On Dec 1, 12:24 pm, Werner mac.com> wrote:

There feedback systems. Diamond, in Guns, Germs, & Steel, commented
that back when they first tested wheat, in the 1950's, hard red winter
wheat was 26%% protein. Since I was born on a farm in Minnesota, I knew
about wheat, and General Mills, Pillsbury, Gold Medal, et al, but I
didnt at the time know that bakers all over the world just went nuts
because bread made with that flour was so much more elastic from the
protein. A few years ago, I checked a tag on the feed sack; that wheat
was 19%%. The bags they sell now dont even say.

There is a lotta neurological work showing the effect on mental
development, or lack thereof, from the presence or absence of trace
minerals like zinc, iron, copper, magnesium, et al. Everyone knows how
a few molecules of iodine prevents goiter. A few traces of other
minerals empowers neurotransmitters to lay down new neural pathways
during learning. And if they are not there- autism, ADD, ADHD, etc.
But agribusiness only doses the land with Nitrogen, Phosphorus, &
Potash. All the trace elements have been leached out years ago.

So the people grow up stupid enough to eat junk food and raise their
own kids on sugar cereals and vote for demagogues promising more
entitlements. Diamond's latest, "Collapse", along with a wider look at
history shows that the power elites always want to feed the lower
classes as cheaply as possible, and therefore go in for monoculture.
Maize in the New World, other grains in the Old. Maize dont have
nearly the high quaility protein, so the development of civilization
in the new world was retarded.

Gibbon noted that back when the legions were manned by yeoman farmers,
the boys had some say in the crafting of laws, some sense of ownership
when they got back from the ranks, and civil liberties were respected.
But you dont havta delve into it very far to see how Crassus became
the world's first millionaire by having his friends appointed grain
inspectors, and then coordinating their efforts to slow down, or speed
up the supply of grain to Rome. By manipulating the market, be
bankrupted farmers all over Italy. The senate was just delighted,
bought up the family farms and created what we'd now call
agribusiness. With the land worked by slaves rather than men who
expected their sons to inherit it.

The senators were only interested in quarterly profits, and over time
the fertility of the land was destroyed. The legions also lost the
supply of rational, and as you note hard working sons, and began to
take foreigners into the ranks. Whose allegiance was not to the
republic, but to whatever general they saw who paid them. So yes, you
have damn good reason to be concerned about political/economic
crisis.

I hadnt thot of Newfoundland, and if was young and fit enough for the
winters, would carefully consider moving there. With global warming,
farming there will be more profitable, and with the land still in a
natural state, organic methods would be very productive. Any area that
still has lotsa small farms is win/win. If the global economy keeps
going, more people are going to find out about the nutritional data
(lots of healthcare people already know), and the demand for organic
food will keep going up. And what with the rise in fuel prices, be
ever more competitive in local markets. But if there is economic
crisis, then those engaged in organic farming still get to eat.

I myself am actively engaged in growing herbs, some of which are for
birth control and abortions. But if the global economy keeps going,
I'll be able to export organic herbs to China and the EU. And if not,
then I'll supply the local market to replace pharmaceuticals. I have a
Cherokee witch who brings me things from time to time, who is also
instructing young women in the craft. The Cherokee always maintained
their population at a sustainable level, and dont have much patience
for those gene pools that cant manage it.