This writer disagrees with the CNN article below on the suggestion that the growing demand in China and India could be one explanation for the rising cost of basic food:  “But that thesis has so far not been borne out by the facts,” explaining that both countries continue to export wheat and grain with no plans to import.

Just goes to prove that the squeaky wheel will always get the grease, even if the grease being applied turns out to be acid that will eat the wheel right out from underneath the car. 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/04/14/world.food.crisis/index.html

Global warming is simply nothing more than a theory.  But the short- and long-term effects of not being able to afford food are clear and quite real.

“This is not just about meals forgone today or about increasing social unrest. This is about lost learning potential for children and adults in the future, stunted intellectual and physical growth,” (World Bank President, Robert) Zoellick said.

Maybe it’s just me, but if I were Al Gore, I could sure think of a lot of better ways to blow through $300 million.

In their book about Clinton’s rise to power, Her Way, Don Van Natta Jr., an investigative reporter at The New York Times, and Jeff Gerth, who spent 30 years as an investigative reporter at the paper, wrote: “Hillary’s defense activities ranged from the inspirational to the microscopic to the down and dirty… she listened to a secretly recorded audiotape of a phone conversation of Clinton critics plotting their next attack.

The tape contained discussions of another woman who might surface with allegations about an affair with Bill,” Gerth and Van Natta wrote in reference to Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton. “Bill’s supporters monitored frequencies used by cell phones, and the tape was made during one of those monitoring sessions.”

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/gop-targeting-clinton-on-phone-call-snooping-2007-10-16.html

However, in direct conflict with her own actions, Hellary speaks out about protecting privacy in her campaign speeches.  From a speech given in July 2006 to the American Constitution Society (emphasis added):

But having lost so much of my own privacy in recent years, I have a deep appreciation of its value – and a firm a commitment to protecting it for all the rest you. And, I hope that you take these remakes with that thought in mind, since I am an expert in the perils of losing your privacy…Privacy means security in our homes and in our private communications and activities.

Seems like Hellary’s more an expert in hypocrisy than anything else.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-ed-methane15oct15,0,1365993.story?coll=la-opinion-leftrail

Based on your ever-expanding girth, one would suspect that you’re not in support of this article or in favor of its suggestions.  Probably the real reason why you don’t mention the fact that cow flatulence and forest clearing for pastures has a greater impact on the environment than planes, trains, and automobiles combined, right?  I mean, your egregious omission of such facts couldn’t possibly have anything to do with how incredibly unpopular that information would be, and the inevitable path down which it would lead, could it?

Just prior to Sept. 11, 2001, Bush and Vicente Fox were deep in negotiations on across-the-board amnesty for the millions upon millions of illegal Mexican immigrants in the U.S.   The mass deaths of approximately 3,000 U.S citizens at the hands of terrorist in this country under questionable circumstances put the kabash on that.  Fast forward five or six years, and we get to hear about non-amnesty amnesty and guest-worker programs for the tens of millions of illegals (who can say with any certainty how many there truly are?).  Thank goodness for the public outcry that, at least for the time being, stood in way of that bill passing.

Now this?  Jose Medellin, who confessed by the way, was sentenced to death for the murders of the two teenage girls.  In addition to the rape, sodomy, and strangulation, the girls were apparently repeatedly stomped on for good measure.  If the facts in evidence are in doubt, no mention is made of it.  If there are suspicions the confession was coerced, no mention is made of it.  The issue is this:

…Medellin still sits in a Texas prison cell as the White House argues that his conviction was flawed because Houston police failed to tell him of his right to seek help from the Mexican consulate.

So, little Jose gets a pass because he wasn’t allowed to yell, “Mommy!  I screwed up big time, now get me out of it!” 

Understandably, the families of the girls are beyond upset.  According to one of the girls’ father, Randy Ertman, Bush gave his assurances over a handshake when the two met during a campaign event that he would in fact keep Medellin on death row.  Good to know that a gentleman’s agreement still stands for something.

Bush became Governor of Texas in 1995.  If he had issues with the manner in which this conviction was carried out, why not, while holding that office, contact the US Attorney General’s Office and request the case be investigated or, in the least, reviewed?

I am hopeful that, one day, history will provide an answer to the mystery of Bush’s allegiance to Mexico.  Perhaps then the families of the two murdered girls might begin to at least partially understand Bush’s motivation at involving himself in this case.

Wait a minute.  I do have to pay for these things?  Taxes?  No, I’m exempt.  See, the same lack of drive and responsibility that earn me all these “free” programs are the same character traits that allow me to forego paying taxes.  Heck, I even get tax refunds and credits! 

No, the funds for all that I get come from the hardworking, contributing members of society who thought they were working for the future and their families.

Ugh.  The program itself is not as frustrating as knowing that there are voters out there who will buy into this wholeheartedly, even those who would ostensibly not qualify for all or any of these programs (assuming the programs all have some parameters or guidelines limiting who benefits).  They will not see Hellary for who it is and what it is doing.

Fortunately, the idea of $5000 for babies has apparently been dismissed.  It would seem the backlash was unexpected or underestimated.  The Clinton camp dismissing the notion begs the question, though:  what really does Hellary believe in?  Ideas (misguided they may be) or polling data?  One last thought… did anyone question the choice of audience in announcing this potential program in the first place?  The Congressional Black Caucus.  Why there?  Just curious.

More evidence that figures and “evidence” can be manipulated to suit the needs of special-interests, and then presented in the so-called main stream media as fact.  This time the issue is the impractical idea of socialist healthcare, or as Michael Moore often stipulates, “free” healthcare.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/08/why_the_us_ranks_low_on_whos_h.html

How come this information isn’t reported on the major broadcast and cable news networks?  Aside from FoxNews, perhaps because this type of information ill suits the prevailing agenda in the mainstream media! 

How can the general public be expected to make a truly informed, educated decision in our supposed democracy when news providers are so heavily one-sided towards their own self-serving interests?

I struggle to succinctly and adequately express my thoughts on this. 

Basically, Castille’s behavior and language did technically lead to his arrest.  Couldn’t the officer have looked the other way?  Absolutely, but based on the description in the report of what was transpiring, I can understand why perhaps he opted to arrest Castille. 

The police are often placed in situations requiring extremely quick decision-making.  I have never been a fan of outsiders second-guessing the police and their actions taken in the midst of a volatile or potentially volatile situation.  Place yourself in the arresting officer’s shoes for a moment. 

He describes a seemingly agitated, aggressive individual, maybe drunk or high, maybe not, as well as a growing crowd of people with unknown allegiance and intentions.  I’m sure most are familiar with the “mob mentality.”  That is to say, when a group of people, often times strangers, get caught up in a moment and find themselves doing things and behaving in a manner they would never have imagined themselves acting.  So forgive the officer, if upon assessing his situation, he made the choice to take Castille to the relative safety of the station.

I also couldn’t help but be sympathetic to, as well as impressed with Simeon Castille.  He, too, perhaps got caught up in a moment enthusiasm and locker-room behavior and let his immaturity get the better of him.  But instead of going on the defensive, as we all can and have been guilty of, and becoming belligerent with the police, he was remorseful and respectful.  Hopefully, that will play in his favor in both the court of law and court of public opinion.

Simeon Castille was picked up on the charge of disorderly conduct while out with friends and teammates.  Based on a report by a local Fox affiliate, Bama fans can only hope this is a simple misunderstanding, and the authorities involved will see fit to dismiss the charges.

From the Press-Register:

“There was no alcohol. There was not a fight of any kind,” said Capt. Greg Kosloff of the TPD. “He met the elements of disorderly conduct and that’s why he was arrested.”

Police withheld an arrest report detailing Castille’s alleged infraction Sunday afternoon, saying the investigation was ongoing and witnesses were still being interviewed.

The arrest occurred around 2 a.m. in the vicinity of the Jupiter Bar and Grill at 1307 University Blvd., a popular area near campus known as “The Strip.” A sign outside the club promoted Saturday as “Dance Night.”

http://www.al.com/alabamafootball/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/sports/1187601337128460.xml&coll=3