Month: November 2013

IS POPE FRANCIS A COMMUNIST?

OR A HUMANIST?

Johann Wagener 11-29-13

 

That question might be left to the historians to answer.

 

What is certain is that Francis is not intimidated by the Ayn Rand fans, nor is he gullible or naive enought to buy into the Reaganomics “trickle down con.”

 

This Pope is “in your face” and calling out the 1% on the hypocrisy and greed they are contaminated with.

 

His recent comments on capitalism suggest that he is a man who understands something about economics — specifically the link between unbridled capitalism and inequality. In an 84-page document released Tuesday, Pope Francis launched a tirade against a brutally unjust economic system — a tirade that Marx himself would have cheered:

“Just as the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill’ sets a clear limit in order to safeguard the value of human life, today we also have to say ‘thou shalt not’ to an economy of exclusion and inequality. Such an economy kills….As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved by rejecting the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation and by attacking the structural causes of inequality, no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems.”

Is the Pope Getting the Catholics Ready for an Economic Revolution? (Maybe He Read Marx)

 

 

 

AMERICANS CELEBRATE SHOP-I-DAYS

BYE BYE THANKSGIVING

Johann Wagener 11-29-13

 

We should have seen this coming years ago. “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?”

 

Retailers have successfully transformed Thanksgiving into “Grey Thursday” followed by “Black Friday.”

 

The 24/7 media has fallen into line and devote almost every hour reporting on “sales” and more “sales” and the millions of shoppers spending millions of dollars, none of which is even remotely related to the holiday we used to celebrate. 

 

 

 


“This year, no turkey, no dinner,” one shopper said.

“I’m working on Black Friday so I decided to come early and get the shopping over and done with,” said shopper Michelle Sylvester.

 

MALL MAULS: ATTENTION HOLIDAY SHOPPERS!

STAND YOUR GROUND!

Johann Wagener 11-29-13

 

 

Spending your holidays being mauled in malls is not what the retailers want anyone to see.

 

The ads and marketing omit disclaimers warning shoppers “you may be in danger when shopping during grey and black Thur-Fri. For your own protection we recommend Kevlar vests and tasers.”

 

The shopping frenzy surrounding Black Friday has already led to a number of violent incidents across the country.

Starting as early as Thursday night, shootings and stabbings have been reported at retailers in several states. Among the most violent episodes happened yesterday at a Kohl’s in Romeovile, Ill., when an alleged shoplifter dragged a police officer from his car before being shot in the arm by other law enforcement officers present at the scene, The Chicago Tribune reports.

A shooting was also reported Thursday night in Las Vegas. Two assailants reportedly attempted to steal a TV from a man who had recently purchased it. After arguing, theman was shot in the leg before the attacker sped off in his car, leaving the TV behind, CBS News 8 reports. In an email sent to The Huffington Post, Kohl’s said it was “cooperating with the authorities leading the investigation” into the incident.

A police officer in Rialto, Calif., was also injured Thursday night when a fight broke out at a local Walmart.

In Virginia, a man was allegedly slashed with a knife during an altercation with another shopper over a parking space at a Walmart.


A stabbing was reported early Friday morning in Carlsbad, Calif. The victim in that case was stabbed in the stomach at the entrance of a mall, according to NBC San Diego.

Multiple instances of milder forms of violence, such as pushing and shoving over merchandise, have also been reported. Videos showing the frenzy over the deals have been shared on social media and various websites:

 

DEAR MR. BLANKFEIN; GOD IS CALLING!

DID YOU KNOW?

Johann Wagener 11-29-13

 

 

Did you know that one in five of the nation’s children is living below the poverty line? One in 45 is homeless. 

What are their lives really like? Our 2012 film Poor Kids gave some of these children a voice and a chance to speak for themselves.

 

If I understood you correctly when you said “I am doing God’s work” Still ‘God’s work’? Blankfein defends Goldman when making comments like this:

Blankfein defended the payment of bonuses to employees at Goldman Sachs by arguing that it was necessary to “keep the firm together.”

(Read more: Goldman CEO on risk: Worst ‘absolutely will happen’

“If we hadn’t paid our people we wouldn’t have had a stable population at the firm,” he said. “I work at the company. I don’t own it. I’m not entitled to blow it up” by not paying bonuses.

“I would say to Occupy Wall Street, that business has helped lift more people out of poverty than philanthropy,” Blankfein said in a Wednesday afternoon panel at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting.

Philanthropy can “fill the gaps” where profit motives don’t suffice to improve the lives of the poor. But it’s role is “supplementary.” The “bulk of it”—raising people out of poverty—is done by business, he said.

“We should educate the public more about how business and its core activities have lifted people out of poverty,” Blankfein said.

In another remark likely to generate controversy, Blankfein praised the U.S. for having “accepted a higher unemployment rate” over the past few years, even as it bailed out the banks. Labor market flexibility—reflected in the ability of U.S. companies to fire workers—is one of the reasons the U.S. is doing so well despite many headwinds in the economy, he said.

“The United States is in a position where the banks are recapitalized and companies are more efficient, not because they kept people on but because they let them go. It was a social decision we made,” Blankfein said.

Blankfein said that although his focus is on Republicans “right now,” some blame must be placed on the Obama administration for its early behavior.

He argued that the Obama administration acted as if it were in a parliamentary system early in its first term, when it controlled both the House and Senate. It didn’t reach out to Republicans enough when passing health care reform, he argued. That set the tone for the GOP’s defiant stance..

If the health care reform known as Obamacare had been passed with “more Republican support and concessions to earn it,” the tone in Washington would be different now, he said.

Since you are the “poster child for the 1%” I can understand why you take the position you do on social issues and follow the Romney lead in discounting 47% or more of the population but, the following comments were particularly disturbing to me; because of the hypocrisy and arrogance they infer.

“I would say to Occupy Wall Street, that business has helped lift more people out of poverty than philanthropy,” Blankfein said in a Wednesday afternoon panel at the Clinton Global Initiative meeting.

Philanthropy can “fill the gaps” where profit motives don’t suffice to improve the lives of the poor. But it’s role is “supplementary.” The “bulk of it”—raising people out of poverty—is done by business, he said.

“We should educate the public more about how business and its core activities have lifted people out of poverty,” Blankfein said.

 

 

 

So Lloyd, here’s a great opportunity for you to “educate the public.” Why not take a day off, jump into your limo and take a drive around “hometown” America and see how much work you are missing out on.

 

Frontline has even provided you with a map just in case you get lost in Greenwich or the Hamptons 

 

In all, 41 states saw a rise in homelessness among school-aged children last year. Fifteen states reported a gain of at least 10 percent while another 10 states reported spikes of 20 percent or more. The map below breaks down the changes:

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
I believe that you and I would agree that this indeed would be doing “God’s work, or are you referring to a different god that I am?

 

I AM TONY ROHR; “JUST SAY NO!”

AN AMERICAN HERO!

Johann Wagener 11-28-13

 

I was not going to post today. It’s a “holiday” and I wanted to take the day off. 

 

That is, until I scrolled on what I call a “David and Goliath” story about a young man who singly took on a giant and lost, and then won, and then?

 

I don’t like comparing this hero to “Joe the Plumber” but the media attention he’s getting is similar. That’s were similarity ends for me. 

 

What impressed me about this person is that he is willing to “walk the talk” act on his convictions and morals, even if it means losing his job.  Firing someone for refusing to open a business on Thanksgiving is a crime against humanity even if there are no laws on the books in this morally decaying nation. 

 

I am hoping that many more Tony Rohr’s will take his lead and take a stand against those who would exploit and oppress people who hold themselves to a higher standard than just making a profit. 

 

Maybe the time has come for American’s (excluding the 1%) rethink their priorities when it comes to values, family, tradition rather than just blindly follow those who have little to no interest in America and whose priorities are nothing more than a bottom line. 

 

Pizza Hut Manager Fired For Refusing To Open On Thanksgiving?

 

 

 

 


A Pizza Hut manager has been fired after refusing to open the restaurant on Thanksgiving Day. According toWSTB, Tony Rohr worked at the pizza chain for 10 years — starting out as a cook before working his way up to being the manager of the Elkhart, Ind., location — before being fired.

As WSTB reports, Rohr says he was told at a meeting with his bosses that opening on Thanksgiving was mandatory this year. “I said, ‘Why can’t we be the company that stands up and says we care about our employees, and they can have the day off?'” Rohr told WSTB. “Thanksgiving and Christmas are the only two days that they’re closed in the whole year, and they’re the only two days that those people are guaranteed to have off and spend it with their families.”

According to WSTB, Rohr’s bosses at Pizza Hut said he could sign a letter of resignation for his refusal to open the restaurant on Thanksgiving. 

“I do not resign,” Rohr wrote in a letter to his boss. “However, I accept that the refusal to comply with this greedy, immoral request means the end of my tenure with this company.” He added, “I hope you realize that it is the people at the bottom of the totem pole that make your life possible.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRASH COLLECTORS CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING

AT HOME

Johann Wagener 11-27-13

 

In a civil society, at least in my town, trash collectors are given  the day off on Thanksgiving and most of other nationally recognized holidays. For most of America’s workforce receiving a paid holiday off, has become a thing of the past; something their parents and grandparents talk about. 

 

I know I’ll be getting flak from the “politically correct” crowd, for referring to “sanitation technicians” as trash collectors. But, let’s be real here. I think the people that do the job and those they serve all know that what they do is pick up American’s trash. Just as the “N” word doesn’t excuse racism, neither does “sanitation” sanitize collecting trash.

 

In my opinion they are “first responders” though I’ve never heard anyone refer to them as such.  These people are out in our streets every day hauling away disease ridden, toxic, and dangerous waste; putting themselves at risk, to keep America clean. How does that compare with firefighters, policeman, and others in the ranks of first responders?

 

Yet the only recognition they get might be a Christmas card from some conscientious person in a neighborhood they clean up. Their employers express their appreciation by giving them holidays, like Thanksgiving off. The only impact that has on me or my neighbors is that we will put out the trash on Friday. 

 

 

 

America’s largest city generates garbage in torrents—11,000 tons from households each day on average. But New Yorkers don’t give it much attention. They leave their trash on the curb or drop it in a litter basket, and promptly forget about it. And why not? On a schedule so regular you could almost set your watch by it, someone always comes to take it away.

But who, exactly, is that someone? And why is he—or she—so unknown?

 

MOTHER NATURE WORKING ON THANKSGIVING

ATTENTION SHOPPERS!

Johann Wagener 11-27-13

 

Looks like it’s going to take an “act of God” for Americans to get the message that Holidays are;

 

noun
1.a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done.
“December 25 and November 28th are official public holidays”

 

 


The massive Winter Storm Boreas, blamed for at least 14 deaths in the Plains and West, is parked over the East Coast and South Wednesday, halting Thanksgiving traffic with snow, ice, heavy rains, and even a tornado. In general its wreaking havoc on travel plans in the air and on the roads on the busiest travel day of the year.

“The timing of the storm couldn’t be worse,” said Chris Vaccaro, spokesman for the National Weather Service headquarters in Silver Spring, Md. “We are seeing numerous threats as the storm is beginning to develop and intensify.”

The definition of a “holiday” could not be any simpler, so why is it so difficult for retailers and shoppers to understand?

 

My guess is that American shoppers have once again been duped by the major retailers who “promise” great bargains that turn out to be a hook to lure them in; knowing that they won’t go home empty handed; bargain or no bargain.

 

 

Big sale. Thirty percent off. Half price. Are they real holiday bargains, or retail trickery?

Many deeply discounted items advertised for Black Friday and throughout the holiday shopping season are merely illusions. The Wall Street Journal reportsthat retailers often purchase items with the intent of offering big discounts from what they say is the regular retail price.

 

 

 

Even on sale, those items yield the profit that had targeted. Basically, the discount has been built in. One survey found that profit margins during the holidays are virtually the same as they are the rest of the year, despite the big bargains being advertised.

 

 

So, to all you shoppers out there, Mother Nature is saying; “Go ahead, make my day” 

 

 

THE NEWTON – AURORA GENERATION

ALL-AMERICAN FAMILY

Johann Wagener 11-25-13

 

Kids, just crossing into adulthood and already completely indoctrinated and desensitized with violence; being born and grwoing up in a culture that glorifies violence.

 

* grand theft auto;  School warns parents of ‘unsuitable’ video game Grand Theft Auto 

 


Rockstar Games’ “Grand Theft Auto V” was the top selling videogame for the second month in a row in October, according to NPD Group, selling nearly 1.1 million units.

The game, which raked in more than $800 million on its first day of release and crossed the $1 billion mark in just three days, represented 15% of revenue generated by all games sold last month.

 

* guns for kids; Here’s How the Rifle That Just Killed a 2-Year-Old Girl Is Marketed for Kids

 

 

The company is equipped with modern, state of the art equipment, and a capability to increase production to meet the growing demand for firearms. KSA continues to grow, producing 60,000 Crickett and Chipmunk rifles in 2008. Currently KSA employs 70 people, and in Sept 2009 completed a 45,000 square foot addition to accommodate existing production and new projects.

At the present time, KSA produces the
Crickett & Chipmunk single shot .22LR/.22MAG caliber rifles,
Crickett and Chipmunk single shot .22LR/.22MAG pistols, as well as
Revolution after-market stocks and after- market 10/22 barrels.


Here’s what our customers have to say about our products:

“I recently purchased one of your Davey Crickett rifles (My First Rifle) from my 7 yr. old daughter and I would like to say that i have nothing but positive things to say about it. To put it simply, she loves it and looks forward to going shooting with me at every opportunity. It is obvious that a good deal of time was spent in the development of this product as it is perfectly designed for kids in regards to length and weight. My daughter is rapidly improving her marksmandship and takes the responsibility of a firearm very seriously. She is also looking forward to going squirrel hunting with me this upcoming season. In closing, I will recommend your product to everyone that might be interested in it. This pink polymer stock was an excellent tought, I might add. P.S. I am going to take the liberty of sending a note to Field & Stream magazine recommending your product, as well.”

* blood sports (football games) In Bullying Case, Questions on N.F.L. Culture

 

 


Role Models: Coaches, parents and older athletes are common role models for children. The examples set by these role models mold children’s ideas about what constitutes acceptable behavior in society. When they witness their heroes engaging in violence in a sports setting, children learn that this is not only acceptable, but also applauded in some cases.

 * More guns than the US population: More Guns in U.S. Homes, More Kids Getting Shot

 

 

The number of children wounded or killed by gunshots has been climbing in recent years and states with high gun-ownership rates also tend to have lots of childhood firearm injuries, a new study shows.

 

 

Report: Newtown shooter obsessed with Columbine


“Some recalled that the shooter had been bullied; but others – including many teachers – saw nothing of the sort.”
 
“Yes, we have read the report, no, we cannot make sense of why it happened. We don’t know if anyone ever will,” Soto wrote. “We don’t know if we will ever be whole again, we don’t know if we will go a day without pain, we don’t know if anything will ever make sense again.”

 
What makes no sense to me is that we persist in looking at these massacres as isolated events rather than connecting the dots. 
 
Why a society, supposedly as advanced as our, insist on denying reality and continue to sacrifice our children in the name of “freedom” is not only tragic, but just plain BSC!

THE DOMINO EFFECT

FAT LEONARD! 

Johann Wagener 11-17-13

 

 

The Pentagon is showered with Billions of Taxpayer dollars; usually by Republicans who pander them, to protect and defend America. Republicans also work very hard to exempt them from any cuts claiming that every penny spent on defense is worth every penny. 

 

The rhetoric is usually laced with “one-liners” that feeds public paranoia (much like the NRA) that someone is “out there somewhere” who is going to attack us. After years of this blubber, nothing has come to fruition other than a bunch of rag-tag Saudi Arabians using our own airlines and box cutters to inflict the largest attack on US soil since Pearl Harbor.

 

Yet the Navy was able to convince Americans that we needed a $2.1 billion dollar aircraft carrier to our standing fleet of 10 which is equivalent to all the carriers in the world including the “red menace” (China)

who just launched their one and only recently which is not even armed.

 

Now we are discovering that our “paranoia” which is fed to us by the “Military Industrial Complex” is serving a much more cynical enemy that China. 

 

I just can’t wait to see where this goes and how FOX & Republicans will spin it, hoping as usual that Americans are dumb enough to buy it.   

 

Two admirals face probe in Navy bribery scheme


Two U.S. admirals — including the director of naval intelligence — are under investigation as part of a major bribery scandal involving a foreign defense contractor, Navy officials announced Friday night.

Vice Adm. Ted “Twig” Branch, the service’s top intelligence officer, and Rear Adm. Bruce F. Loveless, the Navy’s director of intelligence operations, were placed on leave Friday, and their access to classified material was suspended, the Navy said in a statement.

 

 

 

WHAT WOULD JESUS SAY?

HERESY!  (adherence to a religious opinion contrary to church dogma; denial of a revealed truth by a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church)

Johann Wagener 11-26-13

 

 

Imagine that? The leader of billions of followers of Jesus Christ is confronting greed and money worship; much like Moses and Jesus did before him.

Pope Attacks State of Capitalism

 

This might shake up a couple Thanksgiving dinners. Pope Francis has released his first apostolic exhortation, and in it he goes after “a new tyranny” of markets and “idolatry of money.” “How can it be that it is not a news item when an elderly homeless person dies of exposure, but it is news when the stock market loses two points?” he asks.  

 
OUCH!

 

 

Seems that the flock has again strayed preferring the edited version of the Bible; the “prosperity gospel”

bellowed by Rolex wearing preachers at “mega-churches” littering the American landscape


The “prosperity gospel,” an insipid heresy whose popularity among American Christians has boomed in recent years, teaches that God blesses those God favors most with material wealth.

Or falling into lock step formation behind greed preaching moguls who claim to be doing “God’s work.”

 

 

Blankfein was widely criticized for an off-hand, half-joking remark he made years ago describing the role of an investment bank as doing “God’s work.”

 

In 2010, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil fraud suit arguing that the bank built the financial equivalent of a time bomb that was set up to fail and sold it to unwitting investors, referring to the sale of a structured product, known as a collateralized debt obligation (CDO), blamed for contributing to the bursting of U.S. real estate bubble in 2008.

 
God’s work you say?
 
 

“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”