50 Economic Numbers From 2011 That Are Almost Too Crazy To Believe
December 21, 2011
The Economic Collapse
By TEC
Even though most Americans have become very frustrated with this economy, the reality is that the vast majority of them still have no idea just how bad our economic decline has been or how much trouble we are going to be in if we don’t make dramatic changes immediately. If we do not educate the American people about how deathly ill the U.S. economy has become, then they will just keep falling for the same old lies that our politicians keep telling them. Just “tweaking” things here and there is not going to fix this economy. We truly do need a fundamental change in direction. America is consuming far more wealth than it is producing and our debt is absolutely exploding. If we stay on this current path, an economic collapse is inevitable. Hopefully the crazy economic numbers from 2011 that I have included in this article will be shocking enough to wake some people up.
At this time of the year, a lot of families get together, and in most homes the conversation usually gets around to politics at some point. Hopefully many of you will use the list below as a tool to help you share the reality of the U.S. economic crisis with your family and friends. If we all work together, hopefully we can get millions of people to wake up and realize that “business as usual” will result in a national economic apocalypse.
The following are 50 economic numbers from 2011 that are almost too crazy to believe….
#1 A staggering 48 percent of all Americans are either considered to be “low income” or are living in poverty.
#2 Approximately 57 percent of all children in the United States are living in homes that are either considered to be “low income” or impoverished.
#3 If the number of Americans that “wanted jobs” was the same today as it was back in 2007, the “official” unemployment rate put out by the U.S. government would be up to 11 percent.
#4 The average amount of time that a worker stays unemployed in the United States is now over 40 weeks.
#5 One recent survey found that 77 percent of all U.S. small businesses do not plan to hire any more workers.
Click here for the full article.
US Long-Term Plan In Afghanistan Laid Bare
December 21, 2011
Info Wars
By Dr. Raja Muhammad Khan
Afghan people must have a realization that NATO and U.S have no love with them. In fact, their own strategic objectives compel them to remain stuck to Afghanistan and Pakistan for promoting a regional instability by promoting terrorism and internally destabilizing both countries as an excuse to continue their mission.
The final Communiqué of the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan-2011 supported the covert US plan for staying in Afghanistan beyond 2014. Earlier, during the Lisbon Summit-November 2011, the forty-eight member coalition agreed for a troop’s drawdown by December 2014. Pentagon had a reservation to this deadline, as expressed by its representative immediately after the Lisbon Summit. President Obama however had a different framework for the withdrawal of US troops, starting from July 2011. Nevertheless, his powerful Pentagon lobby resented his plan. The Pentagon indeed is the B team of the neoconservatives, aiming for a global domination and capturing the important natural sources worldwide.
The Bonn Communiqué says, both sides “solemnly dedicated themselves to deepening and broadening their historic partnership from Transition to the Transformation Decade of 2015-2024.” The Lisbon Summit of November 20, November 2010 has approved withdrawal of ISAF forces from Afghanistan by 2014, in the wordings, “The Alliance approved to end its combat mission in Afghanistan and hand over full sovereignty and security responsibility to Afghan forces.” Indeed, it has been seen since 2001, that US always lobby for keeping leverages for the further extension of any mission where it has long-term objectives fixed, until their attainment.
In Iraq, US has gained maximum through bilateral arrangement for a control on its hydrocarbons, therefore, decided to pull out its combat troops by December 31, 2011, as a ‘mission accomplished’, announced by President Obama. Besides, there is a substantial presence of US combat forces in other Middle Eastern countries to take care of its future interests. Furthermore, it has overthrown some of the anti-US regimes like Libyan leader Qadafi and indeed, looking for toppling many others likes Syria. U.S is carefully crafting a methodology for dealing with Iran, another anti US country in the region, in the garb of its nuclearization plan.
Click here for the full report.
Romney, Huntsman, Perry All Kin To Past Presidents
December 21, 2011
McClatchey
By Lesley Clark
“This is quite disturbing. You don’t see Ron Paul on this list.” –KTRN
Mitt Romney, Jon Huntsman and Rick Perry already sport the presidential look: perfectly coiffed hair, a touch of gray, a firm jaw line. Now there’s word that it may be inherited. The online genealogy service Ancestry.com reports that Romney, Huntsman and Perry all have ties to former presidents, topped by Romney, who has six former commanders in chief in his family tree, including Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt and Republicans George H.W. and George W. Bush. Huntsman, too, is related to those three presidents and is a seventh cousin to President Calvin Coolidge. Texas Gov. Perry can claim ties to President Harry Truman and, being a Texan, legendary Texas Gov. Sam Houston. The familial trees of other GOP candidates, including Newt Gingrich, also are being examined. “We found it pretty remarkable that a number of people seeking to become president are coming from families with links to the presidents,” said Anastasia Harman, lead family historian for Ancestry.com. “It makes the primary somewhat of a family affair.” The links come as little surprise to genealogists, who note that Americans are a lot more related to one another than they might think. “People generally underestimate the extent to which we are all related to one another,” said Robert Charles Anderson, the director of the Great Migration Study Project at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. “As we move along in society, there are more people and you get more connections, not just because of the number of people, but every marriage gives hooks into more families.”
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Ron Paul’s Foreign Policy Views Explained in 13 Minutes (VIDEO)
December 20, 2011 by William
Filed under Government
December 21, 2011
FTM Daily
By Jerry Robinson
“If you’re still concerned about Ron Paul’s ideas on foreign policy, watch this.” –KTRN
Is Ron Paul’s view of foreign policy “wacky” as some say?
One of the most common issues that has come up since I have vocalized my support for Rep. Ron Paul for President is his unique stance on foreign policy. Ron Paul is often criticized for being naive on foreign affairs, especially in the Middle East. But are his foreign policy views really naive?
The video below offers some of the best information on understanding the ideas behind Ron Paul’s view of Israel and foreign policy that I have ever seen.
The video is just over 13 minutes. If you are one of many Americans who like Ron Paul’s economic policies, but can’t seem to stomach his ideas on foreign policies, then you owe it to yourself to watch this brief video.
Even if you disagree with the conclusions, at least you will have informed yourself more fully on the issues.
Click here for the full article.
A Congress of Cowards
December 20, 2011 by William
Filed under Government
December 21, 2011
Op Ed News
By Rob Kall
“Can congress get anything right?” –KTRN
Congress is punting again, this time on the tax cut extension. This pattern, which has led to the lowest approval levels since measures of approval were taken, has become chronic. It’s really about the bulk of the members of congress being cowards who are intentionally destroying the balance of powers between legislative, Judiciary and Executive, so they can save their jobs.
Recent conversations with folks like Bruce Fein and Thom Hartmann have convinced me that the congress is staffed, predominantly by cowards who, in failing to make tough decisions, are destroying the three way balance between the executive, justice and legislative branches. Cowards who hand the decisions to the SCOTUS or the White House so they can save their jobs through the next congressional election cycle.
They avoid making tough economic decisions by creating bogus committees which also fail.
They defer on making hard votes on going to war, handing the power over to the White House.
They let the Supreme court ride roughshod over decisions made by elected officials. The despotic corporatists in the Supreme court were not elected. At least several are unethical and the congress does not impeach them. The congress could easily slap down the Supreme court and its excesses. It could even impeach those Justices who have sold out to corporations and foreign interests.
Click here for the full article.
Study: Antidepressant Drugs Actually Cause Many People To Have Worse Depression
December 21, 2011
Natural News
By Jonathan Benson
“How can a drug be considered effective when the very thing it’s trying to eliminate is actually one of the side effects?” –KTRN
A recent industry-funded study on antidepressant drugs has revealed that the medications can cause roughly 20 percent of patients to get worse depression symptoms than if they simply took nothing. Published in the journal Archives of General Psychiatry, the study, which was largely controlled by drug giant Eli Lilly, is an eye-opener for those who still put their faith in antidepressants like Cymbalta (duloxetine), which carry with them life-altering side effects.
Ralitza Gueorguieva, lead author of the study from the Yale University School of Health, and her colleagues conducted trials on 2,500 people, all of whom were given either Cymbalta, various other antidepressant drugs, or a drug-free placebo for two months. At the conclusion of the study, most of those who received the placebo saw a gradual improvement in their depression symptoms, while nearly 20 percent of those taking antidepressants saw a worsening of their symptoms.
Those taking antidepressants rather than a placebo were grouped into one of two groups — “responders” or “non-responders.” Responders allegedly saw some improvement from the drugs, while non-responders saw no improvement at all. Eighty-four percent of all patients in the drug groups reportedly saw some improvement, while 16 percent saw no improvement at all — and this 16 percent actually saw a worsening of symptoms, as well as various other harmful side effects.
Click here for the full report.
Consumers Tricked into Buying Toxic Supplements as Sales Soar
December 21, 2011
Natural Society
By Mike Barrett
“You need to make sure you’re buying the right kind of supplements. See our exclusive article on this very subject.” –KTRN
It seems that people in Britain have been increasingly becoming more health-conscious. Not only that, but the need to avoid sickness also seems to be more of a necessity than it has been in past years. In fact, vitamin sales more than tripled in Britain in just the past 2 years, but are people really targeting the reduction of illness and disease in the most effective way?
Choosing the Wrong Supplements
It isn’t surprising to see such an increase in supplement sales. Although statistics for many diseases are still steadily rising, it seems awareness surrounding the need for a healthy lifestyle is also gaining considerable momentum. One supermarket chain called Sainsbury’s is experiencing 200 percent increased sales for their vitamin C compared to two years ago while multivitamin sales have also doubled over the same time period. In addition, sales of antibacterial hand gel are up 145 percent compared to 2010, showing that people are becoming more worried about contracting and illness as well as spreading germs.
Unfortunately, many people contributing to these sales may not know that what they are really buying into is toxic health. It is extremely difficult to find a quality health supplements in any drugstore or supermarket, and Sainsbury’s is no exception. Not only are most if not all of the vitamins in synthetic form, but you can also expect to find a long list of unhealthy and toxic ingredients. Here are just some of the ingredients to look out for, which can actually be found in Sainsbury’s Vitamin C Tablets:
- Maltodextrin
- Stearic Acid
- Magnesium Stearate
- Modified Maize Starch
These ingredients are controversial to say the least, but some of them such as magnesium stearate have been shown to cause kidney stones and liver abnormalities. There is no reason to put your health at risk with supplements containing toxic ingredients when purchasing truly healthy supplements can be just as simple.
Antibacterial Soap is Toxic, A Marketing Ploy
Antibacterial soap is another item that has gained popularity, but that popularity is solely due to faulty marketing and false advertising. While there are many harmful ingredients residing in antibacterial soaps and gels as well as other personal care products, chemicals triclosan and triclocarban are two very common ones. These two chemicals have been used for decades for their antibacterial and antifungal properties, but you’ll be interested to know that they are no more effective than regular soap and water at preventing sickness. Even the FDA recognizes this fact, but still companies are allowed to market products containing these ingredients as “antibacterial” to increase sales.
In addition to being ineffective, triclosan and triclobarban are also harmful to your health. Like bisphenol A, these chemicals are endocrine disrupting chemicals, which means that your hormone system is being tampered with and negatively impacted. Endocrine disrupting chemicals have been shown to cause health problems like fertility defects, depression, adverse effects on male fertility, and diabetes.
Click here for the full report.
Race On To Cover Up Details Of Lab Created Killer Bird Flu
December 21, 2011
Info Wars
By Steve Watson
“Why are deadly viruses being created in laboratories? Here’s an idea – leave them alone.” –KTRN
A highly contagious mutant strain of H5N1 bird flu that can be transmitted between mammals has been deliberately created at Rotterdam’s Erasmus Medical Centre, the London Independent reports.
Now plans to publish details of how the deadly virus was created in the lab are being castigated by government officials and health experts.
The findings were scheduled to be published in the US journal Science, however, officials at the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity have demanded that they be allowed to screen the details first.
“The worst-case scenario here is worse than anything you can imagine,” an anonymous senior US government advisor told the Independent.
“The fear is that if you create something this deadly and it goes into a global pandemic, the mortality and cost to the world could be massive.”
In comments to The London Telegraph, EU Health Commissioner John Dalli said that the Dutch government has assured him the virus is being kept secure.
“The Dutch authorities confirmed that the virus itself is stored in a very secured way and that the necessary permits were given and that the researchers are bound by a code of conduct,” Mr Dalli said.
“One of the issues … is to ensure that any information coming from this research is well controlled and without sensitive details about mutation being given,” he added.
The ultimate fear is that the virus could escape the lab, or be recreated somewhere else for nefarious purposes, such as a deadly bioweapon.
Click here for the full report.
23 And 1/2 Hours: What Is The Single Best Thing We Can Do For Our Health? (VIDEO)
December 21, 2011
You Tube
By Dr. Mike Evans
Illustrated by Liisa Sorsa
Produced, directed, and filmed by Nick De Pencier
A Doctor-Professor answers the old question “What is the single best thing we can do for our health” in a completely new way. Dr. Mike Evans is founder of the Health Design Lab at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, an Associate Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of Toronto, and a staff physician at St. Michael’s Hospital.
Mayans Launch Apocalypse Countdown
December 20, 2011 by William
Filed under Unexplained
December 21, 2011
Hindustan Times
By Associated Press
“Just one more year until the Mayan calendar stops. Do you think anything will happen?” –KTRN
Only 52 weeks and a day are left before Dec. 21, 2012, when some believe the Maya predicted the end of the world.
Unlike enthusiasts of other doomsday theories who suggest putting together survival kits, southeastern Mexico, the heart of Maya territory, plans a yearlong celebration.
Mexico’s tourism agency expects to draw 52 million visitors by next year only to the regions of Chiapas, Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco and Campeche. All of Mexico usually lures about 22 million foreigners in a year.
It’s selling the date, the Winter Solstice in the coming year, as a time of renewal. Many archeologists argue that the 2012 reference on a 1,300-year-old stone tablet only marks the end of a cycle in the Mayan calendar.
“The world will not end. It is an era,” said Yeanet Zaldo, a tourism spokeswoman for the Caribbean state of Quintana Roo, home to Cancun. “For us, it is a message of hope.”
Cities and towns in the Mayan region on Wednesday will start the yearlong countdown. In Chiapas the town of Tapachula on the Guatemalan border will start a countdown on an 8-foot digital clock in the main park exactly a year before the mysterious date.
In the nearby archaeological site of Izapa, Maya priests will burn incense, chant and offer prayers.
In the tropical jungle of Quintana Roo, between the resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, people are putting messages and photos in a time capsule that will be buried for 50 years. Maya priests and Indian dancers will perform a ritual at the time capsule ceremony.
Yucatan state has announced plans to complete the Maya Museum of Merida by next summer.
“People who still live in Mayan villages will host rites and burn incense for us to go back in time and try to understand the Mayan wisdom,” Zaldo said.
The Maya reputation for wisdom has people taking the alleged prediction seriously.
The Mayan civilization, which reached its height from 300 AD to 900 AD, had a talent for astronomy
Its Long Count calendar begins in 3,114 BC, marking time in roughly 394-year periods known as Baktuns. Thirteen was a significant, sacred number for the Mayas, and they wrote that the 13th Baktun ends on Dec. 21, 2012.
Click here for the full report.
