We was in Soldotna yesterday for Permanent Fund Day and to stop by to say hi/bye to Brady, Micah Sue and Bella Sue. By the time we finally got there, that's all the time Mona and I had. Mona had to get back home, which was midnight, so she could get up again early to drive John Alex to Anchorage for a work day. We got some bills paid, some things bought and with what she gets to repair the house today, the money is gone. But it is a very nice gift from the state and both Mona and I have been receiving it since it began in 1982...I think that's the year. But it is surprising how fast the dollar goes right now, even in thrift stores.
Well, I've got numerous news briefs to report you might find interesting, so I had better begin:
I imagine most of you are following what is happening with the Occupy Hong Kong Pro-Democracy Movement in the center of Hong Kong, with the non-violent crowds growing to well past the 100,000 mark. This is probably the largest sit-in this area of the Orient has experienced before. Mostly young adults, but also older people among them, are showing their numbers in a movement to convince Beijing they, the people of Hong Kong, want to elect their own leaders and not have one chosen for them by Beijing. They desire democracy. But today it took on a violent turn as adult men attacked the protester's camps and began tearing down tents and striking out against the protesters. It was said these were other Hong Kong residents who had had enough and followed Beijing. There was some speculation these men with either gang members- thugs, hired by the government, or actually troops in civilian clothes. Still, the protesters haven't left and it's the government's move next.
China is now courting Thailand, hoping to see, "long-lasting stability and peace in Thailand." China has also held strategic talks with Turkey, Romania, Germany and Nepal, Fiji and Belarus in these last two days. As I said before, it is suspected these talks to involve pushing for the Chinese yuan to become the World trade currency and very possibly for the eventual move to have the yuan to become the world-wide currency for ALL transactions. This would not only cripple America and possibly Britain, but it may force Russia into a sudden crash as their ruble became worthless. Greece and Rome had both done this as they conquered their known world, only to be replaced by another.
Algeria has deployed 3,000 troops to "secure" foreign oil companies in their country. (What does SECURE mean, here?)
Now this one could possibly spell bad news for you smokers, if allowed to pass- World Health Organization (WHO) will meet in Russia this month to vote on a proposal, which is to encourage the world's countries ( 179 UN countries) to impose a HUGE tax on tobacco products. One part of the tax involves the doubling or even tripling the price of cigarettes, which could threaten real injury to U.S. tobacco growers in Kentucky and North Carolina. America is expected to boycott this "behind closed doors" meeting in Russia and this is due to Russia recent annexation of Crimea. Voting is expected to be done in secret, as to not show how any country voted on the proposal in the event it fails to pass. Now if the proposal passes, the approved measure will be brought before the General Assembly for a vote on the proposed tax. Monies to assist WHO in their medical work, which would reduce the pull WHO pleads for every years as new diseases spring up, such as the recent Ebola Outbreak. The vote in the General Assembly would of course be recorded and if passed, the U.N. would be required to work out the actual taxation for each country based on population and ability to pay same, how tax money would be used according to the new law and so many other details. (Now can you imagine an American spending $24 - $30 for a pack of smokes?)
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports a least 3,700 children in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have lost one or both parents to the Ebola Outbreak. Many of the children are being rejected by surviving family members out of fear of the virus. Health Care Workers being trained to deal with the problem, but this means the building of orphanages, camps, hiring teachers and this takes a lot of funds. UNICEF has asked for $200 million, but has only received $50 million so far.
China has now enhanced their relationship with Mexico and Kenya. ( I wonder how many other countries China has not held out a hand to. Right now Mexico is not to happy with us, but I've not read of too many of this smaller countries being approached by the U.S.
Russia has activated it newer S-400 Missile System in its South to safeguard their frontiers. An Air Defense regiment is now in place.
Portugal has now joined U.S.-led anti- Islamic State Coalition. ( I believe their Air Force is still flying our F-4 Vietnam-era fighter/bombers.)
21 killed in East Ukraine as cease fire falters and 37 more wounded. The next day another 12 more were killed as pro-Russian rebels moved closer to an Ukraine airport.
Latest Gallup Poll shows 35% of Americans prefer less roll of government in their lives lives, while 32% favor a more active role by the government. ( The 35% feel we can do it without handouts and the 32% favor the whole increase in handout from big brother. The 32% could be considered your Liberal/Socialist. Hope I didn't step on anyone toes, but that's how it was explained to me some time ago. Old "the Duke" John Wayne would actually consider himself in that first 35%.)
In a 1-year period, it seems the Army and Marine Corps wasted more than $100 million returning vehicles from Afghanistan that they did not need or were in no longer good enough shape to operate- cost of repairs outweighed the worth of the vehicle. Report by Government Accountability Office.
National Institute of Health has spent more than $2 million to promote how beneficial joining a community choir could be for older minority adults. The government is financing a 5-year project for recruiting 450 "minority elders" to participate in choirs at senior centers in San Francisco, CA. ( It almost sounds like they are paying them to attend these choirs- and my taxes go for this?)
A recent poll in Washington D.C. shows that only 36% of democrat campaigners favor Obamacare. ( Amazing how many loyal fans jumped off that boat.)
Department of Defense has signed a deal with Afghanistan to leave 9,800 American "ADVISERS" there for the Afghan military. ( "Wow, Batman, that's like Holy Vietnam!" The Adviser title has returned, but 9,800 of them. That's really stretching the definition, when considering the size of the Afghan military. "Sergeant, you take those three guys off and teach them the fine qualities of the M4 rifle. Afterward, you take those three fine gentlemen and 20 advisers out to kill, destroy and decimate that valley of Taliban. But keep those thee fine gentlemen back so they can watch and learn and hopefully not shoot any of you in the back, because all three of them are also Muslim militants." )
Thousands of Russians march in Moscow to protest Putin's involvement in the Ukraine.
Hundreds of prayer warriors have gathered in Washington D.C. to pray for the release of American Pastor Saeed Abedini, now imprisoned for two years of an 8 year sentence in the most brutal prison in Iran. A former Iranian and Muslim, Abedini converted to Christianity and moved to the United States to become a pastor, as he felt called. He, his wife and children live in the Midwest, but he felt he was needed back in Iran to assist with the orphans. He made a deal with Iranian government that upon his return he would only build secular/non-religious orphanages, but shortly after his arrival he was arrested as a threat to national security and sentenced to 8 years in prison. Each day they attempt to have him deny his Christianity and return to Islam, but he has stood fast and the torture has nearly killed him. President Obama and Secretary of State Kerry made initial overtures in the beginning, but have since all but forgotten him. His wife has appeared before congress and received little hope. Rev. Franklin Graham was there in D.C. with Mrs. Abedini to pray for her husband and all the other Christians who are being held around the world because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. More than 500 prayer vigils in 33 countries are scheduled for Pastor Abedini's release. His health is poor, but he has survived two years of these constant beatings, starvation and mental anguish.
United Nations latest Ebola Statistics as of 28 September 2014: 7,157 cases and 3,330 resulting in death. New cases found in 36 locations inside Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia. Large scale quarantine still in effect, results unknown.
U.S. Sends a new force of 700 soldiers to Liberia to help with Ebola fight.
Russia announced they have ceased their involvement in the high school student exchange program in this latest setback of U.S.-Russia relations.
China now accused of hacking into Hong Kong protestor's cell-phones- with a fake app, which enables Chinese Intelligence to monitor messages.
Well-known Pro-Israel group at Augsburg College in Minneapolis has been denied formal recognition by the school's student government on grounds that it is "unjust" and a "stigma". School administration recorded as being fully supportive in this decision.
According to a report by Government Accountability Institute, President Obama has ONLY attended roughly 40% of his DAILY INTELLIGENCE briefings throughout his presidency. ( This might explain part of the mess we are in.)
China has conducted its first flight test of a new variant of one of its road-mobile intercontinental ballistic ( nuke capable) missiles in a sign that Beijing is increasing its strategic capability against the United States. ( There is a lot of saber rattling going on out there, but as its ben pointed out numerous times in books and movies it only takes one stressed out young officer or a militant group of 4 or 5 to start a nuclear war. Its our job to pray that never-never occurs, because it is all too hard to get the missiles back into the silos and bombs back into the bellies of the planes. Who knows, maybe that's what happened to Mars, or even the planet we believe blew itself to bits and form the asteroid belt. Now God is giving humanity a third change, but he didn't want us to knew of the previous all out nuke wars. Just a thought. Not my idea, too many writer already covered that one.)
In Virginia, the State's Attorney General has released an opinion, which relieves medical professionals from the obligation of having to report abortions for 13-15 year-old girls as evidence exists of potential rape. ( In Alaska that would at least be considered as tampering with evidence, among other charges if it was allowed to occur. )
United States officially reported the jobless rate has dropped to 5.9%, released through the Bureau of Labor Department. But most economist conclude these figures are a lot of smoke and mirrors to calm the public's nerves and help make President Obama look swell. But the figure does not add up against life facts. Christmas seasonal hires have not yet begun, but should by the end of this month. But for now, the shelters are overflowed and turning the needy away. We're in Africa building hospitals with all this paper money we keep printing, but we have no funds to build family and single occupant shelters for this winter. We are giving $ 2 million to help elder sign in a choir, but that $2 million could built a 50- person shelter or convert two downtown warehouses into shelters in San Francisco. $300,000 on a bicycle study, how far would that go to buy groceries to feed the starving. In Fairbanks, nearly every night we have people sleeping under the bridges and yes, some of them are alcoholics. But don't they deserve a warm bed and a meal, where no booze is allowed. It's all out there if you look, to show these statistics are false. Food banks are being emptied out by people who will gladly accept bent and outdated goods. But if the money existed to buy FRESH veggies and fruit instead of week old or older. We operate a food pantry out of our home and its not based on belief system. We will give food to an atheist or a Muslim, Jew or Christian. Anyone who comes and needs food. Yes, its our ministry, but we don't ask others to share in it to accept the food because we represent the community. Some of the food we get I have to throw away, its at the end of its life an no longer eatable. Same with these unemployment numbers, they are no longer acceptable. The country needs truth, to better prepare, Not lies, fabrications or fairy tales for fear of causing riots. Sooner or later, people catch on and when they find out the government has lied to them, the government is a lot more worse off. I saw that overseas and it was not a pretty sight. No, President Obama needs to come out be be coldly honest. Sure the soft ones will whine and have to be dealt with, but the strong ones will prove an asset to the United States and those will be the ones on the beaches, if and when an enemy tries to take our land. (Got a bit long winded on that one)
Sweden has become the first major European country to recognize Palestine as a "State". Replay of the late 1940's, when Israel was recognized by the U.S. Then the shooting started.
U.S. has partially lifted its ban on providing lethal arms to Communist Vietnam, to help Southeast Asian country have SOME teeth when dealing with Communist China in ocean en counters upon the South China Sea.
United Nations released a report stating the Islamic State has committed "Staggering" war crimes and should stand for prosecution. According to Reuters, at least 9,347 civilians have been killed, while 17,386 wounded so far in this Middle East conflict.
Earthquakes for today: 21-quakes reported around the globe of a 4.0 or higher. A 5.4 quake reported in Malabor, Philippines. (4) 4.0 or better quakes in Alaska. But unusual activity was seen in the Midwest United States a 4.3, 3.0 and 3.1 quakes occurring in Harper, Kansas
Earthquakes for yesterday 10/2: 13 of 4.0 or better around the globe. A 5.7 in New Guinea and Alaska sustained (5) quakes from 2.0 to 3.9 range.
I try to follow Ebola and the man in Texas has them worried, basically for his contacts, that could reach 100 at worst cast scenario. The one item that has them concerned and I've only seen it mentioned once, is the last time the sick man vomited in the bathroom and where/when the plane may have dumped their toilet load. Was it over the ocean, or land and possibly a populated area. There is also who handled the waste products if the plane kept them aboard- how safe they were and how was it destroyed. Did it fit the requirements for killing Ebola.
As you can see I do my best to keep an eye on China/Russia and a few of the countries mentioned in my story, A Coming Storm. Not since the days of the Great Khans has China felt real power. Since then other countries have set in power over them. But now they are looked upon as a Super Power and soon...but they fear for Beijing. Fear tells them North Korea, Russia, India and Pakistan, England, Europe and old USA had missiles primed and ready, plus nuke bombs aimed at strategic targets. One such target is Beijing.
But if you've ever been around the middle-aged Chinese man, be wary for most of them are gamblers. I've lost my shirt to some of these all-too friendly gentlemen.
All for now. God Bless. Pray for our needs. I went to Home Depot yesterday and they had all their Christmas stuff out- that's just wrong....October 2nd!!!! Bill