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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

The Case Against Corzine by Tyler Durden

The Case Against Corzine

Submitted by James L. Koutoulas, Esq.
President, Commodity Customer Coalition, CEO, Typhon Capital Management
The Case Against Corzine
As the one year anniversary of the MF Global Bankruptcy is upon us, the WSJ has now joined the NY Times in writing a ‘woe is me’ piece on behalf of Jon Corzine. The WSJ continues bemoaning the pitiable situation of “restlessness and frustration” of the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, former Governor of New Jersey, and former Senator from New Jersey who apparently isn’t content with being “confident about the likelihood that he will avoid any criminal charges related to MF Global.” Corzine is still estimated to be worth several hundred million dollars despite presiding over the failure of the largest non-bank commodity broker where $1.6 billion in customer money was stolen. I cry for him, I really do.
Trying to portray Corzine as being focused on mundane things like finding a job rather than worried about doing jail time for his obvious crimes appears to be another prong of Corzine’s attorneys’ use of the Chewbacca Defense, along with saying that the fraud charges “Make No Sense,” because the money “Vaporized” and he had no motive since he had a de minimis portion of his net worth invested in MF Global stock. However, proving Corzine committed fraud and perjury would be relatively simple for any motivated prosecutor. Since the Department of Justice clearly is not motivated to prosecute Corzine after he bundled $500,000+ in campaign contributions to their boss, I provide this quick and easy guide for any ambitious state prosecutor to bring charges themselves:http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-10-31/case-against-corzine

FDNY Posts Dramatic On-The-Ground Images from the Fire That Tore Through Breezy Point

FDNY Posts Dramatic On-The-Ground Images From The Fire That Tore Through Breezy Point

The FDNY has posted a set of pictures on the Official New York Fire Department Flickr page of the scene on the ground during (and after) the terrible fire at Breezy Point, Queens.
They're terrifying.http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-sandy-fdny-photos-breezy-point-fire-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

U.S. Navy Take Notice: China is Becoming a World-Class Military Shipbuilder

U.S. Navy Take Notice: China is Becoming a World-Class Military Shipbuilder

China’s military shipyards now are surpassing Western European, Japanese, and Korean military shipbuilders in terms of both the types and numbers of ships they can build. If Beijing prioritizes progress, China’s military shipbuilding technical capabilities can likely become as good as Russia’s are now by 2020 and will near current U.S. shipbuilding technical proficiency levels by 2030. China is now mass producing at least six classes of modern diesel-electric submarines and surface warships, including the new Type 052C “Luyang II” and Type 052D “Luyang III” destroyers now in series production.
Eight key themes, listed sequentially below, characterize China’s rise as a world-class military shipbuilder. For reference, the companies building the warships are China State Shipbuilding Corporation (“CSSC”) and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (“CSIC”).http://thediplomat.com/2012/11/01/u-s-navy-take-notice-china-is-becoming-a-world-class-military-shipbuilder/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+the-diplomat+%28The+Diplomat+RSS%29

Careers Will End Over Libya Coverup By Victor Davis Hanson, National Review - October 30, 2012

Careers Will End Over Libya Coverup

Benghazi Questions Deserve Answers

Benghazi Questions Deserve Answers

David Ignatius, Washington Post
WASHINGTON -- The attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi has become a political football in the presidential campaign, with all the grandstanding and misinformation that entails. But Fox News has raised some questions about the attack that deserve a clearer answer from the Obama administration.Fox's Jennifer Griffin reported Friday that CIA officers in Benghazi had been told to "stand down" when they wanted to deploy from their base at the annex to repel the attack on the consulate, about a mile away. Fox also reported that the CIA officers requested military support when the...http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/10/31/benghazi_questions_deserve_answers_294730.html

The Case for Obama: Why He Is a Great President. Yes, Great. By Jonathan Chait


The Case for Obama: Why He Is a Great President. Yes, Great.

The Conservative Vote: A Symposium

The Conservative Vote:
A Symposium

"Pro-life" Romney or "antiwar" Obama? Third party or none of the above?
Our writers weigh in.

On President Obama and his Drones William Pfaff

On President Obama and his Drones

William Pfaff

Paris, October 30, 2012 – It is profound but nearly universal mistake among Americans (and others) to think that the withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan in 2013 or 2014 will end the American war with the Muslim world that began on September 11 in 2001. It seems that the current administration in Washington, and much of the American foreign policy community, are determined to validate a version of Professor Samuel Huntington’s unfortunate forecast in 1993 that the “next” world war would be a war between civilizations.

The URL for this article is:
http://www.williampfaff.com/article.php?storyid=597

Gareth Porter's new book project!

Gareth Porter and I invite everyone's support for the speedy writing and excellent production of Gareth's extremely timely upcoming book "Manufactured Crisis: The Secret History of the Iranian Nuclear Scare". Mr. Netanyahu has already made the important contribution of a compelling infographic for our fundraising campaign, as you will see if you go to our fundraising web-page, here: http://kck.st/Q6czba!

Gareth and I appreciate all the backing that you can give to this project, both directly and by circulating the 'Kickstarter' link to as many of your friends and networks as possible. Gareth's work on uncovering the disinformation campaign that has built up the Iranian nuclear "scare" has been dogged and smart, for eight years now. Now, he just needs to pull it all together into a book. We're planning to have the book ready to ship in Fall next year.

Thanks for your consideration.

Helena Cobban-- http://kck.st/Q6czba.

--
Helena Cobban,
Owner, Just World Books.
Visit our webstore at Justworldbooks.com!

Just World Books and my long-running blog Just World News are projects of Just World Publishing, LLC.

Defense Daily Most Recent Industry Developments

The Most Recent Industry Developments
 
No one is sure what threats or missions the future will bring in a world becoming increasingly complex and as the Army considers how to reposition and align itself after more than a decade of conflict, the chief of staff pointed to the bedrock basics the land force will build on.
"War remains a struggle to influence key terrain, populations, and governance," Gen. Ray Odierno said at…Read more…
 
 
At a Rome conference Oct. 23-25, officials from the NATO Communications and Information (NCI) Agency updated Transatlantic Industry leaders on an estimated $2.7 billion upcoming business opportunities in C4ISR and communication capabilities to support NATO missions and operations. The aim of…Read more...
 
 

By Pat Host One of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) top officials said yesterday the agency will  ocus on protecting, and investing in, research and development (R&D), cyber operations and its workforce as budgets begin to tighten. Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence Stephanie O’Sullivan told an audience… Read more…
 
 
Fidelity Technologies Corp., a defense contractor headquartered in Reading, Penn., and British engine maker Cubewano LTD yesterday said they have agreed to an exclusive licensing agreement covering the North American defense market.
The licensing agreement will enable Fidelity to utilize… Read more…
 
 
A number of the Pentagon's airship and aerostat programs are being delayed by technical problems and the department should create a more centralized effort to coordinate the various projects pursued by the Army, Air Force and Navy, the Government Accountability Office said in a report released yesterday. Several of the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) programs have encountered… Read more…
 

Why Catholics Will Choose President Romney By Kate Wright


Why Catholics Will Choose President Romney

By Kate Wright
Because they can.

Putting Sandy In Destructive Context

Putting Sandy In Destructive Context

Given Sandy's status as 'worse than the worst case', it is perhaps not surprising that our estimate of the total cost being in the $50-100 billion range is not totally off mark given the discussions that ensued. By comparison Katrina's total loss/damage cost was $108bn. BofAML is a little more hopeful with estimates in the $10-20bn range - which seems optimistic to us, and further note that while it is a big hit to wealth, once the offsetting effects (Keynesian broken windows?) are taken into account, it will likely have a very small impact on economic growth.  Sandy is still in the Top 5 in terms of economic damage among modern hurricanes, and as BofAML adds, ironically, Sandy may even contribute further to the policy bickering in Washington. With so much of our central-banker-in-chief's efforts focused on raising our wealth perception, we wonder if this will have greater implications than merely the physical damage.

How Bad will Sandy be?http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-10-31/putting-sandy-destructive-context

Update on the DoD and National Guard Response to Hurricane Sandy

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
News Release
On the Web:
http://www.defense.gov/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=15649
Media contact: +1 (703) 697-5131/697-5132
Public contact:
http://www.defense.gov/landing/comment.aspx
or +1 (703) 571-3343

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 857-12
October 30, 2012

Update on the DoD and National Guard Response to Hurricane Sandy

            Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta has directed that the Department of Defense provide any available disaster response resources requested by Federal Emergency Management Agency and other federal agencies as affected states respond to Hurricane Sandy.   We continue to support FEMA and our Federal partners, with U.S. Northern Command and the National Guard providing lifesaving and life-sustaining assets in the aftermath of the storm. 
            Here is today's update on DoD's response to Hurricane Sandy:
            As of 11:00 a.m. today, there are approximately 7,400 National Guard forces on state active duty or in the process of activating for duty in support of the governors of NY, MA, VA, NJ, DE, CT and MD. These forces are providing critical assistance to local first responders and FEMA with support at evacuation shelters, damage assessments, route clearance, debris reduction and removal, search and rescue, and delivery of essential equipment and supplies.   
            DoD has staged four medium rotary wing utility aircraft and four medium rotary wing Search and Rescue aircraft at Hanscom AFB, MA, for potential logistical and search and rescue operations along the coasts of MA, CT, and RI in support of FEMA.
            DoD has approved a request for District of Columbia National Guard support for traffic control points and high-water evacuations.
             DoD installations throughout the North East are available as requested by FEMA.  These include Westover Air Reserve Base, MA; Joint Base McGuire-Dix, Lakehurst, NJ; and Ft. Devens, MA.
             DoD has placed medium- and heavy-lift helicopters, para rescue swimmers, and aerial refueling aircraft on 24-hour prepare-to-deploy status in response to anticipated FEMA requests to mitigate or respond to the effects of the storm.
             Additional engineer units and logistical support units are preparing to support the response in anticipation of any requests by FEMA.
             The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is providing public works and engineering expertise to include damage modeling, storm surge modeling, temporary emergency power, and coastal preparations in support of FEMA.  Other response teams remain on alert for future FEMA missions to include: Debris Management, Commodities Distribution, Infrastructure Assessment, Temporary Roofing, Critical Public Facilities, Water Planning, and Temporary Housing.
             USACE is currently working the New York District Emergency Operations Center and Rock Island District Unwatering Task Force management cell.  The unwatering cell includes technical experts that understand flood risk modeling/inundation. This team can advise on the location and use of pumping capability, the size/scope of pumping capability should be used, and can do some contract management.
             The Defense Logistics Agency has doubled the amount of fuel it is ready to provide for emergency backup generators in anticipation of requests for assistance from FEMA and Department of Energy.

U.S. Military vs. Hurricane Sandy

U.S. Military vs. Hurricane Sandy

Due to its unique capabilities, the U.S. military has often served as part of the first responders in Asia’s worst natural disasters. Within hours of the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, for instance, 15,000 U.S. military personnel were on the scene aiding local authorities in search and rescue efforts. Within a week 17 U.S. Naval vessels and a Coast Guard Cutter were en route to Southeast Asia. Operation Unified Assistance, as the U.S. military named the humanitarian operation, would last for months afterward as the region tried to overcome the massive loss of life and property.
The U.S. military also sprang into action following Japan’s tragic earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. In what the Pentagon would call Operation Tomodachi—Japanese for “friendship”– the U.S. military was again on the scene within hours helping in the search and rescue operations. The Defense Department immediately allocated $35 million, which was supplemented by another $8 million from the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID). Less than a month later the U.S. 7th fleet had 14 ships, 130 aircraft and 13,893 personnel involved in Operation Tomodachi, flying 160 reconnaissance flights in search of victims, and delivering more than 260 tons of relief supplies to survivors.
Now, with the U.S. Eastern Coast slammed by Hurricane Sandy, the U.S. military has been busy assisting federal, state, and local authorities reaching those people still in need and helping to restore services to affected households. As the storm made its way to the U.S. mainland after raging through the Caribbean, the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) began coordinating operational plans with domestic agencies. http://thediplomat.com/the-editor/2012/10/30/u-s-military-vs-hurricane-sandy/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+the-diplomat+%28The+Diplomat+RSS%29

Defense Daily Top Stories Update

The Most Recent Industry Developments
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta laid out a hefty agenda he wants Congress to tackle after the presidential election, including the “sequestration” budget cuts that have been stirring controversy on the campaign trail this week.
Panetta, at what was likely his last press briefing before the Nov. 6 election, offered…Read more…
In the largest missile defense flight test ever, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) with members of all the services successfully conducted the largest, most complex missile defense flight test ever attempted, resulting in the simultaneous engagement of five ballistic missile and cruise missile targets.
The test, known…Read more...
Fielding directed energy weapons in the future remains a challenge for the Navy as it continues to develop a “roadmap” for bringing the technology to the warfighter and examining how it would operate on ships, the service’s acquisition chief said yesterday.
Sean Stackley, the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition, told a gathering that a directed energy steering group established last December is… Read more…
The Army will rely heavily on equipment that aids it with air and missile defense and cybersecurity as the U.S. military enhances its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, service officials said yesterday.
Army acquisition chief Heidi Shyu said… Read more…

Palestinian Economy Is Teetering On Brink of Collapse, Study Finds

Palestinian Economy Is Teetering On Brink of Collapse, Study Finds

By: Danny Rubinstein posted on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2012

Last Saturday [Oct. 13], I visited a folk festival in the [West Bank Palestinian] Christian village of Taybeh, east of Ramallah — not to be confused with the Arab city [of Tayibeh] within the Green Line. The village of Taybeh is known primarily thanks to the beer-producing Taybeh Brewery, which is marketing to Israel as well and is quite popular in some of the pubs in the country. [As said,] the village of Taybeh should not be confused with the Arab city by the similar name located within the Green Line.
 
The Palestinian Police were present on the scene, to maintain law and order during the various events of the festival. A police sergeant standing next to me complained that he and his colleagues had not yet received their September wages, although it was already almost mid-October. He is 28 years old, a native of a village in the environs of [the Palestinian town of] Jenin; he is married and has two children. He is serving in Ramallah and lives in a tiny rented apartment in the [Ramallah] suburb of Bitunya. He earns 2,500 shekels [just about $660] per month. The rent costs him 800 shekels [around $211] a month and he has to make do with what's left to meet his family's basic subsistence needs. After some more small talk, he feels that he can trust me and embarks on a tirade against the Palestinian [Authority] seniors who, he charges, are stealing the money [of the hard-working poor], leaving him and his fellow men practically nothing. You can hear talk like that on every street corner in the West Bank.

The [Palestinian] public-sector employees account for [more than] a quarter of the Palestinian purchasing power
For the best part of the past 16 months, the Palestinian Authority failed to pay on time the wages of more than its 200,000 public-sector employees. The delays in salary payments are caused by delays in the transfer [to the Palestinian Authority] of emergency aid funds and Palestinian tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. The economic implications of the situation are far-reaching and disastrous, argues economist Yitzhak Gal in a report prepared by him for the monthly e-newsletter Iqtisadi (September issue, published by the Tel Aviv University Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies [under the heading "The Palestinian Economic Crisis: A Loud Wake-Up Call"]). The situation is liable to have dangerous [social and political] consequences due to the fact that the Palestinian public-sector employees, including the security establishment personnel, account for [well] over a quarter of the Palestinian purchasing power. Their low salaries are a mainstay of economic and social stability in the West Bank. “As these salaries have not been paid on time and in full,” the report explains, "the economic security of the public-sector employees is undermined “and the shock waves spread to the West Bank society at large.” Furthermore, [many of] these public-sector employees are unable to meet bank loan repayments and the devastating effect is felt throughout the financial system.

The purported economic growth has been nothing but a fleeting mirage
Wage levels in the Palestinian territories are evaluated with reference to the purchasing power and standard of living of the local inhabitants. The close ties with the Israeli market are reflected in similar price levels in the West Bank and Israel, in particular when it comes to the price levels of fuel, communication services and a whole array of basic food products. [Since wages in the Palestinian territories are much lower than in Israel,] the real purchasing power of Palestinian households is much lower than that recorded in Israel. Comparisons of related international data conducted by Gal show that the Palestinian GDP [gross domestic product] per capita [when adjusted to local purchasing power] is far lower than that of neighboring Arab counties, and is only slightly higher than that of the poorest countries in the region. In other words, the Palestinians' standard of living and poverty level are similar to those found in countries like Sudan or Yemen. In view of these findings, the report warns that the economic crisis in the Palestinian Authority is “A Loud Wake-Up Call.”

The economic growth witnessed in the territories since the Second Intifada waned [in 2004] has been nothing but a fleeting mirage, as it followed a deep recession and was exclusively based on international aid funds. However, in recent years the external financial support to the Palestinian Authority has been on the decline, which has further undermined the ailing Palestinian economy, aggravating its structural weakness, that is, the huge gap between the massive imports and the meager exports. As a consequence, the economic crisis [in the Palestinian Authority] is liable to deepen even more and, combined with the political impasse, it may put the economic and social stability of the Palestinian Authority at a risk and threaten its leadership with chaos. As the crisis unfolds, it may well develop into an uncontrollable wave of violent protests and drag Israeli –Palestinian relations back to the all too familiar vicious circle of violent confrontations, terror, stricter Israeli restrictions [on movement and access] and other penalization measures imposed by the Israeli regime, which would further deepen Palestinian destitution and despair and could trigger an even more violent round of hostilities.
Back to news list


In Saudi Arabia and Israel, Signals That Iran Has Retaliation in Works

In Saudi Arabia and Israel, Signals That Iran Has Retaliation in Works

A shocking cyberattack paralyzed 30,000 computers at oil giant Aramco. Then Hezbollah aimed a drone at an Israeli reactor. Is this Tehran’s game plan in case of a strike? http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/10/26/in-saudi-arabia-and-israel-signals-that-iran-has-retaliation-in-works.html

The Hideous Inequality Exposed by Hurricane Sandy

The Hideous Inequality Exposed by Hurricane Sandy

In Manhattan, the storm revealed a city more economically divided than it has been in a decadehttp://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/10/the-hideous-inequality-exposed-by-hurricane-sandy/264337/

Hurricane Sandy Underscores Climate Change Threat to Coasts

Hurricane Sandy Underscores Climate Change Threat to Coasts

As Hurricane Sandy dissipates and recovery efforts begin, people are asking what role climate change plays in influencing such storms.http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/hurricane-sandy-climate-change-coasts-0345.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20ucsusa%2Frss%20%28Union%20of%20Concerned%20Scientists%29

Insurers Won't Get Whole Tab

Insurers Won't Get Whole Tab

Much of Sandy's Flood Damage to Be Covered by Cash-Strapped Federal Programhttp://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204789304578089153245212398.html?mod=ITP_pageone_2

The States with the Riskiest Voting Technology

Ted Kennedy’s wife comes out against assisted suicide in Massachusetts

Ted Kennedy’s wife comes out against assisted suicide in Massachusetts

Fiftieth Anniversary of the 1962 Sino-Indian Border War

http://www.nbr.org/research/activity.aspx?id=290

Fiftieth Anniversary of the 1962 Sino-Indian Border War

An Interview with Arun Sahgal

By Naomi McMillen
October 30, 2012
On October 20, 1962, Chinese forces launched offensives into the disputed border regions flanking the Tibet Autonomous Region and the Line of Actual Control, igniting what became known as the 1962 Sino-Indian Border War. Although the conflict ended nearly 50 years ago, the border war still has a significant impact on the geopolitical strategies of both India and China.
In this NBR Expert Q&A, Strategic Asia author Arun Sahgal (Institute of National Security Studies) discusses the lessons learned from the conflict and explains how the dispute still shapes relations between the two rising powers 50 years later.
This October marks the 50th anniversary of the Sino-Indian Border War. What were the causes of the conflict, and what lessons did India learn?

General Failure

November 2012 ATLANTIC MAGAZINE

General Failure

Looking back on the troubled wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, many observers are content to lay blame on the Bush administration. But inept leadership by American generals was also responsible for the failure of those wars. A culture of mediocrity has taken hold within the Army’s leadership rank—if it is not uprooted, the country’s next war is unlikely to unfold any better than the last two.
nShar By Thomas E. Ricks

Can China ‘Win’ Without Fighting?

Can China ‘Win’ Without Fighting?

By James R. Holmes

October 25, 2012
http://thediplomat.com/the-naval-diplomat/2012/10/25/can-china-win-without-fighting/

Japan’s Three Options in the East China Sea

Japan’s Three Options in the East China Sea

By Robert Dujarric

October 25, 2012
http://thediplomat.com/china-power/japans-three-options-in-the-east-china-sea/

Ex-Envoy Says U.S. Stirs China-Japan Tensions

 
The New York Times
 


October 30, 2012

Ex-Envoy Says U.S. Stirs China-Japan Tensions

By and
HONG KONG — A longtime Chinese diplomat warned Tuesday that the United States is using Japan as a strategic tool in its effort to mount a comeback in Asia, a policy that he said is serving to heighten tensions between China and Japan.

SINOGRAPH Wen versus Bo gets more explosive

Asia Time Online - Daily News



Western media revelations about  the personal wealth of China's leaders were likely primed by the neo-Maoist camp of Bo Xilai, as the disgraced Chongqing communist party chief fights to avoid the death penalty. Their timing, and the possibility that corruption allegations of the kind levied against Prime Minister Wen Jiabao could target other leaders, lend an increasingly explosive air to next month's party congress.
Francesco Sisci   Nov 1, 2012
BEIJING - It is certainly an important story, and because of that, there is more than one way to look at it. The long New York Times feature about the businesses of the family of China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao exploded like a bombshell in Beijing, just as the government was busy preparing for a historical Chinese Communist Party (CCP) congress and the trial of former Chongqing Party Chief, Bo Xilai, who was toppled in the greatest political scandal since the fall of Lin Biao in 1971.

It is not clear whether the story and its timing was just a coincidence, more or less unfortunate, or if it was instead an artfully designed plan by any of the parties involved in the scandal, in the congress or in US-China bilateral relations. Even so, the story played on all these levels. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/NK01Ad01.html

Ignoring American Decline

 
Ignoring American Decline
by Ira Chernus and Nick Turse, October 31, 2012

Failure and unintended consequences: these are often hallmarks of U.S. military interventions. Who could have imagined, for instance, that forcing open the Kingdom of Japan at the point of U.S. Navy guns would eventually lead to bombs falling on ships from that same navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii? Or who could have foreseen that attempting to tip the scales in favor of French colonial forces in Vietnam in the 1950s would end in tripartite U.S. military failures in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos in the 1970s? Or who could have known that arming Islamic militants against the Soviets in Afghanistan in the 1980s would lead to the 9/11 attacks and a never-ending Afghan War in the twenty-first century, or that a quick, triumphant war against Iraq in 1990-1991 would morph into a debacle of an invasion and occupation of Iraq 12 years later? At some point, however, it should become clear that military interventions in distant lands have a strange way of begetting disastrous consequences.
Take Libya. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan launched air raidsagainst Libya, including a failed “decapitation” strike against the country’s leader, Colonel Moammar Gadhafi. In 2011, Gadhafi was still in power when President Obama intervened in a civil war there. This time, Libyan rebels killed Gadhafi and the U.S. celebrated a cleanvictory at little cost. “Without putting a single U.S. service member on the ground, we achieved our objectives,” President Obama said.
Once again, mission accomplished. Or so it seemed.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Change is needed, whether or not President Obama wins

Change is needed, whether or not President Obama wins

These Two Pictures Show Why You Will Not Be Landing At Laguardia Tomorrow

These Two Pictures Show Why You Will Not Be Landing At Laguardia Tomorrow

Yikes.
LaGuardia Airport will remain closed tomorrow due to "extensive damage," Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference.
JFK Airport is likely to open tomorrow.
Nearly 14,000 flights were canceled due to Hurricane Sandy.
Meanwhile New Yorkers face 3-4 days without full power and 4-5 days without subway, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said at a press conference.
UPDATE: JetBlue has posted two pictures to its blog showing exactly why you will not be landing at Laguardia tomorrow.http://www.businessinsider.com/laguardia-airport-will-remain-closed-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Seems It Will Take More Than Restoring Power To Get The Trains Running Again...

Seems It Will Take More Than Restoring Power To Get The Trains Running Again...

It seems there will be more to getting New York commuter trains running again than merely turning the power back on.
An MTA photo of an obstacle on the tracks in Ossining...http://www.businessinsider.com/boat-on-tracks-in-ossining-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Set For Life: A Must-See Film on Being Over 50 and Out of Work

Set For Life: A Must-See Film on Being Over 50 and Out of Work

Deborah Salim lost her job and is struggling to make ends meet. (Courtesy of Susan M. Sipprelle) I was heartened to read in The Wall Street Journal this week that there are 3.5 million more Americans 55 and older working than in September 2009. But before you break out the bubbly, [...]

Russian Crew and 700 Tons of Gold Ore Missing


Russian Crew and 700 Tons of Gold Ore Missing
http://www.darkgovernment.com/news/russian-crew-and-700-tons-of-gold-ore-missing/

A vessel with a nine-person crew and 700 tons of gold ore onboard has gone
missing in stormy seas off Russia's Pacific Coast.
The ship sent a distress call on Sunday as it was sailing from the coastal
town of Neran to Feklistov Island in the Sea of Okhotsk.
The vessel, hired by mining company Polymetal, was carrying 700 tons of gold
ore [...]

Sandy's Damage So Far: At Least $20 Billion

Sandy's Damage So Far: At Least $20 Billion

The economic wreckage from Hurricane Sandy will likely total more than $20 billion, according to a research outfit quoted in Bloomberg this morning. Kinetic Analysis Corp.'s Charles Watson told the outlet that the majority of that cost will fall on cities and states as they rebuild damaged infrastructure. http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/10/sandys-damage-so-far-at-least-20-billion/264288/

U.S. Received Warnings of Militant Activities in Libya Prior to Strike

U.S. Received Warnings of Militant Activities in Libya Prior to Strike

The Obama administration earlier this year received information indicating preparatory activities being carried out by "al-Qaida-leaning" militants and other militants at encampments close to Benghazi, Libya, U.S. and European government personnel said in a Monday New York Times report.http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/us-received-warnings-militant-activities-libya-prior-strike/

Drones: Whatever Became of U.S. Respect for International Norms Prohibiting Assassinations?

Drones: Whatever Became of U.S. Respect for International Norms Prohibiting Assassinations?

670,000 Without Power, ConEd Says Repairs Could Take A Week - Interactive Status Map

670,000 Without Power, ConEd Says Repairs Could Take A Week - Interactive Status Map

New York Paralyzed As Subways Shut Down Indefinitely: Subway Chief: "Worst Disaster Ever"

New York Paralyzed As Subways Shut Down Indefinitely: Subway Chief: "Worst Disaster Ever"

Benghazi Story Isn't Going Away

Benghazi Story Isn't Going Away

Walter Russell Mead, American Interest
Sign up for our daily newsletter and receive the latest news, analysis and videos in your inbox!By Robert Kaplanhttp://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/10/29/benghazi_story_isn039t_going_away_294533.html

Libya: No Mere "October Surprise"

Libya: No Mere "October Surprise"

Jonah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times
If you want to understand why conservatives have lost faith in the so-called mainstream media, you need to ponder the question: Where is the Benghazi feeding frenzy?Unlike some of my colleagues on the right, I don't think there's a conspiracy at work. Rather, I think journalists tend to act on their instincts (some even brag about this; you could look it up). And, collectively, the mainstream media's instincts run liberal, making groupthink inevitable.http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/10/30/libya_no_mere_quotoctober_surprisequot_294638.html

Barack Obama: What Could Have Been

Barack Obama: What Could Have Been

Richard Cohen, Washington Post
One of the more melancholy moments of the presidential campaign occurred for me in a screening room. The film was Rory Kennedy's documentary about her mother, Ethel -- the widow of Robert F. Kennedy. Much of it consisted of Kennedy family home movies, but also film of RFK in Appalachia and in Mississippi among the pitifully emaciated poor. Kennedy brimmed with shock and indignation, with sorrow and sympathy, and was determined -- you could see it on his face -- to do something about it. I've never seen that look on Barack Obama's face.Instead, I see a failure to embrace all...http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/10/30/the_reluctant_president_115973.html

As Go Catholics, So Goes the Nation?

As Go Catholics, So Goes the Nation?

John Baer, Philadelphia Inquirer
MY ONLY PRAYER for next week's election is that it ends with a winner.I say this because of the threat of an unresolved result, an Electoral College tie.That would set the stage for (pick one) arm-twisting, blackmailing or bribing electors to change their votes on or before meeting Dec. 17, or House/Senate action in January producing a Romney/Biden administration.http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/10/30/as_go_catholics_so_goes_the_nation_294552.html

Ignoring Christian Persecution

Ignoring Christian Persecution

Rupert Shortt, Telegraph
Imagine the unspeakable fury that would erupt across the Islamic world if a Christian-led government in Khartoum had been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Sudanese Muslims over the past 30 years. Or if Christian gunmen were firebombing mosques in Iraq during Friday prayers. Or if Muslim girls in Indonesia had been abducted and beheaded on their way to school, because of their faith.Such horrors are barely thinkable, of course. But they have all occurred in reverse, with Christians falling victim to Islamist aggression. Only two days ago, a suicide...http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/9640825/Christians-persecuted-throughout-the-world.html

Israel Lobby Calls for an ‘Iranian Pearl Harbor’

Israel Lobby Calls for an ‘Iranian Pearl Harbor’

When the Bush-Cheney administration was in power, Dick Cheney tried hard to find an excuse for military attacks on Iran. After all, according to Gen. Wesley Clark, the former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO from 1997 to 2000, Cheney and other hawks had plans for attacking and destroying seven countries in the Middle East and [...]http://original.antiwar.com/muhammad-sahimi/2012/10/29/israel-lobby-calls-for-an-iranian-pearl-harbor/

Energy Jobs To Grow Through 2020

Energy Jobs To Grow Through 2020

The Pittsburgh region will see significant growth in the number of energy-related careers by the end of this decade. There will be plenty of jobs in the energy sector for engineers, maintenance technicians, welders, salespeople, and many others, according to a workforce analysis conducted recently on behalf of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and

(More)…http://shalestuff.com/uncategorized/energy-jobs-grow-2020/article03982

Gov. Christie praises Obama response to Hurricane Sandy as ‘outstanding’

Gov. Christie praises Obama response to Hurricane Sandy as ‘outstanding’

“The president has been all over this and deserves great credit,” said Christie, a prominent Romney surrogate.http://thehill.com/video/in-the-news/264747-gov-christie-obama-response-to-hurricane-sandy-outstanding

Hurricane Sandy: No Hype

Hurricane Sandy: No Hype

After years covering natural disasters as a journalist, I was an apprehensive viewer as Hurricane Sandy approached our small, vulnerable Connecticut town of Weston.  We were freaked by the “Frankenstorm” headlines and the terrifying predictions.   Sandy, the worst storm in 500 years.   CT Governor Dan Malloy calls the situation dire [...]http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnseigenthaler/2012/10/30/hurricane-sandy-no-hype/

Sandy Surges Into New York

Sandy Surges Into New York

As the waters rose, the bottom third of Manhattan went dark.http://www.forbes.com/pictures/eddk45elkef/manhattan-goes-dark/

Sandy leaves death, damp and darkness in wake

Sandy leaves death, damp and darkness in wake http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPERSTORM_SANDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-10-30-06-19-50

Sandy blaze video: Fire rips through Breezy Point, Queens, 50 houses destroyed

Sandy blaze video: Fire rips through Breezy Point, Queens, 50 houses destroyed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuHDfgEVqKA

Superstorm Sandy Leaves Millions Without Power Across

Superstorm Sandy Leaves Millions Without Power Across Tri-State Area

Superstorm Sandy Leaves Millions Without Power Across Tri-State Areahttp://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/10/30/superstorm-sandy-leaves-millions-without-power-across-tri-state-area/

If You Want To Go Through New York's Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Better Bring Your Submarine

If You Want To Go Through New York's Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Better Bring Your Submarine

Amazing scene this morning at the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, which connects lower Manhattan to Brooklyn.http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-brooklyn-battery-tunnel-flooded-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Why Sandy's Impact Will Differ From Katrina

Why Sandy's Impact Will Differ From Katrina

Robert Rapier, CE Reporthttp://www.consumerenergyreport.com/2012/10/29/why-sandys-impact-will-differ-from-katrina/

The Final Obama/Romney Energy Plans

The Final Obama/Romney Energy Plans

John Miller, Energy Collectivehttp://theenergycollective.com/jemillerep/135851/what-are-final-obama-and-romney-energy-plan-changes

A veteran oil observer sees Sandy as a disaster for the US East Coast

Will Sandy Be an Oil Disaster for the East Coast?

John Kingston, Plattshttp://blogs.platts.com/2012/10/29/sandy_impact/

Google Reveals the Nexus 10 and it is the strongest tablet competitor to the Apple iPad

Google Reveals the Nexus 10 and it is the strongest tablet competitor to the Apple iPad

Google Play - Nexus 10 is the newest tablet from Google. With the world’s highest resolution tablet display, all new multi-user features, immersive HD content and the best Google app. It will be available for purchase on Tuesday, Nov. 13th for $399 for a 16GB WiFi version and $499 for a 32 GB version.http://nextbigfuture.com/2012/10/google-reveals-nexus-10.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2Fadvancednano+%28nextbigfuture%29

670,000 Without Power in NYC; Flood Crests 13.88 Feet, Besting 1960 Record of 10.02 Feet; Wall Street Flooded

670,000 Without Power in NYC; Flood Crests 13.88 Feet, Besting 1960 Record of 10.02 Feet; Wall Street Flooded

The good news for New York City is the storm crest has peaked. The bad news is the cleanup will take days, or longer, and much is the city is blacked-out.

Please consider Hurricane Sandy’s Waters Flood Blacked-Out New York City.http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2012/10/670000-without-power-in-nyc-flood.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MishsGlobalEconomicTrendAnalysis+%28Mish%27s+Global+Economic+Trend+Analysis%29

Guest Post: Photo of 86th Street Station

Photo Of 86th Street Station Shows What The MTA Is Dealing With Underground

Here's a photo of the 86th St. station in Manhattan flooded all the way up to the platform and beyond.
From @HeyVeronica:
86th st station flooding
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President Obama Declares Major Disasters In New York And New Jersey

President Obama Declares Major Disasters In New York And New Jersey

obama
Overnight, President Barack Obama declared major disasters exist in New York and New Jersey following the incredible impact and destruction caused by the superstorm Sandy, the White House announced early this morning.
The move provides federal aid to select counties in the state.
Here are the counties in New York: Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Richmond, Suffolk, and Queens.
And in New Jersey: Atlantic, Cape May, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Union.
Per the White House, some of the uses of federal funding include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover.
Click here for the latest on Sandy >

An Entire New Jersey Borough Is Underwater After A Levee Break

An Entire New Jersey Borough Is Underwater After A Levee Break

A borough in New Jersey was in the process of being evacuated early this morning after a levee broke and submerged the entire borough underwater.
New Jersey State Police Sgt. Adam Grossman said by phone this morning that the levee in Moonachie, N.J., broke around 12:30 a.m. and forced a furious evacuation in both Moonachie and the surrounding towns of Little Ferry and Carlstadt.
"Emergency responders immediately came on scene," Grossman said. "We are trying to get everyone out." He added that surrounding towns are providing boats in the evacuation effort.
Grossman said that more than 1,000 people in the area may need to eventually be evacuated. So far, about 200 have successfully gotten out. He said there have been no injuries or deaths reported thus far.
Jeanne Baratta, the chief of staff for the Bergen County executive, told the Bergen Record that Moonachie “has lost their fire department, their police department and their municipal building."
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said this morning on the Today show that the damage to his state is "almost incalculable."
President Obama declares major disasters in New York and New Jersey >http://www.businessinsider.com/moonachie-new-jersey-levee-hurricane-sandy-christie-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Insane Photo Of A Huge Tanker Washed Up On Shore In Staten Island

Insane Photo Of A Huge Tanker Washed Up On Shore In Staten Island

Via BBC foreign editor Jon Williams, a truly incredible photo of a tanker that washed ashore on Staten Island after Superstorm Sandy:
Staten Island tanker Hurricane Sandy
More incredible photos from the devastation in New York >http://www.businessinsider.com/tanker-washes-up-staten-island-photo-hurricane-sandy-storm-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

Water Floods Into A Parking Garage In New York's East Village

Water Floods Into A Parking Garage In New York's East Village

Another remarkable photo of flooding in New York City, this one reportedly of a parking garage on Avenue C.
The photo was presumably taken Monday evening, near the peak of the flooding. It is posted to Time's Instagram account.
This area of New York, the East Village, was particularly hard hit, as shown in these other amazing photos.http://www.businessinsider.com/water-floods-parking-garage-in-new-york-2012-10?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+businessinsider+%28Business+Insider%29

How Much Is Hurricane Sandy Going To Cost? Here's A First Estimate

Sandy

Today's top stories from DC Links


Today's top stories:
 
1.) Hurricane Sandy drowns coverage of White House scandals
2.) Report: Fast and Furious a product of DOJ 'deliberate strategy' laid out by Eric Holder, other senior Obama officials
3.) Gay Republican volunteer invented bias attack
4.) Claim: Obama campaign website accepted real donation from fake 'Osama bin Laden'
5.) Romney backs away from opposition to ending wind tax credit
6.) Emails: Obama spokeswoman knew Treasury edited GM press releases
7.) Dem group runs ads for Montana Libertarian candidate in what appears to be attempt to split the vote
8.) Democratic official tweets about McCain 'hostage video'
9.) Schools close across the Northeast as Hurricane Sandy blasts region
10.) New York City transformer explodes as Hurricane Sandy strikes [VIDEO]
11.) Scenes from Hurricane Sandy's destructive path [SLIDESHOW]
12.) Weather Channel meteorologist Reynolds Wolf owns his Hurricane Sandy moment [VIDEO]
13.) Hurricane Sandy slamming Washington D.C. metro area [VIDEO]
14.) Top ten: Bizarre hurricane weather report videos [SLIDESHOW]