The "birthers"

"These people could have personally witnessed Obama being born out of an apple pie, in the middle of a Kansas wheat field, while Toby Keith sang the National Anthem---and they'd still think he was a Kenyan Muslim."  --Jimmy Kimmel, "Jimmy Kimmel Live"

Surely no one doubts this.


Links:   http://politicalhumor.about.com/
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/barackobama/a/Obama-Birth-Certificate-Jokes.htm

Quote of the day--at what point do we pay attention to nature?

“The way humanity manages or mismanages its nature-based assets, including pollinators, will in part define our collective future in the 21st century,  The fact is that of the 100 crop species that provide 90 percent of the world’s food, over 70 are pollinated by bees.” --UNEP executive director Achim Steiner

Mr. Steiner was responding to the following announcement from the United Nations:

GENEVA (AFP) – The UN on Thursday expressed alarm at a huge decline in bee colonies under a multiple onslaught of pests and pollution, urging an international effort to save the pollinators that are vital for food crops.

Much of the decline, ranging up to 85 percent in some areas, is taking place in the industrialised northern hemisphere due to more than a dozen factors, according to a report by the UN’s environmental agency.

They include pesticides, air pollution, a lethal pinhead-sized parasite that only affects bee species in the northern hemisphere, mismanagement of the countryside, the loss of flowering plants and a decline in beekeepers in Europe.


At what point are we going to pay attention?

At what point are we going to care?

When the food system totally breaks down?

Link to original post:  United Nations Sounds Alarm Over Vanishing Bees
http://www.disinfo.com/2011/03/united-nations-sounds-alarm-over-vanishing-bees/

Food prices: Boon for US, starvation for 3rd World

When I first read of the severe drought in Russia and the loss of approximately 20% of their crops, I also read--immediately and more than once--that it would be a boon for America and American farmers. In other words, it would be a boost to and for business. Some of our pocketbooks. What I also knew it would do, however, is be a burden to the poor of the world who depend on food commodities for survival. So what do I see today? An article pointing out just that: UN to Hold Crisis Talks on Food Prices as Riots Hit Mozambique; After violence in Africa and protests in Egypt, Serbia and Pakistan, the UN are to urge action on the rising cost of food The UN has called an urgent meeting on rising global food prices in an attempt to head off a repeat of the 2008 crisis that sparked riots around the world. A demonstrator throws a tire on a burning barricade during riots in Maputo, Mozambique, on Wednesday. Police fired rubber bullets and teargas during protests against rising prices. (Reuters)Seven people, including two children, were killed in Mozambique this week during three days of protests triggered by a rise in the cost of bread. There has also been anger over increasing prices in Egypt, Serbia and Pakistan, where floods destroyed a fifth of the country's crops. So bully for us, right? It's good for our business and money. To heck with the Third World and those poor beggars. Literally. Link to original article: http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/09/04-1