Andy's Angle

Link: http://paindealer.blogspot.com/2008/01/24-season-seven-here-is-trailer.html

A trailer for the 7th season of 24; I haven't heard anything specific yet, but Keifer Sutherland is out of jail now... I'm hopeful! Heck, I'm practically giddy...

Link: http://www.wdexpo.org/2008/01/23/pa-revises-label-guidelines/

Due to interference from a nanny-state Governor, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is pulling its horns in over a ban on anti-rBST labeling in dairy products. The original ban, announced late last year by PDA Secretary Dennis Wolff, said quite simply that anti-rBST labeling was out, period. The processors, anti-Monsanto-types, and anti-rBST marketers began their caterwauling, and the Governor put the kabosh on the ban. Now, the watered-down regulations allow "No rBST" labels, with a qualifying disclaimer. Which, of course, will be like the Surgeon General's warnings on cigarettes - off to the side and largely ignored.

While this situation - a Governor overruling an Ag Chief for making a perfectly valid decision in discharging his duty - is disappointing enough on its face, my biggest concern is what these tea leaves hold for Ohio. I'm all about market choice; in other words, if a consumer wants to buy "No rBST" milk, so be it. If I, however, want to buy "commodity" milk with the full range of modern efficiencies and inherent discounts, I should be able to do so. What is happening in reality, however, is that processors and retailers in many quarters are failing to give consumers the choice, simply dictating that all their milk must be non-rBST treated. This isn't market driven; there is a small percentage of the consuming population demanding the non-treated product, to be sure, but this is a very vocal minority forcing all of us to pay more for our milk by taking rBST out of the producer's toolbox.

Secondly, and more concerning to me, is the potential ramifications for Ohio's Department of Agriculture. Following the original PDA ban announcement, prevailing wisdom was that ODA would follow suit. Several listening sessions have been held by the appropriate Departmental advisory panels, and we've been patiently awaiting the Director's decision. With this pullback from PDA, my assumption is that ODA will adopt a similarly distilled version of the labeling language. Even if they did adopt the more forceful policy position, my guess is that Governor Strickland, like Governor Rendell, would interfere. He does, after all, have a track record of interfering with ODA dairy policy on the raw milk issue, stating unequivocally that ODA would not get involved in enforcement. Of course, it's very likely the Governor has already been involved, which is why we haven't heard anything definitive from ODA on the issue as of yet...

Link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325089,00.html

Because of the long-standing legacy of the Reagon Coalition, it appears that a group of aging hippie liberal wackdoodles are launching a preemptive strike against any potential goodwill President Bush will have when he leaves office. Along with their willing accomplices in the media, "Americans United for Change" will launch a yearlong, $8.5 million campaign this week with the express stated purpose of driving down the President's approval rating prior to his exit from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

In selling the plan to fundraisers, the group has argued that support for President Reagan was at a low of 42 percent in 1987 but climbed to 63 percent before he left office. "All of a sudden he became a rallying cry for conservatives and their ideology," said Brad Woodhouse, president of the group. "Progressives are still living with that."

So it's not enough that these communists have been tearing down this man for the past seven years, but now they're doing their darndest to make sure their distorted sense of reality is the perception with which all Americans perceive their Commander in Chief. The group is a non-profit, a 501(c)4 organization under Internal Revenue Service regulations. That means it can raise money in unlimited amounts and because its target is Bush, not a candidate for federal office, it is not governed by the Federal Election Commission. Which is B.S., because clearly the long-term intent, as the group stated in its press release on this campaign, isn't just defaming Bush, but to avoid having any spillover benefit from his successes (and yes, he has had SOME successes) to his successors in the GOP.

These clowns are taking Bush Derangement Syndrome to a whole new level.

Still in New Orleans; had a great weekend, and a great kickoff to the 89th Annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention. President Bob Stallman gave his address to the members, Acting Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner delivered his continued warnings about the President's impending veto of the Farm Bill, and retired USDA Chief Economist Keith Collins received the Distinguished Service Award. Meanwhile, Ohio has been represented extremely well in the Young Farmer & Rancher competitions, with Rose Dudgeon of Knox County competing in the Discussion Meet, Andy & Deanna Troutman of Wayne County competing in the YF&R Achievement Award, and Tina Lust of Marion County placing in the Top 10 in the Excellence in Agriculture Award. We'll learn where exactly Tina places as the winners are announced later today.

A few things I've noted in the meanwhile:

Columbus Zoo Keeps Big Snake

The zoo offered "Fluffy's" breeders $35,000 to keep the world's largest Python in Columbus. They bit, and she stays.

Wacktivists Put Monks Out of Business

It's not enough for PETA to attack modern professional agricultural producers, but they're now in the business of running small operators - even lowly monks - out of farming. Shock of shocks.

Web Based Resumes and Vitae

I've mentioned the concept and a skillful execution before, but my dear friend Dr. Emily Rhoades has delivered another example of what I think all upwardly mobile professionals should have.

Coming to you live from New Orleans! Lindsay and I arrived safe and sound in the crescent city, and are having a great time so far. We haven't done much yet, although we did have some great Cajun cooking for supper over at Mulates, "The Original Cajun Restaurant." The fried crawfish and catfish were both excellent. The crab meat au gratin was good, but perhaps a bit too right for Lindsay and I...

At any rate, we're across the street from Harrah's Casino, although owing to the fact that we're covering the Cattle Industry Convention in Reno and spending a little time in Las Vegas in February, I don't know that we're going to be bopping over to the tables any time soon. Saturday we're planning on visiting Churchill Downs' sister track Fairgrounds Race Course to see some great Thoroughbred action. At some point we're going to visit the French Quarter, or course, and I have every intention of eating at one of chef Emeril Lagasse's three restaurants here.

The 89th Annual American Farm Bureau Convention actually kicks off Saturday with the Opening General session at 3pm, where President Bob Stallman will give his annual address to the membership. At the closing General Session on Monday, the keynote will be General Colin Powell. Most of the Young Farmer & Rancher activities take place Sunday and Monday, with the actual business and policy sessions taking place Tuesday and Wednesday.

So, with that being said, here are some of my observations from things I've read on the trip South:

Houston Stock Show and Rodeo

Chuck points out that the concert schedule has been released, and tickets will be going on sale. Lindsay's comment on the plane was "is there anyone big in country music NOT performing there?" And when I hinted that I may just pick up tickets to one of the shows, I was brutally rebuffed. Apparently our travel schedule is full enough for the Boss as it is...

At Least It Ain't Lip Syncing

Disney confirms that its tweenage superstar Hannah Montana - AKA Miley (daughter of Bill Ray) Cyrus - uses a body double for one dance routine/set change in her insanely popular stage show. Rumors had circulated to that fact, and kudos for Cyrus' handlers for nipping them in the bud by coming clean. I doubt the average teeny-bopper hanging on Hannah Montana's every word will care, but I'm curious to see what this admission means for the young superstar. Perhaps nothing, but with a story out last week about some slumber party photos with Miley and another girl circulating the interweb (nothing to write home about, really), it appears the paparazzi/celebrity stalker types have turned their full attention to the young Cyrus. Here's hoping she comes out okay, because the kid is talented, no doubt, and I like the fact that she's finding major success while her Dad (who, based on his appearances on the morning show circuit and a series on CMT, seems like a genuinely nice guy) is finding a little resurgence in his own career.

How the iPhone Blew up the Wireless Industry

Glenn tips us to this great Wired article, and yes, the iPhone really is as good, or better, than advertised. We didn't run out and buy them the day they came out, as did many, but after a few months, Lindsay and I both had one in our pockets. The visual voicemail feature in particular is a winner, as is the Google maps feature and the stocks and weather widgets. I don't use my iPod function as much as I thought I would, but I think that's because I'm waiting for some third party accessory to transmit my tunes to my truck's stereo. I had an FM transmitter for my old iPod (which bit the dust when I rolled my Blazer last year), and I really loved that tool. I continue to be amazed by Steve Jobs entrepreneurial acumen; Apple is an amazing company with amazing products. I have two PowerBook G3's, an iBook G4, a Powerbook G4, a Mac Mini, three Apple Airports, iPhone, and Apple TV (I think that's the whole inventory) and I can't say a bad word about any of them. In fact, when I look at the progression from the G3 to the intel-based mini, it's a truly impressive evolution. Lindsay and I are debating new laptops...

More Idol News & Views

In a follow up to my comments on Taylor Hicks being drop-kicked by the record label earlier this week, it appears the same fate has befallen Idol colleague Katherine McPhee. The McPheever wasn't enough to actually sell records, apparently, although McPhee is allegedly working on a movie.

Meanwhile, USA Today has a great piece about the return of the ratings juggernaut this week. The analysis of what worked and what didn't last season appears spot on, and I think with the recognition by the judges and producers that they need to do a better job of putting up a consumable slate of finalists coupled with the ongoing nonsense of the writers strike, Idol will continue to dominate first quarter of the television year. Can't wait to see Simon and Paula back at it; I keep waiting for those two to hook up, although Paula may have had one too many nervous breakdowns or psychotic episodes for Cowell...