italiancat

Yoga, you really got some great articles and seem to be well informed. Thanks for all the informative posts.

Thank you. Nice to meet you as well.

Not accusing you at al Yoga. My post ended up on the wrong comment. However, as I complimented you about your thoughts before, thanks for letting me know my post went in the wrong spot.

I am not as smart as you guys, but this chart below tells me a lot. My parents are originally from Northern Italy and I was born here in the USA, served my country in two wars, seen a lot of death, destruction and experienced racism not being of color as some would term it. Why so much hatred here??? I respect Yota. I love reading his post. Sometimes I visit just to see what he or Adam have posted. Anywho, the politicians are ALWAYS getting threats. Look at the protection details they have. Seriously guys???? Yeah, you can make rude comments to me, but we don't know each other...so go ahead. Blessings to all. From a published article. The USDA published the same stats if you investigate. Link attached. As the food stamp program has become an issue in the Republican presidential primary, with candidates seeking to tie President Barack Obama to the program's record numbers, The Associated Press interviewed recipients across the country and found many who wished that critics would spend some time in their shoes. Most said they never expected to need food stamps, but the Great Recession, which wiped out millions of jobs, left them no choice. Some struggled with the idea of taking a handout; others saw it as their due, earned through years of working steady jobs. They yearn to get back to receiving a paycheck that will make food stamps unnecessary. "I could never have comprehended being on food stamps," said Christopher Jenks, who became homeless in his hometown of Minneapolis-St. Paul after a successful career in sales and marketing. He refused to apply for several years, even panhandling on a freeway exit ramp before finally giving in. A few months ago, while living in his car, he began receiving $200 per month. "It's either that or I die," said Jenks, who grew up in a white, middle-class family and lost his job in the recession. "I want a job. So do a lot of other Americans that have been caught up in this tragedy." In 2011, more than 45 million people — about one in seven Americans — received benefits from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the most ever. Fewer than 31 million people collected the benefits about three years earlier. 49 percent of recipients are white, 26 percent are black and 20 percent are Hispanic, according to Census data. Food assistance emerged as a campaign issue after statements by GOP candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum about African-Americans, the poor and Obama, whom Gingrich labeled the "best food stamp president in American history."Critics accused Gingrich of seeking votes by invoking racial stereotypes about black welfare recipients with comments like "the African-American community should demand paychecks and not be satisfied with food stamps." Challenged at a GOP debate this week on whether the rhetoric was insulting, Gingrich insisted it was not and received a standing ovation from the South Carolina audience. http://www.jessewashington.com/faces-of-food-stamps.html

Sorry if this has already been posted, but can someone knowledgable tell me if this is good or bad for us? Iraq Tries Again to Buoy Dinar, Stem Dollar Flight Posted on 06 June 2012. Tags: dinar, IQD, iraqi dinar Reuters reports that Iraq’s central bank, struggling to stem an illicit tide of dollars into sanctions-bound Iran and Syria, has had some success in steadying its own dinar by pumping dollars to Iraqis through two state-run banks. Late last month the central bank allowed U.S. dollars to be sold at a fixed rate through two state-run banks, Rafidain and Rasheed, helping to push the dollar from 1,280 dinars to 1,210 dinars and closing the gap between the official rate and the market price. The central bank has started channeling $6 million a day through the two banks, Mudher Kasim, deputy governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), told Reuters. “The difference in the value of the Iraqi dinar between the central bank price and the market was seven percent but now it is less than four percent … We are expecting it to drop below two percent in a few weeks”, he said. The central bank usually sells about $250,000 to private banks and $75,000 to currency exchange and money transfer shops on a weekly basis. For months, traders have been snapping up dollars at the central bank’s daily auctions for sale in neighboring Syria and Iran, buying up to $400 million on some days in December from a previous average of $150 million, according to central bank data. Kasim said the CBI had since extended the clearance period to six months to allow for more flexibility in the importing process. Four private banks have also asked the CBI for permission to sell dollars at a fixed rate. The CBI has said Iraq’s large foreign reserves, which have risen to a record $60 billion on the back of high oil prices, will shield its financial system from damage. However, some economic analysts say the measures may not sustain dinar stability in the long run. “We are still importing more than 85 percent of our needs and there is still pressure from Syria and Iran,” said economic expert Majid al-Souri. Link: http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/category/banking-finance/ (Source: Reuters)

Agreed....Besides, ALL politicians are CROOKS !

EU, Iraq sign first-ever partnership deal (AFP) / 11 May 2012 The European Union and Iraq signed their first partnership agreement Friday, opening the way to a slew of trade and energy deals as well as improved cooperation to combat terrorism. “We’re opening a new chapter,” said EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton at a signing ceremony with Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari. “This agreement is above all a symbol of the EU’s wish to be a positive partner for Iraq in its democratic efforts.” The accord provides for regular political dialogue on bilateral, regional and global issues while improving trade arrangements and pledging cooperation in areas from health to energy. “It is a great day for my country,” said the Iraqi minister. “For the first time Iraq, which used to be a pariah nation, is being reintegrated into the international community.” “Iraq has great potential to offer to Europe.” The agreement provides for cooperation in combating terrorism, countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promoting human rights. The EU has contributed more than one billion euros ($1.29 billion) towards the reconstruction of Iraq since the fall of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003, with the focus on access to basic services as well as furthering democracy. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/kt-article-display-1.asp?xfile=data/international/2012/May/international_May377.xml&section=international Just curious as to if this is important or not. Link attached.