The US Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack, former governor of Iowa, spoke recently to press the importance of forest conservation and stressed his agency’s commitment to its future in the United States. His comments sought to point out that forests are crucial in supplying clean water, sheltering wildlife, and mitigating the effects of climate change. He went on to say that the sky might in fact be blue.

Vilsack is perhaps best known for his strong support of biofuels and while serving as governor was a strong supporter of Ethanol additives. I’m still not sure how I feel about biofuels as it seems a little shortsighted to take two things as vital as energy and food and combine them into one item of such importance.

Back to the issue at hand. Key among Vilsack’s policies is reversing former president Bush’s forest planning rule of 2008 and also seeking to reinstate former president Bill Clinton’s ‘Roadless Rule’ which had imposed halts on road construction, among other development, on 58 million acres of national forests.

I firmly believe that deforestation is one of the largest threats facing the world today. And it’s great to see a member of the presidential cabinet taking such a strong stance. Smokey would be proud.

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2008 was the deadliest year on record for international aid workers with 122 killed while carrying out their work. More than 80% of the deaths reported have taken place in three countries; Afghanistan, Somalia and Sudan. Being an aid worker is now officially more dangerous than being a guy in a blue hat.

I can’t say I’m too surprised by the news, as UN peacekeepers are infamous for not really doing anything. I’m sure everyone can recall the story of the brave Colonel Karremans in the Bosnian conflict.

So please remember to think about the aid workers the next time you’re pouring 40’s on the curb.

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As it turns out George Bush doesn’t hate black people, or at least it seems that way as evidenced by the following story.

Now I’m sure Bush will be remembered for the countless numbers of mistakes he has made while in office, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t also recognize his few achievements. One of which has been maybe the most progressive Africa agenda of any U.S. President in history.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090111/ap_on_re_af/af_bush_s_africa_legacy

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I read a very interesting article about international food aid today. I’ll provide an abridged version.

When America donates food aid there’s a directive that says it has to be in American produced food & not in cash. Basically the food is grown in America, & paid for by the American government, which in turn benefits the American farm industry.

The food is then flown to third-world countries, for example in Africa where the food is given out for free serving to undercut the local food producers & seriously undermine their self sustainability.

As a result, the nation that received the food aid finds itself lacking in ability to produce its own food, and has to depend increasingly upon aid from developed nations while spending what’s left of their state budget on imported food.

There is a better way. Canada for instance gives out 50% of their aid in cash, which can then be invested into the local farming industry.

President Bush unsuccessfully petitioned Congress to allow the United States to also deliver some of its aid in the form of cash, but both Republican & Democratic Congressmen stymied its progress. What we’re left with are farm subsidies disguised as aid.

In conclusion, the food aid meant to lessen humanitarian crises in developing nations, actually does the opposite & aggravates the situation. And that’s not right.

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