Be courteous to all, but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence. True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.
– George Washington
– George Washington
writes about David Geffens (once a friend of the Clintons) dissing Hillary (NYT select, behind a subscription wall, so I won’t bother with the link):
Can you believe that latest Obama slur? Obambi?
the latest: mushrooms. CNN
And don’t even get me started on wondering why there’s salmonella in peanut butter.
I’m glad we belong to a CSA and don’t have to participate in the grocery store produce purchasing in the summer and fall months. Too bad we can’t do it all year.
And don’t even get me started on wondering why there’s salmonella in peanut butter.
I can think of no explanation whatever let alone plausible ones. I must not be sufficiently paranoid.
Something is very wrong. I think our food industry is turning malign. as you imply, it is time to be making other arrangements.
I wish I were joking. Even the 19th century had nothing like this.
The wonder might be why isn’t more food contaminated. After that last E-coli scare several months ago I was reading articles on Food/Drug Administration and how often or how little food processing plants are inspected.. that will literally scare the pants off of you. And now with this new budget I think I read that at least half of the F/D offices might be shut down. They are already so understaffed that some plants only get inspected once every ten years..no kidding, truly scary.
And it isn’t just about plants but how you can have an organic farm right next to cattle ranches meaning all the crap-literally-and other bacteria etc is washed over into the organic farms..the whole system is a mess.
I read Fast Food Nation a couple of summers ago (it was the CSA book group selection), and it put me off a lot of factory-farmed food for life.
When will this perk get here?
Barclays Bank commits to ‘free banking’
because with fellow bankers, it got caught with hands in customers’ wallet and there’s a rebellion over illegal bank charges.
you see we now pay for paying in cash.
Cash is no longer King.
How about some good news for a change?
Using corncob waste as a starting material, researchers have created carbon briquettes with complex nanopores capable of storing natural gas at an unprecedented density of 180 times their own volume and at one seventh the pressure of conventional natural gas tanks. The breakthrough, announced today in Kansas City, Mo., is a significant step forward in the effort to retrofit automobiles to run on methane, an abundant fuel that is domestically produced (from farm waste) and cleaner burning than gasoline. The test pickup truck, part of a fleet of more than 200 natural gas vehicles operated by Kansas City, has been in use since mid-October and the researchers are monitoring the technology’s performance, from mileage data to measurements of the stability of the briquettes. [Less “sexy” than hydrogen, this is the kind of technology that might actually get us through the 21st century without a total collapse. – K.P.]
Australia will be the world’s first country to ban incandescent light bulbs in a bid to curb greenhouse gas emissions, with the government saying on Tuesday they would be phased out within three years. The banning of incandescent bulbs would help trim 800,000 metric tons from Australia’s current emissions level by 2012 and lower household lighting costs by 66 per cent. [Another “non-sexy” but thoroughly doable action to fight global warming.]
HIV and other viruses may one day be able to be filtered from human blood, saving the lives of millions of people. Scientists have developed specially designed ceramic membranes for nanofiltration, which have the potential to remove viruses from water, air and blood.
European Union environment ministers agreed Tuesday on an ambitious effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 1990 levels, a goal likely to lead to mandatory limits for cars. The ministers said the target could be pushed to 30% if other industrialized countries sign on to a global effort. German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that during the talks, many European colleagues spoke of a moral duty toward future generations. [“…moral duty toward future generations…” That’s the kind of thinking that once upon a time made the US the “city on the hill.” No mas (sigh)…]
Personal note:
My apologies for being somewhat scarce of late. As some of you know, we’ve been trying to pull Sam, our dog, through a life-threatening medical situation. His struggle ended Monday night as we had to put him to sleep, having run out of options to save him. Thanks to all who sent good thoughts our way. I may not be around much for a while as I deal with this and some other things in the offline world, but I didn’t want to leave without letting folks know what’s going on. Best wishes, K.P.
The loss of a furry love is so painful … please accept my condolences, and sending warm thoughts to you and Mrs KP … {{{hugs}}}
I’m sorry to hear that, Knox. It’s so hard to lose a true and faithful friend like that.
Hugs to you and Mrs. KP.
sorry to hear of your loss, Knox. They are truly a part of our families.
I’m so sorry to hear this Knox, my deepest condolences to you and Mrs. KP.
Sending blessings and healing thoughts to you both.
march on the pentagon: 3.17.07
Draft Al Gore: 2008
Knox,
My condolences on the loss of Sam. I’d love to see a picture of him doing happy dog stuff if you have any available. Take care and take time to mourn the loss of your friend.
My own furry loves are cats – but I know how it hurts to lose a four-footed friend. I’m sorry for your loss!
It hurts double even with our Special little friends. Life, wherever we find it, is indeed fragile.
We send our hearts to you. Huge hugs..
I’m so sorry KP. Sam knew that you were doing the best you could for him. He was blessed to take your love with him.
Take care of yourself, now. You’ll be missed daily around here.
That’s pretty cool I think about Australia. I’ve been using those light bulbs for about 3 years now in all my light fixtures.
And here in Ca. some lawmakers are trying to get this idea passed however according to the paper and as I’ve mentioned before I live in Central Redneck Ca…people on the street were asked what they thought about this idea and it’s no stretch to guess that people here are totally against having to switch over. Responses like well dang the government is just forcing to many rules on us, or that those light bulbs are ugly ya know, or that they are too expensive etc etc ..no one mentioned the environment at all. Some days I just want to bang my head against the wall.
Hello KP..I’m so sorry to hear about Sam. It’s impossible to describe that special bond we humans have with our 4 legged companions…take care and we will be looking forward to your science news when the time is right for you to come back.
More spring gardening inspiration…
Go read over at Firedoglake : Big Close:
A tear drop or two for Shooter and Scooter. Defense crumbles, so when all else fails, shed a tear.
if Libby gets acquitted, I`ll be needing a truckload of kleenex and I won’t need to be paid!
New fight, old foe: Slavery