, and March 9, 2009. These losses reduced the retirement savings of American households. Recently, however, a good portion of these losses has been reversed. Equities gained 53 percent between March 9, 2009 and August 31, 2009.
Criminal Victimization, 2008
Source: Bureau of Justice Statistics
Presents the annual estimates of rates and levels of personal and property victimization and describes the year-to-year change from 2007 as well as trends for the ten-year period from 1999 through 2008. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) collects information on nonfatal crimes, reported and not reported to the police, against persons age 12 or older from a nationally representative sample of U.S. households. During 2008, 42,093 households and 77,852 individuals were interviewed twice for the NCVS. The report includes data on violent crimes (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault), property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft and property theft), and personal theft (pocket picking and purse snatching), and the characteristics of victims of these crimes. The report also includes estimates of intimate partner violent crime and use of firearms and other weapons in the commission of violent crime overall.
+ Full Report (PDF; 447 KB)
Perspectives from the Boardroom—2009
Source: Harvard Business School Working Papers
Chief executives and regulators have been blamed for the current economic crisis, but in some ways what is surprising is that boards have generally escaped notice. Clearly the experience of corporate boards in the downturn has not been explored. To understand what transpired in the boardrooms of complex companies, and to offer a prescription to improve board effectiveness, eight senior faculty members of the HBS Corporate Governance Initiative talked with 45 prominent directors about what has happened to their companies and why. These directors, who serve on the boards of financial institutions and other complex companies, were asked two broad questions: How well did their boards function before the recession? And, what do they believe should be improved as they look to the future?
This white paper first explains how the interviewees characterize the strengths of their boards, then examines in depth six areas in which they identified shortcomings or needs for improvement: 1) clarifying the board’s role; 2) acquiring better information and deeper knowledge of the company; 3) maintaining a sound relationship with management; 4) providing oversight of company strategy; 5) assuring management development and succession; 6) improving risk management. Finally, the paper discusses two issues that appeared not to trouble the interviewees but that the public feels are important: executive compensation and the relationship between the board and shareholders.
+ Full Paper (PDF; 148 KB)
Evaluation of Traffic Data Obtained via GPS-Enabled Mobile Phones: the Mobile Century Field Experiment
Source: UC Berkeley Center for Future Urban Transport: A Volvo Center of Excellence
The growing need of the driving public for accurate traffic information has spurred the deployment of large scale dedicated monitoring infrastructure systems, which mainly consist in the use of inductive loop detectors and video cameras. On-board electronic devices have been proposed as an alternative traffic sensing infrastructure, as they usually provide a cost-effective way to collect traffic data, leveraging existing communication infrastructure such as the cellular phone network. A traffic monitoring system based on GPS-enabled smartphones exploits the extensive coverage provided by the cellular network, the high accuracy in position and velocity measurements provided by GPS devices, and the existing infrastructure of the communication network. This article presents a field experiment nicknamed Mobile Century, which was conceived as a proof of concept of such a system. Mobile Century included 100 vehicles carrying a GPS-enabled Nokia N95 phone driving loops on a 10-mile stretch of I-880 near Union City, California, for 8 hours. Data were collected using virtual trip lines, which are geographical markers stored in the handset that probabilistically trigger position and speed updates when the handset crosses them. The proposed prototype system provided sufficient data for traffic monitoring purposes while managing the privacy of participants. The data obtained in the experiment were processed in real-time and successfully broadcast on the internet, demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed system for real-time traffic monitoring. Results suggest that a 2-3% penetration of cell phones in the driver population is enough to provide accurate measurements of the velocity of the traffic flow.
+ Full Paper (PDF; 1.1 MB)
Estimated Value of Service Reliability for Electric Utility Customers in the United States
Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Information on the value of reliable electricity service can be used to assess the economic efficiency of investments in generation, transmission and distribution systems, to strategically target investments to customer segments that receive the most benefit from system improvements, and to numerically quantify the risk associated with different operating, planning and investment strategies. This paper summarizes research designed to provide estimates of the value of service reliability for electricity customers in the US. These estimates were obtained by analyzing the results from 28 customer value of service reliability studies conducted by 10 major US electric utilities over the 16 year period from 1989 to 2005. Because these studies used nearly identical interruption cost estimation or willingness-to-pay/accept methods it was possible to integrate their results into a single meta-database describing the value of electric service reliability observed in all of them. Once the datasets from the various studies were combined, a two-part regression model was used to estimate customer damage functions that can be generally applied to calculate customer interruption costs per event by season, time of day, day of week, and geographical regions within the US for industrial, commercial, and residential customers. Estimated interruption costs for different types of customers and of different duration are provided. Finally, additional research and development designed to expand the usefulness of this powerful database and analysis are suggested.
+ Full Paper (PDF; 606 KB)
Medicaid Payments Made for Nonemergency Services Provided to Undocumented Aliens and Legal Aliens Restricted to Emergency Services in Texas (PDF; 1 MB)
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (the State agency) claimed Federal reimbursement for 193 medical claims totaling $262,366 ($160,000 Federal share) and 7,114 prescription drug claims totaling $148,000 ($90,000 Federal share) for services that did not meet the State agency’s definition of emergency care. Additionally, the State agency claimed overpayments totaling at least $37,000 (Federal share) for 350 unallowable family planning services claims at the enhanced Federal medical assistance rate of 90 percent.
Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in High HIV Prevalence Settings: What Can Mathematical Modelling Contribute to Informed Decision Making?
Source: PLoS Medicine
Summary Points
- Mathematical models can estimate the population-level impact of male circumcision on HIV incidence in high HIV prevalence settings, but different methods, assumptions, and input variables can produce conflicting results.
- UNAIDS/WHO/SACEMA recently convened experts to review the outcomes of six simulation models on key policy and programmatic decision-making questions.
- Large benefits of male circumcision among heterosexual men in low male circumcision, high HIV prevalence settings were found: one HIV infection being averted for every five to 15 male circumcisions performed, and costs to avert one HIV infection ranging from US$150 to US$900 using a 10-y time horizon.
- The models predicted that both premature postoperative resumption of sexual intercourse and behavioural risk compensation, if confined to newly or already circumcised men and their partners, have only small population level effects on the anticipated impact of male circumcision service scale-up on HIV incidence.
- Women benefit indirectly from reduced HIV prevalence in circumcised male partners and male circumcision service scale-up acts synergistically with other strategies to reduce HIV disease burden.
- The modelling results have informed development of a pragmatic decision-makers’ programme planning tool.
Update: Influenza Activity — United States, April–August 2009
Source: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
The first 2009 pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus infections were identified in the United States in April 2009. By August, the cumulative number of infections in the United States was estimated to be at least 1 million. This report provides an overview of influenza activity during April–August 2009 and recommendations for the upcoming 2009–10 influenza season. Pandemic H1N1 influenza activity peaked in the United States during May and June and declined during July and early August. However, levels of influenza activity remained above normal for summer months, and focal outbreaks were reported throughout the summer. During the last 2 weeks of August, pandemic H1N1 influenza activity increased in certain areas of the United States. Clinicians and public health officials should be aware that these recent increases might signal an early start to the 2009–10 influenza season, with pandemic H1N1 influenza viruses predominating at least initially.
August 2009 Estimates of Monthly GDP : First Three-month Rise in GDP since May 2008
Source: National Institute of Economic and Social Research (UK)
Our monthly estimates of GDP suggest that output rose by 0.2% three months ending in August after a decline of 0.3% in the three months ending in July. This is the first time our GDP indicator has been higher over a three month average since May of 2008 and re- inforces our view that the recession ended in May of this year. There may well be a period of stagnation now, with output rising in some months and falling in others; the end of the recession should not be confused with a return to normal economic conditions.
+ Direct link to document (PDF; 144.9 KB)
Electric Power Storage (PDF; 628 KB)
Source: Congressional Research Service (via OpenCRS)
Unlike natural gas or fuel oil, electricity cannot be easily stored. However, interest in electric power storage (EPS) has been growing with technological advancements that can make storage a more practical means of integrating renewable power into the electricity grid and achieving other operating benefits.
This report summarizes the technical, regulatory, and policy issues that surround implementation of EPS. Electricity storage is one of several non-traditional technologies and methods of meeting power demand that are of current Congressional interest (others include distributed generation, renewable power, and demand response). EPS and these other alternatives do not fit the traditional power industry paradigm, which involves reliance on large scale central power plants and long distance transmission lines to meet demand. This raises the question of how quickly and effectively the power industry and its regulators will be willing to pursue and deploy new approaches. Electricity storage is also currently a relatively high cost technology, another factor which could delay its deployment.
The report identifies several areas for possible cfongressional oversight, including:
- Power industry and state regulator acceptance of storage technologies.
- Integration of storage into transmission system planning, including integration of renewable power into the electricity grid.
- Federal executive agency focus on EPS as a solution to power system needs.
- The application of incentives for electric power storage development included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA; P.L. 111-5).
The report discusses how the provisions of several pending bills relate to the development of electric power storage, including S. 1091, the Storage Technology of Renewable and Green Energy Act of 2009 (STORAGE Act); H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACES); and S. 1462, the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009 (ACELA).
This report will be updated as warranted.
Press Accuracy Rating Hits Two Decade Low: Public Evaluations of the News Media: 1985-2009
Source: Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
The public’s assessment of the accuracy of news stories is now at its lowest level in more than two decades of Pew Research surveys, and Americans’ views of media bias and independence now match previous lows.
Just 29% of Americans say that news organizations generally get the facts straight, while 63% say that news stories are often inaccurate. In the initial survey in this series about the news media’s performance in 1985, 55% said news stories were accurate while 34% said they were inaccurate. That percentage had fallen sharply by the late 1990s and has remained low over the last decade.
Similarly, only about a quarter (26%) now say that news organizations are careful that their reporting is not politically biased, compared with 60% who say news organizations are politically biased. And the percentages saying that news organizations are independent of powerful people and organizations (20%) or are willing to admit their mistakes (21%) now also match all-time lows.
Republicans continue to be highly critical of the news media in nearly all respects. However, much of the growth in negative attitudes toward the news media over the last two years is driven by increasingly unfavorable evaluations by Democrats. On several measures, Democratic criticism of the news media has grown by double-digits since 2007.
+ Full Report (PDF; 113 KB)
Posted in Media and entertainment
SteveQuayle.com | Hot Headlines - September 15, 2009
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9/12 Demonstration a Record DC Turnout: National Park Service
Greenback Gases, Gold & the Coming Shift
Revealed: The Ghost Fleet of the Recession
Poll Crapola
Precious Metals – What Do I Do Now?
Does a College Degree Protect your Career? Unemployment Rate for College Graduates Highest on Record.
'We're Going to Have Zombie Capitalism for the Next 15-20 Years,' Says Jim Rogers
The Message for America – flashback, prophetic
18 Pakistanis Die in Stampede for Flour
When Fantasy is Fatal
Official Responsible for Light Bulb Ban is a Former Communist
Inside Operation Highlander: the NSA’s Wire Tapping of Americans Abroad – flashback
Obama Takes a Page From Alinsky Handbook
To Hell with the United Nations!
Mandatory Training in Orwellian Thinking
Chavez Goes for Nukes
Demons (Extraterrestrials) Tremble at the Name of Jesus Christ
Human Tissue Can be Taken for Human-Animal Embryo Experiements Without Consent
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