Turkey Not Far From War with Syria: Erdogan

U.S. puppet Erdogan not far from getting his ass handed to him; this is just the excuse Assad and Ahmadinejad need to combine military forces and burn Turkey to the ground - exactly what Obama, Clinton and Nutcase Netanyahu need to attack Iran   

PRESS TV
10/05/2012

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned that his country is not far from war with Syria amid intensified tensions fueled by fresh cross-border attacks.

Obama poodle, CIA lackey Erdogan may just start WWIII

"We are not interested in war, but we're not far from it either," Erdogan told a crowd in Istanbul on Friday.

"Those who attempt to test Turkey's deterrence, its decisiveness, its capacity; I say here they are making a fatal mistake," he warned.
The remarks came as the Turkish military continued pounding targets inside Syria for the third day, claiming the attack was in response to a mortar bomb that crashed into a village of Yayladagi town in the southern province of Hatay.

Ankara launched its military strikes on Syrian targets on Wednesday after mortar shells from the Syrian side of the border killed five civilians in Akcakale of Turkey's southeastern Sanliurfa Province.

On Thursday, the Turkish parliament authorized cross-border military action against Syria “when deemed right.”

Tensions have been running high between Syria and Turkey, with Damascus blaming Turkey -- along with Saudi Arabia and Qatar -- for backing a deadly insurgency that has claimed the lives of many Syrians, including security and army personnel.

In an interview with the Turkish Cumhuriyet daily in July, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad said Ankara “has supplied all logistic support to the terrorists who have killed our people.”

MRS/JR/SS

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 

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STRATFOR Naval Update Map 09/26/2012

Latest Naval Position Update

STRATFOR
09/26/2012

The Naval Update Map shows an approximation of the current locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Ready Groups, based on available open-source information. No classified or operationally sensitive information is included in this weekly update. CSGs and ARGs are the keys to U.S. dominance of the world’s oceans. A CSG is centered on an aircraft carrier, which projects U.S. naval and air power and supports a Carrier Air Wing. The CSG includes significant offensive strike capability. An ARG is centered on three amphibious warfare ships, with a Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked. An MEU is built around a heavily reinforced and mobile battalion of Marines.

Please click to enlarge map

Carrier Strike Groups

• The USS Enterprise CSG with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked is under way in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) conducting missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
• The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG with Carrier Air Wing 7 embarked is under way in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR conducting missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.
• The USS George Washington with Carrier Air Wing 5 embarked is under way in the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR.
• The USS John C. Stennis with Carrier Air Wing 9 embarked is under way in in the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR.
• The USS Harry S. Truman is under way in the Atlantic Ocean conducting Combat Systems Ship Qualifications Trials.

Amphibious Ready Groups/Marine Expeditionary Units

• The USS Iwo Jima ARG with the 24th MEU embarked is in the U.S. 5th Fleet AOR supporting maritime security operations and conducting theater security cooperation efforts.
• The USS Bonhomme Richard ARG with the 31st MEU embarked is on a scheduled port visit to Guam after completing a two-week certification exercise.
• The USS Peleliu ARG with the 15th MEU embarked is under way in the U.S. 7th Fleet AOR on a scheduled deployment.
• The USS Boxer is under way in the Pacific Ocean conducting routine training.

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Syrian Insurgents Threaten to Kill Iranian Abductees in 48 Hours

"Free Syrian Army" thugs nothing more than mercenaries in the pay of the CIA:  Desperate Obama, Clinton, Nutcase Netanyahu now attempting to provoke Iran into war by murdering their people in cold blood and in contravention of the Geneva Accords - Americans taxpayers are financing this evil

PRESS TV
10/06/2012

Foreign-backed insurgents in Syria have threatened to kill all of the 48 Iranian nationals whom they abducted in August if Damascus does not comply with their demands.

U.S., Turkey to blame for Iran abductees

Members of the self-proclaimed Free Syrian Army (FSA) in Damascus issued the death threat in a video aired by the Saudi-owned television network Al-Arabiya on Friday, Today’s Zaman reported.


The insurgents said they would kill the abductees if the Syrian government does not release captured anti-government insurgents and if it does not stop operations against armed groups in the country within 48 hours.

On August 4, 48 Iranians who were travelling on a bus from Damascus International Airport to the shrine of Hazrat Zeinab (AS) on the outskirts of the Syrian capital were kidnapped by insurgents.

Hundreds of thousands of Iranians travel to Syria every year to visit the Shrine of Hazrat Zeinab (AS) in Damascus.

Iran has appealed to the United Nations, Turkey, and Qatar to make efforts to obtain the release of the Iranian nationals.

MHB/HGL

 

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 
 

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The 5th Estate MEDICAL ADVISORY : Tropical Systemic Candida in Diabetes Patients

Taking a hard look at one of the most insidious diseases known to infect immune compromised patients

The 5th Estate
10/06/2012

Systemic candida is a fungal infection that usually begins in the gastro-intestinal tract and then progresses into the bloodstream.  If left untreated, especially in patients with compromised immune systems as with diabetics, there is the potential to kill, and if it does not in serious cases idividuals often wind up (like Dr. Bob) wishing they were dead.

Here is what the Candida Clinic at the Institute of Nutritional Science (1-888-454-8464) support@candidaclinic.org has to say:

The Candida Epidemic

There is probably more misinformation about yeast infections and Candida than almost any other health topic. This site is designed to dispel these myths and to provide you with the latest research and programs for actually eliminating systemic candidiasis from the body.

Systemic candida overgrowth has become a virtual epidemic, affecting millions of people, primarily but certainly not exclusively, women. The real danger in this problem lies in the fact that it almost always goes undiagnosed in most people. Further, there is no accurate medical test for systemic candida, once the organism has left the intestinal tract and entered the blood stream.

The best way to determine if a systemic yeast problem is present is by evaluating the many potential symptoms that this problem can create. If you are uncertain whether you may have a systemic yeast problem, the first place you should start is by taking our Candida Evaluation Test. The link is on this home page. Once you have taken the test and scored yourself, you may wish to contact us at The Institute at 1-888-454-8464 to discuss your results.

After working with tens of thousands of people during the past 30 years, we can assure you that systemic candida can be totally eliminated and not just ‘managed’ as with diets, herbs and probiotics. While all these may help temporarily, symptoms return as soon as they are stopped.

The Institute of Nutritional Science has developed a formulation, which has been used for over 20+ years in successfully eliminating systemic candida and yeast without the use of dangerous drugs and ineffective diets. This site will provide you with downloads, informational articles and videos, explaining what candida is, how systemic candida develops, and how to eliminate it once and for all. Once we have successfully eliminated your candida problems, we have a protocol for helping you to stay healthy and avoid such problems in the future. After reviewing this information, you can use the link below to contact the company where you may obtain our unique formulation for the elimination of systemic yeast in the body. Below is a excerpted from a lecture by K. Steven Whiting Ph.D., Director, institute of Nutritional Science. Reproduced by permission.

Systemic Candida also has a psychological impact on patients, which Dr. Bob will address in the next report on this disease from hell, along with sanitary preventive measures that will reduce the risk of re-infection.  Candida does not kill outright, it is the exhaustion and weight loss that do.

In this article you will learn about the following topics: Systemic Candida, Human yeast, Yeast infection, Treatment for candida, Candida Albicans, Candida diet, Candida symptoms, Candida Cleanse, Candida Infection, Yeast diet, Yeast Connection Diet, Vaginal yeast infection, IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Food allergies, Candida symptoms in men, Natural candida treatments, Candidiasis, Anti-fungal, Diflucan, Nystatin, Threelac, Probiotics, Candida overgrowth, Stress, Full Spectrum Multi-Vitamins, Candida die off, Candida home treatments, Candida and antibiotics, Heavy metals, Mercury and candida, Steroids and candida, and herbal extracts for candida.

The Candida and Yeast Epidemic

There is more misinformation about yeast infections and candida albicans that almost any health topic. Yeast diets or candida diets, along with special herbal formulas for combating yeast and candida infections abound. Yet after 30 years in the nutrition field, we have found very few of these to be effective. Research shows that women, following yeast diets and candida diets, obtain some relief from they symptoms, yet as soon as they go off the restricted diet, their yeast infection and candida symptoms return almost immediately. The only substance ever shown to actually destroy the candida and yeast organism on contact is oxygen. Oral oxygen has proven to be very effective in eliminating yeast infections and candida. Candida diets do not eliminate candida or yeast. Candida diets help reduce the symptoms of candida or yeast, but will not cure the problem. When oral oxygen is used candida diets become unnecessary. Buffered oral oxygen is the only safe way to raise the oxygen levels, but you must take the right formula in order for it to be safe and effective. The Institute of Nutritional Science offers a formulation, which has been used for over 20 years in eliminating systemic candida and yeast without the use of dangerous drugs and ineffective diets. Preventing candida overgrowth from re-occurring, once you are enjoying a healthier state of being involves re-implanting the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract. If you must take an antibiotic for any reason, it is essential that you replace the health bacteria by taking high potency acidophilus for about 10 days after the antibiotic program. Also, if you are female and taking birth control medications, regular use of acidophilus is recommended. The most common symptom of yeast overgrowth in males is what is called ‘jock itch’, or some other type of fungal skin condition. Once you have your candida under control it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a diet of mostly whole foods and to take a Full Spectrum multi-vitamin/mineral supplement on a daily basis.

A Closer Look At Human Yeast

As we have seen, there is probably more misinformation about candida and human yeast problems than almost anything in health. In order to clear up some of these misconceptions, let’s take a closer look at the process. Candida Albicans is an organism that is found in the intestinal tract of all humans. Science is not clear as it its purpose but we do no that it is ‘normal’. As long as the candida stays confined within the intestinal region, it poses virtually no health concern. It is when, for a variety of reasons, that the candida overgrows, that we begin to have health challenges in other areas. The most common candida problem may be found in women in the form of a yeast infection. This occurs in the vaginal area and a vaginal yeast infection can be very uncomfortable. The candida albicans organism over multiplies in the vaginal area, leading to irritation, burning and discharge. A vaginal yeast infection can oftentimes take longer to clear up that the problem that may have contributed to the yeast overgrowth. Women are most likely to develop a vaginal yeast infection as a result of antibiotic use. Antibiotics destroy the healthy bacteria used to control the yeast overgrowth. In the absence of this ‘friendly bacteria’, the candida yeast begins to rapidly multiply, spilling into the vaginal area. This localized candida infection can still be treated and eliminated by the use of certain prescription drugs and local creams. If the candida should continue to spread and it finds its way into the bloodstream, a condition called systemic candida can develop. This is where you have yeast overgrowth in various places in the body. Common sites include the liver, stomach, lungs, bronchial region, sinuses and the brain. In addition to the use and abuse of antibiotics the use of steroid drugs can also lead to explosive candida overgrowth due to the fact that they destroy the healthy bacteria that keeps candida overgrowth in check. Steroid drugs are not as commonly used so they account for less incidence of systemic candida but those using steroid drugs often must due so for long periods of time, making the problem much more severe. If you have health conditions involving the intestinal tract such as IBS, (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), colitis or diverticulitis, these can cause sufficient irritation to produce bleeding. Once this occurs, the candida organism can easily make its way into the bloodstream and systemic candida is just around the corner. IBS and colitis are some of the many colon or intestinal factors that can create a perfect environment for the candida to enter the bloodstream. If colitis or IBS is present, all efforts to control and heal these problems should also be part of the overall program.

Myths About Candida

We have already discussed the so-called ‘candida or yeast diets’. Following such diets as the Yeast Connection Diet or others, can provide relief from symptoms of candida overgrowth, but will do virtually nothing to actually eliminate the yeast in the body. The concept that high yeast, high starch, high sugar diet ‘feeds’ candida is not exactly correct. In truth, we don’t ‘eat’ candida and by eliminating other foods, we cannot destroy it. Reducing those foods allows the body to better handle the candida problem and to some small extent helps to prevent accelerated candida overgrowth, but in order to eliminate the problem we need to look elsewhere. Another myth surrounding candida or systemic candida is the fact that it can be caused by the presence of toxins such as heavy metals. There is a lot of information about heavy metals, especially mercury from tooth fillings, causing candida. This of course is biologically impossible. Heavy metals of all kinds can, over time, depress the immune function of the body. This can make candida indirectly, worse along with a host of other immune-related problems. Eliminating heavy metals from the body is a good idea, but in and of itself will not eliminate the candida or human yeast problem. While detoxification of the body will help to eliminate mercury and other heavy metals, the link between mercury and candida is still not valid. In speaking of detoxification, another myth about candida is that it can be eliminated with various detox programs. While detoxification is important and effective in eliminating the waste or by products of candida metabolism, detoxification alone will not destroy the candida organism. Herbal extracts, found in health food stores and often recommended by nutritionists, can be somewhat helpful, especially if the candida overgrowth is still confined to the intestinal tract. Once it becomes systemic however, these products provide very little relief to the sufferer. It is sad that such myths are so extensive in the literature and on the Internet because they can do little to eliminate the actual cause of candida, systemic candida and extensive candida overgrowth.

The Natural Candida Program That Works!

If all these common methods are ineffective in eliminating systemic candida, what can be done? After over 20 years of working with candida sufferers, we have found a program that actually destroys and eliminates excess candida and human yeast within the body. This natural candida program is safe, effective and very easy to do. Unlike other candida home treatments our natural candida program is not invasive and is very pleasant to take. The all-natural candida program takes between 6 and 7 weeks to complete and totally eliminates systemic candida in the majority of those using the program. We will tell you more about our program in a bit, but first let’s look at some of the many symptoms that can develop as a result of systemic candida and yeast overgrowth.

Candida Symptoms

The longer the candida organism lives systemically in the body, the greater number of symptoms can develop. The Classic symptoms of yeast overgrowth include, digestive disturbances, diarrhea and/or constipation or altering between the two, tingling of the hands and feet, vaginal discharge, repeated vaginal yeast infections, headaches, a feeling of being disconnected with the environment, a spacey out of touch feeling, fatigue, excessive sleeping or insomnia alternating, adult onset allergies, sensitivity to smells, and many other fleeting health concerns. Since the symptoms can vary from person to person, it is important to understand that there can be potentially hundreds of symptoms linked to yeast overgrowth.

Eliminating Systemic Candida

Our program for eliminating systemic candida is very effective. After 20+ Years and thousands and thousands of individuals, we know what works and what doesn’t. In short, the only thing we have ever found to actually eliminate this problem and not just cover it up is the use of oral oxygen supplements, taken over a 6 to7 week period. Since the candida organism is anaerobic, raising the blood oxygen level of the body effectively destroys this organism and allows the body to flush is safely from the system. This candida cleanse actually is effective for many low-grade organisms besides systemic candida, including fungus, molds and even some parasites. We have developed a safe, effective and pleasant tasting liquid oxygen supplement, which has the ability to raise blood oxygen levels. This formula, called Oxy Aloe, is available from Phoenix Nutritionals. You can reach them by calling 1-800-440-2390. We recommend that you obtain the Oxy Flush Kit, which will provide everything you will need to complete one full Oxy Flush Program of 6 to7 weeks. You will begin by taking this oral oxygen supplement three times per day in increasing amounts over the full 6-week period. After this you will then take a powerful acidophilus product for 10 days to re-implant the healthy bacteria. This formula is automatically included in the Oxy Flush Kit.

What About Die Off?

Many people are concerned about what is called die off. This occurs when you kill off the candida faster than your body can effectively eliminate it. This is not in any way dangerous, but it can, in some people, produce unpleasant side effects including headache, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. If these become severe, which is rare, we can simply slow down the program by having you take less of the Oxy formula in the first few weeks. This will eliminate any uncomfortable issues.


Systemic Candida Conclusion 

Understand that you probably didn’t develop a systemic yeast problem overnight and if it has become systemic, common drugs like Diflucan, Nystatin and even the probiotic Threelac with have little or no effect on the systemic portion of your condition. Diflucan and Nystatin work on yeast overgrowth in the intestinal area and to a lesser extent, on localized vaginal problems, but when the yeast becomes systemic drugs like Diflucan and Nystatin are worthless. After 20+ years helping those suffering from systemic yeast and candida, I can assure you that with time, we can eliminate even the most extreme cases. Let us help you today!

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 

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Turning the Tables in Afghanistan : The Humiliation of Can-Do American Boys

Tables have already been irreversibly turned, U.S. has lost to scumbag, Taliban goat herders who will now bring Afghanistan straight back into Middle Age barbarism and the complete stripping of women's rights, turning them into chattel again

Counterpunch
By Wlliam Blum
10/04/2012

In Afghanistan, the US military has tried training sessions, embedded cultural advisers, recommended reading lists, and even a video game designed to school American troops in local custom. But 11 years into the war, NATO troops and Afghan soldiers are still beset by a dangerous lack of cultural awareness, officials say, contributing to a string of attacks by Afghan police and soldiers against their military partners. Fifty-one coalition troops have been killed this year by their Afghan counterparts. While some insider attacks have been attributed to Taliban infiltrators, military officials say the majority stem from personal disputes and misunderstandings. 

 

 

"So sorry if we offended your cultural sensibilities - HA HA!"

So the Afghan army is trying something new, most likely with American input: a guide to the strange ways of the American soldier. The goal is to convince Afghan troops that when their Western counterparts do something deeply insulting, it’s likely a product of cultural ignorance and not worthy of revenge. The pamphlet they’ve produced includes the following advice:

“Please do not get offended if you see a NATO member blowing his/her nose in front of you.”

“When Coalition members get excited, they may show their excitement by patting one another on the back or the behind. They may even do this to you if they are proud of the job you’ve done. Once again, they don’t mean to offend you.”

“When someone feels comfortable in your presence, they may even put their feet on their own desk while speaking with you. They are by no means trying to offend you. They simply don’t know or have forgotten the Afghan custom.” (Pointing the soles of one’s shoes at someone is considered a grievous insult in Afghanistan.) 

 

"Hey look, we didn't really mean to rape and defile your women and kill your kids... it's just like...boys will be boys, you know man?"

The guide also warns Afghan soldiers that Western troops might wink at them or inquire about their female relatives or expose their private parts while showering — all inappropriate actions by Afghan standards.

Hmmm. I wonder if the manual advises telling Afghan soldiers that urinating on dead Afghan bodies, cutting off fingers, and burning the Koran are all nothing more than good ol’ Yankee customs, meaning no offense of course.

And does it point out that no Afghan should be insulted by being tortured in an American military prison since the same is done at home to American prisoners. 

 

 

Sending untrained children dressed up as military officers to deal with a culture of warriors thousands of years old has reaped the results one could expect

Most importantly, the Afghan people must be made to understand that bombing them, invading them, and occupying them for 11 years are all for their own good. It’s called “freedom and democracy”.

I almost feel sorry for the American military in Afghanistan. They’re “can-do” Americans, accustomed to getting their way, habituated to thinking of themselves as the best, expecting the world to share that sentiment, and they’re frustrated as hell, unable to figure out “why they hate us”, why we can’t win them over, why we can’t at least wipe them out. Don’t they want freedom and democracy? … They’re can-do Americans, using good ol’ American know-how and Madison Avenue savvy, sales campaigns, public relations, advertising, selling the US brand, just like they do it back home; employing media experts, psychologists, even anthropologists … and nothing helps. And how can it if the product you’re selling is toxic, inherently, from birth, if you’re ruining your customers’ lives, with no regard for any kind of law or morality, health or environment. They’re can-do Americans, used to playing by the rules — theirs; and they’re frustrated as hell.

William Blum is the author of Killing Hope: U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II, Rogue State: a guide to the World’s Only Super Power and West-Bloc Dissident: a Cold War Political Memoir. He can be reached at: BBlum6@aol.com

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5th Estate. This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

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Californians Hit With Unprecedented Gasoline Price Jump

Moronic Californians continue to transfer their wealth to Satanic U.S. regime and oil companies, refuse to ask questions, protest or boycott oil companies; gas costs on average FIVE CENTS a gallon to make:  Where does the rest of the money go and why isn't the "mainsream media" asking that question?

Reuters
By Branden Reddall and Nichola Groom
10/06/2012

SAN FRANCISCO/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - 

 

Californians awoke on Friday to yet another unprecedented spike in the price of gasoline that brought the one-week increase in the Golden State to a whopping 36 cents a gallon. 

 

 

Prices dropped, however, on the wholesale market, possibly signaling the end to a price spike that has blindsided the state's car-loving consumers.

"It's insane," said Matt Hurd, 35, as he filled up at a San Francisco gas station near the Bay Bridge. "Especially with this thing," Hurd, who works in real estate, added, motioning toward his white SUV. "It's going to cost triple digits to fill it up."

The average retail price of gasoline rose 17 cents to $4.486 on Friday morning. The average price was $4.315 on Thursday and $4.131 a week ago, according to AAA data.

"We're in brand new territory," said Marie Montgomery, a spokeswoman for the Auto Club of Southern California. "It always seems like just when you've seen everything and you can't be shocked anymore, you are shocked again."

The average price is just 12 cents below the highest recorded statewide price of $4.61, which was reached in June of 2008. 

 

 

Instead of rioting and boycotting as they and their families are reduced to paupers, coward American sheep like the one above idiotically grin and cough up more money to the Feds and oil sheiks as their children go without proper nutrition, basic medical care and attend crumbling, dumbed-down schools

In recent weeks, California refineries have dropped production in anticipation of switching over to a "winter blend" of gasoline next month.

At the same time, a power outage at Exxon Mobil Corp's Torrance, California refinery on Monday and a shutdown of the crude distillation unit at Chevron Corp's Richmond, California refinery aggravated the tight supplies.

Phillips 66 also said a planned maintenance was underway at its 120,200 barrel-per-day (bpd) San Francisco-area Rodeo refinery.

Western U.S. refiner Tesoro Corp halted sales on Monday to retailers that do not carry its brand name, according to market sources. Tesoro declined to discuss its wholesale operations.

Finally, Chevron said a pipeline that carries crude oil from the state's Central Valley to refineries in the San Francisco Bay area has been closed since mid-September.

"STARTING TO IMPROVE"

On Thursday, Golden State gas station operators asked air quality regulator the California Air Resources Board to allow early sale of winter-blend gasoline, the California Energy Commission said.

Gas stations in the nation's most populous state can begin selling winter-blend gasoline, which more easily releases smog-causing substances, on November 1. Until that date, only summer-blend gasoline, which is less likely to evaporate into smog causing chemicals, can be sold.

Some of the state's gas stations shut down due to tight supplies. About 14 of Costco Wholesale Corp's 40 Los Angeles-area stations were closed, according to Chief Financial Officer Richard Galanti, who added that five of those were expected to reopen on Friday.

"The situation is starting to improve already," he said.

In recent weeks, California refineries have dropped production in anticipation of switching over to a "winter blend" of gasoline next month.

In the Los Angeles area on Friday, the average price climbed 19 cents to $4.539 from $4.347 a day earlier. In San Francisco, prices climbed 16 cents overnight to $4.596.

But the differential for wholesale gasoline fell 55 cents on Friday in the Los Angeles spot market, according to a West Coast refined products trader said.

Gasoline blended to meet California's strict environmental standards traded at 90 cents a gallon over the November RBOB contract on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 55 cents from where it traded on Thursday. California gasoline was later offered at 85 cents over the NYMEX.

"The squeeze is over, I guess," the trader said.

Additional reporting by Erwin Seba in Houston; Editing by Leslie Gevirtz and Sofina Mirza-Reid.

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 

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Hundreds Seen at Risk in Meningitis Outbreak

Repeat:  This was no "accident"

Associated Press
By Mike Stobbe
10/05/2012

NEW YORK (AP) —

The potential scope of the meningitis outbreak that has killed at least five people widened dramatically Thursday as health officials warned that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of patients who got steroid back injections in 23 states could be at risk.

Cryptococcus neoformans

Clinics and medical centers rushed to contact patients who may have received the apparently fungus-contaminated shots. And the Food and Drug Administration urged doctors not to use any products at all from the Massachusetts pharmacy that supplied the suspect steroid solution.

It is not clear how many patients received tainted injections, or even whether everyone who got one will get sick.

So far, 35 people in six states — Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and Indiana — have contracted fungal meningitis, and five of them have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. All had received steroid shots for back pain, a highly common treatment.

In an alarming indication the outbreak could get a lot bigger, Massachusetts health officials said the pharmacy involved, the New England Compounding Center of Framingham, Mass., has recalled three lots consisting of a total of 17,676 single-dose vials of the steroid, preservative-free methylprednisolone acetate.

An unknown number of those vials reached 75 clinics and other facilities in 23 states between July and September, federal health officials said. Several hundred of the vials, maybe more, have been returned unused, one Massachusetts official said.

Patients should weigh the benefits of steriod injections versus the possibility of becoming a statistic or a guinea pig for eugenicist doctors and quack "pharmacists"

 But many other vials were used. At one clinic in Evansville, Ind., more than 500 patients got shots from the suspect lots, officials said. At two clinics in Tennessee, more than 900 patients — perhaps many more — did.

The investigation began about two weeks ago after a case was diagnosed in Tennessee. The time from infection to onset of symptoms is anywhere from a few days to a month, so the number of people stricken could rise.

Investigators this week found contamination in a sealed vial of the steroid at the New England company, according to FDA officials. Tests are under way to determine if it is the same fungus blamed in the outbreak.

The company has shut down operations and said it is working with regulators to identify the source of the infection.

"Out of an abundance of caution, we advise all health care practitioners not to use any product" from the company, said Ilisa Bernstein, director of compliance for the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Tennessee has by far the most cases with 25, including three deaths. Deaths have also been reported in Virginia and Maryland.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms include severe headache, nausea, dizziness and fever.

The type of fungal meningitis involved is not contagious like the more common forms. It is caused by a fungus often found in leaf mold and is treated with high-dose antifungal medications, usually given intravenously in a hospital.

Robert Cherry, 71, a patient who received a steroid shot at a clinic in Berlin, Md., about a month ago, went back Thursday morning after hearing it had received some of the tainted medicine.

"So far, I haven't had any symptoms ... but I just wanted to double check with them," Cherry said. "They told me to check my temperature and if I have any symptoms, I should report straight to the emergency room, and that's what I'll do."

The New England company is what is known as a compounding pharmacy. These pharmacies custom-mix solutions, creams and other medications in doses or in forms that generally aren't commercially available.

Other compounding pharmacies have been blamed in recent years for serious and sometimes deadly outbreaks caused by contaminated medicines.

Two people were blinded in Washington, D.C., in 2005. Three died in Virginia in 2006 and three more in Oregon the following year. Twenty-one polo horses died in Florida in 2009. Earlier this year, 33 people in seven states developed fungal eye infections.

Compounding pharmacies are not regulated as closely as drug manufacturers, and their products are not subject to FDA approval.

A national shortage of many drugs has forced doctors to seek custom-made alternatives from compounding pharmacies.

The New England company at the center of the outbreak makes dozens of other medical products, state officials said. But neither the company nor health officials would identify them.

The company said in a statement Thursday that despite the FDA warning, "there is no indication of any potential issues with other products." It called the deaths and illnesses tragic and added: "The thoughts and prayers of everyone employed by NECC are with those who have been affected."

A 2011 state inspection of the Framingham facility gave the business a clean bill of health.

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 
 

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Bogus Jobs Report : Economy Supposedly Adds 114,000 Jobs in September

Timing is everything:  Obama get's his ass kicked in debate by illiterate moron Romney, within hours unemployment rate magically goes down; fake report generated from unemployment numbers and reflect jobless dropped off rolls as their unemployment runs out:  "News" reports such as the one below repeat figures given them robotically, and without question as if they were the real thing and the U.S. government originators can be trusted to provide the truth and even if true, what is 114,000 up against MILLIONS OF UNEMPLOYED

Yahoo News
By Liz Goodwyn
10/06/2012

The economy added 114,000 jobs in September, bringing the unemployment rate down to 7.8 percent, the lowest it's been since January 2009.

Unemployment down?  Tell that to these people

August's gains were revised up from 96,000 to 142,000 jobs, helping to bring the official unemployment number down from 8.1 percent.

The number of people participating in the labor force also rose slightly in September, meaning the dip in unemployment wasn't driven by frustrated workers exiting the labor force altogether because they couldn't find a job. Still, 12.1 million Americans are unemployed, and nearly 5 million have been looking for work for more than 27 weeks.

The report is good news for President Obama in the final month of the campaign, and may distract from criticism of his sluggish debate performance on Wednesday.

Mitt Romney said in a statement Friday that the report does not show a "real recovery."

Unemployment is actually rising in U.S., and the "mainstream media" outlets owned by corporations are scrambling to cover up real numbers, proving "mainstream media" is the enemy of The People

"If not for all the people who have simply dropped out of the labor force, the real unemployment rate would be closer to 11 percent," he said.

So far, the White House hasn't crowed over the lower number. Alan Krueger, the chair of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers, wrote on the White House website that monthly reports can be "volatile," and that people shouldn't read too much into this one. "While there is more work that remains to be done, today's employment report provides further evidence that the U.S. economy is continuing to heal from the wounds inflicted by the worst downturn since the Great Depression," Krueger wrote.

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 

 

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Rob Kall: Calling Out and Challenging Evil… While We Still Can

Evil has already won in America, and the rest of the world must now make a choice as it did with Hitler's Germany:  Stop it regardless of cost or see it take over the world

The Greanville Post
By Rob Kall
10/03/2012

Even in the early days of Nazi Germany, there were good people who called out the evil. They were purged, jailed or killed, or they fled the country. Here in the USA, we call people who call out evil whistle blowers. The current Department of Justice– Obama’s DOJ– has become the worst, most dangerous enemy of the canaries in the coal mine– the whistle blowers, ever in history. This discusses what we need to do
 
Even in the early days of Nazi Germany, there were good people who called out the evil. They were purged, jailed or killed, or they fled the country.

Army whistle blower Bradley Manning was beaten and tortured in a Marine Corps brig, bringing shame upon our Corps; Marines that are responsible should be courts-martialled along with their superiors

Here in the USA, we call people who call out evil whistleblowers.

The current Department of Justice– Obama’s DOJ– has become the worst, most dangerous enemy of the canaries in the coal mine– the whistleblowers, ever in history.

This corporate lackey, this insane shit-eater of the left hand has destroyed America and has now set his sights on taking over the world

Then there are the protesters– courageous activists who are speaking out, investigating, taking stands. The first ones to be jailed and categorized as terrorists are the eco-activists. Will Potter has been documenting at his website, greenisthenewred.com, this systematic assault on righteous activists– an attack that includes lobbyist inspired congressional legislation (stupid me– is there any legislation that is not lobbyist inspired or influenced? Any at all?) that characterizes eco-protest, even writing about it, as domestic terrorism.

Marine General Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller blew the whistle on his superiors and was screwed for his efforts proving the old adage that "No good deed ever goes unpunished"

So, who will be next? Who will face the risks? And those risks are growing. Now, Obama can imprison, indefinitely, anyone he chooses, for as long as he wants, without excuse or reason. Sure, NDAA has been enjoined by a judge, but I don’t believe that’s stopped the people who are using the powers it grants.


Now, back to calling out evil. We talk about how people are voting for the lesser of two evils. Forty five percent, in a recent poll, said they were voting for the lesser of two evils. And we know that if you keep voting for the lesser of two evils, things get more and more evil.

 

Hitler's plans for the world were tame compared to Obama's

Every time evil appears– every time– there are cowards who allow it to accumulate power and get stronger, even if it and the powers that it is manifesting through are weaker, to begin with.

The greatest collection of cowards in America have taken residence in congress. With a few exceptions, and most of the exceptions have been purged, the members of congress have become enablers of the evil that is emerging on this planet. That evil manifests as corporatism, as the un-restrained financial power of billionaires and multinational corporations, both operating beyond national boundaries with the tools that global trade agreements have provided them (agreements signed by Clinton, Bush, Obama, with the worst one– TPP being pushed hard and hidden by Obama. )

The congress is supposed be one leg of the three legs of government that balance power. Congress though, has been steadily and consistently eroding its power– ceding it to the Executive and Judiciary branches. A vote for a member of congress, most of all, means empowering that legislator to do the bidding of the lobbyists and anonymous (to us, not necessarily to him or her) whose companies funded his TV ads and campaign.

These two evil shitbag eugenicists have a huge surprise for America and the world if handed an election victory this time around, and it looks as if they are going to get it

Congress has become a very ugly repository of the manifestations of evil, doing more to undo protections to people and workers and the middle class, enabling and empowering the corporations and wealthy.

I’ve written about the need to eliminate billionaires from the US and the planet.

Obama planning more endless resource-grabbing wars and will stop at nothing to silence critics

Time for De-Billionairization?

De-billionairize” the Planet Traitors in America; Packs of Benedict Arnolds:  It is one step that is do-able, that will take some of the most malevolent players out of the mix. It is one necessary step, but not enough. We must take on the metastasizing power of multi-national corporations and the globalization treaties that are unleashing them. We must envision battle plans and we must envision a future that exists without giant vampire corporations, without vulture billionaires, as Greg Palast has described.

U.S.-sucking Al Jazeera weather girl Steff Gaulter had/has satellite images of Fukushima radiation fallout patterns - and refused to release them, dooming thousands of American children who could have been saved had precautions been taken:  U.S. corporate media now dominates world "news" broadcasting, Al Jazeera is but one example

We need to do these things while we still can, before truth-tellers are legislated to be re-defined as domestic terrorists. Maybe I’m paranoid. But there are eco-activists in the highest security prisons already. The silencing has already begun.

ABOUT ROB KALL

Rob Kall is executive editor, publisher and website architect of OpEdNews.com, Host of the Rob Kall Bottom Up Radio Show (WNJC 1360 AM), and publisher of Storycon.org, President of Futurehealth, Inc, and an inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com. Mediate ranks Rob Kall among the top 150 print/online columnists, often ahead of NY Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post columnists.

Any opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The 5^th Estate.

This news site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc.  We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes.

 
 

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