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Connecticut First State to Tackle Counterfeit Olive Oil

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 03:00:47 -0800

Everyone from health experts to Rachael Ray has touted the benefits of olive oil. As demand for expensive, higher-quality olive oil has grown, however, so has the problem of fraud. Last year, Connecticut officials discovered that some of that state's olive oil was a little too slick. As a result, beginning next month, the state will be the first in the country to set quality standards for olive oil. The state's new regulations prohibit additives and define virgin olive oil as "obtained from the fruit of the olive tree solely by mechanical or other physical means . . . which have not undergone any treatment other than washing, decanting, centrifuging and filtration." California and New York have expressed interest in enacting similar standards because counterfeit olive oil poses a potential health risk to consumers. Some people experience adverse reactions from unscrupulous olive oil, possibly as a result of food allergies to soybeans, tree nuts, and peanuts.

Often, when I'm buying cooking olive oil, I look for bargain prices. Now I'll take more interest in the brands that I choose. Will you do the same? Does this type of criminal activity surprise you?

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Briefing Book! Obama Goes Back on First Campaign Promise?

LibertySugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:30:41 -0800

Obama: How does it make you feel? Obama breaks promise to tax oil company windfall profits. — 23/6
GOP: The comeback party? RNC chair discloses comeback plan that helped Chambliss win. — Politico
Spitzer: The sheriff of Wall Street is back? Fallen Governor Spitzer writes his first column in Slate all about the bailouts. — Slate
Media: Time for a print media bailout? A number of local New England newspapers may get government help, calling into question the meaning of "free press." — Good

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Cooking Oil Breakdown

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Being a curious creature, I like to compare things. Recently, I decided to focus on cooking oil. I tend to use canola and olive oil when cooking since they're healthy oils, but as I peruse the shelves of oils at the grocery store, there are so many more to choose from. For easy comparison, I created this breakdown. The oils are fairly similar calorie-wise, but take a look at the saturated fat content. This is the fat you want to limit in your diet, so that's why coconut and palm kernel oil should be used or eaten sparingly. Since some of you may prefer to cook or bake with butter or margarine, I included those at the bottom of the list, just for comparison. I also included oils that you wouldn't necessarily cook with, but that you may find in a list of ingredients on pre-packaged foods.

To see the breakdown,

US Department of the Interior: Sex, Drugs, and Oil

LibertySugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

The Interior Department, which controls oil and gas collected from US taxpayer-owned coastal waters, has been plagued with shocking ethical abuses, according to a government investigation. Violations range from giving contracts to a retired employee instead of allowing for competitive bidding to substance abuse and promiscuity.

The report states that officials “frequently consumed alcohol at (oil) industry functions, used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.” Officials also allegedly accepted gifts from energy companies that exceed ethics rules, such as golf, meals and drinks, and tickets to a Toby Keith concert. In addition, oil companies were allowed to purchase oil and gas at a lowered price, after they had won contracts.

The alleged ethics mayhem took place in the Mineral Management Service (MMS) and Royalty In Kind Programs. The MMS brings in $10 billion for the federal government each year. It's the second biggest revenue maker after taxes. To find out what the investigation recommends now,

Front Page: McCain Set to Announce Palin as VP, Iraq Signs $3 Billion Oil Deal, Mexico's Court Upholds Abortion

CitizenSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:05:56 -0700

McCain Set to Pick Palin as VP: According to sources close to the campaign, John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate. A formal announcement is expected shortly at a campaign rally in Ohio. A 44-year-old mom, Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, thought to be awaiting her formal introduction.

Mexico's Court Upholds Abortion:
Mexico's Supreme Court has voted to uphold legal abortion in Mexico City, keeping the city one of only a few places in Latin America that allow abortion without limitations in the first trimester. The Roman Catholic church blasted the 8-3 decision announcing that they will redouble their fight against it.

Iraq Signs $3 Billion Oil Deal:
Iraq has signed a $3 billion oil deal with China, its first oil deal with a foreign country since 2003. The contract is pending approval by the Iraqi cabinet, but if passed work could begin on the oil field in a few months. The 22-year contract is a new version of a 1997 contract with China began under Saddam Hussein.

Source

Energy Imperialism? Is the Georgian Conflict All About Oil?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 15:37:41 -0700

Energy Imperialism? Is the Georgian Conflict All About Oil? Could the Kremlin's latest bid for energy dominance boomerang and finally wake up the West? The prevailing wisdom says Russia's military incursion into Georgia was really all about "energy imperialism." The Kremlin doesn't like any challenges to its energy hegemony, which Georgia's part of the BTC pipeline clearly represents. And Russia's strong response, the thinking goes, basically ends any Western hopes of getting other Central Asian countries to stand up to Moscow with pipeline projects of their own.

Iraq Has $79 Billion Surplus — What's the US Deficit Again?

LibertySugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:15:00 -0700

Thanks to rising oil prices, Iraq will enjoy a $79 billion surplus by the end of the year, according to a report requested by a bipartisan group of senators. While the US has spent $48 billion in American taxpayer money on Iraq's reconstruction since 2005, Iraq has spent only a fraction of its oil revenue on reconstruction projects. And, Iraq spent only 1 percent of its 2005-2007 budget to maintain existing projects already funded by Americans or Iraqis. Thus, preinvasion promises that Iraqi oil money would finance the rebuilding of Iraq have gone unfulfilled.

The Central Bank of Iraq cites a lack of expertise in Iraqi ministries along with security problems as reasons for the lack of spending. There seems to be a vicious cycle: Iraq can't use its money to increase security because there's not enough security.

Congressional Democrats have already called for Iraq to spend its own money on reconstruction. Since the US just predicted a record $489 billion deficit for 2009, hopefully Iraq's windfall surplus will be put to use soon. Should Americans struggling with rising oil prices be frustrated that Iraq is sitting on oil profits while America pays for the reconstruction?

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Does Obama's Shift on Offshore Drilling Make You Shift Too?

LibertySugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 06:00:20 -0700

Dragging his feet this weekend, Barack Obama changed his tune on offshore drilling. Obama said he would be willing to support drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, in exchange for a comprehensive alternative energy plan which would include ending oil company tax breaks, and extending tax credits to those searching for alternative fuels. Explaining his shift, Obama said: "What I will not do, and this has always been my position, is to support a plan that suggests this drilling is the answer to our energy problems. If we've got a plan on the table that I think meets the goals that America has to set and there are some things in there that I don't like, then obviously that's something that I would consider because that's the nature of how we govern in a democracy."Since the majority of you said you opposed offshore drilling last time I asked, I'm curious if Obama's plan sounds more appealing to you. Source

Does Obama's Shift on Offshore Drilling Make You Shift Too?

No! "Compromises" only help the entrenched interests, aka the oil companies.

Yes! If we want energy independence the political parties have to work together.

Yes! Obama's plan is different because it would encourage alternative energy.

No. I've always thought America should take advantage of all its oil resources.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Front Page: Cancer Director Warns of Cell Phones, House Passes Housing Relief, Libya Cuts Off Swiss Oil

CitizenSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:59:01 -0700

Cancer Director Warns of Cell Phones:
The director of a leading US cancer research institute just sent a memo to thousands of his staff cautioning of possible higher risks from cell phone use. He said waiting for definitive studies was folly and that action should be taken now. Children should use cell phones only in emergencies, and adults need to keep the phone away from the head. The warning is based on early findings from not yet published data.

House Passes Housing Relief:
The House approved help for the US housing market, including protection for two of the largest mortgage finance companies. It includes a bold plan to help hundreds of thousands of struggling consumers avoid foreclosure by refinancing their mortgages with more affordable government-insured loans. Bush has said he will sign the bill once it passes the Senate, perhaps by Saturday.
Libya Cuts Off Swiss Oil:
Libya says it has stopped oil shipments to Switzerland to protest the brief arrest of leader Muammar Gaddafi's son. The country has threatened further punishment if the Swiss don't apologize. The Swiss police held Hannibal Gaddafi for two days after he and his pregnant wife allegedly assaulted Swiss officers. The move could prove costly for both parties as Switzerland gets half of its oil from Libya, and Libya has a huge oil refinery in Switzerland.

Source

Bush Readies the Offshore Drill, Should Congress Say Yes?

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:00:06 -0700

President Bush thinks offshore drilling might be the Nicorette gum America needs to kick its oil addiction. Yesterday Bush lifted the executive ban on offshore drilling imposed by his father, removing one hurdle for exploration. Bush explained:"This means that the only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the US Congress. Now the ball is squarely in Congress's court."Answering Bush, Speaker Nancy Pelosi said:

“Once again, the oilman in the White House is echoing the demands of Big Oil. The Bush plan is a hoax. It will neither reduce gas prices nor increase energy independence."

Considering the current oil crisis, Bush thinks America has no choice but to take advantage of its own resources. Opponents fear environmental impact, and say the plan would take a decade to produce results, while ignoring alternative energy priorities. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says oil companies should explore the 68 millions of acres already available. Should Congress follow the President's lead? Source

Bush Readies the Offshore Drill, Should Congress Say Yes?

Yay! America must take advantage of all its oil resources, while trying to kick the habit.

Nay. Long-term solutions should help us kick our oil addiction, not feed it.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.