[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Conflict of Interests

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Conflict of Interests
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1184089421.shtml


   An article in today's Business section of the Minneapolis Star Tribune
   (yes, I bought a copy) chronicles a storyline I find somewhat amusing.
   As government expands, inevitable conflicts between sectors of
   government develop. The classic is the health department that wants
   sausage factory floors washed frequently and OSHA that says it risks
   injury from slipping and falling.
   [1]Sparta, Wisconsin has an environmental version of this brewing. The
   locals want to build an Ethanol plant, but the town's largest employer
   says the attendant air pollution will so damage their products as to
   force them to relocate. Specifically, they say the well-known odors
   from Ethanol production will find their way into their air-dried dairy
   products made there.
   So, we have "renewable energy" Ethanol environmentalists vs. other
   environmentalists concerned about air pollution. Actually, it's really
   just big corn vs. big dairy, with environmental concerns being the
   weapons of choice. Still, it's fun to watch.
   As an aside, the Associated Press repeats the lie of corn-based
   Ethanol as "reducing the country's dependence on foreign oil." The
   gatekeepers at the Star Tribune apparently saw no reason to edit,
   limit, qualify or challenge this false statement. So don't tell me
   that the Editorial pages don't influence the news sections.

References

   1. http://www.startribune.com/535/story/1293232.html