ETHANOL ALL ABOUT POLITICS.     Congress is often driven by Midwest wants and desires, and now we’re seeing how much clout those corn-growing states demand in Washington, DC. Ethanol made from corn, now called the ìfuel to nowhereî by those of us who think its use as an environmental-enhancer is a farce. I’ve been visiting Washington, DC for at least three years, lobbying against the use of corn ethanol as a fuel alternative. I kept saying that it really wastes more energy and water to make fuel from corn than it saves. Many of California’s elected officials agreed, including Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer; but the votes rest in the Midwest where corn is king!

Congress has authorized billions in taxpayer-funded subsidies for farmers who grow corn and the producers who turn it into the fuel that is pumped into your car. TELL ME; IF YOU WERE PAID MORE FOR GROWING CORN FOR FUEL THAN GROWING THE CROP FOR ANIMALS, WOULDN’T YOU PICK THE MOST LUCRATIVE USE? So farmers are growing more and more corn for fuel, and less for grain. It doesn’t take an economist to tell us that a train wreck was on the way—and its here friends.

Food costs are skyrocketing due to this ethanol predicament; and chicken, cattle and milk producers are seeking more increases today. The cost for purchasing corn for feed has more than doubled in the past two years, and no company — large or small — has been able to recoup their additional costs. So they either make less profits, or no profits or go out of business; it’s a scary time for food animal producers, and now that consumers are starting to gripe about the cost of food and fuel, some elected officials are taking notice.

Add to all this fact that worldwide demand for grain is growing, and you can see how problematic the issue of producing corn for fuel is getting. We’re seeing more research going into the production of other grasses for ethanol production, but even if it’s successful, the product won’t be ready to use for more than two to three years.

There is a crisis brewing, and I hope our leaders take heed sooner than later.

OUR POPE IS QUITE A GUY. Pope Benedict XVI did more to give Catholics a boost than anyone else in my recent memory. He celebrated Mass and American Catholicism in Yankee Stadium on Sunday, and every major cable news network captured the entire hour long service for the world to see. It was spectacular, remarkable and uplifting.

In fact, his entire trip to the Washington, DC and New York City was something to see, admire, discuss and examine. Benedict beamed, and his smile was contagious; I don’t remember other visiting Popes smiling much on their trips. But Pope Benedict made the masses feel good, want to believe and certainly cherish their religion. This was a fabulous trip for Catholics, but also for religion in general. The Pope brought with him a desire to bring people of all religions together and help us believe that a higher power was with us at all times.

Almost 60,000 people filled Yankee stadium, and hundreds of thousands were put on a waiting list. The crowd roared, chanted, clapped and waved; they couldn’t get enough of the Pope, and as he left the stadium the sound of love and wonder filled the air—this was a remarkable trip by a wonderful guy.