Ethanol Vote Displays the Monetary Desires of US Politicians

Not that I expected an ethical stance on ethanol. However, with the debt ceiling looming in politicians' minds, mostly democrats felt the need to protect farmer subsidies to create fuel for rich people, at the expense of food for regular people. Ethanol is an inferior fuel which happens to ruin engines. The true colors of our politicians are on display with this very important vote. This is very, very pathetic. I am not proud of this North American energy debacle. Jesus would vote for food instead of fuel, just sayin...

An Obvious Dinner Plate to Farm Subsidy Analogy

One percent of farm subsidy goes to fruits and vegetables.  63% goes to meat and dairy. Yet the balanced diet implies that protein and dairy make up a 20-30% portion of a healthy dinner plate.  I am hijacking this blog topic because this unbalanced perspective of subsidies vs.diet needs to be addressed as a major cultural/civic policy blunder of modern times. This subsidy drought for healthy food needs to end.

Where plants grow globally in July, and then in December.

Chlorophyll fluorescence has allowed NASA scientists to map out where you get your produce from (unless from a greenhouse) two opposite times a year.  This is amazing!  The differences are very profound and provide insight into the agricultural world.  I often wonder why my corn comes from Florida and Mexico in May, and then why all fruits come from Costa Rica and Mexico in January.  Geographically, the world's elevations and other features also seem to play an important part in terms of vegetative potential.  Notice the impenetrable mass of the Sahara which prohibits growth anytime, and the extra vegetation around river basins.  This map may confirm what everybody feels, is common sense. However, I applaud the technology which allows man to render an exact display of our green environment.  I love perspective pieces provided courtesy of science.

This Nissan ad isn't a huge stretch of the imagination.

If the camera were to pan over to a green space like a park or someone's backyard, all you would see is gas-powered machines. From loud blowers, trimmers, and mowers, the manicured green space is just like this ad.  Funny ad, but not so funny.

A Welcome Unexpected Effect of $102 Oil

Although I'm aware of the trail of oil which eventually leads to plastic, I didn't think I would see retailers cutting back on plastic, at $102 oil.  This is wonderful!  Honestly, I thought most retailers would sell whatever is manufactured.  An end to clamshells would be a beautiful world.  Ideally, eliminating plastic everywhere is the ultimate goal.  However, I wonder how the plastic companies are going to remarket or repackage their plastic products. Oil companies have lobbying tentacles in everything.  Anyways, the death of plastic manufacturing for packaging, would be a great day.