Iowa Ag Sec.--Who's Afraid of Francis Thicke?

by Francis Thicke

Some farmers are afraid of me. I know this because a farmer named Jerry wrote a letterto the Des Moines Register recently saying that they are scared.  It would be a "scary scenario for mainstream agriculture" if I got elected as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, he said.   Francis Thicke is a "true believer in everything organic," he shuddered. Running for office is an adventure.  But I never expected to learn that Iowa farmers, who are among the most resilient, shrewd and creative people on the planet, are afraid of a mild-mannered organic dairy farmer with a PhD in Agronomy and some ideas for helping them meet challenges such as peak oil.   So I thought I would write him a letter to reassure him that I'm not scary, because if we don't get our act together to deal with the real challenges of peak oil, the disruptions caused by climate change, and the growing monopoly power of corporate agribusiness, then we really will have cause for concern. (My letter, and a sincere thank you to DKGreenroots, below.)

continued at Daily Kos....

(video)The BP Oil Disaster and why *this* endorsement matters-DK Greenroots

by wade norris

In light of the BP Oil disaster - we can no longer allow environmental issues to be a 'secondary' campaign topic - especially when we find out that the oil spill may continue all summer. DK Greenroots, a bloc of Environmental bloggers here at Daily Kos have started a candidate fundraiser page on Act Blue. The goal is to replace global warming deniers (republicans) and also primary democrats who are too cozy with the fossil fuel industry. Their first endorsement is Andrew Romanoff, candidate for US Senate whose opponent was part of the Conservadem group that has blocked climate legislation. Mr.Romanoff's thanks to DK Greenroots and comment on BP Oil Spill

continued at Daily Kos....