Comments for Dakota Lifestyle: Beyond the Weather (A Bismarck, ND blog) http://bismarckndblog.com Life in the Bismarck area, as well as the North Dakota lifestyle, upcoming news, agriculture and the ever-popular renewable energy industry. Fri, 16 May 2008 23:47:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 Comment on Is Ethanol The New Global Warming? by Clint http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/16/is-ethanol-the-new-global-warming/#comment-3164 Clint Fri, 16 May 2008 18:36:07 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/16/is-ethanol-the-new-global-warming/#comment-3164 Okay, let's look at that list. Aside from high oil prices and, to a degree, market speculation, these factors all have to do with international trade. I'm talking about food prices in a domestic context, but let's consider that for the first time in 250 years, the USA (traditionally the largest Exporter of wheat) is now a net IMPORTER of wheat. Drought can't be helped, but ask an agronomist about corn's toll on underground water tables. Lawsuits are being filed over this as corn crops deplete aquifers. Market speculation is a very broad term. But look at all the folks jumping in with both feet in the ethanol boondoggle. Why? Because of the subsidies and other government incentives. It's artificial. Let ethanol compete on its own merits and you'd thin that herd VERY quickly. A weak US dollar may directly influence the cost of domestic goods, but I'm on my lunch break and can't delve into that connection. But I'd have to say that it's more of a factor on imported goods. Oh, wait...we're a net importer of food now! Subsidies. The bane of our republic. Why are we subsidizing American corn-based ethanol while taxing the snot out of imported ethanol? Is it because our ethanol is so great? No, it's to make someone rich and keep the competition out. In the mean time the food market is along for the ride. Trade barriers? Such as the high tariff we place on South American ethanol? If ethanol is the answer, why not let it in for free? Heck, if it's going to save the planet, perhaps we should subsidize that too! The fact of the matter is that the government is meddling around with the world's food and energy systems simply for two reasons: profit and an environmentalist hoax. Simply saying "it ain't so" doesn't change the fact that many signs point to ethanol's ripple effects across the globe. You can't upheave the food system of the world's (former) largest exporter of food crops and not expect it to hurt worldwide. Like it or not, when the USA sneezes the whole world catches a cold. Okay, let’s look at that list. Aside from high oil prices and, to a degree, market speculation, these factors all have to do with international trade. I’m talking about food prices in a domestic context, but let’s consider that for the first time in 250 years, the USA (traditionally the largest Exporter of wheat) is now a net IMPORTER of wheat.

Drought can’t be helped, but ask an agronomist about corn’s toll on underground water tables. Lawsuits are being filed over this as corn crops deplete aquifers.

Market speculation is a very broad term. But look at all the folks jumping in with both feet in the ethanol boondoggle. Why? Because of the subsidies and other government incentives. It’s artificial. Let ethanol compete on its own merits and you’d thin that herd VERY quickly.

A weak US dollar may directly influence the cost of domestic goods, but I’m on my lunch break and can’t delve into that connection. But I’d have to say that it’s more of a factor on imported goods. Oh, wait…we’re a net importer of food now!

Subsidies. The bane of our republic. Why are we subsidizing American corn-based ethanol while taxing the snot out of imported ethanol? Is it because our ethanol is so great? No, it’s to make someone rich and keep the competition out. In the mean time the food market is along for the ride.

Trade barriers? Such as the high tariff we place on South American ethanol? If ethanol is the answer, why not let it in for free? Heck, if it’s going to save the planet, perhaps we should subsidize that too!

The fact of the matter is that the government is meddling around with the world’s food and energy systems simply for two reasons: profit and an environmentalist hoax. Simply saying “it ain’t so” doesn’t change the fact that many signs point to ethanol’s ripple effects across the globe. You can’t upheave the food system of the world’s (former) largest exporter of food crops and not expect it to hurt worldwide. Like it or not, when the USA sneezes the whole world catches a cold.

]]> Comment on Ethanol And The Food Crisis by Clint http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/13/ethanol-and-the-food-crisis/#comment-3137 Clint Wed, 14 May 2008 17:06:08 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/13/ethanol-and-the-food-crisis/#comment-3137 I'd like to know how Ed quantifies this. Take into account the fact that the ethanol craze has resulted in many acres being converted to corn and the increased costs to livestock producers due to higher feed prices, and I think there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. It's just not politically expedient to declare ethanol a scam. Anything that is subsidized at over 50 cents a gallon while imported product is taxed over 50 cents a gallon is highly suspect in the first place. Here we see the worst case scenario of what ill-conceived subsidies can do to the marketplace. I’d like to know how Ed quantifies this. Take into account the fact that the ethanol craze has resulted in many acres being converted to corn and the increased costs to livestock producers due to higher feed prices, and I think there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary. It’s just not politically expedient to declare ethanol a scam.

Anything that is subsidized at over 50 cents a gallon while imported product is taxed over 50 cents a gallon is highly suspect in the first place. Here we see the worst case scenario of what ill-conceived subsidies can do to the marketplace.

]]> Comment on North Dakota Has A Record Balance In Treasury by Bandon http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/13/north-dakota-has-a-record-balance-in-treasury/#comment-3136 Bandon Wed, 14 May 2008 13:32:05 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/13/north-dakota-has-a-record-balance-in-treasury/#comment-3136 Let's get real...Things like ethanol and wind farms have ZERO impact on this budget surplus. They contribute a net-nothing (likely negative considering subsidies) to the surplus... The state, to my knowledge, doesn't collect any production or extraction tax revenues from industries like ethanol or wind... Old-fashioned black gold is by far the biggest driver of this surplus... Let’s get real…Things like ethanol and wind farms have ZERO impact on this budget surplus. They contribute a net-nothing (likely negative considering subsidies) to the surplus… The state, to my knowledge, doesn’t collect any production or extraction tax revenues from industries like ethanol or wind… Old-fashioned black gold is by far the biggest driver of this surplus…

]]> Comment on Ethanol And The Food Crisis by Kate http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/13/ethanol-and-the-food-crisis/#comment-3133 Kate Wed, 14 May 2008 01:43:43 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/05/13/ethanol-and-the-food-crisis/#comment-3133 What do you think about this? It seems that Dakotans of both the North and South variety are afraid to say that Ethanol is a boondoggle! What do you think about this? It seems that Dakotans of both the North and South variety are afraid to say that Ethanol is a boondoggle!

]]> Comment on North Dakota Woman Has A Global Impact by Lori http://bismarckndblog.com/2007/11/29/north-dakota-woman-has-a-global-impact/#comment-2929 Lori Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:19:03 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2007/11/29/north-dakota-woman-has-a-global-impact/#comment-2929 I googled E-Copernicus/E9-1-1 Institute to learn more about your company/organization and found this blog, which was very interesting. I googled E-Copernicus/E9-1-1 Institute to learn more about your company/organization and found this blog, which was very interesting.

]]> Comment on The Road Less Traveled Begins In North Dakota: Chad Everson and Grizzly Groundswell by Stix http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/23/the-road-less-traveled-begins-in-north-dakota-chad-everson-and-grizzly-groundswell/#comment-2919 Stix Thu, 24 Apr 2008 03:40:57 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/23/the-road-less-traveled-begins-in-north-dakota-chad-everson-and-grizzly-groundswell/#comment-2919 Nice article about our Teddy Bear Nice article about our Teddy Bear

]]> Comment on The Road Less Traveled Begins In North Dakota: Chad Everson and Grizzly Groundswell by Mr. Chad T. Everson http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/23/the-road-less-traveled-begins-in-north-dakota-chad-everson-and-grizzly-groundswell/#comment-2914 Mr. Chad T. Everson Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:31:31 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/23/the-road-less-traveled-begins-in-north-dakota-chad-everson-and-grizzly-groundswell/#comment-2914 Gwen, I am touched beyond words. You can interview me anytime! Chad Gwen,

I am touched beyond words. You can interview me anytime!

Chad

]]> Comment on About North Dakota’s Rob Port and his SayAnything blog by Mr. Chad T. Everson http://bismarckndblog.com/2007/10/17/about-north-dakotas-rob-port-and-his-sayanything-blog/#comment-2913 Mr. Chad T. Everson Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:57:59 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2007/10/17/about-north-dakotas-rob-port-and-his-sayanything-blog/#comment-2913 Rob Port was one of the first blogs that took my blog seriously. Rob even joined us on the Grizzly Groundswell as a Govenor of North Dakota. When he could not find the time to post on the Grizzly Groundswell he found me Matt Becker to fill his position and keep North Dakota with a strong voice on my site. Rob Port is not only a great blogger, but he is a good North Dakotan. He was very generous with his time and helped me when I was just starting the Grizzly Groundswell. Say Anything Blog allowed me to post some of my first stories there and link back to my site. So honestly, besides Ktlkfm.com, sayanything blog and Rob Port were a vital aid in growing the grizzly groundswell! So for that I say, Thanks Rob! I don't stay in touch enough, but for those in North Dakota that are blessed to have Rob Port reporting on socialist squirrels, you are truly blessed. Just like everything in North Dakota, you really have a great resource and a state treasure in Rob Port and SayAnythingBlog. Utilize it and cherish Rob Port as your state living treasure. Even though he is banned on the Res'. Rob is a posting machine and his writing and work is always insightful and sometimes really hillarious. Even better then that, he gives all of us a chance to say anything on his blog and that my friends is as priceless as a North Dakota sun rise! Gwen & Rob, it is nice to know North Dakota still has many treasures! ~Teddy Bear of GrizzlyGroundswell.com Rob Port was one of the first blogs that took my blog seriously. Rob even joined us on the Grizzly Groundswell as a Govenor of North Dakota. When he could not find the time to post on the Grizzly Groundswell he found me Matt Becker to fill his position and keep North Dakota with a strong voice on my site.

Rob Port is not only a great blogger, but he is a good North Dakotan. He was very generous with his time and helped me when I was just starting the Grizzly Groundswell. Say Anything Blog allowed me to post some of my first stories there and link back to my site. So honestly, besides Ktlkfm.com, sayanything blog and Rob Port were a vital aid in growing the grizzly groundswell!

So for that I say, Thanks Rob! I don’t stay in touch enough, but for those in North Dakota that are blessed to have Rob Port reporting on socialist squirrels, you are truly blessed.

Just like everything in North Dakota, you really have a great resource and a state treasure in Rob Port and SayAnythingBlog. Utilize it and cherish Rob Port as your state living treasure. Even though he is banned on the Res’.

Rob is a posting machine and his writing and work is always insightful and sometimes really hillarious. Even better then that, he gives all of us a chance to say anything on his blog and that my friends is as priceless as a North Dakota sun rise!

Gwen & Rob, it is nice to know North Dakota still has many treasures!

~Teddy Bear of GrizzlyGroundswell.com

]]> Comment on The North Dakota State Fair Wins Event Of The Year by Clint http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/22/the-north-dakota-state-fair-wins-event-of-the-year/#comment-2892 Clint Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:37:29 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/22/the-north-dakota-state-fair-wins-event-of-the-year/#comment-2892 I'm a big fan of the deep fried Twinkies, myself. How could you possibly make a Twinkie better? Why, by deep frying it, of course! I’m a big fan of the deep fried Twinkies, myself. How could you possibly make a Twinkie better? Why, by deep frying it, of course!

]]> Comment on Bismarck Realtor’s Web Site Worth A View by West Toronto realtor http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/19/bismarck-realtors-web-site-worth-a-view/#comment-2844 West Toronto realtor Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:33:28 +0000 http://bismarckndblog.com/2008/04/19/bismarck-realtors-web-site-worth-a-view/#comment-2844 Really, not a bad one! I am working for <a href="http://westtorontorealtor.com/about/why-choose-jill/" rel="nofollow">Jill Stewart</a> and I browse dozens of realtor websites weekly. 90% of them are trying to look trendy - full of flash animations and java widgets and I don't know what, but information? Lost! So I am glad when I see one structured, complex well done website! Really, not a bad one! I am working for Jill Stewart and I browse dozens of realtor websites weekly. 90% of them are trying to look trendy - full of flash animations and java widgets and I don’t know what, but information? Lost! So I am glad when I see one structured, complex well done website!

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