Ireland’s 2.5 Billion Tax Revenue to Shrink on US Tax Deferral Changes:
IDA Lobbyist Heads to DC
The Industrial Development Authority of Ireland has sent a top IDA executive to lobby for a kinder, gentler tax reform on tax havens. IDA Chief executive Barry O’Leary stated, “We have been preparing for this for months.” The American Chamber of Commerce is backing the lobbying effort.
Ireland boasts a 12.5% tax rate, roughly one third of that of the US.
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/ida-to-lobby-us-for-limited-changes-to-new-tax-rules-1729617.html
Bank of America: Are They Preying On the Elderly?
A mortgage fraud investigation is underway in the state of Florida, to find out if there were any improprieties by the Bank of America, which has put them on the hot seat. Mortgage Fraud Investigations, LLC of Florida, launched an investigation to discover why a deaf, elderly couple was denied access to their mortgage records.
So far they have uncovered substantial improprieties and found that they have been virtually uncooperative with their elderly clients. MFI’s president, Steve Dilbert, stated, “This is clearly elder abuse on a massive scale.”
5/6/2009
http://www.mfi-miami.com/bank-of-america’s-treatment-of-the-elderly
If you do not live in a swing state then you probably have not received a copy of the DVD, Obsession in the local newspaper. I must admit that I threw it in the trash. I knew what it contained without even breaking open the cover. Scare tactics that breed fear, at least enough to get some of the people, 71,500 in this state, to vote for more war. The reviews on the internet gave me enough of a drift of what was going on. The same message that is being drilled into our heads from the McCain Camp. Apparently some were listening to my editorials, emails, and choice words about this low blow. I got a call from the editor Mike Cotton at the Union Leader.
He tried to defend his company's action by saying that he saw the video, and ran it by their lawyers. I asked him what kind of message was he trying to give to New Hampshire? I told him that this was not going to work this time and that he was hurting New Hampshire by allowing this propaganda. While I had him on the phone he happened to mention that 50 million dollars was spent nationwide to pass around this kind of nonsense.
I asked him if there was a DVD that promoted a message of hope, would he also include it in next Sunday's circular? "I would love to see someone come out with a positive video." So there you have it. For $3,500 they will do it. 71,500 subscribers will be allowed to hear the truth. Michael Moore? Slacker Uprising? What does this campaign want to see happen? If you are interested in contacting him he gave me his email. Mike Cotton: mcotton@unionleader.com
West Palm Beach Florida Under Scrutiny Over 2,500 Missing Ballots
Another case of missing ballots has been uncovered by Florida Secretary of State Kurt Browning. In question is the Palm Beach County judicial race. Palm Beach County became infamous for the 2000 butterfly ballot controversy in the Presidential Election.
Under scrutiny are the touch screen machines put in place in 2004. Incumbent Circuit Judge, Richard Wennet, allegedly won by 60 votes during the August 26, 2008 primary. Florida state officials have decided not to certify the results until they can be validated. Election officials are scrambling to come up with the 2,500 missing ballots.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/09/04/missing_palm_beach_ballots_rai.html
ALASKA AFL-CIO ENDORSES OBAMA-BIDEN Rena Delbridge, reports in the Fairbanks Daily News Miner, that Executive Director of the Alaskan Federation of Labor, Congress of Industrial Organizations Vince Beltrami endorses Sen. Barack Obama. “A vote for John McCain in the 2008 presidential election is essentially a vote against the working man. We can’t afford to have John McCain as our president or to have Sean Parnell as our governor. We are 100 percent on board for supporting Barack Obama.”
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/sep/02/alaska-afl-cio-endorses-barack-obama-over-sarah-pa/
Voting Machine Discrepancies: Then and Now
Have you ever wondered how President Bush ever got into the White House? Do you believe that we are a free country with freely elected politicians? This Princeton study may open your eyes and show you that the last election may have been decided even before you stood in line to cast your ballot. Fortunately, this time is going to be different. This time we know the drill. Now is the time to get out there and tell your officials that this system isn’t good enough. It has flaws, holes, scams and fraud. Al Gore knew, and so did John Kerry. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to do anything about it in the last presidential election. If you have been beating feet for your candidate, tell them to insist on paper ballots. Closely monitor polling places with video, voter testimony, and report any discrepancies to an attorney in your city and state.
This is a security demonstration of the Diebold AccuVote-TS electronic voting machine. The study was conducted by Princeton University under the direction of Ariel Feldman, J. Alex Halderman, and Edward Felten. They studied Diebold machines and analyzed security to check accuracy in counting votes and to see if they were tampered with. They found that computer software has been controlling the behavior of the machines. The software that was used to infect them was written by Diebold, a voting machine maker. Malicious software was found and had been controlling the tallying and miscounting votes. The true outcome of previous elections may never be known.
Princeton recreated software that was similar in order to demonstrate how this was done in the Diebold machines. A virus that infects the machines renders the elections invalid and corrupt. You may be surprised at how easy it is to steal votes. Machines are booted on Election Day by election officials, and although it looks pretty harmless, malicious software is installed. A logic and accuracy test is performed by the official for functionality purposes and a simulated vote is cast to test the system. An unsuspecting official then certifies it as valid. The machine knows that it is a test run and spits out an accurate vote. Once certified, the official proceeds to the election.
Voters are given cards and proceed to the voting machine where they insert their cards. Once all the votes are entered, the election workers inserts their cards signaling the end of the election process, and then the outcome is printed out. Despite the results, the machine tells a different story. Malicious software was able to steal votes without being detected as it has the ability to erase the malicious software. The results are recorded on its internal memory, as well as on all removable memory cards. The memory cards are removed and shows the same false results which is repeated in every location.
Anyone who has a key and access to the machine can manipulate it. Thousands of keys to these machines are available and can be duplicated at any hardware store, although the lock can be picked easily. The hacker can also remove a few screws from the bottom of the machine, remove the memory card, and insert their own. When the machine is rebooted, hackers install the malicious memory card, and then replace the original card without even being noticed. In less than a minute, a virus spreads to other machines that it is connected to by way of the memory card, carrying a malicious payload program.
Diebold AccuVote TS Security Demonstration: How They Hack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0cxSJwG9Q0&NR=1
More information can be found at the Princeton University website at:
http://itpolicy.princeton.edu/voting/
Obama Press Conference in Jordan: Status of the Middle East
Sen. Obama appeared in Amman, Jordan today to address questions from the press. He first commented on the dedication and skill of the men and women US troops and said that they exhibited very high morale and were proud of the work they have done in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also noted that civilian work there was just as important and that civilians should also be recognized for their work. “Afghanistan is the central front in the War on Terror, Al-Qaida has been plotting new attacks on the US and we must act now. We must get more support from NATO allies.” He told reporters that he urged Pres. Karzai, to commit to more action regarding counter-narcotics, and make sure that the Afghan people had the resources to combat terrorism in the Northwest Territory which is now a safe haven for terrorists.
Sen. Obama noted that there has been some success at political reconciliation in Iraq and now progress would be measured by finding political solutions to sovereignty. A timeline for redeployment by 2010 was discussed, and Sen. Obama reassured everyone that it would be done carefully to protect military personnel. He thanked Jordan’s King Abdullah, for his friendship and hospitality; his cooperation as a leader in the peace process in the Middle East, and recognized him for his valuable insight. On Iran, he mentioned that the engagement now being pursued by the present administration with Iran was something that he was scorned for early in his campaign.
“My judgment matches up with what is taking place on the ground. We must strip away the ideology whoever is president based on the best intelligence that is available. The situation is so serious we must put aside partisanship and address foreign policy.” I don’t have doubts about my ability for sound judgment. No one believes they have a perfect formula in foreign policy judgment.”
In comments on Israel and Palestine he said, “A US president alone cannot bring peace to Israel and Palestine, but with sustained energy and focus a resolution of peace and security between the two states can be achieved, but both must make compromises. It is in the best interest of Israelis if Palestine improves their security in the region. Everyone will have obligations.”
In his meeting with Gen. Patraeus, he vowed to take into consideration the general’s desire for no timetable, and that it would be one of many factors. Sen. Obama underlined the importance of a broader outlook and overall feasibility of a 2010 timeline with regards to American citizen’s interests and the 12 billion dollar per month cost to US taxpayers.
Iraqis Heart Obama: Word from the Street
Sen. Obama’s successful trip abroad has captivated the world and captured the hearts of hopeful Iraqis. Reuters reports from the streets where they sought to open a window into what Iraqi’s are thinking. Iraqi citizens gave their opinion on Barack Obama, and how they feel about his message, the issues, and the presidential election. They voice their concerns in their every day lives.
"I support Obama. I think he is the best for Iraq and for the world ... if McCain wins I will be devastated," said Mustafa Salah, an office worker in the southern city of Basra.
Kamiran Mohammad, from Kirkuk, said he visited the United States recently as part of a polling watchdog to study elections. When I was in the United States I found Democrats are more peaceful and avoid wars."
Abdul Mahdi Hadi, a Basra teacher, "For the moment I'm thinking about getting enough electricity,” [but fears] neither candidate will change the situation in Iraq."
http://www.gulfnews.com/articles/08/07/21/10230634.html
Recently MSM reports have alarmed television viewers and internet users alike. What is the truth behind the motives and plans for a US strike against Iran? If you ask Tom Engelhardt of http://tomdispatch.com/post/174953/why_cheney_won_t_take_down_iran you may get a better understanding.
A United Nations mandate sanctioned the U.S. role in Iraq, namely the control of Iraqi airspace up to 29,000 ft. which is scheduled to run out on December 31, 2008. Could this be why the Bush Administration is pushing an Iranian conflict? If Israel were to strike Iran, they will have to pass through Iraqi air space and that is something that the Iraqi’s want nothing to do with. http://www.ufppc.org/content/view/7599/35/ Pres. Bush is bent on attacking Iran before the mandate runs out. Iraqi Pres. Maliki has told the US, in no uncertain terms, that it will not be a launching pad for an attack against Iran http://www.global-report.com/perth/?l=en&a=318543. This weekend Pres. Bush gave the ‘amber light’ to Israel for such an attack http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1001526.html.
Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator will meet European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana in Geneva on July 19 for talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Saeed Jalili will meet Solana in Geneva on July 19 to discuss the nuclear package, Ahmad Khademolmelleh, spokesman for Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, said in a statement. So the question is, should we believe the main stream media’s version of what is going on? http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentID=2008071211668
The need to maintain stability in the region has always been a priority of Sen. Obama. “I intend to end this war responsibly, deliberately, and decisively within 16 months time.” http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/n13328050-usa-obama-iraq/ The UN resolution should not be allowed to continue beyond December 31, 2008, as this would allow Israel to use Iraqi air space under US rule in whatever way either country deems necessary. The Iraqi government should be allowed to control their own air space and decide what is best for their country. We cannot allow the present administration to force our next president to inherit another war.
US and Oil: Pipeline or Pipedream?
During the Carter Administration the US and Israel signed an agreement which guarantees that the US will assist Israel in securing its domestic oil needs. If Israel is unable to transport the oil, the US will help secure transportation.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/cdoilmou.html
Israel and the US have been discussing plans to reconstruct a pipeline that had been abandoned for decades and redirected to Syria. The pipeline would bring about these accomplishments—transform the Middle East’s economic power, bring in revenue from Iraq’s oil, cut out Syria, and solve Israel’s energy crisis.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2003/apr/20/israelandthepalestinians.oil
http://www.iraqwar.mirror-world.ru/article/161844
The Straight of Hormuz, is a key transportation route for oil from Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates and Iran's border is on the Straight of Hormuz. The link to war, oil, and US friendly countries in the region have been dictating US military intervention for decades.
http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/hormuz.htm
Is a war with Iran just another military strategy?
