Why I like Today's Papers

Here's the perfect example of why I like to read a summary of some of the major stories in the newspapers before I read the story itself:

From Slate's Today's Papers:

Finally, the NYT reefers a big piece on arid conditions in the Great Plains, which have left "farmers and ranchers with conditions that they compare to those of the Dust Bowl of the 1930's." It's the worst drought since … well, maybe 2003, "an extremely dry summer that … brought back memories of the 1930's Dust Bowl" (NYT, 9/5/03). Or maybe 2002, when "farmers shrug[ed] and wonder[ed] if a new Dust Bowl [would] soon be upon them" (NYT, 5/3/02). Or 1998: "a dry spell that officials say shows signs of developing into the costliest and most devastating the region has seen since the Dust Bowl years" (NYT, 8/12/98). Or 1996: "Coming after two years of low rainfall and a number of other weather problems, the ferocity of this year's drought has slowly begun to evoke memories for some here of the Depression-era Dust Bowl" (NYT, 5/20/96). Or 1988: "Since the spring's dry weather evolved into the worst drought since the Dust Bowl, the farm policy has been turned upside down" (NYT, 7/10/88). Or 1982: "And when the winds come, turning the sky dark with dust and burying fence rows under shifting dunes of soil and thistle, those who are old enough remember the bleak days of the Dust Bowl." (NYT, 5/14/82). Or 1980: "Is the nation in for a new Dust Bowl or at least a succession of scorching summers?" (NYT, 7/17/80).

Middle East Correspondent

Check out this piece of absolute fucking political comedic brilliance!

Exploring my fears about marketing

How easy is it for marketing, marketing research, and growth for the sake of growth to corrupt things?
Innovate With Dairy

Research conducted by the Western Dairy Research Center in Utah and funded
by America’s dairy farmers has produced ways to flavor and color cheese. No one
has really jumped on this idea yet, making kids’ food fun and convenient. I can
think of great flavored cheese, such as bubble gum, root beer and the ilk. Sound
good to you? It is not supposed to; it is for kids. This trend with kids has
been a huge (and profitable) trend for many other categories. R&D people
should go to the All Candy Expo and see all the creative things candy companies
have done with sugar. I see no reason why there are hundreds of flavors of soft
drinks, teas and herbal drinks, and two or three flavors of milk.

Pictures of me and my new niece

Follow the link out to the main blog to see videos & more pictures of my family.

Grace & Uncle Solomon

The Ethicurean � Blog Archive � Would you, Could You, Anywhere?

Interesting reading and comments from one of my my favorite new food sites.

The Ethicurean � Blog Archive � Would you, Could You, Anywhere?:
Vegetarians have long used the question as part of an argument for a green diet. “If you can’t kill it yourself, then you shouldn’t eat it.” Of course, their gamble is that you won’t say, “Why yes, I think I should have to kill my own meat. You have raised a good point. G’bye, I’m going hunting now!” It’s a pretty good gamble: Most Americans are uncomfortable with the idea that meat comes from actual animals, much less with the notion that these animals have to be slaughtered. Most of us don’t even want to think about it, much less do it ourselves. Personally, I can barely look at those pictures of factory farming, and prior to last March — when I began taking a (mostly) unflinching look at where my food comes from — I probably wouldn’t have dared.

I don’t think you should have to kill your own meat, but in seven months, I plan to do just that: I am going kill a chicken at Food You Can Trust farm. I have no idea if I’m going to be able to do it. My hunch is that I will be able to do it, but that I will have nightmares about it and will shed hot tears when I’m supposed to be sleeping. But maybe not. In any case, I’m pretty sure it won’t be fun. If I find it fun, then I’ll really be worried....