You know you’re getting old when you use the changes in the growing areas as a sign of season change. The northern migration to different growing areas out west is in progress. Fruit trees are in bloom. I am always surprised by how quickly the seasons change. It must be my age because I think they change faster than they did 20 years ago.
By Elaine Sciolino
Published: March 30, 2007
PARIS, March 29 — France’s presidential campaign has been seized by a subject long monopolized by the extreme right: how best to be French. The conservative candidate, Nicolas Sarkozy, wants to create a ministry of “immigration and national identity” that would require newcomers to embrace the secular values of the republican state. The Socialist candidate, Ségolène Royal, wants every French citizen to memorize “La Marseillaise” and keep a French flag in the cupboard for public display on Bastille Day. The far-right candidate, Jean-Marie Le Pen, of the National Front party, chortles that his rivals have stolen — and therefore validated — his message of “France for the French.
Harold Thinks! Immigration is a world problem with the people wanting to immigrate for a better life for themselves and their families. I see nothing wrong with that, we have been doing that since the beginning of history. We face the same problem in the United States as France on immigration. If we don’t get this issue resolved and then enforce the laws that we pass we will be have bigger problems than the French. Legal immigration can be good for this country but people coming here must embrace our country and learn our language. I think most Americans embrace their heritage but they are Americans first. They learn the language and are proud to be Americans. The politicians continue to play politics in Washington to try to win votes rather than fix the problem as it continues to grow. Why do we have different languages on our ballots at election time? Maybe someone smarter than me can give me a few good reasons why it is okay to do that. What do you think?
By NANCY LUNA
The Orange County Register
Prior to last September, Herman Fowlkes of Buena Park bought bagged spinach weekly for salads, and to put in his famous vegetarian quiche. But, after contaminated pre-packaged spinach killed three and sickened 205 last year, Fowlkes, 65, cut the leafy vegetable out of his life. But, after contaminated pre-packaged spinach killed three and sickened 205 last year, Fowlkes, 65, cut the leafy vegetable out of his life. "I don't want to take a chance, so right now, I'm not eating it at all," Fowlkes said this week. He's not alone. Last year's spinach outbreak, combined with two other food scares tied to tainted California grown lettuce, has hit the produce sector hard – as well as consumers still leery of buying the vegetable. The outbreak, and the fear that followed, has cost the spinach industry an estimated $100 million with sales declining 30 percent.
Harold Thinks! This is a good article to read if you’re interested in some of the things being done to combat the industry’s problem with food safety. I do want to stress this is just one of the programs being implemented and you can be sure before it is over the industry will be tied up in more red tape than any of us want to see.
