I'd almost forgotten what a complete buffoon President Bush was. I guess it's the mind's way of blocking out extreme trauma. But like regression therapy, the release of this book has only served to dredge up some painful and embarrassing memories.
You're right about the DeCoster family. They have been cited for many violations. Most of their regulatory transgressions, however, have not been food safety issues.
The DeCosters have been cited for animal abuse on a chicken farm in Maine, and for the environmental impact of a hog farm in Iowa. They have been prosecuted for knowingly hiring low-skill illegal immigrants to work their farms, and have been sued for the sexual harassment (including the rape) of female workers by farm supervisors.
In every case, the DeCosters settled the case, paid a fine, and continued their operations whoever they saw fit. This outfit is obviously (pardon the pun) a bad egg, but the case does expose the problems of lax regulations, and confusing jurisdictions of the agencies that insure food safety.
Farm regulation wasn't a paramount issue in the days when farms were smaller and any harm done would be limited by that scale. But in the era of huge corporate farming, unhealthy conditions can lead to widespread risks to the population. Because of this exponential threat to our food supply, the vigorous regulation of the farming industry and the strict enforcement of those regulations is exponentially important.
bookieturnersghost- Actually, we have exactly the same choice when it comes to supporting oil companies as we have in paying city taxes. Taxpayers are currently paying oil companies billions of dollars a year without purchasing one gallon of gasoline.
The oil industry gets billions of dollars in direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies go to the industry (almost 40 billion dollars in taxpayer help over the next decade), plus the additional perk of a liability cap of $75 million per accident. BP has ponied up additional billions in this latest calamity, but the containment and cleanup costs of other oil industry disasters (over the 75 million cap) were paid for by you and me.
The Supporter
So true, Renfield.
The Bush Memoir
I'd almost forgotten what a complete buffoon President Bush was. I guess it's the mind's way of blocking out extreme trauma. But like regression therapy, the release of this book has only served to dredge up some painful and embarrassing memories.
Just Checking
Francis wrote, "like mao, castro or chavez...obama wants his face to be the first thing we think of when we get up in the morning"
Francis- Making statements like this one only serve to undermine your credibility. Are you really as big of a crackpot as you seem to be?
The Boosters
Chuck Fleischmann still doesn't measure up to the job.
Don't Ask
Thanks, Clay.
Your unrelenting commitment to the equal rights of gays and lesbians in this country is inspiring.
Turning the Corner
kmcgehee writes, "Clay won The Society of Professional Journalists' Green Eyeshade Award for editorial cartooning!"
Great news! Congratulations, Clay!
The Recall Campaign
Really, notlittletommy. Do you ALWAYS have to be such a nimrod?
The Lincoln Memorial
Nice, Clay!
Salmonella Side Up
rolando- good to see you back.
You're right about the DeCoster family. They have been cited for many violations. Most of their regulatory transgressions, however, have not been food safety issues.
The DeCosters have been cited for animal abuse on a chicken farm in Maine, and for the environmental impact of a hog farm in Iowa. They have been prosecuted for knowingly hiring low-skill illegal immigrants to work their farms, and have been sued for the sexual harassment (including the rape) of female workers by farm supervisors.
In every case, the DeCosters settled the case, paid a fine, and continued their operations whoever they saw fit. This outfit is obviously (pardon the pun) a bad egg, but the case does expose the problems of lax regulations, and confusing jurisdictions of the agencies that insure food safety.
Farm regulation wasn't a paramount issue in the days when farms were smaller and any harm done would be limited by that scale. But in the era of huge corporate farming, unhealthy conditions can lead to widespread risks to the population. Because of this exponential threat to our food supply, the vigorous regulation of the farming industry and the strict enforcement of those regulations is exponentially important.
The Heat Wave
bookieturnersghost- Actually, we have exactly the same choice when it comes to supporting oil companies as we have in paying city taxes. Taxpayers are currently paying oil companies billions of dollars a year without purchasing one gallon of gasoline.
The oil industry gets billions of dollars in direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies go to the industry (almost 40 billion dollars in taxpayer help over the next decade), plus the additional perk of a liability cap of $75 million per accident. BP has ponied up additional billions in this latest calamity, but the containment and cleanup costs of other oil industry disasters (over the 75 million cap) were paid for by you and me.