RT is producing some good stuff lately...

More comment to follow,,,

Since it's possible that seeds with patented seed genes may have accidentally entered any supply of standard non-patented crop seeds, if the supremes rule in Monsanto's favor, that ruling makes ANY planting of standard non-patented seeds a probable crime.

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"Farmer Bowman began purchasing Monsanto’s patented seeds in 1999 and, because of the licensing agreement, did not save any of the seed for future planting. But he also bought so-called “commodity” seed from a local grain elevator, which acts as a clearinghouse for farmers to buy and sell seed.

But given that more than 90 percent of the soybeans planted in the area were Roundup Ready crops, the elevator’s seed was contaminated with Monsanto’s patented seed.

Farmer Bowman planted that commodity seed, which was substantially cheaper to purchase, to produce a second, late-season crop, which is generally more risky and lower yielding. He then used seeds generated in one late-season harvest to help produce subsequent late-season crops.

Monsanto sued him for patent infringement, and he lost.

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The court noted that, once Monsanto’s patent genie is out of the bottle, Monsanto controls the soybean landscape. Read more »

I am a big fan of Jonathan Haidt's efforts to try to craft an experimental and observational soft science of moral philosophy and morality character structures in democrats and republicans.

I wasn't really impressed with this recent scientific american article - I didn't find much new stuff in it. But, still, worth a look.

Frankly, I don't think there is likely to be reconciliation - because of the realpolitick forces of population increase, resource quality declines, EROI declines, the productivity paradox, the end of endless growth, global warming, and other physical and social constraints. There is too much at stake, too much competition, for reconciliation. Sad, that.

Researcher Jonathan Haidt delves into the psychology of red state/blue state, and offers hope for reconciliation

 Cook: Do you think there are lessons in this book that could help the two political parties, or politicians, be more effective? Read more »

You know the one, down from the bus station, in the building that used to be the post house tavern for so many years - pho moved in after the viet-thai place left.

So far we've enjoyed pretty much everything we have gotten there. Lots of vegetables in the dishes, a really nice subtle flavor in their supposedly special fish sauce, great fried ice cream.

Typically places like these go downhill after a while, if they lose their chefs, but so far so good.

Worth a read... The electoral math looks grim for romney - but - he does have the money, and the billionaires who bought him have tons more, more then ever spent before, and since the supreme court legalized the buying of elections, who knows what can happen now. We are in new territory sans maps and clues.

1.  Between now and Election Day come two jobs reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics – October 5 and November 2. If they’re as bad as the last report, showing only 96,000 jobs added in August (125,000 are needed just to keep up with population growth) and the lowest percentage of employed adults since 1981, Romney’s claim the economy is off track becomes more credible, and Obama’s that it’s on the mend harder to defend.

With gas prices rising, corporate profits shrinking, most of Europe in recession, Japan still a basket case, and the Chinese economy slowing, the upcoming job reports are unlikely to be stellar.

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/11706-robert-reich-four-reasons-why-romney-might-still-win

2. Also between now and Election Day are three presidential debates

3. During the next 7 final weeks of the campaign, the anti-Obama forces will be spending a gigantic amount of money. 

4. As they’ve displayed before, the Republican Party will do whatever it can to win — even if it means disenfranchising certain voters.