Seasonal Flu VS. H1N1 swine flu

Observation: The recent outbreak of H1N1 Swine Flu is said to have started in La Gloria Mexico around Mexico City. I don't know if thats correct or not. I've come across other reports that just say Mexico and others that name other areas in Mexico.

Regardless...

The folks in the U.S. and elsewhere monitoring and reporting on the situation keep repeating the same thing- Don't worry, this is a Flu virus and it's the wrong season for the flu. Flu strains only thrive in cold damp climates.

I have some news for you.....It wasn't winter in Mexico when this started. It isn't winter in Mexico, where according to reports the swine flu is thriving and, it wont be winter in Mexico any time soon.

From what I've been told by the illegal alien workers I'm around, they don't have winter down there. I tend to believe them as I know winter rarely hits Miami Florida. So what gives? Has this 'new flu' mutated and now thrives in warmer climates? At this time I would think so.

Also, they keep telling us that 36,000 people die from seasonal flu every year. Big deal. This isn't a seasonal flu.
I wonder if these 36,000 die primarily from the seasonal flu or other complications that arise from it ? I also wonder if this figure of 36,000 is worldwide or, are they trying to convince us it's just in the USA and that 100+ cases of H1N1 swine flu is nothing compared to the every day seasonal flu.

This is getting complicated and the information is becoming more difficult to discern. I'll keep following the situation as I'm sure you will. Take care folks.

WHO downplaying H1N1 swine flu

The current WHO phase of pandemic alert is 4 - Sustained Human to Human Transmission - It should be at phase 5 possibly 6

Why, read on....
A Phase 4 rating which we are currently experiencing indicates human-to-human spread of a virus, a Phase 5 rating indicates human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one region, and a Phase 6 rating indicates a global pandemic with widespread outbreaks.( you can read about the WHO phase of pandemic alert Here on site)

The WHO is quite aware that swine flu has now spread to Mexico, the United States and Canada, as is evidenced by this statement on their website: "The Committee considered available data on confirmed outbreaks of A/H1N1 swine influenza in the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada. The Committee also considered reports of possible spread to additional countries…" (http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2009/h1n1_20090427/en/index.html)

… and yet, amazingly, the WHO has not yet raised the swine flu alert level to the phase for which it clearly qualifies (Phase 5). After all, hasn’t this swine flu virus already achieved human-to-human spread into at least two countries in one region? (Mexico, the U.S. and Canada, by my counting that would qualify as three countries in one region.)

So why is the WHO not following its own well-defined guidelines for categorizing viral outbreaks?

Guess they don't wont to scare people until all their forces are in place. Remember when a global pandemic is declared the World Health Organization is in control. Foreign forces will be used as well as local to contain / manage the outbreak. Martial Law? I fully expect the WHO phase of pandemic alert to be raised today. If it isn't we'll never know why. tick tock tick tock...

Anyone seeing or hearing of mobilization of forces in their area? Please Share!!!

nod to dprogram
---

Update addendum- 4:26 PM EDT 4/29/2009

And so it begins....WHO raises its pandemic alert level to phase 5.(see update #6 at link) Wonder why it took this long ?

Swine Flu Humor...

I know how the strains got mixed....

Those damn human hybrid aliens.....sick bastards!

I wonder if Babe is there or Miss Piggy ?
Squeal like the pig that you are.[Visions of Deliverance as well as Andrew Dice Clay poems]
Wee wee wee all the wa....hey..wait a minute...I think I dated that one in the top left.
shhhhhhh

World Health Organization raises Pandemic Level to 4

There are only Six(6) levels / phases. This is moving quickly. RESISTANCE IS FUTILE, YOU WILL BE ASSIMILATED....

The current WHO phase of pandemic alert is 4 - Sustained Human to Human Transmission

In nature, influenza viruses circulate continuously among animals, especially birds. Even though such viruses might theoretically develop into pandemic viruses, in Phase 1 no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infections in humans.

In Phase 2 an animal influenza virus circulating among domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans, and is therefore considered a potential pandemic threat.

In Phase 3, an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people, but has not resulted in human-to-human transmission sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks. Limited human-to-human transmission may occur under some circumstances, for example, when there is close contact between an infected person and an unprotected caregiver. However, limited transmission under such restricted circumstances does not indicate that the virus has gained the level of transmissibility among humans necessary to cause a pandemic.

Phase 4 is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks.” The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk for a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.

Phase 5 is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two countries in one WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.

Phase 6, the pandemic phase, is characterized by community level outbreaks in at least one other country in a different WHO region in addition to the criteria defined in Phase 5. Designation of this phase will indicate that a global pandemic is under way.

During the post-peak period, pandemic disease levels in most countries with adequate surveillance will have dropped below peak observed levels. The post-peak period signifies that pandemic activity appears to be decreasing; however, it is uncertain if additional waves will occur and countries will need to be prepared for a second wave.

Previous pandemics have been characterized by waves of activity spread over months. Once the level of disease activity drops, a critical communications task will be to balance this information with the possibility of another wave. Pandemic waves can be separated by months and an immediate “at-ease” signal may be premature.

In the post-pandemic period, influenza disease activity will have returned to levels normally seen for seasonal influenza. It is expected that the pandemic virus will behave as a seasonal influenza A virus. At this stage, it is important to maintain surveillance and update pandemic preparedness and response plans accordingly. An intensive phase of recovery and evaluation may be required.

source- who.int

Do Not Take A Swine Flu Vaccine!

Saw the below over at globalresearch.ca and found it interesting. Of course this is only one aspect of many interesting facets of this potential? 'pandemic'. There are many ways this could play out; whether man made, accidental, or natural.

Now why I feel this is interesting is the fact that this is something others are not telling you. [ When I say others, I mean the MSM and Government officials]

In simple terms: Any 'Flu' vaccine already out there is useless against this 'New', never before seen in the wild virus. Its the same for a new computer virus. Your anti-virus will not guard against / protect you until the vaccine / anti-virus is updated with the New Vaccine / Anti-virus. And you know how long that can take some anti-virus software vendors. The same amount of time can be expected to be taken to prepare, mass manufacture, distribute, and apply a human version of a vaccine. Others have even said up to five(5) months. So the currently available vaccine is as stated, Useless.

Heres something else interesting- The same company, 'Baxter' that we told you about last month in a post titled Engineering the next Pandemic: "experimental virus material" in which a mix of H3N2 seasonal flu viruses and unlabeled H5N1 viruses was supplied to an Austrian research company, then released to various other countries around the world for study, is said to be developing a Swine Flu Vaccine for the variant now infecting and killing people. Wow, what are the odds? A company that manufactured and released a virus has been selected to develop a vaccine for it. Of course when Baxter released the Manufactured virus to these others they had no idea it was a contaminated cross strain mutated new virus. Right...and pigs fly.

So take it for whats its worth. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. It all depends on how far they are willing to go.

P.S.- Can't wait for tonights episode of '24' for a possible solution. Oops, just remembered...they haven't released the virus yet. Guess that might happen in tonights episode?

Related- Salmonella Outbreak;Common Flu Tamiflu Resistant;Epidemic Pandemic;Martial Law

Scientists say pandemic is certain

America: Bird Flu Bio Attack False Flag?

Anthrax, U.S. Mexico border, Trigger point

Defense Department Stocks Shelves with Newest Smallpox Vaccine

Do Not Take A Swine Flu Vaccine!
by Dr. Patricia A. Doyle
Global Research, April 26, 2009

I am making a plea to everyone who reads this, please, please DO NOT TAKE ANY VACCINE THAT IS PURPORTED TO 'PREVENT' THIS FLU.

Remember 1976 and the so called Swine Flu outbreak that was purported to be a coming pandemic? It only infected recruits at Ft. Dix. Why? Because I believe that the so called Swine Flu virus infected the recruits due to the vaccines they were given. Whether the government developed the Swine Flu 1976 virus and infected the recruits as a means to test the public to see if people would comply with a call to take vaccination against Swine Flu, or the recruits became infected via contaminated vaccine they were given as part of the recruit regimen, that outbreak was as phony as they come. I was one of the people duped into taking a Swine Flu shot and it made me so sick. I was sick in bed for three months after taking the vaccine.

Do not take seasonal flu vaccine if you are told that it could help prevent this brand new Swine Flu variant. It won't do a thing to prevent this flu. What it will do is serve up new genetic material to the Swine Flu virus that I have dubbed Spanish Flu 2, the Sequel. The Spanish Flu variant will use the gene sequences in the vaccine in humans to develop more of the changes that make the virus more readily infect humans. We do not want to give this virus more human genetic material so that it will infect humans more readily person to person. This is what vaccinated individuals do for pandemic strains.

There is also a safety issue in any experimental vaccine, much like the one in 1976. Some people even feel that such a vaccine for pandemic strain might require more than one vaccination which could actually be a binary set up. The first shot might just add some genetic code that stays dormant in the body until one gets the second vaccine shot which then serves to only cause infection. It could trigger Guillain-barre syndrome, Typhus or some other condition.

An Influenza vaccine does not protect or prevent a person from contracting flu. It is purported to, maybe, prevent some complications of flu and maybe shorten duration. I am not even sure it does that. Personally, I feel the vaccine weakens our immune system and also sickens us due to contaminants in the vaccine. I feel that people can better protect themselves by washing hands often and thoroughly. People should also use protective gloves when out and about during epidemics. Don't be afraid of "looking odd." I would not be ashamed to use a mask and gloves. I see that the Mexicans are using them.

A big problem during a pandemic is that these simple supplies will become extremely scarce awfully quickly. Stock up now. Medical supplies. personal hygene supplies and don't forget fido, or any other pet. Once a pandemic hits, it will be too late to stock up. Water, too.
We may lose clean water and electric power, so be prepared.

So, please, people, DON'T TAKE ANY VACCINES OFFERED. THEY COULD KILL YOU BEFORE ANY VIRUS KILLS YOU.


Patricia A. Doyle DVM, PhD Bus Admin, Tropical Agricultural Economics Univ of West Indies. Please visit my "Emerging Diseases" message board at: http://www.emergingdisease.org/phpbb/index.php Also my new website: http://drpdoyle.tripod.com/ Zhan le Devlesa tai sastimasa Go with God and in Good Health

.

When pigs fly- Swine flu H1N1 / Bird flu H5N1

I pretty much figured like other outbreaks in the U.S., by the time they warn us its to late.

I'm having a hard time putting the dots together on this one. At this time this isn't even near pandemic levels, yet some tell you it is. Maybe it was a slip. Maybe they are letting us know how bad it will get in the subtle ways they do.

The problem I have with this are the areas it has surfaced. These areas are the most populated and accessible to the outside world. Think 'airports'. But none of this matters...anymore. Why? Read on....

CDC Says Too Late To Contain U.S. Flu Outbreak

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.

CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people.

“There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely,” he said.

He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. “So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same.” But Besser said it was unclear why the virus was causing so many deaths in Mexico and such mild disease in the United States.

Source- http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/24443479.htm

Now think of all the things this will disrupt in our already Bad economic situation. What little we export will almost assuredly come to a halt. Incoming visitors will do the same. Nothing will go in or out of the country. If you think the economy currently sucks, wait a week or so give or take a week.

Don't forget...they're already fear mongering a 'Global Pandemic'. This may be a test run. It may be the real thing. It might be another conspiracy. It might be BS. We'll wait and see. It's all a person can do at this time. Like the economy, it will get worse before it gets better.

P.S.- Want to help contain the swine flu.......'CLOSE THE BORDERS'. oops...cats out of the bag.....Medical Martial Law.

##

For past posts on this topic see-

Bird Flu & Medical Martial Law. Don't forget to look around for other related posts that may not have been included in the above categories.

26th 27th 28th 29th Bank Failures of 2009

The count for 2009: 8 in April, 5 in March, 10 in February, 6 in January.

The funniest to me since I've kept track of the failures is one from the latest release: First Bank of Beverly Hills, Calabasas, California. hmmmmmm...........whats up with that? I mean damn...Beverly Hills; home of the stars, home of over paid whack jobs and wannabes, plastic, silicon and stepford families. Damn shame.


click the links below to read the press release for each recently 'failed bank'.

26th - Bank of North Georgia, Alpharetta, Georgia, Assumes All of The Deposits of American Southern Bank, Kennesaw, Georgia

27th - Level One Bank, Farmington Hills, Michigan, Assumes All of the Deposits of Michigan Heritage Bank, Farmington Hills

28th - FDIC Approves the Payout of the Insured Deposits of First Bank of Beverly Hills, Calabasas, California

29th - U.S. Bank, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Assumes All of the Deposits of First Bank of Idaho, Fsb, Ketchum, Idaho

Will there be a digital Pearl Harbor?

Panelists discuss probable security catastrophes at RSA '09

Will there be one major catastrophe, or just smaller disasters? Panelists discuss what security issues we should be watching out for, where the threat might come from, and the difficulties in predicting the unpredictable. Panelists include: Whitfield Diffie, vice president and chief security officer for Sun Microsystems; Ronald Rivest, Viterbi Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT; Adi Shamir, professor of computer science at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel; and Bruce Schneier, chief security technology officer for BT Counterpane. Moderating the panel is Ari Juels, chief scientist and director of RSA Laboratories.

More related videos from zdnet.com

Ya want the bad news or the bad news ?

I said; What?

The doctor said: The bad news is, you have high blood pressure. The other news is, you're also diabetic. I said thanks....

Now you have an idea of why I haven't been posting as much as usual. Hopefully that will resume once I have all under control with the meds. I would like for you to save your concerns and well wishes [ I'm not a mushy kinda guy ]for someone that needs it more than me. I don't feel sorry for myself and neither should you. I'm mad Pissed as hell that I was dealt this card through genetics, but if it weren't for that very dna I wouldn't be who I am.

Believe me when I say, I'll survive. There's going to be changes and things to get accustomed to including as you may be aware of, food & diet. Ive never been on a diet in my life and always ate what I liked. They tell me though, through advances over the years, I should still be able to eat what I like once things are under control.   We'll see.


Thanks for your concerns and well wishes.
See ya, Ed

Queen Bohemian Rhapsody: Old School Computer Remix

This is cool as hell ~ed

Retro Hardware Orchestra

Can you get any geekier than Bohemian Rhapsody played by an orchestra of vintage gadgets? I think not.

http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2009/04/19/retro-hardware-orchestra/

24th & 25th Bank Failure of 2009

Metcalf Bank, Lee's Summit, Missouri, Assumes All of the Deposits of American Sterling Bank, Sugar Creek, Missouri

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2009
Media Contact:
LaJuan Williams-Dickerson
(202) 898-3876
E-mail: lwilliams-dickerson@fdic.gov

American Sterling Bank, Sugar Creek, Missouri, was closed today by the Office of Thrift Supervision, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Metcalf Bank, Lee's Summit, Missouri, to assume all of the deposits of American Sterling Bank.

The Missouri offices of American Sterling will reopen on Saturday, and the offices in California and Arizona will reopen on Monday as branches of Metcalf Bank. Depositors of American Sterling Bank will automatically become depositors of Metcalf Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers of both banks should continue to use their existing branches until Metcalf Bank can fully integrate the deposit records of American Sterling Bank.

Over the weekend, depositors of American Sterling Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of March 20, 2009, American Sterling Bank had total assets of approximately $181 million and total deposits of $171.9 million. In addition to assuming the failed bank's deposits, Metcalf also agreed to purchase approximately $173.6 million in assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

The FDIC and Metcalf Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on approximately $100 million of American Sterling's assets. Metcalf Bank will share with the FDIC in the losses on the assets covered under the agreement. The loss-sharing arrangement is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector. The agreement also is expected to minimize disruptions for loan customers.

Customers who have questions about today's transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-954-9528. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., CDT; on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., CDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., CDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., CDT. Interested parties can also visit the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/amsterling.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund will be $42 million. Metcalf Bank's acquisition of all the deposits was the "least costly" resolution for the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund compared to alternatives. American Sterling Bank is the twenty-fourth FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year. The last FDIC-insured institution to be closed in Missouri was Hume Bank, Hume, on March 7, 2008.

#####

Nevada State Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada, Assumes All of the Deposits of Great Basin Bank of Nevada, Elko, Nevada

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2009
Media Contact:
LaJuan Williams
(202) 898-3876
E-mail: lwilliams-dickerson@fdic.gov

Great Basin Bank of Nevada, Elko, Nevada, was closed today by the Nevada Financial Institutions Division, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Nevada State Bank, Las Vegas, Nevada, to assume all of the deposits of Great Basin Bank of Nevada.

The five offices of Great Basin Bank of Nevada will reopen on Monday as branches of Nevada State Bank. Depositors of Great Basin Bank of Nevada will automatically become depositors of Nevada State Bank. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers of both banks should continue to use their existing branches until Nevada State Bank can fully integrate the deposit records of Great Basin Bank of Nevada.

Over the weekend, depositors of Great Basin Bank of Nevada can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of December 31, 2008, Great Basin Bank of Nevada had total assets of $270.9 million and total deposits of $221.4 million. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Nevada State Bank agreed to purchase approximately $252.3 million of assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

The FDIC and Nevada State Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on approximately $143.4 million of Great Basin Bank's assets. Nevada State Bank will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. The loss-sharing arrangement is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector. The agreement also is expected to minimize disruptions for loan customers.

Customers who have questions about today's transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-782-1969. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., PDT; on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., PDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., PDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., PDT. Interested parties can also visit the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/greatbasin.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund will be $42 million. Nevada State Bank's acquisition of all the deposits was the "least costly" resolution for the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund compared to alternatives. Great Basin Bank of Nevada is the twenty-fifth FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the second in Nevada. The last FDIC-insured institution to be closed in the state was Security Savings Bank, Henderson, on February 27, 2009.

The Crisis That Could Bring Down Obama

Ruth Conniff, April 15, 2009
The Progressive

Goldman Sachs reports better-than-expected profits this quarter. Wells Fargo cleared record profits last week. The President, understandably, points to signs of hope and encourages Americans to be optimistic about the economy. But when do we move from healthy confidence to a confidence game? The banks are reporting profits thanks to massive infusions of taxpayer bailout funds. It's simply silly to be lulled by cheery-sounding reports when the institutions are actually insolvent. At some point we have to take a clear-eyed look at the massive failure of our financial system. Ignoring it won't make it go away.

That's more or less what Elizabeth Warren, the distinguished chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel, says in her panel's six-month report on the bank bailout. Warren, the government's watchdog, concedes that there are differences of opinion on her panel, which probably accounts for her very carefully couched discussion of the crisis. Although she told The Observer-http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/apr/05/useconomy-regulators that it is "preposterous" that the government hasn't fired the bank managers who are responsible for the derivatives disaster, her panel's report is cautious, with a scholarly explanation of the crisis in her video introduction. Nonetheless, the underlying criticism is obvious.

In a financial crisis like the current one, Warren explains, the government has three choices: 1. Liquidate failed banks. (That's what happened in the S&L crisis. The government took over institutions, fired the managers, wiped out investors, but protected depositors. A lot of savings and loans simply went out of business.) 2. Put them in receivership. (That's what Sweden did in the 1990s: failed managers were fired and replaced, depositors were protected, and the banks were returned to private hands under new management with healthier balance sheets.) or 3. Subsidize the banks. This last option is what led Japan to its "lost decade"--the real value of bank assets are obscured, as the government funnels tax money into insolvent banks, propping them up indefinitely. This last is the approach the United States is now taking.

If you want to hear someone absolutely destroy that approach to the current crisis, check out a round of recent interviews with William Black, the professor of economics and law at the University of Missouri who was deputy director of the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corp. during the S&L crisis in the 1980s. Black, who liquidated a few banks in his time and earned the eternal enmity of Charles Keating, minces no words in describing the massive fraud by bankers and the regulators, including Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, whom he describes as abetting them.

"This whole bank scandal makes Teapot Dome look like some kind of kids' doll set," Black told the investors' journal Barron's in an interview published in the print edition on April 13. (The interview appeared online on April 9, but you need a paid subscription to access the site). He covers the same points in a highly watchable interview on Bill Moyer's Journal..

"We have lost the ability to be blunt," Black tells Barrons. He is talking about the person he describes to Bill Moyers as a "failed regulator," Geithner. "Now we have a situation where Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner can speak of a $2 trillion hole in the banking system, at the same time all the major banks report they are well capitalized. And you have seen no regulatory action against what amounts to a $2 trillion accounting fraud. The reason we don't see it--aren't told about it--is that if they were honest, prompt corrective action would kick in, and then they would have to deal with the problem banks."

In other words, the banks are insolvent. That's why they must rely on the Troubled Assets Relief Program. But at the same time, they are claiming to be healthy. Both things can't be true.

So we get smiley-face reports about how Goldman and Wells Fargo are posting record profits. Investors and citizens are supposed to be excited to see those profit numbers--comprised of their own tax dollars plus the banks refusing to accurately value their toxic assets.

This is more than an unfortunate downturn, Black says. It is the result of massive, pervasive fraud, and a deregulatory culture that has nurtured criminal behavior by very highly paid bank executives.

The whole culture is rotten. And the regulators come right out of that corrupt, Wall Street culture.

"No one has to tell someone to stretch the numbers," Black says of the way corruption trickles down through these institutions. "It is all around them. It is in the rank-or-yank performance and retention systems advocated by top business executives. Here, the top 20 percent get the bulk of the benefits and the bottom 10 percent get fired. You don't directly tell your employees to lie or cheat. You set up an atmosphere of results at any cost."

Yet we live in a broader culture so enamored of the money-making magicians of Wall Street that a front-page story in the Sunday New York Times is still lamenting the "brain drain" on Wall Street. The lead anecdote features former UBS employee (whose firm's  major screw-ups turned it into a prime TARP welfare recipient). He is so disturbed by shrinking bonuses and a climate of gloom in his old gig that he has moved to the high-rolling Aladdin Capital. That's the real name. As in Poof! There goes your money!

It's time for real regulation to stop all this, says Black. Geithner must go.

"Unless the current administration changes course pretty drastically, the scandal will destroy Barack Obama's presidency," he predicts.

The beauty part: real regulators will have no trouble getting through Congress, Black tells Moyers, because they pay their taxes.
---

Ruth Conniff covers national politics for The Progressive and is a voice of The Progressive on many TV and radio programs. Conniff was a regular on CNN’s Sunday Capital Gang and is now a regular on PBS’s To the Contrary. She also has appeared frequently on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal and on NPR and Pacifica.

Summer of Rage, no riots please!

The Dot Connector

Our misleaders promise us a hot summer. Some already call it "the Summer of Rage". The very fact that they knew in advance what was going to happen, when, where, and at which scale, indicates that the "rage" has been planned long before and is now being carefully stimulated and directed. Already Obama calls the troops back home from Iraq to ensure "law enforcement" in the US (a question of "saving America from Americans"), while the European Politburo pushes countries to vote for the Lisbon Treaty, which in a footnote would introduce throughout Europe the death penalty "in the case of war, riots, upheaval".

The meanstream media tirelessly stress upon the economic and financial nature of the current crisis and of the revolts it causes. Of course, when a car runs out of gas and stops, it wouldn't be wrong to say that it stops because there is no more gas in the tank. But the real question is: why there is no more gas? Is it because we've been driving too fast and too long, or because there is a leak in the tank or, even worse, in the motor itself? It's important to know because, if there is a leak, simply refilling the tank is not going to help for a long time and may even cause an explosion.

Just as in this example, where the problem of gas is not a "gas problem", the true nature of the current crisis is not economic and/or financial. It is the crisis of the entire System of Power, or the Matrix of Power, as Jordan Maxwell calls it.

The three cornerstones of this System, in its modern version, are usury, lie and corruption. The honest-outside-but-theft-inside practice of usury is, simply put, lending money on interest, then lending interest disguised as money on more interest, thus getting interest on interest, and so on and on. This way money is being created out of nothing, without producing anything. Computers and internet gave birth to the so-called "electronic money", which has accelerated the process of "money cloning" so dramatically that in just a couple of decades the sum total of non-existing interest money has not only exceeded the sum total of existing money – it has also exceeded the total value of all the goods and services produced not just at any national but at the global scale. The result of it is what we are living through today.

As for two other cornerstones – lie and corruption – the System has now arrived to the point where, to keep up appearences, its managers (aka presidents, queens, ministers, etc.) have to lie not just occasionally, not just about "certain things", but all the time and about everything. Corruption, which had spread from top downwards for centuries, has finally touched the bottom of the pyramid. To go further would mean bribing workers, which is not at all what the System was designed for.

Those in the know were always aware that the System would finally die of exhaustion. Having created it themselves and for themselves only, they have also long known that no more improvement would keep it alive. But although for them this System was nothing but a tool (however powerful and sophisticated it was), for the rest of us it was, and still is, the world we are living in.

This summer the managers of the dying System are going to put into practice drastic measures of saving the world from its habitants. But no panic and no riots, please! What they are trying to save is their world – the false image of the real world they have put in our minds. They want us to believe that fighting back we would defend our freedom and life, but it's the System that we would fight for if we did!

So, what to do? What to do not? What to expect? What to get ready for? The current issue of The Dot Connector is all about that. Its articles have nothing to do with "fear mongering" – they expose the danger to make it avoidable.

Paul Bondarovski

Thank you sir may I have another ?

Tax Day: FOUR MILLION Anchor Babies in the U.S.; New Euphemism: "Citizen Children"

I believe due to the source of the information at www.debbieschlussel.com (link above) being the [ Pew Hispanic Center ] only hispanics were counted. Anyway...thats 4 Million, with each having at least one illegal parent. So thats at a minimum 4 million illegal aliens. The total is higher but hard to calculate because of a variety of reasons. The main reason being the folks doing the counting aren't going into the areas the illegals live in. Sure theres a few illegals living in nice neighborhoods, but the majority live within the worst area of a city where most locals wont even venture.

Another reason is; They don't care how many illegals are in the USA. Point blank! And you know it's the truth.

In the near future amnesty will come to each and every illegal regardless of their nationality.

Go read the rest of Tax Day: FOUR MILLION Anchor Babies in the U.S.; New Euphemism: "Citizen Children" at the link above.

Time For a Closer Look

By Michael Gaddy
April 09, 2009
"Lew Rockwell"

For several decades the state and its willing accomplices in the media and talk radio have marginalized and demonized anyone who alleges involvement of the state in illegal activities or conspiracies to provide false information to support its illegal wars and other agendas. Those who do so are referred to as "conspiracy nuts" or in the case of Rush Limbaugh, Keepers of Odd Knowledge Society members. (K.O.O.K.S)

To believe the state is never involved in illegal conspiracies would require one to believe the state incapable of criminal behavior and Julius Caesar was killed in a random walk-by knifing.

A theory is defined as a guess or conjecture; therefore, once one piece of actual evidence is discovered, a theory no longer exists; it becomes a possibility. The problem Tin-foil hatters face is the lack of any subjective review of that evidence. The state is always in charge of "officially" discovering evidence. When those outside of the state’s influence discover evidence the government has somehow "overlooked," then an "impartial" panel is commissioned to investigate that evidence. The problem is, the impartial panel is always appointed by the state and populated by those with close connections to the state apparatus. Need I say more than the 9/11 Commission, or the Commission led by former Senator John Danforth tasked with investigating the tragedy called Waco?

Even in the event these commissions find wrongdoing by state employees, there are never any prosecutions of those responsible, even when the crime they commit is murder. FBI Agent Lon Horiuchi is a great example. Therefore, it is obvious those who represent the state operate with impunity and/or the state sanctioned "license to kill."

Perhaps the state believes only private citizens are capable of carrying out criminal conspiracies; after all, over 40% of those in federal custody are there for "conspiracy" to commit a crime. But when one mentions the state and criminals, are they not being redundant?

Lately, I have become increasingly skeptical of the timing and circumstances surrounding mass shootings. Any investigator worth his/her salt would question how, within a short time of the state indicating its intention of prohibiting the sale of a certain type firearm, a mass murder occurs in which that type weapon is used.

A prudent individual, unencumbered with emotional or financial connections to the state, cannot logically ignore the similarities in many of these mass shootings.

First, there is the insane and totally explained phenomena of a person becoming angry at someone or something, and then randomly killing people they do not know.

Second, is the almost universal use of mind-altering drugs by the perpetrators of these heinous crimes? Almost all of those involved in school shootings were taking, or had just stopped taking, drugs such as Prozac or Ritalin.

Third, is the fact a great number of the shooters kill themselves after committing their heinous crimes?

Fourth, when the mass shooting does not fit the above profile, the state uses the incident to claim, as they did in the shooting this weekend in Pennsylvania, that the perpetrator feared the state was going to take his guns. This certainly aids the state in its efforts to paint all that are concerned about the possible loss of freedoms and encroachments on the 2A as potential killers and threats to society.

Has the state gained from any of these very suspicious shootings? Of course they have.

After the political assassinations in the 1960s, the state, operating with the fear and outrage of the public, was able to foist on the America the wonderful 1968 Gun Control Act, a law taken almost word for word from the Nazi Weapons Law of 1938. Former NRA President Charlton Heston’s involvement in the promotion of this vile law is a story in itself.

While there are many writers who believe the state is presently too concerned with the economy to concentrate on laws prohibiting the private ownership of firearms, I believe, that because of the economy, the state will be forced to actively pursue draconian firearms legislation as a priority.

As so eloquently stated by many of the economists at LRC, the current actions taken by the government to shore up the economy are all destined to fail. The current bailouts will fill the pockets of those who support and control the state and do nothing but lead to continued unemployment and financial chaos in this country and the world. The coming financial chaos will lead to civil unrest on a huge scale. Those who have been living on the producers in this society have been led to believe (by the state) they are entitled to the property of others and will take whatever action they deem necessary to secure it.

When millions are unemployed and businesses are failing in greater numbers than today, the state will be forced to seek other methods of revenue collection. If there were to be enacted a federal property owner’s tax, and seizures of private property were initiated to supplement the lack of collected revenue to run the state and its empire, state representatives sent to seize the property would prefer unarmed victims. The state will take the necessary steps to protect its revenue collection actions. If not, then why do we have armed IRS agents?

Is the state capable of killing to achieve its goals? One could always ask Randy Weaver and the Waco survivors, not to mention the families of tens of thousands of soldiers and millions of Vietnamese and Iraqis.

In future writings I will detail the similarities of mass killings perpetrated by Charles Whitman, Patrick Purdy, Klebold and Harris, Seung-Hui Cho, and Jiverly Wong, and the evidence that takes state involvement from guess and conjecture to a possibility.

Michael Gaddy [send him mail], an Army veteran of Vietnam, Grenada, and Beirut, lives in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest.

Copyright © 2009 by LewRockwell.com

Head Games-- "The Northern Illinois University killer Steven Kazmierczak had been taking psychotropic drugs.
Columbine shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, as well as 15-year-old Kip Kinkel, the Oregon killer who gunned down his parents and classmates, and Cho Seung Hui, the Virginia Tech killer, were all on psychotropic drugs as well."

America: Bird Flu Bio Attack False Flag?

This is another time when you need to decide.

This is wild stuff. I don't know what to think. This sounds so credible it's almost unbelievable. But we know the unbelievable/unthinkable is what happens. You know, the known unknowns that we know Donald Rumsfeld spoke of and the outrageous conspiracy theories George W Bush spoke of?

Bird Flu Distributed by Dept of Homeland Security

"Mary", caller to the Power Hour on March 30, 2009, gives many details that the Dept of Homeland Security is transporting and distributing bird flu in mass quantities.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qJQCJp4ehc

Oh yeah....I watched the lastest episode of 24 last Monday and almost the exact same scenario played out. Can't wait for tonights episode.

GM, P.U.M.A. and the bailout

This is a joke...right? A publicity stunt....? They cant be serious...right?

This is what we get for a few billion of our tax dollars being used to bailout one of, if not the largest American auto maker; A glorified Segway ?

 

Yes, it’s the P.U.M.A. - 'Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility'.

  

This is what GM's smartest and brightest have come up with to show you how they spent billions, and how serious they are about staying in business.

  

The only place you can actually use this egg provided the maximum speed limit is 35 would be in your local neighborhood.

I remember golf communities that spread across America in the 80's where everyone drove their golf carts around including to the local strip mall. I see the P.U.M.A. as being a market for this use but not for everyday transportation unless, unless there are also plans to construct new green cities which would mean demolishing the current ones which would mea,,,,,em hm [ clearing throat sound ]. Sorry got off track. Anyway I hope this isn't GM's solution for their Revolution.

Gotta be a joke ?

P.S.: The P.U.M.A. has an airbag. That should help identifying the remains after a collision with a big truck [tractor-trailor/semi]. lol :)

You know you're screwed when....

.....the government starts warning you not to commit suicide

Government website now offers 'suicide warning signs' for victims of recession

John Byrne | rawstory.com
Published: Tuesday March 31, 2009

When the government starts warning you not to commit suicide, you know things have gotten bad.

The US Department of Health and Human Services now has a webpage for the current recession, "Getting Through Tough Economic Times." Headlined under the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (http://www.samhsa.gov/economy/www.samhsa.gov/economy/), the guide offers tips on "how to deal with the effects financial difficulties can have on your physical and mental health." The site went public Tuesday.

Among the deleterious health effects the recession may spawn, the government says, is suicide.

"Unemployment and other kinds of financial distress do not 'cause' suicide directly, but they can be factors that interact dynamically within individuals and affect their risk for suicide," the site says. "These financial factors can cause strong feelings such as humiliation and despair, which can precipitate suicidal thoughts or actions among those who may already be vulnerable to having these feelings because of life-experiences or underlying mental or emotional conditions (e.g., depression, bi-polar disorder) that place them at greater risk of suicide."

Other health risks the agency lists are depression, anxiety, compulsive behaviors and substance abuse.

"It is important to be aware of signs that financial problems may be adversely affecting your emotional or mental well being -- or that of someone you care about," the agency notes.

The recession's toll is spelled out in specific terms. These signs include: persistent sadness/crying, excessive anxiety, increased drinking, apathy and "not being able to function as well."

On the plus side, the agency offers tips for managing stress -- "trying to keep things in perspective" and "strengthening connections with family and friends," as well as engaging in regular exercise.

Other steps?

"Acknowledge that economic downturns can be frightening to everyone, but that there are ways of getting through them - from engaging in healthy activities, positive thinking, supportive relationships, to seeking help when needed from health professionals," the site writes. "Encourage community-based organizations and groups to provide increased levels of mental health treatment and support to those who are severely affected by the economy."

But should things go sour, the Department of Health and Human Services offers these warning signs for the friends and family of those who've been through economic turmoil.

* Threatening to hurt or kill oneself or talking about wanting to hurt or kill oneself
* Looking for ways to kill oneself
* Thinking or fantasying about suicide
* Acting recklessly
* Seeing no reason for living or having no sense of purpose in life

If someone you know is encountering these problems, the site suggests calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

#####

Heres some information from the government [were here to help you] website Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Contact Media Services: (240) 276-2130

SAMHSA News Bulletin

Date: 3/31/2009
Media Contact: SAMHSA Press Office
Telephone: 240-276-2130

New National Online Resource Provides Practical Advice and Hope for People Dealing with Emotional Health Issues Related to Financial Stress
Provides essential information on how economic conditions can affect physical and mental health and where people can turn for help

A first-of-its-kind, online guide now provides crucial information and resource referrals for people dealing with emotional or other health problems associated with economic hard times. The “Getting Through Tough Economic Times” guide http://www.samhsa.gov/economy/ provides practical advice on identifying health concerns, developing coping skills and finding help.

Developed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in collaboration with other government agencies and the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, which is administered by SAMHSA’s grantee the Education Development Center, Inc., the guide outlines the risks that unemployment and other forms of economic distress (foreclosure, severe financial losses, etc.) can pose to health.

Based on a review of the scientific literature published in the last 20 years, the guide notes that although these economic problems may affect individuals differently, for many people economic hardship contributes to increased risk for a variety of conditions including:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Compulsive Behaviors (over-eating, excessive gambling, spending, etc.)
• Substance abuse

On a positive note, the guide also provides individuals and communities with practical steps that can be used to get through these tough periods and achieve restored health and productivity. In particular the guide provides:

• Important information on identifying the warning signs of depression, suicidal thinking and other serious mental illnesses.

• Effective steps to help manage emotional distress, such as through exercise, strengthening connections with family and friends, and developing new job skills.

• Resources for getting help – such as the National Mental Health Information Center http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/ for information on where to access help on a wide range of mental illnesses, and the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for those in crisis. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is operated by SAMHSA’s grantee Link2HealthSolutions, Inc, under a cooperative agreement.

“The guide is a quick and easy tool that people can use to better manage their emotional wellbeing,” said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick, D.D.S., M.P.H. “By helping people remain resilient, we can help promote the overall recovery of our nation.”

The Department of Health and Human Services (SAMHSA is an agency with the Department of Health and Human Services), the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Labor, the Department of the Treasury and the U.S. General Services Administration all collaborated in this effort.

For further information on mental health or substance abuse issues please visit SAMHSA’s website at http://www.samhsa.gov

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE HAS BEEN REPEALED

By Dick Morris
04.6.2009

On April 2, 2009, the work of July 4, 1776 was nullified at the meeting of the G-20 in London. The joint communiqué essentially announces a global economic union with uniform regulations and bylaws for all nations, including the United States. Henceforth, our SEC, Commodities Trading Commission, Federal Reserve Board and other regulators will have to march to the beat of drums pounded by the Financial Stability Board (FSB), a body of central bankers from each of the G-20 states and the European Union.

The mandate conferred on the FSB is remarkable for its scope and open-endedness. It is to set a “framework of internationally agreed high standards that a global financial system requires.” These standards are to include the extension of “regulation and oversight to all systemically important financial institutions, instruments, and markets…[including] systemically important hedge funds.”

Note the key word: “all.” If the FSB, in its international wisdom, considers an institution or company “systemically important”, it may regulate and over see it. This provision extends and internationalizes the proposals of the Obama Administration to regulate all firms, in whatever sector of the economy that it deems to be “too big to fail.”

The FSB is also charged with “implementing…tough new principles on pay and compensation and to support sustainable compensation schemes and the corporate social responsibility of all firms.”

That means that the FSB will regulate how much executives are to be paid and will enforce its idea of corporate social responsibility at “all firms.”

The head of the Financial Stability Forum, the precursor to the new FSB, is Mario Draghi, Italy’s central bank president. In a speech on February 21, 2009, he gave us clues to his thinking. He noted that “the progress we have made in revising the global regulatory framework…would have been unthinkable just months ago.”

He said that “every financial institution capable of creating systemic risk will be subject to supervision.” He adds that “it is envisaged that, at international level, the governance of financial institutions, executive compensation, and the special duties of intermediaries to protect retail investors will be subject to explicit supervision.”

In remarks right before the London conference, Draghi said that while “I don’t see the FSF [now the FSB] as a global regulator at the present time…it should be a standard setter that coordinates national agencies.”

This “coordination of national agencies” and the “setting” of “standards” is an explicit statement of the mandate the FSB will have over our national regulatory agencies.

Obama, perhaps feeling guilty for the US role in triggering the international crisis, has, indeed, given away the store. Now we may no longer look to presidential appointees, confirmed by the Senate, to make policy for our economy. These decisions will be made internationally.

And Europe will dominate them. The FSF and, presumably, the FSB, is now composed of the central bankers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States plus representatives of the World Bank, the European Union, the IMF, and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Europe, in other words, has six of the twelve national members. The G-20 will enlarge the FSB to include all its member nations, but the pro-European bias will be clear. The United States, with a GDP three times that of the next largest G-20 member (Japan), will have one vote. So will Italy.

The Europeans have been trying to get their hands on our financial system for decades. It is essential to them that they rein in American free enterprise so that their socialist heaven will not be polluted by vices such as the profit motive. Now, with President Obama’s approval, they have done it.

source

thanks Katherine

Conficker: Are you infected- Simple test

Nicholas at disog.org had this to say-

Online Conficker Test (Joe Stewart)

Joe Stewart has come up with an online test to determine if you're infected with Conficker.

Due to the way the author is blocking domains associated with Conficker removal/identification tools, Joe has authorized others to mirror his checker.

I've mirrored Joe's test for those who are interested.

Thanks for your hard work Joe (and to the rest of the Conficker Working Group!)

#####

Conficker Eye Chart

Explanation:
Conficker (aka Downadup, Kido) is known to block access to over 100 anti-virus and security websites.

If you are blocked from loading the remote images in the first row of the top table above (AV/security sites) but not blocked from loading the remote images in the second row (websites of alternative operating systems) then your Windows PC may be infected by Conficker (or some other malicious software).

If you can see all six images in both rows of the top table, you are either not infected by Conficker, or you may be using a proxy server, in which case you will not be able to use this test to make an accurate determination, since Conficker will be unable to block you from viewing the AV/security sites.

To find out if you're infected with conficker you need to go here- http://www.disog.org/conficker/cfeyechart.html. The example image above is not active. If you take the test its what you should see if you're not infected.

Federal Authority Over the Internet?

The Cybersecurity Act of 2009

Commentary by Jennifer Granick

Essentially, the Act would federalize critical infrastructure security. Since many of our critical infrastructure systems (banks, telecommunications, energy) are in the hands of the private sector, the bill would create a major shift of power away from users and companies to the federal government. This is a potentially dangerous approach that favors the dramatic over the sober response.

One proposed provision gives the President unfettered authority to shut down Internet traffic in an emergency and disconnect critical infrastructure systems on national security grounds goes too far. Certainly there are times when a network owner must block harmful traffic, but the bill gives no guidance on when or how the President could responsibly pull the kill switch on privately-owned and operated networks.

Furthermore, the bill contains a particularly dangerous provision that could cripple privacy and security in one fell swoop:

The Secretary of Commerce— shall have access to all relevant data concerning (critical infrastructure) networks without regard to any provision of law, regulation, rule, or policy restricting such access…

Read the rest Here

Related post- Cybersecurity Act of 2009 : "it appears as though this bill if passed would be no less than Martial Law for the internet. It seems as though the decision to declare an emergency in cyberspace will be left up to President Obama.

What is to be considered a cyber emergency ? The recent CONficker scare ? A website posting what some deem as anti government material ? Areas in cyberspace where freedom of speech is practiced ?"

22nd & 23nd Bank Failure of 2009

First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, Acquires All of the Deposits of Cape Fear Bank, Wilmington, North Carolina

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2009
Media Contact:
David Barr (202) 898-6992
Cell: (703) 622-4790
Email: dbarr@fdic.gov

Cape Fear Bank, Wilmington, North Carolina, was closed today by the North Carolina Office of Commissioner of Banks, which then appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Charleston (First Federal), Charleston, South Carolina, to assume all of the deposits of Cape Fear Bank.

Cape Fear Bank's eight offices will reopen on Monday as branches of First Federal. Depositors of Cape Fear Bank will automatically become depositors of First Federal. Deposits will continue to be insured by the FDIC, so there is no need for customers to change their banking relationship to retain their deposit insurance coverage. Customers of both banks should continue to use their existing branches until First Federal can fully integrate the deposit records of Cape Fear Bank.

Over the weekend, depositors of Cape Fear Bank can access their money by writing checks or using ATM or debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

As of March 31, 2009, Cape Fear Bank had total assets of approximately $492 million and total deposits of $403 million. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, First Federal agreed to purchase approximately $468 million in assets. The FDIC will retain the remaining assets for later disposition.

The FDIC and First Federal entered into a loss-share transaction on approximately $395 million of Cape Fear Bank's assets. First Federal will share with the FDIC in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. The loss-sharing arrangement is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector. The agreement also is expected to minimize disruptions for loan customers as they will maintain a banking relationship.

Customers who have questions about today's transaction can call the FDIC toll-free at 1-866-806-6128. The phone number will be operational this evening until 9:00 p.m., EDT; on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., EDT; on Sunday from noon to 6:00 p.m., EDT; and thereafter from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., EDT. Interested parties can also visit the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/capefear.html.

The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund will be $131 million. First Federal's acquisition of all deposits was the "least costly" resolution for the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund compared to alternatives. Cape Fear Bank is the twenty-second bank to fail in the nation this year. The last bank to fail in North Carolina was Crown National Bank, Charlotte, on May 20, 1993.

#####

FDIC Creates a Deposit Insurance National Bank to Facilitate the Resolution of New Frontier Bank, Greeley, Colorado
Bank of the West to Provide Temporary Operational Management

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 10, 2009
Media Contact:
David Barr (202) 898-6992
Cell: (703) 622-4790
E-mail:dbarr@fdic.gov

New Frontier Bank, Greeley, Colorado, was closed today by the State Bank Commissioner, by Order of the Banking Board of the Colorado Division of Banking, which then appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC created the Deposit Insurance National Bank of Greeley (DINB), which will remain open for approximately 30 days to allow depositors time to open accounts at other insured institutions. At the time of closing, the receiver immediately transferred to the DINB all insured deposits of New Frontier, except for brokered deposits, certificates of deposit (CDs) and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). The receiver also transferred to the DINB all secured public unit deposits. Under the FDI Act, the FDIC may create a deposit insurance national bank to ensure that depositors have continued access to their insured funds where no other bank has agreed to assume the insured deposits.

Bank of the West, San Francisco, California, was contracted by the FDIC to provide operational management of the DINB. The main office and two branches of New Frontier will open on Monday, April 13, 2009. Banking activities, such as direct deposit and writing checks, ATM and debit cards, can continue normally for former customers of New Frontier during the 30-day transition period. It is also important to note that New Frontier official checks will continue to clear and will be issued to customers closing accounts.

All insured depositors of New Frontier are encouraged to transfer their insured funds to other banks. They may do so by asking their new bank to electronically transfer their deposits from the DINB or by writing checks for the amount in their accounts.

The FDIC will mail checks at the end of the transition period to the address of record for depositors who have not closed or transferred their accounts during the transition period.

Brokered deposits, CDs and IRAs are not a part of this transaction. The FDIC will mail checks to non-brokered deposit customers. The FDIC will pay the brokered deposits directly to the brokers for the amount of their insured funds. Customers with brokered deposits should contact their brokers directly for information concerning their money.

The FDIC created the DINB to permit uninterrupted service for customers with checking and NOW accounts. This arrangement allows for uninterrupted direct deposits and automated payments from customers' accounts and allows them time to find another institution with which to do business.

As of March 24, 2009, New Frontier had total assets of $2.0 billion and total deposits of about $1.5 billion. At the time of closing, there were approximately $150 million in insured deposits and $4 million in deposits that potentially exceeded the insurance limits. Uninsured deposits were not transferred to the DINB. This amount is an estimate that is likely to change once the FDIC obtains additional information from these customers.

Customers with accounts in excess of $250,000 should contact the FDIC toll-free at 1-800-830-4705 to set up an appointment to discuss their deposits. This phone number will be operational this evening until 9 p.m., MDT; on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., MDT; on Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., MDT; and thereafter from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., MDT. Customers who would like more information on today's transaction should visit the FDIC's Web site at http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/newfrontier.html.

Beginning Monday, depositors of New Frontier with more than $250,000 at the bank may visit the FDIC's Web page "Is My Account Fully Insured?" at http://www2.fdic.gov/dip/Index.asp to determine their insurance coverage.

The FDIC as receiver will retain all the assets from New Frontier for later disposition. Loan customers should continue to make their payments as usual.

The cost to the FDIC's Deposit Insurance Fund is estimated to be $670 million. New Frontier is the twenty-third bank to fail this year and the second in Colorado. The last bank to be closed in the state was Colorado National Bank, Colorado Springs, on March 20, 2009.

Columbine, 10 years later....

This is from Darrell Scott, one of the parents who lost a child at Columbine. It couldn't come at a better time with all the recent massacres / killings by crazy people. Like Darrell, I agree Guns are not to blame. I disagree with Darrell on the church aspect of his speech. Why ? Because many of these wack jobs kill in the name of god.

I look at it this way...I believe you are born with bad in you just as the good. I believe it is up to each person as an individual to choose which you will become. Ah ha....theres the problem. I believe there is very little individualism in this country anymore, and it ended with the schooling of your children and yourself dating back to the 60'^s.

I could go on and on ranting about the reasons why people turn wacko. Been there Done that. Enjoy.....

Received Via~ Email

Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm ?

On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton , Colorado , was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful.

They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. The following is a portion of the transcript:

"Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out f or answers.

"The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used.. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart.

"In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent.

I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy -- it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You've stripped away our heritage,
You've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

" Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, mind, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and wreak havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.

What has happened to us as a nation?

We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

"As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, he did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America , and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA -- I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone!

My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!"

Do what the media did not - - let the nation hear this man's speech... Please send this out to everyone you can. God Bless

It's back !

I've not been able to post much this week due to my connection being down. Wellllll it's back up for now.

I used sister's computer the other day to post and now I've got a lot of catching up to do, so bare with me. You know what its like, everything piles up.

Thanks for understanding, Ed

p.s.- I wonder if conficker had anything to do with it. Anyone else have a problem with your connection this week?

Yes we can, Yes we can.......

.....Yes we can, continue spying on you.

Only 75 days into Obama's first term and his administration is yet again showing it's true color. This time it's back to the Patriot Act and Warrantless Wiretapping. Obama is picking up where Bush left off, and then some. Of course these presidents are mere meat puppets deciding nothing. Keep this in the back of your mind, the Patriot Act is set to expire in December. Bet you a trillion dollar bailout it doesn't.

Found at Electronic Frontier Foundation

---snip---
Sad as that is, it's the Department Of Justice's second argument that is the most pernicious. The DOJ claims that the U.S. Government is completely immune from litigation for illegal spying — that the Government can never be sued for surveillance that violates federal privacy statutes.

This is a radical assertion that is utterly unprecedented. No one — not the White House, not the Justice Department, not any member of Congress, and not the Bush Administration — has ever interpreted the law this way.

Previously, the Bush Administration has argued that the U.S. possesses "sovereign immunity" from suit for conducting electronic surveillance that violates the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). However, FISA is only one of several laws that restrict the government's ability to wiretap. The Obama Administration goes two steps further than Bush did, and claims that the US PATRIOT Act also renders the U.S. immune from suit under the two remaining key federal surveillance laws: the Wiretap Act and the Stored Communications Act. Essentially, the Obama Adminstration has claimed that the government cannot be held accountable for illegal surveillance under any federal statutes.

Again, the gulf between Candidate Obama and President Obama is striking. As a candidate, Obama ran promising a new era of government transparency and accountability, an end to the Bush DOJ's radical theories of executive power, and reform of the PATRIOT Act. But, this week, Obama's own Department Of Justice has argued that, under the PATRIOT Act, the government shall be entirely unaccountable for surveilling Americans in violation of its own laws.
---end---

Read the rest

DNA False Positives

via~ schneier.com
This story could be used as justification for a massive DNA database. After all, if that factory worker had his or her DNA in the database, the police would have quickly realized what the problem was.

The German police spent years and millions of dollars tracking a mysterious killer whose DNA had been found at the scenes of six murders. Finally they realized they were tracking a worker at the factory that assembled the prepackaged swabs used for DNA testing.

Breaking News: Bird Flu Perdue Farms Kentucky

Biological Hazard - North-America

Event summary
EDIS Number BH-20090404-21149-USA     
Event type Biological Hazard  Date / time [UTC] 04/04/2009 - 19:41:55
Country   USA  Area Perdue Farms Inc.
County / State State of Kentucky  City -
Cause of event Unknown  Log date [UTC] 04/04/2009 - 19:41:55
Damage level Not or Not data  Time left - 
Latitude: N 36° 44.037  Longitude: W 86° 30.559
Number of deads: Not or Not data  Number of injured persons: Not or Not data
Number of missing persons: Not or Not data  Number of infected persons -
Number of evacuated persons: Not or Not data  Population No data!

Bird Flu Found On Western KY Poultry Farm

lex18.com

State and federal authorities are investigating a finding of suspected non-pathogenic or low-pathogenic avian influenza in a single broiler/breeder poultry farm in western Kentucky. The strain poses minimal risk to human health and is not the high-pathogenic strain associated with human and poultry deaths in other countries.

State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout has quarantined the farm, which produces hatching eggs for Perdue Farms Inc. Perdue plans to depopulate 20,000 chickens in two houses on the farm.

"The state and federal government and Perdue are acting aggressively to contain and eliminate the disease," Dr. Stout said. "There is no evidence that any infected poultry are in the human food supply as a result of this infection. We will do what is necessary to minimize the disruption to overseas trade."

"I have been in constant contact with state, federal and industry officials since this came to light," Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer said. "The people of Kentucky and our trading partners should rest assured that we are doing everything possible to address the situation."

The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is conducting surveillance on backyard flocks within a two-mile radius of the farm.

A minimal drop in egg production at the farm was noticed in mid-March. Perdue's veterinary services laboratory took samples from chickens at the farm and found antibodies for avian influenza. Testing by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, resulted in a presumptive positive finding for the H7 strain. Subsequent testing by NVSL and the Breathitt Veterinary Center in Hopkinsville confirmed the finding.

No virus has been isolated and no poultry deaths have been found in connection with the infection.

Avian influenza is a virus that affects domestic poultry and some wild birds. It is spread to healthy birds by direct contact with infected birds or infected material, often through feces from infected birds. Avian influenza is not transmitted through eggs. Low-pathogenic avian influenza causes little if any illness in poultry and is rarely fatal to poultry. )

#####

Perdue predicts U.S. avian influenza.
allbusiness.com
Date: Monday, February 13 2006

Perdue predicts U.S. avian influenza: Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms Inc., said in an interview in Florida that it was likely only a matter of time before the United States is hit with a case of avian influenza. "There will be an outbreak [of a milder strain], most likely within the next few years," Perdue said in an interview. Sales could drop, he said, based on unjustified fears of a health threat, and that would require an effective and prompt consumer-education campaign to be undertaken to shore up consumer attitudes in the United States.

NKorea launches Missile, success or failure

Like everything else in this world, It depends on who you ask. North Korea says it succeeded in putting a satellite in orbit. The rest of the world claims it failed to do so. One thing is for sure, North Korea did test a ballistic missile with success.

Launch boosts NKorea missile programme, security threat limited

by Staff Writers
Seoul (AFP) April 5, 2009

Sunday's rocket launch will give North Korea's missile programme a big boost if proven to have been successful but it does not immediately make the world a more dangerous place, analysts say.

The nuclear-armed communist North said the launch successfully put into orbit a communications satellite which is now broadcasting songs in praise of its past and present revolutionary leaders.

The United States said it used a Taepodong-2 -- a three-stage missile capable of reaching Alaska or Hawaii at maximum range -- as the launch vehicle.

Washington and other critics say the satellite launch was cover for a ballistic missile test which was illegal under UN resolutions.

Tokyo said the first booster stage was believed to have dropped west of Japan and the second stage into the Pacific Ocean.

The Seoul government said it was too early to say whether a satellite was launched, although one expert said it probably was.

"Judging from the trajectory, the rocket was apparently used to put a satellite into orbit as the North has claimed," said Baek Seung-Joo of the Korea Institute for Defence Analyses.

"Today's launch should be called a success, especially when we compare it with the 2006 test," he told AFP. The first Taepodong-2 test in July 2006 failed after 40 seconds when the rocket blew up.

Read more- spacewar.com

#####

U.S. says North Korea failed to orbit satellite - agency
16:10 | 05/ 04/ 2009

SEOUL, April 5 (RIA Novosti) - North Korea failed to orbit a satellite after its three-stage rocket and the payload fell into the Pacific Ocean, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported, referring to the U.S. and South Korean military.

"All three stages are believed to have fallen into the ocean," Yonhap quoted South Korean Defense Minister Lee Sang-hee as saying, and also cited the U.S. military command, according to which "no object entered orbit."

North Korea launched a multistage rocket with a communications satellite at 11:30 a.m. (02:30 a.m. GMT) over Japan on Sunday, defying pressure from the United States, Japan and South Korea and other countries, which suspect the launch was a cover for the test of the communist regime's Taepodong-2 long-range missile.

"The payload itself landed in the Pacific Ocean," Yonhap quoted the U.S. Northern Command as saying.

North Korea earlier claimed that its carrier rocket had successfully delivered a communications satellite into orbit.

Read more- RIA Novosti

#####

Worldwide Anger Over N Korea Rocket Launch

2:02pm UK, Sunday April 05, 2009

The UN Security Council is to hold an emergency meeting after North Korea launched a long-range rocket over Japan in defiance of international pressure.

Japan, America, Britain and France have all condemned the move, saying the Taepodong-2's blast-off was a clear breach of UN rules.

The US said it was "provocative" and "appropriate steps" would be taken. Japan described it as "regrettable" and the UKas "completely unacceptable".

France has called for North Korea to be "punished".

North Korea insists the sole aim was to put a communications satellite into space.

It claims it succeeded in doing this and the satellite is now in orbit transmitting songs praising North Korea's leaders.

The US military has disputed this, however, saying "the payload itself landed in the Pacific Ocean".

South Korea has also poured water on the claim. "All three stages of the rocket fell into the sea," defence minister Lee Sang-Hee said.

Read more- sky.com