Friends Enemies Dimwits Explanations

I like this quote I heard somewhere, but there is no author to it, apparently the quote belongs to anonymous or it is of public domain now. Nonetheless, it [the quote] is a wonderful one that I usually follow and describes my personality.
Of course, there is one rule I also apply to myself: "First do no harm"

Do not ever explain yourself. Do not give explanations to anyone. Your friends don´t need them, your enemies won´t believe them, the closed minded [stupid ones] won´t understand them.

In other words, eff them all!

25 Signs That The Financial World Is About To Hit The Big Red Panic Button

The following are 25 signs that the financial world is about to hit the big red panic button....

#1 According to a new study just released by Merrill Lynch, the U.S. economy has an 80% chance of going into another recession.

#2 Will Bank of America be the next Lehman Brothers? Shares of Bank of America have fallen more than 40% over the past couple of months. Even though Warren Buffet recently stepped in with 5 billion dollars, the reality is that the problems for Bank of America are far from over. In fact, one analyst is projecting that Bank of America is going to need to raise 40 or 50 billion dollars in new capital.

Actress Daryl Hannah Arrested At White House Protest | FoxNews.com

Daryl Hannah looks just great, I mean really, really great. Take in consideration her age, she is 50 years old. I bet millions of women in their 20's wish they had her looks. 
Good for you Daryl, even thought I don't agree with you in your beliefs of man-made global warming [it's a scam, Daryl!] I had to post this arrest because I think that the US is becoming a police state when a swat team officer has to handcuff a peaceful protester!
Telling you guys, American Gestapo right in this picture.

Actress Daryl Hannah has been arrested in front of the White House along with other environmental protesters who oppose a planned oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Winn-Dixie closing 30 stores, 1 in Jacksonville | jacksonville.com

Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. Tuesday announced it will close 30 of its 514 stores, including one in Jacksonville, and cut 120 jobs in its corporate and field support staffs as it deals with a continued weak economy.
The Jacksonville-based supermarket chain wouldn’t say which stores are closing until company officials can inform the employees involved, which should happen by the end of today.

How The Economy Quietly Entered A Recession On Friday, And Why The GDP Predicts A Sub-Zero Nonfarm Payroll Number | ZeroHedge

While the key market moving event from last Friday may have been Bernanke's Jackson Hole speech which merely left the door open to future QE episodes, the most important event from an economic standpoint was the first GDP revision Q2, which dropped from preliminary 1.3% to a sub stall speed, in real terms, 1.0%. What is just as important is that as the following chart from Bloomberg demonstrates, the YoY change in real GDP, which is now at 1.5%, is a slam dunk indicator of recession: "Since 1948, every time the four-quarter change has fallen below 2 percent, the economy has entered a recession.

No jobs in the U.S.? I'm moving! - Two grads start a business in China (1) - CNNMoney

With all the horror stories of the job market in the USA, my best friend Jamie and I decided we were not going to do the traditional job search back home.

Instead, after moving to China to study and teach English, we decided to start our own company.

FEMA almost out of disaster funds - Aug. 29, 2011

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Federal Disaster Relief Fund, the pot of money used to help communities and individuals hit by disasters, is nearly depleted. That's bad news for victims of both Hurricane Irene and other disasters like the tornadoes that hit earlier this year.
Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate said Monday that the agency's fund has fallen to less than $800 million. With less that $1 billion on hand, the agency is only authorized to pay for emergency repairs. That means that long-term projects, like rebuilding roads, schools and other damaged structures in the tornado-ravaged southeastern states and Joplin, Mo., will have to wait.

Profits Falling, Banks Confront a Leaner Future - CNBC

Battered by a weak economy, the nation’s biggest banks are cutting jobs, consolidating businesses and scrambling for new sources of income in anticipation of a fundamentally altered financial landscape requiring leaner operations.

The Butte 100 Establishes Itself; Tinker Juarez Wins 2011 Edition

GO TINKER JUAREZ!

It began with about 40 local racers headed out for little more than a day in the saddle. But even that number is debatable between those in Triple Ring Productions (TRP), the organizing body of the Butte 100 endurance mountain bike race. Back then, record keeping ranked just below figuring out who’s buying the post-race beer. Fast forward five short years and the race has evolved from its Montana-esque, grassroots approach into one of the nation’s newest elite endurance mountain bike races.

Levi Leipheimer wins 2011 USA Pro Cycling Challenge as Daniel Oss wins finale in Denver

Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) sewed up his overall victory in the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge on Sunday as Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Cannondale) won the final stage before a packed house in downtown Denver. The 73.8-mile sixth stage from Golden to the Mile High City looped to the north and then back through downtown Golden, up Lookout Mountain, past Buffalo Bill’s grave, then back around through Golden once more before heading to downtown Denver for a spectator-lined circuit around the Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park.

Vuelta España 2011 Stage 9

“The idea here is to gain fitness for the worlds, but it’s been a very hard Vuelta. It’s been harder than the Tour de France,” said Haussler, who rode in the breakaway Saturday. “I want to be fresh coming out of this Vuelta. You cannot push it too hard because it could knock you back. It’s better this year that there’s an extra week between the Vuelta and the worlds.”



 Stage 9 results
1 Daniel Martin (Irl) Garmin-Cervelo 4:52:14
2 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank
3 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC + 0:03
4 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky + 0:04
5 Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky + 0:07
6 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale + 0:11
7 Rein Taaramae (Est) Cofidis + 0:12
8 Denis Menchov (Rus) Geox-TMC
9 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa) RadioShack
10 Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana

General Classification after Stage 9
1 Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank 37:11:17
2 Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha + 0:01
3 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale + 0:09
4 Fredrik Kessiakoff (Swe) Astana + 0:16
5 Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto + 0:27
6 Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha + 0:35
7 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek + 0:37
8 Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) Quickstep + 0:42
9 Haimar Zubeldia Agirre (Spa)RadioShack
10 Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC + 0:46

SOURCES: Steephill VeloNews

Economic Collapse the New Normal

Beautiful words in this video, analysis of the world trends, no fear-mongering, just the truth. Worth listening.

Weather: NYC Orders Evacuation, Subways to Shut Down - CNBC

Authorities in New York City ordered mandatory evacuation of all low-lying areas before Hurricane Irene hits, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Friday.
Bloomberg told a press conference that the evacuation—estimated at more than 250,000 people—could begin when shelters open at 4 p.m.

Payless, Stride Rite parent Collective Brands closing 475 stores, mulling selling itself - OrlandoSentinel.com

NEW YORK (AP) — The parent company of Payless and Stride Rite shoe stores, Collective Brands Inc., said Wednesday that it plans to close 475 stores and has engaged a firm to help it explore its options.

China bars some Lady Gaga hits from download sites | The Associated Press | News | Washington Examiner

I hate what China Communist totalitarian-dictatorial country does to the western culture, to western freedom, to western everything. 
I just HATE what China keeps on doing to our music, food, sports, etc. I totally disagree with what China stands for. I do not buy anything Chinese if I can avoid it. I do not eat Chinese. I do not want anything CHINESE! Argh, and now the Chinese government bars one of my modern favorite singers, Lady Gaga...!


Well, from now on, I bar anything that has the Chinese print on it! Lady GAGA doesn't need the ridiculous Chinese dictatorial rules to shine all over the world. 


China's Ministry of Culture has ordered music download sites to delete songs by Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, the Backstreet Boys and other pop stars within two weeks or face punishment. 


The ministry posted a list of 100 songs — including Lady Gaga's "Judas" and Perry's "Last Friday Night" — that had to be purged from the Chinese web because they had never been submitted for mandatory government screening. Six Lady Gaga songs in all were on the list, all from her latest album. 


The 12-year-old ballad "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys was also targeted. Dozens of Hong Kong and Taiwanese pop songs and a few Western hits were listed as well. 


 From: http://ping.fm/26oFS

Economy and Recession: Chance of Recession Is as High as 80%: Study - CNBC

But Peter Schiff says: “It’s a 100 percent chance, in fact the recession might have already started.” Peter Schiff is a CEO & Chief Global Strategist of Euro Pacific Capital.
A plunge in recent economic data puts the probability of a double-dip recession above 80 percent, according to modeling by Bank of America Merrill Lynch released Wednesday, reflecting the toll the U.S. debt downgrade, Europe’s woes and stock market volatility has taken on economic activity.

Number of Species on Earth is 8.7 Million, Scientists Say - International Business Times

Up to now, ONLY 1.2 million species have been officially registered by taxonomists.

Scientists have made the most precise calculation yet of the number of species on Earth, determining the total to be 8.7 million.
Previously estimated by mere educated guesses at a wide margin between three and 100 million, scientists calculated 8.7 million (plus or minus 1.3 million), a number they call "the most precise calculation ever offered" analyzing taxonomies and applying the patterns throughout genera and the rest of the classification hierarchy. The study was published on Tuesday in the journal PLoS Biology.
"The question of how many species exist has intrigued scientists for centuries and the answer, coupled with research by others into species' distribution and abundance, is particularly important now because a host of human activities and influences are accelerating the rate of extinctions," said lead author Camilo Mora of the University of Hawaii.
The majority of the 8.7 million are comprised of animals, estimated at about 7.7 million, leaving the last million to account for plants, fungi and protozoa, according to BBC.
The number of species on Earth prompts a basic question that has been enigmatic for scientists over the years.
"If we didn't know - even by an order of magnitude (1m? 10m? 100m?) - the number of people in a nation, how would we plan for the future?" co-author Boris Worm of Dalhousie University said to BBC.
"Many species may vanish before we even know of their existence, of their unique niche and function in ecosystems, and of their potential contribution to improved human well-being," Mora said.
According to TG Daily, it could take more than 1,200 years to discover the remaining species at the current rate of discovery, utilizing 300,00 taxonomists and costing about $364 billion.

From: http://ping.fm/v81D7

US National Debt Clock is Ticking

U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK The Outstanding Public Debt as of 25 Aug 2011 at 02:50:17 PM GMT is: The estimated population of the United States is 311,184,373 so each citizen's share of this debt is $47,097.57. The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $3.96 billion per daysince September 28, 2007!

US National Debt Clock

ANGEL VERDUGO Odia-a los Ciclistas - Yahoo! Noticias

Angel Verdugo, a retard commentator on a Mexican radio located in Mexico City, D.F. made the most horrific comment about cyclists I have EVER heard. He said that cyclists are a plague and called upon all auto drivers of Mexico City to kill, yes, you read correctly, to KILL with their cars, all cyclists they encounter along the road. Fortunately, the radio directors and owner of the Grupo Imagen Radio fired him. But I don´t think that is enough punishment. 


ANGEL VERDUGO is a potential serial killer and should be sent to a psychiatric hospital for severe medical treatment and solitary confinement.

Ángel Verdugo, comentarista de Reporte 98.5, ofreció una disculpa a quienes se hayan sentido ofendidos por llamar plaga a los ciclistas de la ciudad de México y por su llamado a los automovilistas para aplastarlos. En el espacio de radiofónico conducido por Francisco Zea, el analista se dijo sorprendido de que un comentario irónico y sarcástico se salga de proporción. Sin embargo, reconoció que quizás no hayan sido las palabras apropiadas para referirse al tema, basado en una experiencia personal. "Evidentemente, fue un comentario sarcástico, considero que el sarcasmo es una expresión fina de la inteligencia".

From: http://ping.fm/KqjIj

Economy Collapse Detroit Destroyed in Ruins

When any city or country in the world suffers and goes to ruins, it's sad. When the people of that town leaves and abandons the city that used to be their home, everything disappears.
I wonder how many cities around the world we are going to see in ruins, just like Detroit, as the world financial system continues to collapse.

Genetic Polymorphism Involved in Organophosphate Breakdown Linked to Neurodevelopmental Delay

August 23, 2010 — Polymorphisms in a gene associated with the enzyme that breaks down organophosphate pesticides has been linked to neurodevelopmental delay in a study of children born to Mexican American women living in California’s agriculture-rich Salinas Valley.

"We found that the PON1−108T allele is related to mental development and to a lesser extent psychomotor development in toddlers," principal investigator Brenda Eskanazi, PhD, told Medscape Medical News. "This study adds to the growing evidence that the PON1 gene is associated with an array of neurologic endpoints in adults and in children."

Bank Stocks Getting Worst of Fears Recession Is Back - CNBC

While investors in major indices have been pricing in the end of the recovery, bank investors appear to be pricing in the end of the world.

"What you have at the moment is the market making the assumption that these companies aren't worth their liquidation value, even if their liquidation value is 100 percent in cash," said Dick Bove, vice president of equity research at Rochdale Securities in Stamford, Conn. "You have to ask yourself what is going on. Do they believe that the American banking industry is finished?"

"Basically if what the market is telling us about banks is correct, then we're heading toward a financial crisis which will cripple the American economy and all these stocks," he added in an interview.

Bove famously made the call nearly a month ago that the market was too volatile and investors should shed all their positions, including banks.

From: http://ping.fm/NoCYZ

Guest Post: Stocks And Credit In Full Disconnect Mode | ZeroHedge

Not only are all the spreads wider, the bid/offer is abysmal. The market has lost any semblance of provding true liquidity. It is broken enough that it wouldn't take much volume to push the indices tighter, but on the other hand it is hard to figure out why stocks are heading higher, so obliviously.

Economic Collapse US Unemployment Rises - economic news offers little solace - USATODAY.com

• The number of people applying for unemployment benefits rose back above 400,000 last week. Still, the four-week average, a more reliable gauge of the job market, fell to the lowest level since mid-April.
The report suggests the economy is creating jobs but not nearly enough to lower the high unemployment rate.

Vuelta A España Stage 2, Route Maps Results | Cyclingnews.com

Daniele Benati leads La Vuelta de España after stage 2. Nibali, 6th in the General Classification.

After a disastrous team time trial, Team Sky struck back in the best possible way when Chris Sutton took his debut stage win at a grand tour, out-sprinting Vicente Reynes (Omega Pharma-Lotto) at the end of a disorganised sprint into Playas de Orihuela. The Australian timed his final surge perfectly, jumping in behind Reynes as the Spaniard hit out for the line from the top of the final rise with 300 meters remaining.



GENERAL CLASSIFICATION after stage stage 2

1 Daniele Bennati (Ita) Leopard Trek 4:28:11
2 Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek
3 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Leopard Trek
4 Thomas Rohregger (Aut) Leopard Trek
5 Peter Sagan (Svk) Liquigas-Cannondale 0:00:04
6 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
7 Eros Capecchi (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
8 Valerio Agnoli (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
9 Damiano Caruso (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale
10 John Degenkolb (Ger) HTC-Highroad 0:00:09

From: http://ping.fm/PjISP

Bank of America to lay off 10,000 jobs | The Lookout - Yahoo! News

Bank of America is going to shed 3,500 jobs, the Wall Street Journal reports. And as part of a broader restructuring, it could cut another 10,000 or more--around 3.5 percent of the bank's total workforce.
The Charlotte, N.C., bank's profits have been hit by the weak economy, as well as a string of lawsuits and losses related to its investment in the sub-prime mortgages that triggered the financial crisis.

From: http://ping.fm/V6v9Y

U.S. Scrambling to Ease Shortage of Vital Medicine - NYTimes.com

The Obama administration is considering creating a government stockpile of crucial cancer medicines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already stockpile antibiotics, antidotes and other drugs needed in the event of a terrorist attack or earthquake.
“These shortages are just killing us,” said Dr. Michael Link, president of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the nation’s largest alliance of cancer doctors. “These drugs save lives, and it’s unconscionable that medicines that cost a couple of bucks a vial are unavailable.”

Stock Market Begins to Feed Economic Fear - CNBC

The stock market is starting to feed economic fear, not just reflect it. Stocks have fallen four weeks in a row. Some on Wall Street worry that the resulting blow to confidence, not to mention 401(k) statements, has set off a spiral of fear that could push prices even lower, cause people and businesses to pull back and tip the economy into a new recession. "I'm nervous that fear will lead companies to stop hiring and people to stop spending," says Jim Paulsen, chief investment strategist of Wells Capital Management, famous for his usually bullish take on the markets. From: http://ping.fm/D8tWr

Lady Gaga You and I Video

Lady Gaga is so prolific. I'm glad she keeps on making music and videos. Love this one too. Perfect for Saturday night.

Cyclist Simon Richardson Battle for his Life

This is the the story about a paralympic cyclist who was brutally attacked by a deranged car driver. My best   wishes for a prompt an speedy recovery go to him. Simon Richardson WILL make it and WILL be a champion of life forever. We all cyclists in the world are with you, Mr. Richardson. You are STRONG!

The 44-year-old was cycling near Bridgend when he was reportedly struck by a van.

He was taken to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff via air ambulance where he is undergoing treatment for multiple injuries. His wife said he is in a "critical but stable condition".

South Wales Police inspector Tony McAlinden said: "South Wales Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision that occurred at approximately 9.40am on Wednesday August 17 at the A48 Crack Hill, outside Crack Hill House, Bridgend.

"The Welsh Paralympic cyclist Simon Richardson MBE was involved in the injury road traffic accident. He was apparently struck by a small white van travelling in the same direction.

Cue Panic As Fed Resumes Liquidity Swap Lines, Lends $200 Million To Swiss National Bank, Most Since October 2010 | ZeroHedge

If yesterday's news broken by ZH that one bank was in dire need of US dollars and ended up borrowing $500 million from the ECB was enough to send the market down almost 5% today, then the follow up news that the FRBNY just reactivated FX swap lines with Europe will likely send ES limit down at tomorrow's open. The FRBNY has just announced that in the week ended August 17, it lent out $200 million to not the ECB, not the BOE, but the "most stable" of all banks: the SNB. This is the first use of the Fed's Swap Lines since March, and the most transacted under this "last ditch global bailout swap line" (see more on how the Fed bailed out the world using swap lines here) since October 2010. This event also gives us a hint that the European bank in question in dire need of cash is Swiss, which in turn means that it is not some usual PIIGS suspect, but one of the two "big ones." If true, this means that the European insolvency, liquidity and what have you crisis is about to take an exponential step function higher.

From: LINK

The Interns Are Leaving Wall Street, And That's Bad News Like Never Before

With the recent bank layoffs and fewer full-time employees working, Wall Street interns had to step up and take on heavier workloads this summer.
So the annual departure of the summer interns stings more than usual.
That departure day, for many, was last Friday.

From: http://ping.fm/kOffc

Will the Food Safety Modernization Act Help Prevent Outbreaks of Foodborne Illness? | Health Policy and Reform

Large-scale outbreaks of foodborne illness have recently focused attention on the ability of the U.S. food-safety system to protect the public health. The nationwide outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium infection associated with peanut products that is described by Cavallero et al. is one example.1 This contamination, which was ultimately traced to the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA), took a high toll — 714 people were affected, about 200 were hospitalized, and 9 died. Investigators found multiple potential routes of contamination at PCA facilities, such as rain leakage and cross-contamination between raw and roasted peanuts. Although the outbreak was eventually contained, key parts of the food-safety system clearly failed.

Vuelta a España 2011 to start this Saturday August 20

I am ready to follow faithfully la Vuelta a España 2011. It promises to be exciting and I am not going to miss it for the world, are you?
This is a little intro for you to get ready.
Starts this coming Saturday, August 20, la Vuelta begins with a 13.5 kilometer TTT (team time trial); kind of wimpy, I know, but worth watching if you are cycling maniac like me.
It starts and ends in Benidorm town
NOTE: Cadel Evans decides to participe in the Colorado US race instead of la Vuelta. Disappointing to me. But I still have Wiggins and Nibali!

Drug shortages set to reach record levels - USATODAY.com

If the global financial crisis continues to worsen, expect more medicine shortages, not only the oncology, surgical, anesthesia or specialty drugs, but it could affect other medications needed for more common medical treatments, and then the epidemiology, morbidity, pathology and mortality of the patients of the countries where the shortages are more severe, could significantly increase.


"It's a crisis situation," says Joseph Hill of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. 
Doctors, hospitals and patients across the USA are grappling with a record number of drug shortages, causing them to delay treatment, postpone surgery or make do with costlier and less effective substitutes.
Hospitals are running out of drugs used in everything from cancer to surgery, anesthesia and intravenous feeding, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
So far this year, 180 drugs have been in short supply. Virtually all U.S. hospitals say they've been affected, and 82% say the problem has delayed care for patients, says the American Hospital Association.

U.S. orders $40 million worth of chicken to help industry - Aug. 16, 2011

...but, but, according to , the Federal Reserve the US is in recovery!"


"At a time when the industry is under great stress due to the high cost of feed ingredients and the general economic slowdown, we appreciate USDA's willingness to step forward," the group said in a statement.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The United States is stepping in to help bail out another American industry -- chicken farmers and meat processors.
The nation's chicken industry is having a difficult year. Chicken producers are struggling with higher costs of running their business at the same time that consumers are buying less meat.
This has created a glut of chicken products in the market.

Postal Service Targets 220,000 Job Cuts - WSJ.com

...but, but, according to , the Federal Reserve the US is in recovery!


The U.S. Postal Service would reduce its work force by 220,000 jobs—more than a third—by 2015 under a plan presented to Congress to remedy dire financial conditions at the agency, postal officials said Friday.
The postal service, which is supported mostly by postage fees rather than taxpayers, said it has been struggling with a decline in first-class mail, as a result of the economic slowdown and the public's move toward communicating and paying bills online.
The agency now employs around 650,000 people. Half of the proposed 220,000 job cuts would come from attrition, said spokesman Dave Partenheimer. Other jobs would be eliminated by layoffs across the board, from mail carriers to administrators.

Pfizer Plans 16,300 Layoffs Amid Health Benefit Cuts for Retirees | BNET

Pfizer (PFE) plans to lay off 16,300 more employees as it grapples with declining sales of Lipitor, its best-selling cholesterol product, and attempts to meet savings targets promised to Wall Street. Lipitor sales reps will begin to receive phone calls about their fate this week, according to Pharmalot.

Pfizer is also in the process of a massive transfer of wealth from its 23,000 retirees — and those about to retire in the next few years — to itself. That has saved Pfizer $534 million in healthcare expenditures and reduced liabilities since 2009.

In its quarterly 10-Q disclosure to the SEC (page 10), Pfizer said that a “cost-reduction and transformation” plan put in place in 2005 has targeted 55,400 jobs, of which 39,100 have been terminated. That means 16,300 are yet to come. The company has spent $856 million on “employee termination costs” this year, up from $576 million through the first half of last year, and $1.9 billion in total costs associated with the company’s cost reduction initiatives.

It’s all part of CEO Ian Read’s promise to investment analysts in June to lop an extra $500 million in savings from 2011 and another $1 billion in 2012.

At the same time, as reported on BNET last week, Pfizer has axed much of its post-retirement health benefits for retirees over the age of 65, leaving them dependent on Medicare.

From: http://ping.fm/lF8RM

Tour Of Utah: Stage 5, Route Maps Results | Cyclingnews.com

LEVI LEIPHEIMER WINS TOUR OF UTAH!

"You never know until you cross the finish line how it's going to end up," Leipheimer said. "Sergio [Henao] put in a few stinging attacks and it was hard - I had to temper my efforts and think about the whole climb. There were a few times when I had to come back to him, but when he saw that I was good enough to follow him, fortunately he knew he could win the stage and let off a bit."
Behind, Brajkovic took third on the day to move into the last podium spot overall after Oscar Sevilla cracked on the final climb. The result was a good indication that the Slovenian has fully recovered from his injuries from the Tour de France and is in good form ahead of the Vuelta a Espana.
"I loved the Tour of Utah. It's really hard because of the altitiude. The first stage was really hard as well. It was a hard race, very selective, which really suits me. I'll be back next year for sure.," Brajkovic said.
From: http://ping.fm/oJHsu

Doggie Wishbone treats recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. has announced the recall of one lot—248 cases—of Doggie Wishbone dog treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

The Amarillo, Texas-based company said the 248 cases were shipped to 10 states, and that retailers have been notified. No illnesses or consumer complaints were reported.

The 10 states where the recalled product was shipped are California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island and Washington, according to PetProductNews.com.

Nestle Recalls Purina ONE cat food for Salmonella risk

The decadence in the production of food in the USA gets worse by the day.
This time is cat food the one they are recalling due to Salmonella contamination.
I love cats, have cats and they are my family too and I am not going to give them crap that is going to harm them.
Since all this has been happening in the US I am very careful not to buy any cat food made in that country. I don´t care if the brand is American, like Purina or Whiskas or Friskies, BUT IT HAS TO BE MADE IN MEXICO for me to buy it.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Nestlé Purina PetCare Company announced a recall of Purina ONE cat food because of contamination with Salmonella.

Tainted beef leads to grocery recalls - CBS News

The US food producers are becoming filthier and filthier. Now it's the beef the one that is contaminated with Escherichia Coli, a bacteria that can cause bloody diarrhea and even death.

AP) DODGE CITY, Kan. -- At least three major grocery store chains are recalling certain packages of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination.
The recalls at Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., Publix Super Markets Inc. and Kroger Co. mainly in the southeastern U.S. stem from meat from National Beef Packaging Co. of Dodge City, Kan.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Friday that National Beef was recalling more than 60,000 pounds of beef after the Ohio Department of Agriculture found the bacteria.
The recalls affect products sold mainly in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, South Carolina and Tennessee, but the meat could have been distributed nationwide.
The agriculture department says there have been no reports of illnesses. The company says it's investigating.
E. coli can be deadly and can cause bloody diarrhea and other problems.
From: http://ping.fm/W3aFk

Cheer Up Smile Nertz!

This song reminds of these times we are living right now. When banks are going away, when people are living in tent cities, 45.8 million people in United States of America are on food stamps, thousands of businesses are closing their doors for good, when the middle class is disappearing, when people are rioting in several countries (Spain, Italy, Chile, Belgium, Portugal, Israel, England, Egypt, Greece, Libya, Syria, Yemen) because they cannot find work and they are losing their wealth and food, when there are 3,300 children who die everyday in Somalia because of war dislocation, famine, disease, when all these things are happening right now as I write, some people still are living in "lala" land and refuse to recognize that the Titanic is sinking.

US Postal to Cut 220,000 Jobs

The Economic Collapse and the fallen of the American Empire continues its path. Just look around, do research and make your own conclusions, but have an open mind and try to keep your neurons sharp so you can assimilate all the information and process it in an intelligent way so you can act accordingly. You own your life and you are responsible for securing your future and that of your loved ones. 

• US postal services plans to remove around 220,000 jobs and 300 processing facilities by 2015
• The services need to cut its payrolls to 425,000
• The official say the service which does not depend on tax payer's money is under huge loss due to increased use of email
• The agency reported a $3.1 billion net loss in its most recent quarter.

Link of reference

Related articles

• US postal workers face massive job losses (guardian.co.uk)

US Appeals Court Rejects Obama Health Care Law - CNBC

A U.S. appeals court ruled Friday that President Obama's health care law requiring Americans to buy health care insurance or face a penalty was unconstitutional, a blow to the White House.
The U.S. Appeals Court for the 11th Circuit, based in Atlanta, found that Congress exceeded its authority by requiring Americans to buy coverage, but also ruled that the rest of the wide-ranging law could remain in effect.

The legality of the so-called individual mandate, a cornerstone of the 2010 health care law, is widely expected to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The Obama administration has defended the provision as constitutional.

US Medical Doctors Indicted in Pain-Med Deaths of 4 Patients

August 12, 2011 — Two physicians who once practiced in Colorado face federal charges of illegally prescribing opioid analgesics and other controlled substances that led 4 patients to overdose and die. They also face charges of healthcare fraud and money laundering.

If convicted, Sam Jahani, DO, of Cleveland, Texas, and Eric Peper, MD, of Summerland Key, Florida, could receive long prison sentences and pay millions of dollars in fines. The charges related to the patient deaths come with the most severe punishment — life imprisonment.

Tobacco Companies Experiment-with Animals Smoking

If you smoke and love animals, you might consider to stop smoking.
Tobacco companies torture animals to experiment on them the effects of tobacco smoke.
It is pathetic and criminal. They should experiment with smokers since they already enjoy inhaling cigarette smoke, why not?

I don´t have the heart to upload the picture of the dogs being experimented with. You can click on the link below if you wish to do so. Sheesh!

From: http://ping.fm/0VeQ2

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• Smoking and Your Heart (everydayhealth.com)
• Women smokers' heart risk rise (lv.com)

Evans Cycles Badly Hit By English Riots - BikeRadar

Image by Wooly Matt via Flickr

Their usefulness as getaway vehicles and easy resale has helped make bicyles an unfortunate target in the riots blighting England’s major cities over the past few days. Reports of ringleaders orchestrating hooligans on (perhaps stolen) cycles and using them to evade police have been all over the news and Twitter.
High street chain Evans Cycles have been badly affected, with branches targeted on Monday evening and early on Tuesday. Their shop in Chalk Farm, London was particularly badly hit and remains closed. “It took us all of yesterday to assess the impact of the break-in as the area was cordoned off by police for a good proportion of the day," managing director Mike Rice told BikeRadar. "Seventy or so bikes were taken from the store as well as accessories and clothing.

ECONOMIC COLLAPSE: It happened to us, our bank was just "closed" by the FDIC

If you are not prepared yet for the economic collapse, you better start immediately. Do yourself a favor and read this very interesting article. It's one thing to hear about high unemployment, riots, and bank closures. It's quite another when it happens in your sleepy town of less than 2,000 people. I was in the doctors waiting room yesterday when two older people started talking about all the excitement that was happening today in our town.   I asked what was going on and they told me that one of our three local banks had just been shut down by the FDIC (bankrupt in other words). This, by the way, is not just any bank. It's OUR bank! We are lucky because our branch is staying open after the FDIC forced another bank to buy it. So I can still get our money. Other towns are not so lucky. Several branch offices had been forcibly closed without any notice. In those towns that was the only bank available and people either have to drive an hour or more to empty their accounts or make "appointments" to get their safe deposit box contents.  The employees are now without jobs in an area where jobs are precious few. And whats even worse. Every employee lost all there retirement! Every cent they put in is gone! One lady was a month from retirement and now all that hard earned money is gone. I cannot imagine the devastation they must be feeling. Right now at our branch is an FDIC official and sheriffs deputy to "keep the peace". Is the edge of the storm over us now? Are we starting to feel the first few freezing drops of rain that heralds the downpour? But then again we are behind the times. Hundreds of banks have closed over the past few years. From: http://ping.fm/a7uLs

Bank of New York Mellon plans 1,500 job cuts | AP Business News - The News Tribune

NEW YORK — Bank of New York Mellon Corp. said Wednesday that it will cut about 1,500 jobs, or 3 percent of its work force, the latest sign of the banking industry's painful shrinking.
CEO Bob Kelly noted that the bank's revenue had been growing but added that "expenses have been growing unsustainably faster." The bank said it hasn't yet determined what types of jobs will be cut or where. It said it would try to minimize layoffs with a hiring freeze and by reducing the use of temporary workers, consultants and contractors.

Financial Giants Turning Into Zombie Bank Whitney - CNBC

The top US financial institutions have become zombie banks that will need a decade to adjust their businesses to the new realities in the industry, analyst Meredith Whitney told CNBC.

In banking parlance, zombies have little net worth but are backed by the government and continue to meet their obligations.

Movistar cycling outfit sign Italian champion Visconti - Yahoo! News

Italian national champion Giovanni Visconti will race for Movistar in 2012 after signing a two-year deal with the Spanish cycling outfit, they announced Tuesday. The 28-year-old, who hails from Sicily, joins from Italian outfit Farnese Vini. Visconti made his professional debut in 2005 and has won the Italian national road race three times, in 2007, 2010 and 2011. From: http://ping.fm/5e7ai

Euro 2012 qual. - England friendly called off due to riots - Yahoo! Eurosport

With the city in flames overnight and gangs apparently taking control of large sections of the capital there was no prospect that the game could go ahead as planned. The Football Association confirmed the news in a statement which read: "Following the events in Greater London, the FA has this morning held discussions with the Metropolitan Police, the Government and Brent Council.
We have received clear advice that due to the sporadic and widespread nature of the unrest there are significant concerns in relation to the available emergency service resource to safely police the fixture." It added: "In light of these concerns regarding policing and emergency service provision the authorities have advised us that under the terms of our safety certificate we are unable to host the fixture, or guarantee the safety of visiting supporters or the teams. For these reasons the game cannot go ahead. "The FA wishes to make clear it is in complete agreement with the advice of the Metropolitan Police, the Government and Bren Council.

July California Tax Revenues Plunge More Than 10% Below Expectations | ZeroHedge

Even as the Fed continues to pretend that keeping interest rates at zero for what is now becoming apparent will be an infinite amount of time is an appropriate substitute for the absence for the elimination of actual cash flows, we once again get a reminder that life in the real economy, there were people can not just print their way out of trouble, practical issues such as reality still matter.

Food stamp use rises to record 45.8 million - Aug. 4, 2011

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Nearly 15% of the U.S. population relied on food stamps in May, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
The number of Americans using the government's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) -- more commonly referred to as food stamps -- shot to an all-time high of 45.8 million in May, the USDA reported. That's up 12% from a year ago, and 34% higher than two years ago.
The program provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families, which they can use at stores that accept SNAP benefits.
To qualify for food stamps, an individual's income can't exceed $1,174 a month or $14,088 a year -- an amount that is 130% of the national poverty level.
The average food stamp benefit was $133.80 per person and $283.65 per household in May.
The highest concentration of food stamp users were in California, Florida, New York and Texas -- where more than 3 million residents in each state received food stamps in May.
The rise in food stamp use comes as the U.S. job market continues to sputter, and food prices across the country climb.
Unemployment benefits at risk
But a spike in food stamp users in Alabama may have been responsible for pushing total usage unusually higher in May. Following a series of devastating storms, many residents received disaster assistance under the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the USDA said. Food stamp use in the state surged from 868,813 in April to 1,762,481 in May.

From: Ping.fm

Greipel captures Eneco sprint - Yahoo! Eurosport

The German sprinter from Omega Pharma was just too quick for the Russian at the end of the 192.1km trek from Oosterhout.
Garmin's American sprinter Taylor Farrar was half a wheel behind Galimzyanov in third.
Taylor Phinney, the winner of Monday's prologue, retains the overall lead after opening out the sprint and finishing seventh.
The seven stage World Tour race concludes on Sunday.

From: http://ping.fm/xPjYS

Global Banks Poised to Cut 101,000 Jobs - Bloomberg

OUCH! If you want to know which banks are on the loser list, click the ping link below the article.

The biggest global banks are cutting jobs at the fastest rate since 2008 as a weak U.S. economy squeezes revenue, regulators push firms to hold more capital and companies restructure businesses to improve profitability.
The 50 largest banks, including HSBC Holdings Plc (HSBA), Credit Suisse Group AG (CSGN) and Bank of America Corp. (BAC), disclosed plans for almost 60,000 reductions since Jan. 1, according to company statements and data compiled by Bloomberg Industries. At that pace, they’ll cut more than 101,000 jobs this year -- the most since 192,000 positions were targeted in 2008 amid loan losses, a global credit crunch and unprecedented government bailouts.

E.ON planning even bigger job cuts - The Local

The downsizing of one of Germany's leading energy companies could be much more devastating than previously expected. E.ON may be considering cutting up to 10,000 jobs worldwide.
Dismantling an East German nuclear reactor (7 Aug 11)
Germany faced with winter power shortage (16 Jul 11)
Energy firms plan legal attack on nuke phaseout (19 Jun 11)
According to a report in Saturday's Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, up to one third of these cuts could be in Germany. Until now, only a few hundred jobs were expected to be cut.

US swimmer Nyad begins swim across Florida Straits - Yahoo! News

This is my hero of the week:

American endurance swimmer Diana Nyad jumped into Cuban waters Sunday evening and set off in a bid to become the first person to swim across the Florida Straits without the aid of a shark cage.
Tanned and freckled from long hours training in the open seas of the Caribbean, the 61-year-old Nyad expressed confidence before starting off. She said the still air and flat water were perfect conditions for her attempt to make a 103-mile (166-kilometer), 60-hour swim from Havana to the Florida Keys.
"The adrenaline's flowing now," Nyad said at a jetty in western Havana as she looked at the water. "... I don't believe much in destiny, but you have to take what you can get, and this is what I dreamed of: a silver platter."

Best Road Racing Bikes 2011

My favorite road bike for 2011 is the Schwinn RS 5.0. It is superb, slick, and affordable!

In best road bikes 2011 we are going to discuss the features that you should be looking for, in a road bike and then we will review some of the best selling road bikes of 2011.

Road cycling isn't just good fun it's also a great way of getting into shape and improving your general health. Cycling exercises your cardiovascular system, helps you burn calories and is a fun social pastime.

Smokers Mistakenly Believe Vitamins Protect Them From Cancer - Yahoo! News

FRIDAY, Aug. 5 (HealthDay News) -- Smokers who take a multivitamin pill may think they can smoke more because the supplement protects them from the harmful affects of cigarettes, according to a new study.
Researchers found that some people who smoke mistakenly believe the vitamins will reduce their risk of cancer, allowing them to light up more often. The study noted that such trading of a virtuous behavior for a subsequent indulgence, known as the "licensing effect," could undermine smokers' urge to kick the addiction.
"Smokers who take dietary supplements can fool themselves into thinking they are protected against cancer and other diseases. Reminding health-conscious smokers that multivitamins don't prevent cancer may help them control their smoking or even encourage them to stop," said the study's lead author, Wen-Bin Chiou in a journal news release.

US AAA Credit Rating Downgraded

United States of America sees its AAA credit rating downgraded to AA+ for the first time in almost one hundred years.
The talking head in 'FAUX' News and other main stream media are mad and criticize Standard and Poor decision. HA HA HA, allow me to laugh! The truth hurts. Why didn't these idiots criticize this agency when hundreds of other countries have been downgraded by it for decades, now the S&P made a mistake?! Gosh!

ZeroHedge | On a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero

Well, so much for the conspiracies. S&P has just released a scathing critique of the total chaos that this country's government has become. "The political brinksmanship of recent months highlights what we see as America's governance and policymaking becoming less stable, less effective, and less predictable than what we previously believed. The statutory debt ceiling and the threat of default have become political bargaining chips in the debate over fiscal policy.

Economy, Debt and Credit Rating: S&P Downgrades US Credit Rating to AA-Plus - CNBC

The United States lost its top-notch triple-A credit rating from Standard & Poor's Friday, in a dramatic reversal of fortune for the world's largest economy.

S&P cut the long-term U.S. credit rating by one notch to AA-plus on concerns about growing budget deficits.

"The downgrade reflects our opinion that the fiscal consolidation plan that Congress and the administration recently agreed to falls short of what, in our view, would be necessary to stabilize the government's medium-term debt dynamics," S&P said in a statement.

Markets Crash: Faber: Brace for a Global Reboot; and a War - CNBC

"The next time we have a global economic crisis, it will be much worse than 2008. Before this happens there will be money printing and there will be war. The whole system will collapse," he said. "That's why I'm advising people that they have to think it through. In a total collapse you don't want to own government bonds and cash."

"You have a computer. Occasionally the computer will crash and you have to reboot it. That will happen to the global economy. Before this happens there will be much more money printing because basically the central banks are willing to do that," he said. "By printing money, problems are not solved, but they can be postponed, and they become larger. It's like the recession in 2001. Had there not been massive money printing, it would have been steeper than what we had, but equally, we would have avoided probably the financial crash in 2008."

From: http://ping.fm/q4KnU

Economic Collapse Could Bring Positive changes in humanity!

I am going to try to buy the book George4Title is reading but I want to get it in Spanish, LOL. Sometimes it makes more sense to me to read a book in my native language than in English.

This is my comment I left on YouTube:
"That´s the way to go, G4T! You brought a smile to my face today. Also, your video made me realize that I am not the only one in this world feeling like the rug has been pulled under our feet.

No matter where we are located in the world, there is change going on, that is why is very important that we listen to people like you and VERY FEW OTHERS that talk about REALITY without violence, without hate. I applaud your understanding and your wisdom.

Twittered, embedded in my blog, Facebooked, Buzzed!!!"

Conn. worker layoff list now totals nearly 3,000 - GreenwichTime

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Nearly 3,000 Connecticut state employees have received pink slips, many of which could be rescinded if unionized state employees ultimately ratify a labor savings and concessions agreement.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget director said 2,984 notices had been issued as of Wednesday. That's 24 less than last week's total because some layoffs were offset by retirements.

Nine TJ Hughes stores to close in north west - 400 redundancies | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk

More than 400 jobs are being axed in the north west with the closure of nine TJ Hughes stores.

They are among a total of 22 branch closures nationwide, leading to 1,061 redundancies, announced by the Manchester-based joint administrators of the stricken retailer.

The affected branches are in Rochdale, Stretford, Bolton, Burnley, Chester, Widnes, Macclesfield, Birkenhead and St Helens, employing a total of 433 people.

Bob Chapman US Super Congress a Dictatorial Move

Mr. Bob Chapman talks about the formation of the US Super Congress and the danger it represents for the country of the United States of America.
The interviewer, James Burns, asks very intelligent questions like always.

"A dictatorial mode in the US that will make that country end up like Nazi Germany." - Bob Chapman

HTC-Highroad cycling team to disband after season - Yahoo! News

Financial crisis hits professional cycling teams again.

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) — Top professional cycling team HTC-Highroad is folding after five years in the sport following an unsuccessful effort to secure a long-term sponsor.
Team owner Bob Stapleton announced the decision Thursday, urging riders such as 20-time Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish of Britain, top time trialist Tony Martin of Germany and up-and-coming American Tejay van Garderen to find new teams for 2012.

BBC News - Wealthy Chinese begin farming after food-safety scares

Fears about food safety have prompted some young Chinese professionals to try growing their own.

Juggling their iPhones with spades, a group of young professionals are getting their hands dirty - digging vegetables.

During the week, they are teachers, PR consultants, and computer programmers. But at the weekend, these city slickers return to the soil.

"We're worried about food safety," says He Liying, explaining why they grow vegetables.

They toil under the summer sun - not always efficiently - at a co-operative farm called Little Donkey on the outskirts of Beijing. It has about 700 fee-paying members.

It is one of dozens of farms which have cropped up across the country catering for China's middle classes, which are increasingly concerned about food safety.

US Becomes Nazi Germany Gestapo

It seems to me that the US has officially become the Modern American version of the Nazi Germany. Now it´s not a crime for a US police to beat to death a human being, even when this person didn´t commit any crime.
This is only the beginning.

Nazi persecution, arrests, and deportations were directed against all members of Jewish families, as well as many Gypsy families, without concern for age. Homeless, often orphaned, many children had frequently witnessed the murder of parents, siblings, and relatives. They faced starvation, illness, brutal labor, and other indignities until they were consigned to the gas chambers.

Reference

HOMELESS MAN BEATEN TO DEATH BY FULLERTON POLICE

Kelly Thomas, 37, became involved in an altercation with officers (links to video that contains strong language) at the Fullerton bus depot July 5 that left him in critical condition on life-support.

He died five days later at the UC Irvine Medical Center in Orange.

Responding to reports of someone breaking into cars, officers had confronted Thomas, a transient well-known to merchants and officers in downtown Fullerton.

The Orange County Register reported that Thomas, who suffered from schizophrenia, began to struggle as officers tried to search him and that Thomas sustained head and neck injuries.
Thomas’ father, a retired Orange County sheriff’s deputy, has asserted that officers used excessive force to subdue his son, who was unarmed, slight and of medium height.

After seeing his son's injuries and talking with witnesses, Thomas told the Register his son "was brutally beaten to death." Read full story

WARNING: The video contains a graphic photo of the victim in the hospital and the audio of his screaming while he was being beaten by the USNazi Police.

FAA 4000 Layoffs and Partial Shutdown

Due to the GOP opposing to a rule covering railroad and airline union elections, the Federal Aviation Administration had to layoff 4,000 employees and led to a partial shutdown.

It seems to me that things are getting worse, affecting other financial sectors of the county, which undoubtedly will create a domino effect, like in every other area that has been affected by this terrible financial depression the world has been in since 2009.

WASHINGTON - Republican congressional opposition to a rule covering union elections among airline and railroad workers led to a partial shutdown of the Federal Aviation Administration and the layoff of 4,000 FAA workers - none of them air traffic controllers - at midnight on July 22. Read More

Schleck brothers join field for Colorado race | SummitDaily.com

The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge through the Rocky Mountains this month will feature the top three finishers from the Tour de France, an unprecedented feat for an American race.

Andy and Frank Schleck will join Tour winner Cadel Evans, an Australian who races for America-based BMC Racing Team, in the weeklong Colorado race.

The Schlecks are among the best racers in the world. Andy, 26, is a three-time Tour runner-up, and Frank, 31, won last year's Tour de Suisse.

Why the debt ceiling deal is a horrific outcome for physicians

If you’re a physician or hospital that relies on Medicare payments, grim times are ahead. Yes, even worse than the scheduled 29% payment cut that’s scheduled to go into effect in 2013. Emergency physician Shadowfax calls the debt deal “a terrible deal for health care providers.”

Under the contentious debt ceiling agreement, significant cuts in Medicare dollars will be made. But beneficiaries are mostly protected. Instead, it’s the physicians and hospitals who will be affected the most.

Scott and White Hospital planning layoffs - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

For the first time in years the health care giant, Scott and White Hospital in Temple has to cut back.
Scott and White Hospital administrators couldn't say the exact numbers when it comes to layoffs.

"In the coming weeks we eliminate a small number of staff positions, approximately 100-200 positions out of a staff of 13,000," an internal email from Scott and White to employees said.

Barclays to cut 3,000 jobs as profit sags - Yahoo! Finance

Barclays Chief Executive Bob Diamond, said that Barclays needed to cut about 1,400 jobs from January to June 2011 and the total by the end of the year was likely to rise to about 3,000.

From: http://ping.fm/BQeNV

Related articles

• Barclays warns of further job cuts (mirror.co.uk)
• Barclays profits fall by a third (ashwathputtur.wordpress.com)

Cyclist Biker Hates Alberto Contador

HA! I finally found another cyclist who shares my feelings one hundred percent about Alberto Contador. I am with you, James!

James Irish, l love you guy, I admire you and I wish you a very long long long long, happy, very loving and prosperous life, on your bike and off of it.

James Irish hates three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador nearly as much as he loves riding his new bike.
Irish is an 18-year-old senior-to-be at the Tacoma School of the Arts who had heart valve replacement surgery earlier this year.
During a follow-up surgery to drain fluid from around his heart, his doctor noticed Irish was talking about cycling and a certain Spanish cyclist as the anesthesia started to take effect.
“When I woke up the doctor said, ‘So you don’t like Alberto Contador?,’” Irish said. “And I said, ‘Yeah, I reeeally hate that guy.’

FULL STORY

Favorite Ron Paul Debt Quote

No, I am not a fan of any politician in the world, not even of Ron Paul, I don´t trust any of them, but I have to admit that what Dr. Ron Paul, MD said sometime on July 2011 caught my attention.

"If debt is the problem, how is more debt the solution?"

70 California state parks fall to budget ax

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeSeventy state parks across California, including the governor's mansion and at least 14 sites within an hour of San Francisco, will close starting in September, state parks officials announced Friday.

Redwood forests, beaches, coastal woodlands and some of the state's most important cultural and historic sites will be closed, and as many as 220 jobs will be eliminated as a result of the state budget cuts recently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

Among the popular Bay Area sites that will be closed to the public are China Camp and Samuel P. Taylor state parks, Candlestick Point State Recreation Area and Jack London State Historic Park.

HSBC to cut 30,000 jobs in global overhaul - Yahoo! News

LONDON (AP) — British banking group HSBC said Monday it will cut 30,000 jobs worldwide by 2013 and sell almost half its retail bank branches in the U.S., part of a new strategy to focus on fast-growing emerging markets.
The bank, which reported a better-than-expected 3 percent increase in pretax profits to $11.5 billion in the six months to June, has already cut 5,000 jobs this year. Another 25,000 will be slashed by 2013, spokesman Patrick Humphris said.
HSBC currently employs around 296,000 people worldwide.
Humphris declined to give details of where the job cuts would be but said the group is still hiring in emerging economies such as Brazil and Mexico.