"I'll give you my hamburger when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!"

[one...two...tree 2,762]

To understand how utterly broken our society is, how hostile to sacrifice we are and how willfully ignorant we have become, you need only look at the historic drought hammering the heartland — and how our elected officials are responding to that cataclysm.

As you likely know from this arid summer, America is suffering through the worst drought since 1950. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, half of all counties in the nation are officially disaster areas — a situation that has devastated the country’s supply of agriculture commodities. Consequently, food prices are expected to skyrocket, and eventually, water-dependent power plants may be forced to shut down.

This is a full-on emergency, and USDA, a key agency involved in the national security issues surrounding our food and water supply, last week responded with a minor non-binding recommendation. In its inter-office newsletter to agency employees, it suggested that those who want to conserve water could simply refrain from eating meat on Mondays.

The idea is part of the worldwide “Meatless Monday” campaign, which The New York Times notes is backed by “thousands of corporate cafeterias, restaurants and schools.” In the face of a drought, it’s a pragmatic notion. Cornell University researchers estimate that “producing a pound of animal protein requires, on average, about 100 times more water than producing a pound of vegetable protein.” According to the U.S. Geological Survey, that means a typical hamburger requires a whopping 4,000 to 18,000 gallons of water to make.

Considering these numbers in juxtaposition to the drought, taking one day a week off from meat-eating seems like the absolute least we should be willing to do in a nation whose average citizen annually consumes an unfathomable 194 pounds of meat. And yet, in Washington, the USDA recommendation was a cause for outrage.

That’s right; upon the release of the USDA newsletter, lawmakers who have pocketed massive campaign contributions from the meat-centric agribusiness industry were out in force — as if the agency had declared war on the American Way of Life. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) called the recommendation “heresy” and pledged to “have the double rib-eye Mondays instead.” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) told his drought-stricken constituents that “I will eat more meat on Monday to compensate” for the USDA suggestion. And Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) proudly posted a photo to his Facebook page showing a Caligulian smorgasbord of animal flesh that his Senate colleagues were preparing to scarf down as a protest against USDA.

http://www.salon.com/2012/08/03/meatless_monday_wheres_the_beef/

[^_^ 5,021]

If this "drought" is so bad, why is it that two days ago on VJ is the first time I ever heard of it?

I think you libs are just makin' chit up again. Drought? Uh yeah ok.

[rocks 494]

It was the 4th wettest July on record here. West Nile is on the rise as a result.

I can't see Americans not eating meat for one day, what would they eat? Vegetables??

When there are drought conditions in the UK, there are hosepipe bans on watering your yard etc, does that exist here in USA?

[^_^ 5,021]

When there are drought conditions in the UK, there are hosepipe bans on watering your yard etc, does that exist here in USA?

Yeah, those restrictions are applied at the local level. Each town decides for itself.

In past years, we've had restrictions on washing your car and watering your lawn. This year - massive emergency drought year () - nothing...

[rocks 494]

Yeah, those restrictions are applied at the local level. Each town decides for itself.

In past years, we've had restrictions on washing your car and watering your lawn. This year - massive emergency drought year () - nothing...

Imagine that.

Last year we had a bad drought, there were no bans on filling your pool/washing your car/etc either.

Edit: but we weren't allowed to have fires.

Edited August 3, 2012 by rocks

[Teddy B 17,252]

It was the 4th wettest July on record here. West Nile is on the rise as a result.

I can't see Americans not eating meat for one day, what would they eat? Vegetables??

When there are drought conditions in the UK, there are hosepipe bans on watering your yard etc, does that exist here in USA?

You've never had a watering ban in Miss?

[^_^ 5,021]

Last year we had a bad drought, there were no bans on filling your pool/washing your car/etc either.

It must have not been that bad.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

If this "drought" is so bad, why is it that two days ago on VJ is the first time I ever heard of it?

I think you libs are just makin' chit up again. Drought? Uh yeah ok.

They even make up drought maps.

[^_^ 5,021]

They even make up drought maps.

Why do you think liberals need so many kids to go to college instead of getting a real education?

Someone has to concoct maps like that and make 'em look real!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

We're in a 'severe' region .. though we're supposed to get some rain/storms this weekend.

[^_^ 5,021]

[rocks 494]

It must have not been that bad.

It was an odd year. Counties bordering the Mississippi got flooded, some intentionally to save New Orleans. The rest of us were affected by the lack of rainfall. We had forest fires and farmers struggled, obviously it wasn't on the same scale as the Midwest.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

A wet spot.

[kytwell 179]

Normal where I am. My garden is looking good, car is cleaned up and the pool has water in it. Last drought I remember in PA was in 2001/02 people were calling the cops on neighbors who were washing cars and watering their lawns. But we never came close to having to shut down the Limerick nuclear plant

[^_^ 5,021]

So it's normal everywhere except in the cute little maps liberals like to use to fool us.