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Growing Green!
Author: Raine    Date: 03/19/2009 12:36:40

So here is what ought to be the breaking news of the day. The White House is going to have a vegetable garden!
BC News' Brian Hartman Reports: President Obama's latest shovel-ready project is close to home -- in fact, right in his own yard. In an effort to promote healthy eating, the first family will be planting a vegetable garden right on the White House grounds.

ABC News' Ann Compton and Sunlen Miller report that the new White House vegetable garden will be dug up and planted on the South grounds of the White House -- near the fountain but out of view of the main house.

Though the 16-acre complex is maintained by the National Park Service, one worker who preferred to remain anonymous assured ABC News that National Park Service staff won't do the sowing and planting. The White House residence staff will handle that.
They are Growing Green! It's an amazing thing to know that we not only have a White House that is asking Americans to start living green, they are leading by actions instead of words only.

This announcement comes on the heals of a 60 Minutes segment where Alice Waters talked about green organic living and called for the White house to plant a garden. Yes, the Victory Garden is back! At one point During the war effort almost 40% of vegetables were culled from these victory gardens. They were on Rooftops in cities, empty lots, backyards. They were big and small, people grew food for the war effort. The White House itself has not had a vegetable garden since the Roosevelt's.

No Doubt, these days things are a little different. More and more people seem to be turning to gardening for other reasons. Fear of tainted food supply, it is cheaper, or for the most valuable reason of all: It is healthier. The First lady has talked about organic foods and its health benefits, and now we will be seeing it in action. I, for one could not be happier about this news.

I grow as many vegetables as I can in my pots out on the lawn. I love being able to share my surplus with friends or can (preserve) the rest. I also know that it is good for the environment to garden. Being less reliant on BigAg is something that makes me feel better as a human and a citizen. Hopefully, by leading through action the White House can teach more Americans to do the same, Plant a Victory Garden! And if gardening is really out of the question for you, why not try looking up your local food Co-Op? Here in Atlanta I recommend
Moore Farms and Friends. All of the food is local and organic, so that means it is seasonal.

Going green and teaching America about eating healthy -- yes this makes for a good day in America. The only thing I am wondering, will Sasha and Malia have to pick weeds?

:peace: and
Raine
 

107 comments (Latest Comment: 03/20/2009 05:47:04 by livingonli)
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Comment by clintster on 03/19/2009 12:53:15
Mornin' all! Papier mache is still going on.



Meanwhile, OMG we have a president who actually takes responsibility!



I know Washington's all in a tizzy, and everybody is pointing fingers at each other, and saying it's their fault, the Democrats' fault, and the Republicans' fault. Listen: I'll take responsibility. I'm the President.



We didn't draft these contracts. We've got a lot on our plate. But it is appropriate when you're in charge to make sure that stuff doesn't happen like this, so we're going to do everything we can to fix it.



So for everybody in Washington who's busy scrambling to try to figure out how to blame somebody else, just go ahead and talk to me, because it's my job to fix these messes even if I don't make them.



But what's just as important is that we make sure we don't find ourselves in this situation again, where taxpayers are on the hook for losses in bad times, and all the wealth that's generated in good times goes to those who are at the very top of the income ladder.




Somewhere, Harry Truman is smiling.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/19/2009 12:57:59
Morning all! Man.. Obama may not be perfect but he's still pretty damn awesome!

Comment by BobR on 03/19/2009 13:04:04
Great story about the garden. I think the past couple of decades people have gotten spoiled by the low cost of imported foods, and - with more discretionary income - have gotten away from growing their own food.



It's nice to see Obama leading by example on this. It would be even better if he (and/or Michelle) spend some time maintaining it as well (instead of just the House staff). That would make him as down to earth (literally) as the last farmer president: Carter.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 13:04:15
Morning :hug:





No room to plant a veg garden at the house, but I have been thinking of finding a place then lets you plant one for a small fee.

Comment by BobR on 03/19/2009 13:06:07
Quote by wickedpam:

Morning :hug:





No room to plant a veg garden at the house, but I have been thinking of finding a place then lets you plant one for a small fee.


If you have a place that gets sun where you can have a plant or two in a pot, you can grow tomatoes and/or have a planter with various herbs (rather than have a planter with flowers or "green" plants)

Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 13:14:05
Quote by BobR:

Quote by wickedpam:

Morning :hug:





No room to plant a veg garden at the house, but I have been thinking of finding a place then lets you plant one for a small fee.


If you have a place that gets sun where you can have a plant or two in a pot, you can grow tomatoes and/or have a planter with various herbs (rather than have a planter with flowers or "green" plants)






The herbs I can do, the tomatoes not so much since I'm not a fan of them in tomato form.



Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 13:30:36
So what do you think? Is Geithner going or not?

Comment by TriSec on 03/19/2009 13:30:59




We had a wee little TriSecian garden last year. I grew tomatoes, zucchini and sunflowers, plus some herbs. The peppers were eaten by an animal and the broccoli never went anywhere.



Lessons learned; I have plotted out better locations for certain plants, and I've already started raking up and prepping for the growing season this year!



Community Gardens are great; I know we have one here in the city of Waltham that we used to buy a plot for the cubbies to grow all summer...it's usually cheap, like $20 for the season.



Comment by Scoopster on 03/19/2009 13:31:34
In case y'all aren't on Facecrack, I made a bracket group for the tourney. There's also a $5k contest group going too.. had to change some of my optimistic picks for more reasoned ones in there :lol:

Comment by Scoopster on 03/19/2009 13:33:07
Oooh yeah a lil trick for any would-be gardeners from my uncle's garden.. Put up stakes and tie a trial size bar of Ivory soap to each. The scent drives animals away - they can't stand it!

Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 13:35:24
awww - too cute

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 13:39:30
I use Ivory Soap to keep aphids off the herbs.

Also... Human hair clipping. And dried Blood (you can get that at your local garden shop)

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 13:40:43
:rofl:







Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 13:44:41
I was going to say something about leading by example and taking responsiblilty re: the Obamas, but y'all beat me to it.



Speaking of gardens Madam President, isn't there common space behind your town houses? How about suggesting that some of that area be used for a community garden.

Comment by Scoopster on 03/19/2009 13:51:48
Yeah I'm thinking it's time for Geithner to get to the door. Personally I just think he's too overwhelmed by everything going on to handle it all and the pressure to fix this mess. And Summers too - the guy's a corrupt fucker.

Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 13:55:05
Quote by Mondobubba:

I was going to say something about leading by example and taking responsiblilty re: the Obamas, but y'all beat me to it.



Speaking of gardens Madam President, isn't there common space behind your town houses? How about suggesting that some of that area be used for a community garden.






We have one very small area but 1) we have a rat problem and 2) we have people who do not respect other peoples homes and property.



We are the smallest HoA in the area so no extra community property unfortunatly



Comment by TriSec on 03/19/2009 14:00:16
Our tenant's association approached "the management" last year to see about getting some community garden space.



The property manager nay-nayed us, but she said she had firsthand experience in another apartment complex where the garden devolved into people stealing vegetables and cutting down plants, so she didn't want that here.



People still suck.





Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 14:02:44
Quote by TriSec:

Our tenant's association approached "the management" last year to see about getting some community garden space.



The property manager nay-nayed us, but she said she had firsthand experience in another apartment complex where the garden devolved into people stealing vegetables and cutting down plants, so she didn't want that here.



People still suck.







people who don't care suck - they make it harder on everyone else, like doing community gardens.



Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 14:07:41
Faye!

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:13:43
Yes the spectre of douchebags mucking with other peoples veggies is a big issue. There is a lack of communitarianism in the good ol' US of A that makes this kinda stuff difficult.



I agree mit Her TriSec & Mdm. President, people who don't care suck.



It would be interesting to find out how Reston has managed to promote and maintain the community garden program it's had forever (well like 40 or so years). When my late uncle en famile were living there they were big in the community gardening scene.



DC also promotes community gardens in a lot of communities.

Comment by TriSec on 03/19/2009 14:16:48
Phone's not ringing; no hours this week at the store.



Maybe I'll call those grassroots folks back; it's outside work in the city talking to people...



Or I'm also looking into process serving as we speak.





Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:22:28
Coworkers.discussing.Wow. Oh the PAIN! THE PAIN! : Dr Smith:

Comment by Scoopster on 03/19/2009 14:25:05
Tell your coworkers real gamers don't play WoW, Mondo.

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 14:31:44
Mondo: Was it your intent to call me 2 times this morning? your message sounded like NPR playing in the background....

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:32:16
Quote by Scoopster:

Tell your coworkers real gamers don't play WoW, Mondo.




as far as I am concerned there is but one fantasy RPG and we players don't need no steekin' sof'ware! We just needs dice a couple of rule books and some minatures. All hail the mighty D&D! : trips over cloak, uses inhaler of ulitmate nerdines+3: Maaaaaaaaaaaaam!

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:35:01
Quote by Raine:

Mondo: Was it your intent to call me 2 times this morning? your message sounded like NPR playing in the background....




No, it was not. You were pocket dialed. My aplogies. : throws self at Raine's feet in gesture of suplication:

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 14:35:50
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Mondo: Was it your intent to call me 2 times this morning? your message sounded like NPR playing in the background....




No, it was not. You were pocket dialed. My aplogies. : throws self at Raine's feet in gesture of suplication:


That was what I thought... no harm...

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 14:39:14
FUCK JP MORGAN CHASE!!!!!



:rage:

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:41:47
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

Mondo: Was it your intent to call me 2 times this morning? your message sounded like NPR playing in the background....




No, it was not. You were pocket dialed. My aplogies. : throws self at Raine's feet in gesture of suplication:


That was what I thought... no harm...






It's so embarressing. I didn't even realize it had dialed until I check the call log



I should have a better handle on my tech.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:42:19
Quote by Raine:

FUCK JP MORGAN CHASE!!!!!



:rage:




What did they do now?

Comment by BobR on 03/19/2009 14:44:09
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Scoopster:

Tell your coworkers real gamers don't play WoW, Mondo.




as far as I am concerned there is but one fantasy RPG and we players don't need no steekin' sof'ware! We just needs dice a couple of rule books and some minatures. All hail the mighty D&D! : trips over cloak, uses inhaler of ulitmate nerdines+3: Maaaaaaaaaaaaam!


I am SO glad I never got sucked into the RPG abyss...

Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 14:45:22


Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:46:30
Quote by BobR:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Scoopster:

Tell your coworkers real gamers don't play WoW, Mondo.




as far as I am concerned there is but one fantasy RPG and we players don't need no steekin' sof'ware! We just needs dice a couple of rule books and some minatures. All hail the mighty D&D! : trips over cloak, uses inhaler of ulitmate nerdines+3: Maaaaaaaaaaaaam!


I am SO glad I never got sucked into the RPG abyss...




I have it under control. I play once a week, for about 3 hours at a stretch. We drink beer, we insult one another, we fart. You know the usual guy stuff.



Comment by Scoopster on 03/19/2009 14:46:52
I tried playing D&D a couple times. I just couldn't get into it.



Magic: The Gathering on the other hand... I was close to becoming a pro-tour player at one point.



Then like many other MTG players I quit and started playing poker. Remember David Williams, who came in second place at WSOP a few years back? He was a pro MTG player. Pretty damn good one too, I think he won a big tourney or two.

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 14:50:58
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

FUCK JP MORGAN CHASE!!!!!



:rage:




What did they do now?
After taking fed money... they are planning on outsourcing IT jobs to other countries.



Comment by wickedpam on 03/19/2009 14:51:36
Dude! Hold the phone away from your nose

Comment by TriSec on 03/19/2009 14:52:00
*snort*



My only "RPG", as it were, is sweating getting a planeload of pax on the ground in one piece in zero-zero conditions, but certain others here don't consider that gaming.

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 14:54:25
BTW... For those that listen ot Ed Shultz... the president will be on his show today.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:57:36
Quote by Scoopster:

I tried playing D&D a couple times. I just couldn't get into it.



Magic: The Gathering on the other hand... I was close to becoming a pro-tour player at one point.



Then like many other MTG players I quit and started playing poker. Remember David Williams, who came in second place at WSOP a few years back? He was a pro MTG player. Pretty damn good one too, I think he won a big tourney or two.




MTG, the product that allowed WOC to own EVERYTHING in table top gaming. They even own Avalon Hill gaming, the makers of veriable board wargames.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 14:59:35
Quote by TriSec:

*snort*



My only "RPG", as it were, is sweating getting a planeload of pax on the ground in one piece in zero-zero conditions, but certain others here don't consider that gaming.




: snorts on inhaler: That'sh not a game, that is a sim! : adjusts retainer of geekdom +2: :smut superior:



:poke:

Comment by TriSec on 03/19/2009 15:00:21
Heading out to lunch in a few. Reconnecting with an old friend that has a lead for me.



TTFN!



Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 15:02:19
Quote by Raine:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Raine:

FUCK JP MORGAN CHASE!!!!!



:rage:




What did they do now?
After taking fed money... they are planning on outsourcing IT jobs to other countries.





Meh, they probably would have done that anyway. Bastids.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 15:04:09
Scoop, you have the need for the strong visual input don't you? I think that is why most of the omline RPGs don't draw me that much. I like to create what is going on in my head.

Comment by Random on 03/19/2009 15:22:49
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by TriSec:

*snort*



My only "RPG", as it were, is sweating getting a planeload of pax on the ground in one piece in zero-zero conditions, but certain others here don't consider that gaming.




: snorts on inhaler: That'sh not a game, that is a sim! : adjusts retainer of geekdom +2: :smut superior:



:poke:


stealing my shtick now Mondo?

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 15:26:56
oo00oo...

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 15:29:04
Quote by Random:

Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by TriSec:

*snort*



My only "RPG", as it were, is sweating getting a planeload of pax on the ground in one piece in zero-zero conditions, but certain others here don't consider that gaming.




: snorts on inhaler: That'sh not a game, that is a sim! : adjusts retainer of geekdom +2: :smut superior:



:poke:


stealing my shtick now Mondo?




I wouldn't call it stealing Random. I would think of it more a pastiche technique where a previously created text is incorporated into an something else creating what is in effect a new and previously unseen text. This show the plasticity of text and it's capacity for prermutation, recontexturalizing and variability. : drops 16 tonne copy of "On Grammertolgy on self:







Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 15:29:40
: Waits for Random to press "smote" button:

Comment by Raine on 03/19/2009 15:29:45
Distasteful?



No... distastful is wearing White after labour day... this is obscene.

Comment by Random on 03/19/2009 15:32:59
Quote by Mondobubba:

Quote by Random:

stealing my shtick now Mondo?




I wouldn't call it stealing Random. I would think of it more a pastiche technique where a previously created text is incorporated into an something else creating what is in effect a new and previously unseen text. This show the plasticity of text and it's capacity for prermutation, recontexturalizing and variability. : drops 16 tonne copy of "On Grammertolgy on self:







I do understand what you just said Mondo. Still calling my Lawyer.

Comment by Mondobubba on 03/19/2009 15:33:43
Quote by Raine:

Distasteful?



No... distastful is wearing White after labour day... this is obscene.




I agree on the white after Labor Day thing. Now what is obscense? The JP Morgan stuff or something else?