Following on Tom’s post below: I think Rep. Richard "Dick" Pombo’s appointment as vice-chairman of the House Agriculture Committee — setting him up to take over in 2008 — should clear our agricultural problems right up:

The announcement drew immediate concern from environmentalists and praise from California agricultural interests.

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A job on the Agriculture Committee would allow Pombo to continue a pattern, predicted Sierra Club spokesman Eric Antebi, of favoring big business over public health and the environment. The club is especially worried, based on Pombo’s votes and legislation, about an erosion of pesticide regulations.

Farmers are thrilled. "It’s great to see someone appointed who has been so dedicated to agriculture," said San Joaquin Farm Bureau Federation executive director Bruce Blodgett, "and someone who understands our district."

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