Run On Rice in Los Angeles

[tbrown 26]

Saw on the front page of the L.A. Times this afternoon that Walmart, Target, and Costco stores in the greater L.A. area have imposed a 4 bag limit on rice sales, after apparent panic buying has nearly cleared the shelves.

This is highly unusual for the U.S., to see a basic foodstock run like this. Of course there are rice shortages in Asia these days, and a large Asian population in So Cal. But this is getting spooky.

The price of oil is about more than $4 or even $5 gas, and it's about more than $25 jump tickets. It's about the cost of keeping the basic economy going and that includes getting food to grow out of the ground and shipping it to the store, where you can buy it and take it home with you.

This election is shaping up into a really serious one people. I can't remember an election where the world's been on the edge of such deep shit, and there's no deeper shit than hunger or food riots, which are already happening in some places.

I have my own opinions about this election and who I will vote for, but all I'm saying here is to do more than think. SEARCH YOUR SOUL about who you vote for, because this one's going to stick with you all of your days, and your kids' days too.

Your humble servant.....Professor Gravity !

[kelpdiver 2]

***By comparison, there is an abundance of medium- and short-grain rice planted in California, the nation's second-largest rice-producing state after Arkansas. California growers will harvest approximately 4 billion pounds this year, with 40 percent of the crop to be exported, the majority to Japan. California's product, consistently among the state's top 20 crops, is known as sticky rice and is used in sushi, paella, risotto, sake, beer, baby food, rice milk and pet food.***

Though the issues of corn used for ethanol has a minor role, this rice run is just a typical event after temporary conditions (drought reducing production). There's plenty of rice in CA, just not of certain types and many restaurants are hoarding to protect themselves from further price increases.

Food bubbles rarely last long, as farmers switch production to the high valued crops. And then typically crush the value of the crop. (Just look at what happened with wine grapes in the central valley - dropped under $200/ton while Napa fetches 3-4000. Pumpkins were worth more)

[lawrocket 3]

It has a much to do with a record cold snap that wept through Asia in Jan-Feb. 45 days long. That seriously messed up the rice crop in southern China through Thailand.

This is about more than petroleum. It's about weather, too.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[rehmwa 2]

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It's about weather, too.

and I want to know what the government's going to do about the weather too dammit

...
Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[AWL71 0]

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It's about weather, too.

and I want to know what the government's going to do about the weather too dammit

They are going to waste millions of dollars on global warming research. Thats about it.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[lawrocket 3]

Yes. So that cooler weather can prevail.

My wife is hotter than your wife.