This overcast morning in Fish Creek greeted me with the news that the chicken breasts that we buy at our markets may contain arsenic that was deliberately fed to chickens to prepare them for our consumption. Didn't you know that our federal government permits the use of arsenic in chicken feed to help the chickens overcome intestinal parasites? Those of you who remember the movie "Arsenic and Old Lace" also recall that arsenic is a useful chemical element if you want to get rid of undesirable table guests. Our FDA assures us that the little bit of arsenic that you digest with that barbaqued thigh is a spit in the bucket! The FDA motto appears to be : " If arsenic is good for chickens it must be good for you". According to a report prepared by an independent sustainable farming group, The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (located in Minnesota), arsenic was found in chicken packaged by 7 of 12 U.S. producers that were sampled during one day of testing. Let's hope that we don't binge on chicken bites daily, unless , of course you believe everything that our government tells us.
That brings me to another piece of news that also rattled by bones as I rubbed by eyes in total belief and wonderment.
The Special Federal Prosecutor investigating the leak source of the CIA agent's identity, reportedly said that Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, Lewis Libby,who has been indicted by a grand jury (for perjury and obstruction of justice) has implicated President Bush. According to the report contained in a court document dated April 5, 2006, President Bush authorized the leak, thereby possibly declassifying the CIA agent's identity (and potentially taking Libby off the hook). Our President has consistently stated that he knew nothing about the source of the leak (that was a violation of law) and when asked at a press conference on Oct. 7, 2003 about the leaker, he said:" And I don't know if were going to find out the senior administration official. Now, this is a large administration, and there's lots of senior officials. I don't have any ideas." Is it possible that arsenic in chicken and leakers in an administration have something in common? But wait. More news awaits.
The third piece of news hit me like a lead weight used to eliminate undesirable mobsters. Wisconsin's Journal Sentinel reported that Wisconsin highway budget has increased 109% compared to 32% for the University of Wisconsin System and 11% for state parks.Does it surprise you that concrete is more important to politicians in our state government than education or natural resources? Is it a coincidence that the construction lobbyists contribute mightily to politicians in our state? (Check the lobbyist contributions to politicians in the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign web site). Does this somehow correlate with the bountiful growth of highway spending? Who lobbies for education and state parks? How much money do they contribute to the politicians? According to the Journal Sentinel, under Tommy Thompson we dug a tax hole that will exceed the revenue bond proceeds (that pay for the highways) for concrete roadways by 2008 or 2009. In other words,we tax payers will have to dig up more of our money to pay for concrete that wasn't included in Tommy Thompson's pork barrel spending for construction and concrete lobbyists. What is good for concrete is good for whom? Don't you all love the aesthetic beauty of the concrete covering the land where forests and wet lands once existed along the Hwy 57 speedway now under construction? What a beautiful welcome pathway to Door County!
How, you may ask does arsenic in chicken feed, President's Bush apparent linkage to the CIA agent leak, and concrete highway construction in Wisconsin connect? Consider the following. Should we believe that our government officials and elected politicians really care about the honest tax payers who pay their salaries,benefits, and expenses? Should we believe politicians who tell us that they are looking out for the average tax payer? Should we allow politicians to send our people to war and then lie to us when they, the political leaders, scoff at and break our laws? These three bits of news, all breaking on the same day, are illustrative of the behind the scene political and governmental decadence that saturates our society. When will we say enough is enough?
When will the FIT HIT THE SHAN?
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