Sunday, August 12, 2007

THINGS I'D LIKE EXPLAINED

In all the hubbub about manufactured goods from China ignoring basic safety considerations (why aren't these things inspected before they get to resellers?), it seems that we need to realize something else.
America has been "the bread basket of the world" for so long, that we tend to ignore that fact. We've all heard how Nebraska alone could feed the world's population. (Although the cities in Nebraska might not like having to move out.)
If that's agreed upon, then here's some questions I'd like answered:
1. Why are we importing beef cattle meat from a country we are told is starving?
2. Why are we importing grains and vegetables from that same country?
3. Why are we importing sea food from China when they consistently violate world wide conservation bans?
Current farm policies are misplaced. Taxpayers spend as much as$20 billion annually to subsidize only a few farmers. Crop subsidies damage the environment by placing pressure on sensitive lands such as wetlands and native grasslands.
The Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment would better reward farmers for conservation practices, increase assistance to hungry Americans, provide consumers with more food and energy choices, and stop sprawl. and foreign importation.
Interest and unrest has been building in the US over sourcing products and ingredients from China after several safety problems reported in the past few months. The Chinese safety scares have included chemical additives in wheat gluten, poisoning in dog food, toothpaste recalls due to the presence of diethylene glycol, a poison found in antifreeze, and a hold on safety of some seafood imports.
Tony Snow, White House spokesman, said: "It's important to note that you have food safety concerns throughout the world and it's important to act on them." He said that the US did not expect a trade war to develop, in spite of China's decision to bar some US meat imports in response to increased US scrutiny of its products.
China wants to bar our imports? OK with me. We can bar their crappy stuff, too. I'm first in line to cast a vote, too. I just wonder if the FDA is a tool of the Administration or can act on its own with Congressional approval?
I guess my real, main, important question is: When do the people get their America back?
And another thing about Chinese ideas on food safety: BEIJING - They're flush with pride in a southwestern Chinese city where a recently-opened porcelain palace features an Egyptian facade, soothing music and more than 1,000 toilets spread out over 32,290 square feet. Officials in Chongqing are preparing to submit an application to Guinness World Records to have the free four-story public bathroom listed as the world's largest, the state-run China Central Television reported Friday. "We are spreading toilet culture. People can listen to gentle music and watch TV," said Lu Xiaoqing, an official with the Yangrenjie, or "Foreigners Street," tourist area where the bathroom is located. "After they use the bathroom they will be very, very happy." Footage aired on CCTV showed people milling about the sprawling facility and washing their hands at trough sinks. For open-aired relief, there is a cluster of stalls without a roof. Some urinals are uniquely shaped, including ones inside open crocodile mouths and several that are topped by the bust of a woman resembling the Virgin Mary. "Other bathrooms are all the same. This one is very special, I've never seen anything like it," one visitor to the tourist area told CCTV. There are also plans to build a supermarket nearby, which will sell toilet-related items, CCTV reported.
Where could there be better fplace or a supermarket than next door to a public potty?
To end this post, this, from a real action hero:
In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.--- Theodore Roosevelt

10 comments:

alphonsedamoose said...

Why don't we just BAN Chinese products then we shouldn't have as many concerns?

Catmoves said...

It's a complicated world, moose. If your country (or ours) simply said "we've had enough, no more of your crap into our country," then China would get it's cajones in a knot and say "OK is right. No more Canadian goods into our country." Snowballs would grow larger and larger and you'd probably end up in a shooting war. Then so would we. So would Russia.... snowballs suck.
What the U.S. (I'm not sure Canada does this) is change the rules of international trade. No more "You can send your goods to us duty free. Meanwhile, we'll pay duty on anything we ship to you".

whimsical brainpan said...

I think we should ban all products from China; both as a statement to their poor quality and as a gesture showing disdain for their lack of human rights.

Catmoves said...

I hear you whimsical, but what I don't hear are people in positions of power who would agree to this plan. We might hurt China's feelings, I guess.

alphonsedamoose said...

The only thing China wants from us is our natural resources-coal lumber, gas & oil

Anonymous said...

Harper doesn't mind hurting China's feelings. He often tries to bring up the subject of their atrocious human rights violations. On his way to meet with Chinese president Hu Jintao he told reporters "his government will not abandon important Canadian values by toning down criticisms of China's human rights record to improve trade relations with Beijing."

President Hu Jintao didn't like that he couldn't restrict Harper's comments and questions about human rights in China, so he cancelled the meeting.

Falun Gong Practitioners have set up a permanent protest camp just outside the Chinese embassy in Vancouver. It's been there for years. The Chinese embassy is putting pressure onto the mayor to demolish the protest camp. That ass kisser Sullivan is trying to do it. But Canadians are not happy about government destroying a legal and democratic protest. It's a right of protest that would have Falun Gong practitioners tortured and executed in China.

Rachelle said...

It's all about the allmighty trade dollar and damn the consequences.
Maybe if Teddy Kennedy's granddaughter got sick and died something might be done....

Did I say that out loud?

Meanwhile here in the San Joaquin Valley, where 95% of the food consumed in America is grown, the housing boom continues, and farmers are forced out of business.
Go figure.
Slainte~
Rachelle

Catmoves said...

moose, I believe that China's ultimate "want" from our countries are our resources. And that's not limited to oil, lumber and gas. They are just as greedy as our businessmen are.

Catmoves said...

Babzy I'm glad to hear that Canadians are ticked off too. Yank papers rarely go into that sort of thing.
I think Mr Harper may be kind of lonely during this meeting. considering those he's sitting down with.
Up the Falun Gong.

Catmoves said...

Rachelle I'm in your boat, paddling furiously upstream, I guess. How do we wake America up? They seem to be doing better on that score in Canada.
slainte.