[Pearls Before Swine]

“Food for Fuel” isn’t nearly as good a slogan as “Food for Peace.” Were there any economic advisers in the House/White House when this was being cooked up, or just “Green is Good Politics” pollsters?

[USS Alaska]

No blood for ethanol.

[HangThemHigh]

"Were there any economic advisers in the House/White House when this was being cooked up, or just “Green is Good Politics” pollsters?"

I like to think Bush's poll numbers were just too low to resist. Now as to why they didn't mention higher food costs as a possible consequence, there isn't much defense.

About your tagline, try it without the /sarc, you'll be needing the asbestos underwear.

[Balding_Eagle]

Were there any economic advisers in the House/White House when this was being cooked up, or just “Green is Good Politics” pollsters?

You do recall that this occured in 1994 don't you?

In fact it was just this past week that then Vice President Al Gore proudly and loudly cast the tie breaking vote in the Senate mandating todays level of ethanol.

[hedgetrimmer]

They were in Brazil, forming the ethanol alliance and subsizing BRAZILLIAN farmers...

Ethanol giants U.S., Brazil start biofuels forum

Updated Sat. Mar. 3 2007 9:57 AM ET

Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS -- The world's two top ethanol producers -- the U.S. and Brazil -- announced the creation of an international forum to help expand the global market for biofuels, just days before the two countries are expected to sign a separate agreement promoting ethanol across the Western Hemisphere.

The International Biofuel Forum will meet regularly for a year to draft global standards for biofuel production, find ways to open markets and encourage investment in countries with the potential to develop the industry, officials said Friday.

"By working together we will be able to identify ways to help countries with agricultural potential become major energy suppliers," said Thomas A. Shannon, Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. "We think this is a huge step forward in the development of a new international understanding of energy."

...But teaming up with Brazil on the promotion of ethanol hasn't pleased everyone: Corn farmers in the U.S. don't like the idea of the government helping Brazil's industry, which they see as a competitor.