He is hoping to build an empire in the desert,
far from the trial lawyers to Train Anti-Iranian Soldiers

post from Firedoglake on 15 May 2011 10:40:08 AM. © Firedoglake

Erik Prince's latest scam--to hide from the trial lawyers--involves using retired US servicemen to train Colombian mercenaries to "defend" the United Arab Emirates.[...]

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The Price of Ownership

post from Docudharma - Front Page on 15 May 2011 10:26:13 AM. © Docudharma - Front Page

Cross posted from The Stars Hollow GazetteWhen the Republicans voted lock step on the Ryan Budget plan that would decimate the safety nets of Medicaid ans Medicare, they were not prepared for the harsh criticism from their own supporters and[...]

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Cartnoon

post from Docudharma - Front Page on 15 May 2011 10:02:39 AM. © Docudharma - Front Page

Sylvester and Tweety Mysteries- A Chip Off The Old Castle, Episode 4, Part 2 [...]

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Boeing vs.NLRB

post from The Politics of Jamie Sanderson on 15 May 2011 10:01:25 AM. © The Politics of Jamie Sanderson

By James Sanderson - USW Local 7898 President

The National Labor Relations Board, (NLRB) complaint against Boeing has caused quite a stir and SPIN here in South Carolina. According to the NLRB charge, Boeing chose to set up its second 787 production line in North Charleston, S.C., in retaliation against the Machinists' Union because of repeated strikes against the company and the possibility the union could go on strike again.

Since the NLRB filed the complaint against Boeing, The South Carolina print media has editorialized against the NLRB action. The media is spinning out of control. It is very obvious that the media isn?t interested in presenting the facts or laws that pertain to this specific incident. Instead of printing facts the media is reporting bold face lies from our elected leaders. First of all, I don?t know of any labor union that is against anyone having the right to work. The NLRB complaint would do nothing to the Right to Work Law.

Both sides do have rights under the National Labor Relations Act, (NLRA), but only one side, Boeing, violated the law. Boeing committed an unfair labor practice ? not by putting its factory in South Carolina, a right-to-work state; it broke the law when it made it clear to employees it was relocating because of strikes. This action created a chilling effect on its employees as well as the state of Washington.

I applaud the NLRB general counsel's decision. The NLRB is simply doing its job, defending the rights of workers to collectively bargain and to act in concerted activity. Were Boeing's actions to go unchecked, companies would be free to coerce and intimidate workers, their unions and states into deals that primarily profit the company. This would make a mockery of the fundamental human right of workers to stand together in order to balance out the power of corporations.

Yet instead of simply having its day in court, Boeing is trying to use its tremendous political clout to stop the actions of this independent federal law-enforcement agency. It is trying to win politically because it cannot win its case in a court. This explains why Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Lindsey Graham, Congressman Tim Scott, SC House Representative Chip Limehouse are running around conducting press conferences with misleading information. Governor Nikki Haley is stating that this will hurt South Carolina?s Right to Work Law. Pure Nonsense!! Please take the time to read SC Right to Work Law for yourself and learn the true definition. The SC RTW Law provides workers, who work at unionized facility, the right not to join the union and still receive the same benefits. That?s it. Here is the link to South Carolina?s Right to Work Law.

http://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t41c007.htm

Governor, why do you want to mislead the Citizens of South Carolina? The truth of the matter is the Right to Work law won?t be impacted at all. The NLRB complaint also isn?t asking for the South Carolina Plant to shut down. Again why all the spin? It reminds me how elected leaders reacted when the Civil Rights Law was passed. Remember how our elected leaders reacted when Shannon Faulkner wanted to attend the Citadel? Our tax dollars were used to pay for elected leader?s stance supporting the Citadel violating the Law. The Supreme Court had to weigh in and stop South Carolina from supporting law breakers. How about the businesses that continues to violate the law by hiring illegal aliens? We are a nation of Laws. I strongly believe in the rule of law.

I don?t blame the workers at Boeing in Washington State for standing up and challenging the actions taken by Boeing. They have that right under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). It is odd that the broadcasting and print media hasn?t printed the part of the NLRA that is alleged to have been violated by Boeing. Let?s look at why it is important for the workers of Boeing in Washington State.

The Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO, IAM, SPEEA and the many other unions that represent workers at Boeing want the company to expand production in Washington State. They want to design and produce the 787 and the next generation of 737s here. They feel they have the most skilled machinists and engineers, the best aerospace apprenticeship program and a great public infrastructure to support the aerospace industry. However, they simply want the company to treat its workers and the state fairly and to obey the law.

During the past 10 years they have demonstrated what they can accomplish when they work together. Organized labor has worked with the congressional delegation, Boeing and others to win the Air Force tanker deal. The recent tanker announcement is recognition of the commitment Washington State, the workers and the unions have made to Boeing and the aerospace industry. What they expect from the company is a commitment to locate design and production work in Washington State. They expect Boeing to stop the coercive work and political threats that continue to harm Washington?s state's economic security.

The National Labor Relations Board issued the complaint against Boeing after a careful investigation, providing Boeing with every opportunity to defend itself. It even granted Boeing's numerous requests for delay. In the end, the Board decided it was compelled to act in the face of Boeing's admission that its move was motivated by its desire to avoid lawful collective bargaining.

Boeing claims that no current employees in the Puget Sound have been harmed by moving work to the second line and that employment in Washington State has increased. The truth is, every job on the unlawful second line in South Carolina displaces good middle-class union jobs in Washington, and their communities and Washington State lose desperately needed revenue and economic activity. South Carolina being a RTW State had nothing to do with Boeing violating the law. The workers at Boeing here in South Carolina have the LAWFUL RIGHT to form a Union. It is against the law for the Company to interfere with or deny the workers their right to form a union.

Boeing admitted to retaliating against the union and in so doing made an illegal transfer of work. Rather than blaming the NLRB for doing its job, we should all be asking why Boeing proceeded so recklessly with so much at stake. Boeing, grow up and face your responsibilities.

I would ask that we act responsible and support the rule of law. The court will decide this issue and if it isn?t what the Business community desired then work to change the law. God Bless America and the US Workers.

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Nancy Pelosi to House GOP: Don't Like The Tenor
At Town Halls Get Over Yourselves, You WATBs

post from Crooks and Liars on 15 May 2011 10:00:02 AM. © Crooks and Liars

Member of the House GOP have not been happy during this recess. They've been whinging and whining about agitators in their town halls because people are justifiably upset at the threats to Medicare and Social Security, to the point where they're trying to carefully stage manage these meetings. But Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi thinks they need to take their lumps if they want to be so callous with the welfare of Americans and wrote an open letter telling them so. This is just so much more schadenfreude-licious than your standard sternly worded letter:

MEMORANDUM
Posted on May 13, 2011 by Leader's Press Shop
To: GOP Freshman
Fr: Democratic Leader?s Press Office
Da: May 13, 2011
Re: Facing the Music ? Suggested Songs for Your Trip Home
As you go home to face the music of your vote to end Medicare as we know it, we know you?re worried about what your constituents are going to say?for good reason. Here is a suggested playlist for your trip:
Think ? Aretha Franklin (1968)
Desperado ? Eagles (1982)
Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word ? Elton John (1976)
Hard to Say I?m Sorry ? Chicago (1982)
I?m Sorry, So Sorry ? Brenda Lee (1960)
You Can?t Always Get What You Want ? Rolling Stones (1969)
You Got Another Thing Coming ? Judas Priest (1982)
Mama Said ? The Shirelles (1961)
Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home) ? The Impalas (1959)
Cryin? ? Aerosmith (1993)
Who?s Sorry Now? ? Connie Francis (1958)
Lost Cause ? Beck (2002)
I Learned the Hard Way ? Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (2010)
Not Ready To Make Nice ? Dixie Chicks (2006)
Bad Day ? Daniel Powter (2005)
Troubles ? Alicia Keys (2001)
When the music stops, you should try listening to the American people.

Oh suh-nap! You gotta love Nancy Pelosi. But she should know that being a Republican means never having to say you're sorry.

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Analysis of New High Beta and Low Volatility ETFs
from PowerShares

post from Jutia Group on 15 May 2011 09:55:19 AM. © Jutia Group

Invesco PowerShares brought out two new and unique ETFs last Thursday (5/5/11). PowerShares S&P 500 High Beta Portfolio (SPHB) and PowerShares S&P 500 Low Volatility Portfolio (SPLV) are innovative products that employ quantitative beta-weighting and volatility-weighting as part of the underlying index construction. As with any new investment strategy, you need to understand how . . . → Read More: Analysis of New High Beta and Low Volatility ETFs from PowerShares

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The need to dredge Georgetown port grows

post from The Politics of Jamie Sanderson on 15 May 2011 09:00:58 AM. © The Politics of Jamie Sanderson

It's no surprise the port in Georgetown needs to be dredged. The information has been available for about a decade now. But if there was ever a time to dredge, it would be now.

I'll let an op-ed from the West coast tell you.

For 20 years, America's exports have been surpassed by its imports, with a big bite of that trade deficit composed of oil imports. Addressing the imbalance could have a huge effect on the job market, but only if it goes beyond reducing imports. We need to actively strengthen exports as well.

Exports. So, how do you export goods? You do it by rail. You do it by ship. You do it by truck, car or van. What do you need to export? Railroads, ports and roadways.

ArcelorMittal has spread good news recently. It's no surprise local papers didn't share it. However, the Georgetown port - after dredging is complete - would bring in many, many new jobs and sustain current jobs for years to come.

Exports are key to meeting the urgent need for new jobs. The White House estimates that every $1 billion in exports creates 5,000 jobs. This makes it crucial for companies to find more customers in the rest of the world.

In addition to aircraft and other transport vehicles, U.S. industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, semiconductors and agricultural products ? raw and processed ? have a track record of success in the global marketplace, along with millions of goods from medium-size and small companies.

Hmm... Makes I-73 even more a necessity.

Even then, ramping up American exports will be difficult. The White House has set a goal of doubling exports over five years, but the current mania for spending cuts may work against that ambition. In the House of Representatives, the Small Business Committee has advocated rescinding $30 million in Small Business Administration grants to states for promoting exports and sharply cutting the SBA's Office of International Trade. These savings would be counter-productive and would work against the nation's best interests.

Eliminating the Office of International Trade, including cutting the $30 million state export promotion pilot program as well as increased SBA personnel at Department of Commerce Export Assistance Centers, as passed under the Small Business Jobs Act, and eliminating export staff in regional SBA offices.

Wow. Republicans not wanting us get ahead at all.

Exports are starting to rise. But making sure that the upward curve continues will be crucial to addressing our still-worrisome unemployment rate.

Well said.

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Rachel Maddow-- Essential Television

Hopefully you've been watching Rachel Maddow's dramatic and exhaustive reports on the John Ensign-Tom Coburn sex-and-ethics scandal. Her reports on Thursday and Friday were absolutely riveting and far better journalism than what Americans normally expect from television... or most other media for that matter. Andrea Mitchell recognized the awesomeness of what Maddow has been doing and invited her onto her show to explain it to her own daytime viewers. If John Ensign winds up in prison, where he clearly belongs, it will be because the ruling elite wasn't allowed to cover up another scandal within its own ranks. This is what journalists should be doing. And this is why-- other than Cupcake Wars, Maddow's MSNBC program is the only thing I regularly tune in to.

It's hard to imagine G.E., one of those evil mega-corporations that pays no taxes and seeks cartel-like dominance in its fields, would give her a platform. It's another example of Lenin's apocryphal quote, "the Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them." Of course, Lenin was wrong-- correct about the blind greed, incorrect about the degree of blindness and the ability, in the end, to pull it together and fight tenaciously for their own selfish, existential interests. The capitalists won and Lenin was tossed onto the trash heap of history. Let's enjoy Rachel before G.E. stops playing the game.

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Another report of another government attack on
civilians in Syria

So what's the difference between Gaddafi and Assad? There's no reason why NATO and the UN are chasing one but not the other. Al Jazeera:http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Witnesses said those killed on Saturday were among dozens of people attempting to leave Talkalakh and enter Lebanon, which borders the town, a day after a mass demonstration there against the rule of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

"The security forces, who had been encircling Talkalakh since the morning, fired machine guns. At least three people were killed and several were wounded," a witness told the AFP news agency.

A fourth died in hospital in Lebanon from gunshot wounds sustained while fleeing the Syrian town, medical sources said.

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Rupert Murdoch Presidential Academy

Mike Huckabee?s decision not to run clarifies the career choice picture between Fox News and the White House.

?All the factors say go,? Huckabee explains (on Fox, of course), ?but my heart says no.?

Perhaps his finances do as well. Unlike Romney and Trump, for example, the ex-minister is not a wealthy man who, in making the race, would have had to go off the Fox payroll, as Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum did recently.

As Sarah Palin ponders a potential run, the choice between trying to go to work for taxpayers or staying with Rupert Murdoch becomes harder to make.

Murdoch pays better, of course, but being President has perks?-public housing, transportation and all that. If Palin goes for it, she could promise to put Air Force One on eBay, as she claimed to have done with the Alaska state plane.

Be that as it may, this is the first presidential race in history where potential contenders are asking themselves not only what they can do for their country but what Rupert Murdoch can continue doing for them.

Donald Trump, who welcomes Huckabee?s decision, has no Fox dilemma but would have to give up far more in ratings and income on NBC.

It was simpler in Lincoln's time when all you had to sacrifice was a log cabin.

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