Deadly Spain Earthquake Triggered By Groundwater Removal

By Becky Oskin, OurAmazingPlanet Staff Writer | LiveScience.com

In this May 12, 2011 file photo, a police officer inspects damage caused by an earthquake the previous day in Lorca, Spain, Thursday, May 12, 2011. Farmers drilling ever deeper wells over decades to water their crops likely contributed to a deadly earthquake in southern Spain last year, a new study suggests. The findings may add to concerns about the effects of new energy extraction and waste disposal technologies. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz, File)

Groundwater removal triggered the unusually shallow and deadly earthquake that hit Lorca, Spain, in 2011, according to a new study.

Scientists have known for decades that pumping water into the Earth can set off small earthquakes. But this is the first time that removing water has been identified as an earthquake trigger, researchers said. Both the size and the location of the quake were influenced by groundwater pumping, the study found.

"The fact that the very tiny stress changes due to normal processes, such as the extraction of groundwater, could have an effect on very large systems such as faults, that's very surprising," said Pablo González, lead study author and a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Western Ontario in Canada.

The researchers were also able to precisely calculate the physical changes that generated the quake. The results will help seismologists better understand the physics that control when an earthquake starts and stops — an important step in predicting when and where a quake will occur, and its size.

"We need observations of this sort to calibrate physical models" of faults, said Jean-Philippe Avouac, a geologist at Caltech in Pasadena, Calif., who was not involved in the study. "The initiation and arrest of [fault] ruptures are something we are trying to constrain," he told Our Amazing Planet.

To finish reading this article click here!

truth be told: Federal Reserve Has Been Issued Police Powers

truth be told: Federal Reserve Has Been Issued Police Powers: Federal Reserve Has Been Issued Police Powers by Tim Brown Did you know that the Federal Reserve is not a government entity? They aren...

DHS Orders 1.4 Billion Rounds of Hollow Tip Ammo

Dept. of Homeland Security ordered 1.4 BILLION ROUNDS of hollow point ammunition. A department that has no Constitutional military or police force under their direction!!!! Why would they need this?
In March of this year, ATK announced that it had received an ID/IQ award from the Department of Homeland Security for 450 million rounds of .40cal jacketed hollow point ammunition to be shipped to various locations in the U.S.

On 8/10/12, DHS issued an updated solicitation for 750 million more rounds, the greatest majority of it being hollow point type ammunition that includes handgun, rifle, and shotgun items. The Solicitation number is

HSFLGL-12-B-00003, with an original date of 7/18/2012. It must be urgent because potential vendors are required to respond by 8/20/2012.

Additionally, the Social Security Administration is soliciting contractors for 174,000 rounds of ".357 Sig 125 gr. bonded jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition". The National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration just ordered 46,000 rounds of hollow point ammunition. This totals over 1.2 BILLION rounds of the most lethal ammunition in the world being purchased by departments of our federal government that are NOT primarily responsible for the defense of the country, and don't have military forces.

The "cover story" is that all of this is for training and target practice. However, hollow points are not generally used for target practice. They are meant to maim and kill, and they are significantly more expensive than standard full metal jacket target ammunition. While we sincerely doubt that the cover is true, even if it were this training extravagance hardly seems a wise use of taxpayer monies.

More to the point, what is it that this incredibly absurd amount of ammunition is being used to prepare for? There are only two generally reasonable explanations:

1. DHS, under some Presidential order, has decided to become one of the primary defenders against an invasion of our country, and based on the timeframes noted in the solicitations feel that a threat is imminent.

This does not seem likely for several reasons. If that was the case, surely the administration and Congress would owe their bosses—WE THE PEOPLE—an explanation of this imminent threat and a plan. Second, we do not recall any Constitutional authority for this type of action on DHS' part. It would seem the DEFENSE DEPARTMENT might also have a problem with that. Lastly, we believe hollow point ammunition violates the Geneva Convention Rules of War.

OR

2. These agencies are preparing, under a paranoid internal plan, for some sort of major domestic event or civil unrest. Based on the ammo ordered, both in type and quantity, as well as other military equipment being solicited in large numbers, it appears the plan is to be ready and somewhat offensive in their approach to United States Citizens. The very people they are responsible to protect have now become the targets of hollow point ammunition, not allowed in WAR, by our own government. As silly as it may sound, this is more plausible than #1 above. How can that be?

What is REALLY going on in Stockton? City's Police buy a $300,000 armored vehicle

This Is what the City of Stockton really couldn't resist at the low price of $300,000. A New armored vehicle for the S.W.A.T. team. With the City on the verge of bankruptcy, don't you think they could have waited on this purchase. I mean, where is the accountability? Stockton is facing a deficit of 26.5 Million dollars, is again leading the nation in Murders per capita, and their solution is; go and buy a top-of-the-line “Bear Cat” armored vehicle to replace the department’s older one.






“It’s built for tactical purposes, so every part of this thing is armored,” Lt. Eric Ingersoll said.

The one which was replaced, wasn't built for Tactical purposes? Do they think they are in a war zone? This is to the point that our policemen are short-staffed, but the Department buys a vehicle which will rarely be used. The best part is where the money came from. It came from the sale of seized assets of criminals. Why couldn't the city make a payment on the parking garages? Because we are going to need the parking fees to help pay for the gas this thing is gonna burn up.




I think Marshal law is coming to an American city near you!

Romney STILL Isn't The Nomination

AP FALSELY REPORTS NOMINATION CLINCHED BY MITT ROMNEY!! THIS ENTIRE ARTICLE IS COMPOSED OF ROM-NO-BAMA B.S.!!! HOW DOES THE Associated Press create this Crock, and better yet, why feed this to people that aren't listening ??? You think America will fall for it AGAIN??? Don't be fooled by the propaganda televised every day to the millions of people, whom would never expect this type of non-sense.!

LINK TO original full article...
I didn't edit this at all, but check if you doubt.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mitt Romney has won the Republican presidential nomination after years of fighting, though his triumph was partially overshadowed by the celebrity businessman who helped him along the way.

As primary voters in Texas on Tuesday pushed him past the 1,144-delegate threshold(read the comments) he needed to win the nod, Romney was raising money in Las Vegas with Donald Trump, the real estate mogul who has stoked doubts about whether President Barack Obama was born in America.

It's the start of a weeklong push to raise millions of dollars during a West Coast swing as Romney looks to bring in as much cash as possible ahead of a ramped-up campaign schedule later this summer.

"Mr. Trump, thank you for letting us come to this beautiful hotel and being with so many friends. Thank you for twisting the arms that it takes to bring a fundraiser together," Romney told the approximately 200 people who paid thousands to attend the event at the Trump International Hotel. "I appreciate your help."

The Trump event and surrounding controversy overshadowed the Texas primary win that officially handed Romney the nomination, a triumph of endurance for a candidate who came up short four years ago and had to fight hard this year as voters flirted with a carousel of GOP rivals. According to the Associated Press count, Romney surpassed the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination by winning at least 97 delegates in the Texas primary.

The former Massachusetts governor reached the nomination milestone with a steady message of concern about the U.S. economy, a campaign organization that dwarfed those of his GOP foes and a fundraising operation second only to that of Obama, his Democratic general election opponent. He outlasted a half-dozen Republican opponents to clinch the nomination later in the calendar than any recent GOP nominee.

Romney must now fire up conservatives who still doubt him while persuading swing voters that he can do a better job fixing the nation's struggling economy than Obama. In Obama, he faces a well-funded candidate with a proven campaign team in an election that will be heavily influenced by the economy.

Romney will continue his push to raise money with fundraisers this week in wealthy California enclaves like Hillsborough, near San Francisco, and Beverly Hills. He has at least one major fundraising event every day for the rest of the week, as well as a series of smaller events.

But the focus Tuesday was on Trump, who once led polls of GOP primary voters. He endorsed the former Massachusetts governor just before the February Nevada caucuses, offering his support at a morning endorsement event in ballroom in the hotel that bears his name. In the same room Tuesday night for the fundraiser, Trump introduced Romney. He steered clear of the "birther" issue as he spoke to donors, though just hours earlier he had repeated his doubts about the authenticity of the birth certificate that shows Obama was born in Hawaii.

"A lot of people do not think it was an authentic certificate," Trump told CNN of Obama's birth certificate. When CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer told Trump he was "beginning to sound a little ridiculous," Trump responded, "I think you sound ridiculous."

Such allegations about Obama's birthplace have been repeatedly proven false.(NO.. fact is: he hasn't provided a real one yet.) The state of Hawaii recently re-affirmed that he was born there.(NO...fact is: AZ and Team Arpaio Awaits response from Hawaii.)

Trump's comments, repeated in several media interviews Tuesday, overshadowed Romney's attempts to focus on failed stimulus projects and federal money given to companies like Solyndra, the green energy company that received millions from the government only to go bankrupt.

Romney hasn't condemned Trump's assertions. On Monday night, he told reporters aboard his campaign plane that Trump is entitled to his opinion. Even as Trump-related criticism from Democrats and Republicans intensified in recent days, Romney showed no sign of distancing himself from the polarizing figure.

"I don't agree with all the people who support me. And my guess is they don't all agree with everything I believe in," Romney said. "But I need to get 50.1 percent or more."

Trump remains popular among the conservative base and boasts ties to deep-pocketed donors. He has recorded automated phone calls for Romney, hosted a fundraiser with Romney's wife, Ann, in New York, and pressed the candidate's case as a television surrogate.

The Obama campaign released a video Tuesday criticizing what it considers Romney's unwillingness to stand up to Trump and the more extreme elements in his party.

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, once a rival for the GOP nomination and now a Romney supporter, suggested that the Trump issue will not derail Romney's campaign.

"Gov. Romney's not distracted. The Republican Party's not distracted," said Gingrich, who attended the Trump fundraiser. "We believe that this is an American-born job-killing president. Other people may believe that he was born somewhere else and still kills jobs."

Gingrich was one in a series of rivals who challenged Romney during the prolonged primary fight.

Official: City headed in right direction

This has got to be because of the newly active citizens, whom I am provoking to stand up for their rights. This Story is trying real hard to keep the wool over our eyes. Doesn't She know that not reporting $46,000+ to your employer as the amount that was overpaid, would be viewed as embezzlement?

By Scott Smith
Record Staff Writer
May 02, 2012 12:00 AM

STOCKTON - Despite a barrage of bad news, Stockton has jump-started the revitalization of its downtown, begun a road project that will open up south Stockton commerce and formed a committee set on curbing the city's violence.

The city's long-inert Community Development Department is in the midst of a cultural overhaul, and vacant department head positions will be filled within weeks.

So City Manager Bob Deis told the City Council on Tuesday, ticking off a long list of steps Stockton is taking forward.

Deis said the city is having to overcome years of mismanagement and apathy at City Hall. He predicted that in another year, the foundation the city is laying now will begin to pay off.

"Stay the course," he told the City Council in a study session, outlining the successes and ongoing challenges. "The city of Stockton is doing some things right, making headway."

A year ago, the City Council set four goals: straightening its finances; increasing public safety; stimulating Stockton's economy; and making City Hall efficient.

Under those interlocking goals, city leaders pinpointed a list of 38 specific items that needed fixing.

Deis and other city staffers reported item by item a description of each specific area, who in City Hall is leading the effort and a status check - what's on schedule, behind or complete.

As glowing examples, Deis said the city invited a strike team from the Urban Land Institute for a week in February that will soon send recommendations for revitalizing Stockton's troubled core. In April, a committee formed under the Marshall Plan on crime met for the first time. After the meeting, Deis said members said they were impressed with the outlook.

All of this progress came even with significant distractions, like tense labor negotiations with the city's represented employees and Stockton having gone into confidential mediation with creditors in a pre-bankruptcy stage.

City Hall also experienced an exodus of key city staff within the past year, said Deis, who has worked at six different local governments in his career. He complimented the council for taking aggressive actions.

"Everywhere, councils develop goals, and that's it," he said. "Very few translate those into action."

Mayor Ann Johnston passed the compliment back to city staff for their work.

"I, too, am frankly amazed at the progress we've made despite all the challenges," she said.



Vice Mayor Kathy Miller also pointed out that the city has kept open community pools, started a youth tennis program and found a partner to keep the inner-city Merlo gym open with activities.

Too often, the headlines splash with the challenges, she said. "It's important to let the public know that we are busy and we are delivering critical services," she said.

Resident Gary Malloy pressed the council and city leaders for tangible results coming from the plans on paper. He asked when more police will be on the streets and why monthly financial reports weren't available.

"The citizens want to see action on crime and action on the finances," he said. Two people were found slain earlier in the day.

Police Chief Eric Jones responded to his staffing levels, saying that he has 344 budgeted positions and 326 officers now on the job. His office is actively recruiting, and soon, a federal grant will allow his office to hire 17 more officers, he said.

Stockton police are constantly working with the FBI, federal marshals and the California Highway Patrol, he added.

Deis said the downside is a federal grant giving Stockton 20 police officers soon expires, and the city's general fund will have to absorb their pay. "Come hell or high water," he said, "we're not going to cut those positions."

Contact reporter Scott Smith at (209) 546-8296 or ssmith@recordnet.com. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/smithblog.

Russia warns Israel not to attack Iran

By Alexei Anishchuk | Reuters – 1 hr 44 mins ago

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia warned Israel on Wednesday that attacking Iran would be a disastrous and played down the failure of a U.N. nuclear agency mission to Tehran, saying there is still a chance for new talks over the Iranian atomic programme.

"Of course any possible military scenario against Iran will be catastrophic for the region and for the whole system of international relations," Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov told a news conference.

It was one of Russia's starkest warnings against resorting to force, an option Israel and the United States have not ruled out if they conclude that diplomacy and increasing sanctions will not stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

"I hope Israel understands all these consequences ... and they should also consider the consequences of such action for themselves," Gatilov said. "I hope a realistic approach will prevail, along with a sensible assessment."

Russia, China as well as many allies of the United States are concerned that any military action against Iran could engulf the Middle East in wider war, which would send oil prices rocketing at a time of global economic troubles.

Iran has threatened to retaliate for any attack, or even if it feels endangered, by closing the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for Gulf oil exports crucial to the global economy, and hitting Israel and U.S. interests in the Middle East.

Tehran has refused to stop sensitive nuclear work such as uranium enrichment despite four rounds of U.N. sanctions and a slew of additional measures imposed by the United States and the European Union, which fear Tehran is seeking nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic says its efforts to produce nuclear fuel are solely for electricity generation.

To finish Reading this Story, visit Yahoo!

Pictures That Americans Are Not In Favor Of

This is for those Stupid Americans that say Iraq, Iran... Same Thing!

We have the same ideas for us and our Democracy.

Ron Paul Wins More Primaries

Lil Wayne Ft. Drake She Will

Two of the Realest Alive... Another Awesome Song from Lil Wayne and Drake... Young Money

ALAN WATTS: We Are Nothing

ALAN WATTS: BREAKING DOWN FEAR