The FED (Federal Reserve Bank)

Posted on 2015/10/29 by admin

by Daniel Brouse

The FED tries to control our spending… and that ain’t easy.

It seems to happen around election time — all these wacky posts about the FED. (Luckily, I’ve a degree in international economics for just such an occasion.) If you are posting about the FED, please remember these facts:
* The FED regulates banks to the best of their ability. (They also try to keep inflation and employment under control.) It is called “monetary policy”.
* No one owns the FED as it is part of our government oversight.
* Those that borrow money from the FED fund the FED (usually banks foot the bill.)
* The FED has too little power and no control over fiscal policy (spending).
* If we control our own spending, the FED doesn’t do anything.

Though I hated it happening, thank God the FED went beyond their powers. When the Fiscal Policy of “us” USA citizens was (and still is) in crisis, the FED was forced to intervene in an unprecedented manner; however, even under these circumstances the FED made money for USA citizens. (The “bailouts” made billions of dollars for the Treasury. OUTFLOWS: $617 billion / INFLOWS: $681 billion) Please blame us before blaming the FED. Check out your responsibility for fiscal policy.

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP)

Posted on 2015/10/23 by admin

by Daniel Brouse

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is a free trade agreement being negotiated by twelve countries:
Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, United States, Vietnam, Chile, Brunei, Singapore, and New Zealand. The TPP will eliminate over 18,000 taxes, tariffs and other trade barriers.

One of the largest benefits of the TPP will be protecting the environment. Participating countries will need to adopt tougher pollution standards similar to the USA. “TPP includes the most robust enforceable environment commitments of any trade agreement in history,” according the United States. “TPP requires countries to play by fair environmental rules if they want to send their goods to the United States, and upgrades NAFTA by putting fully enforceable environment obligations at the core of the agreement.” In addition, TPP helps improve conditions on the ground in TPP countries by requiring them to:
* Fulfill their obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to protect and conserve iconic species, such as rhinos and elephants.
* For the first time in any trade agreement, prohibit harmful fisheries subsidies, including those that contribute to overfishing, and work to restrain new subsidy programs or enhancements to existing subsidy programs.
* Combat illegal fishing, promote sustainable fisheries management practices, and protect wetlands and important natural areas.
* Promote the long-term conservation of whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and other marine species at risk.
* Combat wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, and illegal fishing through enhanced national and regional actions.
* Protect the marine environment from ship pollution, including by implementing their obligations under MARPOL (an international agreement to prevent marine pollution).

Another benefit of the TPP will be the recognition of Intellectual Property (IP) Rights. Countries would be required to adopt standards inline with the USA. TPP copyrights are proposed to be “for the author’s life plus 70 years.”

The Agreement covers more than 40 percent of global GDP. Of the international economists questioned, the only complaint about TPP is — it doesn’t include the entire world.

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) Map

Also see: GMO Rice Wins Humanitarian Award

The Truth About 9/11

Posted on 2015/09/122015/09/12 by admin

The truth is obvious if you were a witness… as I was (Recorded on-the-fly: Noon, Sept. 11, 2001) —

Horrified As I?: Terrorists attack the US, New York City, Washington DC, Hijack planes and use…

A free music video about the attacks on New York City and Washington DC in DivX, MPEG4, MPEG2, Real Player and OggVorbis file formats.

The week before September 11, 2001 I was part of a peace project that met at the World Trade Towers. A week later I watched.

Those perpetuating the conspiracy myth tend to leave out the other two sites. The plane that came down in Pennsylvania was occupied by the former quarterback of West Chester University. He is the one that yelled “Let’s roll!” (before the passengers tried to take the plane back.) He has become a local hero. There are also witnesses in Washington at the the Pentagon. If you have a doubt, try explaining Cantor Fitzgerald.

Copyrights And Patents

Posted on 2015/01/15 by admin

by Daniel Brouse

Though copyrights and patents are generally thought to protect the creator from the public, sometimes they may be thought to protect the public from the creator.

A copyright offers protection to literary and musical works. In the United States a copyright’s duration is usually for the life of the author plus 70 years. The laws vary from country to country. Mein Kampf is a book written by Adolf Hitler while he was in prison. When Hitler died, the rights passed to the Bavarian authorities. Some people consider Mein Kampf to be the most dangerous book ever written. The expiration of the copyright is in December 2015. “The Bavarians have used copyright to control republication of Mein Kampf but that control is coming to an end – what happens next? This is still a dangerous book – there are issues with neo-Nazis, and a danger of people misinterpreting it if it’s not put into context,” says John Murphy, whose grandfather translated the first unabridged English language version in 1936.

In the United States, a utility patents’ term is 20 years. Monsanto says, “The first-generation Roundup Ready® soybean trait – the world’s most widely adopted biotech trait, planted by farmers on billions of acres since 1996 — comes off patent in 2015.”

Top Myths Busted

Posted on 2015/01/032015/01/04 by admin

by Daniel Brouse

1. GMO Foods Are Bad
2. Sandy Hook Was a Drill
3. 9/11 Was a Government Conspiracy
4. Contrails Contain Chemicals (Chemtrails)
5. [Request your myth to be busted.]

1. GMO Foods Are Bad
Humans have been genetically modifying foods for thousands of years. There is no evidence that eating GMO food is more harmful. Recently, GMO plants have been improved significantly and have been purposely modified for increased health benefits. Purple carrots that contain anthocyanins are an example. If you have any concerns about GMO’s, instead of spreading rumors… grow your own food!

2. Sandy Hook Was a Drill
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hill shootings, there was initial oversight by the State Police. This caused some confusion in the mass media with information that was being provided by the local police and the federal agencies. That is not to say that there have not been live action drills in the USA. In 1999, the military lowered armed troops from Blackhawk helicopters into the city of Camden with live ammo. Another example is the coordinated dismantling of Occupy Philly and Occupy Oakland by Homeland Security. The point being — it was obvious to everyone when it was a drill. The eye-witnesses in Sandy Hook make it evident this was not staged by the military.

3. 9/11 Was a Government Conspiracy
The 9/11 conspiracy crowd tends to focus on how buildings in New York collapsed. As far as scientists can tell, they collapsed in ways consistent with the unique event. Those perpetuating the conspiracy myth tend to leave out the other two sites. The plane that came down in Pennsylvania was occupied by the former quarterback of West Chester University. He is the one that yelled “Let’s roll!” before the passengers tried to take the plane back. He has become a local hero. There are also witnesses in Washington at the the Pentagon. If you have a doubt, try explaining Cantor Fitzgerald.

4. Contrails Contain Chemicals (Chemtrails)
The clouds that are formed from air passing through jet engines and being super-cooled are called contrails. They contain only H2O from the atmosphere. That is not to say that chemicals don’t come out of planes. They do. It is known as exhaust and usually can’t be seen with the naked eye. The exhaust comes out of a different part of the plane and is completely separate from the contrails; however, the exhaust from jets is a significant problem and is scheduled to be the first worldwide tax:

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) — The aviation sector will attempt to negotiate by 2016 a market-based mechanism (taxes, tradeable permits or carbon offsets) to tackle emissions from flying.

U.S. Ends Bailout Program with $15.3 Billion Profit

Posted on 2014/12/20 by admin

The Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) ended when the Treasury sold its remaining shares of Ally Financial (the last remaining major bank.) The bailout program was originally $426 billion.

The Treasury Department reports, “Treasury invested approximately $245 billion across five distinct bank programs. Each of these programs was established to accomplish different goals as part of the overall effort to stabilize America’s banking system.

Treasury has already recovered an amount that is greater than what was invested in banks under TARP. Taxpayers began to see a positive return on their bank investments in March 2011. Every additional dollar that is recovered from TARP’s bank investments represents an additional return for the taxpayers. ”

Torture = Enhanced Interrogation Techniques

Posted on 2014/12/09 by admin

The United States’ Senate Intelligence Committee released a 6,000 page report detailing how the CIA tortured prisoners at Bagram, Guantanamo Bay, and Abu Ghraib. A 480 page summary gives a troubling overview. The BBC reports:

Were the interrogation methods – torture if you like – more extensive and more brutal than previously admitted? It looks like the conclusion is “Yes”

Did these interrogation techniques deliver life-saving intelligence to the US? That answer appears to be “No”

Were CIA officials at the time honest with the White House about the program? Again, “No”

Dianne Feinstein, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, referred to “Enhanced Interrogation Techniques” as torture.

War Declared

Posted on 2014/09/112014/09/12 by admin

Washington DC — On September 10, 2014 between 9PM and 9:15PM, President Obama declared war on the Islamic State (ISIS).

“Our objective is clear: We will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.”

Critics raised debate on the irony of Obama going into Iraq after his position on getting out of Iraq.

Franz Ferdinand

Posted on 2014/06/282014/06/28 by admin

Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated on June 28, 1914. Franz Ferdinand was the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination started the chain of events that led to World War I.

His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia. This caused the Central Powers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary) and the Allies of World War I (countries allied with Serbia or Serbia’s allies) to declare war on each other, starting World War I.
— Wikipedia

World War I lasted until November 11, 1918. 9 million soldiers died in the war.

In 2002, a Scottish Indie band was formed that took the name Franz Ferdinand. “Mainly we just liked the way it sounded,” says Bob Hardy (bass guitar). “We liked the alliteration.” “He was an incredible figure as well,” continues Alex Kapranos (lead vocals). “His life, or at least the ending of it, was the catalyst for the complete transformation of the world and that is what we want our music to be. But I don’t want to over-intellectualize the name thing. Basically a name should just sound good … like music.” Paul Thomson (drums) offered, “I like the idea that, if we become popular, maybe the words Franz Ferdinand will make people think of the band instead of the historical figure”

Climate Change and the Presidental Action Plan

Posted on 2014/06/022014/06/02 by admin

The President’s Plan to Cut Carbon Pollution in America

Reducing Carbon Pollution from Power Plants

Power plants are the largest major source of emissions in the U.S., together accounting for roughly one-third of all domestic greenhouse gas pollution.

PROGRESS:

In September 2013, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced proposed carbon pollution standards for new power plants.

PROGRESS:

The EPA has met with more than 300 stakeholder groups from across the country to gather information on standards for existing power plants. In June 2014, the EPA issued proposed carbon pollution standards for existing power plants.

Continuing the momentum for the future:

Accelerating Clean Energy Leadership

During the President’s first term, the United States more than doubled generation of electricity from wind and solar energy.

PROGRESS:

Since President Obama took office, the U.S. increased solar generation by more than ten-fold and tripled electricity production from wind power.

PROGRESS:

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced permitting the 50th utility-scale renewable energy project on public lands. The projects could support more than 20,000 jobs and generate enough electricity to power 4.8 million homes.

PROGRESS:

In May 2014, the DOE’s Solar Instructor Training Network announced it will support training programs at community colleges across the country that will assist 50,000 workers to enter the solar industry by 2020.

PROGRESS:

In May 2014, President Obama announced more than 300 commitments private and public sector commitments to create jobs and cut carbon pollution by advancing solar deployment and energy efficiency — representing enough energy to power nearly 130,000 homes.

Continuing the momentum for the future:

Building a 21st Century Clean Energy Infrastructure

Heavy-duty vehicles (commercial trucks, vans, and buses) are currently the second largest source of greenhouse gas pollution within the transportation sector.

PROGRESS:

In January 2014, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum establishing the federal government’s first Quadrennial Energy Review (QER) process, with an initial focus on our nation’s energy infrastructure.

PROGRESS:

In February 2014, President Obama directed EPA and DOT to develop and issue the next phase of heavy-duty vehicle fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas standards by March 2016.

PROGRESS:

In 2011, the Administration finalized fuel economy standards for Model Year 2014-2018 for heavy-duty trucks, buses, and vans. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 270 million metric tons and save 530 million barrels of oil.

PROGRESS:

The Administration has already established the toughest fuel economy standards for passenger vehicles in U.S. history. These standards require an average performance equivalent of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.

Continuing the momentum for the future:

Cutting energy waste in homes, businesses, and factories

Energy efficiency is one of the clearest and most cost-effective opportunities to save families money, make our businesses more competitive, and reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

PROGRESS:

Since June, 75 new partners have joined the President’s Better Buildings Challenge. More than 190 organizations, together representing over 3 billion square feet of building space, have now committed to energy savings.

PROGRESS:

In President Obama’s first term, DOE and HUD completed efficiency upgrades in nearly two million homes, saving many families more than $400 on their heating and cooling bills in the first year alone.

PROGRESS:

In December 2013, the Department of Agriculture announced it will provide up to $250 million to help businesses and residential customers in rural areas cut their energy bills through energy efficiency and renewable energy use.

PROGRESS:

Since June, DOE has issued nine proposed and seven final energy conservation standards for appliances and equipment. If finalized and combined with rules already issued, the energy savings will help cut consumers’ electricity bills by hundreds of billions of dollars.

Continuing the momentum for the future:

Reducing other greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) — which are potent greehouse gases — are expected to double by 2020 and nearly triple by 2030 in the U.S.

PROGRESS:

Since 1990, methane emissions have decreased by 11% in part through partnerships with industry.

PROGRESS:

In March 2014, the Administration released a Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions from landfills, coal mining, agriculture, and oil and gas systems through voluntary actions and common-sense standards.

Continuing the momentum for the future:

Federal leadership

Since 2008, federal agencies have reduced greenhouse gas pollution by more than 17 percent — the equivalent of permanently taking 1.8 million cars off the road.

PROGRESS:

Expanded energy performance contracts from $2 billion to $4 billion to provide energy efficiency upgrades for Federal buildings, at no net cost to the taxpayer.

PROGRESS:

On December 5, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the federal government to buy at least 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.