Comments on: Sorry…but I have to http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/sorrybut-i-have-to/ Wed, 28 May 2008 02:22:20 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: caroline http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/sorrybut-i-have-to/#comment-80 caroline Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:24:46 +0000 http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/?p=24#comment-80 We're at the end of Roman's 1, fo sho. We’re at the end of Roman’s 1, fo sho.

]]> By: Sean Kirkland http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/sorrybut-i-have-to/#comment-74 Sean Kirkland Thu, 17 Apr 2008 22:10:33 +0000 http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/?p=24#comment-74 I watched a documentary last night on PBS/Independent Lens called, "King Corn." It was by some late 20-something guys about where the corn produced in our country goes to. Very interesting. Loads and loads of corn going to feeding farms for meat, for the production of high fructose corn syrup, etc. Turns out, farmers don't really make all that much for the crummy-quality corn they produce --- but they get some pretty fat subsidy checks from the government. Also, the doc claimed that 70% of the nation's antibiotics go to the cows on these feeding farms, because the corn-heavy diet they consume begins to kill them in the end (too much acid), unless they have the meds. It was very interesting and entertaining, similar to Morgan Spurlock's "Super Size Me." I watched a documentary last night on PBS/Independent Lens called, “King Corn.” It was by some late 20-something guys about where the corn produced in our country goes to. Very interesting. Loads and loads of corn going to feeding farms for meat, for the production of high fructose corn syrup, etc. Turns out, farmers don’t really make all that much for the crummy-quality corn they produce — but they get some pretty fat subsidy checks from the government. Also, the doc claimed that 70% of the nation’s antibiotics go to the cows on these feeding farms, because the corn-heavy diet they consume begins to kill them in the end (too much acid), unless they have the meds. It was very interesting and entertaining, similar to Morgan Spurlock’s “Super Size Me.”

]]> By: ManUtd17 http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/sorrybut-i-have-to/#comment-73 ManUtd17 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 20:57:15 +0000 http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/?p=24#comment-73 The gas price thing is such a racket. The price of oil goes up a dollar, and the stations up the price another nickel or dime the next day. But when the price drops, they wait a full week before changing the price, and it's never reciprocal. (But I still have some XOM in my 401(k), so take my comments with a grain of salt.) Heard a story yesterday about the price of rice. It's doubled to about $850 per ton since the new year. Only 3 years ago, it was around $200 per ton. The problem isn't related to biofuels, but rather the 2.5 billion people in Asia who eat rice as a staple in their diet. Several weather-related incidents contributed to reduce the crop on top of that (some of which were contrary to the global-warming paradigm - hmmm). As the price rises, Asian farmers see opportunities to export (and make some dough) while Asian governments see the main food supply for their citizens leaving the country. So they place limits on or effectively cut off the exports to try to ensure that their citizens have food to eat (noble but Adam Smith would not be a fan). Now those who need/want to import the rice (e.g., Nigeria) have a smaller market to shop in. When the market's supply is less than the consumers' demand, the price goes up. Some estimate the price will hit $1000 per ton by year's end. The gas price thing is such a racket. The price of oil goes up a dollar, and the stations up the price another nickel or dime the next day. But when the price drops, they wait a full week before changing the price, and it’s never reciprocal. (But I still have some XOM in my 401(k), so take my comments with a grain of salt.)

Heard a story yesterday about the price of rice. It’s doubled to about $850 per ton since the new year. Only 3 years ago, it was around $200 per ton. The problem isn’t related to biofuels, but rather the 2.5 billion people in Asia who eat rice as a staple in their diet. Several weather-related incidents contributed to reduce the crop on top of that (some of which were contrary to the global-warming paradigm – hmmm). As the price rises, Asian farmers see opportunities to export (and make some dough) while Asian governments see the main food supply for their citizens leaving the country. So they place limits on or effectively cut off the exports to try to ensure that their citizens have food to eat (noble but Adam Smith would not be a fan). Now those who need/want to import the rice (e.g., Nigeria) have a smaller market to shop in. When the market’s supply is less than the consumers’ demand, the price goes up. Some estimate the price will hit $1000 per ton by year’s end.

]]> By: Sean Kirkland http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/2008/04/16/sorrybut-i-have-to/#comment-72 Sean Kirkland Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:12:34 +0000 http://speedinguptoslowdown.wordpress.com/?p=24#comment-72 Right on, B. I agree fully. I'm not as knowledgeable about the ethanol issue, but thanks to you in part, I'm knowing more each day. Gas prices are surely going UP! The videotaping of things is bizarre. Les Beauchamp was right, as well as the strange man, Andy Warhol. 15 minutes of "fame" for everyone.... Right on, B.

I agree fully. I’m not as knowledgeable about the ethanol issue, but thanks to you in part, I’m knowing more each day. Gas prices are surely going UP!

The videotaping of things is bizarre. Les Beauchamp was right, as well as the strange man, Andy Warhol. 15 minutes of “fame” for everyone….

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