Out of all the information I picked up at Ottawa's 2007 Feast of Fields event, one flyer really caught my eye:

This poster, which I later learned was custom designed for this event, informed me that my local chapter of Just Food was putting on a screening of the new documentary, King Corn, on October 16th.

I think it's particularly appropriate to review King Corn in a Vegetables of Mass Destruction diary, since the current corn production system in America is truly turning corn into a vegetable of mass destruction. Follow me over the jump to find out what I thought of the film, and the far-reaching effects of one particular set of agribusiness subidy.

I was very lucky last Sunday afternoon to attend an annual event put on here in Ottawa, by the local chapter of Canadian Organic Growers, called Feast of Fields. I would've been even more lucky if before heading out, I'd learned how to read. That's right: the event wasn't from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. like I'd thought. It turns out, food was served from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m., and the whole event went from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. So of course, I showed up at 2:00 p.m., just in time to grab what I could of the food since most of the booths were clearing up! At least I managed to snag a pretty fantastic plate. Follow me over the jump to see the definitely-not-shabby leftovers I snagged, and to hear more about the afternoon.

Okay, I had a diary title all dreamed up along the lines of, "I know something you don't know!", but I thought that, while cute, it might not get the traffic this needs.

It's finally time, folks! People have already started arriving in Chicago for the real, live Yearly Kos 2007 Convention. But, not all of us have been able to make it there for a number of reasons. Don't be sad! There's still a way to get all the content and fun, without ever having to leave your home.

Follow me over the jump for the 'as of this moment' final schedule for the YKSL 2007 conference, and other valuable information about the fantastic virtual convention, Yearly Kos in Second Life!

I'll start off by giving credit where credit is due. Even though I grew up on a farm, I hadn't really given much critical thought to food chain issues until I started reading OC's Vegetables of Mass Destruction diary series. And let's face it, a couple of years ago even the most obtuse of us knew that global warming was a crisis, but I never really considered going beyond recycling until I read about Energize America and ASiegel's Energy Cool series that delves into fascinating and innovative options for bringing sustainable energy into our daily lives.

Hey all!

I just finished watching Yearly Kos: A Blogger's Woodstock, and it kinda put me over the top. I want to go to Yearly Kos!

As soon as I can talk to my boss on Monday, I'm going to ask for vacation for August 2-5, 2007  so that I can register and join you at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois.

Once I get the vacation time... I can create an account and be on my way!!!

So I've checked out some of the convention details, and after watching the google video, I can't wait to go.

Now, I know you've got to be thinking, "What do you mean? This is an American convention for Democrats?! Why on earth would a Canadian want to go?" Right? Am I right? Well, let me give you a few reasons below the fold.

Cross-posted at The Next Agenda, a DailyKos-style Canadian progressive blog. Updated below the fold. This is my first-ever diary, so please bear with me.

After reading smintheus' diary "Germans documented American torture in 2001" earlier, I came across Miss Devore's comment which referenced a different angle to this story... the New Yorker magazine has posted an article by Jane Mayer entitled OUTSOUCING THE C.I.A.'S TRAVEL AGENT. I clicked on the link, read a little, and felt my jaw slowly dropping in shock. Yup, me. The one who was so sure she couldn't be shocked anymore by the disgusting perpetrations of the Bush administration.

Mayer takes us through the looking glass, to see the callous indifference to torture exhibited by corporate executives who stand to make a great deal of money as long as the disgusting practice of extraordinary rendition is allowed to continue.