WELCOME TO THE LISBON REPORTER. In an effort to keep our community informed of what is going on at local and Federal levels of government, we decided to create this on-line newspaper. It is our hope that this on-line newspaper will help you stay informed so that you can get involved and take action for the benefit of our ENTIRE community. Thank you for visiting and please check back frequently for information about what is happening in
LISBON/LISBON FALLS, MAINE USA
I spent most of the day in the
NaturalNews video studio filming interviews with various people. Was
also on the Alex Jones Show today, talking about new evidence showing
dangers of GMOs, as well as breaking news about Dr. Andrew Wakefield's lawsuit against the British Medical Journal. We'll have that video interview posted in a few days at www.NaturalNews.TV
Barley grass improves health in type 2 diabetics and reduces cholesterol (NaturalNews)
Barley grass (Hordeum vulgare) has been a favorite among health
enthusiasts for centuries. It is usually consumed as a powder or liquid,
but is also used to make barley malt. Barley grass is considered a
superfood, because of its incredibly...
Medical journal openly questions science, ethics of HPV vaccinations (NaturalNews)
On January 12, 2011 the Annals of Medicine published a ground-breaking
peer-reviewed paper titled, Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine policy
and evidence-based medicine: Are they at odds?, 1
2012 The Year of Troubles (NaturalNews)
We have finally arrived at the fateful year of 2012 and we can expect
all kinds of troubles. We might as well get used to it; we are now
living in a year of prophecy -- that is, if you are attuned to such
things. Where I built my Sanctuary...
Seaweed fibers boost weight loss (NaturalNews)
A team of scientists at the Faculty of Life Sciences (LIFE) at the
University of Copenhagen, Denmark has discovered evidence that seaweed
fibers have a high corrective impact on obesity. Dietary fibers increase
health statusPrevious...
Marijuana smoking better for lungs than cigarettes (NaturalNews)
Marijuana smoking, at least at moderate levels, does not harm lungs but
actually improves airflow rates and lung capacity. That's the finding
of a recent study published in the January 11, 2012 issue of the Journal
of the American Medical...
In its most critical report yet on the country, the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency says Iran might be working on developing nuclear weapons.
The International Atomic Energy Agency doesn't really have anyintelligence capabilities of its own. It is relying on reports that are coming from others like Israel and the United States.
It's all based on 'suspicions' and 'hunches'. It's all speculationand grainy satellite photos. It's so similar to the build up to the Iraq war it might as well be an instant replay on ESPN.
In fact, the UN nuclear watchdog has found NO smoking gun, but hassucceeded nonetheless in providing a pretext for war.
Former CIA officer Philip Giraldi speaks with RT and expressesgrave doubts about the value of the IAEA report...
A
true story from the pages of the Manchester Evening Times
Last
Wednesday a passenger in a taxi heading for Salford station leaned
over to ask the driver a question and gently tapped him on the
shoulder to get his attention.
The driver screamed, lost
control of the cab, nearly hit a bus, drove up over the curb and
stopped just inches from a large plate window.
For a few moments
everything was silent in the cab. Then, the shaking driver said "are you
OK? I'm so sorry, but you scared the daylights out of
me."
The badly shaken passenger apologized to the driver and
said, "I didn't realize that a mere tap on the shoulder would
startle someone so badly."
The driver replied, "No, no, I'm
the one who is sorry, it's entirely my fault. Today is my very first
day driving a cab.
After being paraded through the
corporate-run media and made to look like some sort of devil, Dr. Andrew
Wakefield is fighting back... with the truth, no less.
Also today: Another person being relentlessly attacked by the corrupt, criminal media is Ron Paul, who is nonetheless surging in popularity because he's the only candidate that actually has a moral compass. Today, I've published an article that may surprise you: 10 reasons why even democrats, liberals and progressives are supporting Ron Paul! Read more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034630_Ron_Paul_democrats_liberals.html Action item! A county in Florida that recently removed fluoride
poison from their water supply is now beseiged by ignorant chemical
pushers who are trying to reinstate the fluoride chemicals. Help us
fight back against toxic chemicals in the water: http://www.naturalnews.com/034627_fluoride_Pinellas_County_Florida.html
Dr. Andrew Wakefield sues BMJ, journalist Brian Deer for defamation (NaturalNews)
The man has been shamelessly mocked, repeatedly lied about, and cruelly
defamed for his legitimate scientific research into the combination
measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and autism in children. But
Dr. Andrew Wakefield is now...
Study - statin drugs linked to higher diabetes risk (NaturalNews)
A new study confirms a dangerous statin drug side effect: diabetes.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School report women over the age of 45
are much more likely to develop diabetes if they're taking a statin
drug. The study followed more...
Licorice root proven effective against oral infections (NaturalNews)
A new study indicates that dried licorice root is effective against the
bacteria which causes tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can
lead to tooth loss. Reporting their findings in the American Chemical
Society's Journal of Natural...
Study: Placebo performs as well as antidepressant drugs in treating depression (NaturalNews)
The more that researchers truly study the effects of antidepressant
drugs on depression patients, the more it becomes painfully obvious that
these mind-altering medications are utterly useless. A new study
conducted by the US National Institutes...
Solutions for toxic indoor air pollution (NaturalNews)
Did you know the indoor air you breathe could be slowly killing you?
There are literally thousands of chemicals, pesticides and heavy metals
that pollute the products you use - everyday! Fortunately, there are
many (natural) solutions to...
Dr Mark Sircus to release new book on Medical Marijuana (NaturalNews)
A medicinal marijuana user should not be considered a criminal in any
state. Most major medical groups, including the Institute of Medicine,
agree that marijuana is a compound with significant therapeutic
potential. - Dr. Gregory...
Where
do the presidential candidates
stand on the issues that matter to you? Issues such as controlling
illegal immigration, government power grabs and secrecy, bailouts, and
the repeal of Obamacare are important to the future of our nation.
To
find out where the presidential candidates stand on these issues,
Judicial Watch sent a thorough policy questionnaire to Republican
presidential candidates and President Barack
Obama. Judicial Watch does not endorse or oppose candidates for public
office.
The questions focus on the rule of law, government
corruption, transparency, and accountability. You can view the entire
questionnaire here.
I'm
sure you're as interested in the candidates' answers to our
questionnaire as we are… which is why I have a request of you today.
Could
you contact the candidates and encourage them to respond to the
Judicial Watch Presidential
Candidate Questionnaire? Let them know the issues we are asking them
about are important to you and important to America. Also, please ask
your friends and family to do the same so we can get answers from the
candidates by forwarding this email now: Forward to a friend
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT
SPOTTER REPORTS
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAY ME
338 PM EST THU JAN 12 2012
THE FOLLOWING ARE UNOFFICIAL OBSERVATIONS TAKEN DURING THE PAST 8
HOURS FOR THE STORM THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTING OUR REGION. APPRECIATION
IS EXTENDED TO HIGHWAY DEPARTMENTS...COOPERATIVE OBSERVERS...SKYWARN
SPOTTERS AND MEDIA FOR THESE REPORTS. THIS SUMMARY IS ALSO AVAILABLE
ON OUR HOME PAGE AT WEATHER.GOV/GRAY
********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************
LOCATION STORM TOTAL TIME/DATE COMMENTS
SNOWFALL OF
/INCHES/ MEASUREMENT
MAINE
...ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY...
DURHAM 4.8 322 PM 1/12
2 E LEWISTON 4.3 1256 PM 1/12
1 NW AUBURN 4.0 129 PM 1/12
4 S TURNER 2.0 1155 AM 1/12 VISIBILITY 300YDS
...CUMBERLAND COUNTY...
1 N CUMBERLAND 5.5 320 PM 1/12
PORTLAND - N DEERING 5.5 115 PM 1/12
BRIDGTON 5.3 1247 PM 1/12 CU05
2 SE WESTBROOK 5.0 220 PM 1/12
2 SW CASCO 4.5 1204 PM 1/12
GORHAM 4.5 115 PM 1/12
2 SSW CUMBERLAND 4.0 1218 PM 1/12
NORTH SEBAGO 3.5 1105 AM 1/12 1.5 PER HOUR 21 DEG
...KNOX COUNTY...
HOPE 2.0 1258 PM 1/12
...LINCOLN COUNTY...
WESTPORT 5.0 126 PM 1/12
1 N EDGECOMB 2.0 1123 AM 1/12
...OXFORD COUNTY...
2 NW OXFORD 2.0 1112 AM 1/12
4 E PARIS 2.0 1126 AM 1/12
1 NNW STONEHAM 1.5 1116 AM 1/12
1 E MEXICO 0.5 1113 AM 1/12
...YORK COUNTY...
2 NE KENNEBUNK 8.0 101 PM 1/12 MIXING WTIH SLEET
2 ESE VAUGHAN WOODS 6.0 1254 PM 1/12 SWITCHED TO SLEET
3 W BIDDEFORD 5.5 1204 PM 1/12
3 SE SOUTH BERWICK 5.0 1128 AM 1/12 -SN -PL
1 ESE BIDDEFORD 1.5 1111 AM 1/12 CHANGING TO RAIN
NEW HAMPSHIRE
...BELKNAP COUNTY...
LACONIA 5.0 1155 AM 1/12
3 SSE GILFORD 2.5 934 AM 1/12 27 DEG
...CARROLL COUNTY...
5 E SANDWICH 8.0 104 PM 1/12
NORTH CONWAY 5.9 1224 PM 1/12
1 WSW WOLFEBORO 4.9 110 PM 1/12
CENTER SANDWICH 4.8 1023 AM 1/12
WOLFEBORO 2.3 826 AM 1/12 .25SWE 25F DEGREES
...COOS COUNTY...
1 SW RANDOLPH 6.0 238 PM 1/12
...GRAFTON COUNTY...
ORFORD 2.0 1032 AM 1/12
...MERRIMACK COUNTY...
1 SSE HENNIKER 5.0 1150 AM 1/12 CURRENTLY FZRAPL
CONCORD 5.0 1043 AM 1/12
...ROCKINGHAM COUNTY...
1 NNE DEERFIELD 5.0 1141 AM 1/12
3 E DERRY 3.8 1137 AM 1/12 -PL
EPPING 3.0 1043 AM 1/12
2 ENE STRATHAM 3.0 1116 AM 1/12 MIXING WITH PL 33 DEG
LONDONDERRY 2.5 1227 PM 1/12
...STRAFFORD COUNTY...
2 SSE STRAFFORD 5.0 326 PM 1/12
Low pressure will weaken as it
moves into the Maritimes tonight. At the same time, another area of low
pressure will approach New England from the west. Low pressure will
move northeast through northern New England on Friday swinging a
trailing cold front through the area and setting up a strong southwest
flow in it's wake. A trough of low pressure will linger of the area
Friday night and will move offshore on Saturday. High pressure will
gradually build in from the west Saturday night through Sunday. High
pressure will crest over the region on Monday and shift offshore in the
afternoon. A cold front will approach from the northwest Monday night
through Tuesday. Low pressure will develop along the front and will move
into northern New England by Wednesday morning swinging the front
through the region. Low pressure will race off to the northeast on
Wednesday. See Full Discussion
An
old prospector shuffled into the town of El Indio, Texas
leading a tired old mule.
The old man headed straight
for the only saloon in town, to clear his parched throat.
He walked up to the saloon and tied his old mule to
the hitch rail.
As he stood there, brushing some of
the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger
stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a
bottle of whiskey in the other.
The young gunslinger
looked at the old man and laugh ed, saying, "Hey old man,
can you dance?"
The old man looked up at the
gunslinger and said, "No son, I don't dance... never really
wanted to"
A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger
grinned and said, "Well, you old fool, you're gonna dance
now!" and started shooting at the old man's feet.
The
old prospector, not wanting to get a toe blown off, started
hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet.
Everybody standing around was laughing..
When his last bullet had been fired, the young
gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned
around to go back into the saloon.
The old man turned
to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled 12 gauge
shotgun and cocked both hammers.
The loud clicks
carried clearly through the desert air. The crowd stopped
laughing immediately.
The young gunslinger heard the
sounds too, and he turned around very slowly.
The
silence was deafening. The crowd watched as the young gunman
stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those
twin 12gauge
barrels.
The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in
the old man's hands, as he quietly said;
"Son, have
you ever kissed a mule's ass?"
The gunslinger
swallowed hard and said, "No sir... but.... I've always
wanted to"
There are a few lessons for all of
us here: *Don't
be arrogant. *Don't
waste ammunition. *Whiskey
makes you think you're smarter than you are.
*Always
make sure you know who is in
control...*And
finally, Don't screw around with old folks; they didn't get
old by being stupid....
I just love a
story with a happy ending, don't
you?
If you find the title perplexing, be patient; I will explain.
It’s often said that ‘luck is what happens when opportunity meets
preparation.’ Likewise, one could say that reform in governance is what
happens when fiscal calamity meets determined leadership.
Globally and nationally, government fiscal crisis is endemic. In
many, if not most cases, leadership is lacking, and conditions are
approaching meltdown. Greece, Spain, Portugal, Illinois, Michigan, and
California come immediately to mind. Cities and counties across the
land face the same disasters.
But there is cause for optimism. Here in Maine, the new
administration and legislative majorities are confronting long-standing
indifference toward fiscal discipline in unfunded liabilities; DHHS
finances; and operations of the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Maine
State Housing Authority. Careless and misguided practices are being
exposed, and progress is being made correcting them.
Editorial note: Over the year's gone by, Lisbon officials have had the best of everything paid for by the taxpayer's; Fire equipment, Police equipment, we all know Public Works fights tooth and nail to get a new shovel, but every year you have to rent space in Lewiston to hold high school graduation. Because some say there is no facility large enough in Lisbon. But won't the walking trail be nice when and if it ever gets completed! Guess the priorities have been shuffled. Way to GO LISBON! Some things really should change for the sake of the children and not the 'egos' of Public Officials. Think About It!!!!!!
After watching this new town council's last two meetings it struck me funny as to why no business was ever conducted? What happened to the transparency that is supposed to be in play of Town government? Are they hiding something again?
The last agenda had Town manager's report but when they got to it the "faux" Town Manager had nothing to say. Lordly lordly what a waste of taxpayer's money feeding him.
Don't we pay him to tell us what is going on? This community has the right to know what is going on without having to take the town to court to get information from them.
There is something drastically wrong with the mindset of this Town Council form of government.
Am I the only senior citizen, lifelong Lisbon resident that sees this?
If I could get out more I would go to the meetings and ask myself but I can't anymore.
And Fern Larochelle do you have to speak so much and say so little? Blaa blaa blaa you should watch yourself. You have lost my respect that I had for you as a councilor with these last two meetings.
What a great idea! Now if the public/taxpayers will submit cost savings to the Lisbon Reporter for Mr. Fillmore to bring up as taxpayers suggestions at Council meetings and Budget hearings.
I agree with Gina Masons suggestion that overnight camping for a fee be allowed at Beaver Park. Town Manager Eldridge keeps saying that Beaver Park is a little-known asset. How better to get the word out than to allow overnight camping?
At the Saturday January 7 Council and Advisory Board tour of town facilities this was brought up while we were at Beaver Park. Some said it would be too expensive to add bathroom and shower facilities. Why would that be needed? People go camping to "rough it". As in everything, there would have to be rules; as Verla said, no campfires, charcoal grills only. There would have to be designated campsites with out-houses nearby.
I have been trying for several years to "educate" the taxpayers on a little known fact. Every year one third of our teachers receive a "step increase"in their salary. This began many years ago as a way to bring our teachers pay up to acceptable levels. Look at the teacher's pay in the annual Town Report. Our teachers are no longer underpaid. THIS HAS TO STOP-THIS YEAR ! ! ! ! ! ! Now, I am NOT against teachers and education. I am not against sports in school. Teaching may be one of the most difficult jobs today. I'm sure no teacher will agree, but teachers today are well paid. The step-increases are not based on teaching performance or student scores, good or not-so-good. The step-increases have out-lived the reason they were instituted. We need to cut spending. It is time to end them.
I also agree with Mr. Fillmore that the Police and Fire Departments be coordinated and under the heading of Public Safety, with one "qualified" Department Head.
In order to reduce our tax bills in Lisbon, the town has to cut spending. The town council needs our help by providing suggestions as to how to reduce the cost of operating the town of Lisbon. I am sure each of the residents in the town of Lisbon has some valid suggestions. Please submit your ideas to the Lisbon Reporter and we will publish all “valid” suggestions. You do not have to sign your name if you do not want to and we will sign it “anonymous”. The following are a few suggestions I have come up with:
Cost Savings
The biggest cost savings is to completely turn the Lisbon Communication Center over to the County lock, stock and barrel. This would assist the County Commissioners with their dilemma and as Gina Mason stated “It is time for Lisbon to reach out to our neighbors and offer our help and service to them.” This is a cost savings to the taxpayers of Lisbon of approximately $500,000 dollars.
Why not combine the Police and Fire Department forming the Public Safety Department? Depending on how the town decides to combine these two departments, there is a cost savings of between $70,000 and $80,000 dollars. It is only a matter of which department head you want to be the new head of the Public Safety Department, of course, if you let both current department heads go there would be additional savings. Remember, Brooks has already retired once and Galipeau is not fully qualified for the position.
Reduce the salaries of the Town Engineer and the current Fire Chief in half. This is an additional cost savings of approximately $70,000 dollars. Both individuals were hired with the understanding they would obtain the necessary credentials and since both have breached their employment agreements there should be no problem reducing their salaries. Neither of these individuals has obtained the required credentials and yet the taxpayers are paying them as if they are fully qualified.
Sell the equipment stored in the old Lisbon Emergency building. There is no sense storing equipment not being utilized. This building is being maintained at an unknown cost to the taxpayers. Why do we need to store equipment not being utilized? Why not sell this equipment and utilize that money to update some of the equipment we are utilizing.
Generate Revenue
Gina Mason suggested overnight camping at Beaver Park. Why not? We have a park ranger there 24/7 to supervise. If it was controlled, it would generate additional revenue to the town.
If the town was to turn the Lisbon Communication Center over to the County and the County utilized the Lisbon town office space, then the town of Lisbon could charge the County rent on the space being occupied by the Androscoggin County Consolidated Communication Center (A4C), once again generating revenue for the town.
The above are my suggestions on how to cut spending in the Town of Lisbon. Reducing spending is the ONLY method to lowering our tax bills. Like I stated before, you people have similar suggestions/ideas the town council should be considering. Email your suggestions to the Lisbon Reporter and we will ensure they get published and presented (if valid) to the town council for evaluations. You do not have to sign your name if you do not want to; but help us to eliminate excessive spending in the town of Lisbon.
THIS IS YOUR TOWN TOO AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO HELP!!!!!!!!! Larry Fillmore Concerned Citizen
Even as the U.S. media was downplaying the real story on Fukushima, babies across America were dying from radiation contamination. This is the conclusion of new science that says 14,000 fatalities have already occurred in the USA due to Fukushima. Read more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034586_Fukushima_USA_fatalities.html OWS protesters are labeled "terrorists" in a new video game called Rainbow Six.
It's a "first person shooter" that lets children and teens play out Big
Brother kill missions against American protesters and veterans: http://www.naturalnews.com/034592_Rainbow_six_video_game_domestic_terrorism.html
Mediterranean diet and reduced calorie intake promote brain health and longevity (NaturalNews)
Researchers have long theorized that a Mediterranean diet full of
vegetables, fruit, fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil can help promote good
health. Scientists at the Sahlgrenska Academy in Sweden reporting in
the European journal AGE
Gardasil - Don't Cry for Me Argentina - I Have Come to Kill Thousands of Your Girls (NaturalNews)
Last February, Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez announced the
launch of the country's HPV vaccine program at the National Institute of
Tropical Medicine conference. In a stunning admission and before an
audience of her countrymen...
Vitamin C mega-dosing continues to unleash healing miracles around the world (NaturalNews)
Remember the story of Alan Smith from New Zealand, and his dramatic
recovery from a coma with mega-dose vitamin C? That story went viral and
was featured in the New Zealand version of "60 Minutes." But some
sources didn't have it quite right...
Salt - friend or foe? (NaturalNews)
For many years we have been told by medical experts and nutritionists
alike that it is crucial for our health to cut down on sodium as much as
possible. Statistical data seems to show that a high dietary salt
intake (primarily consisting...
Goal setting that sticks every time (NaturalNews)
(This goal setting anecdote was written based on the experience of an
iNLP student.) I sat at the dining room table on the day after
Christmas, loathing myself for being 60 pounds overweight. Then I
loathed myself more for loathing...
FBI pushes to classify undercover animal abuse investigations as 'terrorism' (NaturalNews)
The USA Patriot Act, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and
various other unconstitutional "anti-terrorism" legislation all appear
to be getting turned right back around on the American people. It has
been revealed that the US...
Large southwest dairy farm to lose organic certification following USDA investigation (NaturalNews)
The first dairy to ever become US Department of Agriculture (USDA)
certified organic in the State of Arizona is now set to lose that
certification following an investigation spearheaded by the Cornucopia
Institute (CI), a small-scale organic...
IBM helped automate Hitler's holocaust death machine, author reveals (NaturalNews)
It is not known that one of America's most successful technology
companies was complicit in helping Nazi leader Adolph Hitler build a
more efficient killing machine before and during World War II, ...
Unlike "What In The World Are They Spraying?", this new film will cover
more than just geo-engineering/chemtrails. This time Paul Wittenberger
teams up with photographer Chris Maple to examine the causes of the
current pandemic of neurological diseases and disorders such as
Alzheimer's and Autism.
It will include interviews with Rosalind
Peterson, the founder of California Skywatch; James Rota, DDS; David C.
Kennedy, DDS; and Lauren Feder, MD amongst others and focus on the
poison added to our drinking water fluoride, plus the dangers of
vaccines, as well as the poisons added to our air.
As we start a new year some thoughts come to me from
something my pastor’s wife said Sunday morning, January 1, 2012. She
recently did a study on the number 12 and its significance in Scripture.
It reminded me of the deep importance of God in the development of our nation and the importance of God in the coming year. This is what she said:
In the Bible “12″ represents God’s perfect government and
Divine authority. To write “12″ in Hebrew two Hebrew letters are used …
“yod” which signifies hand or outworking and “beth” which signifies
house. “The outworking of the household in harmony under Divine
authority.” I am claiming this for each household and our house of
worship that we will see God’s authority extended to our territory from
our homes and churches.
OH YEAH! AMEN!
Before I started my writing career 18 months ago, I was inspired by a
series of documentaries I watched about the founding of our nation and
how our founding fathers
placed so much importance on Divine Providence. I saw how their faith
in God and their devotion to Biblical principles guided them in their
pursuit of liberty and freedom for all, not just the wealthy, elite
group in which most of them belonged.
Our nation was founded by men who believed in God very strongly and
prayed every step of the way; through the years of protesting to King
George of England about their grievances; through the horrible years of
the Revolutionary War when death, suffering, fear, and want were the
order of the day; then through the 11 years it took to actually form a
nation, write the Constitution of the United States of America, and have
it ratified by the various states.
Lisbon,
In 2006, it was reported that 151 members of Congress had up to
$195.5 million of their personal assets invested in defense
corporations.
It's now 2012 and I can only imagine that those Congressmen have
made a good deal of return on their investments.
These are the same people who vote to keep funding all the wars we
fight and insure that we are in continued conflicts world wide.
Moreover, the CEO's of these 'defense' corporations sit on advisory
boards that draft and implement foreign policy. Clearly, anybody
can see that 'peace' is not good for their business, so in who's
interests are they advising?
War is a racket.
Foreign policy and war profiteering...
Last week we uncovered how many billions of dollars the
wars in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are costing the American
taxpayers. We all know that war costs a lot of money. What we don't know
is that the same people who profit off the wars we create have a direct
influence in shaping the foreign policy that keeps America at war while
putting millions of dollars in their own pockets.
Here is the way our government system is supposed to work: foreign
policy is supposed to be drafted between the President and Congress, and
the Secretary of State. In the present administration, this is Hillary
Clinton. She is supposed to serve as the President's main foreign policy
advisor. What is foreign policy? Foreign policy is a set of goals
outlining how a country will interact with other countries economically,
politically, socially and militarily. These days, many of our elected
representatives have become merely the messengers of foreign policy
prescriptions that were created by councils and think tanks comprised of
CEOs and executives from the biggest corporations in the world. On
these councils sit executives from every major industry from food to
media and, most shockingly, national defense.
Is if there is a conflict of interest when CEOs of the largest
defense corporations are advising our lawmakers on foreign policy?
Before you decide ask yourself this: if you were the CEO of Lockheed
Martin, the largest defense corporation in America, and 95% of your
company's $35 billion dollar annual profit came directly from government
contracts that employ you to supply war materials, would you want the
war to end? Especially if you personally enjoyed a $21 million increase
in compensation from 2005 to 2008 as a result of the War on Terror?
Between 2001 and 2005, defense corporations' annual profits climbed
189%, and the CEOs of these corporations that benefited the most from
this profit increase sit on councils together with our politicians to
"recommend," "suggest" and "prescribe" foreign policy.
In this episode of YOURTRUTH, we are going to take a look at how much
influence the CEOs of the top defense corporations have on the shaping
of our foreign policy, specifically the foreign policy that has kept us
at war. Let's start with Robert Stevens, who we mentioned earlier is the
CEO and President of Lockheed Martin, the number one defense
corporation in the nation. Stevens is the presiding director of
Monsanto, the largest manufacturer and distributor of genetically
modified seeds, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a
member of the Advisory Board to the Atlantic Council. So what are these
councils?
The Council on Foreign Relations is a powerful think tank comprised
of the worlds' biggest CEOs and executives in banking, oil, media,
mining, food, real estate investment, and politics. A few of the most
recognizable political members include David Rockefeller, John McCain,
Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, and Madeleine Albright. President of the CFR,
Richard Hass, was the former Director of policy planning for the
Department of State. CFR board member Richard Holbrooke is Obama's
Special Advisor on Afghanistan and Pakistan. According to their website,
one of their functions is to sponsor "independent task forces that
produce policy prescriptions on the most important foreign policy
topics." Let's not forget that corporate CEOs don't take an oath to
serve the best interest of the American people: their primary obligation
is to maximize company profits.
I know, we all want to believe that our politicians are incorruptible
and won't take corporate dollars that might sway their decision making.
But would millions of dollars sway you? According to recent reports
from OpenSecrets.org, 151 members of Congress in 2006 had up to $195.5
million of their personal assets invested in defense corporations. What
does this mean? When members of our Congress vote to keep us in war, are
they really doing it for the safety of the American people, or are they
doing it because their stocks will increase, giving them a bigger
payout?
Major defense corporations were seriously involved in the 2008
elections as well. Lockheed Martin gave $2,612,219 in total political
campaign donations, with 49% to Democrats ($1,285,493) and 51% to
Republicans ($1,325,159). Boeing gave $2,225,947 in 2008 with 58% going
to Democrats and General Dynamics provided $1,682,595 to both parties.
Northrop Grumman spent over $20 million in 2008, hiring lobbyists to
influence Congress, and Raytheon spent $6 million on lobbyists in the
same period.
Wow. That is a lot of money I wonder what these corporations expect in
return for their campaign handouts?
Well, all we have to do is look at the policy prescriptions they help
draft and provide to our politicians. For example, let's take a look at
the Atlantic Council's most recent proposal, outlining U.S. policy
objectives with Pakistan. Senator John Kerry, who personally has over
$30 million invested in defense companies, and Atlantic Council chairman
Chuck Hagel just recently proposed the plan to the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee for review.
So what is the Atlantic Council? Well according to their website,
they focus on "drafting roadmaps for U.S. policy towards the Balkans,
Cuba, Iraq, Iran and Libya." Other than Robert Stevens, CEO of Lockheed
Martin, who else belongs to this council? Corporate membership includes
all four of the top four defense corporations in the country: Lockheed
Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon. Another interesting fact
is that General Jim Jones left as chairman of the Atlantic Council to
work as Obama's National Security Advisor, and four other prominent
officials from Obama's administration are also members: Susan Rice,
Richard Holbrooke, General Eric Shinseki, and Anne-Marie Slaughter.
In both the Council on Foreign Relations and the Atlantic Council we
see corporate CEOs and politicians working together to draft and
implement foreign policy that will financially benefit those invested in
the defense industry. Whose interest does this serve: the American
people who are paying their hard earned tax dollars for these wars, the
CEOs of defense corporations who are profiting from these wars, or the
politicians who are personally invested in continuing these wars? Need
more proof of the revolving door relationship between corporations and
government? According to Project Censored, President Obama recently
nominated Raytheon's Senior VP for government operations and strategy,
William Lynn, for the number two position at the Pentagon.
One of the other top defense corporations is Boeing. Current CEO of
Boeing, James McNerney, Jr. is a sitting member of the Business
Roundtable. What is the Business Roundtable? CEOs of the top 160
corporations present government officials with "reasoned alternatives
and positive policy suggestions." Also, it is not unusual for Business
Roundtable members to meet with the President and his staff in private.
Northrop Grumman, the 4th largest defense corporation in the world,
saw net sales of $7.6 billion in 2000 skyrocket to nearly $34 billion by
2008. According to Corpwatch, at least seven former officials,
consultants or shareholders of Northrop Grumman held positions in the
George W. Bush administration. It is also noteworthy that, in the last
ten years, Northrop Grumman shelled out $8.5 million in campaign
contributions to both parties.
To spell it out, defense corporations are making millions by the wars
we create. Our politicians are also financially benefiting from the
wars we create. The cozy relationship that many in our government have
with the most powerful leaders in the defense industry should be a
significant cause for concern for any taxpaying American. If our
foreign policy decisions are intertwined with the business interests of
major corporations, the voices and opinions of American voters will be
sidelined and ignored.
The time is now to stop the corruption and end
this war. Tune in next week to find out what people are doing all over
the world to end this war and restore peace. It is time for a change,
and this change starts with you.
The stuff they teach you about history
in public schools is mostly fluff. Real history is far more revealing
about the evil nature of powerful corporations and the people who work
for them. Case in point: IBM
helped promote Hitler's war crimes by providing key technologies used to
automate the mass murder of Jews. It's all explained here: http://www.naturalnews.com/034584_IBM_holocaust_Nazi_Germany.html Monsanto is spending millions of dollars a year lobbying the federal government. Gee, ever wonder why? http://www.naturalnews.com/034583_Monsanto_lobbying_Congress.html
IBM helped automate Hitler's holocaust death machine, author reveals (NaturalNews)
It is not known that one of America's most successful technology
companies was complicit in helping Nazi leader Adolph Hitler build a
more efficient killing machine before and during World War II, ...
Monsanto spends whopping $2 million in third quarter 2011 lobbying federal government (NaturalNews)
If you have ever wondered how the biotechnology industry has been able
to develop the cozy and unquestioning relationship with the federal
government that it has today, you need not look much further than Big
Biotech's lobbying expenditures...
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid prevent memory loss and improve cognition as we age (NaturalNews)
Researchers from the Australian National University have shown that
essential B vitamins combat stress that results in a loss of memory and
normal thought patterns that cause abnormal brain aging. Published in
The American Journal of...
Alternate treatment for chronic acne sufferers (NaturalNews)
Certain pharmaceutical medications prescribed for acne sufferers come
with serious side effects. Many sufferers, desperate to be rid of their
embarrassing acne, have found out too late that their treatment choice
can cause severe, life-threatening...
All that glitters is gold: Metal theft rising in UK and around the world (NaturalNews)
Ten years ago, it would have been almost unheard of to hear about
thieves targeting facilities like churches or hospitals for their copper
trim work, steel-encased generators, wiring, and other metal materials.
But today, in the midst of...
Chemicals in fast food wrappers show up in human blood (NaturalNews)
Toxic chemicals used to line fast food wrappers migrate easily into
human blood, according to a study conducted by researchers from the
University of Toronto and published in the journal Environmental Health
Perspectives. Oily...
Busted! Scientists leave out data to produce bogus findings (NaturalNews)
Clinical trials of drugs and other medical therapies are carefully
carried out and are the very gold standard of scientific proof, right?
According to an in-depth review of this question just published in the
British Medical Journal (BMJ...
Nicholson wins Chamberlain Award; to accept honor Thursday in Brunswick
2012-01-06
BY BETH BROGAN, Times Record Staff
BRUNSWICK — Dan Nicholson of Lisbon, the former command master chief
of Brunswick Naval Air Station who lowered the flag at the base
decommissioning ceremony in May, will receive the 2011 Joshua L.
Chamberlain Award on Thursday evening at the Southern Midcoast Maine
Chamber’s annual dinner at Bowdoin College.
Nicholson,
48, served in the highest enlisted leadership position at the base
until it closed on May 31, 2011. He previously served as command master
chief for his wing and then for the VP-10 Squadron.
Capt. William Fitzgerald, the last commanding officer at BNAS — who
won the Chamberlain Award in 2010 — nominated Nicholson for his impact
on military-community relations and his “invaluable” contribution to the
base and the community.
The Chamberlain Award has been given yearly since 1976 to an
individual “who, through his or her outstanding dedication and service
toward promoting the best possible military-community relationship
within the Mid-coast area, deserved to be singled out,” according to the
chamber. “The individual nominated should be one whose activities have
served to build upon the close relationship and understanding existing
between the military and civilian components of the greater
Bath-Brunswick-Topsham region.”
It would appear there is a deep discrepancy between the “assessed value” and the “fair market value” of property. Please read the below listed article which tries to explain why this occurs.
http://www.pressherald.com/news/homeowners-ask_2012-01-02.html One of the most critical points brought out in the article is “More importantly, when municipalities do lower assessments, property owners see little change in their tax bills because towns and cities simply raise the tax rate to cover the cost of running local government. The only real way to reduce municipal budgets or tax bills is to reduce spending on police, schools or other public services.” According to Dave Ledew, director of the state’s Property Tax Division, “If you roll back property values for everybody by 10 percent, it shouldn’t change their tax bills.”
Maine Revenue Services uses two methods to test whether property assessments – and the tax bills they generate are valid and fair.
(1) The assessment ratio compares the average value with the average sale price of all homes sold during a specific. Under state law, a town’s assessment should not be more than 10 percent higher or 30 percent lower than average sale prices. (2) The quality rating-determines the percentage of individual properties in a town that deviate from the assessment ratio. That number should not fall below 20 percent.
Maine Revenue Services provides minimal oversight given state laws that set market-related assessment standards but impose few or no penalties. As a result, some municipalities view the standards as guidelines rather than requirements. While the state’s Property Tax Division encourages municipalities to do regular town wide revaluations to keep assessments current, the process can cost more than $300,000 and take one to two years to complete. As a result, many towns now make incremental adjustments or do in-house revaluations. Special software allows assessors to keep track of sales and building permits, make changes to individual property assessment and adjust values on similar properties accordingly.
Lisbon could have opted to have an in-house revaluation or incremental adjustments instead of a full blown revaluation saving the taxpayers a great deal of money. But instead, this town council decided to spend $80,000 per year for four years, if my memory serves me right. Why is Lisbon shooting themselves in the foot? Lisbon needs to find ways to cut spending and lower the operating cost. The secret to reducing taxes is to reduce spending. There is no other magical spell for reducing taxes.
Lisbon's Town Manager
(Editorial note: He doesn't even live in town so why should he care about lowering taxes????? Think About It!!!!!)
The article answers a lot of questions and provides excellent education into the process utilized but never answered the original question. When property values fall; why don’t taxes fall? The real answer is because the town’s operating costs have to be paid somehow and the only method available to towns and cities is through taxation. Yours taxes are really not determined by your property value but instead it is based on the operating cost of the town or city. This article outlines the methods town and cities utilize to cover their operating costs. Lisbon taxpayers are in for a rude awakening comes this August/September.
Now is the time to come to Town Council meetings and workshops demanding this council reduce operational costs in order to keep taxes as high as they already are or even demand for a tax reduction. Remember, you cannot speak at workshops but you can witness which of the councilors are trying to help and which ones are trying to increase spending.
DO IT NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. DO NOT BOTHER TO SHOW UP WHEN YOU GET YOUR TAX BILLS BECAUSE IT WILL BE TOO LATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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