Eyes On Japan

I have for a while been collecting and updating articles about Japan and its crisis with Fukushima. When I get the chance I will update it. Here is what I have collected thus far. Be warned it's a lot.
*Update 10/10/2011*
This will be long for I haven't updated since the 20th so sorry about that newest will be on top*

 

Support for Japan PM dips after 1 month in office

Magnitude 5.6 quake jolts northeastern Japan: NHK

Decontamination plan compiled

All shelters closing in hard-hit Ishinomak

Japan to offer 10,000 free trips to foreigners to boost tourism industry

Gov't revises standard for decontamination work

Quake hits nuclear crisis zone, but plant stable

Fukushima starts thyroid tests for children

IAEA team arrives in Fukushima to observe decontamination effort

TEPCO creates simpler guide for compensation claims

Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant worker dies

Environmentalists pitch voyage in sea of tsunami debris

Contaminated soil found outside Fukushima no-go zone

Nuclear power essential to cut emissions: UK expert

IAEA to send 12 experts to help with Fukushima decontamination

Genkai nuclear reactor shut down in Saga; cause unknown

Radioactive ash causes Kashiwa incinerators to shut down

Panel on TEPCO reform calls for more cost-cutting measures

TEPCO report faults operating manual; disputes hydrogen explosion

Hula girls' spa reopens in Fukushima

Evacuee volunteers join teachers in school cleanup in Minami-Soma

Miyagi begins testing debris for radioactivity before sending it to other prefectures

Japan's answer to next tsunami: a mini-Noah's Ark

Gov't lifts evacuation advisory for 5 zones near nuclear plant

Plutonium detected in soil outside Fukushima nuclear plant

Tokyo gov't agrees to take 1,000 tons of debris from city in Iwate

Hermitage cuts short Japan exhibition tour due to radiation fears

Strong quake rocks northeast Japan

TEPCO says temperature of No. 2 reactor has dropped below 100 degrees C

Japan needs to consider nature-based solutions in rebuilding efforts: IUCN

Gov't faced with decontaminating millions of cubic meters of soil in 4 prefectures

Unemployment benefits extended for 90 days to those who lost jobs due to March 11 disaster

Fukushima City announces 2-year decontamination plan

Edano raps TEPCO over high salaries, compensation forms

U.N. agency to aid Fukushima decontamination

Demonstrators challenge gov't to build nuclear plant in Tokyo

Radiation found in rice from Fukushima Pref; more tests planned

TEPCO can't identify flammable gas in pipe at Fukushima nuclear reactor

Survey of Japanese students shows changes in attitudes, outlook since March disaster

Tohoku shinkansen back to normal operations for first time since March 11

Hydrogen buildup detected in No. 1 reactor at Fukushima plant

TEPCO to start payments to small business owners for losses

Chubu Electric starts building 18-meter seawall to protect Hamaoka nuclear plant

Typhoon moves away from Japan, leaving 16 dead or missing

Japanese families, activists visit Washington to plead for safety of Fukushima's children

Typhoon batters Japan but nuclear plant safe; M5.3 quake strikes Ibaraki

Workers race to protect nuclear plant from typhoon

TEPCO considers cutting pensions to pay compensation

TEPCO says up to 500 tons of groundwater flowing into Fukushima nuclear plant

*End Update*
*Update 9/20/2011*
( technically it's the 20th, but right now in Japan it is the 21st so some reports below this may say sept 21st)

 This video below by the tepco pres is only in Japanese, hopefully one will be updated with subs.

-Typhoon Roke brings downpours 

-Japan develops auto-guiding radiotherapy device


-1 dead, 2 missing, over 1 million urged to evacuate as typhoon nears 

-TEPCO says up to 500 tons of groundwater flowing into Fukushima nuclear plant


-Thousands march against nuclear power in Tokyo

-Hosono tells IAEA that Japan will have 'safer nuclear future'

-Evacuees visit homes in Fukushima no-go zone

-TEPCO compensation hotline overwhelmed by 3,000 complaints per day

-M6.6 quake, 5 aftershocks hit Iwate, neighboring areas

-Beef shipments resume from Fukushima Pref

-Japan to build floating wind farm near Fukushima nuclear plant

-Sailor in Hawaii finds message in a bottle from Japan  

-Radioactive waste shipment arrives in Aomori

-Second Fukushima plant unlikely to reopen: Edano

-M6.2 earthquake hits northeast Japan; no tsunami warning

-Endangered cranes arrive in Taiwan from Japan

-TEPCO starts sending out claim forms for compensation 

-Only 4 of 31 tsunami-hit sites have finalized reconstruction plans

-Japan's nuclear disaster - six months on

-Silence as Japan marks six months after tsunami

*End Update*

*Update* 9/10/2011*

-Tepco builds frame of cover for reactor No. 1-Click Here For Article

-Haryana farmers oppose land acquisition for nuke plant-Click Here For Article

 
 -Joint memorial service held in Soma City-Click Here For Article

- Sea radiation from Fukushima seen triple Tepco estimate-Click Here For Article

-Industry minister resigns after 8 days over 'town of death' comment-Click Here For Article

-Noda visits tsunami-hit Miyagi, Iwate as Japan mourns dead-Click Here For Article

-EU to maintain safety checks on food from Japan-Click Here For Article

-Kan forced older nuclear plant workers to stay on duty after tsunami: report-Click Here For Article

-Victims struggling six months after quake, tsunami-Click Here For Article

-Gov't lifts restrictions on power use in and around Tokyo-Click Here For Article

-NHK to broadcast special programs on 6-month anniversary of Great East Japan Earthquake-Click Here For Article

-Noda visits 3 prefectures hit by typhoon-Click Here For Article

-Japan urges Russia to stop bomber flights-Click Here For Article

-Japan test fires Venus probe engine-Click Here For Article

-Quake shakes nuclear zone-Click Here For Article

-Tourism flatlines as visitors avoid Japan-Click Here For Article

-Spain honors heroes of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant crisis-Click Here For Article

-Fukushima to get power theme park for children(Wow!! This is horrible!!No kid should be allowed near the radiation zone)-Click Here For Full Story

*End Update*

*Update 9/05/2011*


-Killer typhoon brings new misery to beleaguered Japan. Rescue teams scour center of county after Typhoon Talas; at least 34 deaths reported- Click Here For Article


-Rescue teams search for bodies after typhoon leaves 34 dead, 56 missing-Click Here For Article


-Nuclear legacy: photos tell tale of 2 ghost town-Click Here For Article/Photos


-Japan may soon lose top longevity ranking-Click Here For Article


-Hosono says all of Japan should help with Fukushima's contaminated debris-Click Here For Article


-Poland to trade AAUs for Japan's energy technology-Click Here For Article


-Special Report: The nuclear industry's trillion dollar question-Click Here For Article.


-Niigata hotels to accept tsunami survivors-Click Here For Article.

Fukushime Live You Tube Channel!!

*End Update*

*Update 8/31/2011* 

Video of Fukushima Worker Pointing at Live Feed Camera Pt-1  (kinda creepy)

 

-"Yoshihiko Noda, a 54-year-old former finance minister who wants to curb Japan's huge public debt, becomes the country's sixth prime minister in five years."-Click Here For Article

-2 workers showered with highly radioactive water-Click Here For Article

-TEPCO presents plan to extract melted rods-Click Here For Article

-Farmers in 11 prefectures seek damage from TEPCO-Click Here For Article

-Evacuation centers close in northeastern Japan-Click Here For Article
    
-Britain's Tesco to sell network of 129 small supermarkets in Japan-Click Here For Article.

-TEPCO to pay compensation to Fukushima evacuees from Oct.-Click Here For Article 

-Paladin: Fukushima impact on nuclear lingers, but outlook strong-Click Here For Article

-2 men arrested for stealing from Fukushima exclusion zone-Click Here For Article

-Rice shipped from Fukushima Prefecture-Click Here For Article

-Anger mounts in tsunami-hit areas over political power games-Click Here For Article

-Quake-prone Japan looks at geothermal energy-Click Here For Article

-Japan cuts radiation exposure limits for children- Click Here For Article

-Beef containing radioactive cesium served to elementary school children in Kanagawa-Click Here For Article

-Kurion says Fukushima plant contaminated water cesium levels reduced by more than 40%-Click Here For Article 

-Fukushima cesium leaks 'equal 168 Hiroshima bombs,' says report-Click Here For Article

-Radioactive decontamination task force launched in Fukushima-Click Here For Article

-American Red Cross contributions to Japan's tsunami recovery reach $260 million-Click Here For Article

-Quake jolts eastern Japan; no tsunami threat-Click Here For Article 

-Gov't may buy land within 20-km radiation no-go zone-Click Here For Article

*End Update*

 *Update 8/20/2011* 

-New system improves Fukushima decontamination-Click Here For Article 

-New office to address radioactive contamination-Click Here For Article


-Hosono OKs allowing residents within 3 km of plant to visit homes-Click Here For Article

 *I do not think anyone should be allowed in 8km let alone 3km of Fukushima, the radiation has to still be high.*

-Tsunami was tracked by radar for first time-Click Here For Article

-45% of children tested near Fukushima plant have radioactive elements in thyroid glands-Click Here For Article

-Traces of radioactive cesium detected in Ibaraki rice-Click Here For Article





-China Finds 100,000 SQ Miles of Radiation In Pacific Ocean 300 Times Higher Than Normal-Click Here For Article


-Gov't lifts beef ban for Miyagi Prefecture-Click Here For Article

-Japan researcher develops low-cost plastic radiation detectors-Click Here For Article


-"(Reuters) - More than five months after a massive magnitude 9.0 earthquake and a deadly tsunami ravaged Japan's northeast coast, the nation has yet to come up with a detailed action plan and the money needed to rebuild the devastated areas."-Click Here For Article


-Magnitude 6.8 quake jolts Japan off Fukushima, no damage-Click Here For Article

 *End Update*



*Update 8/10/2011

-Japan Held Nuclear Data, Leaving Evacuees in Peril-Click Here For Article.

-Parents of 4 children in bus swept away by tsunami sue kindergarten-Click Here For Article.

-Japan ignored own radiation forecasts from very beginning-Click Here For Article. 




 -Tsunami broke huge icebergs off Antarctic-Click Here For Article. 


 -Japan's unpopular PM signals he's ready to quit-Click Here For Article.

-Rice from town near Tokyo is radiation-free, tests show-Click Here For Article.

-5 months after March 11th disaster-Click here for video and article.



 *End Update*

*Update 8/01/2011*

-Strong quake jolts central Japan, no tsunami alert-Click Here For Article.

-Japan-India EPA enters into force-Click Here For Article.

-Govt bans beef cattle shipments from Iwate-Click Here For Article.



-Kan criticizes nuclear safety agency, cozy ties to industry-Click Here For Article.

-7 injured as M6.4 quake shakes Fukushima-Click Here For Article.

-Sushi industry hurting from radiation scare-Click Here For Article.

-Japanese rice to be tested for radioactive cesium-Click Here For Article.







*Update 7/30/2011*

 Magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits off Japan-Story Here. Image is via CNN

-1 dead, 5 missing as floods hit Niigata, Fukushima-Click Here For Article.

-Nuclear safety agency under fire over fake question-Click Here For Article. 

-Contaminated beef served in Gifu school lunches- Click Here For Article.

-Japan vows to skirt nuclear shutdown, watchdog embarassed-Click Here For Article.

-About 20,600 dead or missing in March 11 disaster- Click Here For Article.

-Torrential rain hits Niigata, Fukushima-Click Here For Article.

 *End Update*

  *Update 7/27/2011*
-Uncertainty remains over TEPCO compensation bill-Click Here For Article

-Radioactive cesium found in compost in Akita-Click Here For Article.

-Japan to buy up and burn radiation-tainted beef-Click Here For Article.
 
-(Reuters) - Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant ranked as one of the most dangerous in the world for radiation exposure years before it was destroyed by the meltdowns and explosions that followed the March 11 earthquake.-Click Here For Article.

-Japanese Buddhist priest discusses spiritual toll of nuclear crisis-Click Here For Article.

-Japanese survivors invited to Taiwan-Click Here For Article. 

-Japan, Russia agree to cooperate on energy-Click Here For Video and Article.

-Document: 1600 Fukushima Workers Thought to Be Exposed to High Radiation-Click Here For Article.
Video below:

-Fukushima LDP Lawmaker: My Party Also to Blame-Click Here For Article.

-Children in Fukushima to be given regular cancer tests-Click Here For Article.

*End Update*

*Update 7/19/2011*

-Typhoon Ma-on bringing heavy rain to Japan- Click Here For Article. 

-Govt to step up radiation monitoring-Click Here For Article.

-Efforts to stabilize nuclear crisis on track, say gov't, TEPCO-Click Here For Article

-Japan bans all cattle shipments from Fukushima over radiation fears-Click Here For Article

- (Reuters) - More than 500 beef cattle that ate feed contaminated by radioactive material from Fukushima have already shipped to other parts of Japan, an initial result of inspections on the area's farms showed Monday.- Click Here Fore Article


-(Reuters) - Japan's Kansai Electric Power Co on Saturday shut down one of its reactors due to technical glitches, worsening a tight power supply that is stifling manufacturers.Click Here For Article

-Nuclear Power after Fukushima (Webcast)-Click here for video and article.

-Nuke workers toiling under intense heat- Click Here For Article

*End Update*



*Update7/09/2011*

-Report From Tokyo: My Final Report-Click Here For Article.

-7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Northeastern Japan- Click Here For Article.


-Strong earthquake rattles tsunami-weary Japan( same story more detail different source-Click Here For Article


-TEPCO halts water decontamination system after chemical leakage- Click Here For Article


-Japan mulling purchase of defense satellite from U.S.-Click Here For Article


-Gov't to conduct 2-stage 'stress tests' for nuclear reactors- Click Here For Article


-Dismantling Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant to take several decades- Click Here For Article.


-More Fukushima beef found contaminated with cesium- Click Here For Article


-Cattle farm inspected for radiation-tainted beef-Click Here For Article and Video.


-Message from Fukushima (engl. subtitles via CC-Menu) Video below:

*End Update*

7/07/2011
- Japan's tsunami recovery stalls- Click Here For Article.


-Pest exterminators mobilized to help in quake-hit regions-Click Here For Article.

-Restart of Genkai reactors put on hold amid distrust of gov't- Click Here For Article.

-Japan nuclear restart in doubt as test plan provokes fury- Click Here For Article.

-Japan invites foreign journalists to show recovery efforts in Tohoku- Click Here For Article.

-Water treatment, cooling systems finally working-Click Here For Link.

-Japan, China parliamentarians resume exchange meeting- Click Here For Article.


-Japan's Kaieda: to take blame for nuclear restart confusion- Click Here For Article.


-Japan core machinery orders up, recovery under way- Click Here For Article.


-Japan local governments step back from nuclear restarts- Click Here For Article.

-Job 1 for Hirano is rebuilding public trust- Click Here For Article.


-Kan under fire in wake of Matsumoto's resignation- Click Here For Article.


-Reactor cooling to be accelerated in August-Click Here For Article and Video.

*End Update*




7/05/2011

-Japan Lies( no surprise) to it's people about Fukushima link to article/video here.

-Magnitude 5.4 earthquake jolts western Japan- Click Here For Article.

- Reconstruction minister resigns over offensive remarks; Hirano takes over-Click Here For Article.

-NEC, Lenovo finalize deal to become Japan’s No. 1 PC company- Click Here For Article.

-45% of kids in Fukushima survey had thyroid exposure to radiation- Click Here For Article

-Panel on Russia-Japan history to be established-Click Here For article

-Fukushima to begin checking people for internal exposure next week- Click Here For Article.

-European Union to require radiation checks on food from Shizuoka- Click Here For Article.

- Foreign ministers of Japan, China call for improved relations- Click Here For Article.

-Sony says PSN, Qriocity services will resume in Japan on Wednesday- Click Here For Article.

-Huge rare earth deposits found in Pacific: Japan- Click Here For Article.

-Japan cabinet approves $25 billion more for disaster relief- Click Here For Article.

-4 local governments seek to scrap nuclear plants- Click Here For Article.

-Emergency generators faulty at 2 nuclear plants- Click Here For Article.

7/02/2011
-Woman living in Fukushima shelter burns herself to death in apparent suicide- Click Here For Article
-Gov't finds all surveyed bathing areas suitable for swimming- Click Here For Article
-Japan, U.S. to rearrange PM's visit if Kan resigns- Click Here For Article
-Japan experts design superelastic alloy, may resist quakes- Click Here For Article
-Hello Kitty goes crystal for Japan disaster relief- Click Here For Article
-TEPCO uses robot to clean No.3 reactor- Click Here For Article and Video!
-TEPCO: Nuclear fuel pool cooled to stable level- Click Here For Article
-"More than 100,000 tons of highly radioactive wastewater now flood the facility to capacity, as water continues to be poured in to prevent further massive radioactive emissions. As a result, large amounts of radiation, on a scale comparable to Chernobyl, have already been released into the air, earth, and ocean. Further releases will continue, probably for years."- Click Here For Article
-Meltdown: What Really Happened at Fukushima?- Click Here For Article
6/28/2011
-UPDATE 2-Venezuela oil sector gets $1.5 bln loan from Japan- Click Here For Article
-34,000 Fukushima children to receive radiation meters- Click Here For Article
-Shareholders hammer Tepco over nuclear fiasco- Click Here For Article
-Kan keeps foes on edge over resignation timetable- Click Here For Article
-U.S. envoy Roos visits hard-hit areas in Iwate- Click Here For Article
-TEPCO finds minor leaks in reactor cooling system- Click Here For Article
6/22/2011
-Quake Rattles Northeast Japan(6.7 quake, so far no damage reported)-Click Here For Article
-TEPCO struggling with water treatment system at plant- Click Here For Article
-Okinawa leaders slam Japan-U.S. deal on Futenma base- Click Here For Article
-Japan seeks to extend parliament, PM clings to post- Click Here For Article
-Missing pets a lingering legacy of Japan's disasters- Click Here For Article
-Fukushima Cover Up Continues Amid Looming World Health Crisis- Click Here For Article
-Japanese kids don radiation readers- Click Here For Article
-Fukushima Nuclear Plant Remains 'Ticking Time Bomb' After Japan Disaster: Michio Kaku, Theoretical Physicist- Click Here For Article
6/18/2011
-Operator Of Damaged Plant Suspends Clean-Up Due To Rising Radiation Level- Click Here For Article
-US Senate moves to freeze Japan base move -Click Here For Article
-Japanese Buddhist priest discusses spiritual toll of nuclear crisis- Click Here For Article
( I have noticed something strange about Japan Today website. They no longer are putting local news first but national news first. Is this because more people were using them as a source to find out about Fukushima? On their front page before they would have local news not national news. Also it seems the couple of days Fukushima news has taken a back seat or hidden seat. Although I do think only so much more can happen with Fukushima. The radiation is still there, sea water is still effected as are animals in the area. Reuters coverage on Japan has also been lacking. MSN is a joke once a month you may find something good on Japan. NHK is still a good source and probably thus far the best to use. I do think either two things are going to happen. We are going to be censored soon completely about Fukushima or news on Japans end will be censored by their government. Either way news on Japan is slowing down.)
6/14/2011( some articles say 6/15/2011 because in Japan right now it is the 15th)
-Japan’s Richest Man Challenges Nuclear Future With Nationwide Solar Plans-Click Here For Article
-Gov't to monitor swimming areas for radiation-Click Here For Article
-Cesium detected in two whales caught off Hokkaido-Click Here For Article
-Nuclear plant operators compile measures to prevent severe accidents-Click Here For Article
-Green tea made by 5 Shizuoka plants contaminated with radiation-Click Here For Article
-Japan to retain nuclear power as main energy source: Kaieda-Click Here For Article
-Over 2 million Japanese on welfare-Click Here For Article
6/08/2011
-To survive, tsunami-hit community may flee the sea- Click Here For Article
-Japan's radiation fallout 'a monster you can't see'- Click Here For Article
-Despite Radiation, Some Japanese Villagers Stay Put- Click Here For Article
-Power outages at Japan's Fukushima plant, cooling continues- Click Here For Article
-Radiation levels to be checked at 100 places in Tokyo- Click Here For Article
-Death notification procedures simplified after March disaster- Click Here For Article
-IAEA to ask Japan for transparent nuclear report- Click Here For Article
-Fukushima 'lessons' may take 10 years to learn- Click Here For Article
-Looming power crisis could cost electric firms 2 trillion yen- Click Here For Article
-Japan Doubles Its Radiation Leak Estimate For The Fukushima Plant- Click Here For Article
6/04/2011
-Fukushima Reactor No. 1 more radioactive than ever-Click Here For Article
-Japan PM Kan to step down by August- Click Here For Article
-Local officials stop providing welfare benefits to some survivors- Click Here For Article
-ASEAN goodwill caravan comforts disaster victims with food, music- Click Here For Article
-March 11 disaster already causes 145 business failures- Click Here For Article
-Radiation level extremely high in Fukushima- Click Here For Article
-"By June, the official count of dead and missing remained above 24,000. Tens of thousands of people remained housed in temporary shelters or evacuated their homes due to the nuclear crisis."- Click Here For Article
-Latest video of Fukushima plant-Click Here For Video!
-Obama: Japan, Europe and fuel pose economic risks-Click Here For Article
-Japan may face green tea shortage due to radiation leakes from Fukushima plant-Click Here For Article
-This could just be a birth defect but you never really will know...Video Below:


-IAEA Briefing on Fukushima Nuclear Accident (2 June 2011, 18:30 UTC)- Click Here For Article
5/31/2011
-TEPCO begins to pay compensation to farmers, fishermen- Click Here For Article
-Japan wants to deploy robots for highly irradiated environment- Click Here For Article
-Fukushima tsunami plan based on single page- Click Here For Article
-"The operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant says it has detected high levels of a radioactive substance that tends to accumulate in human bones." -Click Here For Article
-Oil spill, blast hit crippled Fukushima nuclear plant- Click Here For Article
-No-confidence vote looms for Japan PM- Click Here For Article
-Japan jobless rises; factory output rebounds- Click Here For Article
-Cooling system restored at Fukushima No. 5 unit- Click Here For Article
-Japan nuclear crisis: Pensioners seek work at Fukushima ( video in article)- Click Here For Article and Video!
5/24/2011

- Soil contamination from Fukushima crisis comparable to Chernobyl: study- Click Here For Article

-Japan unlikely to build new nuclear plants after crisis, Kan tells FT- Click Here For Article
-M5.1 quake jolts Fukushima Pref, no tsunami warning issued- Click Here For Article
-Tepco confirms meltdowns at 2 more Fukushima reactors- Click Here For Article
5/12/2011
-Reuters) - Japan's government agreed on Friday to set up a fund with taxpayer money to help Tokyo Electric Power compensate victims of the crisis at its tsunami-crippled nuclear plant and avoid financial collapse.- Click Here For Article
-(Reuters) - One of the reactors at Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant has a hole in its main vessel following a meltdown of fuel rods, leading to a leakage of radioactive water, its operator said on Thursday.- Click Here For Article
-Japan Offers Help to Pay Plant Victims- Click Here For Article
-Nuclear fuel at Fukushima No. 1 unit melted after full exposure ( this article goes into more details then reuters) - Click Here For Article
-Japan to cull ( cull means kill) livestock in no-go zone near Fukushima plant - Click Here For Article
5/11/2011
*Personal Note* If your from America and you noticed no media outlet has reported about Japan that is because it is being regulated. MSN and even CNN make finding Japan news hard. It is sad that we have to dig for the information and put in certain phrases to see reports.


-Japan: Seeking higher ground.- Click Here For Article
-Why Can't We Turn Away From Coal As Japan Has Turned Away From Nuclear? Click Here For Article
-Japanese Red Cross so far has Y174 bil in quake relief donations. Click Here For Article
-Magnitude 5.6 - RYUKYU ISLANDS, JAPAN,2011 May 05 23:21:22 UTC Click Here For Article

5/05/2011
-(Reuters) - Japanese workers entered the No.1 reactor building at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant Thursday for the first time since a hydrogen explosion ripped off its roof a day after a devastating March 11 earthquake and tsunami.-Click Here For Article
-(Reuters) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 struck off the coast of eastern Japan early on Friday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. but there were no immediate reports of any casualties or damage.- Click Here For Article
-(Reuters) - Bailed-out insurer American International Group lost more than $1 billion from its ongoing operations in the first quarter, as the company took a huge charge for the termination of its credit facility with the Federal Reserve.AIG's Chartis unit also racked up $864 million in catastrophe losses related to the March 11 earthquake in Japan. The company, one of the top foreign insurers in Japan, had previously warned of substantial quake charges. Click Here For Article
-Edano urges Tohoku Electric to ensure safety at Onagawa nuclear plant- Click Here For Article
-Japan files protest over French TV show on quake, nuclear emergency -click here for summary!
-The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is preparing to send a convoy of volunteers to areas of Japan devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, an ASEAN official said Thursday. Click Here For Article








5/03/2011
-summary of Fukushima reactor unit status at 3 May 2011-click here for summary!
-Tourists visiting Fukushima despite nuclear fears- Click Here For Article
-Fukushima Plate warns you on radioactive levels in your food ( crazy) click here to see plate!
-(Reuters) - The U.S. nuclear safety regulator is studying whether to require plants to more quickly move radioactive waste out of pools as part of a review on safety in the wake of Japan's nuclear disaster, its chairman said on Monday. -Click Here For Article
-Japan ‘Dynamic Defense Force’ moves toward implementation- Click Here For Article
- Death Toll Combination Drops Near 25,500 -Click Here For Article
5/01/2011
- I just found this on youtube although date is for 28th. New video footage of Japan.


4/30/2011
-Japanese government nuclear adviser quits,Toshiso Kosako says radiation limits too high. Click Here For Article
-All 6 units of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station have been shut down. Click Here For Article
-(Reuters) - Bank of Japan Governor Masaaki Shirakawa said on Saturday that the country's economic outlook was very severe and that the central bank would take appropriate action to support the economy. Click Here For Article
-(technically this was produced May 1st but here it is still April 30th)Tabloids warn of major quake beneath Tokyo. Click Here For Article
On a side note I wonder how censored these articles are and what information is really blocked. I use various sources so it is not to hard for me to gain information and find information.

4/25/2011
It seems to get harder and harder to find Facts about Japan. You will see why in a min:
-Japan admits fault over calculations on radiation ( not good higher then forecasted) Click Here For Video!
- New TEPCO videos found of Fukushima during Tsunami Click Here to see Vid and Photo
-Any animals with in 20Km of Fukushima plant are to be killed on site.
-Radiation in the seawater surrounding the Fukushima plane it hitting an all time high.Click Here For Article
-"Air within the plant is also highly contaminated with several areas showing 40 to 70 millisieverts. The Japanese government has raised the legal limit on the amount of radiation that each worker can be exposed to. to 250 millisieverts." ( ok so look they were getting really bad raditation before raising it doesn't make the effects go away) Click Here For Article
-Japan's Prime Minister and Governmental officials have decided to censor information about Fukushima and its current crises. This is why in order to find information one must search for it and know what to put in to get a good report. Here is the link to the story: Click Here For Article

Fukushima Reactor 1 Update: No Water On The Fuel Rods, TEPCO Guesstimates 70% Melted - 24/04/11 Video Below

4/20/2011
-Japan gets hit with an 5.8 after shock.
- Japans Prime Minister declares the Fukushima 20km zone a NO GO zone.( I personally believe anyone in Japan should stay 80Km from the reactors) He did not say what penalty will be if anyone is found in 20km of Fukushima. (However I believe they will hopefully be just kicked out and maybe detained for radiation screening.)
4/15/2011
New video released of cattle near the fukushima plant ( hard to watch)


-(Reuters) - Japan plans to set up a government-backed insurance fund to put money into Tokyo Electric Power and pay compensation stemming from the disaster at its Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, the Nikkei newspaper said.
-28 of the 300 workers at the Fukushima plant have received high radiation dosages. Although this news is sad, unlike Chernobyl no one has died of radiation poisoning.

4/14/2011
-Japan's Citizens and Politicians are wanting the PM Naoto Kan to quit due to his improper handling of Japans crisis.
- Protests have been continued at TEPCO's head quarters over the way the nuclear crises has been handled.
-There are more signs of fuel rod damage at reactor number four, fukushima. The water surrounding the reactor continues to heat up and has yet to cool down. The water is used to cool the reactor down.
End Update
4/11/2011
-On main stream media there have been conflicting reports. Another aftershock/tremor hit Japan today. One report (msn) is claiming it was a 7.1. On the other report (Reuters) it was a 6.6. The aftershock shook north eastern Japan killing one man thus far.( this has just happened more deaths could be reported.)
-Due to aftershock 220,000 homes are with out power. This has also caused a brief halt into pumping water into the Fukushima Reactors to cool them.
-Due to high levels of accumulating radiation Japan has decided to expand the evacuation zone around Fukushima. They want people to say away from Fukushima plant at about 20-30 KM. ( my honest opinion is 80km which was recommended by the U.K when this first went down.)
-New videos have been released showing footage of the Fukushima plant being hit by Tsunami waves; there is also new footage of the quake and tsunami for different areas in Japan.
-On April 28th a new safety measure will start. This measure will require "nuclear power companies to install at least two emergency diesel engines even at reactors that are not in operation and are kept at low temperatures, such as at the Higashidori plant."-(reuters, NISA)
(as I was typing just got this in)- Nuclear power plant Fukushima temporarily evacuated.
(technically this was reported Tuesday 4/12/2011 but since it's still Monday here in the US..)-The Fukushima Power Plant has been raised to a level 7 catastrophe making it as dangerous as Chernobyl.
-"Nearly 28,000 Japanese are dead or missing and the world's third-largest economy is reeling with power blackouts, factory closures and cuts to supply lines. The disaster is estimated to cost heavily indebted Japan some $300 billion, making it the world's most costly."-reuters
*End Update*



4/08/2011
-It was reported a 7.4 earth quake hit Thursday On Northeastern Japan, but it was wrong. It was a 7.1 earth quake; Three people were killed and 141 were injured. Due to the earth quake it has now been reported four million homes are with out power.
-At Fukushima engineers are pumping low-level radioactive seawater, used to cool overheated fuel rods, back into the sea due to a lack of storage capacity. ( I guess this means the mega float is either full or going to be filled with the new radiated sea water..what a mess this is)
-China's Foreign Ministry Hong Lei says ""As Japan's neighbor, we naturally express our concern about this, We ask that Japan reports the relevant information to the Chinese side in a swift, comprehensive and accurate way." ( China is concerned about radiation going into the ocean, China has found ships, cargo and air-crafts with higher then normal levels of radiation)
*End Update*

4/07/2011
-Trace levels of radioactive material had been detected in the air in 22 Chinese provinces but the amounts did not pose a threat to health or the environment, China's state news agency Xinhua said.
-In South Korea, some schools closed on Thursday because parents were worried rain could be toxic. The few schools that closed were expected to reopen on Friday.




-India said a blanket ban on food items imported from Japan was not warranted, although authorities would monitor the situation every week, a source in the Trade Ministry said.




-7.4 Earth Quake(aftershock) hits Northern Japan. No damages or injuries have been reported yet due to quake, warning of a Tsunami is on the way.


-People from the northern eastern part of Japan are asked to evacuate now to higher ground.
(newer update below)
-Due to 7.4 after shock seven people were reported injured, two of them seriously, a spokesman for the National Police Agency said
-Tsunami warning called off.
*End Update*

4/06/2011
-Radiation that was leaking into the ocean from Fukushima has been stopped.
-There are over 1,000 dead corpses around the Fukushima plant and due to their contamination the Japanese government is unsure what to do about them.
-Due to the Japan crises automakers had to cut overtime because of car parts shortage.
-Fukushima reactor One is having Nitrogen Gas pumped into it to prevent a build up of Hydrogen.
-End Update!
4/02/2011


-Damages from Fukushima,Tsunami and earth quake are said to cost Japan over 300 Billion dollars.
-Fukushima Reactor Number 2 is leaking radiation into the ocean.
-Concrete used to plug the reactors in fukushima has failed.
-Water that was pumped into the plants is being stored into a "Mega-Float"; a barge that will float in Shizouka.
-The Fukushima 50,The "Fukushima 50"—actually around 300 techinicans, firemen, and soldiers working in shifts of 50, were told they could die with in weeks. Such horrible news :(
End Update!
3/28/2011 Update
-Plutonium is found in the soil by the Fukushima plant
-Groundwater, reservoirs and sea water in Japan are contaminated due to radiation by the nuclear power plant
-Fukushima Radiation Found In Massachusetts Rainwater
-More radiation found in U.S via Fukushima "Detected radiation: Sensors in California, Washington, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts have reported low radiation levels in rainfall, while North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida have reported radiation in the air"

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1370684/Japan-nuclear-meltdown-Radioactive-iodine-Fukushima-rainwater-US.html#ixzz1Hx82zeTe

-Tokyo, March 28 (Jiji Press)--The death toll from the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and huge tsunami in Japan on March 11 topped 11,000 Monday night, the National Police Agency said.
As of 9 p.m. (noon GMT), a total of 11,004 people were confirmed dead in the disaster that mainly hit the Tohoku northeastern Japan region, the agency said.
The death toll reached 6,692 in hardest-hit Miyagi Prefecture, 3,264 in Iwate Prefecture, north of Miyagi, and 990 in Fukushima Prefecture, south of Miyagi.
Meanwhile, 17,339 people were unaccounted for in six prefectures, including 7,588 in Miyagi, 5,093 in Fukushima and 4,654 in Iwate.
The combined number of dead and missing people came to 28,343.

End Update! ( so very sad...)

3/27/2011 Update!!
Radioactivity soars inside Japanese reactor, workers evacuated

(Reuters) - Japanese engineers struggled on Sunday to pump radioactive water from a crippled nuclear power station while the United Nations' chief nuclear inspector said the crisis triggered by this month's earthquake and tsunami was far from over.

(Reuters) - Radioactive iodine in sea-water off Japan's crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant rose to 1,850 times the usual level from 1,250 times measured on Saturday, Japan's nuclear safety agency said on Sunday.

End Update!
3/24/2011 Update!!


*Many shops in Tokyo have run out of bottled water after radiation from a damaged nuclear plant makes tap water unsafe for babies.
*Chiba prefecture, adjacent to the capital, has detected radioactive substances in its water purification system in amounts above what is considered safe for infants.
*Radioactive caesium 1.8 times higher than the standard level is found in a green leafy vegetable grown in a research facility in Tokyo, Kyodo news agency reports.
*Singapore and Australia join the United States and Hong Kong in restricting food and milk imports from the zone around the crippled nuclear power plant.
*Some merchant vessels may be avoiding Tokyo port due to concerns that crew members may be exposed to radiation, a shipping industry official says.
*About 300 engineers, struggling to regain control of nuclear plant, resume work on at the No.3 reactor, considered the most critical, after a one-day suspension when black smoke was seen rising.


End Update
3/22/2011 Update!!
* Radiation found in sea water, milk, vegetables
* Power cables now hooked to all 6 reactors at crippled plant
* Earthquake, tsunami left 21,000 dead or missing
*Water covering the spent fuel rods at reactor #4 is heating up and is close to boiling, Nuclear safety agency official Hidehiko Nishiyama tells the AP. We could see more emissions and a rise in radiation.
EndUpdate

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-nuclear-crisis-2011-3#ixzz1HLLuXeHz

3/21/2011 Update!!
Official death toll from earthquake and tsunami 8,450 with 12,931 missing. Police say more than 15,000 feared dead in Miyagi prefecture alone.
Tests detect radiation above the national safety level in spinach and milk produced near the Fukushima plant. A sample of tap water from Tokyo shows a tiny level of radioactive.
The health ministry said that radiation levels exceeded safety standards in Fukushima and nearby Ibaraki prefecture. It said it had prohibited the sale of raw milk from Fukushima prefecture.
High quantities of radioactive cesium and iodine were detected in nearby seawater, according to Kyodo.
At least cooling operations are making some progress.
Concrete is being poured into the dangerous spent fuel rod pool at reactor #4. The Japanese government says power may be turned on soon. Work to restore power to #3 and #4 was temporarily halted when certain reactors began emitting black smoke. Seawater is being pumped into reactors #1 and #2.
*end update*

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/japan-nuclear-crisis-2011-3#ixzz1HH2KIQcz

3/18/2011 update!!!
(Reuters) - Minuscule amounts of radioactive particles believed to have come from Japan's Fukushima nuclear power plant have been detected on the U.S. west coast, two diplomatic sources said Friday.-http://www.reuters.com/article /2011/03/18/us-japan-quake-ctb to-radiation-idUSTRE72G26T2011 0318
The moment nuclear plant chief WEPT as Japanese finally admit that radiation leak is serious enough to kill people -
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1367684/Nuclear-plant-chief-weeps-Japanese-finally-admit-radiation-leak-kill-people.html
(Reuters) - A "Chernobyl solution" may be the last resort for dealing with Japan's stricken nuclear plant, but burying it in sand and concrete is a messy fix that might leave part of the country as an off-limits radioactive sore for decades.- http://www.reuters.com/art icle/2011/03/18/us-japan-c hernobyl-idUSTRE72H2QG2011 0318

*end update*
First I would like to state my condolences go out to the families effected by these tragedies.

As most of you know by now Japan had a 8.9 earth quake. Following the earth quake was a huge Tsunami. Many people have lost their lives due to those disasters, but Japan is not out of the water yet. Fukushima and Onagawa are two nuclear power plants which are leaking radiation. However it is unclear at how bad the leakage is. People near these power plants have been evacuated and thus far 15 people have been effected by radiation. France authorities has told their citizens to get out of Tokyo due to radiation fears. Seawater is being used at both facilities to cool down the reactors to prevent a full meltdown.

If you would like to help Japan please visit the red cross site and donate what you can here:The Red Cross

To get updated on the Nuclear Reactors go here: Fukushima Power Plant

My biggest fear that I have is if both plants have a total meltdown. Not only will many citizens of Japan lose their lives; but other countries will be effected. If Radiation gets into the atmosphere it can travel to different parts of the world. Due to the current air flow if radiation got into the air the radiation would take 36 hours to reach the west coast of the United States. I hope that Japan is able to get both plants under control so no one else has to suffer; Japan has been through enough already.
It seems Fukushima has gotten much worse. The UK has asked all its citizens to leave Tokyo. *Update 3/16/2011*All reactors at Fukushima are having issues are starting to melt down. Reactor #4 is the most recent problem. 50 workers have decided to stay and help stop the reactors from melting down. According to the U.S Fukushima was listed as a level 4 emergency, but now they raised the bar to level 6. The gov is stating that if all reactors go it will be a level 7 emergency even with Chernobyl.
To be updated on current events about Fukushima and Japan go here: http://live.reuters.com/Event/Japan_earthquake2

USPS Losing Offices, Losing Jobs!

08/21/2011. (Updates will appear at the bottom of this post)

United States Postal Service Losing Offices, Losing Jobs. 

Many USPS offices have been shutting down due to financial issues costing many employees to lose their job. One issue the USPS faces is their Civil Service Retirement System. Each year the USPS is required to fund their CSRS.The CSRS is a fund which holds future retiree money. For every future employee the USPS puts money for that employee into the CSRS. The USPS is basically assuming every future employee they have will retire with them. The USPS is the only business that is required to do this. Every year the USPS has paid 5.5 billion into the CSRS. According to Office of Inspector General (OIG), the USPS overpaid 75Billion into the CSRS. As of right now the government is not required to pay back any of the over payment, even though currently offices and jobs have been lost due to the USPS's financial issues.Unlike Fedex the USPS does not receive tax subsidies.

To get a better grasp on USPS financial issue visit USPS Office of Inspector General

Help Save Jobs and USPS!

If the USPS was allowed to halt paying 5.5billion a year this would allow some offices and some jobs to be saved. Please contact your local Representatives and ask them to allow USPS to put a moratorium on paying into the CSRS. 

Also visit Save The Post Office. This site has a petition to sign and also posts updated info on closed offices and news on the post office issue.

Currently the USPS has a contract which prevents some employees from being laid off if they have been employed with USPS for a certain amount of years. According to some workers this contract is at risk from being broke.

In my opinion the post office is as stretched thin as it can get. I can't see how they can lay off any more people. Most post offices I have been into only have one or two employees working the desk. Unless a moratorium is put on the CSRS then the USPS is going to be almost nonexistent. 

*Update 09/30/2011*

*End Update*

*Update 09/19/2011*

APWU will be airing this commercial on a lot of sports channels.

*update 9/12/2011*

It seems the mainstream media is finally bringing awareness to the USPS issue!

No more mail? What would Ben Franklin think?It's a worst-case scenario being painted as Postal Service heads deeper into red-msn

*End Update*

First Amendment Broken via BLM

The BLM denies press access to round ups at a reasonable distance. BLM(bureau of land management)continues to block observations of round ups. This video below goes into more detail about BLM breaking the first amendment.

BLM Blocks Press Access to Wild Horse Round Up from Moving Cloud on Vimeo.

What Are You Eating?

Agriculture is one of the U.S's biggest industry. The FDA and USDA are in charge of making sure the food which is distributed is safe to eat. However there have been through the years increase cases of mad cow disease, E.coli and many companies have been found to be improperly housing cattle, pigs, turkeys and chickens. It should be of no surprise that some companies hide the truth of what they put into the feed, or inject into the animals. It should also be of no surprise that sometimes the FDA and USDA turn a "blind eye" to some practices.

For Example:
Genetically Altered Alfalfa. For those who don't know Alfalfa is a plant that is fed to many animals, but mainly livestock. Alfalfa is a legume hay, which promotes growth and development in animals. When I first learned GE Alfalfa was in the works I automatically knew it was a bad idea. Alfalfa works great on its own, to enhance it would probably cause problems. I wasn't too far off in my thinking. Cattle who have been given GE Alfalfa experienced still births.
Despite that fact and the disapproval from many organic farmers; GE alfalfa was given the ok to go through via the USDA. With GE alfalfa approved companies now have incentive ( its cheap) to use GE Alfalfa. What also is concerning is not enough is really known about the effects of GE Alfalfa. If widely used, over time the effects will become apparent and may have an impact on those who consume meat of the animal which was fed GE Alfalfa. The USDA and FDA should of had more research done before passing this product through. The reality is the USDA and FDA are not focused on safety, they, like the rest of our government, are focused on Money.What I find very interesting is Tom Vilsack's  statement about the GE Alfalfa and why it should pass:  “We want to expand and preserve choice for farmers,” he told reporters. “We think the decision reached today is a reflection of our commitment to choice and trust.”
Common sense says trust the organic farmers not the billion dollar company which wants to just make more money. This passing of GE alfalfa will hurt organic farmers and those who consume organic foods.
Here are a few articles which go into more detail about GE Alfalfa: 
GE Alfalfa  

Genetic Engineering: Scientists warn of link between dangerous new pathogen and Monsanto’s Roundup 

USDA deregulates GE alfalfa; opens door to new era of widespread genetic pollution of crops 

USDA Announces Decision to Fully Deregulate Roundup Ready Alfalfa

What an animal is fed and how the animal is treated has a great impact on the development of the animal and on the consumer. When buying meat or dairy products be sure to research the farm or company your buying from. Not only should that company be housing their animals correctly, you as a consumer should be told what feed is given to the animal. Another example of wanting to know what is in the feed would be the recent Arsenic issue. Arsenic has been added to chicken feed for some time. However recent study has shown arsenic in feed does effect the animals meat. Those who consume arsenic can get cancer and other illnesses. According to the FDA not all chickens are given feed with arsenic in it. Meaning some farmers chose to properly feed their animals. The company responsible for the added arsenic in the feed is Pfizer. Added hormones are also another issue when it comes to animal feed. 

Here's more on this issue:

FDA says chicken can contain small amounts of arsenic

FDA finally admits chicken meat contains cancer-causing arsenic (but keep eating it, yo!)

Growth Hormones Fed to Beef Cattle Damage Human Health

EU Scientists Confirm Health Risks of Growth Hormones in Meat

Below I am going to post some videos about the issues I mentioned. I am sharing this to make others aware of what you buy. I am not trying to stop anyone from eating meat, or change their lifestyle. My Goal is to bring awareness to others about the issues we face in the Ag business and to promote humane and natural farming.

You and Your Milk

 

 Here are some interesting articles:

Beef...from Farm to Table 

U.S. Congress Turns Up The Heat On Genetically Engineered Salmon

 Lawsuit To Halt GE Crops On Southeastern Refuges: Genetically Engineered Crops on 25 Refuges in 8 States Are Illegal

FDA temporarily suspends use of some arsenic in animal feeds

Pennsylvania to change Presidential Voting?

 Governor Tom Corbett isn't done destroying the state of Pennsylvania just yet.

Gov Corbett has allowed Fracking companies to drill on PA land with out facing taxes, he even suggested they drill on college campuses; and has tried to implement legislation so these companies can drill in state parks. If that doesn't bother you then check out Gov Corbett's Budget Deal. Over 900million was cut from education, many teachers/education staff have been laid off due to this. It has gotten so bad, one school had sheep come in to cut grass rather then hiring maintenance to cut it.
 Not only does Gov Corbett support the Voter ID bill, he now wants to change the way Pennsylvania Votes. The new change would mean less electoral votes for PA. This also means the popular vote won't be the winning vote, this new change will be taking away the "winner takes all."  For example in Pa Obama had 21 electoral votes. If this new change was in affect then, Obama would only receive 11 out of the 21.

I personally feel all votes should be counted for and if the majority votes for one person that person should win.

*Update 9/16/2011*

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

*end update*

Sources:
Pennsylvania's state GOP lawmakers seek change in Electoral College voting
Pennsylvania GOP proposes change to electoral vote distribution
Gov. Corbett’s Plan to Disenfranchise PA Voters Gains Attention
GOP Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett Proposes Rigging The Electoral College For Republicans
Gov. Corbett’s Education Cuts Force Pennsylvania School District To Use Sheep To Cut Grass
Tom Corbett Tells Colleges To Drill For Oil
Corbett “Proposes” Fracking On State University Campuses

Homeless U.S.A

 With the unemployment rate rising I am sure we will hear more stories about increased numbers of homeless. Due to the rise in living cost there are also people who have jobs who are homeless. I decided to share some videos I found interesting about the homeless. If you know of any documentaries which you would like to see on this blog about homeless please message me the link. Videos below:

 

*Update 9/15/2011*





The jobless in New Jersey find refuge in Tent City-This article is by Cnn and goes into more detail about the NJ Tent city.

My comment I made when I first posted about Homeless USA still holds strong and is being proven everyday. I also believe unless we gain leaders and more people who care about other people and not war, greed, selfishness; we will always face a deficit, there will always be homeless, jobless and children living in poverty. So much money is spent on entertainment, bailing out banks, wars etc. In order for real change America and its people need to change the way they think. Life isn't about who has the biggest house, the fastest car. Life is about enjoying what you have, and what is around you. As a nation we were meant to be something greater; a lead for other nations to follow. Everyday with the rise of homeless, and jobless, we continue to be the nation that falls behind. America is no longer the great nation it used to be. America can be a great nation, but in order for that to happen people must start caring about others, not just about themselves.
*End Update*


*Update 9/13/2011*
Record 46.2 million Americans live in poverty, Census Bureau says-LATimesBlog


This should be of no surprise, in August we had a job growth of 0. Minimum wage is 7.25 an hour. If you are fortunate to work 40hrs at that pay you get a balance of 295, this doesn't include all the taxes you have to pay or any other expense. A supposed good paying job pays from 10-15 dollars an hour. Even if you made 15 an hr and worked 40 hrs that would be 600 dollars, not including all the taxes to be taken out or other expenses. Truth is minimum wage should start at 15 dollars an hour. To own a car, have health insurance, an apartment, feed yourself etc you have to make about 25- 30K a year.  Anyone making under 25K has to make considerable sacrifices, anyone making less then 20K a year is in poverty. Most jobs that are currently hiring which doesn't ask for a special license/training is minimum wage. College expenses have been out of reach for many and even minimum wage isn't enough to keep a student in college on their own.

*Update 9/01/2011*

"Low-wage workers have been particularly hard hit by wage trends. More than four decades ago in 1967, a year-round worker earning the minimum wage was paid enough to raise a family of three above the poverty line (Solar, 1995). From 1981-1990, however, the minimum wage was frozen at $3.35 an hour, while the cost of living increased 48% over the same period. Congress raised the minimum wage to $5.15 per hour in 1996, and it has not been raised until 2007. In 2007, President Bush signed into law a plan that would increase the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, over two years.  This increase has not kept up with the ground lost to inflation in the last 20 years; thus, the real value of the minimum wage today is 26% less than in 1979 (The Economic Policy Institute, 2005), worth only $4.42 in real dollars (AFL-CIO, 2005). In today’s current market, a full-time minimum wage worker working 40 hours a week and 52 weeks per year would earn $13,624. This puts him nearly 25% below the $18,310 (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2009) poverty level for a family of three. This worker falls below the poverty line even after factoring in the earned income tax credit, which was created to bring low-wage workers up to the poverty line (The Economic Policy Institute, 2007). The Economic Policy Institute estimates that by 2009, the minimum wage increase will raise full-time minimum wage workers above the poverty line for a family of two for the first time in more than ten years (The Economic Policy Institute, 2007). Even after the next wage increase to $7.25, a family of three will remain about $3,000 below the poverty line, and a family of four will be more than $6,000 below it [U.S. Health and Human Services]. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of minimum-wage workers are not teenagers: approximately 79% of minimum age workers are 20 or older (The Economic Policy Institute, 2008)."-National Coalition For the Homeless

I have noticed that most jobs not just retail, but even accounting jobs, computer jobs etc, are cutting hours and not hiring full time workers. Most jobs are seeking part time employees. If the only jobs available are part time and the pay wage stays what it is now, then with out a doubt by 2012 the homeless population will skyrocket. This also means the amount of children living in poverty will also increase.


How you can help!

Feeding America is one organization which not only brings awareness to those who are starving in the U.S but it is a great org to volunteer or donate to.

The Salvation Army is a great organization to donate clothes, food, necessities to. Some locations have a store you can buy from, the money from that store goes to people who are in need.

HSD- Homeless Shelter Directory helps you locate a soup kitchen and shelter near you. You can also donate and volunteer at shelters.

Super Congress Should Be Super illegal!

Super Congress Should Be Super illegal!

In my opinion the so called "super committee/congress" should be illegal. Besides this gang of 12 "super committee" being unconstitutional; the real purpose of the super congress is so the 12 people apart /of the committee are the scape goats. I guarantee after the 12 "super committee" members make their decision on the final debt plan and something goes wrong due to that plan all representatives will be pointing their fingers at this super congress. They will most likely say "Well the super committee said we should do it that way, it was their job to tell us how to handle the debt crises."

I also believe both Democrats and Republicans want the same plan. Neither of them really wants to raise taxes and all of them want to make spending cuts. If anyone should be in charge of picking members of the Supper congress, it should be the American People. We should be the ones voting on who is apart of the committee since it is the committee who will be deciding on how to handle our debt crisis.

Below I will be updating and I will be adding videos and articles on this so called "super congress."

*Update 9/12/2011*
Senator Jon Kyl is threatening to leave the "super committee" over cuts. Here's an article about it by Business Insider: It's Falling Apart :Senator Already Threatening To Quit The Super Committee

*End Update*

 *Update 9/01/2011*

Super Committee Gets Ready for Its First Hearing.-Atlantic

 GOP tax expert to help run debt-reduction ‘super committee’. -The Washington Post

*End Update*

*Update8/19/2011 *
Fred Upton who is apart of the "Super Committee" Gets called out during a town hall meeting! Video below:

*End Update*



*Update 8/12/2011*

*end update*

 Reid names Sens. Murray, Baucus and Kerry to new debt committee-Click Here For Full Story.
  
"In a move that could deadlock the 12-member panel over taxes, but perhaps set the stage for changes later, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell named Tea Party ally Patrick Toomey to the panel with Jon Kyl and Rob Portman. "-Click Here For Full Story.

Is A Four Year Limit Too Short For Welfare in Michigan?

Governor Snyder of Michigan signed into law a four year welfare limit for his state. According to the Current Population Survey since July 2011 the unemployment rate for Mich. is 10.1%.  Many people rely on Welfare. Arguably there are people who do take advantage of the system. However looking at the current unemployment rate and status of the state this four year limit will only hurt Michigan.

By October 2011 in Michigan, 41,000 will be dropped off of welfare; 29,700 of them will be children. Those who will be dropped off of welfare will probably add to the lines at the soup kitchens or homeless shelters. Welfare is just like unemployment it is designed to help people who are currently struggling and looking for jobs,who need help due to disabilities,or for those who have children and are struggling. Welfare is designed to prevent poverty, to prevent added people on the streets. Welfare is not a lot of money and there are people who are currently on welfare who are homeless.

According to this bill disabled and those who care for children will be exempt from the four year limit. Which sounds great, but what about struggling teens or adults? In four years these people will be dropped off and I am sure we will see an increase in homelessness and crimes.

This is not a smart move. I would agree to this new law if job growth in America was high. The promise of jobs are very low right now. This bill would save the state of Michigan 64million, but I wonder how many lives of adults and children will be crushed due to this move.


Sources:
Department Of Numbers
Current Population Survey
APNews

9/11 First Responders Denied Care?

September 11

I am posting this today because I want every American to do what is right. No civilian, police officer, fire fighter, military personnel should be denied government health treatment for any illness!! I'm not requiring anyone to read this full article, but if you do anything please scroll down to the bottom and demand all First Responders get full Cancer or any other health illness covered by government. There have been first responders who have been denied treatment due to no proof they got the illness because of September 11th.

9/11 First Responders Denied Memorial?

This year it was announced by New York's Mayor Bloomberg the 9/11 first responders will not be attending the World Trade Center Memorial. The reason was blamed on the lack of room. This is a farce. If family members knew in advanced about this issue, I am sure some of them would step aside and give their seat to the many men and women who went to rescue the victims of 9/11. I truly believe the first responders were denied access to the memorial for many reasons. The main reason is the first responders health care bill. The Mayor and other politicians don't want the first responders showing up and telling the truth about how our government refuses to treat first responders; being officers, firefighters, priests and citizens of their health issues. First responders should always be allowed to attend any 9/11 ceremony.

To contact Mayor Bloomberg and express your disapproval of his decision Click Here!

CNN has an awesome article that also suggests the first responders  health care bill is the reason for the denied invitations- First responders decry exclusion from 9/11 ceremony.

9/11 First Responders Denied Care?

Ten years after 9/11/01, the first responders health care bill passed. Story here. Many first responders were suffering from a lot of health issues, like cancer. One of the reasons this bill passed was partly because Jon Stewart aired this video: Jon Stewart Interviews 9/11 Responders. Jon Stewart was able to bring awareness to the public about the men and women who have been ignored by our government. In the John Stewart interview with first responders, many first responders claim their insurance doesn't cover their treatments. Some have even been denied coverage for their illnesses.   

The First Responders Health Bill does not cover those with cancer.This means you will not get cancer treatment via the government if you were a first responder on 9/11. According to Dr. John Howard, who heads the U.S. Government's World Trade Center Heath Program, said Tuesday in a review, "Insufficient evidence exists at this time to propose a rule to add cancer, or a certain type of cancer, to the list of WTC-related health conditions." More on that story here.

Cnn Just released a report about the first responders and how they have created a cancer club, video below:

Should it matter if the 9/11 Victims or first responders got cancer from 9/11 in order to be treated?

Common sense says of course not! These individuals should be treated regardless if they developed the symptoms from 9/11 or not. The fact they were even there is enough to grant them full treatment. Not one American should be pissed off because their tax dollars is actually going to care for someone who put their life on the line, or who went through such a traumatic event. I find it appalling it took the U.S government nine years to create and pass such a bill. This year we sent 750Mil to fight/help Libya without a flinch. Our gov couldn't send aid to help the people of 9/11 with out going through a fiasco?  I don't want my tax dollars used ( which it is) to kill people. I would rather it go to saving American lives. Our government and some doctors apparently have lost compassion for human life.

Want 9/11 victims treated regardless of what symptoms they have?

Contact your Representatives and let them know you want your Tax Dollars to Help the Victims/First Responders of 9/11 no matter what the cost. We spend so much tax money on war and on killing people, when we should be spending that money on helping our own citizens.

To call the White House: 202-456-1111
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

Contact President Obama via e-mail- http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
Contact You Local Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Contact You Local Congressmen- https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml


Here is TYT's take on this issue:

To Film A Government Official Is Legal!

It is not illegal to take photos or film in public. The only time it is illegal to take photos or film is when you are on private property or in a private building. This year has been a big year for arrests and fines for filming an officer. Thanks to a man named Simon it has been made clear that the first Amendment will be upheld in Court. Simon was arrested for filming police officers and went to court over this arrest. He won his case.  Here is an exert-
"The filming of government officials engaged in their duties in a public place, including police officers performing their responsibilities, fits comfortably within these principles [of protected First Amendment activity]. Gathering information about government officials in a form that can readily be disseminated to others serves a cardinal First Amendment interest in protecting and promoting the free discussion of governmental affairs."Attorneys for the city argued that police should have been immune from a civil rights lawsuits in this case because, they asserted, the law is unclear as to whether there is a "constitutionally protected right to videotape police carrying out their duties in public"."Making the law crystal clear, the Court responded: "Basic First Amendment principles, along with case law from this and other circuits, answer that question unambiguously in the affirmative."The Court further stated that such protections should have been clear to the police all along, noting that the right to videotape police carrying out their duties in a public forum is "fundamental and virtually self-evident", particularly on the Boston Common--the "apotheosis of a public forum."The Court also made it clear that the right to videotape public officials isn't limited to the press. Rather, the Court noted, "the public's right of access to information is coextensive with that of the press."-Victory for liberty and the right to videotape public officials

If you find yourself in a situation where police demand that you be arrested or fined for filming them, act calmly. Co-operate with police, remind them you have the first amendment right to do so. After everything is said and done take the officers to court. Make sure you get a copy of the fine and paperwork if you have been arrested.

When police arrest or fine citizens for filming they are breaking the law and your rights! Do not be afraid to use your rights, you will be protected via the court system and of course the First Amendment.

Keystone XL Pipeline*Update!*

The Keystone XL Pipeline.

*Update 90/07/2011*

CREDO's CEO, staff and activists arrested at White House protesting Keystone XL pipeline.-Click Here For Story

*End Update*


*Update 9/03/2011*

Hundreds arrested protesting oil pipeline-Click Here For Full Story!

 

522 people have been arrested thus far: 

NASA Scientist, Religious Leaders Arrested in Tar Sands Protest-More news about the arrest of James Hansen 

*End Update*

*Update 8/30/2011*
 The head of NASA's Goddard Institute of Space Studies and Climate Scientist James Hanson was arrested during the Keystone XL pipeline protest on Monday. There have been over 140 people arrested thus far during the Keystone's Protest.  Here's my opinion, I thought protesting was legal in America, in fact according to our constitution we have a right to gather in numbers. Please scroll to the bottom of this page and take action against the KeystoneXL Pipeline.

Hansen—who has been arrested a couple of times before for protesting the harvesting of fossil fuels—regularly criticizes the Keystone XL pipeline as the "fuse to the biggest carbon bomb on the planet." The Obama administration is expected to issue a decision on the international project by the end of the year.-Click Here For Full Story!


Actress Daryl Hannah has been arrested in front of the White House along with other environmental protesters who oppose a planned oil pipeline from Canada to the U.S. Gulf Coast.-Click Here For Full Story!


I want to add there are arguments which state that if this Pipeline is put into place, gas prices will be lowered. I can promise you we will only continue to see rises in gas prices even if we have more access to oil/gas. The amount of oil/gas a company has does very little to change price. Gas prices are done by speculation, and these companies use any excuse to raise prices. As I have said before, this is a sign we as a species needs start weening ourselves off of oil.  Also people are forgetting about the Ruby Pipeline. This pipeline has been in the works for a while and we have yet to hear any real good news on the project. In fact the Ruby project has caused environmental damage and has caused job losses. 


*End Update*


*Update 8/06/2011*
New Petition: Tell Pres. Obama: Stop Keystone XL Pipeline.
*End Update*

*Update 7/30/2011*
The House Of Representatives are really trying to get the Keystone XL project going as fast as possible, regardless of environmental damages it may cause.
"Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said the proposed Keystone XL pipeline would create thousands of jobs and help cut nearly $4-a-gallon prices at the gas pump. If the United States does not act soon, the oil is likely to go to China or other countries, Upton said.
"Are we going to stand by and watch China receive imports from our ally while we are forced to rely on imports from unstable countries? I sure hope not," Upton said.
Environmental groups say the pipeline would bring "dirty oil" that requires huge amounts of energy to extract and could cause an ecological disaster in case of a spill."Full Story Here!

The China quote scares me. Honestly it does. Are we really inserting so many pipelines due to China? We already have The Ruby Pipeline being built, which has had an effect on wildlife especially wild horses. I honestly would take this opportunity to start looking for alternative energy. We need to wean ourselves off of oil. I'm not saying 100% away from oil, but we should try our best to go 50% off oil. Then the oil we already have will go so much further. Oil is a non-renewable resource, once it's gone that's it, it's gone. Also taking oil from the land does effect the planet. We are going to see a lot more environmental issues if we "drill baby drill." Also why in 2011 are we still having issues over oil. Oil is a resource that, as I understand, everyone in the world relies on right now. We really are not advanced enough to work together as nations and figure out a better solution on handling oil?

I also every time I think of oil and the industry I always think of Dune. " He who controls the spice, controls the universe."  Oil I guess is the spice and I believe this is how our government views it.

*End Update*

7/08/2011
 What is the Keystone XL Pipeline?

According to Transcanada-"The U.S. $13 billion Keystone pipeline system will play an important role in linking a secure and growing supply of Canadian crude oil with the largest refining markets in the United States, significantly improving North American security supply.
In June 2010 TransCanada commenced commercial operation of the first phase of the Keystone Pipeline System. Keystone's first phase was highlighted by the conversion of natural gas pipeline to crude oil pipeline and construction of an innovative bullet line that brings the crude oil non-stop from Canada to market hubs in the U.S. Midwest.
Keystone Cushing (Phase II), an extension of the Keystone Pipeline from Steele City, Nebraska to Cushing, Oklahoma went into service in February 2011. The 36-inch pipeline connects to storage and distribution facilities at Cushing, a major crude oil marketing/refining and pipeline hub.
The proposed Keystone Gulf Coast Expansion Project is an approximate 2,673-kilometre (1,661-mile), 36-inch crude oil pipeline that would begin at Hardisty, Alberta and extend southeast through Saskatchewan, Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. It would incorporate a portion of the Keystone Pipeline (Phase II) through Nebraska and Kansas to serve markets at Cushing, Oklahoma before continuing through Oklahoma to a delivery point near existing terminals in Nederland, Texas to serve the Port Arthur, Texas marketplace."

Will this pipeline effect wildlife?


According to the National Wildlife Federation-  "Keystone XL will cross through America’s agricultural heartland, the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, the Ogallala aquifer, sage grouse habitat, walleye fisheries and more.  If built, our public water supplies, crop lands, wildlife habitats and recreational opportunities will all be at risk of dangerous tar sands oil leaks."


 The Gazet just released this article today about the Keystone Pipeline- Montana still keen on Keystone pipeline despite recent spill- Click Here For Article

Another interesting article posted by The Energy Collective group goes into a bit more detail on how the Keystone Pipeline effects America- The Viability of Keystone XL: Of Politics, Profits and Pipelines- Click Here For Full Article!




 On Feb 15th US rep. Steve Cohn talks about the Dangers of this Pipeline.

 How can I as an individual take action against the pipeline?


To send a letter pre-written to President Obama from the Wild Life Federation Fund Click Here!

To send a pre-written letter to Pres. Obama from Friends of Earth U.S  Click Here!

Comet Elenin

There has been increasing talk and fear mongering from many about Comet Elenin.  According to NASA the comet will have 0 effect on this planet. Below I am going to share an article done by NASA which will give a better understanding of this Comet.

NASA Answers Your Questions About Comet Elenin

08.03.11

 

Trajectory of comet Elenin. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech Often, comets are portrayed as harbingers of gloom and doom in movies and on television, but most pose no threat to Earth. Comet Elenin, the latest comet to visit our inner solar system, is no exception. Elenin will pass about 22 million miles (35 million kilometers) from Earth during its closest approach on Oct. 16, 2011.

Also known by its astronomical name C/2010 X1, the comet was first detected on Dec. 10, 2010 by Leonid Elenin, an observer in Lyubertsy, Russia, who made the discovery "remotely" using an observatory in New Mexico. At that time, Elenin was about 401 million miles (647 million kilometers) from Earth. Since its discovery, Comet Elenin has – as all comets do – closed the distance to Earth's vicinity as it makes its way closer to perihelion, its closest point to the sun.

NASA scientists have taken time over the last several months to answer your questions. Compiled below are the some of the most popular questions with answers from Don Yeomans of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., and David Morrison of the NASA Astrobiology Institute at the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif.

Most Popular Questions About Comet Elenin

When will Comet Elenin come closest to the Earth and appear the brightest?
Comet Elenin should be at its brightest shortly before the time of its closest approach to Earth on Oct. 16, 2011. At its closest point, it will be 22 million miles (35 million kilometers) from us.

Will Comet Elenin come close to the Earth or between the Earth and the moon?
Comet Elenin will not come closer to Earth than 22 million miles (35 million kilometers). That's more than 90 times the distance to the moon.

Can this comet influence us from where it is, or where it will be in the future? Can this celestial object cause shifting of the tides or even tectonic plates here on Earth?
There have been incorrect speculations on the Internet that alignments of comet Elenin with other celestial bodies could cause consequences for Earth and external forces could cause comet Elenin to come closer. "Any approximate alignments of comet Elenin with other celestial bodies are meaningless, and the comet will not encounter any dark bodies that could perturb its orbit, nor will it influence us in any way here on Earth," said Don Yeomans, a scientist at NASA JPL.

"Comet Elenin will not only be far away, it is also on the small side for comets," said Yeomans. "And comets are not the most densely-packed objects out there. They usually have the density of something akin to loosely packed icy dirt.

"So you've got a modest-sized icy dirtball that is getting no closer than 35 million kilometers (about 22 million miles)" said Yeomans. "It will have an immeasurably minuscule influence on our planet. By comparison, my subcompact automobile exerts a greater influence on the ocean's tides than comet Elenin ever will."

I've heard about three days of darkness because of Comet Elenin. Will Elenin block out the sun for three days?
“As seen from the Earth, comet Elenin will not cross the sun’s face,” says Yeomans.

But even if it could cross the sun, which it can’t, astrobiologist David Morrison notes that comet Elenin is about 2-3 miles (3-5 km) wide, while the sun is roughly 865,000 miles (1,392,082 km) across.

How could such a small object block the sun which is such a large object?
Let's think about an eclipse of the sun, which happens when the moon appears between the Earth and the sun. The moon is about 2,500 miles (4,000 km) in diameter, and has the same apparent size as the sun when it is about 250,000 miles (400,000 km) away -- roughly 100 times its own diameter. For a comet with a diameter of about 2-3 miles (3-5 km) to cover the sun it would have to be within 250 miles (400 km), roughly the orbital altitude of the International Space Station. However, as stated above, this comet will come no closer to Earth than 22 million miles.

I've heard there is a "brown dwarf" theory about Comet Elenin. Would its mass be enough to pull Comet Honda's trajectory a significant amount? Could this be used to determine the mass of Elenin?
Morrison says that there is no 'brown dwarf theory' of this comet. "A comet is nothing like a brown dwarf. You are correct that the way astronomers measure the mass of one object is by its gravitational effect on another, but comets are far too small to have a measurable influence on anything."

If we had a black or brown dwarf in our outer solar system, I guess no one could see it, right?
"No, that’s not correct," says Morrison. "If we had a brown dwarf star in the outer solar system, we could see it, detect its infrared energy and measure its perturbing effect on other objects. There is no brown dwarf in the solar system, otherwise we would have detected it. And there is no such thing as a black dwarf."

Will Comet Elenin be visible to the naked eye when it's closer to us? I missed Hale-Bopp's passing, so I want to know if we'll actually be able to see something in the sky when Elenin passes.
We don't know yet if Comet Elenin will be visible to the naked eye. Morrison says, "At the rate it is going, seeing the comet at its best in early October will require binoculars and a very dark sky. Unfortunately, Elenin is no substitute for seeing comet Hale-Bopp, which was the brightest comet of the past several decades."

"This comet may not put on a great show. Just as certainly, it will not cause any disruptions here on Earth. But, there is a cause to marvel," said Yeomans. "This intrepid little traveler will offer astronomers a chance to study a relatively young comet that came here from well beyond our solar system's planetary region. After a short while, it will be headed back out again, and we will not see or hear from Elenin for thousands of years. That's pretty cool."

This comet has been called 'wimpy' by NASA scientists. Why?
"We're talking about how a comet looks as it safely flies past us," said Yeomans of NASA's Near-Earth Object Program Office. "Some cometary visitors arriving from beyond the planetary region – like Hale-Bopp in 1997 -- have really lit up the night sky where you can see them easily with the naked eye as they safely transit the inner-solar system. But Elenin is trending toward the other end of the spectrum. You'll probably need a good pair of binoculars, clear skies and a dark, secluded location to see it even on its brightest night."

Why aren't you talking more about Comet Elenin? If these things are small and nothing to worry about, why has there been no public info on Comet Elenin?
Comet Elenin hasn't received much press precisely because it is small and faint. Several new comets are discovered each year, and you don't normally hear about them either. The truth is that Elenin has received much more attention than it deserves due to a variety of Internet postings that are untrue. The information NASA has on Elenin is readily available on the Internet. (See http://www.nasa.gov/topics/solarsystem/features/comet20110504.html) If this comet were any danger to anyone, you would certainly know about it. For more information, visit NASA’s AsteroidWatch site at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch/.

I've heard NASA has observed Elenin many times more than other comets. Is this true, and is NASA playing this comet down?
NASA regularly detects, tracks and characterizes asteroids and comets passing relatively close to Earth using both ground- and space-based telescopes. The Near-Earth Object Observations Program, commonly called "Spaceguard," discovers these objects, characterizes a subset of them and predicts their paths to determine if any could be potentially hazardous to our planet. For more information, visit the NASA-JPL Near Earth Objects site at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroidwatch/ and the Near Earth Objects site at http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/.

However, neither NASA nor JPL is in the business of actively observing Elenin or any other comet. Most of the posted observations are made by amateur astronomers around the world. Since Elenin has had so much publicity, it naturally has attracted more observers.

I was looking at the orbital diagram of Comet Elenin on the JPL website, and I was wondering why the orbit shows some angles when zooming? If you pick any other comet, you can see that there are no angles or bends.
Many people are trying to plot the orbit of the comet with the routine on the JPL website, without realizing that this is just a simple visualization tool. While the tool has been recently improved to show smoother trajectories near the sun, it is not a scientific program to generate an accurate orbit. Yeomans explains that the orbit plotter on the Near-Earth Object website is not meant to accurately depict the true motion of objects over long time intervals, nor is it accurate during close planetary encounters. For more accurate long-term plotting, Yeomans suggests using the JPL Horizons system instead: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi?find_body=1&body_group=sb&sstr=C/2010%20X1.

 

Bottle Houses!

Bottle Houses!

There are a lot of glass bottle and plastic bottle houses around the world. Although I am only going to share a few, please don't stop looking for these types of houses for more of them are sprouting up across america and various places around the world!

Tito Ingenieri spent 19 years of his life building an amazing bottle house. The house consists of six million glass bottles. You can visit Tito's web site here!The video below is of Tito and his eco-friendly house.

If you think Tito's house is awe inspiring why not also check out Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey bottle village! To learn more about Tressa go here! Below is a video about the village and Grandma Prisbrey:

In the Sisaket province, Thai Buddhist made a glass bottle temple! They used over a million bottles! The video below shows amazing photos of this Temple:

Prince Island in Canada also has their own bottle village and gardens! Click Here to visit PEI's bottle house web page and plan a trip! This video shows what the village looks like:

If you donate your plastic bottle to Syracuse Habitat For Humanity  which is located in NY. "Your returned bottle deposits can build houses -- if you donate them to Syracuse Habitat for Humanity" 

There are many organization and recycle centers in your area. Visit Earth911.com to find a recycling center near you! You can ask your recycling center if any organizations benefit from your donations.