Health Risks That Large Factory Farming Leaves Behind - Oprah.com

Elaine had me read this article in November 2011 Oprah magazine about one lady, Lynn Henning, efforts to stop environmental damage in Lenawee County Michigan from the huge Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).  

Health Risks That Large Factory Farming Leaves Behind - Oprah.com:    The article describes a horrible situation!  Lynn Henning is clearly a hero!  The situation reminds me of Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"

The article was well written (By Kathy Dobie), however I would fault it for not also including the view from industry and view from the State Regulators.  The industry apparently calls Lynn Henning "a terrorist" -- It would be interesting to hear why they think that.  The CAFO activities described by Lynn Henning and the author sure make the CAFOs look an awful lot like terrorists!  Driving people off the road, Threatening people, Squeezing small farmers off their land by "polluting" them out of business, and illegal dumping of liquid and solid waste.  It would have also been interesting to hear from the County and State environmental health departments.  Do they have injunctions filed?  Do they need new laws to enforce the existing laws?

Timber dollars for America's counties - latimes.com

Here's another example of how the Federal Government is used to subsidize local taxes. Once the funds start flowing, it is hard to turn it off!

Timber dollars for America's counties - latimes.com:

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It's time to write off the charitable tax deduction - latimes.com

This Sunday LA Times opinion by Jack Shakely proposes to get rid of the charity tax deduction. He describes doing it as one of the "third rails" of politics.

It's time to write off the charitable tax deduction - latimes.com:

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I agree with him! The deduction is often accompanied by fraud, and it certainly benefits the wealthy more than the average working person. I can see how it will be difficult to completely eliminate it. However I think the deduction should be "capped" and then gradually phased out. That should greatly simplify our overall tax laws as well.

Del Mar, NCTD support horn project that could reduce train noise

It sounds like Del Mar is getting a subsidy from NCTD, while Oceanside get's nothing.

Del Mar, NCTD support horn project that could reduce train noise:

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Flotsam from Japanese tsunami reaches West Coast

Japan Tsunami Flotsam could become a MAJOR problem for the US and cost millions of dollars to clean up. I suspect that there will also be some collisions between debris, and boats, fishing nets etc. I think the US Federal Government needs to help by providing a plan and sharing in the cost of the cleanup.


Flotsam from Japanese tsunami reaches West Coast:

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