DOOLEY Observed

Italian police seize $6 trillion of fake U.S. bonds

2012-02-18T08:21:00.000-05:00

By Elisa Forte and Gavin Jones | Reuters

POTENZA, Italy (Reuters) - Italian police said on Friday they had seized about $6 trillion worth of fake U.S. Treasury bonds and other securities in Switzerland, and arrested eight Italians accused of international fraud and other financial crimes.

The operation, co-ordinated by prosecutors from the southern Italian city of Potenza, was carried out by Italian, Swiss and U.S. authorities after a year-long investigation, an Italian police source said.

It began as a investigation into mafia loan-sharking, but gradually expanded as prosecutors used telephone and computer intercepts to unearth evidence of illegal activity surrounding Treasury bonds.

The fake securities, worth more than a third of U.S. national debt, were seized in January from a Swiss trust company where they were held in three large trunks.

The U.S. Embassy in Rome thanked the Italian authorities and said the forgeries were "an attempt to defraud several Swiss banks". It said U.S. experts had helped to identify the bonds as fakes.

President's Day-A Washington Memo

2012-02-17T17:56:00.000-05:00

George, would you believe, your country is $15.416,904,67,664.00 in debt and growing every minute. Now, let me explain who is President right now. Well, you remember those slaves that some people had, well, one of them is President, I can't explain it to you, it just happened, and he may be a Muslim, do you remember hearing about them, way overseas?

What, well yes, we have had a little trouble, well, hard to explain. We took the country back, then the North and South had a battle, then we took on Germany, then in the next one we took on Germany and Japan and some other countries, then a problem in Korea, then Viet Nam, then some Arab countries, and then, well, we've had some problems with what we "call terrorists."

What George, well a terrorist doesn't really have to do anything, they just have to threaten. Oh, they've done damage, flown airplanes into some tall buildings, well, George, we have really tall buildings now, much bigger and taller than your place. George, you can not believe all that has happened to this country since you were elected.

But, we did set aside a day for you, well, over the years there have been man presidents, actually, so we have one day for all you guys. Well schools are closed, banks are closed, government offices are closed, and, so is the post office. What, well they deliver mail, to everyone, yea, at their homes. Expensive? Yea, well they are having a little trouble..

But, this day we set aside for you, and the other presidents. Well, I think we take a wreath to your tomb. A wreath is flowers in a circle, and a tomb, well, that is where you are buried. Well, they decided that Washington was a better place than your place, I guess.

2012-02-17T11:07:00.000-05:00

Ever wonder about a group of Baboons.

They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates. And what is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons???
Believe it or not ……. a Congress!

Why Me?

2012-02-17T09:15:00.000-05:00

Show an abused dog or cat and there is a public outcry. Newsmen say, "These next scenes your family may find objectionable," and then they show scenes of animal abuse.

So, WHY, is it OK to show Alligators being hooked, drugged and then shot, point blank, in the head, and there is a whole series devoted to this scenario. Another one shows hunting and killing wild hogs. I must admit I have not seen that one, but saw the promos. I have not watched the Alligator show either, but came across parts while channel hopping.

Some schools have an Alligator as a mascot, whey have they not said something.

Are networks that hard up for shows? How about a live show from a slaughter house showing how they kill all those cows each day? Where are the animal rights activists when you need them?

Well, so much for that .............

2012-02-16T19:22:00.002-05:00

Obama poised to win 2012 election with 303 electoral votes: The Signal Forecast

By David Rothschild & Chris Wilson | The Signal

With fewer than nine months to go before Election Day, The Signal predicts that Barack Obama will win the presidential contest with 303 electoral votes to the Republican nominee's 235.

How do we know? We don't, of course. Campaigns and candidates evolve, and elections are dynamic events with more variables than can reasonably be distilled in an equation. But the data--based on a prediction engine created by Yahoo! scientists--suggest a second term is likely for the current president.

This model does not use polls or prediction markets to directly gauge what voters are thinking. Instead, it forecasts the results of the Electoral College based on past elections, economic indicators, measures of state ideology, presidential approval ratings, incumbency, and a few other politically agnostic factors.

A must see video ...........

2012-02-16T18:55:00.000-05:00

Most in a foreign language, but the point certainly comes across.

It is certainly worth watching ......

WATCH NOW

Record Sale at $88 Million

2012-02-16T17:20:00.000-05:00

The most expensive apartment in New York has passed from the hands of a retired American banker to the family of a Russian billionaire, setting some new milestones in the Manhattan real-estate market.

The sale for a penthouse with a wraparound terrace at 15 Central Park West owned by Sanford I. Weill, the former head of Citigroup Inc., closed on Wednesday, brokers said.

The price paid, as expected, was $88 million, 66% above that the previous record sale.

The purchase was made in the name of a trust for Ekatarina Rybolovleva, a 22-year-old college student and daughter of Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian now based in Monaco who made a fortune in potash fertilizer.

Hall F. Willkie, the president of Brown Harris Stevens, confirmed that the sale had closed at the full asking price. He said that he understood that the buyers would keep the custom-designed space as is, including an oval bedroom, and a study paneled in Brazilian rosewood.

The sale generated close to $2.5 million in city and state taxes, and produced what brokers said was a record commission on a residential sale of about $3.5 million for two brokers at Mr. Willkie's firm. Kyle W. Blackmon represented Mr. Weill, while Maria Torresy represented the Rybolovlevs, brokers said.

The marquee sale shows the growing footprint of international buyers in New York in the past few years. Many of the units at One57, a new 1,004-foot tower under construction on West 57th Street, have gone to Russian and Chinese buyers, brokers said.

Rainy day thoughts .........

2012-02-16T15:03:00.001-05:00

Funny what rain will do. A variety of thoughts have been racing through my mind this rainy day, Sitting here with the laptop, Google Maps, took a trip to Klamath Falls, Oregon, Reno, Nevada, San Diego, California, Dayton, Ohio and some other spots. It is a source of amazement to me that I can sit here, in Newark, Ohio, and look at a place where I used to eat in San Diego. Even more amazing that some things are still standing, after almost sixty years.

Looked at some old places in Dayton, Ohio. My old house is gone in favor of a "freeway." Some of the adjacent streets are there, but could recognize very little.

Then, after all these years something made me think of Skidoo, I can still smell the aroma of that cleaning product, Jessie, my Mom, used it on everything. Every sink had a can of Skidoo nearby.

Some ad copy I found: Vintage cream and navy blue Skidoo cleanser tin. The household creamy cleanser. The scouring soap. Use on kitchen sinks, enameled ranges, cooking utensils, pots. etc...The cleanser with the creamy lather. No dust, no waste, no untidy odors, keeps hands smooth and lovely.... The Skidoo Co. Columbus, Ohio Copyright 1938.

Funny, the things you remember on a rainy day.

One last word ..................

2012-02-16T14:35:00.000-05:00

Everyone is so concerned about the plans for Whitney's burial, the church, the fans, the family, the community.

Where were all these doting people in her life when she needed them the most. About the only element that has been silent is the medical profession and doctors, doctors who perhaps gave her all the prescription meds that she wanted, not needed, wanted. Where were all these "friends" then. My guess is that many, not all, where there for her while the money held out. If she had any "true" friends, she would probably be alive today.

It is not easy to be a true friend. True friends tell people things that they do not want to hear, and have them do things they don't want to do. I imagine that a true friend to some, is almost like an enemy to them. I suppose too, that true friends have a tendency to give up and walk away. Really true friends are hard to find.

A number of people come to mind, who would be alive today, if only they had the one true friend.

True friends are exceptional people, and, we rarely hear of them.

Some questions to answer for me .........

2012-02-16T12:33:00.000-05:00

My question is this. "Who can use a school facility for an event.?

Recently I have noticed some politicians using school facilities for meetings. A community meeting is being held soon at a local high school to discuss "fracking." Not sure who is sponsoring it.

I wonder what it costs, who do you pay it to, who pays for liability, who pays utilities, who pays for staff to clean up after a meeting, who, who, who?

Can anyone rent a school? If so, what rooms within the school?

One more question, why does the county pay the owner for sheep that are killed? Where does that money come from? If a lamb gets hit and killed by a car, does the county pay then?

If a dog comes on my property and kills my dog, will the county pay me?

All good questions, any answers?

Send all answers to dooleyobserved@yahoo.com. Thanks.

Man Suffers Severe Injuries After E-Cigarette Explodes in His Mouth

2012-02-16T12:11:00.000-05:00

A Florida man is recovering at a local burn center after suffering severe injuries from an electric cigarette that exploded in his mouth.

Tom Holloway, 57, of Niceville, Fla., was smoking the e-cigarette Monday night when his wife heard an explosion from their study. She reportedly said it sounded like a firecracker had exploded in the house and she heard him scream, one of Holloway's neighbors told ABC News affiliate WCTI.

Chief Butch Parker of the North Bay Fire District responded to the call. He said a faulty battery inside the electric cigarette likely caused the accident. Parker described the explosion as if Holloway was holding a "bottle rocket in his mouth."

"I have never heard of or seen anything like this before," Parker told ABCNews.com.

A Sad Story --- The Loving Husband

2012-02-15T18:10:00.000-05:00

A man had two of the best tickets for the Super Bowl. As he sits down, another man comes along and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him..

"No", he says, "the seat is empty."

"This is incredible!" said the man, "who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Super Bowl, the biggest sporting event of the football calendar and not use it?"

He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we haven ' t been together since we got married."

"Oh... I ' m sorry to hear that. That ' s terrible. I guess you couldn't find someone else, a friend or relative or even a neighbor to take the seat?"

The man shakes his head...

......"No. They ' re all at the funeral."

Chuckle for the day......

2012-02-14T20:46:00.000-05:00

We were watching TV this evening, and a commercial came on, one that we had often seen, and the same thought entered by mind.

The "Fonz," Henry Winkler talks about "Reverse Mortgages." Talks about their good and bad points, explains a bit about them. I imagine they use him to appeal to his audience, the elderly.

During his explanation he states, "It's guaranteed by the government." I have to chuckle every time I hear him say that. That used to mean something, years ago, if it was "guaranteed by the government," it was good as gold, etched in concrete, no worry.

Today, when I hear that, it means NOTHING. I, personally, have no faith in the government, and my guess is, that permeates through the general public.

Much like "political promises," none of the "guarantees" by any government agency seem to have much meaning any more, my faith is gone, and I think I am not alone. I think I would rather see guarantees by Bill Gates, or T, Boon Pickins, or maybe even the Bank of China. Guaranteed by Microsoft or Dell, I would feel more secure.

2012-02-13T12:17:00.000-05:00

I went to Emerson School, Oakwood Junior High School and Oakwood High School. for twelve years, and I cannot recall one day that we did not have school, or were let out early. Almost every day, on TV, some school has been let out for one reason or another.

We weren't close to a bank, so that accounts for no "lock downs," just in case a bank robber robbed a bank nearby. We never closed for "Weather" related occurrences. We even had a parade pass the school one day, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Charles Kettering and Orville Wright, and had to watch it from a window.

I walked to school every day, all those years, but, I did not have a ten pound backpack to lug, I just carried the needed books. I did have a motorbike, and rode that some days, and I did drive one year or two.

It seems like anymore a school bus has a wreck, a school closes for some reason or other. I never rode on a school bus, rarely ever saw one. The backpack might have been easier though.

Economic and Business Development in our county

2012-02-13T09:22:00.001-05:00

A little more on our county commissioners, township trustees, chamber of commerce and others who feel they can do this job. Will all those of you who are qualified, please raise your hands. This is a Job Description for a position to accomplish what they hope to ..... and they think that they can do it?

JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Economic and Business Development Director

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under direction of the Board of County Commissioners, directs and performs complex work in planning, development, and implementation of community development and economic development plans and programs. Prepare grants and other financial incentives that promote economic development, revitalization, and infrastructure development projects for the county.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Must have a Bachelor’s degree; preferably with advanced degree; minimum of four years experience with economic development, urban planning, finance, public administration, or closely related field. Should have experience in a government setting, thorough knowledge of the federal and state grant process, knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to economic development programs, ability to analyze complex information, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state and federal agencies and the general public, excellent writing skills, strong mathematical and computer skills a must.

My Two-Cents Worth about the GLCCIC in Licking County

2012-02-12T14:36:00.002-05:00

I have been involved in some similar situations when I was involved with the old NDA. We wanted to start such a group and were given a big NO by local realtors, they said it was their job, and up to them, they already had the wheels in motion to perform such duties. I think all involved, including myself, at that time came to the conclusion that ...... "build it, and they will come."

It takes expertise, a great deal of time and knowledge, to attract business to come to the area. What does the Chamber of Commerce do. I know they used to refer clients to Heath, instead of Newark. I think other counties have even established and filled the position of Development Director, a full-time position that was allotted to an expert in the field. I can't imagine that those who will be on this board have many of these attributes, but some will probably volunteer to go on various "junkets," all expenses paid, probably to San Diego, Florida, Las Vegas or other prospective spots.

Look at the money that was squandered downtown to develop it. Jerry McClain is trying, assist him in his endeavors, and I am sure there are others.

ALL that money would be better used within the county to make it more appealing. You have to have a good product to sell, otherwise, it is a waste of time,

"Build it ................ and they will come."

Let those who already have the wheels in motion do the job, assist them. How many "Developers" do we have in Licking County, many come to mind, let them do their job.

Again, "Build it, and they will come." First things first.

Whitney Houston .... the way it should be done

2012-02-12T08:55:00.000-05:00

THE STARS SPANGLED BANNER

More wisdom from Al .................

2012-02-11T17:18:00.000-05:00

Romney wins 2012 straw poll of conservative activists

2012-02-11T16:55:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -

Mitt Romney won a presidential straw poll of Republican conservative activists on Saturday in a boost to his suddenly hard-fought battle against Rick Santorum.

Romney won 38 percent support among the 3,408 who voted at the Conservative Political Action Conference.

Santorum, who swept three contests last Tuesday and has emerged as the chief threat to Romney, was second at 31 percent.

Former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich won 15 percent to come in third, and libertarian Ron Paul took 12 percent of the straw poll, which was conducted online during the three-day conference.

’5-Hour Energy’ drink inventor revealed to be a Buddhist monk billionaire

2012-02-11T16:31:00.000-05:00

By Eric Pfeiffer
"A Buddhist monk" would not be the first guess from most people when asked who invented the 5-Hour Energy drink.

But Forbes reporter Clare O'Conner discovered that's exactly who is behind the phenomenon that has a 90%-near monopoly of the energy shot market.

Specifically, credit goes to Michigan resident Manoj Bhargava, 58, who came up with the idea after visiting a natural products trade show in California several years ago.

So, how does Bhargava's billion-dollar energy drink invention line-up with his personal philosophy?

"5-Hour Energy is not an energy drink, it's a focus drink," Bhargava tells Forbes.

"But we can't say that. The FDA doesn't like the word 'focus.' I have no idea why."

"Why is the photographer taking so long?"
"He's gonna focus."
"Bofus?"

I remember .................

2012-02-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

Do you remember when Obamacare was finally passed?

It was a group of Democrats, led by Michigan's Bart Stupak, who held out

because they objected to taxpayer funded abortion.

Obama won the vote with an executive order promising that wouldn't happen.

Now we've got him ordering dispersal, at no cost, of morning after abortion pills!

To ALL politicians for every office ...........

2012-02-10T21:14:00.000-05:00

We get a number of calls from UNKNOWN CALLER and, guess who it usually is, some politician.

They purchase yard signs, get palm cards printed, all sorts of advertising, radio and TV, just to get THEIR NAME OUT.

WHY don't they want me to know WHO is calling me?

WARNING: We do not answer any calls that come in that way. If they leave a message it is automatically erased. We are trying to program the phone to not accept UNKNOWN CALLER calls.

If THEY don't want me to know who is calling, we don't want to listen to THEIR MESSAGE.

Don't give me an reasons, WHY, I don't want to hear them either.

Progress in medicine

2012-02-10T19:59:00.003-05:00

Just brought my wife home from the hospital today. She had a Defibrillator placed in her shoulder. Rather nasty little incision, with stitches. Don't life the arm and another batch of instructions she has to follow, has to take it easy for a week or so, then a checkup in two weeks.

Our hospital has been remodeled a number of times, and for its size, it is probably a "state of the art" hospital. If it is new and advanced, LMH has it. I did not get to go into the operating room but I imagine it is a maze of modern technology. I was even given a little disc thing that would vibrate when the operation was over.

Her room is also very modern, all sorts of monitors, computers, scanners, motion sensor plumbing in the sink and some other new gadgets.

My point being, it is a very modern, up to date, state of the art hospital.

When she was finished, I was ushered into a small consulting room where the Doctor came after the operation to let me know how it went, and to give me some other instructions. Then, to the room, and instructions to both the wife and I.

The Doctor went over the instructions, the do's and don'ts, things she should and should not do. No moisture around the incision. This can be accomplished by going to the store and purchasing some "Glad Press N Seal," it does the best job keeping the incision dry.

All the modern technology and then ........... that.

Trust .......

2012-02-10T19:38:00.002-05:00

There comes a time when a woman just has to trust her husband... for example...

A wife comes home late at night and quietly opens the door to her bedroom.

From under the blanket she sees four legs instead of two.

She reaches for a baseball bat and starts hitting the blanket as hard as she can.

Once she's done, she goes to the kitchen to have a drink.

As she enters, she sees her husband there, reading a magazine.

"Hi Darling", he says, "Your parents have come to visit us, so l let them stay

in our bedroom. Did you say ‘hello’?”

2012-02-09T20:44:00.000-05:00

Some final thoughts for the day.

Why do we see all these photos on TV of stray dogs and cats, sad faces, needing a home, and then turn the channel and see them killing Alligators or Crocks and that is allright. Or even killing wild pigs. They catch those Gators, pull them near the boat, and shoot them. WHY has there not been an outcry about that?

How about watching moonshiners make illegal hooch, and broadcasting that on TV. How can you televise something that is illegal? Is it OK to see a crime being committed and not report it?

There is very little that we have not seen on TV. I wonder what they will come up with next????