Aug 28, 2008 | 11:29 AM
Category:
Political
I wondered for some time what 15,000 journalists were doing in Denver covering around 4,000 delegates, but I read an article yesterday that brought me up to speed. Here's the low-down...
7,500 aren't doing much at all, not surprising. Only a small number of reporters actually have a reason to be there. The rest are conventioneering, which means seeing old friends, eating Democratic themed menu items from pandering local restaurants, showing their press passes everywhere, looking for free stuff, and spending roughly 14% of their time trying to rustle up enough stories to justify their presence to their editors.
4,021 are smugly bad-mouthing the convention and it's participants in their story leads ("There is no reason for so many journalists to be here"). Truth-telling rebels they are, if they didn't want to be there, they wouldn't have come.
2,294 are complaining about only having perimeter press passes. There are four levels of access - perimeter, arena, hall, and floor. Perimeter passes are restricted to the parking lot, the rest can go inside. Some try to sneak in, being stopped by Dem Robot security staffers. One of the Pavilions has free Coors and swedish meatballs. There's leather chairs and flat screen televisions.
500 don't have credentials, and are trying desperately to get them. that happens in a Hampton Inn about 40 minutes away, and every morning, reporters have to come and claim theirs for the day.
340 are confused about how to find the proper press office inside the Pepsi Center, there are so many. Everyone looks vaguely depressed or aggravated, possibly because once they find their room it has no internet access, and is full of reporters for small outlets.
150 are at the CNN Grill, restricted to staffers and talk show guests.
62 are enjoying massages.
Seven of them are having their pic taken with Captain Morgan, the rum-loving pirate who was oddly credentialed into the convention.
The rest are just drunk, as they should be.....
Fine, if that's what the 15,000 journalists are doing in Denver. But where can I read about the exchange of ideas among tomorrow's leaders, the discussions on new solutions to old problems, the charting of new courses, all that meaty talk among the different layers of officials? All I'm seeing is a weird Clinton drama and a bunch of garbage copy. Clinton releases her delegates! Wow, a real shocker! Or how about: Will Bill show up for Obama's speech? Oh, I can hardly wait. McCain's releasing a new attack ad, yawn.... I'm reading that there's an 11 year old blogger at the convention as well, that's getting into real substance. Am I talking about the same convention?
Aug 13, 2008 | 11:46 PM
Category:
Political
Yesterday when speaking to reporters about the Russia/Georgia situation McCain said "in the 21st century nations don't invade other nations." Although many believe he didn't mean anything by the comment, it could have diplomatic ripples. But for many that believe the U.S. is becoming increasingly arrogant in the grand scheme of things, especially while occupying two foreign nations, the comments don't do much to change the negative perception. He also said "this isn't a time for partisanship and sniping between campaigns. This is about hundreds of thousands of individuals whose lives are being taken..." I guess he didn't take into consideration the death toll to Iraqi civilians which passed the one million mark in September of last year.
Russia is beginning to challenge U.S. authority worldwide, noting the increasing double standard image. In a Security Council meeting Aug. 10th, it was pointed out that "regime change" instead of "invasion" was another U.S. double standard that Russia did not use. Yet the U.S. accuses Russia of something it does on a regular basis. "Regime change" is a very well known part of U.S. foreign policy. It has been used from Latin America, to Iraq and Afghanistan and if they can, Iran. Russian politics, on the other hand are much tougher.
The more the U.S. ignores it's own advice, the more it undermines it's global authority which has been growing since the end of World War II. The fact is that the U.S. ignores the role of international organizations and pursues a systematic double standard set of policies in areas like human rights and democracy. We, therefore should not be preaching to Russia or China for committing the same offenses.
Considering all of America's difficulties in the Middle East, the alienation of Moscow will only heighten tensions between our two countries. The U.S. is no longer the most effective nation when it comes to interfering, influencing and resolving conflicts among nations. Let's hope we learn a lesson from the Georgia/Russia conflict. Let's also hope that history doesn't show that it was the pre-cursor to tensions building to World War III.
Aug 14, 2008 | 12:23 AM
Category:
Political
Yesterday
when speaking to reporters about the Russia/Georgia situation McCain
said "in the 21st century nations don't invade other nations." Although
many believe he didn't mean anything by the comment, it could have
diplomatic ripples. But for many that believe the U.S. is becoming
increasingly arrogant in the grand scheme of things, especially while
occupying two foreign nations, the comments don't do much to change the
negative perception. He also said "this isn't a time for partisanship
and sniping between campaigns. This is about hundreds of thousands of
individuals whose lives are being taken..." I guess he didn't take into
consideration the death toll to Iraqi civilians which passed the one
million mark in September of last year.
Russia is beginning to
challenge U.S. authority worldwide, noting the increasing double
standard image. In a Security Council meeting Aug. 10th, it was pointed
out that "regime change" instead of "invasion" was another U.S. double
standard that Russia did not use. Yet the U.S. accuses Russia of
something it does on a regular basis. "Regime change" is a very well
known part of U.S. foreign policy. It has been used from Latin America,
to Iraq and Afghanistan and if they can, Iran. Russian politics, on the
other hand are much tougher.
The more the U.S. ignores it's own
advice, the more it undermines it's global authority which has been
growing since the end of World War II. The fact is that the U.S.
ignores the role of international organizations and pursues a systemic
double standard set of policies in areas like human rights and
democracy. We, therefore should not be preaching to Russia or China for
committing the same offenses.
Considering all of America's
difficulties in the Middle East, the alienation of Moscow will only
heighten tensions between our two countries. The U.S. is no longer the
most effective nation when it comes to interfering, influencing and
resolving conflicts among nations. Let's hope we learn a lesson from
the Georgia/Russia conflict. Let's also hope that history doesn't show
that it was the pre-cursor to tensions building to World War III.
Aug 14, 2008 | 12:21 AM
Category:
Political
Yesterday when speaking to reporters about the Russia/Georgia situation McCain said "in the 21st century nations don't invade other nations." Although many believe he didn't mean anything by the comment, it could have diplomatic ripples. But for many that believe the U.S. is becoming increasingly arrogant in the grand scheme of things, especially while occupying two foreign nations, the comments don't do much to change the negative perception. He also said "this isn't a time for partisanship and sniping between campaigns. This is about hundreds of thousands of individuals whose lives are being taken..." I guess he didn't take into consideration the death toll to Iraqi civilians which passed the one million mark in September of last year.
Russia is beginning to challenge U.S. authority worldwide, noting the increasing double standard image. In a Security Council meeting Aug. 10th, it was pointed out that "regime change" instead of "invasion" was another U.S. double standard that Russia did not use. Yet the U.S. accuses Russia of something it does on a regular basis. "Regime change" is a very well known part of U.S. foreign policy. It has been used from Latin America, to Iraq and Afghanistan and if they can, Iran. Russian politics, on the other hand are much tougher.
The more the U.S. ignores it's own advice, the more it undermines it's global authority which has been growing since the end of World War II. The fact is that the U.S. ignores the role of international organizations and pursues a systemic double standard set of policies in areas like human rights and democracy. We, therefore should not be preaching to Russia or China for committing the same offenses.
Considering all of America's difficulties in the Middle East, the alienation of Moscow will only heighten tensions between our two countries. The U.S. is no longer the most effective nation when it comes to interfering, influencing and resolving conflicts among nations. Let's hope we learn a lesson from the Georgia/Russia conflict. Let's also hope that history doesn't show that it was the pre-cursor to tensions building to World War III.
Jul 24, 2008 | 8:59 PM
Category:
Political
As many of you recall, earlier this year John McCain called for a gas tax holiday for the Summer. It was to give us somewhat of a break from the high prices we've been experiencing at the pump. Clinton liked it, Obama and other Democrats didn't and said it was not a good idea. They claimed that oil companies would only raise the price to make up the difference, not offering relief at all. It seems the Democrats don't like people not paying taxes on gas.....unless those people are working for the Democrats in order to organize the convention in Denver next month.
It has been reported that the city of Denver has been allowing those working for the DNC in Denver to fuel the vehicles they us at the city's pumps, hence avoiding state and federal taxes. It appears that it's been going on for about 4 months, with the blessing of the Mayor of Denver. The State Attorney General says it looks illegal. Really? The Mayor, John Hickenlooper, said the practice would change but it should be OK because Republicans were doing the same thing in Minneapolis. Everyone from the RNC who was contacted said they were getting gas on the open market, paying all the appropriate taxes. No such deal is in the making for them.
It seems interesting, though frustrating that Democrats love to raise taxes and tell us how we need to pay our fair share, but avoid paying taxes every chance they get......
"Do as I say and not as I do" seems to be the mantra of the far left.
Jul 16, 2008 | 11:48 AM
Category:
Political
This past weekend Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, former head of Goldman Sachs investment house, gave us a perfect demonstration of what's being "Wall Street Socialism." We're being told that the Bush administration is seeking Congressional approval to bail out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. these institutions are government created but privately owned profit-making housing companies that hold almost 50% of the mortgage market, somewhere around $5 Trillion. With the housing market in turmoil, their shares have nosedived, and they have suffered billions in losses. Both could possibly be bankrupt if their assets were marked down to current market value. Now Bush wants to prop these guys up and even offer taxpayer money to recapitalize them if necessary. Here we go again, gambling with taxpayer money. Ben Bernanke, Federal Reserve Chairman told us yesterday that with this guarantee they are in "no danger of failing."
Curious how they've managed to avoid scandal and crisis? In the last 10 years Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have spent nearly $200 Million on lobbying and campaign contributions. In what's called a sophisticated lobbying operation and scores of homeowner groups pressuring lawmakers, they have managed to stop increased regulation and calls for transparency in day to day operations. Their payrolls include power brokers such as Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, and VP vetter Jim Johnson from Obama's campaign. One can rest assured that these guys will be well represented, no matter who's in the White House, their political contacts are deep within both campaigns. McCain's fundraisers alone have netted $12.3 Million in fees over the last nine years. For the most part, they will be nationalized, being guaranteed by you and I, the taxpayer. Only exception; we won't be able to add their assets to the books, they will still be privately owned.
As these institutions grew and profited the executives pocked huge salaries and bonuses and gave them even more incentive to "cook the books." Last year the Chair of Freddie Mac took home a mere $18,289,575. Fannie Mae CEO Daniel Mudd received a paltry $13.4 million (a 7% percent increase) while the company lost $2.1 Billion and shares fell 33%.
CEO's will continue to pocket multi-millions in salaries and you and I will pay for their failures. They're now completely on our tab. One has to remember this comes on the heels of the Bear Stearns debacle involving JP Morgan Chase, also backed by the Fed. And let's not forget Indy Mac in California, a good ole' fashioned run on the bank, somewhat reminiscent of the Great Depression of the 30's, depositors have lost millions in savings.
All in all, these guys are playing with house money -- not exactly an incentive for prudence in any case.
Jul 10, 2008 | 10:44 AM
Category:
Political
I learned something today. Did you know that Recession is "Mental," and America is a "Nation Of Whiners?" McCain's top economic adviser Phil Gramm has told us Americans to suck it up and stop complaining about the economy. He says:
"You've heard of mental depression; this is a mental recession, he said, noting that growth has held up at about 1 percent despite all the publicity over losing jobs to India, China, illegal immigration, housing and credit problems and record oil prices. We may have a recession, but we haven't had one yet."
You have to remember that Phil Gramm authored the Enron loophole that lead to the largest collapse in U.S. history, with a loss of 21,000 jobs and allowed executives to plunder their 401K, college savings and pension plans. This also allowed California to get hit with record energy prices and rolling blackouts for over a year.
McCain's campaign is trying to distance itself from Chief Economic Advisor Gramm's comments, expectedly enough.
Americans know that our economic problems aren't just in our heads, and we don't need psychological relief, we need real relief. So, the next time you're paying over $4.00 a gallon at the pump, can't meet your mortgage, have difficulty covering 20% increases at the grocery store, get a 10% increase in your electrical bill, can't afford to fly, cancel your vacation etc., it's all in your imagination. Just ignore that eviction notice, it's all in your mind. Maybe some creative visualization will fill your wallet as well. Stop whining already.......
Jun 26, 2008 | 11:36 AM
Category:
News
The Supreme Court has just ruled today that Americans have a constitutional right to keep guns in their homes for self-defense, which is it's first major pronouncement on gun control in U.S. history. Their 5-4 ruling also struck down D.C.'s 32 year old handgun ban as incompatible with gun rights under the Second Amendment. The Bush administration is divided on the issue.
Antonin Scalia says that an individual right to bear arms is supported by "the historical narrative" both before and after the Second Amendment was adopted. He also noted that American's preferred weapon of self-defense is the handgun "it can be pointed at a burglar with one hand while the other dials the police." His opinion dealt almost exclusively with self-defense in the home.
Gun rights supporters have hailed the decision. "I consider this the opening salvo in a step-by-step process of providing relief for law-abiding Americans everywhere that have been deprived of this freedom," said Wayne LaPierre, executive VP of the NRA.
There has been much public outcry about gun control, and the challenging of the Second Amendment. This should prove to everyone that it does pay to make your voice heard as we have. Now we need to get busy on the rest of the Civil Rights that are being threatened in this country.
Finally the court gets one right, this comes on the heels of declaring the death penalty too harsh for child rape, and cutting the $2.5 billion damage award in the Exxon Valdez spill to $500 million. I was beginning to wonder about these folks.........
Jun 18, 2008 | 11:34 PM
Category:
Political
It's hard to imagine that John McCain couldn't have been happier today when Bush echoed his call for drilling up and down our nation's coastlines. It was hard enough to pass the laugh test when he claimed his plan wouldn't have any affect on gas prices soon. Now this ridiculously over-hyped plan has the stamp of approval from the one person we all need to avoid - a president who is not only an oil man but who's also been wrong on just about every issue over the course of the last eight years.
Even without the Bush kiss of death, most of us could see through this nonsensical idea. To hear McCain or Bush talk you'd think gas was going to be pumped straight out of the ground and directly into your gas tank. Most of us realize however that is takes a long time to build derricks, pipelines to reach land, and the refineries to process this oil. They may try to sell this as immediate relief at the pump, but it is going to take nearly a decade or more to realize those few pennies at the pump, according to the Energy Information Administration. What McCain and Bush are not saying is how their friends at the oil companies are sitting on -- get this -- 68 million acres of land leased to them by the American taxpayer, 68 million acres!! This represents domestic oil and gas production waiting to be had -- only the oil companies aren't doing anything about it. In the long run, this drill, drill, drill mentality only ends up drilling us into a deeper hole. The continued dependence on oil is disastrous for our economy and toxic for our planet. the economic dangers now and in the future are obvious by just looking at what our reliance on oil is doing to our nation today.
There are so many reasons why the Bush-McCain drilling plan is absurd. There are hometown reasons, like the threat to our beaches. There are national reasons, like the failure to lower gas prices. And there are global reasons, like the future of our planet.
In the end, this is a plan that brings relief to oil companies, not American families. These guys just don't seem to get it that the future is in renewable energy, alternative fuels and energy efficiency, not in oil. But then again, I guess we shouldn't expect anything more from a president who is an oil man and the candidate he supports, who chose to give his big energy and environment speech in Houston, oil capitol of the nation.......
Jun 5, 2008 | 2:15 AM
Category:
News
Bush wants 50 military bases, control of Iraqi airspace and legal immunity for all American soldiers and contractors.....
This information is breaking and was leaked to a London newspaper (The Independent) about a secret deal being negotiated in Baghdad that would perpetuate American military occupation of Iraq indefinitely, regardless of the outcome of the US presidential election in November. These terms are likely to have an explosive political effect. Troops would occupy permanent bases, conduct military operations, arrest Iraqis and enjoy immunity from Iraqi law, will destabilize Iraq's position in the Middle east and lay the basis for unending conflict in their country. Bush is trying to get this pushed through will as little attention as possible so he can declare a military victory and claim that his 2003 invasion has been vindicated. With this immunity for troops comes the right to carry out arrests and conduct military activities in Iraq without consulting the Baghdad government. All this has been held secret until now. The leaks are certain to generate an angry backlash in Iraq. "It's a terrible breach of our sovereignty," quotes an Iraqi politician, adding that if the security deal was signed it would delegitimize the government in Baghdad which will be seen as an American pawn. Washington also wants control of all airspace below 29,000 ft. and the right to pursue it's "war on terror" in Iraq, giving it the authority to arrest anyone it wants and to launch military campaigns without consultation. This strategic alliance is already being condemned as an American attempt to dominate the region. Iranian leader Rafsanjani says this would lead to a "permanent occupation." Al-Maliki, is believed to be opposed to the terms of the pact, but feels his coalition government cannot stay in power without US backing.
We need to watch this closely. At a time when we allegedly are trying to secure freedom and democracy for the Iraqis the US is already looking for absolute power and immunity from prosecution, freedom to conduct military operations without consultation, control of airspace etc. Seem a bit strange to anyone else ??
May 30, 2008 | 10:09 AM
Category:
News
Recently, CBS anchor Katie Couric reported on the staggering costs of health care for illegal immigrants, the bill for which, of course, is entirely footed by the American taxpayer. Now,Mexican groups like La Raza are up in arms over the report, which they claim promoted "anti-Latino falsehoods" and "demonized" illegal immigrants.
Here's a newsflash for our cousins from south of the border - anyone that's here in the U.S. illegally deserves demonizing ... and immediate exportation (not necessarily in that order). And I'm not going to play the political correctness game and dance around the issue.
In the report CBS reporter Byron Pitts talked with a pregnant Mexican woman who underwent an emergency C-section at a south Texas hospital. This woman did not pay anything for the $4,700 procedure because she qualifies for emergency Medicaid. The report also pointed out a study estimating that Americans are forced to pay - are you ready for this? - $1.1 billion per year for illegal immigrants health care. Of course, the immigrant groups like La Raza and others had no facts to counter what they called these "anti-Latino falsehoods" in the report. I guess it's just not fair to point out the negatives about the growing number of illegals in our country. After verifying the facts it proved the figures were wrong, La Raza was correct after all. The report actually UNDERESTIMATED the size of the financial kick-in-the-teeth Americans are forced to pay due to the illegals.
Bob Knight, director of the Culture and Media Institute called the report a "breath of fresh air," considering most media coverage is largely biased heavily in favor of illegal immigrants. Knight points out that America's left-leaning media essentially approves of the massive influx of illegals as a way to increase the Democratic voter base, and will eventually become what is called "a new generation of Democratic voters."
If it's one thing these people have proved, it's that they care little for American citizenship, they're just after American rights and jobs. They'd probably like the right to vote as well, while not attaining citizenship to get it though. Groups like La Raza make me ill, they march through our streets carrying Mexican flags demanding rights and privileges that are afforded normally to only American citizens. So, ignore the facts or else.....isn't it nice that people such as this have graced our nation? Let's hope that someone in our government seals the border, and soon......
May 28, 2008 | 4:39 PM
Category:
Political
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has announced that he is stepping down, and he's written a book about his experiences in the Bush administration. He's claiming that Bush relied on a "propaganda campaign" to sell the Iraq war in the place of honesty and candor, go figure. He has called Bush's operation "insular, secretive and combative." The White House has called his accusations self-serving sour grapes, and reveals that he's been asked to leave earlier than originally planned.
McClellan's book focuses mostly on Bush's decision to go to war in Iraq, a determination he says had been made by early 2002, at least a full year before the invasion, if not earlier. The book goes on to document Bush's "ambitious and idealistic post-9/11 vision of transforming the Middle East through the spread of freedom." But Bush and advisers made a marketing choice to downplay this rationale in favor of focusing entirely on trumped up portrayals of the threat posed by WMD's. In a nutshell McClellan's book "What Happened" offers portraits of Bush, Rove, Rice, Libby all confirming that we went to war in Iraq under false pretenses, and that we were also serially lied to about the outing of Valerie Plame. Interesting enough, but it's about 5 years too late.
Another Bush administration official tries to wash blood off his hands, and make some bucks in the process by writing what's been described as a "come clean" book pointing fingers at everyone except himself and claiming to be an innocent bystander who watched horrible things happening but had no choice other than to go along.
We need all the openness and honesty we can get, but it would have been better to have taken the opportunity when it mattered, before the 2004 election, when it could have potentially have saved thousands of lives. Bush led a political propaganda campaign to sell the war, was not open and forthright, and ignored or simply disregarded contradictory intelligence on the war. He remained in campaign mode by never reflecting, never reconsidering, and never compromising. History seems poised to confirm what most of us Americans already know, that the decision to invade Iraq was a serious strategic blunder. The most damning revelation of all was in confirming that Bush wanted to invade Iraq to "create a legacy of greatness" by transforming the Middle East into a land of peace and brotherhood. Over 4,000 dead U.S. soldiers sacrificed for a neo-con wet dream of democratic dominoes across the region. How chilling is that? The president had promised himself that he would accomplish what his father had failed to do by winning a second term in office. Then there's the media who was too easy on the administration on the "selling" of the war and have been called "enablers."
Remember GW, it's not a lie if you believe it. Disastrous policy for a sitting President. Lies on top of lies, and the more the truth comes out, there is still that percentage of brain-washed Americans who will always believe we were taking the moral high ground by invading a sovereign country who didn't pose a threat to a single one of us......
May 16, 2008 | 12:38 AM
Category:
Political
In a speech today, John McCain basically hopped into an imaginary time machine and took us to the year 2013, and the end of his first term as President. Some of what he would have us to believe......
The Iraq War is over, Iraq is a functioning democracy; Al Quaeda in Iraq has been defeated; Bin Laden has been captured or killed; no major terrorist attack in the U.S.; Iran and North Korea have renounced nuclear weapons; the Army and Marine Corps are larger and better equipped; a substantial increase in veterans benefits; the genocide in Darfur has been stopped; the U.S. has experienced substantial and "robust" economic growth; Americans are confident in their economic future; the world's food crisis has ended; test scores and graduation rates are rising all over the country; health care is more accessible; Medicare and Social Security have been fixed with tax increases or benefit reductions; we're on our way to oil independence from foreign sources; the southern border is secure; illegal immigration has been brought under control; and last but not least, there are fewer fat kids plundering through P.E. class.
Seems like an awful lot doesn't it?? The first thing to notice was that he gave not one specific on how he plans to accomplish any of it. The second, and biggest thing is, it's just plain fantasy. The contradiction here is that he states that it's important for our candidates to lay out "what they plan to achieve not with vague language but with clarity." This trip to fantasyland has no map on how we're supposed to get there. I guess that one morning we'll wake up, pigs will be flying and things will be right with the world. This viewing of things through rose colored glasses runs counter to McCains brand as a "straight talker."
82 percent of the public is unhappy with the direction of the Country, and 68 percent are unhappy with the war. 75 percent are anxious about the economy, and McCain doesn't seem to understand any of it. He, or his fellow Republicans can't run on reality or their record for the last 7 1/2 years, so they have to run on fantasy alone. It's like Mr. Rogers and a beautiful day in the neighborhood in 2013. "I can't tell you how, boys and girls, but it will be. You'll just have to trust me."
The pig that was flying overhead fell from the sky, showed his McCain button and reminded me that Hamas wants Obama to win.
May 10, 2008 | 12:13 AM
Category:
Political
Just in time for Mother's Day, Senator John McCain opposed the Fair Pay Act - a bill that would help guarantee women equal pay for equal work. The bill simply would have restored critical anti-discrimination rules that the Supreme Court struck down in a recent decision, and failed by just three votes.
Adding insult to injury, McCain said that the solution to employment discrimination was for women to get more "education and training." Yikes!! Maybe that made some sense in his day, but today with women outnumbering men on college campuses, it makes none. Study after study has shown that women are paid less than men for the same work, even when they have the same education and training..... Senator McCain and his Republican allies have chosen to stand in the way of enforcement of a law that's been on the books protecting women for 40 years. Call on Senator McCain and Congress to pass the Fair Pay Act now. Go to: http://pol.moveon.org/fairpay/?id=12626-9252112-FqZmHY
&t=3
If you're as incensed as many are by his statements that women are somehow poorly educated and trained you can do one more thing: Submit your resume when you sign the letter and it'll be delivered too, so Mr. McCain can see for himself that women are actually quite educated nowadays.
* Women make less for the same work, .77 for every dollar their male counterparts make.
*The pay gap is even worse for Mothers. .73 to a mans dollar and single mothers only about .60 to a mans dollar.
* Wage discrimination cuts across educational levels. Some high school at age 25, womens annual earnings around $15,162 compared to $24,092 for men. Even a Bachelor's Degree didn't help. Women with a Bachelor's degree made around $38,221 per year, while man at the same level made $55,425.
* In some places, the pay gap has actually increased. The GAO found women managers across 10 industries not only made less than their male counterparts, but in seven of those industries the gap increased between 1995 and 2001.
Senator McCain's statements aren't just misinformed - they're a sad reminder that a lot of politicians are totally out of touch with the hard realities facing working women. Please speak out today......
This was reported by the MoveOn.org Political Action Team Friday May 9th.
May 8, 2008 | 11:08 AM
Category:
News
Biofuels are one of the major reasons you and I are paying more for groceries these days. Most of us look of it as an inconvenience, but for many in other areas of the world it's a catastrophe. U.N. Special Investigator Jean Ziegler called the use of biofuels like ethanol "a crime against a great part of humanity." It used to be that natural disasters sparked rises in fuel prices. What makes this a crime against humanity is the fact that we caused it and it can be traced to our false worldview.
In the U.S. eggs are up 35%, milk up 23%, bread up 16%. Americans generally spend 10% of their budget on food, it's of course squeezing budgets. For countries like Ethiopa and Bangladesh people can spend upwards of 70% of their income on food, so even slight increases impair their ability to feed their families. Wheat prices have doubled and corn prices have quadrupled in the last year. These countries also face political instability as the poor struggle to feed themselves and their families.
While the rise in food-staple prices has many causes, one of them is definitely man-made: the use of cropland and food-staples to produce bio-fueld such as ethanol. Transforming hundreds and hudreds of thousands of tons of foodstuffs into fuel is absolutely catastrophic for hungry people. Example: It takes 510 pounds of corn to make 13 gallons of ethanol; that amount could feed a child in Zambia for a year, it would fuel your car for only a week! What is maddening about this is the the biofuel effort is fueled by politicians handing out massive subsidies to the farm belt and pandering to glassy-eyed environmentalists. Ethanol could not make it on it's own on a level playing field. Every presidential hopeful that participated in the Iowa caucus had to sing the praises of Ethanol in order to get votes. I don't think any politician with a shred of integrity could deny that it would be more important to feed a child for a year as opposed as to fueling one's car for a week. Ask your candidate where they stand on this political folly. Call your Congressman to tell them what you feel about this massive ripoff of the American consumer.
