23 April 2008
Roads Signs in Illinois
Posted by Terrie Soberg under: Emergency Preparation; Talk Show Observations .
Dave and I returned from Tennessee last night, just in time to catch Glenn Beck’s television show. He discussed the current food situation and quoted part of a speech from the Secretary of Agriculture, Edward Schafer. I have included a longer portion of Schafer’s words to keep it in context for reading:
One urgent example I call your attention to is the challenge of food security and our interconnected global markets. As we start this year, we have never been less secure about the near-term future of wheat. This is our most basic crop. Coming from North Dakota, that’s important. The farmgate value of wheat is over $16 billion in this country; yet world wheat stocks are at an unprecedented historic 30-year low. And here at home, wheat-stocks are the lowest that they’ve been in 60 years.
Against that background, highly virulent African stem-rust is spreading quickly. The epidemic began in Kenya and Uganda in 1998, spread to Ethiopia and Yemen, is poised to move now into India and Pakistan, and it’s already been found in Iran. With over 75 percent of the U.S. wheat acreage planted in varieties that are highly susceptible to this disease, the threat here at home is real and it’s urgent.
There are people who are still in denial regarding our food situation, yet knowledge of the problems is beginning to be more openly recognized. The government leaders are taught to speak carefully so as not to panic the masses. Yet Mr. Schafer certainly did not mince any words: The threat here at home is real and it’s urgent.
As we drove home through rural Illinois, we came across several sets of signs with messages for the travelers. The signs are set in the fields on the sides of the road in a series of four, five, or six signs spread out a couple hundred feet part. One message was about guns and how the criminals are the only ones to carry weapons when there is no conceal-carry law for citizens. The other message, repeated more often, was regarding biofuels and how good they are for our economy. The farmers are struggling to make a living. I wonder if they realize what a mess we are in because so many farmers are switching to ethanol-producing crops.
Glenn also talked about how there is continuing rationing of rice, flour, and oil in parts of the country. I like Glenn–he is direct and to the point. He looked directly into the camera and addressed Obama, Clinton, and Mac: “The people care about food and gas.” It’s about the economy, stupid!
13 Comments so far...
Sharon Anderson Says:
23 April 2008 at 8:29 am.
I also watched Glenn’s show yesterday. I think many Americans are waking up to the fact that the food supply both in our country and in the world is tenuous. Some maintain that we should focus on the positive and not worry so much about what is coming because worrying makes it worse. But worry is not what has caused these shortages; they have been developing for years.
Last year a friend sent me an article about how low to non-existent wheat reserves could lead to food riots in our country. Maybe when ENOUGH people start worrying, policies will change, the government will stop paying farmers NOT to plant, and we will stop using agricultural lands for biofuels instead of food producing crops.
Sid Says:
23 April 2008 at 11:28 am.
Good blog Terrie.
SGS Says:
23 April 2008 at 11:28 am.
I am getting more astonished every day that we have not heard a peep from any politican — both at state and national levels — about this coming crisis! I would have expected them to start to question whether what they have done (biofuel subscribies) are the right things. But then, perhaps I should not be. I have a friend whose mother-in-law’s boyfriend is on a powerful argiculture lobbying force here in state. He is pretty close to this guy. He told me that he told him when he went to Washington DC a couple of months ago to work with the Argiculture sub-committees (both houses) on a proposal, he was joking with them about cow grids (the guard you see on road to prevent cattle from going over — can be either metal bars or painted stripes). Not a single legislative knows what he was talking about, and they making laws related to argiculture!!! But then, most of men and women on the legislative committees who are making laws about our nation often do not know what they are doing. Maybe they have no clue as to the food situation because there is no “food” lobbyists. It’s sad! They may not take any action until it’s too late, like they have been with everything else!
Concerned American Says:
23 April 2008 at 11:55 am.
SGS, that is a very disturbing story. Bureaucracy sometimes reminds me of a herd of milling cattle moving around but not accomplishing anything. I didn’t have a lot of faith in our government to take the right actions to solve this but after reading what you wrote, I have even less.
Cameron Says:
23 April 2008 at 12:42 pm.
NEW YORK, April 23 (Reuters) - Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s (WMT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Sam’s Club warehouse division said on Wednesday it is limiting sales of Jasmine, Basmati and long grain white rice “due to recent supply and demand trends.”
The news came as rice prices surged, with U.S. rice futures hitting an all-time high Wednesday on worries about supply shortages.
On Tuesday, Costco Wholesale Corp (COST.O: Quote, Profile, Research), the largest U.S. warehouse club operator, said it has seen increased demand for items like rice and flour as customers, worried about global food shortages and rising prices, stock up.
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2323679120080423
Cameron Says:
23 April 2008 at 12:50 pm.
Some of us might have been a little skeptical about the blog a few weeks ago suggesting a time could come when there would be limits on how much we could buy so we should put away food now. After all, this is America. After reading this a some of the other news reports lately, I think it is just a matter of time for major limits on food purchasing.
Americans hoard food as industry seeks regs
By Patrice Hill
Farmers and food executives appealed fruitlessly to federal officials yesterday for regulatory steps to limit speculative buying that is helping to drive food prices higher. Meanwhile, some Americans are stocking up on staples such as rice, flour and oil in anticipation of high prices and shortages spreading from overseas.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/BUSINESS/868303815/1001
Benjamin Says:
23 April 2008 at 1:12 pm.
Some people might be tired of seeing this kind of thing on the blog but I am grateful for it. It is keeping me on my toes. Every week I try to put up a little more. It is getting harder because cost of living is so high now but reading here reminds me that it will only get harder later so I have to make the sacrifice now. Thank you for what you are doing.
Jeezer Says:
23 April 2008 at 2:22 pm.
I was smart enough to listen in March and I went out and bought $2,000 worth of staples. I don’t mean the metal kind but the kind I can eat. The price has really gone up a lot since early March and I feel so good about it. Pretty amazing how much it helps to not be afraid. Now I am filling up empty juice and pop bottles with water with a few drops of purex to make it good long term. I don’t call this panicking. I call this God helping those who help themselves.
Jan W. Says:
23 April 2008 at 2:26 pm.
Good for you Jeezer. I agree about God helping people who do what they can then count on God to make up the difference.
I heard a preacher that I really like say something I didn’t agree with. He said we shouldn’t store any food because Jesus said to take no thought what to eat or drink. But I think he was telling his disciples who were traveling and preaching the gospel not to worry about that. It’s different for us.
Ghost Says:
23 April 2008 at 8:02 pm.
There hasn’t been quite as much action around here lately but I think part of the reason is because we have already talked a lot about the economy and food situation and things like the FLDS problem and some of us don’t have a lot more to add. The thing is, I still hope you guys keep posting the latest on all of this because I agree with Benjamin. This keeps me on the ball too and it is hard to get motivated to put supplies away without it being in front of my eyes because I’m so busy and it takes more creativity to do it because money is getting tighter.
Sharon Anderson Says:
23 April 2008 at 10:55 pm.
Speaking of you guys keeping people on the ball, your comments just helped me remember my brother wanted me to check up on him to see how his food storage is coming. So I just did. He and his wife have been thinking about it and talking about it. I told him he doesn’t have to get it all figured out, all he needed to do to get started was to go buy some oats, wheat, rice, and pinto beans–just do SOMETHING and then figure out what else they will need.
I believe that any food storage is better than nothing.
Hank Says:
23 April 2008 at 11:30 pm.
It’s kind of funny Sharon. Once I started putting away some cans of this and that, it got me thinking about what all I would really need to get me through a few months and I started getting excited about it and branching out. You are right. If he just starts going with something then the wheels will turn.
Ghost, we haven’t seen Stumpy around here so that is one reason it isn’t as hopping. Hope he isn’t sick.
Nalvy Says:
25 April 2008 at 12:24 am.
Food storage is a wonderful blessing…unless someone sneaks in and starts eating it… *ahem* Jobob *ahem* LOL
But honestly with rising prices who wouldnt stock up?
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