robot corn

Greenpeace protests genetically modified corn in Mexico

"Mexico saw the first public protests this weekend over the government's decision to allow cultivation of the first genetically modified corn, which environmentalists and others say could ruin the nation's native crop."

i'll admit, i am at once thrilled, jealous, perplexed, amused, and saddened by this article.

i am thrilled that someone, somewhere cares to this extent, even if it's not here in the u.s. and i'm jealous for the same reason. i desperately wish we had this level of education, passion, and involvement regarding these issues here in our country.

i'm perplexed, amused, and saddened as well. the u.s. has been using genetically engineered corn for nearly 20 years. no where does this article mention this, however. and we haven't heard this kind of outcry yet here.

this is especially bad for mexico, where the majority of the diet is based on unrefined corn (we beat them in the consumption of refined corn products, however, but that's an entirely different debate), and where there are, essentially, heirloom varieties of corn that have been around for centuries, if not longer. replacing these varieties with genetically engineered ones impact not only the environment and the health of mexico's people, but also erases an important part of their culture.

read more:
http://www.organicconsumers.org/corn/index.cfm
http://www.gmfoodnews.com/gmwrong.html
http://www.csa.com/discoveryguides/gmfood/overview.php

state fair

we went to the state fair last night with the parents and shannon. luckily, the rain had stopped and it wasn't too hot. as soon as we got through the gates, i got a fresh squeezed lemonade, and bryan got a cherry lemonade (they were out of limes for limeade) and the biggest corn dog i have ever seen. on our way to the main drag, we hit herb kohl's milkhouse, which features flavored milks. i was having a hard time deciding between cherry vanilla and chocolate, so we had them blend the two flavors for a cherry chocolate milk. it was good!! we all had one, and bryan also had the root beer flavor, which mom said tasted like a root beer float where all the ice cream melted.

we checked out some cowboy hats. shannon and i made fun of the odd ones (just how many outfits does a bright purple suede cowboy hat go with?) while bryan eyed a $100 stetson. i told him to keep dreaming and stay happy with the $7 one that was on his head.

our main mission was finding the lion's roast corn, so we moved on in search of that. on the way, we passed the wisconsin products building, where we stopped to pick up a wisconsin baked potato. shannon and bryan had some duck fajitas, which they found really tasty. i managed to not spoil my appetite with a caramel apple, but it was tough.

we finally found the corn roast, and had a tasty, sweet ear of corn. that's probably my favorite part of the fair. there is nothing like fresh roasted corn in august, and i have lots of good childhood memories of eating corn at the fair.

we wandered over towards the dairy building. bryan stopped at a booth to look at some dead animal heads and pelts, which was pretty gross. what exactly do you do with that stuff anyways?? we managed to find the dairy building (stopped at the most well organized bathroom on the way; that bathroom traffic director lady really earned her tips!). we were hoping to find greek bread, our yearly favorite, but it was not in the dairy building. dad picked up some fudge and i got some caramel nut rolls, and we moved on.

the next stop was the expo center. this is a giant building with rows and rows of all sorts of crap you never even knew existed but which the salesmen will insist you can't live without. bryan had a lot of fun running around checking everything out. i managed to talk him out of buying anything. by the end we were pretty tired. we stopped in the culinary and craft building, which it turned out just winners from all the contests. looking over the winning baked goods, it was pretty clear i might just be able to win by a landslide. maybe next year!

we headed back towards the car. dad grabbed some salt water taffy, another must at the fair. by the time we got home i was pretty beat and my feet hurt! i fell into bed and asleep pretty fast.

we didn't go look at any stinky animals, but i do smell the pigs on 84th street on my way home every day, so i'm pretty sure that counts.