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On the advantages and disadvantages of E85

So say some Americans turning from gasoline to E85, "a fuel cocktail that consists mostly of grain alcohol, or corn-based ethanol, with a splash of gasoline." The New York Times provides a quick walk through the advantages and disadvantages of E85 which first and foremost these days is the cost. But today's Mideast headlines also have some consumers talking about how they would rather their dollars go to American farmers than OPEC coffers. Infrastructure remains something of an issue -- according to the Times, only 500 or so of the country's approximately 180,000 gas stations carry E85.

And just a factlette that never ceases to surprise -- we import more oil from Canada than any other country.

Biodiversivist

I am jumping on the Katrina bandwagon just long enough to point out that a protective barrier of wetlands would have greatly ameliorated the effects of said hurricane. At least now we can directly assign a dollar value to those wetlands we have destroyed, giving Bush's economic advisors something to chew on. Maybe the next time someone suggests that saving and restoring coastal wetlands is cost-effective they will listen. Something good may come out of all of this, like carbon trading or an impeachment.

Gore chartered planes to airlift evacuees

Oh, Gore. First you get all lively and inspiring on climate change. Now you go and semi-quietly help airlift 270 evacuees out of New Orleans.

Sigh.

Framing expert says Katrina shows need for strong, compassionate government

"The Katrina tragedy should become a watershed in American politics," writes lefty framing guru George Lakoff on AlterNet. "This was when the usually invisible people suddenly appeared in all the anguish of their lives -- the impoverished, the old, the infirm, the kids, and the low-wage workers with no cars, TVs, or credit cards. They showed up on America's doorsteps, entered the living rooms, and stayed. Katrina will not go away soon, and she has the power to change America."

Lakoff argues that Katrina gives us the perfect opportunity to highlight the "heart of progressive-liberal values," namely "empathy (caring about and for people) and responsibility (acting responsibly on that empathy)."

"A lack of empathy and responsibility accounts for Bush's indifference and the government's delay in response, as well as the failure to plan for the security of the most vulnerable: the poor, the infirm, the aged, the children," he claims.

Put more succinctly: The Katrina disaster is the best possible argument for strong, vibrant, well-funded government that takes care of its people.  

I wholeheartedly agree. You won't find many Americans this month who would sympathize with anti-tax crusader and government-hater Grover Norquist and his aim "to get [government] down to the size where we can drown it in the bathtub." In the immediate aftermath of Katrina, that quote sends shivers down the spine.

Recipe for Disaster

FEMA director Michael Brown relieved of command

Looks like Brown's going down.

From Elton to Engines

A pinch of Elton John Last we knew, there were two recipes in England: fish ‘n’ chips and spotted dick. But there must be more, if a new celeb cookbook is any indication. A Fair Feast, whose proceeds support sustainable agriculture, includes contributions from Minnie Driver, Nigella Lawson, and Sir Elton John. Who we hear […]

Readers talk back about eating local, the cost of organics, and more

  Re: Local Girl Makes Good Dear Editor: Your interview with Louella Hill is timely and enlightening. Kudos to you! As a culture, Americans have drifted far from their relationships to real, honest food. Local farm economies put a face to your food and improve the quality of life for so many. Supporting local farming […]

Agony and Ivory

Activists sue to stop water project near ivory-billed woodpecker habitat Bird lovers rejoiced when the ivory-billed woodpecker was rediscovered, but now the fun really begins. Eco-advocates are aiming to block two planned federal water projects that threaten the eastern Arkansas bottomland hardwood forest area where the bird resides. Two conservation groups filed suit in federal […]

Clang of Four

Senators challenge Bush rewrite of mercury-emissions rule A cross-party coalition of senators aims to use an obscure legislative tactic in an attempt to block implementation of the Bush administration’s proposed regulation on power-plant mercury emissions. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Jim Jeffords (I-Vt.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) say the Bush rule rewrite endangers public […]