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Cheney Criticizes Russia, Calls for NATO Enlargement

Associated Press

Cernobbio, Italy - Vice President Dick Cheney said Saturday that Russia's actions in the conflict with Georgia are an "affront to civilized standards" and "completely unacceptable."

Using some of the strongest language to date by the U.S. administration, Cheney challenged Russia to engage in the world as a "responsible, modern power." He said NATO enlargement would continue as the allies see fit, despite Russia's opposition to the possible inclusion of its former satellite states.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418041,00.html

US Warship Confronts Russian military in ‘Tinderbox’ Port

London Times

London, England - The arrival of the USS Mount Whitney, flagship of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, came as Moscow accused Dick Cheney, the hawkish US Vice-President, of stoking tensions during a visit to Tbilisi this week. After meeting President Saakashvili, Mr Cheney vowed to bring Georgia into the Nato alliance. Russia sees such moves as Western encroachment on its traditional sphere of influence.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article4682003.ece

Putin Pledges Measured Response to NATO Warships in Black Sea

World News Network

Moscow, Russia - Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia will respond calmly to the presence of NATO warships in the Black Sea. (Russia's Black Sea Fleet - Image gallery) "Our response will be calm, not hysterical, but there will definitely be a response," Putin said. NATO sent a number of ships, including U.S. warships, into the Black Sea after Russia completed its operation "to force Georgia to peace" on August 12.

http://article.wn.com/view/2008/09/02/Putin_pledges_measured_response_to_NATO_warships_in_Black_Se/?section=RegionNAmerica&template=worldnews%2Findex.txt

Russia May Push Forward With S-300 Sales To Iran

Sunday Telegraph

Moscow, Russia - Russia may proceed with plans to sell advanced S-300 air defense systems to Iran under a secret contract believed to have been signed in 2005, a Russian analyst said on Monday.

Commenting on an article in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper saying Russia is using the plans as a bargaining chip in its standoff with America, Ruslan Pukhov, director of Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said: "In the current situation, when the U.S. and the West in general are stubbornly gearing toward a confrontation with Russia after the events in South Ossetia, the implementation of a lucrative contract on the deliveries of S-300 [air defense systems] to Iran looks like a logical step."

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Russia_May_Push_Forward_With_S_300_Sales_To_Iran_999.html

Russian Bombers Again Cloud Skies in Europe’s Far North

Pakistan Daily Times

In scenes reminiscent of the Cold War, Russian bombers have returned to the skies in Europe’s far north after years of absence, putting NATO’s jet fighters on alert once again.

At the Bodoe airbase, above the Arctic circle, two F-16s are always on call, ready to take off in less than 15 minutes for stand-offs with surprise visitors from Norway’s eastern neighbour. “We have noticed a clear rise in Russian aerial activity over the past year,” said base air commander general Per Egil Rygg. “This has given us a lot more to do,” he added.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008%5C09%5C06%5Cstory_6-9-2008_pg4_10

Russian Bombers Could Be Deployed to Cuba

Washington Post Foreign Service

Moscow, Russia - Russian bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons could be deployed to Cuba in response to U.S. plans to install a missile defense system in Eastern Europe, a Russian newspaper reported Monday, citing an unnamed senior Russian air force official

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/07/22/ST2008072200062.html

Czech Official Warns of Crises Involving Russia

Los Angeles Times

United Nations - The Czech Republic and Poland have infuriated Russia by agreeing to allow the United States to install a missile defense system in their countries, which are former Soviet satellites that now belong to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

This week the lead Czech negotiator on the missile shield, Deputy Foreign Minister Tomas Pojar, was in Washington for talks with U.S. officials about the deal, which was signed in July and awaits ratification by his country's Parliament.
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-fg-czech6-2008sep06,0,3242496.story

Ahmadinejad: Israel is a 'Stinking Corpse' Doomed to Disappear

Haaretz

Tehran, Iran - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday called Israel a "stinking corpse" which is doomed dissappear, as the state celebrated 60 years of independence.

"Those who think they can revive the stinking corpse of the usurping and fake Israeli regime by throwing a birthday party are seriously mistaken," Ahmadinejad was quoted as saying by the official IRNA news agency.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/981727.html

Tehran Plays Down French Warning of Israeli Attack

AFP

Tehran, Iran - Iran on Saturday played down French President Nicolas Sarkozy's warning this week that it risked being attacked by Israel because of its controversial nuclear programme.

"This regime (Israel) is not in such a position and does not have the capacity to even think about attacking Iran," government spokesman Gholam Hossein Elham told reporters.

His remarks came after the French president warned on Thursday that Tehran's determination to press ahead with its nuclear drive risked provoking an Israeli military strike.

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gdVAh7-9m-Bc_-eeJdnxuap4tAyQ

War Preps: Israel Building Underground Hospitals
CNS News

Jerusalem, Israel - Two major hospitals in Israel are building underground facilities in preparation for Israel’s next war.

During the Israeli-Hezbollah war two years ago, Israel was hit by thousands of missiles, forcing a million Israelis to flee their homes for safe haven further south or hunker down in bomb shelters or security rooms. Hospitals located in northern Israel were under threat as well.
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=35044

Iran, China Keen to Bolster Ties

Press TV

Beijing, China - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao have discussed ways to expand ties in different fields.

The Iranian and Chinese presidents also exchanged views on key regional and international developments

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=68666&sectionid=351020101

North Korea Rebuilding Reactor

Guardian UK

North Korea has begun rebuilding a nuclear reactor it recently knocked down as part of a disarmament agreement, in an apparent reprisal for delays in the delivery of Washington's end of the deal.

South Korea confirmed reports yesterday that reconstruction had begun at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, where the North Koreans are believed to have produced plutonium for about six bombs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/04/5

Guardian UK

Haiti - Hurricane Ike today was bearing down on Haiti as the island is reeling from three previous storms that have left at least 163 people dead and forced hundreds of thousands to flee their homes.

Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste, director of the Haitian civil protection department, said 163 deaths had been confirmed, including 119 in and around Gonaives. The skies finally cleared yesterday, allowing UN and US helicopters to land.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/sep/06/haiti.naturaldisasters1

Hurricane Ike Churns West, Triggers Fears

Associated Press

Miami, Florida - For those who live in its path, hurricane season stirs up anxiety even before devastating winds and rains hit land.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/5987126.html

Minor Earthquake Rattles San Francisco

Associated Press

San Francisco, California - A minor earthquake rattled the San Francisco Bay area Friday night.

The U.S. Geological Survey's preliminary report put the quake at a 4.0-magnitude.

The temblor's epicenter was near Alamo, Calif., about 28 miles east of San Francisco.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in Alamo or surrounding communities, said Contra Costa County Sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee.

The quake hit just after 9 p.m. and could be felt throughout the region.

Fans at the San Francisco Giants' waterfront ballpark felt a jolt during the game with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but there was no interruption of play.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418001,00.html

California "Water Bank" In Works Amid Drought

Reuters

San Francisco, California - California's state government is forming a "water bank" to buy water for local water agencies at risk of shortages next year should a current drought persist, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Thursday.

Schwarzenegger in June declared the most populous U.S. state to officially be in drought and declared nine counties in its farm-rich Central Valley to be in a state of emergency because water supplies were so low after two years of below-average rainfall.

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN0457395520080904?feedType=RSS&feedName=environmentNews&rpc=22&sp=true

Unemployment Climbs to 5-Year High of 6.1 Percent
Associated Press

Washington, DC - The nation's unemployment rate bolted above the psychologically important 6 percent level last month for the first time in five years -- and it's likely to go even higher in the months ahead, possibly throwing the economy into a tailspin as Americans pick a new president.

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/080905/economy.html?.v=9

Last week we talked about taking the show in a new direction and we're going to expand on that. There's a lot going on in the world and threat levels are increasing exponentially and we have to discuss those things from a preparedness standpoint.

Right now we have world food crisis, world fuel crisis, 2 hurricanes and 2 tropical depressions bearing down on the southern United States, a war overseas and potential war or global crisis. We have upcoming elections that could potentially cause civil unrest here in the US and you can bet your butt that there are enemies in the world who are watching the outcome closely.

Preparedness comes from many directions and preparedness education is our focus. It's why NorthStar exists.

Because September is National Preparedness Month we'll be telling you where you should go to get some hands-on preparedness training and education.

Winter is coming so we'll be doing shows on pandemic flu, winter storms and home fire hazards and other seasonal topics. So hang in there with us and we'll answer as many questions as you ask.

Hurricane hazards come in many forms: storm surge, high winds, tornadoes, and flooding. This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Look carefully at the safety actions associated with each type of hurricane hazard and prepare your family disaster plan accordingly. But remember this is only a guide. The first and most important thing anyone should do when facing a hurricane threat is to use common sense.

Right now, if you’re in any of the potential damage areas, you should already have your plan in place and active. Your car should be gassed up and ready to go if an evacuation is ordered. Make sure you have important papers, food, water, etc. And an important note: Make sure you have plans for your pets. Pets are not accepted in shelters. Make other accommodations now.

Also, if you’re able to shelter-in-place, make sure your home is ready. In all likelyhood you could be with power for extended periods of time. Make sure you have adequate food & water as well as a way to prep it.

Visit our website at NorthStar Preparedness Networkand click on Disaster Preparedness at the top. There you’ll find Hurricane Preparedness information and prep lists for you and your family but you should have had this already done. Print out the lists and gather all the supplies in one area if you’re staying or pack the car now if you’re leaving.

If you aren’t ready. Get ready now and follow the local authorities bug out and shelter information. Once the danger has passed and you’re back home, PRINT OUT THESE LISTS at Disaster Preparedness Lists and get prepared.

Most of the items called for on the lists from both FEMA and American Red Cross can be found around the house or at your local big box stores. Today we're going to go through the lists and talk about the items on them.

Quick Evacuation Kits assemble supplies you might need in an evacuation. You store them in an easy to grab-n-go containers such as a backpack or duffle bag.

Include:

A supply of water (one gallon per person per day). Store water in sealed, unbreakable containers. Identify the storage date and replace every six months.

A supply of non-perishable packaged or canned food and a non-electric can opener.

A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes.

Blankets or sleeping bags.

A first aid kit and prescription medications.

An extra pair of glasses.

A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

Credit cards and cash.

An extra set of car keys.

A list of family physicians.

A list of important family information; the style and serial number of medical devices such as pacemakers.

Special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members.

If everyone carries a little bit then once you get where you're going you'll have a lot of necessary items. You'll never be able to carry "everything" you need but you'll have a decent assortment. It's all about planning & preparing.

If you've also prepared your vehicle then you'll have even more supplies.

PREPARE AN EMERGENCY CAR KIT

Include:

Battery powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries.

Blanket.

Booster cables.

Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type).

First aid kit and manual.

Bottled water and non-perishable high energy foods such as granola bars, raisins and peanut butter.

Maps, shovel and flares.

Tire repair kit and pump.

If you're sheltering-in-place, staying in your home the you need to prepare at home.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers.

Include:

A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.

One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.

A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.

Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler's checks.

Sanitation supplies.

Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.

An extra pair of glasses.

Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.

Now, if you want to be thorough, you'll plan for a lot longer. The 3 Days 3 Ways program allows for a disaster lasting 72 hours but FEMA and the Red Cross have upped the suggestions to 30 days or more worth of supplies on hand. I realize that some people may find this daunting but it can be 30 days of canned food or dry foods, etc.

People like me have upwards of a year's worth of food & supplies on hand. We prepare for long term disasters and problems. These types of disasters would include war, famine, civil unrest, pandemics and the like.

This is all under your own control.