Monday, March 23, 2009
Train Cuts Town In Two
Not to sound too cold hearted but if that's the worst thing happening to you then you're doing pretty damn good.
Dealership charges potential employee for job training
Another Nissan Store...what gives?
Unemployed Lisle resident Will Zellner saw the ad in the paper and thought he had struck gold.
"SALARY! COMMISSION! BONUSES! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!"
Health insurance, a 401(k) program, the opportunity for job security in the "highest paid profession without a formal education," the ad continued.
It even claimed to pay a "generous salary" during training.
But amid the exclamation marks and screaming capital letters, the help-wanted ad for Arlington Nissan failed to mention one significant detail: If you show up for an interview, you'd better bring your checkbook.
Zellner said he was hired on the spot Jan. 21 but was told he had to prove his commitment to the job. The price: $629 for training materials, which he says consisted of a thin paperback book.
At first, the 35-year-old hesitated, but he was desperate for a job. Besides, he said, he was told he would get his money back after a 90-day probationary period.
The problem was, Zellner was fired after two weeks.
Last week, he e-mailed What's Your Problem? hoping to get his money back.
"I've had a number of jobs in the past and I've never had to put any money down for training," he said. "The whole thing from the beginning was just smoke and mirrors."
Zellner said he worked for Arlington Nissan about 10 days and received $836.81, which included a $116.24 commission for selling a 2008 Nissan Versa. After subtracting what he paid for training materials, his net was $207.81.
"I think they're looking for people who are desperate for work in a crappy economy and they're taking advantage of it," Zellner said.
The Problem Solver called Bob Rohrman of The Bob Rohrman Auto Group, which owns the Arlington Nissan dealership. Rohrman said the practice of requiring potential employees to pay for training is common in the industry.
He said the dealerships do not profit from the payments. The money goes to an outside training agency, in this case Charlotte-based Worldwide Consulting Services.
Of his 26 dealerships in Illinois and Indiana, all have used a training agency at some point, Rohrman said. In most cases, the training agencies are able to get more potential employees through the door, he said.
"It's worth our time, our management time, to have them train [employees] for a week rather than have us training them," he said.
Even so, Rohrman said he's toyed with the idea of getting rid of training agencies. But his general managers have told him it's often the best way to hire.
Jon Kommel, general manager of Arlington Nissan, likened the practice to paying college tuition.
"If you go through college, why are you going through college? To get a good job, right?" he said. "You're not guaranteed getting a good job."
Kommel said Zellner was let go because he didn't have what it took to be a salesman. After shadowing another salesman for more than a week, Zellner was put on his own for two days, Kommel said.
"In that time, we observed that he really didn't take any customers," Kommel said. "He sat in the back with the guys."
Kommel said he would have rather it worked out.
"I'm not looking to let people go," he said. "I'm looking to hire people."
Kommel and Rohrman said that if Zellner wants his $629 back, he has to get it from Worldwide Consulting Services.
The Problem Solver called Logan Bentley, Worldwide Consulting's placement director. Bentley said his agency trains potential employees at about 50 U.S. and Canadian dealerships each week.
"We don't charge students for a job," he said. "They pay for materials, which we feel is very necessary to be successful."
Bentley said the $629 Zellner paid provides him with "lifetime placement assistance," and he offered to help Zellner find another auto sales job.
Zellner declined.
"At this point, I think I could get a job on my own," he said. "I'd rather just get my money back."
On Thursday, Zellner called Bentley. He said Bentley said he would consider a refund if he asked for it in writing. Zellner typed up the letter that afternoon.
"He just said to sign the letter and he'll see what he can do," Zellner said. "It doesn't sound real reassuring."
HAVE A PROBLEM? E-mail your story, providing as many details as possible, to yourproblem@tribune.com or write to What's Your Problem?, Newsroom, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Please include your name and a way to contact you. We cannot respond to everyone, but we'll get to as many as we can and publish the results Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Original story here.
Unemployed Lisle resident Will Zellner saw the ad in the paper and thought he had struck gold.
"SALARY! COMMISSION! BONUSES! NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY!"
Health insurance, a 401(k) program, the opportunity for job security in the "highest paid profession without a formal education," the ad continued.
It even claimed to pay a "generous salary" during training.
But amid the exclamation marks and screaming capital letters, the help-wanted ad for Arlington Nissan failed to mention one significant detail: If you show up for an interview, you'd better bring your checkbook.
Zellner said he was hired on the spot Jan. 21 but was told he had to prove his commitment to the job. The price: $629 for training materials, which he says consisted of a thin paperback book.
At first, the 35-year-old hesitated, but he was desperate for a job. Besides, he said, he was told he would get his money back after a 90-day probationary period.
The problem was, Zellner was fired after two weeks.
Last week, he e-mailed What's Your Problem? hoping to get his money back.
"I've had a number of jobs in the past and I've never had to put any money down for training," he said. "The whole thing from the beginning was just smoke and mirrors."
Zellner said he worked for Arlington Nissan about 10 days and received $836.81, which included a $116.24 commission for selling a 2008 Nissan Versa. After subtracting what he paid for training materials, his net was $207.81.
"I think they're looking for people who are desperate for work in a crappy economy and they're taking advantage of it," Zellner said.
The Problem Solver called Bob Rohrman of The Bob Rohrman Auto Group, which owns the Arlington Nissan dealership. Rohrman said the practice of requiring potential employees to pay for training is common in the industry.
He said the dealerships do not profit from the payments. The money goes to an outside training agency, in this case Charlotte-based Worldwide Consulting Services.
Of his 26 dealerships in Illinois and Indiana, all have used a training agency at some point, Rohrman said. In most cases, the training agencies are able to get more potential employees through the door, he said.
"It's worth our time, our management time, to have them train [employees] for a week rather than have us training them," he said.
Even so, Rohrman said he's toyed with the idea of getting rid of training agencies. But his general managers have told him it's often the best way to hire.
Jon Kommel, general manager of Arlington Nissan, likened the practice to paying college tuition.
"If you go through college, why are you going through college? To get a good job, right?" he said. "You're not guaranteed getting a good job."
Kommel said Zellner was let go because he didn't have what it took to be a salesman. After shadowing another salesman for more than a week, Zellner was put on his own for two days, Kommel said.
"In that time, we observed that he really didn't take any customers," Kommel said. "He sat in the back with the guys."
Kommel said he would have rather it worked out.
"I'm not looking to let people go," he said. "I'm looking to hire people."
Kommel and Rohrman said that if Zellner wants his $629 back, he has to get it from Worldwide Consulting Services.
The Problem Solver called Logan Bentley, Worldwide Consulting's placement director. Bentley said his agency trains potential employees at about 50 U.S. and Canadian dealerships each week.
"We don't charge students for a job," he said. "They pay for materials, which we feel is very necessary to be successful."
Bentley said the $629 Zellner paid provides him with "lifetime placement assistance," and he offered to help Zellner find another auto sales job.
Zellner declined.
"At this point, I think I could get a job on my own," he said. "I'd rather just get my money back."
On Thursday, Zellner called Bentley. He said Bentley said he would consider a refund if he asked for it in writing. Zellner typed up the letter that afternoon.
"He just said to sign the letter and he'll see what he can do," Zellner said. "It doesn't sound real reassuring."
HAVE A PROBLEM? E-mail your story, providing as many details as possible, to yourproblem@tribune.com or write to What's Your Problem?, Newsroom, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Please include your name and a way to contact you. We cannot respond to everyone, but we'll get to as many as we can and publish the results Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Original story here.
Friday, March 20, 2009
New Cars Now Cheaper Than Used Ones
For cash-strapped consumers shopping for a car, used would seem like the place to start. Not necessarily. A new one might actually be cheaper.
Consider this: The average cost of a used 2008 Honda Accord EX sedan, certified by the dealership, was $21,544 earlier this month, according to Edmunds.com, a car-buying Web site. A new 2009 model cost $80 less.
It’s simple supply and demand. With new car sales at a 27-year low and desperate dealers piling on rebates and incentives, prices are plummeting. At the same time, demand is up for used cars and their values are rising.
“The intuitive logic has been that a used car buy is a better buy,” said Edmunds CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “But consumers need to check reality. It’s very contradictory.”
Used cars still generally cost less than new ones, but a mix of drastic price cuts, rebates and financing incentives is narrowing the gap.
Automakers are subsidizing zero-percent or low-interest loans on new cars, while the average rate on a three-year used car loan is about 7.5%, according to Bankrate.com. Factor in the lower cost of financing and the total cost of the new car can be less.
For example, a $30,000 car with an annual percentage rate of 2.9% would cost $662.70 a month over four years. By comparison, a used car with an APR of 7% would cost $718.38, a total of $2,673 more over the same period.
Automakers like Ford Motor Co. are banking on the phenomenon to drive consumers back to new car showrooms.
“There is an equilibrium level which we believe we are getting back to between the value of used vehicles and the transactional price of new,” said Ken Czubay, Ford’s sales and marketing vice president, when the company announced its February sales fell 48% from a year earlier. “This also portends, we believe, a favorable future for the new business.”
Even with the best of terms, however, the monthly payments for a new car are out of some people’s reach. That’s why leasing became popular. But many auto finance companies have stopped offering that option because it became unprofitable, and where it is available it may still be out of reach to many consumers.
Original story here.
Consider this: The average cost of a used 2008 Honda Accord EX sedan, certified by the dealership, was $21,544 earlier this month, according to Edmunds.com, a car-buying Web site. A new 2009 model cost $80 less.
It’s simple supply and demand. With new car sales at a 27-year low and desperate dealers piling on rebates and incentives, prices are plummeting. At the same time, demand is up for used cars and their values are rising.
“The intuitive logic has been that a used car buy is a better buy,” said Edmunds CEO Jeremy Anwyl. “But consumers need to check reality. It’s very contradictory.”
Used cars still generally cost less than new ones, but a mix of drastic price cuts, rebates and financing incentives is narrowing the gap.
Automakers are subsidizing zero-percent or low-interest loans on new cars, while the average rate on a three-year used car loan is about 7.5%, according to Bankrate.com. Factor in the lower cost of financing and the total cost of the new car can be less.
For example, a $30,000 car with an annual percentage rate of 2.9% would cost $662.70 a month over four years. By comparison, a used car with an APR of 7% would cost $718.38, a total of $2,673 more over the same period.
Automakers like Ford Motor Co. are banking on the phenomenon to drive consumers back to new car showrooms.
“There is an equilibrium level which we believe we are getting back to between the value of used vehicles and the transactional price of new,” said Ken Czubay, Ford’s sales and marketing vice president, when the company announced its February sales fell 48% from a year earlier. “This also portends, we believe, a favorable future for the new business.”
Even with the best of terms, however, the monthly payments for a new car are out of some people’s reach. That’s why leasing became popular. But many auto finance companies have stopped offering that option because it became unprofitable, and where it is available it may still be out of reach to many consumers.
Original story here.
US Mint Suspends Production of More Gold and Silver Coins
The United States Mint has officially announced the suspension of another slate of gold and silver products. The affected products are 2009 dated American Gold and Silver Eagle coins produced for collectors. These coins are considered collectible versions of the bullion coins.
Although these are collectible coins, they represent a sizable amount of precious metals sales and represent a method of gold and silver investment for many individuals. Last year, the US Mint sold 1,157,911 ounces of silver in the form of Silver Eagle coins minted for collectors. They also sold 155,740 ounces of gold in the form of Gold Eagle and Gold Buffalo coins minted for collectors.
The following message was posted on the US Mint's website in the space where the collectible Gold Eagle coins typically appear. The proof coins has been offered uninterrupted since 1986. The uncirculated version has been offered since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. Currently, all available 22-karat gold blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-185 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of gold bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Gold Coin products. Additionally, as a result of the recent numismatic product portfolio analysis, fractional sizes of American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins will no longer be produced.
A similar message is posted in the section where collectible American Silver Eagle coins would typically appear. The proof coins have also been offered uninterrupted since 1986 and the uncirculated coins since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins. Currently, all available silver bullion blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products.
This adds to the lengthy list of 2009 dated precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended by the US Mint. In my previous post Actions of the US Mint Discourage Gold Ownership, I mentioned the delayed release of 2009 Gold Eagle fractional coins, 2009 Gold Buffalo coins, and all 2009 Platinum Eagle coins. The delay, which was first announced in November 2008, continues with no further explanation provided.
For those keeping track, here is a list of the US Mint's 2009 precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended:
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Silver Eagle (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle (collector)
In addition, the following precious metals related products were discontinued by the US Mint for 2009. These discontinuations were announced in November 2008. Amidst the environment of unprecedented demand for precious metals, the US Mint determined that these products were "unpopular."
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
That makes a total of 38 precious metals products which have been delayed, suspended, or discontinued by the US Mint.
As it currently stands, investors or collectors looking to purchase newly minted American Eagle or American Buffalo precious metals products have only two options available. These are the 2009 1 oz. American Gold Eagle and the 2009 1 oz. American Silver Eagle. Both of these products continue to be subject to rationing.
Original story here.
Although these are collectible coins, they represent a sizable amount of precious metals sales and represent a method of gold and silver investment for many individuals. Last year, the US Mint sold 1,157,911 ounces of silver in the form of Silver Eagle coins minted for collectors. They also sold 155,740 ounces of gold in the form of Gold Eagle and Gold Buffalo coins minted for collectors.
The following message was posted on the US Mint's website in the space where the collectible Gold Eagle coins typically appear. The proof coins has been offered uninterrupted since 1986. The uncirculated version has been offered since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins. Currently, all available 22-karat gold blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Gold Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-185 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Gold Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of gold bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Gold Coin products. Additionally, as a result of the recent numismatic product portfolio analysis, fractional sizes of American Eagle Gold Uncirculated Coins will no longer be produced.
A similar message is posted in the section where collectible American Silver Eagle coins would typically appear. The proof coins have also been offered uninterrupted since 1986 and the uncirculated coins since 2006.
Production of United States Mint American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coins has been temporarily suspended because of unprecedented demand for American Eagle Silver Bullion Coins. Currently, all available silver bullion blanks are being allocated to the American Eagle Silver Bullion Coin Program, as the United States Mint is required by Public Law 99-61 to produce these coins “in quantities sufficient to meet public demand . . . .”
The United States Mint will resume the American Eagle Silver Proof and Uncirculated Coin Programs once sufficient inventories of silver bullion blanks can be acquired to meet market demand for all three American Eagle Silver Coin products.
This adds to the lengthy list of 2009 dated precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended by the US Mint. In my previous post Actions of the US Mint Discourage Gold Ownership, I mentioned the delayed release of 2009 Gold Eagle fractional coins, 2009 Gold Buffalo coins, and all 2009 Platinum Eagle coins. The delay, which was first announced in November 2008, continues with no further explanation provided.
For those keeping track, here is a list of the US Mint's 2009 precious metals products that have been "temporarily delayed" or suspended:
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (bullion)
* 2009 American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (bullion)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* 2009-W Proof American Silver Eagle (collector)
* 2009-W Uncirculated American Silver Eagle (collector)
In addition, the following precious metals related products were discontinued by the US Mint for 2009. These discontinuations were announced in November 2008. Amidst the environment of unprecedented demand for precious metals, the US Mint determined that these products were "unpopular."
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncirculated American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Unriculated American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Gold Buffalo 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Uncircualted American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/2 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/4 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 1/10 oz. (collector)
* Proof American Platinum Eagle 4 Coin Set (collector)
That makes a total of 38 precious metals products which have been delayed, suspended, or discontinued by the US Mint.
As it currently stands, investors or collectors looking to purchase newly minted American Eagle or American Buffalo precious metals products have only two options available. These are the 2009 1 oz. American Gold Eagle and the 2009 1 oz. American Silver Eagle. Both of these products continue to be subject to rationing.
Original story here.
Roll Your Own Cigarettes about to Skyrocket
I roll my own cigarettes to save $, but starting April 1st the cost advantage will all but disappear. At the company I buy from a pound of loose tobacco is rising from approximately $15 to as high as $50. One pound will make approximately 3 cartons. Once you factor in the tubes and the time involved it is a no win situation. Thanks for nothing government.
Full story here.
Where I buy my smokes here.
Full story here.
Where I buy my smokes here.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
In My Home State No Less
Alex Jones has received a secret report distributed by the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) entitled “The Modern Militia Movement” and dated February 20, 2009. A footer on the document indicates it is “unclassified” but “law enforcement sensitive,” in other words not for public consumption. A copy of the report was sent to Jones by an anonymous Missouri police officer.
The MIAC report specifically describes supporters of presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, and Bob Barr as “militia” influenced terrorists and instructs the Missouri police to be on the lookout for supporters displaying bumper stickers and other paraphernalia associated with the Constitutional, Campaign for Liberty, and Libertarian parties.
“Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) provides a public safety partnership consisting of local, state and federal agencies, as well as the public sector and private entities that will collect, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence to the agencies tasked with Homeland Security responsibilities in a timely, effective, and secure manner,” explains the MIAC website. “MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state of Missouri. MIAC will also function as a vehicle for two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement community within our region.”
MIAC is part of the federal “fusion” effort now underway around the country. “As of February 2009, there were 58 fusion centers around the country. The Department has deployed 31 officers as of December 2008 and plans to have 70 professionals deployed by the end of 2009. The Department has provided more than $254 million from FY 2004-2007 to state and local governments to support the centers,” explains the Department of Homeland Security on its website. Missouri is mentioned as a participant in this federal “intelligence” effort.
Last month, the ACLU issued a news release highlighting the activity of a fusion center in Texas as the “latest example of inappropriate police intelligence operations targeting political, religious and social activists for investigation,” in particular “Muslim civil rights organizations and anti-war protest groups.”
The MIAC report does not concentrate on Muslim terrorists, but rather on the so-called “militia movement” and conflates it with supporters of Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, the so-called patriot movement and other political activist organizations opposed to the North American Union and the New World Order. The MIAC document is a classic guilt by association effort designed to demonize legitimate political activity that stands in opposition to the New World Order and its newly enshrined front man, Barack Obama.
In September of 2008, Missouri sheriffs and prosecutors organized truth squads to intimidate people opposed to Obama and threatened to arrest and prosecute anybody who ran “misleading television ads.” Missouri governor Matt Blunt eventually denounced the use of “police state tactics” on the part of the Obama-Biden campaign.
MIAC claims members of a “rightwing” militia movement organized in the 1990s — generally in response to the Oklahoma City bombing and the events at Waco — “continuously exploit world events in order to increase participation in their movements. Due to the current economical and political situation, a lush environment for militia activity has been created” and supposedly exploited by “constitutionalists” and “white supremacists,” the latter an oft-employed canard used to demonize activists as dangerous and potentially violent lunatics.
MIAC notes many of the political issues cited by the so-called patriot movement — the Ammunition Accountability Act, the impending economic collapse of the government, the possibility of a constitutional convention, the North American Union, Obama’s “Universal Service Program,” and the implementation of RFID, issues that are not limited to the patriot movement but are shared by a wide array of political activists.
The MIAC document includes a map of the North American Union not dissimilar from one released by NASCO, the North America SuperCorridor Coalition (see the NASCO map here).
The MIAC report is similar to one created by the Phoenix Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joint Terrorism Task Force during the Clinton administration (see page one and page two of the document). The FBI document explicitly designates “defenders” of the Constitution as “right-wing extremists.” The MIAC report expands significantly on the earlier document.
Original story here.
The MIAC report specifically describes supporters of presidential candidates Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, and Bob Barr as “militia” influenced terrorists and instructs the Missouri police to be on the lookout for supporters displaying bumper stickers and other paraphernalia associated with the Constitutional, Campaign for Liberty, and Libertarian parties.
“Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC) provides a public safety partnership consisting of local, state and federal agencies, as well as the public sector and private entities that will collect, evaluate, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence to the agencies tasked with Homeland Security responsibilities in a timely, effective, and secure manner,” explains the MIAC website. “MIAC is the mechanism to collect incident reports of suspicious activities to be evaluated and analyzed in an effort to identify potential trends or patterns of terrorist or criminal operations within the state of Missouri. MIAC will also function as a vehicle for two-way communication between federal, state and local law enforcement community within our region.”
MIAC is part of the federal “fusion” effort now underway around the country. “As of February 2009, there were 58 fusion centers around the country. The Department has deployed 31 officers as of December 2008 and plans to have 70 professionals deployed by the end of 2009. The Department has provided more than $254 million from FY 2004-2007 to state and local governments to support the centers,” explains the Department of Homeland Security on its website. Missouri is mentioned as a participant in this federal “intelligence” effort.
Last month, the ACLU issued a news release highlighting the activity of a fusion center in Texas as the “latest example of inappropriate police intelligence operations targeting political, religious and social activists for investigation,” in particular “Muslim civil rights organizations and anti-war protest groups.”
The MIAC report does not concentrate on Muslim terrorists, but rather on the so-called “militia movement” and conflates it with supporters of Ron Paul, Chuck Baldwin, Bob Barr, the so-called patriot movement and other political activist organizations opposed to the North American Union and the New World Order. The MIAC document is a classic guilt by association effort designed to demonize legitimate political activity that stands in opposition to the New World Order and its newly enshrined front man, Barack Obama.
In September of 2008, Missouri sheriffs and prosecutors organized truth squads to intimidate people opposed to Obama and threatened to arrest and prosecute anybody who ran “misleading television ads.” Missouri governor Matt Blunt eventually denounced the use of “police state tactics” on the part of the Obama-Biden campaign.
MIAC claims members of a “rightwing” militia movement organized in the 1990s — generally in response to the Oklahoma City bombing and the events at Waco — “continuously exploit world events in order to increase participation in their movements. Due to the current economical and political situation, a lush environment for militia activity has been created” and supposedly exploited by “constitutionalists” and “white supremacists,” the latter an oft-employed canard used to demonize activists as dangerous and potentially violent lunatics.
MIAC notes many of the political issues cited by the so-called patriot movement — the Ammunition Accountability Act, the impending economic collapse of the government, the possibility of a constitutional convention, the North American Union, Obama’s “Universal Service Program,” and the implementation of RFID, issues that are not limited to the patriot movement but are shared by a wide array of political activists.
The MIAC document includes a map of the North American Union not dissimilar from one released by NASCO, the North America SuperCorridor Coalition (see the NASCO map here).
The MIAC report is similar to one created by the Phoenix Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Joint Terrorism Task Force during the Clinton administration (see page one and page two of the document). The FBI document explicitly designates “defenders” of the Constitution as “right-wing extremists.” The MIAC report expands significantly on the earlier document.
Original story here.
3 Car Dealership Executives, Dozens of Vehicles Missing
OMAHA, Neb. — Scores of new cars vanished from a western Nebraska car dealership and a prosecutor said Wednesday that some had turned up in other states and warrants had been issued for three missing executives.
The 81 Fords and Toyotas taken from Legacy Auto Sales in Scottsbluff were valued at about $2.5 million.
The Fords were put on transporter trucks and taken away Saturday and the Toyotas were shipped out late Monday, John Childress, Scotts Bluff County's chief deputy county attorney, said Wednesday.
Childress said arrest warrants had been issued for owner Allen Patch, controller Rachel Fait and general manager Rick Covello, who are wanted on suspicion of theft.
"Employees were expecting these people to be in Tuesday morning, and they were surprised no one was there," Childress said. "It is not an expected departure."
Covello called Scottsbluff police on Wednesday afternoon and said he would meet with investigators on Thursday, Capt. Kevin Spencer said. The whereabouts of Patch and Fait remained unknown, Spencer said.
Miranda Cervantes, the dealership's title manager, told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald she returned to work Tuesday after a day off and found the lot was virtually empty. She said the desks of Patch, Fait and Covello had been cleaned out.
The FBI traced two dozen vehicles to Salt Lake City, including 16 that had been sold at one auto auction, Spencer said. He said police also found six at the Scottsbluff airport, and the FBI located other vehicles in Las Vegas, but he didn't know how many.
Spencer refuted an earlier report from Childress that some of the vehicles had been found in Arizona.
Justin Leach, a spokesman for Toyota Financing in Torrance, Calif., said Patch financed the Toyotas and Fords through his company.
Legacy has had financial problems, Childress said, and authorities suspect Patch and his associates were looking to sell the vehicles to auction houses and keep the proceeds rather than pay Toyota Financing. He said the three have no criminal records in Nebraska.
All three previously lived in Utah, and the FBI and law enforcement agencies in several western states were searching for them, Childress said.
Leach said there are some provisions that would allow a dealer to move vehicles.
"But if the dealer and the cars go missing, there's an issue," he said.
Most of the missing cars were Toyotas, but Childress didn't have an exact number.
All 81 cars had valid temporary titles, as required by state law, Childress said.
Despite the missing new cars and executives, Legacy Auto Sales remained open Wednesday. Cervantes did not respond to calls seeking additional comment.
Scottsbluff is 470 miles west of Omaha.
Original story here.
The 81 Fords and Toyotas taken from Legacy Auto Sales in Scottsbluff were valued at about $2.5 million.
The Fords were put on transporter trucks and taken away Saturday and the Toyotas were shipped out late Monday, John Childress, Scotts Bluff County's chief deputy county attorney, said Wednesday.
Childress said arrest warrants had been issued for owner Allen Patch, controller Rachel Fait and general manager Rick Covello, who are wanted on suspicion of theft.
"Employees were expecting these people to be in Tuesday morning, and they were surprised no one was there," Childress said. "It is not an expected departure."
Covello called Scottsbluff police on Wednesday afternoon and said he would meet with investigators on Thursday, Capt. Kevin Spencer said. The whereabouts of Patch and Fait remained unknown, Spencer said.
Miranda Cervantes, the dealership's title manager, told the Scottsbluff Star-Herald she returned to work Tuesday after a day off and found the lot was virtually empty. She said the desks of Patch, Fait and Covello had been cleaned out.
The FBI traced two dozen vehicles to Salt Lake City, including 16 that had been sold at one auto auction, Spencer said. He said police also found six at the Scottsbluff airport, and the FBI located other vehicles in Las Vegas, but he didn't know how many.
Spencer refuted an earlier report from Childress that some of the vehicles had been found in Arizona.
Justin Leach, a spokesman for Toyota Financing in Torrance, Calif., said Patch financed the Toyotas and Fords through his company.
Legacy has had financial problems, Childress said, and authorities suspect Patch and his associates were looking to sell the vehicles to auction houses and keep the proceeds rather than pay Toyota Financing. He said the three have no criminal records in Nebraska.
All three previously lived in Utah, and the FBI and law enforcement agencies in several western states were searching for them, Childress said.
Leach said there are some provisions that would allow a dealer to move vehicles.
"But if the dealer and the cars go missing, there's an issue," he said.
Most of the missing cars were Toyotas, but Childress didn't have an exact number.
All 81 cars had valid temporary titles, as required by state law, Childress said.
Despite the missing new cars and executives, Legacy Auto Sales remained open Wednesday. Cervantes did not respond to calls seeking additional comment.
Scottsbluff is 470 miles west of Omaha.
Original story here.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Goodbye....For now
Well it looks inevitable that for the immediate future I no longer have a job with the railroad.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Bill creates detention camps in U.S. for 'emergencies'
The proposed bill, which has received little mainstream media attention, appears designed to create the type of detention center that those concerned about use of the military in domestic affairs fear could be used as concentration camps for political dissidents, such as occurred in Nazi Germany.
Full Story here
Full Story here
Rule by fear or rule by law?
"The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist."
- Winston Churchill, Nov. 21, 1943
Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of "an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs."
Rest of the story here
- Winston Churchill, Nov. 21, 1943
Since 9/11, and seemingly without the notice of most Americans, the federal government has assumed the authority to institute martial law, arrest a wide swath of dissidents (citizen and noncitizen alike), and detain people without legal or constitutional recourse in the event of "an emergency influx of immigrants in the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs."
Rest of the story here
Could it all be Propoganda?
I believe a lot of what we are seeing is planted there purposely or plainly made up. Read carefully and take EVERYTHING with a grain (or two) of salt.
Story here.
Story here.
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