Misery Index

Well, the man in the video is Mahdi Bray. After media attention on the above video, Bray claimed he was just having a bit of fun, and not approving Alamoudi’s words in a Northern Virginia Daily news article.

The majority of the people they were kind of raising their hands, and kind of cheering, and so on because this was so uncharacteristic of al-Amoundi.  We didn’t know he had a problem with law enforcement.  He was considered the pillar of the American Muslim community.

You saw me pumping my fists.  You didn’t see me raising my hands.  If they had shown the audience, you would have seen people in the audience raising their hands and falling out laughing.  For him to come and make these kinds of radical rants, no one took him seriously.

Mahdi Bray has worked with International ANSWER, a group who has recently organized over 50 Anti-Israel protests in the United States in the past week, a group who was founded by members of the Workers World Party (WWP) and members of the Party for Socialism and Liberation(PSL).  I recently blogged about ANSWER who has been accused for a few years of anti-Semitism, and supporting Hezbollah and Hamas.

Bray is also involved with:

• Muslim American Society – Executive Director. Group has been reported to be a front group for the Muslim Brotherhood.
• National Coalition to Protect Political Freedom – Founding Board Member.  Group has been reported to have lobbied and litigated against U.S. counter-terrorism laws, provided legal counsel to terror suspects, and works to overturn terrorist convictions.
• American Muslim Council (AMC)– Advisory Board.  This groups claims to fame are, The Chairman of this group was imprisoned for terror-related convictions in 2003.  AMC was a part of the National Coalition to Protect Political Freedom.  AMC created the National Islamic Prison Foundation below.  AMC was a longtime supporter of Sudan’s National Islamic Front, which was and still is on the State Dept.’s list of terrorist organizations.
• Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)– Advisory Board.  Formed a coalition to repeal and amend the Patriot Act.  MPAC asserts that Hezbollah “could be called a liberation movement.”  Found and executive director Salam AL-Marayati justified the existence of Hamas as a political entity and a provider of social programs and “educational operations”.  MPAC justified the 1983 bombing of the American Marine barracks in Lebanon as a “military operation” rather than a terrorist attack.  Claims Israel was established by terrorism and that they are the “worst terrorists in the world.”  And a lot more.
• Interfaith Alliance Foundation – Advisory Board
• Coordinating Council of Muslim Organizations – President
• National Islamic Prison Foundation (NIPF) – Head.  Created by American Muslim Council.  A Saudi-supported outreach program seeking to convert US prison inmates to the Islamic faith.  Tells them when they are released from prison, they will be able to find food and shelter, as well as assistance in finding employment, in virtually any mosque or masjid.  The indoctrination of American inmates is a strategy described in al Qaeda training manuals.
• Imam Jamil Defense Fund – National Mobilization Chairman.  Organization provides legal aid for Jamil Abudullah Al-Amin (aka H. Rap Brown), who was twice on the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted Fugitivies” list and is now serving a life sentence for murdering a police officer.
• “The Crescent Report” – Host of the Muslim-oriented radio talk show, sponsored by Wahhabi Saudi Arabia.
• “Activist Training Seminars” – A project of his whose objective is to train at least 1,000 people in the “skills necessary for effective activism.”
• Lots more damming information at “When Islamists Get Caught:  MAS Edition”, “Leader of Muslim Brotherhood Front Group Appointed to Virginia Commission on Immigration”, “The Mendacity of MAS”

Muslim American Society and ANSWER Anti-Israel Protest in Washington

This protest was held this past Friday at the Israeli Embassy in Washington and then headed to the Egyptian Embassy.  Brian Becker, who heads ANSWER also made an appearance which can be seen in video 3 below.

These crimes could not be committed [against Gaza by Israel] and would not be committed without the explicit consent and support and financing provided by the Bush Administration.  And so in that sense we are here to say, that this is a US backed Israeli atrocity and justice demands that the United States Government cut all aid to Israel today, otherwise and because of it the US is guilty of war crimes too. 

[Oh okay, so I guess it didn’t matter that Bush just gave $85 MILLION dollars to the UN for Gaza and the West Bank right?  No aid for Israel, no aid for Gaza.  An eye for an eye.]

Bray, meanwhile, had to say, “We’re here to say the violence must stop.”  “And we’re here to say that there must be a ceasefire, a truce and that basically the sanctity of life is important.”  He also had to say in one of the videos, that the people were there to represent the Muslims.  [Wait, isn’t this SUPPOSE to be anti-war, and not about anti-Semitism?]

Once again, just that, kind of a layout of what we want to do here today.

First of all, we’re here to protest the occupation of Palestine.  We’re here to protest the slaughter in Gaza.  We’re here to protest the 18 months of siege that has taken place in Gaza, before the bombs dropped, people were dying because they couldn’t get food, medicine, medical attention, clean drinking water, etc.  So, that’s why we’re here.

[Sure, I’ve given my own terms for a ceasefire and truce.  Gaza stays the way it is, Israel stays the way it is.  However, if a rocket comes from Gaza into Israel, that means that Israel can send a Hellfire missile back across to Gaza.  If two rockets come from Gaza, then two Hellfire missiles go back across to Gaza.  Fair deal.   But if Iran sends anything over to Israel, then that’s a whole different ballgame.]

One angry protestor spoke against Barack Obama wanting to know why he was silent and why he wasn’t president now. But pointed out when Georgia was attacked by Russian, Obama spoke on that issue against Russia. That Obama doesn’t seem to represent “Change”.  

And that “President Obama, despite all he said on television, that is illegal.  That is immoral. That is inhuman. And reason for him to make a decision now.”  And additionally said that Obama is a subservient to the current Administration. 

[Can be seen and heard in the first video below.  Obama has in the past stated that Israel has the right to defend itself.  And obviously, these protestors want the United States to start a war with Israel.  NOT GONNA HAPPEN.  If these people want help to defend Gaza, then they can just take the next plane over there, and join Hamas.  But instead, they choose to stay safely here, and whine, instead of paying homage to their country, and serve the country they seem to show more allegiance to than the United States.]

More Pictures Here, and Here.
Additional Videos Here1, Here2 and Here3.

Rick Wagoner of GM told members of Congress that the company is burning through ash, asking for $10-$12 billion for GM.  “We want to continue the vital role we’ve played for Americans for the past 100 years, but we can’t do it alone,” Wagoner told the Senate Banking Committee.  One person close to GM in Detroit said that the company needed around $11 billion within three months just to stay afloat.

All three used private jets to make the trip, but lets focus on GM, shall we?  Wagoner used his G4 private jet, one of eight jets in the GM fleet that continues to ferry executives around the world.  Wagoner’s private jet trip to Washington cost his company an estimated $20,000 roundtrip.  After the hearing, Wagoner declined to answer questions about his travel.  GM (along with Ford) say that it is a corporate decision to have their CEOs fly on private jets and that is non-negotiable, even as the companies say they are running out of cash.

But part of the money that GM wants is for health-care coverage by UAW retirees, especially for those who are too young for Medicare.  GM, along with Ford and Chrysler, want to make sure the retirees have the luxury of health insurance, and their pension, at the US taxpayers cost.  One GM retiree states that he receives $3,000 a month in pension and health-care insurance for life.  When he retired from GM, he was making $33 an hour as a welder/repairman and he received a pension and a $35,000 buyout after working for GM for 34 years.

[I guess you an I are the ones who GM expects to pay the bill for their contract with the UAW, although you and I aren’t the ones who agreed to it.  We are not the ones who promised to pay wages to a “bank” or workers we no longer need.]

Also, GM just opened a $300 million plant in Russia earlier this month and is expected to produce 70,000 cars annually.

But meanwhile, GM is kissing some serious butt in Brazil.  It is being reported, as of today, that GM has decided to invest $1 billion (USD) to expand business in Brazil, the local media reported Tuesday.  The money is coming from the $25 billion US taxpayers to “complete the renovation of the line of products up to 2012” which is part of the retooling to bring vehicles up to meet the more stringent air quality standards and part of the CAFE (corporate average fuel economy” standards.

But yet, GM”s chief executive in Brazil, Jaime Ardila has said that “We are not dependent on the U.S. in any way.”  And also according to Ardila, “It’s not part of corporate’s plans to file for bankruptcy, so we’re not going to speculate,” when asked if GM files for bankruptcy.  “GM [Brazil] is independent from an operational standpoint.  It develops its products locally, for a local market, and all of its suppliers are here.  Nothing is imported,” Andre Beer, former vice president of GM in Brazil, now a consultant in Sao Paulo, said.  GM Brasil is a separate legal entity from its parent in Detroit, they do not make anything for the United States market, yet they still received $1 billion in taxpayers money from GM US.

And in Brazil, automakers AREN’T getting bailed out, or even asking for government aid.  But the Brazilian government did give them $8 billion Brazilian reals ($3.47 billion USD) into the auto loan market through government banks.

Also at GM Brazil, 7,000 Brazilian workers are on mandatory paid leave.  “This probably won’t be the last paid leave announced by the company,” the director of Sao Jose do Campos’ metalworkers union, Vivaldo Moreira Araujo, said in a statement.  [So unlike here in the US the workers are not “laid off” but on PAID leave?  Am I missing something here?  Are you ready for the “twist”?]

With the CAFE (corporate average fuel economy) standards imposed by Congress, vehicles that are fuel-efficient that are imported from their overseas factories count as fuel-efficient.  In other words, the CAFE states there must be a certain percentage of vehicles that meet CAFE standards produced.  

To me, it sounds like GM is planning on using their Brazilian company to meet the CAFE standards for .  Yet in 2005 alone, American bought more cars than did China, India, Russia and Brazil, COMBINED.

So, GM gets money from the US taxpayers, from a “handout” to retool vehicles to meet more stringent US air quality standards, sends part of that money to Brazil and uses part of that money to help retain jobs in Brazil, but begs Congress for money?  Have I missed anything?  So let me make sure I have this right.  GM uses US taxpayers money, free money, that is suppose to be used for retooling for US vehicles to meet the more stringent air quality controls that take effect in 2012, but sends part of that money to GM Brazil, a company that is independent from GM Detroit, for retooling on South American vehicles……….  And remember Nancy Pelosi wants a lame-duck session of Congress to give the Big 3 taxpayers money yet Treasury Secretary Paulson has said “NO” to using part of the $700 billion bailout for the Big 3.  The Big 3 has already gotten $25 billion for retooling and now wants another $25 billion for “daily operational costs” which include giving money to those who are retired, and obviously sending it overseas to other countries.

GM needs to fall………… and learn to stand on their own two feet without help and learn to walk a new way instead of wanting something for nothing.

GM Brazil

Brazil is the largest GM subsidiary in South America and the third largest in the world according to their website.  In Sao Caetano do Sul, Brazil are the administration, technological center, engineering center and manufacturing facilities.  Vehicle assembly, plus engine and transmission manufacturing facilities are in Sao Jose dos Campos.  The Mogi das Cruzes Comples has manufacturing and parts distribution facilities.  In the state of Rio Grande do Sul, GM has a vehicle assembly facility in the city of Gravatai.  A parts distribution and warehouse are located in Sorocaba and a proving ground is in Indaiatuba, both in the state of Sao Paulo.  GMAC has headquarters in Sao Paulo and handles finance activities, including credit and leasing.

The company’s Brazilian headquarters in Sao Caetano do Sul employs 11,333 engineers and administrative staff out of a national total of 23,874.

SOURCES:

• ABC News
• Economic Times

Seriously, you are still making a profit, investors are still making a profit, and you plan to build 17 new stores in this economy, and you think you are suffering?  Talk about a lazy, greedy company and I thought AIG was bad…..  Maybe it’s just time for JC Penny’s to go like other retail outlets.  I personally haven’t stepped in a JC Penny’s in about 20 years as there are other retail outlets that have a better variety of goods, higher quality goods with lower prices… and I’m not talking about WalMart.

JCP seems to think their 2008 Christmas Campaign, “Red Box Gifts” will convince consumers that JCP offers products similar to those found at higher-end stores at much better prices.  Who needs a “Luggage Locator” for $19.99? Or a “Pet’s View Camera” for $39.99?  Or maybe a Coca-Cola Vending Machine for $149.99?  Yea, I’m gonna run right out and buy those things that are just so important to existing in a recession…….  This just goes to prove that JC Penny has gone from the good old days of selling items that were useful and needed in the home, to dependent upon sales of goods that are good for absolutely NOTHING.

But on “useful” gifts in the “Red Box Gifts” section, lets look at the Cuisinart 4-cup Coffeemaker.  Their page advertises that it was originally $39.99 but now is $29.99, and is only available online.  So remember that JCP’s promotion is to offer products similar to those found at higher-end stores at much better prices as a campaign, lets look around, shall we?  Amazon:  $29.95 (Or if you want it in pink $23.99); Bed Bath & Beyond:  $29.99; Kohl’s:  $39.99 (but is on sale at $33.99); Macy’s:  $29.99. 

So let’s look at another item.  The KitchenAid® 5-qt. Artisan Stand Mixer with an original price of $379.99 but is now, $299.99 but this one is available in stores.  Home Depot:  $299.99; ACE Hardware:  $269.99 (with free shipping in the US); Bloomingdales’:  $299.99; Macy’s: $299.99; Target:  $299.99

So, how is JCP any cheaper?  Can you say MARKETING SCHEME boys and girls?

So if we are bailing out all these banks, all these financial institutions, bailing out automakers, wanting to bailout retail outlets now, and planning on another stimulus package, why are we still using money?  Seriously, sounds like to me that we might as well get rid of the dollar, everyone works for handouts, and everyone gets everything for free since taxes are going to be so high in the long run, no one makes any money.  And yes, I am being sarcastic, but it seems like that is what everyone wants.