150 U.S. Banks Near Collapse Because Toxic Loans More Than 5% of Total Holdings!

Over 150 U.S. banks own nonperforming loans equaling 5 percent or more of their holdings. This is not good, because these toxic loan holdings can wipe out the bank's money and cause it to fail like the 77 banks which have failed to date. This is just further evidence that something is happening in the bank industry that could cause a potential bank holiday. Let's keep our eyes on Wisconsin’s Marshall & Ilsley Corp., Georgia’s Synovus Financial Corp. and Michigan’s Flagstar Bancorp. to see if one of them will be a future Friday Night Feast main course.

More than 150 publicly traded U.S. lenders own nonperforming loans that equal 5 percent or more of their holdings, a level that former regulators say can wipe out a bank’s equity and threaten its survival.

The number of banks exceeding the threshold more than doubled in the year through June, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, as real estate and credit-card defaults surged. Almost 300 reported 3 percent or more of their loans were nonperforming, a term for commercial and consumer debt that has stopped collecting interest or will no longer be paid in full.

The biggest banks with nonperforming loans of at least 5 percent include Wisconsin’s Marshall & Ilsley Corp. and Georgia’s Synovus Financial Corp., according to Bloomberg data. Among those exceeding 10 percent, the biggest in the 50 U.S. states was Michigan’s Flagstar Bancorp. All said in second- quarter filings they’re “well-capitalized” by regulatory standards, which means they’re considered financially sound.

Source: Bloomberg

Doctors Urged to Watch for Guillain-Barre Syndrome With H1N1 "Swine Flu" Vaccine!

It is not new information that the H1N1 "swine flu" may increase the risk of Guillain-Barre syndrome. Unproven vaccines have caused this syndrome in the past as the 1976 swine flu vaccine did to many people here in the United States as was reported by a notable medical journal and international newspaper. The mainstream media outlets are now starting to pick up on the story that this experimental H1N1 vaccine may cause a neurological disorder.

American officials rushed out a vaccine in 1976 following an outbreak of swine flu in military barracks. Around 40million people received the vaccine but doctors reported an increase Guillain-Barre and 25 people had died before the immunisation programme was stopped.

It is not known for sure whether the vaccine or the flu was responsible and the current H1N1 swine flu jabs due to be introduced in Britain in October are very different to the version used thirty years ago, Government scientists have said.

However specialist doctors here are being urged to report every case of Guillain-Barre syndrome to the Health Protection Agency so the circumstances of each patient can be investigated.

Source: London Telegraph

Infowarrior "Bombs" San Francisco Bay Area with Obama Joker Posters (Alex Jones Contest -- Best One Yet!)

When I say "bomb," I'm talking about tagging. Here's the best video I've seen in the Alex Jones Obama Joker $1,000 contest.

Army National Guard Internment/Resettlement Specialist Job Advertisement (FEMA Concentration Camp Officer Conspiracy Theory)

I wonder why the National Guard is advertising for this particular job. Some say it is an advertisement for the upcoming FEMA camps here in America. Others say the position is merely for international military operations, and that there is no conspiracy theory. You can review the information and decide. I tend to believe that these officers will really be used in domestic operations, because all of the prisoners and detainees in the above video looked American to me.

Job Title As an Internment/Resettlement Specialist for the Army National Guard, you will ensure the smooth running of military confinement/correctional facility or detention/internment facility, similar to those duties conducted by civilian Corrections Officers. This will require you to know proper procedures and military law; and have the ability to think quickly in high-stress situations. Specific duties may include assisting with supervision and management operations; providing facility security; providing custody, control, supervision, and escort; and counseling individual prisoners in rehabilitative programs.

Corrections Officer Internment/Resettlement Specialist
Job Details
City: Pensacola/Panama City
State: Florida
Country: USA
Company Name: Army National Guard
Job Category: Legal/Law Enforcement/SecurityJob Description

For further information about these likely FEMA camps, you can read the following posts:

• Proposed Legislation Authorizes FEMA Camps in the United States of America!
• United States Army's Civilian Inmate Labor Program - Declassified!

Source: YouTube (doomdaily); Hot Air

USA is Reportedly Funding the Taliban in Afghanistan!

Is this a huge shock that the US might be funding the Taliban? We all know that Zbigniew Brzezinski helped finance Al-Qaeda back in the day, so it should not be a surprise that the U.S. is funding the Taliban. Of course the USA is not directly funding the Taliban, but the Taliban gets a significant cut of all the international assistance dollars from the USA and other countries that are flowing through the country.

The new feeling is that less than half of the Taliban’s war chest comes from poppy, with a variety of sources, including private contributions from Persian Gulf states, accounting for much of the rest. Holbrooke told reporters that he would add a member of the Treasury Department to his staff to pursue the question of Taliban funding.

But perhaps U.S. officials need look no further than their own backyard.

Anecdotal evidence is mounting that the Taliban are taking a hefty portion of assistance money coming into Afghanistan from the outside.

This goes beyond mere protection money or extortion of “taxes” at the local level — very high-level negotiations take place between the Taliban and major contractors, according to sources close to the process.

Source: Reuters

Sheriff Richard Mack Responds to Southern Poverty Law Center's Hate Speech Smear Attack on Oath Keepers

August 14, 2009
www.oathkeepers.org
Richard Mack press release:

In all the years that Morris Dees and his Southern Poverty Law Center (a name to this day I still don’t understand) have been writing about me, not once has anyone in Dees’ office nor he personally, ever made any attempt to contact me to get my side of the “information” they put out about me. Dees has claimed that I am some icon of the militias and quite honestly, I have no idea where he gets this stuff. I have had no contact with any militia group and have never been a member of any militia. What little I do know about militia groups is that they do appear to be much more honorable people than Morris Dees. The SPLC ought to follow the rules of common decency and stop spreading their own hate speech about people they know very little about.

Anyone who has heard me speak at the Oath Keepers ceremony in Lexington or anywhere else in the country, know that I abhor violence and have never advocated or encouraged such tactics. In fact, at the Lexington Oath Keepers event I spoke of my admiration for Rosa Parks and how we should all follow her example. What does the SPLC call Rosa Parks? I simply suggest that we should all stand against stupid laws just as she did; and yes, even if some of those laws today are IRS tax codes, many of which are the epitome of stupidity.

If Morris Dees and his SPLC believe the words in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence are offensive and extreme, then I suggest he find a place to live that is not given to such “hate speech.” Those of us who do not believe in putting Americans in concentration camps (as the government did to Japanese Americans during WWII) or don’t believe in gun control or out of control spending or bailouts for Wallstreet criminals or the trampling of our freedoms by those in office who swore to protect the same, just because we don’t believe in such things does not make us racists. Mr. Dees, why don’t you tell us all how much money you have made by spreading such misinformation?

I challenge Morris Dees to an honest open debate about any or all of these issues. If he really believes his information to be true; he should have no problem accepting my offer.

Sheriff Richard Mack (RET)

MORE FROM STEWART RHODES:

Apparently, the SPLC finds it particularly worrisome that active duty and retired military and police would dare to gather on April 19, 2009 on Lexington Green and renew our oaths to defend the Constitution. The horrors!

Next I will be posting the response of Navy LCDR David Gillie (who also spoke at Lexington), and then my own response.

Image: Alan Smith

Source: Oathkeepers

Chicago's Uptown on the Verge of Possible Marital Law Over "Near Riot-Like" Activity?

Would Chicago Declare Martial Law? from Video by Joe Gray on Vimeo.

Chicago restricts the 2nd Amendment as much as any city, yet there is always so much crime. I remember going there every summer during my youth and you always had to be on edge, because it was so dangerous. Chicago's anti-2nd Amendment laws certainly have not helped reduce its crimes. Gun laws only disarm the lawful population while the criminals remain armed. This video is an example of the armed criminals being able to run free in the streets while the people are forced to cower behind window curtains with cameras.

Over the last few nights in Uptown, there has been near riot-like activity occurring on the streets. If this violence continues, will the government declare martial law? Many of the residents seem to begging for something to be done. Could an event like this be used to impose martial law? The above video was recorded by a local resident from his home.

Increased police patrols are promised in the area around Leland and Sheridan in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood after "near riot-like" activity in the streets the past few nights.

Video from the area appears to show about a dozen people running back and forth in the street, breaking bottles and yelling. One NBCChicago.com visitor wrote of "near riot-like gang fighting," and said that shots were fired Thursday night at about 10:30.

On the Web site UptownUpdate.com, commenters express fear and anger over the activity.

Source: NBC Chicago

FDIC's Bair Tells Sen. Banning 500 More U.S. Banks May Fail This Year!

The conspiracy theorized U.S. bank holiday rumor for August-September (excluding Labor Day) is gaining legs with more evidence showing that it may become a possibility. Yesterday, Colonial Bank of Alabama with $26 billion in assets became the largest failed bank to date this year. There are also rumors that the FDIC may soon be insolvent, because the FDIC insurance fund only had $13 billion as of March 31, 2009.

Last month, FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair told Senator Bunning that up to 500 more banks may close this year in the United States. In other words, the Friday Night Feasts will continue.

By Jessica Holzer, Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. Chairman Sheila Bair believes up to 500 more banks could fail, a U.S. senator said Bair told him in a recent meeting.

"She told us that unless something dramatic happens, we could lose up to 500 more banks," Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., said Thursday at a hearing of the Senate Banking Committee on the foreclosure crisis.

Bunning said Bair made the remarks in a recent meeting.

"That means that people who make mortgages in local places .... people that could really help in a foreclosure will not be there," Bunning said.

-By Jessica Holzer, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9228; jessica.holzer@ dowjones.com

Source: NASDAQ

How I Prevented My Chronic Sore Throats! (One Man's Testimonial)

I cannot make medical claims, because I am not a doctor, so this is merely my personal testimonial on how I was able to prevent my chronic sore throats. For the first 30 years of my life, I experienced many sore throats resulting from post nasal drip and these sore throats usually required medication to remedy.

At one point, I was getting tonsillitis, sinusitis, strep throat and/or pharyngitis on a monthly basis. It would start with a post nasal drip and usually lead to a week or so of agony. One doctor even recommended that I get my tonsils removed. Another doctor commented a few years ago while I was being examined in the emergency room about the significant scarring in the back of my throat from all these sicknesses.

I finally said enough is enough and decided to figure out how to prevent these sore throats. That was in 2002! After many years of trials and errors, I have finally settled on a remedy that is currently working for me.

As of today, I have gone nearly two years without having any type of serious sore throat issue or having to take any prescription medicine.

Here is the personal sore throat prevention method that I currently use today.

1. Gargle With Hydrogen Peroxide Everyday. I usually gargle for 30-60 seconds making sure to hit the back of my throat. I do not swallow it, because non-food grade hydrogen has impurities that can make someone ill if ingested. I gargle more frequently (as many times as needed throughout a day) if I feel any slight tinge of throat pain.

2. Take Daily Doses of Either Vitamin C, Black Walnut Hulls, Grapeseed Extract, Elderberry and/or Oil of Oregano. I do not take each of these supplements everyday, but I do take at least one of these supplements everyday. I mix it up. For example, I may take one elderberry capsule and two Vitamin C capsules on Monday and then take one black walnut hull capsule on Tuesday.

3. Drink Filtered Water. I bought a Berkey filter with the fluoride and arsenic filters. I try to drink as much water as I can in a day, because I usually forget to stay properly hydrated. Water helps keep the sinus cavities from drying out and getting congested.

4. Use Simply Saline (Allergy & Sinus Relief) for Post-Nasal Drip & Congestion. Anytime I feel even the slightest possibility that I may be getting some post nasal drip or sinus congestion in my throat, I flood my nasal cavities with this saline solution several times throughout the day until the congestion is gone. It only contains water and salt. No drugs or preservatives. This is the only spray that has worked for me. All the other ones caused my nose to bleed.

5. Eat More Cayenne Pepper or Any Other Hot Pepper. I try to consume cayenne pepper any time I can. I have pepper capsules that I take from time to time as well as cayenne pepper powder.

This is my personal story, so I cannot say whether someone would experience similar results. All I know is that I no longer have the chronic sore throats that plagued me the first 30 or so years of my life.

Willie Herenton Blasts WDIA's Bobby O'Jay on Radio and Joe Birch on TV (W.W. Says His State of Mind is Real Good)!

The Joe Birch video is above. You can listen to the Bobby O'Jay by clicking the link below.

After Bobby O'Jay questioned Willie Herenton's state of mind, Mayor Herenton didn't release a statement through some minion. No, Herenton called into the radio show himself and decided to set the record straight.

It is bad when you get owned on your own show and it appears that Mr. O'Jay was owned by the former Mayor and current mayoral/Congressional candidate. Brother O'Jay tried to throw some late bombs to save face, but it was too late.

Another classic tale of Memphis politics. My only question is where did Herenton call O'Jay from? Hopefully, he made the call on his celly while cruising the Memphis city streets. Man, that would make a great visual in a movie.

Listen to the Willie W. Herenton Heated Interview with WDIA's Bobby O'Jay by clicking anywhere on this sentence.

This morning, Herenton said he regularly listened to O’Jay’s show and that he could describe the radio host in unflattering terms if he wanted to.

“I could say you’re ignorant,” said Herenton. “I could simply say you have a short man’s syndrome, but I’m not going to get into that.”

O’Jay quickly fired back.

“I could say you’re acting ignorant, too. I could say you have a tall man’s syndrome,” O’Jay said. “You’re trying to bully me on my own show and I’m not going to let you do it.”

Source: WDIA ; Commercial Appeal

Colonial - Year's Biggest Bank Failure (FDIC Closes Five More Banks)

The FDIC Friday Night Feast continues as the FDIC devoured five (5) more banks. That is 77 banks failures since January 1, 2009. Further, the FDIC has basically banned any new banks since December, 2008 (including healthy new banks).

Colonial Bank also happens to be the biggest bank to fail this year with 346 branches in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Nevada and Texas. Please note that this below quoted story was released before Colonial was seized.

Colonial has more than $26 billion in assets. If it's shut down by the FDIC, it would be the largest bank failure so far this year, exceeding the collapse of Florida's BankUnited Financial (BKUNQ 0.30, -0.01, -1.64%) , which had less than $13 billion in assets. See full story.

I guess it should not be a surprise that Colonial was about to get the axe, because it was raided by federal authorities a couple of weeks ago.

There is only $13 billion left in the FDIC insurance fund as of March 31, 2009. How much money is in there right now considering the number of banks that have closed since March 31, 2009. When will the new insurance fund balance amounts be released? I would imagine that might be the trigger for the predicted August 26 bank holiday if the insurance fund cannot cover future failed banks. The signs are pointing to this possibility, because the FDIC expects to close 500 more banks this year. Nevertheless, the FDIC is still putting on the confident face saying that it has been able to cover all losses to date and that there is no need to worry.

Trust fund hit: The failure of Colonial is another blow to the FDIC trust fund, which has had to cover 77 bank failures so far in 2009 -- including four more late Friday.

The fund took a $35.1 billion hit in 2008, and an additional $4.3 billion decline in the first quarter of this year, leaving it with assets of only $13 billion as of March 31. But most of last year's decline was due to $25 billion the agency set aside to cover future losses.

"The past 18 months have been a very trying period in the financial services arena," said FDIC Chairman Sheila Bair, in the Colonial failure release. "Our industry funded reserves have covered all losses to date. In fact, losses from today's failures are lower than had been projected.

Bank Name	City	State	CERT #	Closing Date	Updated Date
Community Bank of Nevada	Las Vegas	NV	34043	August 14, 2009	August 14, 2009
Community Bank of Arizona	Phoenix	AZ	57645	August 14, 2009	August 14, 2009
Union Bank, National Association	Gilbert	AZ	34485	August 14, 2009	August 14, 2009
Colonial Bank	Montgomery	AL	9609	August 14, 2009	August 14, 2009
Dwelling House Savings and Loan Association	Pittsburgh	PA	31559	August 14, 2009	August 14, 2009

For the full list of all 77 failed banks, click HERE.

Source: FDIC ; Bloomberg; Market Watch; CNN

Is Obama's Health Care Reform Constitutional?

People are upset over the government trying to ram health care reform through the halls of Congress. There is talk about "death squads" and rationing for the elderly. Town halls all over the country have gotten quite heated as people are rallying to fight the health care reform bill. While I hear people saying that the bill is unconstitutional, I do not hear the mainstream media debating this point.

I did not think about it, but where is the Constitutional authority for this proposed bill? I do not see anything in the Constitution discussing health care. Although Congress has gone beyond its authority in the past, this type of act does not convert an unconstitutional law into a Constitutional one. Fortunately, we have alternative media.

Lost in all the hysteria being pumped out by these wretched outlaws in Congress and the liars for hire in the MSM is the real question: Does Congress have any legal authority under Art. 1, Sec. 8, in the U.S. Constitution to legislate health care or treatment within the states of the Union? No.

Health care is not a "human right." It is not a constitutional right.

Go read Art. 1, Sec. 8 of the Constitution. No where is Congress authorized to set up, run or legislate in the area of medical care, health care or whatever you want to call it. None. I've been watching the videos of the town hall meetings. In a couple of them, Americans have stood up at the microphone and said the government has no right to legislate health care in this country. Get government out of our health care system! Excellent.

Source: News With Views (By Devvy Kid)

An Avalanche of Insider Stock Trading (Evidence of August Bank Holiday or Worse?)

As we see more and more banks closed by the FDIC and as we see record foreclosure rates in July, 2009, there is definitely something up in the financial arena. Is it the proverbial calm before storm or the eye of the hurricane? An international financial analyst at the Royal Bank of Scotland agrees and basically says to take your profits out of the markets and head for the hills.

Britain's Uber-bear is growling again. After predicting a torrid "relief rally" over the early summer, Bob Janjuah at Royal Bank of Scotland is advising clients to take profits in global equity and commodity markets and prepare for another storm as winter nears.

My gut tells me that something big is going to happen between now and October 1. My current report says that we are scheduled for a bank holiday on or about August 26 based on the news I have been able to review. Corporate insiders have been dumping stocks left and right over the last few weeks (see graph below). If the information is to believed, then it appears that the rats are abandoning ship.

What's the "message" of the market here? Over the last two weeks corporate insiders have dumped over $2.1 billion in stock vs. $73.1 million in buys. I'm not sure I've ever seen the ratio of insider sells vs. buys this skewed toward officers and directors looking for the exit door. Talk about the captain jumping into the lifeboat and speeding away before the ship sinks....

Given that the trailing, "as reported" price/earnings ratio is now 144, or substantially above the peak p/e ratio on the Nasdaq at the top of the tech bubble, what is the market trying to tell us?

Think about that when you call up your financial advisor or broker and tell him you want get out of the stock market.

Source: Market Watch ; The London Telegraph ; The Golden Truth

The Return of Willie Herenton (Former Mayor Picks Up Petition To Run For Mayor Again!)

Willie W. Herenton cannot seem to make up his mind. He wants to be mayor. He wants to be the school superintendent. He wants to be the Congressman. He wants to work in the private sector. Now he wants to be mayor again. I must commend you Mayor Herenton. You certainly keep it interesting and NO ONE will ever forget you! Good luck with the latest venture! I need to jump in a train boxcar and head to town with my camera for the hundreds of YouTube moments I'm expecting between now and the Congressional primary next year!

Citing dissatisfaction with the work of Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery, former Mayor Willie Herenton took a step toward regaining his old job today.

Less than two weeks after retiring as Memphis mayor, Herenton walked into the offices of the Shelby County Election Commission this morning and picked up a petition to run for the office again, election commission officials have just confirmed.

Herenton has not officially entered the race. He hasn't turned in the petition with the required number of signatures, 25. But he's now in possession of a petition to get into the race.

Source: The Commercial Appeal

National Guard Drill at Maine High School to Prepare for Possible H1N1 "Swine" Flu Riots

The powers-that-be are certainly preparing for something bad to happen this fall with the H1N1 "swine" flu pandemic. There is now a riot drill being conducted by the National Guard at a Maine high school utilizing four or five Humvees traveling from Augusta to Paris with vials of fake serum. The Guard will use tear gas and practice what to do if people get out of control in their quest for H1N1 medicine. Hopefully, we do not see riots in the streets this fall in connection with the H1N1 serum. You can have my dosage.

Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School will be the site of a National Guard riot control drill Thursday morning to prepare in the event of a panic over distribution of serum to treat the swine flu.

The school on Route 26 at the Paris-Norway town line has been designated by state officials as a distribution site for the H1N1 flu vaccine. The drill is to prepare for a worst-case scenario should the serum have to be transported from Augusta and people rush to get it...

The drill will take place behind the school and will not affect the day-to-day activities within the school. Access to the school building will be available through the main entrance, Parker said.

Source: Sun Journal

Arizona Asserts States' Rights on Obama's Federal Health Care Reform!

Similar to the States who assert States' rights against federal legislation on medical marijuana and firearms freedom, Arizona is considering doing the same thing against federal health care. The voting initiative will be placed on the 2010 ballot. While a lot can change in a year, if the election was held the day, I believe the initiative would pass with a solid majority.

Under Arizona's Health Care Freedom Act, which was passed by the state legislature this week [week of June 22, 2009], a voting initiative will be placed on the 2010 ballot that, if passed, will allow the state to opt out of any federal health care plan. Five other states -- Indiana, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming -- are considering similar initiatives for their 2010 ballots.

"Our health care freedoms are very much at risk by health care reforms proposed in Washington, D.C.," said Arizona state Rep. Nancy Barto, the Republican legislator who sponsored the measure. "We needed to act as a state to protect our citizens and ensure that they will always be able to buy their own health care and not be forced into a plan they don't want."

Source: Fox

Vaccination Laws (Amended as of August 9, 2009) (Links to State & Federal Laws & Regulations)

The purpose of the page is simply to provide reproductions of and links to various federal and state laws and regulations concerning vaccinations of citizens in the event of pandemics, particularly the predicted "swine flu" episode for this fall. There appears to be great interest at present regarding this matter, yet there is no readily available source where an interested American can actually read the relevant laws for every jurisdiction. The author has been primarily concerned with compiling those laws that actually subject a citizen to forced inoculations.

Click here for the Vaccination Laws.

U.S. Cap-and-Trade Legislation Could Potentially Ignite Global Trade War!

I do not agree with the cap-and-trade legislation that our Congress is fast-tracking to approval., because I believe it will further bankrupt our country. Currently, the legislation has hit a bump in the Senate, because many Senators want to impose tariffs against countries that have "dirty imports." Based on the world's current globalization system, these types of tariffs may spark a global trade war!

CLIMATE POLICY and trade policy are on a collision course. Last week, 10 Democratic senators sent a letter to President Obama demanding that cap-and-trade legislation include tariffs against dirty imports. Precisely such tariffs, aimed at countries that are not doing enough to cut their greenhouse gas emissions, were part of the climate legislation recently passed in the House. Proponents argue that the tariffs are needed to prevent the loss of US jobs and the shift of emissions-generating activities to other countries. Free trade advocates are horrified at the prospect, which they worry could violate global trade rules and spark an economic war.

Source: The Boston Globe

Pakistan Nuclear Arsenal Thefts Foiled (Extremist Attacks on Secret Storage Sites Raise Security Doubts)!

Apparently, Pakistan's nuclear security is not that adequate despite the Pakistani government's assertions, because there have been several theft attempts over the last couple of years of its nuclear arsenal. It would not be a good thing if some of these weapons were stolen and distributed to the black market. I can imagine some type of patsy being implicated for a false flag attack if one of these weapons gets out.

However, I must research the backgrounds of this Maldon Institute that prepared this referenced report. For all I now, they may just be trying to drum up some business for Blackwater/Xe.

The Baltimore-based Maldon Institute, whose worldwide staff consists mostly of retired intelligence officers, and the Times of India's Washington-based foreign editor Chidanand Rajghatta both report attempted nuclear thefts that have been tracked by Shaun Gregory, a professor at Bradford University in Britain.

The first such attack against the nuclear-missile-storage facility was on Nov. 1, 2007, at Sargodha; the second, by a suicide bomber, occurred Dec. 10, 2007, against Pakistan's nuclear air base at Kamra; and the third, Aug. 20, 2008, and most alarming, was launched by several suicide bombers who blew up key entry points to a nuclear-weapons complex at the Wah Cantonment, long believed to be one of Pakistan's main nuclear-weapons assembly points, where warheads and launchers come together in a national emergency.

Source: Washington Times

Iowa Property Owners Refuse to Leave Flood Plain (Potential Legal Battles with FEMA and Army Corp. of Engineers?)

If a person wants to live in a flood plain, then that should be his/her right. Many people in Iowa feel the same way, but FEMA and the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers disagree. They want to move people from their land in Cedar Rapids who were recently flooded out last year. The monies being offered by the government is not sufficient for many people and businesses to move to similar properties. Therefore, many people are staying despite the risk.

I agree with the Iowa's peoples' decision to live where they choose. If a major earthquake hits Los Angeles, will the city be rebuilt or would the population simply be moved to other locations? If FEMA uses the same rationale that it is using in Iowa, then yes, it would try to relocate the population.

After one of the most expensive natural disasters in U.S. history, Cedar Rapids plans to turn a flood-prone strip of land next to the Cedar River into a 220-acre greenway. But a few stubborn homeowners and businesses are refusing to leave.

City officials say an important step in recovery from the June 2008 flood that submerged most of the downtown and caused about $6 billion in damage is moving houses out of areas most likely to flood again.

Source: Rocky Mountain Telegram