Food To Burn

I have a question. How many of you have been eating a wonderfully prepared meal (Kristy has spoiled me on these over the years) and thought, "I have a better idea for this food. I am going to burn this food and heat the house. Or maybe I can convert it to automobile fuel and burn it in my car?" Who, in their right mind, thinks that this is a good idea? Time's up! No sane person can really think this is a good idea.

The strange bedfellows of environmentalists, congressmen, senators, the president, and large agribusiness corporations think this is a terrific idea. But then again, no one usually accuses any of these people of being sane. The "Energy Independence Act" of some year made burning our food supply (think ethanol production) our national policy.

Before you think that this is really about reducing our carbon footprint as a nation, remember that, in addition to burning up our food supply, we imposed a heavy tariff on imported ethanol. So, if a country can produce this "green" fuel more cheaply and efficiently using sugar cane or sugar beets, they are taxed to prevent them from competing with U.S. farmers. Did they really think this one through or is the farm lobby really this powerful? I think it is probably a little bit of both.

I am all for finding an economical way to produce ethanol from cellulose, but I don't think many people believe that Jack Daniel's, Jim Beam, and Maker's Mark are best utilized powering a Ford F-150. Until we find a way to produce cellulosic ethanol by the acre-foot, I think we are better off eating our food rather than burning it. If you have seen the price of food lately while grocery shopping or had Kristy's lasagna, you will likely agree.