Japan's 10 largest companies

US cmpanies in Japan
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_13/b4221019002344.htm

Japanese
http://www.wa-pedia.com/economy/top_10_japanese_companies.shtml Read full post

How and Why the Testing Industry itself Cheats - NOT Our Students!

"Once I attended a range-finding meeting with other test-scoring experts and English professors from around the country, the bunch of us trying to figure out how to score writing samples for a national test. After that group of experienced test scorers and esteemed writing teachers had hammered out some consensus regarding the writing rubric and writing samples we'd been reviewing, we were told we were scoring "wrong." We test-scoring experts and writing teachers were told our scoring wasn't matching the predictions of the omniscient psychometricians (statisticians/testing gurus), and we were told we had to match those predictions even though the pyschometricians had never actually seen the student responses." -

Dear friends,

We often hear “news” stories about both school principals and/or teachers either submitting phony test results or actually helping students “cheat”, in order to prevent their schools from being penalized for having poor test scores. Well, it seems that the actual cheating starts long before the tests are even distributed to the schools.

Still, at what point will our unscrupulous federal politicians and the corporations who sponsor them decide to stop the charade that is the Testing Industry and allow the aforementioned school principals and teachers to exercise their passions and educate our children?

On the link below, please see the article by Todd Farley. He is the author of "Making the Grades: My Misadventures in the Standardized Testing Industry.". Farley's opinions have been published in the New York Times, Washington Post and Education Week. Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/for-profit-standardized-testing-industry-cant-be-trusted/1230845 Read full post

Memories of the Boston Marathon and Other Bombings by Melvin W. Smith

Dear friends,

With the permission of the author, I am posting, with great honor, this brilliant and concise essay below, in its entirety. 

One Love!

G. Djata Bumpus
****************************************

MWS Journal

22-April-2013

Memories of The Boston Marathon and Other Bombings
by Melvin W. Smith

  

The best commentary that I have encountered about the terrible ending of the race last Monday in Boston is written by one of my favorite sports writers, Dave Zirin. His piece, “The Boston Marathon: All My Tears, All My Love,” in The Nation magazine* reminded me of the special essence that the Marathon has come to represent: a promotion of international community, municipal pride, and determined individual human struggle which has become far more inclusive through the years.  Indeed, a matter of special attention and pride for me since 1988 is that the vast majority of front runners and winners have been African.

As an unofficial photographer at the Boston Marathon many years ago (1977 or 78, as I recall) I managed throughout the day to view the Marathon at various points along the route by riding a bicycle through the city, sometimes seeing the same runners at different locations as they progressed toward the finish.  I remember one runner, most of all—obviously not a serious competitor for top honors, but a celebrant of dashing style—who wore a bison headdress in the likeness of a Native American Blackfoot, perhaps, of the Great Plains region more than a century earlier.  Did he wear it for the entire race?  I don’t know, but I know that I saw him more than once during the day, as I was hard pressed on the bike to get ahead of the runners, if only slightly.  (Of course, I had to ride somewhat roundabout, not on as straight a course as the runners ran.)  A few times, after I had reached another spot with a good view of the passing racers, the bison-head guy would come striding by . . . again.  I took lots of photos that day, but almost all of the pictures—slides, negatives (the various formats of that time) and prints— have been lost.  This was my first and only attendance at the Marathon .  Although I have watched live TV coverage and news accounts of later marathons, the memory and some of the feel of that first one remain.

I agree with Zirin about the special meaning of the Boston Marathon, and I understand his lamenting the scarring of it by the street bomb attack.  He is also correct in citing other, more uplifting history and essence of the Marathon .  However, as our sympathy is extended to the injured and to the survivors of the dead, we are mindful of the real new world that has been created by the undue greed, hate, violence and militarism of the West—the empire of Europe and North America, today led by USA.  Thus, we should mourn also for the bomb victims—many by drone missiles—in Somalia, Yemen and other human locales targeted by our own nation’s leaders.

Is the US public now faced with the increased prospect blowback?  Are chickens coming home to roost?  Or, are the masters of the empire attempting to instigate fear among the public for the purpose of more easily implementing their agenda of achieving the declared Full Spectrum Dominance worldwide?  Please observe, in this context, the US increased acts of “humanitarian intervention” and military encroachment, especially in Africa (via NATO and AFRICOM, including the invasion and regime change in Libya), the deadly meddling in Syria , and the steady clamor to launch new wars on defiant nations such as Iran and North Korea .

The axiom “Might Makes Right” appears to be an all-American (rather, all-USA) slogan today. Aside from a theoretical appeal to “justice, US citizens largely learn to admire and respect the rule of crude power.  Thus, the largest military machine in human history goes unchecked, even in the face of claims about national budgetary shortages, fiscal cliffs, and such.  When the money is tight (having been stolen and either secreted away or squandered by Wall Street’s big-time gamblers, for example) the immediate solution posed is always to cut social services, especially those services available to the masses, including public education.  The cries of balancing the budget never, ever point to the segment of the federal budget devoted to war-readiness and war-making—the so-called defense budget— as an obvious source of funds to be diverted toward peaceful social maintenance and development.  No, no, no, the patriot-citizens object. Any such suggestion is entirely off the table (again), because the so-called Defense budget is sacred in this USA.

The vast, obscene wealth devoted to US war-making also includes non-budgeted covert projects like CIA.  Furthermore, private industrial enterprises like Lockheed Martin and Boeingare engaged in major Defense contracts, all of which comprise a significant contribution to the US economy.  The industrial might of the US is one of the central factors in its superiority in armaments.  US factories and laboratories produce every type of weapon and combat supply known to humankind, and these are produced in super-enormous quantities.  US stockpiles of weapons become a liability to their investors unless they are consumed somehow.  The capitalist system actually depends on high levels of consumption (demand) in order to satisfy its products (supply).  Supply and demand, right?  Thus, along with the supposed geopolitical gains and psychological uplift for a supposed “ American Way of Life,” the weapons must be used on somebody.  Consumed, you know.  Now, let’s see; who’s next?

The USA , indeed, is a war monger nation.  My God, what would happen to us if Peace should break out? some citizen-patriots have been suspected of thinking.  According to the objective conditions of US culture and economy, Peace cannot be afforded.  Accordingly, if we citizen-patriots cannot afford to make Peace (as in “The path to Peace is peace!”), then probably we do not deserve peace.  There will be a reckoning.  Blowback is to be expected.

Nevertheless, as the American Dream bubble bursts, we must continue to advocate for one human family—as from within my own pan-African perspective—striving together toward solutions for all.  We should not allow fear to break the celebrations of such.  I agree, again, with Dave Zirin that the Boston Marathon not be characterized by this recent dreadful incident, but I insist on demanding of fellow US citizens and our governments a genuine effort toward peace outside of the official rituals of sport and entertainment.  A rejection of militarism and imperialism is required.  Can we attempt to do it?  If we can, will we? 

                                                                                    --Melmanjaro

                                                           

*Also see Dave Zirin’s discussion at DemocracyNow! Tues. April 16, 2013.

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Pope Benedict resigns after lambasting Capitalism

Dear friends,

During the recent "Fiscal cliff" nonsense about which the crooks in Washington and their lying mainstream media cohorts hoodwinked the American public, it was brought out that Pope Benedict wrote in his first book, several years ago, that "— Benedict XVI criticizes the “cruelty” of capitalism and colonialism and the power of the wealthy over the poor in his first book as pope released on Friday." World Business, NBC.com

Now the pontiff has suddenly and mysteriously resigned....Huh?

To be sure, during the Reagan era, Pope John Paul the 2nd was known as The President's Pope. In fact, he supported the puppet Reagan in all of his evil acts against humanity, under the guise of fighting Communism (whatever that is).

Finally, in this day of mass communication through the Internet, Corporate Capitalism could hardly tolerate a pope that isn't in lock step with the greedy capitalist rulers. And the beat goes on...

G. Djata Bumpus
http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1050&context=srhonorsprog

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Ahmadinejad is NOT "all lies", as Romney and Obama woukl have us think

Dera friends,

The constant reference to Iran, by American politicians and Zionists alike, about the Islamic Republic's intentions to start a nuclear arms and/or war race ignores the role of the US and Israel in the old game of "the pot calling the kettle black". Please check out the link below.

One Love!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/169514.html Read full post

"Occupy Wall Street" makes NO sense

“…it is not the banks that are totally, or even mostly, at fault for their failures. Rather, it is our federal government that has continued to “bailout” a banking system that does not work well.”

Dear friends,

Lately, everyday, at least through the government- and corporate-controlled mainstream media, we have been both seeing and hearing about protesters occupying Wall Street, and now even their equally angry fellows have been appearing at banking and other establishments nationwide. However, it is not the banks that are totally, or even mostly, at fault for our current economic problems. Rather, it is, for example, our federal government that has continued to “bailout” a banking system that does not work well.

Moreover, how can citizens expect this government to faithfully behave in our interests, when its agents (in the form of politicians), from the White House to Capitol Hill, are so promiscuous with our trust, let alone our tax dollars, when conducting business affairs with corporations of all kinds? I mean, if one had such disrespect shown to him or her by a spouse, then divorce court would have already become a memory.

Consequently, the solution to the constant cycles of repression and depression in this political economy or process of social reproduction has to be found by all of us combining our inner and outer energies or powers in order to build genuine “communities”, where our banks are community-owned institutions that allow for the funding of businesses, home building, and even more importantly, provide the capital, as it were, for us to maintain value judgments that are based upon relationships that are independent yet cooperative, along with showing care and concern for our fellows, instead of power and, particularly, sexual greed, as all economic/social relations exist now, under the value judgments of a market-driven, possession-oriented society.

By the way, please note that when I say “sexual greed”, I am not simply referring to males who have more sexual interactions outside of their marriages than they do with their own wives, although that is not to be overlooked. Rather, I am talking about Male Supremacy, euphemistically called sexism, as females are expected to contribute vigorously to the proliferation of this or any other society, while they are not given the same access to, much less benefits of, the equality to become fully human, just for being of the “different“ sex. Meanwhile, males in all societies hog it all! In real communities, that would not be the case, and females would be raised to be as competent as males are, as opposed to trivializing their divine potentials so that they do not make males feel intimidated (thus, simultaneously, making males feel superior). Besides, from the cheating spouse to the BP oil spill, greed is always short-sighted.

Finally, the current spate of protests means nothing. It’s a waste of valuable energy. If anything, the “occupation” should be on the steps of White House and Capitol Hill, especially since it has been those federal politicians, ever since the end of the Civil War, who keep bailing out the failing banks and corporations.

Cheers!

G Djata Bumpus
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JP Morgan and other businesses make mega-profits from Food Stamps/Poverty

As the crooks who run this country contnue to fleece everyday citizens, there are Tea Partyers and other poor people who complain that rich folks are being taxed too much.

Dear friends,

As the crooks who run this country contnue to fleece everyday citizens, there are Tea Partyers and other poor people who complain that rich folks are being taxed too much. Meanwhile, these heartless racketeers - from Wall Street and on Capitol Hill - are doing better than ever financially, as Americans, generally, are eating the lint from our pockets. Please refer to the link below.

Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://blog.friendseat.com/jp-morgan-profits-food-stamp-program/
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Has "Japanese prosperity" been exposed? - Look at GE in Japan's nuclear disaster!

"Has the notion of "Japanese proseperity" really been a cover for the exploitation of Japanese people by US capitalist multinationals?"

Dear friends,

Has the notion of "Japanese proseperity" really been a cover for the exploitation of Japanese people by US capitalist multinationals? General Electric (GE), one of he founding members of the US military/industrial complex, now appears to be an "Emperor with no clothes".

Case in point, right now, it seems that the main concern of GE (General Electric) is how they'll make future profits in Japan, as the US corporate giant tries to rebuild its money-making machinery there. Moreover, I've always believed that after the bombings at Nagasaki and Hiroshima, it was the huge corporations of North America, bogarting their way into the Japanese economy, that was the basis for the phony claim of "Japanese prosperity".

The arrogance of GE regarding this whole affair and the lack of attention that the mainstream media is giving to the culpability of GE in this whole mess should play out in the coming months. On the link below, there's a hint of what we can, perhaps, expect.

Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus
http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/fukushima-mark-nuclear-reactor-design-caused-ge-scientist/story?id=13141287
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"No Gas Day" strategy for March 31st is STUPID!!!!

“If people don’t buy gas on March 31st that just means that they’ll do all of their gas purchases on the 30th or before in order to hold themselves over until April 1st or so.”

Dear friends,

Just yesterday, I received a Facebook invitation about attending a one day boycott of gasoline purchases. The date is Marchv31, 2011.

Initially, I agreed to join in on the endeavor, seeing it as a way to make a statement to the greedy oil companies. However, towards the latter part of the day, while discussing it with one of my daughters, I thought to myself, “If people don’t buy gas on March 31st that just means that they’ll do all of their gas purchases on the 30th or before in order to hold themselves over until April 1st or so.”

Of course, the Big Oil companies will lose no money. As a matter of fact, on March 30th, people may even buy more gas than they normally would. That would be a bonanza for Big Oil!

Therefore, I think that the only way that the public can make a statement and even get prices for gas lowered, is if we stop buying gas from a specific company for one week at a time. For example, for the first week, if no one buys gas from BP (British Petroleum) for one week, then have the same kind of boycott on the second week, and not buy gas from, say, Exxon/Mobil, by the third week either Shell or Sunoco will lower their prices. The next thing that will happen is: a price war among the oil giants.

Yet, if Americans stick to the imbecilic idea of a “No Gas Day” (which may actually be the work of the BidOil companies), then we’ll be contradicting the whole point of sending a message to those greedy oil giants. Ya dig? Think about it.

Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus
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Great 10 minutes-long video about Corporations, Corrupt politicians, and the corrupt Supreme Court

Please click on the link velow:
http://storyofstuff.org/citizensunited/
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Republicans and Democrats alike lie about a Social Security "deficit"

"Rumors of Social Security's demise are greatly exaggerated. But some powerful people keep spreading lies about the program to scare people into accepting benefit cuts. "

Dear friends,

The article on the link here
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/31/your-money/31money.html?_r=1
makes atrocious claims, regarding the current health of our Social Security system, and, therefore, shows how the mainstream media colludes with the body of marauders that calls itself the US Congress, a group that almost unanimously strives to hoodwink us and rob the public coffers.

Yet, have no fear, below, the copy of an e-mail newsletter that was recently sent to me by MoveOn.org gives a scholarly and honest take on this issue. By the way, I encourage you to sign on to the MoveOn.org Website, if you're not already a member. They are for real.

Cheers!

G. Djata Bumpus
******************************************
From MoveOn.org :

5 Myths about Social Security

Myth: Social Security is going broke.

Reality: There is no Social Security crisis. By 2023, Social Security will have a $4.3 trillion surplus (yes, trillion with a 'T'). It can pay out all scheduled benefits for the next quarter-century with no changes whatsoever.1 After 2037, it'll still be able to pay out 75% of scheduled benefits--and again, that's without any changes. The program started preparing for the Baby Boomers retirement decades ago.2 Anyone who insists Social Security is broke probably wants to break it themselves.

Myth: We have to raise the retirement age because people are living longer.

Reality: This is a red-herring to trick you into agreeing to benefit cuts. Retirees are living about the same amount of time as they were in the 1930s. The reason average life expectancy is higher is mostly because many fewer people die as children than did 70 years ago.3 What's more, what gains there have been are distributed very unevenly--since 1972, life expectancy increased by 6.5 years for workers in the top half of the income brackets, but by less than 2 years for those in the bottom half.4 But those intent on cutting Social Security love this argument because raising the retirement age is the same as an across-the-board benefit cut.

Myth: Benefit cuts are the only way to fix Social Security.

Reality: Social Security doesn't need to be fixed. But if we want to strengthen it, here's a better way: Make the rich pay their fair share. If the very rich paid taxes on all of their income, Social Security would be sustainable for decades to come.5 Right now, high earners only pay Social Security taxes on the first $106,000 of their income.6 But conservatives insist benefit cuts are the only way because they want to protect the super-rich from paying their fair share.

Myth: The Social Security Trust Fund has been raided and is full of IOUs

Reality: Not even close to true. The Social Security Trust Fund isn't full of IOUs, it's full of U.S. Treasury Bonds. And those bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.7 The reason Social Security holds only treasury bonds is the same reason many Americans do: The federal government has never missed a single interest payment on its debts. President Bush wanted to put Social Security funds in the stock market--which would have been disastrous--but luckily, he failed. So the trillions of dollars in the Social Security Trust Fund, which are separate from the regular budget, are as safe as can be.

Myth: Social Security adds to the deficit

Reality: It's not just wrong -- it's impossible! By law, Social Security funds are separate from the budget, and it must pay its own way. That means that Social Security can't add one penny to the deficit.1

Sources: 1."To Deficit Hawks: We the People Know Best on Social Security" New Deal 2.0, June 14, 2010http://www.newdeal20.org/2010/06/14/to-defict-hawks-we-the-people-know-best-on-social-security-12290/2. "The Straight Facts on Social Security" Economic Opportunity Institute, September 2009http://www.eoionline.org/retirement_security/fact_sheets/StraightFactsSocialSecurity-Sep09.pdf3. "Social Security and the Age of Retirement"Center for Economic and Policy Research, June 2010http://www.cepr.net/index.php/publications/reports/social-security-and-the-age-of-retirement/4. "More on raising the retirement age" Ezra Klein, Washington Post, July 8, 2010http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/07/more_on_raising_the_retirement.html5. "Social Security is sustainable" Economic and Policy Institute, May 27, 2010 http://www.epi.org/analysis_and_opinion/entry/social_security_is_sustainable/6. "Maximum wage contribution and the amount for a credit in 2010." Social Security Administration, April 23, 2010http://ssa-custhelp.ssa.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/2407. "Trust Fund FAQs" Social Security Administration, February 18, 2010http://www.ssa.gov/OACT/ProgData/fundFAQ.html8. "To Deficit Hawks: We the People Know Best on Social Security" New Deal 2.0, June 14, 2010http://www.newdeal20.org/2010/06/14/to-defict-hawks-we-the-people-know-best-on-social-security-12290/

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John McCain Shows Some of His Real Self

When corporate interests were on the line, it seems, the senator hung up on that right to privacy.*

Dear friends,

Imagine that John McCain had been given the nod to be president, instead of Barack Obama. The article on the link below, written by the very progressive and insightful journalist Stephanie Kraft of western Massachuset's The Valley Advocate, reveals the true direction that McCain has taken.

G. Djata Bumpus

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=129975A1A8D2F550&p_docnum=1&s_dlid=DL0109073117511825732&s_ecproduct=SUB-FREE&s_ecprodtype=INSTANT&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_subterm=Subscription%20until%3A%2012%2F14%2F2015%2011%3A59%20PM&s_subexpires=12%2F14%2F2015%2011%3A59%20PM&s_username=freeuser&s_accountid=AC0107071613144804057&s_upgradeable=no
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