Buy American

I know, it's used as a trite nationalistic phrase 999 times out of 1000, but it looks like it may be your best bet if you'd like to avoid contaminated, and possibly even poisonous food and goods. Not only is the government unable (or more likely incapable) of inspecting shipments, they are a major consumer of them in their prisons and jails. The fish you eat in your home or when you go out may well be contaminated with drugs, chemicals or even heavy metals. The same goes for shrimp, a majority of which are now farm raised Chinese imports in this country. Even vitamins and herbal supplements are at risk of contamination from Chinese products and components.

Many state governments are taking the initiative and imposing import bans on their own, after testing fish and finding unacceptable levels of contamination. While it may seem to be a case of protectionism, I can't say I find fault with states who take the decision to do the job that the inept federal government either cannot or will not do.

As a recent story shows us, China isn't exactly a nation overly concerned with environmental cleanliness and wholesomeness of their food exports. The bad part is that we may not even know what foods we buy contain Chinese produce, either in whole or in part, (as we found in the last year when pets started dying from a Chinese food component).

While the American food supply may have the occasional case of contamination from E. Coli, Listeria or even botulism, we do have a much better record and industry standards than the Chinese do. Our food industry moves as fast as they can to remove tainted products (yes, they don't want to be sued into oblivion or fined out of business).

Those who produce our foods are held to higher standards by associations, industry and themselves. Yes, our farmers may be overly subsidised, but they are still proud of what they produce. Our catfish industry is among the worlds most sustainable and healthiest and, overall our seafood is better and safer than that of any other country.

If we really wish to avoid a health crisis, brought on by tainted and unwholesome imported foods, then we are going to have to embrace a bit of nationalism. We're going to have to avoid Chinese food imports like the plague, especially where our children are concerned. Don't be afraid to ask where food, and its components come from, at restaurants and in stores. Read labels before you buy. Do your research on the web if you don't know where a food comes from or it is not listed and, when in doubt....do not buy.

As with any matter of self defence, you are your first line of defence. Eat safe.

Technorati Tags:
China, Food Safety

Coming Soon To A Bus Stop Near You

From the people who brought you pat downs and feel ups at the airport comes a new travesty. The TSA has decided that bus stops in the Mid-West and across the nation should be graced with their groping and rights violating presence. Indianapolis looks like a good place to start, too.

(Indianapolis) -- Transportation Security Agents are stepping-up their visibility in Indianapolis. They have begun security screening for bus riders. TSA officers were stationed at the IndyGo bus stop at Capitol and Market Thursday morning checking passengers as they boarded the buses. Officials say the added security was not a reaction to any threats. The airport-style security checks actually started Wednesday at Ohio and Meridian. It appears no one was denied access to the buses although several knives were found discarded at the bus stop.

The sad thing is that altogether too many people submitted to this and some even went so far as to throw away pocket knives before they were searched. I cannot help but wonder what the TSA reaction would have been had I been a passenger on that bus and they'd found my trusty .45 ACP strapped on? What kind of alarm bells would have been set off for someone like me who was exercising their lawful right to carry a concealed weapon?

Thank goodness I'm never going to find out. I drive my own vehicle wherever I wish and do not contribute to the mass transit delusion. I can only imagine that these checkpoints will spread over time and everyone will become complacent about the ever encroaching security state being foisted upon us by governmental entities such as TSA and Homeland Security. CCTV cameras on every corner and random ID checkpoints will become the norm and very few voices will be raised against it. The police state is growing and the people behind this know that if they can get Americans in the heartland to go along with it, then it will be a done deal.

Given the number of issues currently besetting the people in Indiana, (like out of control property taxes, new taxes, rampant crime, etc) it is no wonder that the TSA chose now to start their little program. Like most governmental cancers we can expect to see this one spread.

So, get ready folks. Here it comes and very, very few will raise a stink about. Certainly not Republicans or Democrats, this is their idea of a wet dream. Perhaps the Indiana Libertarians will speak out, if anyone cares to listen. My guess is that this will grow into a full fledged, permanent event that will spread throughout the state. Checkpoints will likely be next, and considering that Indiana just did away with seat belt checkpoints the cops are champing at the bit for something new to do. This seems tailor made for people who like to stop other people going about their business. I am reminded more and more of my years in South Africa during the Apartheid era. I never thought I'd see the day come when I could make that sad comparison while living in the States.

Technorati Tags:
TSA, Police State, Indianapolis, Libertarian, Homeland Stupidity

Protect And What?

Repeat after me. "They are not your friends". Repeat it as often as necessary until it sinks in. This poor lady found out the hard way that rendering assistance to members of the Thin Blue Line gang gets you nothing but trouble, when she complied with their requests for assistance at the scene of an accident.

Add this incident to the long and growing list of "Cops Gone Wild" and you have a very clear picture of what's going on. When you could easily put up an "Incident of the day" list, then the cries that these are isolated events no longer tends to hold water. Sure, there are "good cops" out there. Unfortunately, that number is affected by the same bug that drives the ones who commit these travesties of false arrest, assault and murder. They are aided and abetted in this by a prosecutorial, judicial and oversight system that enables and protects them from justice. When facing charges, (like child molestation) that would result in years of imprisonment for the average person they get off with token punishment.

It has become increasingly plain that there is no recourse to the law where these people are concerned. The cover ups and false internal investigations allow this type of behaviour to continue. Our only recourse is to with hold consent and assistance. Unlike the lady in the above story, do not assist these people in any way shape or form. Let them get themselves out of any situations which they create. Render nothing unto these Praetorian wannabes.

Technorati Tags:
Police State, Libertarian

No Nukes For You

Seems the US Government has reached a breakthrough point in providing nuclear technology and fuels for India. Too bad they won't get out of the way of American companies who wish to build the desperately needed nuclear plants in this country. Government interference, from numerous agencies and judiciaries have been constant road blocks to nuclear energy in this country. Yet one more reason why there's no such thing as "good government". The time is long past when the government and courts should be getting out of the way of progress.

More people have died in cars with Ted Kennedy than have died in U.S. nuclear power plants.