Monthly Archives: January 2013

Random Events, Free Will or Something Darker?

FLU SEASON WORST IN A DECADE IN USA

This flu season is expected to be the worst in over a decade, with a severe strain of the virus spreading throughout the US, only the West Coast, in particular California, not feeling the full affects.

The H3N2 Influenza A virus is a virulent strain, and is causing numbers to peak earlier in the season than normal. Health officials are warning that the situation could become worse with cases expected to peak with the next 3 weeks.

Hospitals and health care providers are struggling to cope with the cases. Boston has declared a health emergency, with cases 10 times higher than they were last year.

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USA Today

Random Events, Free Will or Something Darker?

WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL TO PERFORM SAME-SEX MARRIAGES

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The National Cathedral in Washington D.C. is to begin performing same-sex marriage ceremonies. The District of Columbia, and the neighbouring state of Maryland, both legalised same-sex marriage last year.

The National Cathedral has a long and illustrious history. Hosting inaugural services and funerals for Presidents. It was also the place Martin Luther King gave his final sermon.

The Cathedral is part of the Episcopalian church. The bishop of Washington DC, the Rt Rev Mariann Edgar Budde, decided in December to allow churches within the diocese to perform same-sex marriages if they wished.

The Dean of the National Cathedral the Very Rev Gary Hall, said he believes allowing same-sex marriages reflects the diversity found in God’s word.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Hall said, “I read the Bible as seriously as fundamentalists do… and my reading of the Bible leads me to want to do this because I think it’s being faithful to the kind of community that Jesus would have us be.”

In theory ceremonies could take place immediately, however it is likely the first marriages will take place within the next 6-12 months, due to the schedule of the Cathedral and the church’s requirement that couples take part in their pre-marriage counselling course.

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Random Events, Free Will or Something Darker?

NEW YORK CITY FERRY CRASH – AT LEAST 50 INJURED, 1 CRITICAL.


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At least 50 people were injured, two critically, after a commuter ferry slammed into a dock Wednesday morning in Lower Manhattan.

The Seastreak Wall Street ferry from Atlantic Highlands, N.J., banged into the mooring as it arrived at South Street around 8:45 a.m. Wednesday. One person is in critical condition with head injuries.

Those on board said passengers were waiting to disembark and were hurled on the deck after the impact.

“We were pulling into the dock. The boat hit the dock. We just tumbled on top of each other. I got thrown into everybody else. … People were hysterical,” said Ellen Foran.

Those injured were being treated at the scene. There were no immediate details of the injuries and reports on the number of those injured vary.

The Coast Guard said it will be administering drug and alcohol testing  on captain and crew as soon as the injury count concludes.

A corner of the ferry was ripped open like a tin can.  Fire fighters were seen setting up a temporary staging area on the dock, with stretchers and other medical equipment, and some passengers were being removed from the ferry on stretchers for evaluation.  A passenger, Ellen Foran of Neptune City, N.J., said people tumbled on top of one another, hysterical and crying.

More than 340 passengers and crew members were aboard the ferry from New Jersey, one of many that carry commuters to the island of Manhattan.  Dee Wertz was on shore waiting for the ferry and saw the impact.  “It was coming in a little wobbly,” Wertz said.  “It hit the right side of the boat on the dock hard, like a bomb.”  After the impact, the boat was able to dock normally. Wertz said “passengers raced off once the ramp came down.

I think people just wanted to get the heck off the boat as soon as they could,” she said.

Ferry company officials were at the scene.

Ferries are a fairly common way to commute to work in Manhattan, an island separated from New Jersey and the rest of New York City by several rivers.

MORE AT  Ferrys crew to take drug test after NYC crash injures dozens | Fox News.

 

News

FACT CHECK DEBATE: ALEX JONES VS. PIERS MORGAN

By T. R. Coletti, The Boston Liberal

Fact checking Alex Jones is no easy task, especially when he made over 30 statements in a 10 minute clip. This is only a partial list of statements, a full report would take days to dissect.

Alex Jones

FBI says there’s a 20%+ rate drop in crime:
TRUE, but over many years, not just in a single year
About 74% of about 11,000+ gun homicides in the US were gang related: As an average, TRUE
190,000 people died from hospital infections: Couldn’t find 2011 or 2012 data, but in 2009 it was the 4th leading cause of death in the United States, and this 2012 article put’s it at around the same rank.
The Number 1 killer in history is “governments” who killed 292 millions people in the 21st Century: TRUE
Britain took your guns 15-16 years ago and it tripled violent crime: TRUE.
Britain is the most violent country in Europe Michael Springman head of (inaudible) department blew the whistle that the hijackers were allowed into the US: Potentially TRUE.
A lot of news outlets reported on this. Here’s one.
Mexico, total gun ban on citizens, over 50,000 died in three years: TRUE
German fasle-flag firebomb April 27th 1933: TRUE
Mega banks have bragged that they have taken over in Bloomberg, AP. TRUE, this has been said on those outlets. I’ve seen them personally but don’t have time to dig around for them.
Criminal elements of the military industrial complex were behind 9/11: Unknown, but history will tell.
Criminal factions of the US Military were behind Gulf of Tonkin: TRUE, Robert McNamara said publicly that it was a false flag.
Criminal elements of the military industrial complex were behind Operation Gladio: TRUE
Why don’t you go back and face charges for the hacking scandal? TRUE
Why did you get fired from the daily mirror for putting out fake stories? TRUE
The government buys 1.6 billion bullets last year : TRUE
The number 1 cause of death is suicide: Couldn’t find solid 2011 or 2012 data but suicide is in the top 10 and has climbed every year for over a decade. Link
Why don’t you want to get rid of drugs? Because they’re half your sponsors? This is an exaggeration but a lot of drug companies advertise on CNN.
3 times the amount of people are killed with rocks, pipes, knives: Need more information, but this number is higher than you think.
Murder with a semi automatic weapon is very low. Unknown but Hand Guns are #1 but a long shot. Here.
Mao killed 80 million people because he was the only guy who had the guns: Estimates vary widely, with 80,000,000 on the very HIGH end.
Switzerland has the lowest crime rate in Europe, and your country (Britain) has the highest: TRUE
—–
Piers Morgan
There were 35 gun murders in Britain last year: TRUE

America has the most guns out of 23 of the richest countries in the world: TRUE

He didn’t make too many statements.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

News

BANK OF AMERICA FREEZES GUN MANUFACTURER’S ACCOUNT, COMPANY OWNER CLAIMS

By Gregory Gwyn-Williams, Jr.
January 7, 2013

Bank of America has reportedly frozen the account of gun manufacturer American Spirit Arms, according to its owner, Joe Sirochman.
In a Facebook post dated December 29, Sirochman wrote the following:
“My name is Joe Sirochman owner of American Spirit Arms…our Web site orders have jumped 500 percent causing our Web site e-commerce processing larger deposits to Bank of America. So they decided to hold the deposits for further review.
“After countless hours on the phone with Bank of America, I finally got a manager in the right department that told me the reason that the deposits were on hold for further review — her exact words were — ‘We believe you should not be selling guns and parts on the Internet.’”(emphasis added)
Sirochman also wrote that he told the bank manager that “they have no right to make up their own new rules and regs” and that “[American Spirit is a] firearms manufacturer with all the proper licensing.”
He also noted that he has been doing business with Bank of America for over 10 years, but will now be looking for a new bank.
According to Unlawful News, this isn’t the first time Bank of America has targeted a customer involved in the firearms industry.
McMillan Group International was reportedly told that its business was no longer welcome after the company started manufacturing firearms – even after 12 years of doing business with the bank.

Random Events, Free Will or Something Darker?

CHRISTIAN CHURCH HOSTS SAND MANDALA IN AUBURN, CA.,


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On January 10th 2013 at 10am, the First Congregational Church of Auburn, is to host the creation of a sacred Tibetan sand mandala of compassion by Tibetan Buddhist monks, in the United Church of Christ.

Guests can watch the mandala being made throughout the following days between 10am and 5pm until Sunday 13th January when the dissolution ceremony will take place at 4pm.

The Tibetan Children’s Education Foundation will be running different events about Tibetan culture at the church and around the town of Auburn, near Sacramento, throughout the week.

News

FRENCH ACTOR GERARD DEPARDIEU BECOMES RUSSIAN CITIZEN TO AVOID 75% TAX RATE


One of the most popular french actors has taken Russian citizenship, to avoid the new tax rate for millionaires in France. French President Francois Hollande is introducing a tax rate of 75% on earnings above €1 million.

The actor Gerard Depardieu became one of many wealthy Frenchmen to quit the country.

The actor, who grew up in a working class family before becoming a successful actor, has said that he has paid millions in taxes over the years and that the new high tax rate is an attack on success.

Depardieu has now taken up Russian citizenship. He flew into Russia today, where he was greeted by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. Russia has a flat income tax rate of 13%.

Depardieu has worked in Russia in the past, and has previously spoken of possibly taking up Russian citizenship.

Depardieu’s friend Arnaud Frilley told France’s RTL radio: “The President [Francois Hollande] called Gerard to ask if he was really serious about leaving France for good.

Gerard told him it wasn’t the taxes themselves that sickened him, but he was sickened by the way France spits on success. At one point he got very annoyed.

He also said he felt the way the media had treated him was terrible and that he needed to take a step back.

But he did say that he would remain French in his heart and that he felt he was a kind of spokesman for all other successful people like him who had not spoken out.”

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Random Events, Free Will or Something Darker?

CHILDREN TO MAKE SAND MANDALA IN MANHATTAN, NY.

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On February 9th 2013 at 2pm children will help to create a Sand Mandala at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan, New York (150 W 17th street). The children will work together to create a giant mandala, and then sweep up the mandala so it can be put into the river.

An exhibition called “Gateway to Himalayan art” has been resident at the museum since 2010.

The newest collection introduces children to Himalayan artwork, rife with symbols, figures and elements not typically found in Western art. Exhibits are divided into four sections—Figures and Symbols, Materials and Techniques, Purpose and Function, and Tibetan Art in Context.

The Rubin Museum of Art is an American museum dedicated to the collection, display, and preservation of the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions, especially Tibetan art.

Random Events, Free Will or Something Darker?

LIVE FISH TO BE RELEASED IN MARINA DEL REY – TIBETAN RITUAL

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Ari Bhöd, The American Foundation for Tibetan Cultural Preservation,  will be performing a live release of fish in Marina Del Rey this Sunday, January 6.

The amount of fish released will be determined by the donations given toward this event. The Venerable Lama Ngawang Thogmed and Lama Samten Lhundrup will lead during the release. Bait fish will be bought and released while a ceremony is performed. They will also be offering the tsa tsa’s (small molds in the shape of a stupa statue) that were made from the cremated ashes of Dr. Bola Akinwole into the ocean.

The ceremony will take place at 10:30 am at the end of Bora Bora Way, Marina Del Rey at the fish drop, on the dock.

News

2013: EXPECT A RAFT OF NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

Obama’s Environmental Regulation
During his first term, President Obama was widely critized for the number of new regulations which were introduced. Critics attacked the President for introducing regulations that were hampering business and costing jobs.

However, the President is set to introduce even more regulation in 2013. A report released by the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Minority Committee, has listed many more Enterprise Prevention Agenda regulations to be passed this year. The reported entitled “A Look Ahead to EPA Regulations for 2013: Numerous Obama EPA Rules Placed on Hold Until After the Election Spell Doom For Jobs and Economic Growth” numerates additional restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions, tougher water guidelines and tightening of the ozone standard. The report explains that these measures would push up taxes for businesses and individuals, as well as cost jobs.

Many environmental groups had hoped Obama would have done more in his first term to help green issues, but President Obama’s former climate czar Carol Browner told several green groups not to worry because “President Obama has a big green ‘to-do’ list for 2013 so they’ll get what they want.”

Read More: Forbes

Politics

SENATE-PASSED DEAL MEANS HIGHER TAX ON 77% OF HOUSEHOLDS

The budget deal passed by the U.S. Senate today would raise taxes on 77.1 percent of U.S. households, mostly because of the expiration of a payroll tax cut, according to preliminary estimates from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center in Washington.
Enlarge image
Dawn breaks at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012. Photo: Jay Mallin/Bloomberg
4:58
Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) — Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, talks about negotiations between U.S. lawmakers over the so-called fiscal cliff of $600 billion in automatic tax increases and spending cuts set to start at midnight. Norquist speaks with Erik Schatzker on the Bloomberg Television special “America’s Fiscal Debate.” (Source: Bloomberg)
3:27
Dec. 31 (Bloomberg) — Jim Rickards, senior managing director at Tangent Capital Partners, and Stanley Crouch, chief investment officer at Aegis Capital, talk with Bloomberg’s Matt Miller about the impact of the fiscal cliff on the U.S. economy. They speak on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg Rewind.” (Source: Bloomberg)
More than 80 percent of households with incomes between $50,000 and $200,000 would pay higher taxes. Among the households facing higher taxes, the average increase would be $1,635, the policy center said. A 2 percent payroll tax cut, enacted during the economic slowdown, is being allowed to expire as of yesterday.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE:

Connecting The Dots

DALAI LAMA COMING TO NEW ORLEANS IN 2013 FOR POST-KATRINA WORK

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The Dalai Lama and an entourage of Tibetan monks are heading to New Orleans in May 2013 in a rally of support for communities still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.
The 77-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner is expected to make at least two public speeches while he’s in the city on May 16-18.

The visit of the exiled Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader will be sponsored by Tulane University’s School of Social Work. Additional details of the visit will be released at a news conference at 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Original Article: