Is Corn To Blame?

The International Food Policy Research Institute in Washington suggests that biofuel production accounts for a quarter to a third of the recent increase in global commodity prices. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations predicted late last year that biofuel production, assuming that current mandates continue, would increase food costs by 10 to 15 percent.

Benjamin Senauer, an expert speaking to The New York Sun , cited a more concrete assessment, saying “It takes around 400 pounds of corn to make 25 gallons of ethanol.” That’s enough to keep an adult alive for a year, though “it’s not going to be a very good diet.”

It's A Fact!

Tests Confirm T. Rex Kinship With Birds
In the first analysis of proteins extracted from dinosaur bones, scientists say they have established more firmly than ever that the closest living relatives of the mighty predator Tyrannosaurus rex are modern birds.

The research, being published Friday in the journal Science, yielded the first molecular data confirming the widely held hypothesis of a close dinosaur-bird ancestry, the American scientific team reported. The link was previously suggested by anatomical similarities.

Waverly Iowa?

The original Waverly Hills Sanatorium, a two-story wooden structure, was opened in 1910, but the larger brick and concrete structure as it stand today was completed in 1926. The hospital was always dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis patients, a disease that was fairly common in the early 20th Century.
It is estimated that as many as 63,000 people died as the sanatorium. Those deaths coupled with the reports of severe mistreatment of patients and highly questionable experiments and procedures are ingredients for a haunted location.
Ghost investigators who have ventured into Waverly have reported a host of strange paranormal phenomena, including voices of unknown origin, isolated cold spots and unexplained shadows. Screams have been heard echoing in its now abandoned hallways, and fleeting apparitions have been encountered.
My kinda place!

Why?

The Supreme Court has upheld the three-drug lethal injection method used by the state of Kentucky in a 7-2 decision, clearing the way for an unofficial moratorium on executions to be lifted
"Some risk of pain is inherent in any method of execution no matter how humane -- if only from the prospect of error in following the required procedure," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the majority opinion. "It is clear, then, that the Constitution does not demand the avoidance of all risk of pain in carrying out executions"
I am not amused.

The Doctor & Rose

The new Dr. Who is great!

Say it Ain't So

According to New Zealand climatologist Jim Salinger, climate change may result in reduced malted barley, which would limit beer production.
This does not make me happy.

What Would Spock Say?

Ayn Rand
"America's abundance was not created by public sacrifices to the common good, but by the productive genius of free men who pursued their own personal interests and the making of their own private fortunes. The idea that 'the public interest' supersedes private interests and rights can have but one meaning: that the interests and rights of some individuals take precedence over the interests and rights of others. "
I don't think Spock would approve.

I like This Guy

-- Bertrand Russell
"To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. Men fear thought as they fear nothing else on earth. Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, Thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Thought is great and swift and free"
See what I mean.

Favorite Food

In any shape or form, this is it...

Torture!

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., lambasted what he described as "yet another astonishing disclosure about the Bush administration and its use of torture."
"Who would have thought that in the United States of America in the 21st century, the top officials of the executive branch would routinely gather in the White House to approve torture?" Kennedy said in a statement"

For Karla

A blonde was driving down the road listening to the radio and was quite upset when she heard blonde joke after blonde joke. A little way down the road, she saw another blonde out in a field rowing a boat. The blonde stopped her car and angrily jumped out yelling,
"You dumb blonde bimbo! It's blondes like you that give the rest of us a bad name! If I could swim I'd come out there and give you what's coming to you!"


Yell for Help
Three blondes are in an elevator when the elevator suddenly stops and the lights go out. They try using their cell phones to get help, but have no luck. Even the phones are out. After a few hours of being stuck with no help in sight, one blonde says to the others "I think the best way to call for help is by yelling together." The others agree with the first, so they all inhale deeply and begin to yell loudly "Together, together, together."

Had to do it!

The ATHLETE (All-Terrain Hex-Legged Extra-Terrestrial Explorer) robot could play an essential role in new lunar bases. I want one.

There's More Than Corn in Iowa

It's almost time. Good hunting!

Like I said, there's more in Iowa than corn. Where there are mushrooms, there are snakes, be careful!



Adult Black Ratsnake, Van Buren County, Iowa

Cubs Win!

Apr 7-Pittsburgh

They blew a seven-run lead and committed three errors on Monday before rallying for a 10-8, 12-inning win over the pesky Pittsburgh Pirates in a 4-hour, 47-minute marathon that didn't have to happen.

Of course we know they won't win it all until 2012, but that's okay, we love 'em anyway.

Can This Be True?

An epidemic of violence and harassment is sweeping the country. Police are being trained that the general public are the enemy and that they can engage in outright brutality without recourse. Taser deaths are skyrocketing because the police have been ordered to use "pain compliance", otherwise known as torture, to subdue and oppress the citizenry. Police are also increasingly completely unaware of the laws they are supposed to enforce and have resolved to invent offences out of thin air as an excuse to harass people. It is time for police to remember that their duty is to protect the general public from criminals and not act as enforcers for a tyrannical police state

Just some thoughts from the lunatic fringe.

Author of the Week

Jerzy Kosinksi

Poland (1933-1991)

Novels:

The Painted Bird (1965)
Steps (1968)
Being There (1970)
The Devil Tree (1973)
Cockpit (1975)
Blind Date (1977)
Passion Play (1979)
Pinball (1982)
The Hermit of 69th Street: The Working Papers of Norbert Kosky (1986)
aka The Hermit

This guy is really strange.