Dont forget to tune in (today, Saturday) Soon For @democracynow's 2-Hour weekend Special on #Egypt Uprising―11am-1pm EST. Pls RT [retweet] STREAM LIVE: http://ow.ly/3QSmn #jan25 And archived immediately free on the web at Democracy Now!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Day of Departure: Massive Demonstrations Across Egypt Aim to Oust Mubarak. Sharif Abdel Kouddous Reports Live from Cairo
[Millions] of Egyptian pro-democracy protesters have returned to Cairo’s Tahrir Square in defiance of violent attacks from supporters of President Hosni Mubarak in the last two days. The New York Times reports the Obama administration has opened talks with Egyptian officials on Mubarak’s immediate resignation. The proposal under discussion would see Vice President Omar Suleiman lead a transitional government before elections later this year; however, Suleiman remains deeply unpopular in Egypt. Pro-democracy organizers have labeled today the 'Day of Departure,' a final push for Mubarak’s immediate resignation. The demonstrations immediately swelled at the end of Friday prayers. We speak to Democracy Now! senior producer Sharif Abdel Kouddous, who reports live from Tahrir Square.
How the next farm bill could plant a new crop of farmers | Grist
abstract:
...The USDA does offer operating loans, but they're geared for growers looking for bigger loans. 'Because the Farm Service Agency requires the same amount of paperwork for a $100,000 loan and a $5,000 loan,' says Santos, 'they shy away from making a small loan -- unless it's a youth loan.' Additionally, the managerial requirements for USDA operating loans overlook the entrepreneurial young person. Current rules require that operating loan applicants have a four-year degree in an agricultural field, some combination of vocational training, and on-farm experience, or farm ownership or management experience for an entire production cycle.
Frustrated at the lack of credit opportunities for small and beginning farmers, Santos is now organizing the Tip of Texas Farmers Co-op. 'Tip-o-Tex' will offer access to a multi-farm CSA and small loans to its producers like Padilla. The initiative received initial funding through the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone and will operate as a nonprofit organization and for-profit business. The co-op will operate as a typical for-profit business and the nonprofit side will offer producers loans, marketing, and start-up assistance.
Non-governmental organizations, like the one that Santos is forming, have been picking up the slack on existing federal credit programs for some time.
A USDA video tells the story of the Hungate boys of Idaho, ages 9, 11, and 12, who were given a $5,000 loan to buy four cows. Drake, the eldest Hungate, reports, "we got really good interest -- and we locked it in at 3.2 percent."
...The USDA does offer operating loans, but they're geared for growers looking for bigger loans. 'Because the Farm Service Agency requires the same amount of paperwork for a $100,000 loan and a $5,000 loan,' says Santos, 'they shy away from making a small loan -- unless it's a youth loan.' Additionally, the managerial requirements for USDA operating loans overlook the entrepreneurial young person. Current rules require that operating loan applicants have a four-year degree in an agricultural field, some combination of vocational training, and on-farm experience, or farm ownership or management experience for an entire production cycle.
Frustrated at the lack of credit opportunities for small and beginning farmers, Santos is now organizing the Tip of Texas Farmers Co-op. 'Tip-o-Tex' will offer access to a multi-farm CSA and small loans to its producers like Padilla. The initiative received initial funding through the Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone and will operate as a nonprofit organization and for-profit business. The co-op will operate as a typical for-profit business and the nonprofit side will offer producers loans, marketing, and start-up assistance.
Non-governmental organizations, like the one that Santos is forming, have been picking up the slack on existing federal credit programs for some time.
-----
A USDA video tells the story of the Hungate boys of Idaho, ages 9, 11, and 12, who were given a $5,000 loan to buy four cows. Drake, the eldest Hungate, reports, "we got really good interest -- and we locked it in at 3.2 percent."
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Sinaloa, La Familia, and other Mexican Drug Cartels - Politics - GOOD - StumbleUpon
Sinaloa, La Familia, and other Mexican Drug Cartels - Politics - GOOD - StumbleUpon: "The ongoing drug trade in Mexico has been one of the nation's chief concerns for some time now. But the level of gruesome violence has escalated to near catastrophic proportions since President Felipe Calderon took office in December, 2006, creating virtual ghost towns as people have sought refuge in safer states. This violence has primarily been perpetrated by seven drug cartels, all of which are vying for territory and power.
A collaboration between GOOD and Column Five Media.
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