GULF OIL LEAK CATASTROPHIC

Leak Rate 25,000 bpd -- TERROR NOT RULED OUT
Economic Damage in Tens of Billions -- Environmental Catastrophe -- Bigger then Katrina

April 30, 2010, 1330 PDT -- I watched the press conference live. The question came from a Dow Jones reporter. Present on the stage (among others) were Slazar (Interior), Napolitano (DHS), The Chiarman of BP, Gov. Jindal and a Coast Guard Admiral. The Dow Jones reporter confronted the attendees with two scientific studies saying that the leak rate from the sunken oil rig in the gulf was actually 25,000 barrels per day or five times more than BP had been stating as of this morning. Intial reports kept it a a couple hundred barrels per day but the number of barrels -- and the size of the slick -- continue to grow. No one on the dais denied or even modestly refuted the number. They had been totally busted. The Coast Guard Admiral, protecting her service, stepped up and said, "We have been operating since Day One as though this were a worst-case scenario." The BP Chairman took the mic and also did not deny it. He mumbled something about "we're responding as the numbers get bigger."

Terrorism or an act of war has not been ruled out. DHS and Interior have assumed command of the investigation. According to the BP Chairman no one has a clue what caused the explosion.

Then it got really scary. Someone said clearly that the whole world was watching because of what this meant for already-funded offshore exploration under development. The safety measures designed to protect against a blowout have failed completely. How many more billions of research and millions in cost per fix are going to be needed? How many projects delayed or halted?

Worse: The oil slick is now the size of Delaware. It will be Ohio-sized within days. Florida has declared a state of emergency. All commercial fishing in the Gulf is threatened. All widlife is threatened. And when and if the slick gets to NOLA it will have a disatarous impact on energy production and the brave, battered, courageous people who live there. Coastal refineries may have to close... What might happen if the oil ignited? Oil should be at $100 before the end of next week. I suspect between $150 and $200 (maybe higher) this summer.

Worse: Napolitano and Salazar are already talking about huge claim funds. Massive class-actions against BP are starting. Insurance claims may well dwarf Katrina. The economy of the entire Gulf Coast is in jeopardy. From what I heard there is no real plan to stop the leak and no estimation as to when that will happen. (I might have missed that.) What happens when the slick hits Cuba? The rest of the Caribbean?

The current fradulent Wall Street bubble will pop in shorter order than anticipated.

Within about a week, man's greed and reach for energy have found natural and unyielding limits. Two coal mine disasters and an oil slick that will cause as yet unknown catastrophic damage, loss of life and property. And yet there are still those in this movement who think we need to argue with people who believe there's plenty of easy oil about anything.

It would be so poetic if history recorded that this was the event that marked the cliff edge of human industrial civilization. Maybe then someone will get the point. Maybe then we will find our hundredth monkey... And maybe Mother Earth will have poisoned us with the substance we have so greedily raped her -- and killed each other -- for... "You want oil?... I'll give you oil."

MCR

"Threats of Civil War" - Greece

From Jenna Orkin


Headlines
N. Korea Adopts New War Invasion Strategy
"Threats of Civil War" - Greece
Active Army Unit Given Dedicated Assignment to Northcom
"May be called upon to help with civil unrest and crowd control."
Iranian Plane Buzzes U.S. Carrier in Middle East - from Rice Farmer
Obama Vows to Act Against Israel or Palestinians If Either Undermines Peace Talks
Clinton: Syria's Provocations May Plunge Mideast Into War
Financial Reform Provision Would Break Up Nine Biggest Banks and Affect All Primary Dealers
TARP Insider Trading; New York Fed Implicated
Military may join fight to contain Gulf oil slick
Bill would let Puerto Rico vote on status with U.S.
Puerto Rice Statehood Bill 2499 Passes House

Economy
German private sector to help Greece
Greek Mayor Starts Hunger Strike To Protest Austerity Measures
Spanish Unemployment Rate Tops 20%, Borrowing Costs Rise; Debt Rollover Risk Mounts Portugal to enforce stricter unemployment benefits
Revenge of the Rating Agencies
"Many observers assign a large part of the blame for the 2008 financial crisis to the "big three" credit rating agencies, which gave their AAA seal of approval to worthless investments. Now those same agencies are helping to bring the euro zone to its knees -- and no one is trying to stop them."
Most Americans Think the Stimulus Didn't Help
Goldman Criminal Probe


World
The Next Empire - China in Africa
Pakistan agents believe Taliban's Mehsud is alive
Again.
Hezbollah leader won't confirm or deny Scud claims
Serbian boy, 12, getting death threats for his blog
What Cuba Can Teach Us About Health Care


Terror/Intelligence
Illegals, the New Terrorists
Latest disinfo.
Biometric Scanners in France
Press freedom falls around the world - from Rice Farmer
CIA analysts getting more overseas assignments
Judge Asks Feds to Prove Militia Did More Than Talk
New Analysis of Audiotape Might Settle Kent State Mystery


Environment
Eco-friendly products are not as green as they appear
Decontamination of CBRN
Military Cancels Nuclear Attack Test - Washington Times


And...
More Americans Give Up Citizenship

Drones Patrolling US Cities; Russian Subs Off East Coast

From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
Egypt: Lebanon in "Panic" Over Fear of Israeli Attack
Drones Patrolling US Cities
Russian Subs Patrolling Off East Coast
Russia deploys S-400 missile system near North Korea
Israel to Manufacture Drones in Russia - Yemeni paper
GM Food: Feeding the Hungry or Population Control?
Europe Is Finished Unless It Changes The Rules Fast
"Make no mistake, this is the worst crisis since World War II."

World
Ahmadinejad to visit the U.S.
Russian PM Putin orders Arctic cleanup
India signs agreements for Russian arms
AP sources: Military-civilian terror prison eyed
Kidnap, oil theft plague Nigeria as amnesty falters
Chadian army clashes with rebels
Seven killed in Yemen clash
Iraqi government prison 'worse than Abu Ghraib'
Troops open fire on Thai protesters
3 Killed in Qandahar Bombing as the UNO leaves; South Asia now Most Dangerous - from Vantage Point
US DoD releases damning Afghan report
87% increase in violence in 2009
Israel Cuts Arms Sales to Turkey - UPI
CNN reporter quits because of network's scandalous attitude towards PTSD
Three Points of View: The United States, India and Pakistan: Stratfor

Economy
A Clear Warning Sign: Global Liquidity Is Drying Up! - from Rice Farmer
Euro Slide Hurts US Multinational Corporation Profits; Roubini Eyes Sovereign Debt Defaults, Inflation
How Much is Needed to Bail Out Greece? $159 Billion? $794 Billion? Estimates Vary Wildly as Greece Turns Viral; S&P Downgrades Spain
Britain 'risks Greek-style crisis'
Another $586 billion "Stimulus" Coming to China?
States Bristle as Investors Make Wagers on Defaults
Ban the Bailout?
Fannie Mae Owns Patent on Residential Cap and Trade
Three picked for Federal Reserve
Self-Evaluations Seen as New Source of Concern After Goldman Sachs Hearing
Who could've seen that one coming?
Clinton's Niece Living on Food Stamps

Terror/Intelligence
July 7 inquest 'should not investigate MI5 role'
Militia groups quadruple
Is the CIA Behind Mexico's Bloody Drug War?
Former CIA Spy Arrested With Drug Paraphernalia, Handgun
CIA rolls out plan to beef up spy techniques - from Rice Farmer
Buzz builds: Pak to get 2 n-reactors from China - from Rice Farmer
China Amends Secrets Law to Force Internet Companies to Assist in Probes
Drone Pilots Could Be Tried for ‘War Crimes,’ Law Prof Says
Incidents of fratricide in the U.S. war on terrorism increased in recent years, according to a new report (pdf) from the U.S. Army. - from Secrecy News
Univ. of Wisc. Cancels Antiwar Forum Over ‘Security Concerns’ - from Rice Farmer
Markey eyes privacy concerns over copiers
Facebook backs privacy guidelines
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg "Doesn't Believe in Privacy" - from Jon Noel
JO comment: This announcement is based on an associate's off record chat.
White House reporters afraid to criticize the White House - from Vantage Point
17,000 NJ Students Use Facebook to Organize Statewide Walkout
Actually, the Army Kind of Likes Your Blog
Golly, we're touched.

Resources/Environment
15 Facts You Absolutely Need To Know About Phosphorus
Helium-3 Shortage Could Mean Nuke Detection ‘Disaster’
Feds OK Cape Wind
Can World's Largest Laser Zap Energy Woes?
No.
Allegation: Obama, Gore, Goldman et al. to Use Climate Gate Exchange to Fleece Nation: Conservative examiner

N. Korea Postures for Attack; Roubini: End of Eurozone in a Few Days?

From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
North Korea Makes Major Troop Shift, Postures For Direct Attack
N. Korea Demands Nuclear Weapons State Status
CIA Director: Cyber Attack Could Be Next Pearl Harbor
Bernanke Getting Scared
The Search for a Reserve Currency
Another $586 billion "Stimulus" Coming to China?
Eggs, Fists in Ukraine Parliament
Naval deal brings chaos to Ukraine parliament
Black Sea Drone Wars: the Sequel
Pentagon: Iran influencing Venezuela
Could we see criminal charges against Tim Geithner!?
Greek instability threatens to topple Merkel's government
Roubini: In a few days, there may not be a eurozone
ECB needs 'nuclear' option
Too late to save Greece?
Eurozone edges to endgame as Greek contagion catches Portugal
Greek 2-year Yields Hit 18% on S&P Cut; Contagion Hits Portugal; Credit Swaps on Sovereign Debt at Record Highs; Blind Panic?
Spain's Long-Term Credit Rating Reduced by S&P as Greek Contagion Spreads
Greek Junk Contagion Presses EU to Broaden Bailout
US Food Inflation Spiralling Out of Control

Economy
Eliot Spitzer on Goldman: Where are the prosecutors?
Goldman: Despite The Recovery, America Is Screwed Without More Easy Money From The Fed
"Crowd-Sourcing" IBM to Cut 3/4 of its Permanent Staff by 2017?
Financial crisis hits plastic surgeons

Joke of the day: Did you hear that Goldman Sachs made the Iceland volcano erupt? It did pretty well shorting airlines.

Funny, huh? CNBC feels compelled to go on to explain it's a joke; Goldman isn't that powerful.

How about this one?

Sometime in the '70s, the state geologist of Pennsylvania warned that the birthplace of oil was about to run out of the black gold. "That was the 1870s," the Texas state geologist, Scott Tinker, said Monday, delivering the punch line in a joke about the oil industry's short-sightedness.

Terror/Intelligence/Law

Militias: Patriots or paranoid?
S.F. Admin Guilty of Hijacking City Passwords

Pentagon Takes Bids for Mind-Meld Training Computer

Study: Fair Use Contributes Trillions to U.S. Economy
This is of potential significance to blogs.

Environment
Amid Push for Renewable Energy, Saudi Arabia Cautiously Turns Over Green Leaf
Rising Sea Level Threatens Beaches, Warns EPA Scientist
Whale excrement could help fight climate change
Out for the count: Why levels of sperm in men are falling

And...
Afghanistan: The hot new place to ski

S 510 Could Preclude Food Rights

COLLAPSENET - Volunteer Coordinator

We have an immediate opening for Volunteer Coordinator on the CollapseNet Communication Technologies Team. This is a volunteer position; however, strong performers are anticipated to move into paid positions. It’s required that you’ve read both Confronting Collapse AND Rubicon. Th...is position will take feedback from Lifeboat builders, help create and prioritize work items, assign tasks to volunteers, track progress, and report trends/needs to management. Familiarity with web 2.0 systems like Facebook required. You will help coordinate video, web, radio and other volunteer engineers. Strong attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and strong people skills required. Position will reqire a few hours a week to start but is anticipated to become full-time quickly. If you want to change the world and help deliver the best communication systems we can give the Lifeboat builders, send your resume to RobotTrainMaker@collapsenet.com
****************************************************************************
From Jenna Orkin

To Paul and anyone else in his position:

No one wants to deprive people of life-saving information because they can't pay for it. Don't disappear because you think you've been priced out of the community. Things are not going to work that way. Sorry to be vague. Details to follow as we figure them out.

Headlines
S 510 Could Preclude Food Rights
Bernanke: Path To Fiscal Salvation Requires Slash And Burn On Entitlements And Higher Taxes
Holy Cow, Greece Is Crashing Today
Portugal Suffering Greek Debt Contagion Puts Pressure on EU's Bond Markets
Its Not Just Sovereign CDS That Are Flashing A MASSIVE Warning Sign In Europe
Chaos in Ukraine parliament
Lawmakers Want National Guard to Stop Violence in Chicago
Wanted: 3,000 National Guard Troops to Combat Violence 'Epidemic' at Mexican Border - from Rice Farmer
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Council Told to Consider Bankruptcy Protection
SocGen’s Albert Edwards sees market sell-off in 6-9 months
Remember that Ash Cloud? It Didn't Exist, Says New Evidence
Museum makes history by planting gardens in the parking lot
Tsunami of Red Ink - Global Look at National Debt and Who Owns US Debt

Energy
Saudi's Energy Demand To Surge By 250% By 2028 - Aramco CEO
Remember the days - oh, a year or two ago - when they reassured us?
Global oil demand to increase by five million bpd: Kuwait ‎
API reports 24% drop in US wells completed in 1Q - Silobreaker
Russia offers Kiev nuclear power deal
Putin urges merger of two nations’ industries.
Mike Milken's Excellent Presentation On Our Pathetic History Of Foreign Oil Dependence
The junk-bond ex-con seeks redemption.
Shell drafted letter Tony Blair sent to Gaddafi
Cash from EU green plan 'to fund dirty coal plants'

Economy
S&P Cuts Greece Rating to Junk
Confidence in Greek debt sinks again
Meet the Real Villain of the Financial Crisis
Bethany Mclean, who uncovered the Enron swindle, recommends putting Congress in the hot seat.
Obama's Phony Banking Reform
Squatters: 4.4 Million and Counting (US) - from Rice Farmer
"Crowd-Sourcing" IBM to Cut 3/4 of its Permanent Staff by 2017?
Uh-Oh: Americans Beginning To Love Stocks Again (And Are Still Bizarrely Infatuated With Real Estate)
Home Prices Fall in Major Cities

Terror/Intelligence
Al-Qaeda blamed for attack on British ambassador
Yemen is in danger of becoming the new Afghanistan
Obama Revives Rumsfeld's Risky Missile Scheme
How To: Risk World War III, and Blow Billions Doing
China’s Navy Gets Its Act Together, and Gets Aggressive - from Rice Farmer
The Future of American Combat Aviation: FUBAR?
Top Officer Fears Cyberwar, Hearts Karzai, Tweets With Help
Minister Urges Germans to Opt Out of Google Street View
NSA holds cyber boot camp - from Rice Farmer

Resources/Environment
Tester to Introduce "Common Sense" Amendments to Food Safety Bill
Merkel Abandons Aim of Binding Climate Agreement
Inspector Says He Faked Data in New York Building Tests
It probably points to something beyond laziness that he never did a single test.

China Renders Iran Sanctions Toothless; Party's Over: IMF

4/26/10,1830 PDT -- That wasn't my title. It's the title of the story that's attached. That's one handsome, brand-spanking new refinery there in Iran. I'll bet it can probably handle heavy crude too -- like from Venezuela perhaps.

It is all about oil. It has always been all about oil. Iran's threat to the west is that it can become a true competitor, if not leader in production AND refined product on the downslope. Iran has long passed it's Peak. But it might just have better tertiary-recovery technology and infrastructure. If Iran can refine it will have an almost captive market right there in the Middle East and the enormous influence that brings. There's no serious refining capacity of any kind in Iraq or Saudi Arabia. Knowing where the refining capacity is, is just as important as knowing where the oil is and who owns it. Just like I said in Collapse, you can't put a twenty dollar bill, or crude oil in your gas tank and expect the car to run. If Iran is able to ship refined product anywhere in the world; to countries with no refinery capacity; to countries where refineries are failing for lack of maintenance. -- The Middle East will become the lifeline and provider for the Third World; which will might well then convert to Islam.... Shia Islam as opposed to Sunni Islam. That's a likely scenario if Iran manages to become a gasoline exporter with Chinese assistance. Iran is a clerically-run nation.

http://www.energytribune.com/articles.cfm?aid=3912

OTHER UPDATES -- I have been on the road a lot lately and I'm just amazed at how much activity is taking place. I am seeing and learning a lot. Lifebooats are being built in various stages and in many wonderful ways. There are so many of us and I am meeting some of the coolest people on the planet. We have to stop acting and thinking defensively. We have to call a zombie a zombie when we see it.-- Wes Miller, Paul Mineau, Chantelle Wenz and I are all working hard preparing for the launch of CollapseNet and you'll be hearing a lot more on that soon. I'm going to ask some of you to share your wisdom and skills with us and help us in beta-testing. Many of you will receive free memberships for your loyalty, dedication and oh-so-treasured observations and comments. It's a race now. We all know that. I don't know if we'll get CollapseNet up in time to make a difference. We're going to need your help. The DVD goes on sale June 15th and I just keep wondering if we'll get there in time to reach people. Collapse has been a best-seller on iTunes for a while. That's a very good sign. The deamnd to get the DVD is large and getting larger. I have had local government attendees (that I knew of) at five screenings. They get it.

They get it.

OK, going off to chill out for a while. Long day.

MCR
************************************************************************
COLLAPSENET - Volunteer Coordinator

We have an immediate opening for Volunteer Coordinator on the CollapseNet Communication Technologies Team. This is a volunteer position; however, strong performers are anticipated to move into paid positions. It’s required that you’ve read both Confronting Collapse AND Rubicon. Th...is position will take feedback from Lifeboat builders, help create and prioritize work items, assign tasks to volunteers, track progress, and report trends/needs to management. Familiarity with web 2.0 systems like Facebook required. You will help coordinate video, web, radio and other volunteer engineers. Strong attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, and strong people skills required. Position will reqire a few hours a week to start but is anticipated to become full-time quickly. If you want to change the world and help deliver the best communication systems we can give the Lifeboat builders, send your resume to RobotTrainMaker@collapsenet.com
*****************************************************************************
From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
The Imminent Crash Of Oil Supply: Be Afraid
Going off cliff in year and a half.
Treasury Taking Donations
For nations living the good life, the party's over, says IMF
A banking crisis is China is now all but inevitable
G20 growth forecasts don't add up
Protesters block police in deepening Thai crisis
South Korea Now Knows A Torpedo Sank The Cheonan, But Country Still Looking For An Excuse Not To Go To War
Deadly new Russian weapon hides in shipping container
Jobless Rate Would Be 25% Without TARP: Kashkari
Indonesia to Tap Power of Nation's Volcanoes
Tap tap tap tap boom. And speaking of volcanoes:
[E]ruption 'could just be rehearsal'

Economy
Greece's fiscal despair
Rogoff Says Greece Won't Be Last IMF Rescue as Ireland, Spain `Vulnerable'
Expect Contagion in Europe, Greek Debt Crisis Will Spread; New Wave of Riots in Greece
Obama promises to end bailouts 'once and for all'
'Stockholm Syndrome' Blamed for Regulatory Woes
What about the weather?
Michael Lewis and Andrew Ross Sorkin on Goldman Case

Terror/Intelligence
Iranian technocrats, disillusioned with government, offer wealth of intelligence to US
Morocco breaks up terrorist cell that planned assassinations
Indo-Pakistan Proxy War Heats Up In Afghanistan - from Vantage Point
NATO Sets Strategy to Exit Afghanistan
Attacks against contractors surging in Afghanistan
Paraguay president wants military rule in north
Targeted Killing Lite: Inside the CIA’s New Drone Arsenal
A cruise missile in a shipping box on sale to rogue bidders - from Rice Farmer
Small-scale miners´ protest turns deadly (Peru)
Ahmadinejad Affirms Alliance with Zimbabwe Against "Imperialists"
Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC snubs Ahmedinejad in Zimbabwe
Obama Appeases Turkey By Avoiding Word "Genocide"
Japanese islanders stage mass rally against US base

Resources/Environment
Shell, Total Step Up Reliance on Gas as Access to Oil Declines
Oil over $100 damaging, OPEC may act -Kuwait - from Rice Farmer
6.9 magnitude earthquake strikes southeast Taiwan
Egypt reasserts Nile water rights
Singapore boosts farming to enhance food security
Rooftop farming booming in New York
Climate bill gives polluter and nuclear breaks
Tank barge explodes on Mississippi River at Sunshine

Fed Raid On........Amish Farm?

RobotTrainMaker - Chief Communication Technologies Officer (CCTO) – CollapseNet

We have an immediate opening for a Video Engineer. This is a volunteer position. Strong performers are always anticipated to move into paid CollapseNet positions. Our current need is for someone with strong encoding experience to take source footage, quick edit, encode, and deploy to CollapseNet video communication systems. Also required that you’ve seen Collapse and read the book. Bonus points if you’ve read Rubicon or were an FTW subscriber. This candidate could also work on editing, production, post production, and help out on our Live Video Streaming system if they desired. We’ll have a wide array of Communication Technologies to work on, from Internet to Radio Communications, so for a solid performer interested in delivering the best, most cutting edge solutions; we have the place to grow. If interested, contact me at RobotTrainMaker at CollapseNet.com, with a resume or portfolio, and tell me how you would encode an HD WMV to MP4 or to On2 VP6 codec.
**************************************************************
From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
Senate approves Paraguayan President's 30-day state of emergency
The Next crisis Is Already Unfolding (Jim Rogers)
The rich world runs out of wiggle room
The globe's advanced economies have used up most of their crisis-fighting tools, leaving them highly exposed to new shocks.
Curb Your Enthusiasm [for the "Recovery"]
With China's yuan, think "BBC"
China appears on the verge of abandoning its controversial dollar peg and it may look to Singapore's obscure system to do it.
Greece Asks for Loans from the EU and IMF
Millennials Are The Brokest Generation Ever
Survey: Brits owe £55 bn in hidden debts
A survey has revealed that people in the United Kingdom owe £55 billion in hidden debts, and almost a third hide the true extent of their debt from family members.
Senate Releases Tons Of Goldman Emails, Says Goldman Helped Trigger The Crisis

Energy/
Bill Gates and Friends Make Case for Energy R&D
Windy Nights in Germany Bring Cash for Consumers Who Use More Electricity
A Contrarian Is Betting Hard Natural Gas Prices Will Explode And Shale Technology Will Go Down In Flames

Terror/Intelligence
Feds Invade Farm for 5 AM Inspection
Attaboys. Show those Amish terrorists.
Hyperfast Missile to Hit Anywhere In an Hour
Officials Lose Contact With Hypersonic Glider Testbed
Iranian Nuclear Scientist Seeks Asylum in Israel
Does humanitarian aid prolong wars?
Launch of New Secret Space Ship Masks Even More Secret Launch of New Weapon
Ex-Monsanto Lawyer Clarence Thomas to Hear Major Monsanto Case

Environment
USDA Trashes Organic: Pasture Not Required for Cows' Last Four Months
Dinosaurs died from the cold

Washington Think Tank Predicts New Mideast War

RobotTrainMaker - Chief Communication Technologies Officer (CCTO) – CollapseNet



We have an immediate opening for a Video Engineer. This is a volunteer position. Strong performers are always anticipated to move into paid CollapseNet positions. Our current need is for someone with strong encoding experience to take source footage, quick edit, encode, and deploy to CollapseNet video communication systems. Also required that you’ve seen Collapse and read the book. Bonus points if you’ve read Rubicon or were an FTW subscriber. This candidate could also work on editing, production, post production, and help out on our Live Video Streaming system if they desired. We’ll have a wide array of Communication Technologies to work on, from Internet to Radio Communications, so for a solid performer interested in delivering the best, most cutting edge solutions; we have the place to grow. If interested, contact me at RobotTrainMaker at CollapseNet.com, with a resume or portfolio, and tell me how you would encode an HD WMV to MP4 or to On2 VP6 codec.
*****************************************************************
From Jenna Orkin:


Headlines
Washington Think Tank Predicts New Mideast War
JO comment: This is one of those articles that get posted not so much for the reliability of their content as for the simple fact that they're getting major airtime where it counts.
Israel Weighs Merits of Raid on Iran and Repercussions with US
Obama Revives Rumsfeld’s Missile Scheme, Risks Nuke War - from Rice Farmer
China opens missile plant in Iran - from Rice Farmer
N.Korea seizes S.Korean assets, warns of war - from Rice Farmer
South Korea raises warship, finds clues on sinking
Real IRA may be planning UK bombing campaign
'Terrorists' blamed for attacks amid Thai deadlock - from Rice Farmer
Governments will bankrupt us
Thai PM rejects protesters' peace offer
Ethiopia explosion kills at least five

Economy
Euro risks losing long-term friends
Greek P.M. Calls Greece a "Sinking Ship", Tip of Iceberg in Bailout Requests; Interactive Map of Debt to GDP; What Countries Hold Most Greek Debt?
Debt quicksand is all around
Grassley Slams GM, Federal Gvt Over Loans Repaid with Bailout Money
Do bank purchase of 10 and 30 year Treasurys spell trouble?
Food prices surge most in 26 years
How long should we help the unemployed?
Record 21% Of Americans Think They'll Get Canned In The Next Year
Real Job Loss Pain Number Is 54%
Majority of Americans Distrust Government
No Shit Dept: Senate Reveals Rating Agencies Beset by Conflicts
Blagojevich Defense Team to Subpoena Obama
Britain's richest see their fortunes soar


Energy/World
China's Construction Boom Pushes Power Consumption Up 25%
Venezuela to pay Chinese loan with crude, trade ‎
Oil Producers Risk Blowouts in Search for Deep Fields
Pakistan turns off lights to end energy crisis
Earth Day energy crisis: Pakistan plans shorter work week, curfews
Britain 'facing electricity blackouts'
What’s it like to live without electricity?
Earth Day is gone, but it’s a fact of life that 1.6 billion people worldwide have no electricity in their homes.
Food vs. fuel: Growing grain for food is more energy efficient
Where America Really Stands with Solar
For decades American leaders have been saying we'll invest more in solar, but we're still waiting.
China Tries to Sterilize 10,000 Parents Over 1-Child Rule
Cannons Fire Deodorant in Beijing


Terror/Intelligence
New Copyright Agreement Could Chill Free Internet Speech
Arizona Bill Puts Racial Profiling Into Law Southern Poverty Law Center List of "Patriots" Includes Ron Paul.
New Speed Cameras Trap Motorists From Space
Allies to turn blind eye to Afghan corruption Kim Sengupta: Troops will remain in place 'for decades' after handover to support local forces.
DoJ Abandons Warantless Attempt to Read Yahoo Email
Colleague Disputes Case Against Anthrax Suspect
“'...among the senior scientists, no one believes it.'


Asked why he was speaking out now, Dr. Heine noted that Army officials had prohibited comment on the case, silencing him until he left the government laboratory in late February. He now works for Ordway Research Institute in Albany.

Dr. Heine said he did not dispute that there was a genetic link between the spores in the letters and the anthrax in Dr. Ivins’s flask — a link that led the F.B.I. to conclude that Dr. Ivins had grown the spores from a sample taken from the flask. But samples from the flask were widely shared, Dr. Heine said. Accusing Dr. Ivins of the attacks, he said, was like tracing a murder to the clerk at the sporting goods shop who sold the bullets."

COLLAPSENET SEEKING VIDEO ENGINEER

RobotTrainMaker - Chief Communication Technologies Officer (CCTO) – CollapseNet

We have an immediate opening for a Video Engineer. This is a volunteer position. Strong performers are always anticipated to move into paid CollapseNet positions. Our current need is for someone with strong encoding experience to take source footage, quick edit, encode, and deploy to CollapseNet video communication systems. Also required that you’ve seen Collapse and read the book. Bonus points if you’ve read Rubicon or were an FTW subscriber. This candidate could also work on editing, production, post production, and help out on our Live Video Streaming system if they desired. We’ll have a wide array of Communication Technologies to work on, from Internet to Radio Communications, so for a solid performer interested in delivering the best, most cutting edge solutions; we have the place to grow. If interested, contact me at RobotTrainMaker at CollapseNet.com, with a resume or portfolio, and tell me how you would encode an HD WMV to MP4 or to On2 VP6 codec.

Belgian Government Collpase; Is Thailand on Brink of Civil War?

From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
Belgian government collapses
Is Thailand on brink of civil war?
Policeman killed, 60 wounded in Thai south
Grenade blasts kill 1, wound 75 in Bangkok
China paper: Property bubble must end
China Military Paper Spells Out Nuclear Arms Stance
North Korea torpedoed South's navy ship: report
Israel: Netanyahu defies Obama's demands
Berlusconi Says Wants to See Israel in EU (February)
Rebellion in the Fed! Board members plot to overthrow inflation-loving Bernanke
Bernanke Admits Creating $1.3 Billion Out of Thin Air

Economy
Hickey: If We Continue Down This Path, The Outlook Is General Impoverishment for This Country
Greece asks for $60.5 billion aid
BREAKING: Greece Prime Minister Says He'll Ask The IMF For Help
Greece... Deficit Worse Than Feared
Greece Budget Gap Worse Than Feared; Bonds Approach Pakistan Levels; Greek Bond Crash In Pictures
Moody's Cuts Greece, May Do So Again; Yields Spike
Marshall Auerbach: Euro to Fail?
UK's record deficit
Budget deficit at a record as election debate intensifies.
U.K. Economic Growth Slip Blamed On Bad Weather
Japan faces debt 'shock'
Durable Goods Orders Crash Below Expectations
Main Investor in Goldman Deal May Have Caused Losses
Testimony May Hurt SEC Case
SEC Staff Watch Porn as Economy Crashes
Was There Really Any Fraud?
Democrats happy to keep Goldman contributions
Lawmaker questions timing of SEC’s Goldman case
Buffett Has `Great Confidence' in Goldman Sachs, Berkshire's Murphy Says
Banks May Not Be Lending But They Are Buying Treasuries
Los Angelenos freak as broke city shuts courtrooms down

Terror/Intelligence
South African Party ANC Planning Land Invasions After World Cup
Air Force Launches Secretive Spy Plane: 'We Don't Know When It's Coming Back'
Opinion: Military accused of making false diagnoses to save billions
Why the US Is Not Prepared for a Cyberwar
NYC firefighters, Marines to hold terror drill - from Rice Farmer
"Lights Out" Could Save City Millions, Cause Crime - from Rice Farmer
UK: Leicestershire to dim street lights - from Rice Farmer
Ticker: Cheney has big announcement
Why were CIA tapes destroyed?

Environment/Science
Solar Industry Fights to Save Subsidies (Germany)
Potentially deadly fungus spreading in U.S. and Canada
Legalizing pot may kill buzz in California enclave
U.S. doctors, minorities still wary of shots: official - from Rice Farmer

And...
Burglars break into prison to rob absent inmates

Source of Explosion in Israel Unknown; Option of Strking Iran Never Off Table: Pentagon; Reckless New Regime Poised to Take Over in N. Korea?

From Jenna Orkin

Headlines
Source of Explosion in Israel Unknown
Option of Striking Iran Never Off Table - Pentagon
Netanyahu: Less Time to Act on Iran With Each Passing Day
Special Army Unit Ready To Be Deployed on US Soil Before Nov. Elections
Air Force to Launch X-37 Space Plane - Precursor to War in Orbit?
North Korea May Have Used Human Torpedoes To Sink The Cheonan
North Korea accused of sending assassins across border to kill defector
Analysts fear plot is sign that reckless new regime is poised to take over from Kim Jong-il.
US says 'All options' open if Syria arms Hezbollah - from Rice Farmer
Iran Boosts Qods Shock Troops in Venezuela (Washington Times)
Belgium at war as Flemish hit out at French speakers
President is trying to kill me, says Chechen clan leader
The Kremlin Just Cut A Killer Pipeline Deal With Ukraine
Experts Warn of Impending Phosphorus Crisis

Economy
Brace Yourself, China Is Finally Removing Its Stimulus
Closed-door meeting discusses the obvious: “Greece no longer able to borrow from the markets nor from the banks”
MOODY'S DOWNGRADES GREECE, Euro Going Berzerk
Credit Default Swaps on Greece Hit Record High; IMF Calls Greece Crisis a “Wake-Up Call” on Sovereign-Debt Risks
Greek Budget Deficit Revised to 13.6%, May Top 14%
What Is The Difference Between Greece And Rest Of The OECD? Only That It Is Small Enough To Be Bailed Out
US Dollar Money Supply Underreported
Falling US Money Supply Creates Downturn
Treasury to Sell $120 Billion in Notes Next Week
10 US Cities in Freefall
How Wall Street turned into a giant casino
Bill Black's must-see denouncement of the Fed
No Shit Department: Goldman Sachs Was Top Obama Donor
"Goldman Sachs contributions to the Obama campaign were more than four times larger than the $230,095 in donations to Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign... Since the 2008 election, FEC reports indicate that Goldman Sachs has contributed generously to Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee members. The two panels are responsible for oversight of the industry."
Leaked: John Paulson’s Letter to Investors Discussing Role in Goldman CDO Fund
Energy and banking shares lift Wall Street
Gold and hung Parliaments

World
Ahmadinejad to visit Uganda for nuclear talks
Chavez: US Oil Firms Pay $3 Billion A Year In Royalties To Venezuela
Iceland reports record 34 percent inflation - from Rice Farmer
Saudi youth unemployment over 40 pct - from Rice Farmer
Hydropower Solution in Central Asia: Yes But...

Intelligence
Google 'not interested' in privacy, say information tsars
Google Government Request Tool
Google gets 1,200 data requests from UK authorities
From Secrecy News:

ACTIVITIES OF THE SENATE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE, 1976-2009

The Senate Intelligence Committee has posted a collection of its biennial public reports on the Committee's activities, from the first report in 1976 to the latest in 2009, Privacy Impact of Internet Security Is Classified, NSA Says "How could the Internet be designed differently to provide much greater inherent security?" the Senate Armed Services Committee asked Lt. General Keith Alexander, who has been nominated to lead the new U.S. Cyber Command.
"The design of the Internet is - and will continue to evolve - based on technological advancements. These new technologies will enhance mobility and, if properly implemented, security," replied Gen. Alexander in his written answers (pdf) in advance of an April 15 Committee hearing.

Resources/Environment
'War' warning over Brazil dam deal
Geologists Drill into Antarctica and Find Troubling Signs for Ice Sheets
Time, Water Running Out for Ogilalla Aquifer
Organic farming proves viable for Africa
Governments accused of panicking over swine flu
Empty skies proved that airports cause pollution, say researchers
Planning for the next eruption: Iceland's big volcano Katla
Reykjav - History shows that when Eyjafjallajokull erupts - like now and previously in 1821- what follows in an eruption of its bigger sister, known as Katla. In all likelihood, this will happen this year or in the beginning of 2011.

And...
Male Spiders Have Safer Sex With Siblings

Iran Denounces US "Nuclear Threats," to Hold Drill; Chavez Parades Army Built for Fight With US

From Jenna Orkin

Quote of the day:

[T]he Fed is addicted to opaqueness and its senior ranks believe the bankers when they claim that the people must never be allowed to learn the truth about asset losses. One of the conflicts of interest that a banking regulator must never succumb to is the temptation to encourage or allow the regulated entity to lie about its financial condition for the purported purpose of preventing a run on the bank.

Headlines/Drums of War
Iran denounces U.S. "nuclear threats," to hold drill
Chávez parades army built for fight with US
US: Iran strike 'off the table'
Iranian missile may be able to hit U.S. by 2015
Israelis Debate Striking Iran Without U.S. Consent - from Rice Farmer
Would the U.S. Shoot Down an Israeli Jet? Top Officer Won’t Say - from Rice Farmer
China Just Grew Its Oil Demand By 10x The Rate of Global Supply Growth

Economy/US
Now we know the truth. The financial meltdown wasn't a mistake – it was a con
Geithner and the NY Fed Accused of Willfully Ignoring Fraud and Covering Up Lehman's Bad Assets by Senior Regulator During the S&L Crisis
Sovereign debt threat
Sovereign Debt Crisis Likely to Spread: Roubini
Spiralling sovereign debt is the top threat to world economy, warns IMF.
Why the U.S. Can't Inflate Its Way Out of Debt - from Rice Farmer
The Great Global Bank Robbery
The Worst 2011 State Budget Gaps
The last picture show? Debts cast shadow over MGM
Video: Eliot Spitzer on Goldman charges
Markets Rebounding On Potentially Fatal Blow To The SEC's Case
SEC 3-2 vote split along party lines
Parched Kansas Is Battlefield in $2.7 Billion Monsanto, DuPont Corn Fight

Europe
Roubini Explains The Simple Reason That Aid To The PIIGS Is Doomed To Failure
Commentary: Soros Talking the Euro to 'Death'
Greece May Need $112 Billion in Aid
Iceland’s Banks ‘Could Collapse’ Without Central Bank Knowing - from Rice Farmer
How lending Greece a hand could get Germany kicked out of the Euro - from Rice Farmer
German Windfall Profits From Exiting The Euro - from Rice Farmer
German State Appoints First Minister of Turkish Origin
France moves towards banning Muslim veil in public

Terror/Intelligence
Village burned, looted in Kyrgyz ethnic violence
'US forces bombed British soldiers'
Google releases tool to show government censorship requests - from Rice Farmer
Undersea telecoms cables face growing risks: report

Volcano
Second, more powerful Icelandic volcano likely to explode soon
Airlines, scientists split over impact of ash
Airlines lost more than $1.7 billion: IATA
Volcano ash could be good for gardens
Ash cloud hurts U.S businesses

Marijuana
Marijuana in America
Many support legalization as some states already allow medical use. An end to prohibition would create tax revenue. But does it make sense?
How Big Is The Marijuana Market? State by State Guide to Marijuana Laws
Why We Are Covering Marijuana, Big Time

Science/Environment
New thinking on a matter of life and death
Nuffield Council launches consultation on the ethics of offering financial incentives to deal with the shortfall in public donations of sperm, eggs and organs.
Computers beat doctors at diagnosing child illnesses
Anger as Brazil approves Amazon rainforest dam
Climate Change's Clear Winners: Europe's Wild Boar Population Exploding
Dead Whale Full of Trash

And...
"Life is short. Have an affair"