"...well, no, it is a fact..."

Ambassador Steven's choices were never discussed. Secretary Clinton would not have sought to dismiss any danger the Ambassador entered into willingly. It is obvious to see the Republicans were focused on one aspect of the deaths and it was about demonstrations. She is correct. What difference does it make what the reason was, it happened and it should not happen again.

No one will ever hear Hillary Clinton state, "Chris made a poor choice." She'll never say it. I don't think she'll ever entertain the idea of effecting his image or the dignity he was and still is held at the State Department.

She'll take it on the chin rather than state the choices Ambassador Stevens made was very risky. It will never be stated. 

The intelligence was not developed. The annex was not well equipped. Quite frankly, the attacks were never expected. It hadn't been the experience of the USA that Benghazi was increasing in danger. The knowledge of the rapidly changing dynamics in Benghazi was not known. 

Congress has to make sure it doesn't happen again in the knowledge the State Department personnel take risks when acting in the best interest of the country. Secretary Kerry was in the Maidan at the time militants were seeking to overthrow the Ukraine government in Crimea. What is anyone going to do about that? Americans take a great deal for granted in their government and it's safe operation, but, these people take a lot of risk. It is just a fact of life.

The Benghazi consulate was not a secure facility and it is easily stated it was grossly substandard to the very laws this country states is important. It didn't even come close to an Inman building. Not even close. Go ahead and deny that was a US consulate now. Go ahead, because that is the only way Congress can state it wasn't their fault this occurred. 

I've got a suggestion for the states desperate to execute death row inmates.

Versed and Dilaudid are not effective. They simply aren't. They have no legal application to be used for killing human beings. Thank god. They are widely used.


There better not be an application to killing people.


But, I have a suggest that will work just as well. Why not let the death row inmates go on an alcoholic bender and see if they do a better job than the state can do, because, that will be equally as effective of this illegal use of the medications. 

The reason femoral VEIN placement of an intravenous catheter is difficult and RARELY done is because of human anatomy.

The femoral nerve, artery and vein are in what is called 'the femoral triangle.'

In order to find the vein or artery it has to be 'palpated.' Differently said, these MAJOR vessels have to be located through feeling for them. Promise. Now, with the femoral triangle being relatively small locating and DIFFERENTIATING the two major vessels is difficult.

EXCEPT.

The femoral artery has a pulse. 

How difficult is the femoral vein to find? You've got to be joking. The vein has no pulse. With the nerve being in close proximity of the vessels would anyone choose to actually TRY to place an intravenous catheter? I sure as heck wouldn't. It's extremely difficult except for people like anesthesiologists.  

The femoral artery can be palpated fairly easily. It is large and has significant amount of blood flowing through it. So, when cardiologists want to carry out a cardiac catherization, it is no big deal. But, they don't put in an intravenous catheter, they use a sheath in order to prevent a person from 'bleeding out.'

Would an EMT be able to place an intravenous catheter into the femoral vein? Maybe. Those folks start IVs on hillsides with fire departments preventing fires. Their work is admirable. But, I'll say this much. It had to be one heck of an EMT. They usually use the antecubital fossa. It is another triangular area but at the inner aspect of the arm.

By David Sirota
On May 8, 2014

As Pando (click here) has previously reported, New Jersey has some of the nation’s strongest anti pay-to-play and anti-corruption laws and rules. These aim to prohibit public pension contracts from being awarded to investment firms whose executives make financial contributions to politicians, election funds and political party organizations operating in the state. They are buttressed by SEC rules engineered to do the same thing.

I have been following this and there are so many thoughts about this I don't where to start. I was also astounded to realize Pando shut down in August 2013. 

But, my initial reaction to this was that of the role of Governor Christi within his own administration. If he continues to state and it might be true he had no knowledge of these problems, then what was going on? These topics keep coming up over and over. He might not have been aware of these issues and if not I could understand why, but, gosh where was he and why was he so limited in his knowledge of these activities?

Everyone knows he was a US Attorney. He was notorious for his actions within that capacity. I would expect him to carry that awareness forward. I would think he would have feelers out there to realize these problems were going to occur. I can't help believe he was so absent to so much occurring within the state of New Jersey. And the campaign. He didn't know this was occurring? 

It's getting difficult to believe he was unaware of these issues. Whether or not he was instrumental is another story. But, the interesting aspect of corruption is that it grows, especially, when a government official would have adverse impacts to his political ambitions. He needs to address this. He can't simply deny there weren't problems.

There are real success stories about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. It is saving lives. I'd like to take this one step further.

The frequent complaint by Republican Governors is the cost to the state after the first two years. That is not accurate.

The federal government when they passed the law realized there would be larger initial costs than long term costs. Americans were not receiving health care in many instances and the Medicaid costs would be increased especially in the first two years.

There were far more eligible for Medicaid so the start costs outside the administrative costs would be significant. As Americans receive medical care during these first two years, the they are going to incur far higher costs than a person who has received medical care for all their life. 

The federal government by covering 100% of the Medicaid costs absorbed the initial 'shock to the system.' People are going to be diagnosed and receive treatment. There are going to be surgeries, medications, regular physician visits, specialists, chemotherapy, radiation and other services required to RESTORE health that has been neglected for so long. 

Lives will be saved and for serious health problems their quality of life will be better. But, the initial two years will be expensive. What will occur after the initial two years will be knowledge of our citizens and they will be entering preventive care from then on. 

There will be medications known in the demand from these new health care recipients and that is probably the only aspect of the costs that will remain, however, the people receiving those medications will be healthier and receiving regular care.

In actuality, the cost of the Medicaid to the states will be less than any costs during the first two years and there is every indication once people understand how best to obtain a primary care physician and what real health care provides they will attend to their best outcomes. 

The language barrier and education of our citizens is important during these first two years. I think people will be very surprised at the cost to the states after the first two years. If it is done well, the states should be fine.

I am sure the Former First Lady is just as distressed as First Lady Michelle Obama regarding the girls in Nigeria.

The Former First Lady has been known to be a strong advocate for women in other nations. I am sure she would demand "Bring back our girls," as well.

I don't know if the Former First Lady has a twitter account. 

Laura Bush and daughter Barbara address the crowd at yesterday’s AARP event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

May 10, 2014

By:Jessica Heslam

She’s always been more behind-the-scenes, (click here) not nearly as high-profile as Hillary Clinton or Michelle Obama, but former first lady Laura Bush was in the spotlight yesterday in Boston — where she opined on the “cheapening” of today’s culture, dished about the media and delivered some funny one-liners.

The demure Laura Bush sat with one of her twin daughters, Barbara, and chatted with Soledad O’Brien — who left her CNN job to launch a production company — before a crowd at an AARP event at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.

The former first lady, who became a grandmother last year, said lack of civility is a problem today.

“It’s very obvious in political life — and I think that’s a problem. There’s sort of a cheapening, maybe I should say, of our culture. When you watch television, and when you read the Internet, you see it. And I don’t really know what to do about that. I don’t want to sound like a moralist.”...

Sympathies to the Crisco family and their friends.

Published: Monday, May 12, 2014,
BY Adam Edelman 

...Crisco, (click here) a textile entrepreneur from Asheboro in central North Carolina, died after suffering serious injuries in a fall inside his home Monday afternoon, the Asheboro Courier-Tribune reported....

This is tragic. A fall at his home. He was only 71 years old. He was NC Secretary of Commerce from 2009-2013. I am sure he was a very nice man and will be missed by his family and community.

Ocean acidification apparent in shellfish industry of northwest USA.

By Katie Valentine

May 9, 2014 at 1:59 pm

...Kathleen Nisbet-Moncy, (click here) plant manager for Goose Point Oyster Co. in Willapa Bay, Washington, told ThinkProgress that ocean waters in the bay have become so acidic that the company can’t grow oyster larvae off the coast of Washington anymore. The problems started happening in 2006, she said, when winds that cause upwelling off the West Coast didn’t subside as much as they usually do. Upwelling brings up water that was at the surface of the ocean 50 years ago, water that had spent the last five decades years deep in the ocean, accumulating carbon dioxide from the organic matter that sinks to the seafloor. According to Oregon State University, the water that rose to the surface off the coast of Washington in 2006 contained CO2 levels of 900 to 1,000 parts per million....

The citizens in the northwest USA aren't important? The nation is not to understand the problems they face? But, we can rescue tornado victims and their land, right? 

There is no mitigation for these people. What would happen and how much would one need to buffer the Pacific Ocean? It is impossible. There isn't that much buffer on Earth.

May 7, 2014
Sandy Doughton 
...A March Gallup Poll (click here) found most Americans are convinced the climate is changing, but only about one in three considers those changes a serious threat to their way of life.

Unlike many parts of the country, the effects of climate change in the Pacific Northwest have been well studied for nearly two decades....

Ocean acidification is really boring stuff compared to the sensationalism of hurricanes and tornadoes. Doesn't make good television.

The "Bundy Experience" is truly Nevada.

The land in Nevada is federal land and that is why the FBI is involved, but, there should be an interest in upholding the law by the State Bureau of Investigation as well. The 5000 armed separatists in Nevada came from all over the country. There should be State Bureaus of Investigation in those citizens participating in breaking the law. They are implicated in the crime.

More than 1,500 ranchers graze cattle on federal land in Oregon. Federal agencies report that only 45 are delinquent in paying their grazing fees. (Les Zaitz/The Oregonian)

By Les Zaitz 
May 12, 2014 at 6:01 AM
updated May 12, 2014 at 6:03 AM

Past-duebills (click here) owed by cattlemen for grazing on Oregon's federal lands aren't enough to cover the price of a new pick-up truck.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management said that as of late April, 45 cattlemen owed a collective $18,759. And most of that is barely past due, with just two ranchers leaving their bills unpaid 60 days or more, considered a truly delinquent account in private business.
The U. S. Forest Service reported an even better record from the 400 permit holders using national forests to feed their cattle. No one is past due with their fees, the agency reported.
The Oregon experience stands in stark contrast to the Nevada rancher who surely is the nation's most infamous deadbeat rancher. Cliven Bundy, whose white hot clash with the BLM recently made national headlines, owes the federal government more than a $1 million for grazing....

Secretary Clinton was in office from 2009 through 2013. There is something about her initiatives that failed? Read the job description. She is not the defense department and her budgets were cut to insure the State Department was impacted. When Congress makes cuts to the country's budget it should never impact the safety of our diplomats abroad. That is the last place where budget cuts should occur. 

This is the Benghazi Consulate before the fires. It doesn't even come close to being secure according to demands of USA standards. Congress can blame themselves.

The Inman Report, formally known as the Report of the Secretary of State's Advisory Panel on Overseas Security, was a report released in 1985 in response to the Marine barracks bombing and the April 1983 US Embassy bombing in Beirut, Lebanon. The report is usually known by the name of its chairman, Admiral Bobby Ray Inman, USN (Ret.)

The report recommended a range of security improvements, including increased distance between embassies and public streets (known as "setback.") It also recommended a major building program to improve security in existing embassies, and build new embassies to replace those that could not meet security standards. A direct result from the Report was the creation of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Diplomatic Security Service within the U.S. State Department.

The US embassies around the world are substandard even by our own laws. In order to defend an embassy it starts with secure facilities. I don't care how many soldiers were going to be in Benghazi, there would never have been enough. It is East Libya. It threatened Gaddfi enough to cause him to seek genocide of the people there. 

Rubio may not have enough experience for President, but, there is always Dan Quayle.

This is the same old world dolt rhetoric we have heard from Republicans for decades. It is exactly that type of disregard of scientists both inside and outside the USA government that has landed us where we are today. 

Energy independence used to mean minimizing the dependency on carbon fuels, now it is about fracking and drilling the USA lands into disasterous condition. Rubio obviously doesn't have the experience to be President. He can't come close to the leadership of President Obama. 

May 11, 2014
By Brian Bennett

“I do not believe (click here) that human activity is causing these dramatic changes to our climate the way these scientists are portraying it,” Rubio said on ABC's "This Week." 
"I do not believe that the laws that they propose we pass will do anything about it, except it will destroy our economy,” he added....

Exactly. 

He doesn't believe because his comprehension of print material is minimal. And the 'answer' should be an embarrassment. It isn't a matter of BELIEF. It is a matter of scientific finding. Belief has nothing to do with this.

What happened to freedom in Myanmar?

May 11, 2014

Paul Mooney 

Reuters

YANGON (Reuters) - Two years (click here) after Myanmar scrapped censorship in one of its boldest reforms, its journalists are again living in fear of jail and are convinced a state-sponsored crackdown is under way to limit press freedom.

Eight members of the media have been arrested since December and two jailed in what critics say is government backsliding on some of the wide-ranging reforms that led the West to lift sanctions after decades of military rule....

Human Rights abuses in Egypt. 'Near Death' and organ damage is a human rights abuse. The Egyptian officials need to be held accountable.

Al Jazeera Arabic reporter Abdullah Elshamy has been held in Egypt for 270 days without trial [Al Jazeera]

Last updated: 12 May 2014 02:02

The lawyer (click here) representing jailed Al Jazeera Arabic reporter Abdullah Elshamy has asked Egyptian authorities to transfer the journalist to hospital after medical tests showed his health was failing.

Shaaban Saeed said he submitted a request to Egypt’s public prosecutor on Monday, asking for the release of Elshamy and his transfer to a hospital outside prison within 48 hours.
Blood and urine tests conducted at a private laboratory on May 8 showed the 26-year-old was dangerously close to death..

The test results said Elshamy showed signs of microcytic anemia, which was preventing proper levels of oxygen from reaching his vital organs....

Snyder's favorite gift.

May 11, 2014 6:55 PM

...But Snyder (click here) may keep a welded sculpture of a brown trout that was made by high school students in the Traverse City area because it represents job training, one of his priorities, Wurfel said.

“He is taking pride in that fish, showing to people the talented students that we have,” said Michael Hill, superintendent of the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District....

This is amazing. I am more than thrilled Michigan has incredible artists. But, the treasured gift is uniquely interesting. See, in October of 2012 Snyder's Michigan Department of Natural Resources looked the other way while the drunk Traverse City mayor pushed through a deconstruction of "Brown Bridge Dam" destroying the pond at this natural park.

It not only destroyed the pond, but, the incompetence of the engineering firm, AMEC (a global company) caused a complete collapse of the temporary coffer dam. The incident was predicted by local conservationists, but, that never mattered. The corruption is incredible. 

Recently, there was flooding in the same exact place as in October of 2012 which has now resulted in a $8.5 million lawsuit. The residents that experienced the first assault by an incompetent mayor and administration had began to rebuild and recover their property only to have it happen all over again. And yes, the mayor and his administration were warned about the continued flooding once the dam was removed.

Today, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources states it will take at least two generations for people to even see a consistent population of flies. Why flies? Because that is the food source of fish. What fish? The fish that used to be abundant at Brown Bridge Pond. Trout, walleye and other game fish. Boardman River was once considered a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream and it is that which the young artist was relating to. The people along the Boardman River have been there for generations. One generation after another treasure their river property.

Today, there is no pond and there are no fish and the toxic sludge behind the deconstructed dam is washed down stream to the next dam and quite possibly into Lake Michigan with each rainfall.

All the people along the Boardman River both upstream and downstream of the deconstructed dam are effected by the wayward project. The upstream folks have lost the 'back water' from the former pond and the people down stream have lost water levels due to water draw downs at the two remaining dams.  These folks have lost their riparian rights. They have been told they no longer own the land to the center of the river.

The corruption Synder is overseeing is incredible. All this occurred because the Grand Traverse County wanted a new bridge at Cass Road. Amazing. Both the city and county are lucky no one has died to date.

It might be Snyder's sculpture will be the only trout the people of Traverse City will see for generations. 

Snyder's bold economy? Oh, it was bold alright.

There is a unique question to ask of candidates in 2014.

By KENNETH P. VOGEL
5/9/14 5:01 AM EDT  
Updated: 5/11/14 12:29 PM EDT

The Koch brothers’ (click here) main political arm intends to spend more than $125 million this year on an aggressive ground, air and data operation benefiting conservatives, according to a memo distributed to major donors and sources familiar with the group.

The projected budget for Americans for Prosperity would be unprecedented for a private political group in a midterm, and would likely rival even the spending of the Republican and Democratic parties’ congressional campaign arms....

"How much of the $125 million did you get from the Koch Brothers?"

The Koch brothers (click here) are the second wealthiest family in America, making most of their money in the fossil fuel industry.  According to Forbes Magazine, they saw their wealth increase last year from $68 billion to $80 billion.  In other words, under the “anti-business”, “socialist” and “oppressive” Obama administration, their wealth went up by $12 billion in one year.  

The Democrats simply don't get that money and it is completely obvious this family wants to own the USA and all it's representation in Washington, DC. They want to monopolize a democratic government.

I don't think so.

These passports are invalid and should not be recognized by the international community.

By PETER LEONARD, Associated Press 

Updated 10:04 pm, Sunday, May 11, 2014

 

An elderly man (click here) brandishes his passport at the camera, with it's cover bearing a former Soviet Union sign, near to barricades at the Ukrainian regional office of the Security Service ahead of the regional referendum in the eastern Ukraine city of Luhansk on Saturday May 10, 2014. The Sunday ballots seek approval for declaring so-called sovereign people’s republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where pro-Russia insurgents have seized government buildings and clashed with police and Ukrainian troops. Photo: Igor Golovniov, AP 

These passports were issued after deaths in Ukraine, including Crimea. They are illegitimate. The only passports from the Ukraine has to be issued by that government.

Donald Sterling needs to get out of the way, NOW!

It doesn't matter why he said what he said; he said it. He is racist. His marketing strategy alone dictates a racist tone. He needs to give it up and sell the team.

His net worth is $1.9 billion according to Forbes. (click here)

If he was at all interested in expanding his outreach to bring in attendance he could well afford it. He did not have to racialize his marketing strategy. 

May 12, 2014
By Eric Pincus

The Clippers (click here) survived a challenging week, overcoming a huge deficit in Game 4 on Sunday to tie their second-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-2.

Led by Chris Paul with 32 points and 10 assists, the team opened the week with an impressive 122-105 win on the road over the Thunder in Game 1.
Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook were tremendous in Wednesday's Game 2, a lopsided 112-101 win in favor of Oklahoma City -- that wasn't as close as the final score.

The Clippers needed more out of Blake Griffin, and a better effort on the boards to challenge the Thunder. The franchise also needed additional bench support and depth, with players such as Danny Granger struggling to hit shots....

There is no climate crisis? Really?

The kidnappers need to put something current into any video.

The girl in the video needs to hold a newspaper with today's date. It is greater reassurance of their well being.

In the USA, today is "Mother's Day." 

Be happy.

I am not a big fan of Pew Polls, but, the focus is interesing in this instance.

I found this poll about Russia interesting. 55% of Russians believe it is a great misfortune the Soviet Union does not exist. However, 37% believe it was not a misfortune the Soviet Union dissolved.

I think with 8% undecided, the potential for political parties within to emphasis Russian autonomy is important. The Russian people are regressing. They don't believe they are a great country as they are today. That's the communists talking. The communists are pushing a regressive agenda.

That is an opportunity for a different political party to lead the people into a new day in Russia. Is there a reason why they should be ashamed of their country without all the trappings of a huge landmass? The tasks of protecting the Russia people have not been accomplished by the current government majority. 50,000 people died in fires not long ago. There are many issues facing the Russia people and they aren't engaging them.

May 8, 2014

...In the past, (click here) Vladimir Putin has described the collapse of the Soviet Union as a “catastrophe,” and many Russians seem to concur. A 55%-majority agree with the statement: “It is a great misfortune that the Soviet Union no longer exists.” Views on this question have been relatively steady since Pew Research first asked it five years ago. In 2009, 58% described the collapse of the USSR as a great misfortune, and 50% expressed this opinion in 2011.
Nostalgia for the Soviet era is particularly common among older Russians. About seven-in-ten Russians age 50 and older (71%) characterize the end of the Soviet Union as a great misfortune, compared with 46% of people ages 30 to 49 and 40% of those under 30....

Russia needs a different political dialogue. How can other parties begin to map out a better path for Russia if all there is is a singular dialogue regretting the fall of the Soviet Union? 

May 6, 2014
By Agnes Lovasz and Anna Andrianova

As Russia’s central bank (click here) struggles to shield the ruble from the standoff over Ukraine, Vasily Isaev says it may already be too little, too late to save his Italian vacation plans. 

“If you get your salary in rubles, a trip to the beach in Europe is going to be difficult this year,” said the 37-year-old sales manager, looking up from his English homework in the park near Tverskoy Boulevard in central Moscow. “We’re going to Bulgaria instead of Italy this year and we’re renting an apartment a little further away from the sea.” 

Consumers like Isaev, spending more than a few months ago to fill a shopping cart with everyday items, may be squeezed most by the currency’s decline as inflation quickens. Wobbling consumption threatens to knock out another pillar of the economy reeling from sanctions that stoked capital flight....

The current path Russia is on isn't in the best interest of the country. President Putin is finally 'getting it.' He realizes the economic community is not interested in instability and uncertainty. He did make this statement about the Ukraine rebels and their elections. He states he has pulled back the Russian troops from the Ukraine border. That is 40 thousand troops. The West hasn't verified it yet, but, the financial community is giving Russia a new look.

May 7, 2014
Oren Dorell 

Russian President Vladimir Putin (click here) on Wednesday called on militant Ukrainians to cancel a referendum to join Russia that many feared would ignite further killings in volatile east Ukraine.

The planned referendum appeared similar to one held in Crimea that Putin used as a pretext to invade and make part of Russia - creating what Europe said was its greatest crisis in decades.

"We believe that the most important thing is to create direct, full-fledged dialogue between the Kiev authorities and representatives of southeast Ukraine," Putin said....

That is the new path for Russia. It is one of the BRIC countries. The communists are not a good influence within Russia if the country is to move forward with all the other emerging economies. That is the new dialogue. The new image of Russia is to be a partner in global relationships without playing brinkmanship with nukes. Nukes are old world. The financial turbulence of the global markets with the Russian annexation of Crimea is proof of that. No investor wants to wake up and find out his money doesn't belong to him anymore because there was an overthrow of government.

Infrastructure of any kind is extremely expensive. War? You've got to be joking. 

The West is moving forward with a better quality of life for it's citizens since the 2008 global economic collapse. War? That isn't the path for Russia and it will be left hopelessly behind if that type of image of Russia continues and is enforced with similar events as occurred in Ukraine. The future isn't about destruction, it is about healing and healthy economies. China doesn't want war either. It is busy establishing it's Middle Class. War is not on the agenda, that is why all this 'island' stuff is so silly. All those old issues need to be resolved without military conflict. 

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, left, and President François Hollande of France, center, in Stralsund, Germany. Credit Alain Jocard/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
 
By ALISON SMALE
MAY 10, 2014

...In a joint statement, (click here) Ms. Merkel and Mr. Hollande, both 59-year-olds but of quite different backgrounds and political beliefs, warned Russia that it would face tough sanctions if it did not help defuse the crisis in Ukraine, including taking “visible steps” to pull back its troops from Ukraine’s border. Last week, President Vladimir V. Putin said he had already done so, but NATO and Western leaders said they had seen no evidence of a withdrawal....

I think President Obama and members of the EU are going to join President Putin on D-Day. We were allies then. 

Do human beings know how much they don't know about the final outcomes of the unleashed monster CO2?

This is the kind of nonsense that goes on with this mess. HAARP (click here)

These jerks actually believe the USA government has control over the climate. If only the government would "get it right" this would all be okay and we could still keep burning carbon. Gee whiz, what is it with Obama already.

That 'idea' that the USA government has control over the future of the planet provides the platform 'this is all political.' If it is all political than Obama is feeding his cronies. These jerks are the worst predatory political nut cases I have yet to witness. 

The overwhelming evidence regarding a very dangerous troposphere cannot be disputed. Yet, these political weirdos don't care if the USA stops polluting the troposphere with carbon. They don't care about the very lives in Kansas they purport to control. They are god. They control everything. 

The dialogue is over! 

July delivery of wheat $14.8700 per bushel.

By Nancy Gaarder / World-Herald staff writer
Published Saturday, May 10, 2014 at 1:00 am / Updated at 7:18 am

Drought and poor winters (click here) continue to take a toll on Nebraska's winter wheat.

Yields on winter wheat this year are expected to be below average but significantly above last year's even poorer returns.

Winter wheat, which isn't irrigated, is a hardy crop but vulnerable to the vagaries of weather.

It needs moisture to germinate in the fall, a blanket of snow to insulate it while it goes dormant, and then more moisture to nourish it to maturity after it breaks dormancy.

Nebraska's wheat growing region has been in drought, and the past two winters have been lacking in insulating layers of snow.

According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln CropWatch, average yield is likely to be 40 bushels per acre this year, down 5 bushels from the longterm average. That's based on the analysis of Royce Schaneman, executive director of the Nebraska Wheat Board.

A loss of 5 bushels per acre means a loss of $74.35. The average family farm is 400 acres. That is a total loss to the farm of $29,740 for one wheat season.

The USDA is forecasting similar yields, about 39 bushels per acre in Nebraska. The USDA notes that yields like that are slightly higher than a 10 percent improvement over 2013 yields.

If the USDA is correct that means there will a loss of one additional bushel per acre or $5,948.00 per wheat season in addition to estimate of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln Crop Watch. A total of $35,688.00.

Another factor in improved harvest this year is that more acres of wheat are expected to survive. This year, 95 percent of the acres that were planted are expected to yield a harvest, compared with 77 percent a year ago.

Overall, the USDA is forecasting a 40 percent increase in Nebraska's winter wheat harvest.

What does that level of loss mean? Irrigation is an investment. Besides the hardware needed for irrigation and taping into an aquifer, the actual pumping of the irrigated water is a direct investment to the income from the crop. It is a cost to the final income from the crop.

...The performance (click here) of the pumping plant (Pp) in terms of energy use per acre-inch of water is then the ratio of the amount of energy used per hour divided by the volume of water pumped per hour: 

Pp = hourly fuel use rate (gallons of fuel/hour) / Vw (in acres inches/hour)

If tens of thousands of dollars is lost to the farm operation of 400 acres that translates into rebalancing the farm budget for production. It could mean the farmer will hope for good weather if the budget doesn't allow for the purchase of diesel fuel or gasoline.

The cost of diesel fuel today is $3.946 in the Midwest and gasoline is $3.640. Farmers don't have to pay the tax. If production falls the farm enters into a failure curve that is exponential. We know for a fact family farms do a better job of protecting the land and preventing erosion. They are vital to the food supply in and out of the USA. This entire trend is disastrous. People can't eat emergency funds to farmers to help them pay their bills.
 

In general, about half the state's winter wheat crop is in good to excellent shape.

Here's the breakdown:
Very poor: 3 percent
Poor: 16 percent
Fair: 35 percent
Good: 42 percent
Excellent: 4 percent
Source: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Nebraska Wheat Board, USDA

There are real people worried about their livlihoods and how the nation is going to feed itself and the right wing pulls these stunts to confuse the public and illegitimately effect elections.