"Life is like a box of corn."
Posted on 05/04/2008 4:24:50 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO. -- President Bush on Friday defended his emphasis on ethanol to help the nation meet its energy needs even though increased production of the corn-based biofuel has been blamed for contributing to sharp increases in food prices.
"As you know, I'm a ethanol person," he said, explaining his belief that it can help reduce U.S. dependence on oil. "It makes sense for America to be growing energy."
--snip--
On the day the government announced the loss of 20,000 payroll jobs in April, Bush said he recognized the nation was in a difficult period, "but this economy is going to come on."
He also chastised Congress for blocking his initiatives, including a stalled free trade agreement with Colombia, his plan to open Alaska lands and coastal waters to oil and gas exploration, and his proposal to overhaul the government's mortgage program.
He also shifted into a reflective mien, saying to a worker in Dallas with whom he was conversing in a demonstration of a videoconferencing system: "Tell everybody down there, in about 10 months, I'm coming home."
With that end of his administration in sight, the president's remarks brought into focus the flaring issues he faces: the economy, energy costs and, now, food prices.
The president for several years has been promoting the use of ethanol -- which is largely made from corn -- to alleviate the nation's shortage of domestically produced energy.
Critics have focused on the new demand for corn as a factor in driving up food prices.
Bush acknowledged that ethanol has contributed to higher food prices, but said it was not the main reason. He also listed increased energy costs, which affect transportation and fertilizer prices; drought and other weather-related problems; and increased demand stemming from greater prosperity in once-poor nations. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"Life is like a box of corn."
How about drilling ANWAR!? BTW we have those lovely oil shale concentrations!
How many gallons of gas does it take to produce one gallon of ethanol?
lol
Forrest lil brother, Kernel Gump.
Ethyl Ping.
Ask "Forest Bush". I think the "ethanol man" will be taking it on the road.
If ethanol is such a great idea, why not permit its import instead of subsidizing Archer Daniels Midland to make it out of corn?
Bush pushed for ANWR drilling multiple times. It never went through. Blame Congress, not Bush.
Friggin’ idiot!
How many gallons of water does it take to produce one gallon of ethanol?
First they wanted ethanol, now the enviros don’t because business is benefiting from it.
The president has pushed for ANWR drilling but can he declare an emergency and force the issue over Congress’s head?
I would support that under these circumstances.
The one important part of this whole ethanol nonsense that needs to be said, is not being said.
Right now, the US pays huge subsidies to theoretical farmers to *not* grow crops on their land.
Shouldn’t this practice be stopped immediately, so that we can have *both* food, and their precious ethanol?
We should be growing food and drilling our oil. If Ethanol is such a great thing, use non-food plants instead of corn or sugar.
Non-corn ethanol
The govt subsidies on ethanol production have made the corn farmers, and most other farmers, very happy. Another way to tap the federal teet. I blame the Dems for stopping energy production but this ethanol stuff is BS.
This little fact will be lost on most.
Aliens have taken my President.
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