The Black Informant

Follow the green dot

What was discussed back in 2007

=====

“In 2000, about 6% of U.S corn production went into ethanol. In 2005, this had jumped up to 14% of the corn crop for biofuels. In 2006, 20% was converted into motor ethanol, the same percentage of production that typically has gone into U.S. corn exports in recent years.

For 2007, the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture projection is that 27% of U.S. corn production will go to ethanol, and corn exports will decline to 19%. But this is just early June, and the bounty of the harvest is far from certain. Given that the United States has accounted for some 40% of all corn traded worldwide, any decrease in U.S. corn for food or livestock feed automatically constitutes a major grain supply problem internationally.”

[…]

These biofuels-induced shifts in agriculture occur at a time of record low food reserves. The May 11 USDA report projected that worldwide grain stocks of all kinds (wheat, rice, corn) at the end of the 2007/2008 crop year will fall to 305.08 million metric tons (mmt), significantly below 319.79 mmt in the 2006/2007 crop year, and far below the 390.14 million metric tons for 2005/2006 ending stocks. Grain stocks per capita are at danger ratios. (from the article “Biofuels Are Famine Policy; Food Shortages Are Hitting” by by Marcia Merry Baker)

====

Is America Headed for a Food Shortage?
A new study suggests that ethanol production could drive up corn prices, leaving U.S. grains and meat in short supply (read)

=====

U.N. official says crops as biofuel ‘crime against humanity’
By The Associated Press - 10/27/07
UNITED NATIONS — A U.N. expert on Friday called the growing practice of turning crops into biofuel “a crime against humanity” because it has created food shortages and sent food prices soaring, leaving millions of poor people hungry.

Jean Ziegler, who has been the U.N.’s independent expert on the right to food since the position was established in 2000, called for a five-year moratorium on biofuel production to halt the growing “catastrophe” for poor people. (more…)

And now all of a sudden folks are surprised?

Public schools turn to the private sector and parents for financial support

California public schools seek private money just to cover the basics
By Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
[excerpted]

“Parents in well-to-do communities can raise significant sums of money to augment their local schools’ budgets, while schools in low-income neighborhoods fall further behind,” said state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. “This is part of the reason that we have an achievement gap in California. We have an economic and moral imperative to close this gap.”

In the Anaheim City School District, four of every five students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, a poverty indicator. A district volunteer-led foundation raises about $50,000 annually through employee contributions and fundraisers to send all sixth-graders to overnight science camp in the San Bernardino Mountains.

The Anaheim parents are never asked to do more than volunteer for small fundraisers, such as bake sales or selling gift wrap or entertainment books.

“It’s not even a consideration to be able to ask them for money,” said district spokeswoman Suzi Brown. “When we look at what other districts are doing, they’ve got foundations that have paid staff. We don’t compete with that at all. We are in a completely different league.”

David Long, California’s education secretary, acknowledged the inequity but said money from nonprofit organizations and federal funds earmarked for poorer schools help level the playing field somewhat. However, he said the only way to fix the state’s finances is for the Legislature to approve Schwarzenegger’s budget stabilization act, which would put away surplus revenue during economic booms for use in leaner times.

“We do not want to continue to have these conversations” about cuts, he said. “It’s hurtful for the children of California.” (more…)

=====

While I agree with David Long’s approach, I think that it is nothing more than a pipe dream to expect government to govern itself in times of economic prosperity.

It is going to be interesting to see just how much the public school system begins to rely more on the private sector during this economic season.

Last word for the week (4/18/08)

“I am sick and tired of being taxed because I’ve done well for myself.” –Whoppi Goldberg on The View this week.

[Link]

Hey D.J. !

$107

What it cost my friend to fill up his SUV last night.

What is crazy is that back in 2002 when my family did a cross country trip from Georgia to California in an RV (something I highly recommend everybody to do at least once in their lives), it cost about $80 to fill the tank.

Programing choices expand for BET

Upcoming New Series on BET

– THE BLACK PANTHER - From Marvel Comics(R), who brought the world Spider-Man, X-Men, the Fantastic Four and Iron Man, comes a primetime animated series featuring the first Black superhero. A wise and just African warrior king. A technologically advanced superhero with a proud past. BET presents THE BLACK PANTHER. PREMIERING Q1 2009

–BRUTHA - With family values at the top of the network’s agenda, BET turns the spotlight on BRUTHA, an R&B group of siblings who learn just what it takes to navigate the treacherous terrain of the music industry — and discover who they really are along the way. Hunger for stardom, loyalty to family and love for the craft all take center stage with BRUTHA. PREMIERING Q4 2008

– JUDGE KAREN - There’s a refreshing new judge in town who’s about to set it off: JUDGE KAREN! She’s uncompromising, smart, and quick to cut through the clutter. JUDGE KAREN was born to hold court on BET, and she’s taking no prisoners. PREMIERING Q4 2008

– THE BOOT - Narrated by MC Lyte, THE BOOT is a half-hour dating show filled with twists, turns and eliminations. The daily strip show begins with six sexy singles (for example, two girls and four guys).
First, the girls meet with all four guys individually. The ladies discuss their personalities and eliminate two guys. The two remaining men and two women are then paired off and sent on dates. Halfway
through their date, they swap. The girls collectively decide which of the two guys to eliminate, and then they send one guy packing. With two girls and one guy remaining, suddenly the power shifts. Now the guy has the chance to decide which one of the girls is right for him.
PREMIERING Q2 2008

– ALL-NEW COMIC VIEW - It’s the standout of standup, the show that broke the biggest names in comedy. The legendary series returns for a 10th consecutive term completely transformed for 2008. PREMIERING Q3 2008

– 106 & GOSPEL - It’s the flagship brand extension you’ve been clamoring for: 106 & GOSPEL, an all-new 90-minute weekly music event this growing genre so righteously deserves. In addition to the incredible performances for which the 106 brand is known, 106 & GOSPEL features a top 20 countdown of contemporary gospel videos, news segments with Tye Tribbett, church fashion and roof-raising youth choir battles. PREMIERING Q1 2009

Upcoming BET News Programming

– THE TRUTH WITH JEFF JOHNSON - Jeff Johnson takes his award-winning reporting to the talk show format with a fresh approach to news and pop culture hosted by the acclaimed correspondent. He addresses the issues facing Black America, the nation and the world as they happen, gathering comments and provoking thought with interviews and lively discussion. PREMIERING 2009

– UNREPORTED - The imbalance in journalistic coverage with respect to African Americans is handed a much-needed reality check with this new investigative series. UNREPORTED hits the bulls-eye by illuminating the plight of the missing and falsely accused in our communities and in so doing, brings our truth to light unlike any news program on television. PREMIERING 2009 (more…)

Too lazy to use a shredder

TRASHY WTC SECURITY
HOMELESS GUY FINDS KEY PLAN IN A CAN
By JEREMY OLSHAN and KEVIN FASICK
NYPost.com (found via drudgereport)

It’s a good thing Osama wasn’t walking through SoHo yesterday morning.

Two sets of confidential blueprints for the planned Freedom Tower, which is set to rise at Ground Zero, were carelessly dumped in a city garbage can on the corner of West Houston and Sullivan streets, The Post has learned.

Experts said the detailed, floor-by-floor schematics contain enough detail for terrorists to plot a devastating attack.

“Secure Document - Confidential,” warns the title page on each of the two copies of the 150-page schematic that a homeless, recovering drug addict discovered in the public trash can.

[…]

Although the documents, dated Oct. 5, 2007, are not a complete set of blueprints, they do contain details such as plans for each floor, the thickness of the concrete-core wall and the location of air ducts, elevators, electrical systems and support columns. (more…)
=====

Stuff like this used to surprise me. In my short life I have learned that typically if you don’t own it, you could care less about it.

Site issues (UPDATED!)

This post has been moved to the top of today’s postings.

This is something that will probably continue till the weekend. As I get the time, I will address this mess once and for all.

UPDATE 1

Making some good headway with this beast. Comments should still work.
What you do not see is my blogroll and the template will still change from time to time.

Another thing, all comments will go directly to the administration queue. I hate doing this, but it is my only alternative for blocking spam.

I had a plug-in that took care of spam for me, but I’m thinking it could have been part of the problems I have been experiencing on this end.

UPDATE #2

Links will be added slowly but surely. Sorry for the template change again, but the previous template was not compatible with the latest version of WordPress. Everything else looks great on the back end of this site. Normal posting should resume later in the morning EST.

Remember, all comments will go into queue first before they are posted. Again, I hate doing this, but the amount of spam is just insane.

UPDATE #3
You are now able to post without having to wait for me to approve it. Found a plugin that will ask you to solve a simple math question before it will post. In the meantime, I am still making some additional adjustments on my end. As I mentioned earlier, links will be added little by little (I am debating whether or not I am going to place a bulk of these links on a separate page).