Comments for Corn Commentary

Comment on ISU Professor Calls Ethanol “Magic Bullet” by Steve

Steve — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:45:11 +0000

More Food for Thought! We the people of the United States have been told by major oil companies that fuel ratios can only be effective at 90/10 (current mixture of gasahol today). I say they’re telling us obveously what they want us to here. For the past 10 years I’ve practiced what I preach and have used a modified blend in some of my vehicles with no problems. I have 256,000 miles on my Ford Ranger and have enjoyed the benefits of lower fuel cost along with reduction in gasoline use. I’ve experienced 75/25 to be the limit on lower blends, while an 80/20 mixture appears to be a perfect gas to EtOH mix that provides adequate lubrication and power in all non-modified gas fueled vehicles. At this ratio the US could potentially stretch it’s fuel (gasoline) resources another 25 to 50 years. I believe it’s time to rethink the blend already in mainstream use. With some 200 million vehicles on the road today you must take into account that less than 10 percent are modified fuel users, so the other 180 million are good ol gas geezers that are running on 90/10. If the mainstream US fuel mixture ratio was modified and set at 80/20 the potential savings is the same as the amount of crude imported from Arab countries.

As I said … food for thought!a

Comment on Allergies Nothing to Sneeze At by Janice Bale

Janice Bale — Sat, 19 May 2012 01:03:40 +0000

I am having a really hard time with my allergies this year..expecially my nut allergy and CORN allergy…My allergy is s o bad that my allergist told me that i have to use my EPI Pen at the slightest reaction to corn..I went on a date with my husband last saturday, and he took me to the movie theater. We did not eat or drink there, However I still had an allergic reaction to corn, because the people sitting in the movie theater, and after I took my EPI pen, and went to the E.R..The nurse and Doctor treated me like I was lying about my allergy…If only people knew how hard it is to figure out what to eat, try nobody believing you about your allergy…I can not work, because of my allergy, however I do not qulify for disability..

Comment on A Tribute to Mom with a Message by Missy Morgan

Missy Morgan — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:03:10 +0000

To Kaydee – I read this and teared up! I love you mom and have the pleasure of working with her on CommonGround. Our team is in awe of what the Caldwell family does on your farm, including you and Emmet. And I immediately shared your letter on Facebook after reading it. Thank you for what the Caldwell’s do to raise safe food. You are each making a difference!

Comment on A Tribute to Mom with a Message by Susan Hanson

Susan Hanson — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:54:13 +0000

To Kaydee – I would agree with all you have said. I haven’t known your mom very long, but I knew after visiting with her for about 30 seconds that she was a force to be reckoned with. She is intelligent, compassionate and, actually, lots of fun to be around. What a wonderful letter you have written about your impressive mother. We, as mothers, “appreciate being appreciated.” Susan Hanson

Comment on A Tribute to Mom with a Message by Kaydee Caldwell

Kaydee Caldwell — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:35:45 +0000

I feel so honored that you would recognize what I did for my mom. You wrote this post beautifully and I just hope I can make a difference with the article like my mom has

Comment on Destroying Basic Principles of American Society, One Occupation at a Time by Brian

Brian — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:52:04 +0000

You did well up until the last few sentences. I have a hunch these people know full well the consequences of their actions, and they use that knowledge to get attention for their cause. When growing crops and livestock there is more than one way to skin a cat so to speak, but Occupy the Farm only wants to look into the ways that fit their narrative.

Comment on Destroying Basic Principles of American Society, One Occupation at a Time by DonEWG

DonEWG — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:56:32 +0000

Cathryn, a couple of questions on your stand on trespassing and property rights.

1. Do you think a GMO crop or pesticides contaminating a neighbor’s organic crop as trespassing? If not, what is it? Is it fair?

2. If I live downstream of a farm that has toxic chemicals running off into the stream that comes into my property, is that trespassing? If not, what is it and is it fair?

Thanks

Don

Comment on Tear Down the Blend Wall by mel meister

mel meister — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:55:08 +0000

with corn prices headed to $4.00 the oil companies will love this [3gal.of ethanol for $4.00 ] they will easily double thier money

Comment on Now Who’s the Lobbyist? by Ken

Ken — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:49:33 +0000

Don, thanks for the comment. Nowhere in my post did I try to distance myself away from our work in DC. We do believe it’s an important part of our work, and we appreciate you pointing out our work in that area.

However, I sincerely doubt that, when one uses the word “lobby” in the way you and the EWG headline writers do, it is meant to be taken in any other way than pejorative. It’s nice to know you are OK with lobbying, when used in inside-the-Beltway media, but it does appear that in the communications for the general public you are targeting, especially as it appears on your website, it is meant as a disparaging way. Call us the “corn lobby” all you want, I don’t care — I just found it interesting that EWG does this and has no problem hiring millionaire lobbyists. I will stick with my assessment that it is a little inconsistent. Just show me where on your website you refer to EWG as the “environmental lobby” and I may reconsider.

Comment on Now Who’s the Lobbyist? by DonEWG

DonEWG — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:24:55 +0000

Ken – a couple of things.

1. Please back up this statement “To the EWG and its allies, the First Amendment to the United States Constitution does not apply to those who disagree with them.” I think you’re confused about the Constitution. How does correctly identifying someone as a lobbyist infringe on the First Amendment? And aren’t you doing the same thing with this post?

2. We’re perfectly fine with the characterization of environmental lobbyists, conservation lobbyists, soil lobbyists, clean water lobbyists…take your pick. In fact, our president has been named a top grassroots lobbyist by the Hill for several years.

2009 – http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/4086-top-lobbyists-grassroots

“Ken Cook, Environmental Working Group. Cook has challenged the orthodoxy that biofuels are by definition good for the environment.”

2011 – http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/187225-top-lobbyists-grassroots

“Ken Cook, Environmental Working Group. Cook is at the forefront of challenges to corn ethanol and subsidies for Big Agriculture, upcoming hot-button issues as Congress tackles energy matters and starts work on a new farm bill.”

But I in no way am attempting to draw an equivalency here, you guys are by far the bigger spenders when it comes to lobbying:
http://www.opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000027833&year=2012

3. It never ceases to amaze me that the corn farmers I know are some of the toughest folks around, but their lobbyists are the most sensitive, thin-skinned people. Calling you the “corn lobby” or the “subsidy lobby” or the “pesticide lobby” isn’t meant to be derogatory or congratulatory — its descriptive. It’s true that you lobby for corn, its’ true that you lobby for subsidies ($77 billion since 1995) its true that you lobby for pesticide use. If you’re not comfortable with the truth I can’t help you.

Don