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marmar
marmar's Journal
marmar's Journal
February 1, 2012
from truthdig:
Focus on Iran and China Could Hasten American Decline
Posted on Jan 31, 2012
By William Pfaff
The framework in which most Americans, including the foreign policy specialists, see the world has totally changed in a decade. In February 2002, the United States and Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance had just won their blitzkrieg, unseating the Taliban government of Afghanistan, and a new client government was being set in place. The Economist was to say of it a year later that optimists believed Afghanistan to be “more stable than at any time in the past 24 years.” Another war, against Iraq, was confidently being prepared to avenge the trade towers and Pentagon attacks (to which, it was to turn out, Iraq had no connection), and to create a “New Middle East.”
Americans in 2002 believed themselves on top of the world, capable of anything. They took progress for granted. A leading neo-conservative of the time said, “We have something called the Agency for International Development, in the hope that someday Somalia might look like Norway.” That’s what the New Middle East was all about.
One decade, more than a trillion American dollars and uncounted thousands of lives later, the Afghan War continues, and the Iraq War, nominally over, but with 6,000 American officials and their bodyguards left in the country, is not really over at all. A third American war against a Muslim society, Iran, is seriously likely.
The same time Washington conducts and enlarges this military involvement in the non-Western world, the American public, and again, many of its foreign policy experts and political leaders, have decided that the United States is in decline, its social coherence, its sense of unity and purpose lost, divided as never before by economic class and a newly felt and newly expressed hatred between the one percent monopolizing its wealth and the excluded 99 percent. The American and Western economies are badly weakened by a global recession and potential depression, wrought by Wall Street. .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/focus_on_iran_and_china_could_only_hasten_american_decline_20120131/
Focus on Iran and China Could Hasten American Decline
from truthdig:
Focus on Iran and China Could Hasten American Decline
Posted on Jan 31, 2012
By William Pfaff
The framework in which most Americans, including the foreign policy specialists, see the world has totally changed in a decade. In February 2002, the United States and Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance had just won their blitzkrieg, unseating the Taliban government of Afghanistan, and a new client government was being set in place. The Economist was to say of it a year later that optimists believed Afghanistan to be “more stable than at any time in the past 24 years.” Another war, against Iraq, was confidently being prepared to avenge the trade towers and Pentagon attacks (to which, it was to turn out, Iraq had no connection), and to create a “New Middle East.”
Americans in 2002 believed themselves on top of the world, capable of anything. They took progress for granted. A leading neo-conservative of the time said, “We have something called the Agency for International Development, in the hope that someday Somalia might look like Norway.” That’s what the New Middle East was all about.
One decade, more than a trillion American dollars and uncounted thousands of lives later, the Afghan War continues, and the Iraq War, nominally over, but with 6,000 American officials and their bodyguards left in the country, is not really over at all. A third American war against a Muslim society, Iran, is seriously likely.
The same time Washington conducts and enlarges this military involvement in the non-Western world, the American public, and again, many of its foreign policy experts and political leaders, have decided that the United States is in decline, its social coherence, its sense of unity and purpose lost, divided as never before by economic class and a newly felt and newly expressed hatred between the one percent monopolizing its wealth and the excluded 99 percent. The American and Western economies are badly weakened by a global recession and potential depression, wrought by Wall Street. .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/focus_on_iran_and_china_could_only_hasten_american_decline_20120131/
February 1, 2012
one of the biggest wastes and frauds ever perpetrated on the American people -- the trillion dollar war on drugs. While falsely promising us a safer, more sober society, the war on drugs is bankrupting our state and local coffers and costs the Federal government $15 billion dollars per year. That's five hundred dollars every second -- mostly for possession of marijuana, a relatively harmless drug the effects of which are certainly no worse than alcohol, the sale of which is legal and regulated. Think how many tax cuts we could have with the money we are spending. If you're a Republican -- think how many tax cuts (federal, state and local) could be bought with the money you're spending to lock people up for something as dangerous as drinking. Think how many poor people could be helped with that money. We need to reform our drug laws as soon as yesterday by stopping the prohibition of marijuana and regulating its sale.
The Cost Of The War On Drugs
one of the biggest wastes and frauds ever perpetrated on the American people -- the trillion dollar war on drugs. While falsely promising us a safer, more sober society, the war on drugs is bankrupting our state and local coffers and costs the Federal government $15 billion dollars per year. That's five hundred dollars every second -- mostly for possession of marijuana, a relatively harmless drug the effects of which are certainly no worse than alcohol, the sale of which is legal and regulated. Think how many tax cuts we could have with the money we are spending. If you're a Republican -- think how many tax cuts (federal, state and local) could be bought with the money you're spending to lock people up for something as dangerous as drinking. Think how many poor people could be helped with that money. We need to reform our drug laws as soon as yesterday by stopping the prohibition of marijuana and regulating its sale.
February 1, 2012
Reuters
10:35 a.m. CST, January 31, 2012
CIT Group will again stop providing loans to suppliers of Hoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings Corp. after Tuesday as the business lender awaits more information on the retailer's financial health, two retail sources told Reuters on Monday.
Shares of Sears fell 5 percent in morning trading on the news.
CIT is keeping the operator of Sears department stores and the Kmart discount chain on a tight leash, the sources said, after the company posted 18 straight quarters of sales declines.
Sears is scheduled to report annual results on February 23, when Chairman Edward Lampert typically publishes a letter to shareholders. The hedge fund manager is Sears' largest shareholder and owns directly and through related entities about 59 percent of the retailer. ................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-sears-shares-fall-on-news-that-cit-will-again-stop-providing-loans-20120131,0,5672082.story
Sears shares fall on news that CIT will again stop providing loans
Reuters
10:35 a.m. CST, January 31, 2012
CIT Group will again stop providing loans to suppliers of Hoffman Estates-based Sears Holdings Corp. after Tuesday as the business lender awaits more information on the retailer's financial health, two retail sources told Reuters on Monday.
Shares of Sears fell 5 percent in morning trading on the news.
CIT is keeping the operator of Sears department stores and the Kmart discount chain on a tight leash, the sources said, after the company posted 18 straight quarters of sales declines.
Sears is scheduled to report annual results on February 23, when Chairman Edward Lampert typically publishes a letter to shareholders. The hedge fund manager is Sears' largest shareholder and owns directly and through related entities about 59 percent of the retailer. ................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-sears-shares-fall-on-news-that-cit-will-again-stop-providing-loans-20120131,0,5672082.story
February 1, 2012
from TomDispatch:
Hormuz-Mania
Why Closure of the Strait of Hormuz Could Ignite a War and a Global Depression
By Michael T. Klare
Ever since December 27th, war clouds have been gathering over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow body of water connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean and the seas beyond. On that day, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi warned that Tehran would block the strait and create havoc in international oil markets if the West placed new economic sanctions on his country.
“If they impose sanctions on Iran’s oil exports,” Rahimi declared, “then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz.” Claiming that such a move would constitute an assault on America’s vital interests, President Obama reportedly informed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Washington would use force to keep the strait open. To back up their threats, both sides have been bolstering their forces in the area and each has conducted a series of provocative military exercises.
All of a sudden, the Strait of Hormuz has become the most combustible spot on the planet, the most likely place to witness a major conflict between well-armed adversaries. Why, of all locales, has it become so explosive?
Oil, of course, is a major part of the answer, but -- and this may surprise you -- only a part. .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175496/tomgram%3A_michael_klare%2C_no_exit_in_the_persian_gulf/ (story follows a brief intro)
Hormuz-Mania: Why Closure of the Strait of Hormuz Could Ignite a War and a Global Depression
from TomDispatch:
Hormuz-Mania
Why Closure of the Strait of Hormuz Could Ignite a War and a Global Depression
By Michael T. Klare
Ever since December 27th, war clouds have been gathering over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow body of water connecting the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean and the seas beyond. On that day, Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi warned that Tehran would block the strait and create havoc in international oil markets if the West placed new economic sanctions on his country.
“If they impose sanctions on Iran’s oil exports,” Rahimi declared, “then even one drop of oil cannot flow from the Strait of Hormuz.” Claiming that such a move would constitute an assault on America’s vital interests, President Obama reportedly informed Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that Washington would use force to keep the strait open. To back up their threats, both sides have been bolstering their forces in the area and each has conducted a series of provocative military exercises.
All of a sudden, the Strait of Hormuz has become the most combustible spot on the planet, the most likely place to witness a major conflict between well-armed adversaries. Why, of all locales, has it become so explosive?
Oil, of course, is a major part of the answer, but -- and this may surprise you -- only a part. .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/175496/tomgram%3A_michael_klare%2C_no_exit_in_the_persian_gulf/ (story follows a brief intro)
February 1, 2012
(Bloomberg) Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), the world’s largest Internet retailer, missed analysts’ fourth-quarter revenue estimates and reported a 57 percent decline in profit, dragged down by shipping costs and the money-losing Kindle Fire.
Net income fell to $177 million, or 38 cents a share, from $416 million, or 91 cents, a year earlier, the Seattle-based company said today in a statement. Sales rose 35 percent to $17.4 billion, compared with an estimate of $18.3 billion.
Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is squeezing profit margins in search of growth, looking to add customers by pushing free shipping and offering its Kindle devices at cut-rate prices. That has conditioned investors to expect strong sales increases, making the latest results disappointing, said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners LP in New York.
“To miss on the top line, that’s what breaks the momentum,” said Gillis, who recommends selling Amazon stock. “The bull case just breaks down.” ...............(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-31/amazon-s-sales-miss-estimates-profit-drops-as-expenses-surge-shares-drop.html
Amazon’s Sales Miss Estimates, Profit Drops 57%
(Bloomberg) Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN), the world’s largest Internet retailer, missed analysts’ fourth-quarter revenue estimates and reported a 57 percent decline in profit, dragged down by shipping costs and the money-losing Kindle Fire.
Net income fell to $177 million, or 38 cents a share, from $416 million, or 91 cents, a year earlier, the Seattle-based company said today in a statement. Sales rose 35 percent to $17.4 billion, compared with an estimate of $18.3 billion.
Chief Executive Officer Jeff Bezos is squeezing profit margins in search of growth, looking to add customers by pushing free shipping and offering its Kindle devices at cut-rate prices. That has conditioned investors to expect strong sales increases, making the latest results disappointing, said Colin Gillis, an analyst at BGC Partners LP in New York.
“To miss on the top line, that’s what breaks the momentum,” said Gillis, who recommends selling Amazon stock. “The bull case just breaks down.” ...............(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-31/amazon-s-sales-miss-estimates-profit-drops-as-expenses-surge-shares-drop.html
February 1, 2012
By Erik Loomis | Sourced from Lawyers, Guns and Money
Posted at January 31, 2012, 10:16 am
Government Treats Working People With Basic Dignity, Conservatives Freak Out
The Congressional Budget Office released a report showing that poorly educated government workers make more than they would in the private sector. That’s hardly surprising. What’s equally unsurprising is that pro-business writers are saying that government workers make too much money. First up is my new favorite Atlantic hack Jordan Weissmann:
So it’s great that the federal government treats working-class people with dignity but this needs to end yesterday? For someone like Weissmann, committed to defending the nation’s income disparity and defending the privileges of the 1%, this is typical but still awful. For Weissmann, the only workers that matter are those with advanced degrees. Working-class people I guess should go work at Wal-Mart or something.
Of course, Kevin Drum also equivocates on whether this is a good thing:
Hiring working-class people hurts the quality of the federal bureaucracy? Should you need a master’s degree to work for the Postal Service? A Ph.D. to hold a mid-level job in Commerce? .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/769235/government_treats_working_people_with_basic_dignity%2C_conservatives_freak_out/
Government Treats Working People With Basic Dignity, Conservatives Freak Out
By Erik Loomis | Sourced from Lawyers, Guns and Money
Posted at January 31, 2012, 10:16 am
Government Treats Working People With Basic Dignity, Conservatives Freak Out
The Congressional Budget Office released a report showing that poorly educated government workers make more than they would in the private sector. That’s hardly surprising. What’s equally unsurprising is that pro-business writers are saying that government workers make too much money. First up is my new favorite Atlantic hack Jordan Weissmann:
It’s great that the federal government is providing livable wages to workers, and their families, who would probably have a tough time of it in the private sector. But as an efficient use of resources, the current setup doesn’t make much sense. This might sound cold-hearted to some, but this is exactly the opposite of what the chart should look like if we’re interested in attracting the best and brightest to public service, and keeping them there.
So it’s great that the federal government treats working-class people with dignity but this needs to end yesterday? For someone like Weissmann, committed to defending the nation’s income disparity and defending the privileges of the 1%, this is typical but still awful. For Weissmann, the only workers that matter are those with advanced degrees. Working-class people I guess should go work at Wal-Mart or something.
Of course, Kevin Drum also equivocates on whether this is a good thing:
Would the quality of the federal bureaucracy improve if we paid less for low-level jobs and used the money we saved to compete better for top-level managers and other professionals? Maybe! But the CBO punts on this: “A key issue in compensation policy is the ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified workforce. But assessing how changes in compensation would affect the government’s ability to recruit and retain the personnel it needs is beyond the scope of this analysis.” Maybe next time.
Hiring working-class people hurts the quality of the federal bureaucracy? Should you need a master’s degree to work for the Postal Service? A Ph.D. to hold a mid-level job in Commerce? .................(more)
The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/769235/government_treats_working_people_with_basic_dignity%2C_conservatives_freak_out/
February 1, 2012
Connections: The Chicago Transit Authority's YouTube channel........
The segments and the spokesmodel can be a tad corny, but it's a really good way to keep riders up on what's going on with transit. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/CTAConnections
Here are a few clips:
http://www.youtube.com/CTAConnections#p/u/1/5v1ID6Z7XOw
http://www.youtube.com/CTAConnections#p/u/29/Ml_G0uDzV_Y
February 1, 2012
from BanksterUSA:
Scott Walker’s Plutonomy: An Economy for the One Percent
Submitted by Mary Bottari on January 24, 2012 - 09:18
While volunteer after volunteer from each of Wisconsin's 72 counties marched into the state's election board to deposit over one million signatures for the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Walker was no where to be found.
At the hour petitions were being deposited on January 17, Mother Jones revealed that Walker was scheduled to attend a high-dollar fundraiser in the heart of the New York's financial district at 339 Park Avenue -- the towering headquarters for global financial giant CitiGroup. The $5,000 per couple fundraiser was hosted by none other than Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, former CEO of AIG.
Walker's choice to be on Wall Street the day of the recall filing is so astounding, for many it goes far beyond the notion of a tin ear. "Walker could not have sent a clearer signal to Wall Street, that he is on the side of the 1 percent ready to do their bidding and take the heat," said Scot Ross of the Wisconsin group, One Wisconsin Now. Ross points to the data his group compiled to support his claim that Walker is constructing an economy that only the 1 percent could love.
CitiGroup and AIG
No two institutions are more responsible for the economic collapse of America than CitiGroup and AIG. ...............(more)
The complete piece is at: http://banksterusa.org/content/scott-walker%E2%80%99s-plutonomy-economy-one-percent
Scott Walker’s Plutonomy: An Economy for the One Percent
from BanksterUSA:
Scott Walker’s Plutonomy: An Economy for the One Percent
Submitted by Mary Bottari on January 24, 2012 - 09:18
While volunteer after volunteer from each of Wisconsin's 72 counties marched into the state's election board to deposit over one million signatures for the recall of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, Walker was no where to be found.
At the hour petitions were being deposited on January 17, Mother Jones revealed that Walker was scheduled to attend a high-dollar fundraiser in the heart of the New York's financial district at 339 Park Avenue -- the towering headquarters for global financial giant CitiGroup. The $5,000 per couple fundraiser was hosted by none other than Maurice "Hank" Greenberg, former CEO of AIG.
Walker's choice to be on Wall Street the day of the recall filing is so astounding, for many it goes far beyond the notion of a tin ear. "Walker could not have sent a clearer signal to Wall Street, that he is on the side of the 1 percent ready to do their bidding and take the heat," said Scot Ross of the Wisconsin group, One Wisconsin Now. Ross points to the data his group compiled to support his claim that Walker is constructing an economy that only the 1 percent could love.
CitiGroup and AIG
No two institutions are more responsible for the economic collapse of America than CitiGroup and AIG. ...............(more)
The complete piece is at: http://banksterusa.org/content/scott-walker%E2%80%99s-plutonomy-economy-one-percent
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