When you sit down with your family to Thanksgiving dinner next week … Watch out! Your wholesome feast is actually LADEN with chemicals! Your turkey contains heterocyclic amines and your cranberry sauce has furan derivatives! Truth is, all of these chemicals are NATURALLY OCCURRING. They aren’t actually dangerous … but why are people so chemophobic? Is “Natural” food really better?
The documentary Food Inc won an Oscar nomination. It thrilled Hollywood by claiming that big business has made food more dangerous. But the opposite is true. Food poisoning has been decreasing. Should we fear the dawn of “Frankenfoods”? The latest scare from environmentalists is genetically modified foods. John is eager to eat genetically modified salmon. Grass-fed cattle is said to be tastier, healthier and better for the environment than conventional corn-fed feed lot cattle. It does produce leaner meat, but it’s actually WORSE for the environment. As for taste? We'll hold an informal taste test. And organic food claims to be pesticide free … but Alex Avery from the Hudson Institute explains why many aren’t, and that anyway, microscopic pesticide residues don’t harm anyone. In fact, they help reduce carbon emissions, something environmentalists should support.
Is "Natural" better? That's this week on STOSSEL.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Food Safety Bill
One thing that no one addresses is how many cases of foodborne illnesses were caused by undercooking the food, improper storage in the home, a time issue from the grocery or food supplier to your home. Did you ever wonder if the milk was ok because you forgot to get it out of the trunk? Let Senator Lugar and Bayh know that you do not want to lose our roadside food stands, the farmer's market, and other local food suppliers. Simply adding a few more inspectors would allow more locally grown cattle, etc. to be utilized by all.
WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to move forward on a far-reaching food safety bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The chamber voted 74-25 to proceed with the bill. Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
The bill would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
The House passed a similar bill over a year ago.
However, advocates for buying food produced locally worry the legislation's safety requirements could force small farms out of business.
The opposition of these "locavores" — advocates for buying food directly from the farm or closer to home — and owners of small farms has become a sticking point in the Senate, which was to vote Wednesday on whether to consider the bill.
Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
While the bill is designed to give the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over the nation's food supply, opponents say it could bankrupt some small farms that don't have the means to comply with new standards the bill would impose.
Story: 5 ways the food safety bill would affect you
Those standards could include registering food safety plans with the FDA and documenting efforts to show food is not contaminated as it is produced.
"It's going to put a nail in the coffin of our family food producers," said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who is planning an amendment to exempt some small farms who market food close to their operations. He says many small farms already comply with state and local regulations to keep food safe.
Concerns overblown? Food safety advocates are lobbying against the Tester amendment, saying his concerns are overblown and efforts to broadly exempt smaller farms could be misguided. They argue that the legislation, which would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe, is crucial in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
"Our view is that food should be safe no matter what the source is," said Erik Olson, director of food and consumer product safety at the Pew Health Group.
Olson and other advocates say that while small farms may not need to follow as many regulations as large corporations, the size of the farm is not as important as the safety of the food. Producers of leafy greens, tomatoes and other foods that more frequently cause illness should have to follow strict standards to keep contamination away from food no matter what the size of their operation, they say.
The two sides were working toward a compromise Tuesday. If the Senate votes to proceed, senators probably would then consider Tester's amendment as part of floor debate on the bill.
Whether the bill could make it to the president's desk during the brief lame-duck congressional session is unclear since the House passed a different version of the legislation in 2009. Even if the Senate passes the bill, the two pieces of legislation would have to be quickly reconciled before the end of this session sometime after Thanksgiving.
President Barack Obama issued a statement in support of the Senate bill Tuesday, saying the legislation would address "long-standing challenges" of the FDA by helping producers prevent foodborne outbreaks and giving the government more tools to keep food safe.
Recent outbreaks have exposed a lack of resources and authority at the FDA as the embattled agency has struggled to contain and trace contaminated products.
Currently, the FDA does not have the authority to order a recall and must negotiate recalls with the affected producers. The agency rarely inspects many food facilities and farms, visiting some every decade or so and others not at all.
WASHINGTON — The Senate has voted to move forward on a far-reaching food safety bill that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent foodborne illnesses.
The chamber voted 74-25 to proceed with the bill. Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
The bill would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
The House passed a similar bill over a year ago.
However, advocates for buying food produced locally worry the legislation's safety requirements could force small farms out of business.
The opposition of these "locavores" — advocates for buying food directly from the farm or closer to home — and owners of small farms has become a sticking point in the Senate, which was to vote Wednesday on whether to consider the bill.
Supporters needed 60 votes because Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, had objected, saying the legislation's $1.4 billion cost isn't paid for.
While the bill is designed to give the Food and Drug Administration greater authority over the nation's food supply, opponents say it could bankrupt some small farms that don't have the means to comply with new standards the bill would impose.
Story: 5 ways the food safety bill would affect you
Those standards could include registering food safety plans with the FDA and documenting efforts to show food is not contaminated as it is produced.
"It's going to put a nail in the coffin of our family food producers," said Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., who is planning an amendment to exempt some small farms who market food close to their operations. He says many small farms already comply with state and local regulations to keep food safe.
Concerns overblown? Food safety advocates are lobbying against the Tester amendment, saying his concerns are overblown and efforts to broadly exempt smaller farms could be misguided. They argue that the legislation, which would give the FDA more authority to recall tainted products, increase inspections of food processors and require producers to follow stricter standards for keeping food safe, is crucial in the wake of outbreaks of contaminated peanuts, eggs and produce that have sickened hundreds.
"Our view is that food should be safe no matter what the source is," said Erik Olson, director of food and consumer product safety at the Pew Health Group.
Olson and other advocates say that while small farms may not need to follow as many regulations as large corporations, the size of the farm is not as important as the safety of the food. Producers of leafy greens, tomatoes and other foods that more frequently cause illness should have to follow strict standards to keep contamination away from food no matter what the size of their operation, they say.
The two sides were working toward a compromise Tuesday. If the Senate votes to proceed, senators probably would then consider Tester's amendment as part of floor debate on the bill.
Whether the bill could make it to the president's desk during the brief lame-duck congressional session is unclear since the House passed a different version of the legislation in 2009. Even if the Senate passes the bill, the two pieces of legislation would have to be quickly reconciled before the end of this session sometime after Thanksgiving.
President Barack Obama issued a statement in support of the Senate bill Tuesday, saying the legislation would address "long-standing challenges" of the FDA by helping producers prevent foodborne outbreaks and giving the government more tools to keep food safe.
Recent outbreaks have exposed a lack of resources and authority at the FDA as the embattled agency has struggled to contain and trace contaminated products.
Currently, the FDA does not have the authority to order a recall and must negotiate recalls with the affected producers. The agency rarely inspects many food facilities and farms, visiting some every decade or so and others not at all.
Monday, November 15, 2010
College time humor
Hinting at needing money
Dear Father,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply I can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love, Your $on.
After receiving his son's letter, the father immediately replies by sending a letter back.
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love, Dad
Dear Father,
$chool i$ really great. I am making lot$ of friend$ and $tudying very hard. With all my $tuff, I $imply I can't think of anything I need, $o if you would like, you can ju$t $end me a card, a$ I would love to hear from you.
Love, Your $on.
After receiving his son's letter, the father immediately replies by sending a letter back.
Dear Son,
I kNOw that astroNOmy, ecoNOmics, and oceaNOgraphy are eNOugh to keep even an hoNOr student busy. Do NOt forget that the pursuit of kNOwledge is a NOble task, and you can never study eNOugh.
Love, Dad
Monday, November 8, 2010
District Scholarship Winners Announced!!!!
Kyle Alcorn and Kristen Fry, son of Ron & Jane Alcorn and daughter of Phil & Janice Fry received the top District Scholarship awards. They are both studying in an Agricultural field at Purdue University. The next major FB activity will be the State Convention at Indianapolis on December 10-11, 2010.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Fall District Farm Bureau Meeting
Dist 5 - Fall Awards Program
Location:Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building
Start:6:30 PM
This next year's Annual Putnam County Farm Bureau meeting will be held Feb. 21
also at the fairgrounds at 6:30 pm
Location:Putnam County Fairgrounds Community Building
Start:6:30 PM
This next year's Annual Putnam County Farm Bureau meeting will be held Feb. 21
also at the fairgrounds at 6:30 pm
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Putnam County Election Results
PUTNAM COUNTY
Prosecutor
R -- Tim Bookwalter 6,498 votes 69.05%
I -- Robert Perry 2912 votes 30.95%
Sheriff
R -- Steve Fenwick 5,765 votes 57.41%
I -- Joe Tesmer 2,422 votes 24.12%
D -- Garry Clark 1,854 votes 18.46%
STATE OF INDIANA
House District 44
R -- Jim Baird 5,639 votes 54.88%
D -- Nancy Michael 4,250 votes 41.36%
I -- Dennis Beatty 386 votes 3.76%
Secretary of State
R -- Charlie White 6,451 votes 64.64%
D -- Vop Osili 2,750 votes 27.56%
L -- Mike Wherry 779 votes 7.81
Auditor of State
R -- Tim Berry 6,555 votes 67.83%
D -- Same Locke 2,565 votes 26.54
L -- Eric Knipe 544 votes 5.63
Treasurer of State
R -- Richard Mourdock 6,821 votes 70.36%
D -- Pete Buttigieg 2,818 votes 29.24
FEDERAL OFFICES
United States Senator
R -- Dan Coats 5,965 votes 58.72%
D -- Brad Ellsworth 3,452 votes 33.99%
L -- Rebecca Sink-Burris 738 votes 7.27%
House District 8
R -- Larry Bucshon 6,506 votes 65.12%
D -- Trent VanHaaften 2,759 votes 27.60%
L -- John Cunninghamn 724 votes 7.24%
TOWNSHIPS
Greencastle Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Karen Hill Ambler 2,391 votes 30.05%
D -- Charles Miles 2,024 votes 25.43%
R -- Marilyn Clearwaters 1,965 votes 24.69%
D -- Doris J. Miller 1,578 votes 19.83%
Warren Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Sharon C. Evans 295 votes 32.63%
R -- Bob Dennis 225 votes 24.89%
R -- Lawrence W. Muncie 221 votes 24.45%
D -- Rex A. Parker 163 votes 18.03%
SCHOOL BOARDS
Cloverdale School Board Cloverdale Township
Brian Asbury 519 votes 55.69%
William S. Schwartz 413 votes 44.31%
Cloverdale School Board Taylor Township
Duane L. Huge 491 votes 51.74%
James F. Sharp 458 votes 48.26%
North Putnam School Board Clinton Township
Travis R. Lambermont 188 votes 51.09%
Scott R. Rader 180 votes 48.91%
South Putnam School Board Jefferson Township
Wesley Hacker 240 votes 59.55%
Darwyn Nelson 163 votes 40.45%
South Putnam School Board Warren Township
David Bombei 181 votes 53.71%
Adam Hughes 156 votes 46.29%
Prosecutor
R -- Tim Bookwalter 6,498 votes 69.05%
I -- Robert Perry 2912 votes 30.95%
Sheriff
R -- Steve Fenwick 5,765 votes 57.41%
I -- Joe Tesmer 2,422 votes 24.12%
D -- Garry Clark 1,854 votes 18.46%
STATE OF INDIANA
House District 44
R -- Jim Baird 5,639 votes 54.88%
D -- Nancy Michael 4,250 votes 41.36%
I -- Dennis Beatty 386 votes 3.76%
Secretary of State
R -- Charlie White 6,451 votes 64.64%
D -- Vop Osili 2,750 votes 27.56%
L -- Mike Wherry 779 votes 7.81
Auditor of State
R -- Tim Berry 6,555 votes 67.83%
D -- Same Locke 2,565 votes 26.54
L -- Eric Knipe 544 votes 5.63
Treasurer of State
R -- Richard Mourdock 6,821 votes 70.36%
D -- Pete Buttigieg 2,818 votes 29.24
FEDERAL OFFICES
United States Senator
R -- Dan Coats 5,965 votes 58.72%
D -- Brad Ellsworth 3,452 votes 33.99%
L -- Rebecca Sink-Burris 738 votes 7.27%
House District 8
R -- Larry Bucshon 6,506 votes 65.12%
D -- Trent VanHaaften 2,759 votes 27.60%
L -- John Cunninghamn 724 votes 7.24%
TOWNSHIPS
Greencastle Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Karen Hill Ambler 2,391 votes 30.05%
D -- Charles Miles 2,024 votes 25.43%
R -- Marilyn Clearwaters 1,965 votes 24.69%
D -- Doris J. Miller 1,578 votes 19.83%
Warren Township Board Member (Top 3)
R -- Sharon C. Evans 295 votes 32.63%
R -- Bob Dennis 225 votes 24.89%
R -- Lawrence W. Muncie 221 votes 24.45%
D -- Rex A. Parker 163 votes 18.03%
SCHOOL BOARDS
Cloverdale School Board Cloverdale Township
Brian Asbury 519 votes 55.69%
William S. Schwartz 413 votes 44.31%
Cloverdale School Board Taylor Township
Duane L. Huge 491 votes 51.74%
James F. Sharp 458 votes 48.26%
North Putnam School Board Clinton Township
Travis R. Lambermont 188 votes 51.09%
Scott R. Rader 180 votes 48.91%
South Putnam School Board Jefferson Township
Wesley Hacker 240 votes 59.55%
Darwyn Nelson 163 votes 40.45%
South Putnam School Board Warren Township
David Bombei 181 votes 53.71%
Adam Hughes 156 votes 46.29%
Monday, November 1, 2010
Election Day.
Yes, Tuesday November 2 is election day. If you don't know where to vote call the Putnam County Clerk's office 653-2648. Please try and learn as much as you can about the candidates and vote for the best candidate and not a political party. The candidate with the most signs or the biggest ads may not be the best person for the job. If only the party system would disappear when the candidates reach office and are able to vote or make good decisions on their own without being forced to vote the party line. It's a fine line they walk between doing what their voting public wants and what their party wants. Whoever is elected we MUST pray that they will look for divine guidance when making important decisions.
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