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Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today spoke before the House Committee on Agriculture on issues critically important to U.S. agriculture.
Below are Secretary Vilsack's remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Chairman Lucas, thank you and thank you to Rep. Peterson and members of the Committee for the opportunity to appear before you today to discuss an important topic to American agriculture — the complex issues surrounding biotechnology and USDA's role in regulating it.
"Today's meeting considers a topic that is critically important to U.S. agriculture. Over the last two decades, we have experienced the rapid development, and the widespread adoption by producers, of new technologies like biotechnology. Biotechnology has already delivered significant benefits to farmers and consumers and it holds tremendous promise for agriculture here in the United States, and around the world. Over the past 20 years, due to improved plant breeding practices and biotechnology, yields have increased and new varieties are being developed that will resist pests and drought, and reduce the amount of water and fertilizer needed to raise a crop. Recognizing the benefits of these products, today, more farmers are planting biotech varieties of crops. We believe that biotechnology stands to play a significant role in our effort to support our drive toward energy independence, conserve our natural resources, and meet the world's growing demand for food, feed, fiber, and fuel.
"At the same time, there has also been strong growth in the organic sector, and in non-genetically engineered production, all to meet the requirements of specific and expanding markets.
"The growth of all these sectors is great for U.S. agriculture. It means farmers, ranchers, and growers have a range of ways to meet consumer needs and preferences both here and around the world. It means they can grow their operations in the way best for their operation while contributing to the success and vitality of rural America.
Has faith in system
"The growth and promise of biotechnology — the fact that it can provide a critical assist in meeting domestic and global challenges, including food security and climate change — is due in large part to the innovative culture of American agriculture. I need to state clearly and emphatically — I have no doubt about the safety of the products our regulatory system at USDA has approved over the last two plus decades and that it will continue to approve in the months and years ahead.
"The rapid adoption of GE crops has coincided with the rapid expansion of demand for organic and other non-GE products, resulting in real, practical difficulties for some non-GE producers to meet the need of their markets. These conflicts have produced ongoing litigation and resulted in uncertainty for producers and technology innovators. We are at a crucial juncture in American agriculture where the issues causing the litigation and uncertainty must be addressed, so that the potential contributions of all sectors of agriculture can be fully realized.
"As part of USDA's efforts to expand U.S. agriculture, we must ensure that our regulatory oversight is timely, consistent, effective, and grounded in sound science. We must ensure that we keep pace with the latest scientific developments, and that we do so transparently. The Plant Protection Act gives the Secretary of Agriculture, and through delegated authority the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the ability to prohibit or restrict the importation, exportation, and the interstate movement of plants, plant products, certain biological control organisms, noxious weeds, and plant pests. It is under these authorities that APHIS regulates the importation, interstate movement, and safe field testing of GE organisms. In regulating biotechnology products, APHIS works closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as part of the Coordinated Framework for Regulation of Biotechnology. The three agencies work together to ensure the development, testing, and use of biotechnology products occurs in a manner that is safe for plant and animal health, human health, and the environment.
"USDA's biotechnology program has been in place since 1986, and APHIS has developed a framework for regulating biotechnology that is rigorous and based on sound science. Since the program began, APHIS has overseen the safe adoption of numerous biotechnology products, with 26,000 field trials grown under our notification procedures and 3,000 field tests conducted under our permitting process, which encompasses field trials at 86,000 different locations. In addition, we have deregulated over 75 products.
"It is not a static program. To farmers, ranchers, and growers, it is one that has grown and evolved as technology — often driven by the needs and demands of producers — has changed. As we move forward, we must be cognizant of the needs of all producers and all types of production.
Issues must be addressed
"We are also at a crossroads with the Department's ability to handle the demands of industry and producers. The length of time it takes APHIS to complete the petition process has increased dramatically, and we are engaged in a process improvement process to reduce the amount of time. However, the combination of an increased number and complexity of the petitions combined with the time consuming litigation has really slowed us down. I fear that if we don't address these issues comprehensively, innovation will be discouraged not encouraged.
"The procedural legal challenges related to GE sugarbeets and GE alfalfa have taken years. APHIS made its initial decision to deregulate GE alfalfa in June 2005. Yet here we are nearly six years later with the process not yet concluded. GE sugar beets were granted non-regulated status in March 2005, and the case is still in litigation in federal court. As these cases continue, the market uncertainty increases, and those involved in agriculture lack sufficient guidance for planning and determining how to react or which products to use.
"The situation needs to be resolved. The legal challenges, and the resulting effects, have created uncertainty for all growers. Growers need to order seed and make planting decisions, but have difficulty when the legal challenges cause so much uncertainty. There are companies and researchers who have devoted significant resources to developing safe products that can help us meet our food security needs, but find themselves fighting in the courts, or waiting to see how a judge's decision in a separate case will affect them.
"I strongly believe that the decisions regarding these critical issues should not be decided solely by the courts. Litigation creates uncertainty and often results in winners and losers. To help minimize that uncertainty, as well as the other impacts and costs of litigation, USDA is committed to seeking solutions that will end or limit litigation and thereby benefit agriculture as a whole.
"On Dec. 16, 2010, the USDA released its final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the potential environmental effects of granting genetically engineered alfalfa non-regulated status. This is the line of alfalfa that has been genetically engineered to be resistant to the herbicide commonly known as Roundup.
"The EIS provides an exceptionally comprehensive evaluation and analysis of the potential environmental impacts of granting or denying the petition for non-regulated status. In addition to the draft EIS's two alternatives of either granting or denying non-regulated status, the final EIS examined a third alternative that was included in the response to ideas presented during the comment period. This third alternative analyzes the impacts of establishing geographic restrictions and isolation distances for GE alfalfa's production, and it mirrors a healthy and productive conversation between GE, non-GE, and organic interests that is already under way in the industry and that continues to evolve. Every interest engaged in the conversation shares the goal of protecting the right of every producer to grow on their land what they believe and decide is best. And, I believe that many participants have found the discussion important and beneficial.
"Some have questioned the need for this discussion and have suggested USDA is moving away from a science based, rules based decision making process. I want to reassure everyone that USDA will continue to adhere to a scientific, risk based decision making process and that our decisions will continue to be driven by science. I look forward to our discussion here and I hope you share my belief that farmers, ranchers, and growers are in the best position to decide what is best for their operations.
"Again, I would like to thank the Committee for the opportunity to appear before you this morning and I look forward to answering any questions that you may have."


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Welcome to our Fossil category where you'll find some rather special selections, whether you are looking for a small fossil gift or a large interior fossil statement piece for yourself or someone special, here we have a wide range of museum quality fossils for sale; Ammonites that sit elegantly in your living-space surmounted and classically displayed on our custom designed bronze plinths or wall features that transcend your personal style and passion for historic themes into reality.
Discover a geological world of fossils from an ancient-prehistoric world from magnificent Mosasaurus fossil skulls, Dyrosaurus and Sarcosuchus crocodile skulls, Spinosaurus dinosaur and Carcharodontosaurus dinosaur fossils to Dinosaur bones, stunning fossil pecten shells including many other molluscs and echinoids and many more spectacular fossils for you to browse and buy.
Paradoxides Acadoparadoxides Trilobite on Bronze 1.5ft£2,192.00
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subset: commoncrawl


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September 3, 2011
Dear SEC,
I wish to express my support in favor of all Real Estate Investment Trusts (MREITS), I oppose any legal reform or changes to its current tax status. These REITS provide liquidity in the financial markets and they use investor capital to invest in mortgage backed securities. The mortgage backed securities bear interest which is accrued and the REITS pay back their investors with the net proceeds. Many people that I know, including myself, we invest in these REITS which provide us with a steady flow of income and financial security. The job of the SEC is to protect investors, not to bankrupt them by abolishing or interfering with their source of income. I appreciate your hard work and dedication to our nation's financial interests. But removing the current tax status of Real Estate Investment Trusts or tampering with it...is not in the best interest of our nation, financial markets, citizens, and us the average investors. Thanks for reading my comments and I hope that you understand where I'm coming from, I trust that you will do what is best for our country. Thanks.
Mr. William McDonnell, CPA


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May 24, 2007
DELAND, Fla. _ The Lipscomb Bisons would have liked to have brought back at least one win as a souvenir from their first ever trip to the Atlantic Sun Tournament, but it was not to be.
The Bisons, the No. 6-seed, fell 4-1 to Gardner-Webb, the No. 5-seed, Thursday morning at Melching Field at Conrad Stadium. It was the second loss for the Bisons in the double-elimination tournament.
Gardner-Webb scored first with one run in the third inning and added two more in the fifth.
In the top of the sixth the Bisons pushed their first run across the plate. With one out Caleb Joseph singled to left field. Shane Simpkins fouled out down the right field line, moving Joseph to second. Ryan Wilkins singled down the right field line to score Joseph.
Gardner-Webb answered with another run in the seventh.
Wilkins and Branden Cadavid each had two hits for the Bisons.
Jamall Kinard, Jay McConnell and Daniel Cooke each had two hits for Gardner-Webb.
Rob Smithson started for the Bisons on the mound. In 6 1/3 innings he gave up four runs, two earned, and seven hits. He struck out one and walked one. Smithson finished the season with a 7-6 record.
Charles Williams pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for the Bisons. He did not give up a hit or a run, but he walked two batters.
Ben Campbell, 7-6, opened for Gardner-Webb. He also pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing nine hits and one earned run. He struck out two and walked two.
Devin Campbell, the starting quarterback for the Gardner-Webb football team, pitched one inning. He did not give up a hit while walking two and striking out two.
Matt Tafazzoli picked up his fourth save of the season, shutting down the Bisons for the final 1 2/3 innings. He did not allow a hit.
The Bisons finished their first season under coach Jeff Forehand with a 28-30 record overall. Gardner-Webb is 26-31.


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Is there a minimum spend?
There is no minimum order value in the FALKE online shop.
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E-Mail: email@example.com
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You can call our hotline from Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. FALKE SHOP hotline: 00 800 220 330 22
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Israel News - Stay Informed, Pray Informed
Israel Apartheid Week, an anti-Israel event held annually on university campuses around the world, is underway in Europe, and will kick off in the US and Canada next week.
To counter the lies and misinformation of Israel Apartheid Week, the Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ) will hold Palestinian Human Rights Week (which we previously reported on) at the same time in an effort to demonstrate that the Palestinian Arabs are being systematically mistreated, but not by Israel.
The inaugural Palestinian Human Rights Week event will take place on April 2nd in Toronto, Canada, the same place Israel Apartheid Week got started in 2005.
Speaking at the event will be JIJ director Calev Myers, a Messianic Jewish human rights lawyer who has received much acclaim of late, and Majed Al Shafie, an Egyptian Muslim convert to Christianity who had to flee for his life through Israel, among others.
Stay tuned to Israel Today for further coverage of this important event.
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Barkov, Nichushkin lead European draft classby Mike G. Morreale
The last time as many as two European prospects were chosen among the top five players at an NHL draft was nine years ago, when Russians Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin were selected with the opening two picks.
While it's a long shot that we'll see a repeat of that at the 2013 NHL Draft, there's a good chance Aleksander "Sasha" Barkov of Tappara in Finland and Valeri Nichushkin of Chelyabinsk in Russia could be among the top five picks.
Barkov is No. 1 on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of draft-eligible European skaters that was released Wednesday, a position he also held when the midterm rankings were released in January.
- North America: Skaters | Goaltenders
- International: Skaters | Goaltenders
The 6-foot-3, 209-pound center finished the regular season with 21 goals, 48 points and a plus-18 rating in 53 games for Tappara. He had four assists and a plus-3 rating in five playoff games before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.
NHL Director of European Scouting Goran Stubb said the late-season injury would not affect Barkov's high draft status; scouts have seen enough of the exceptionally skilled center to formulate a glowing review.
"He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time," Stubb told NHL.com. "He's a very good stick-handler with great vision. He's one the better two-way players in this class and has shown more consistency than any other European over a full season."
Rounding out Central Scouting's top five European skaters are No. 3 Elias Lindholm of Brynas in Sweden, No. 4 Rasmus Ristolainen of TPS in Finland, and No. 5 Alexander Wennberg of Djurgarden in Sweden's minor league.
All five players represented their country at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship. Barkov had three goals, seven points and a plus-2 rating in six games, and Nichushkin notched his only goal of the tournament in overtime of the bronze-medal game, a 6-5 victory against Canada.
At 6-4, 202 pounds, Nichushkin, who compares his style of play to Malkin, had two points and a plus-5 rating in six WJC games.
"He's a big, strong player with a high overall skill set," Stubb said. "He can score the big goals and can dominate games. He was a bit inconsistent at times, but he's very skilled and talented and, by far, the best Russian available in the draft this year. He had an outstanding playoff as well."
Central Scouting releases final ranksBy Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
NHL Central Scouting has released its final rankings of the top draft-eligible skaters and goaltenders from North America and Europe. READ MORE ›
Lindholm, a center, had two goals and four points for the silver medal-winning Swedes, and Ristolainen was Finland's top defenseman, finishing with two goals, six points and a plus-5 rating.
"Lindholm played for a struggling team [in Brynas] and didn't play as well as expected," Stubb said. "It was tough for a young player to carry the struggling ex-champions, but he's still a guy with a lot of high-end talent. He's got all the tools needed to become really good."
The 6-foot, 192-pound player could turn out to be the steal of the draft if he does drop out of the top six. He had 11 goals, 30 points and a plus-1 rating in 48 games for Brynas this season.
Ristolainen had three goals, 15 points and 32 penalty minutes for TPS.
"He's a very mature young defenseman playing big minutes," Stubb said. "He can carry or pass the puck out of danger; is a good, solid skater; and uses his size and physical strength well in the defensive zone. He can play physical but does not take unnecessary penalties."
Wennberg, a center, finished with two goals, three points and a plus-2 rating for Sweden at the WJC, and had 14 goals and 32 points in 46 games in Djurgarden.
"Alexander improved a lot during the season since he had a big role and was a workhorse with good offensive instincts," Stubb said.
Three other Swedes who could hear their name in the first round are No. 6 Andre Burakovsky of Malmo, No. 7 Jacob de La Rose of Leksand, and No. 8 Robert Hagg of Modo Jr. Burakovsky and de La Rose are forwards; Hagg, who starred for Sweden at the World Juniors, is a defenseman.
Stubb told NHL.com "Hagg's draft chances went up after his performance in Ufa." He had 11 goals, 24 points and a plus-8 rating in 28 games as the captain for Modo in Sweden's top junior league.
Stubb's European sleeper at the draft might be No. 28 Peter Cehlarik of Lulea in the Swedish Elite League. The 6-2, 192-pound left wing had 17 goals and 37 points in 38 games for Lulea this season while making an impressive jump from the Under-18 team to the men's league.
"He's a Slovak-born player who has been a big positive surprise in the Swedish league," Stubb said.


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Study finds Yellowstone supervolcano could 'destroy all of mankind'
WASHINGTON (Sinclair Broadcast Group) —
The researchers involved analyzed fossilized ash from the last time the volcano erupted.
A supervolcano in Yellowstone National Park has the capability to "potentially wipe out life as we know it," Fox News reported Thursday.
Citing an Arizona State University study, the report said this could happen much sooner than previously anticipated.
The researchers involved analyzed fossilized ash from the last time the volcano erupted.
Results showed that the changes necessary to provoke eruption happened over the course of just a few decades -- not thousands of years, like was previously believed.
The volcano last erupted 630,000 years ago, according to National Geographic.
If it were to erupt again, the ASU study found that it would eject 2,500 times more material than Mount St. Helens did three decades ago, covering the United States in ash.
It could possibly even launch the globe into a volcanic winter.


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Paczkis, pancakes, jelly donuts — many food traditions surround this last day before Lent. And Mardi Gras has its own roots in Catholic tradition, as explained here by our friends at St. Anthony Messenger and Our Sunday Visitor.
But also make sure you check out this story by Anna Weaver of the Hawaii Catholic Herald on malassadas, a tradition brought by Portuguese immigrants who arrived in the 1880s and 1890s to work on Hawaii's plantations.
And if you're willing to try baking some in your own kitchen, there's also a family recipe on the same page from a woman who has been making malassadas for over 50 years.
But here's a warning: You're going to get hungry just reading about them.


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Lent lies at the very heart of our Catholic faith. Each year, on Ash Wednesday, we begin our Lenten retreat. We are blessed with ashes, reminding us that we are dust, and to dust we will return. For the next 40 days we are led into the desert of our own hearts to look within, face our sins, and ask for God's mercy.
A time of cleansing
While Lent was originally intended as a time of preparation for those being baptized at Easter, it gradually became a time when all of us get ready to renew our own baptismal promises. It is the season in which we prepare both individually and as a Church for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior. It is the season when we reflect on the dying and rising of Christ that has made our salvation possible. Even more than that, it is the season when we enter into Christ's dying and rising as we seek to purify, cleanse and nourish our bodies, minds and souls.
From the beginning
Lent has been a part of the Church year from the earliest days. At the Council of Nicaea in 325, the bishops were already talking about the "40 days of Lent," and by the end of the fourth century, St. Cyril of Jerusalem was presenting prebaptismal instructions called Catechetical Lectures, and Pope St. Leo was teaching that the faithful must "fulfill with their fasts the apostolic institution of the 40 days."
Download this special Lent section!
Forty days was chosen as the time of preparation because it was symbolic of the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness before embarking on his public ministry: "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. He fasted for forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was hungry" (Mt 4:1-2), as well as in remembrance of the 40 years that the Israelites wandered in the desert before entering the Promised Land.
Season of joy
Lent is a time of sacrifice and discipline, but it should not be a time of sadness. Instead it should be a season of great joy. The first Preface for the Mass in Lent clearly reminds us of this:
As Christians we are stirring up our faith and love for God and each other so that, on Easter, we are ready to meet the risen Lord refreshed and restored.
Father James Shafer is pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Fort Wayne, Ind. This article is adapted from the pamphlet "Lent: Keep it Simple" (OSV, $15.95 for a packet of 50).
KISS and the 1-1-1 Plan
Here's a helpful acronym to help you stay focused during Lent:
Keep • It • Simple • Sinner
The best Lent is one in which we enter the season wholeheartedly. All too often, people either take on too much or don't take on enough. The solution is to simplify our disciplines, focus our intentions and concentrate more clearly on our spiritual goals.
To keep it simple this Lent, try the "1-1-1 Plan": one sin, one add-in, one give-up. Concentrate or focus on one sin or fault that is getting in the way of your relationship with God and with others. Add one positive activity that will deepen your prayer and spiritual life (especially if you think you are too busy to put anything more into an impossibly busy schedule!). Deny yourself something you really like or are attached to.
One sin
Most of us, if we are honest, know at least one area of sin to focus on during Lent. If you aren't sure, or are having trouble narrowing it down, use the traditional seven deadly sins as a guide (at right). (Contrary to what one may gather from all the emphasis on sex these days, there are six deadly sins besides lust!) In fact, some of the other deadly sins are even deadlier, especially pride, or self-love, which St. Thomas Aquinas called, "the cause of every sin."
If you need help in identifying which sin to concentrate on this year, ask God in prayer to reveal it to you. If you still aren't sure, ask your family or close friends. Just be sure you are willing to listen to them and accept their assessment.
One add-in
The next step in 1-1-1 Lent is to add one thing of God to your routine that you haven't been doing. Because we are all so busy, it's a good idea to not just pick an add-in, but to schedule a regular time when you put it on your calendar so you don't "forget."
Ideas for add-ins are pretty much endless, but some include:
One give up
Giving up something for Lent has been part of the Church almost since the beginning. While giving up sweets and alcohol are time-honored, consider giving up one thing that you really like or enjoy. Just make sure it is something that lets you feel the deprivation and is at least a little bit challenging. Make it difficult but doable.
The 7 Deadly Sins
The Catechism of the Catholic Church also refers to these sins as "capital sins" and explains why they are the most dangerous. "Vices can be classified according to the virtues they oppose, or also be linked to capital sins which Christian experience has distinguished, following St. John Cassian and St. Gregory the Great. They are called "capital" because they engender other sins, other vices. They are pride, avarice [greed], envy, wrath, lust, gluttony and sloth" (No. 1866).
— Matthew 6:1-4
1. Pride: an excessive love of self or the desire to be better or more important than others.
"Respect for the human person proceeds by way of respect for the principle that 'everyone should look upon his neighbor (without exception) as "another self," above all bearing in mind his life and the means necessary for living it with dignity'" (No. 1931).
2. Lust: an intense desire, usually for sexual pleasure, but also for money, power or fame.
"The God of promises always warned man against seduction by what from the beginning has seemed 'good for food ... a delight to the eyes ... to be desired to make one wise'" (No. 2541).
3. Gluttony: overconsumption, usually of food or drink.
"The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco or medicine" (No. 2290).
4. Greed: the desire for and love of possessions.
"Sin ... is a failure in genuine love for God and neighbor caused by a perverse attachment to certain goods" (No. 1849).
5. Sloth (or Acedia): physical laziness, also disinterest in spiritual matters or neglecting spiritual growth.
"Acedia or spiritual sloth goes so far as to refuse the joy that comes from God and to be repelled by divine goodness" (No. 2094).
6. Anger or wrath: uncontrolled feelings of hatred or rage.
"Anger is a desire for revenge ... The Lord says, 'Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment'" (No. 2302).
7. Envy: sadness or desire for the possessions, happiness, talents or abilities of another
"Envy can lead to the worst crimes. 'Through the devil's envy death entered the world'" (No. 2553).
The Big Three
We aren't just spiritual beings. We are also physical entities and the way to the soul is through the body. That's why Lenten discipline has historically centered on the "big three" of fasting, almsgiving and prayer.
Fasting is not just a spiritual diet. By denying our bodies, our physical hunger reminds us of the hunger of our souls for God, our longing for a deeper relationship with our Lord.
Almsgiving teaches us to separate ourselves from material possessions. By freely giving of our money and possessions, we learn to trust the Lord more deeply for our own daily needs.
Finally, an emphasis on prayer during Lent is a way to stir up our love and ardor by having a deepening conversation with the Almighty. Remember that the light of God's love shines more brightly in the darkness of the recognition of our own sinfulness.
Copyright © 1996-2019 Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.


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Green Day
Last night, I was at Shea with my buddy R, griping about 2 hits in 10 innings. But secretly, I had a feeling we'd get the walk-off. Okay, maybe not so secretly. I thought it would happen in the 9th. I thought David Wright might be the hero–he so loves that. But to have the man of the day be Shawn Green? Oh, I couldn't be happier.
Shawn Green is one of my favorite players. I like his attitude. I like the way he fights–in his own quiet way–to help the team win games. ****, I even like his inch-long hair. So, in honor of The Shawn Green Moment of the Day, I'm flashing back to June 7th.
Shortly before Shawnie returned from the DL, he joined Keith, Ron, and Gary in the SNY announcers booth. Oh, what fun. Here's some of the dialogue you may have missed:
Keith: Now, I have to ask you one question. Your wife Lindsay's gotta be happy your hair's coming back.
Shawn: It's at a bad stage right now. I'll tell ya. It took me 30 years to finally figure out longer hair would hide my ears and my skinny neck. And I didn't hear any Dumbo comments for a long time. And the worst thing is, when you're out in the outfield, you say "I know you can hear me with those ears."
Keith (uproariously): No-ho-ho-ho!
Shawn: So I'm getting those again. I'm just glad no one can see my feet, I've got those hidden. With my hammer toes and everything. I've got one bad quality out there in the open now.
Gary (a chrome dome): I'm sorry, it's hard for me to feel all that sympathetic.
Another tickler? Earlier, Keith asked Shawnie if he lost leg strength while on the DL. Shawn smiled: "You know, my legs aren't that strong anyway, so it works out great."
I look forward to more exciting–and hilarious–moments from our right fielder.