Osg1 2012-07-30 CORN

The Osgood File.  This is Dave Ross on the CBS Radio Network
Let’s see – this is a tough choice… do we want to eat, or do we want to turn our corn crop into a fuel additive which was supposed to create LESS greenhouse gases but actually may create MORE?
Puzzle that out for a moment.  First this:

(((SPOT)))

As farmers crunch through their fields to see what’s left after the worst drought in 50 years, the question arises… if we’re going to lose a big chunk of the corn crop, why would we keep paying farmers to turn so much of it into ethanol.

Well: to make ourselves independent of foreign oil, you quickly answer.
HOWEVER:  It turns out that one of the few things that left-leaning environmentalists, right leaning free-marketers agree on is that the ethanol-from-corn program isn’t making us less dependent on foreign oil, and isn’t reducing greenhouse gases, in fact, it’s doing just the opposite.

And yet, drought or no drought, the government still requires that gasoline include a minimum amount of ethanol, a requirement which last year meant that 40% of the corn crop was gobbled up by engines, leaving less for people and for livestock farmers like David Hardin.  With his corn crop turning brown, he can’t  feed his hogs, which means…

We're actually having to go out and buy corn on the open market to feed our hogs through the next year." (:07)

– and you’ll reimburse him when you buy his hams, or bacon, or pork chops, even as you drive your groceries home on the energy from the ethanol that’s causing the problem.

Someone remind me who thought this was a good idea – oh that’s right – corn farmers.  And their representatives in Congress, who are refusing to waive the ethanol requirement.

See?  Even our farmers are divided over what to do with the corn.
Although, I did find this video on You Tube:
VIDEO
Amazing how a little corn mash, little sugar, little yeast, can make you forget all about that drought stuff.
The Osgood File.  This is Dave Ross on the CBS Radio Network