No. 1, April 3, 2008
Intro
Welcome to Runagates, an omnium gatherum of significant or merely shiny bits of news and information that have caught my eye, perhaps with comment on the same. Food and drink, politics, international affairs, literature and culture, are some topics I'll touch on, along with curiosities of society in general, ranging in tone from the serious to the wry to the outright frivolous. I hope you find it informative and amusing.
They're the Neapolitan Amish
Amish Naturals Inc. recently announced the expansion of its presence in American Southwest with a deal with a Texas supermarket chain. This company's primary product is fettucine in a number of flavours such as basil tomato and garlic parsley, so the Amish connection seems tenuous, although the company's headquarters is located in Holmesville, Ohio, in an area where the group lives. A number of recipes are given for the pasta, all Italian, except for a Mexican salad. Nothing to do with traditional Amish fare such as rivel soup, shoo-fly pie, hasenpfeffer, red beet eggs and dandelion salad. Says the company, ". . . Amish Naturals creates food that reflects the wholesomeness and purity of the Amish people and their culinary customs . . . " The image of the Amish, known for the commitment to traditional ways, including plain dress and horse-and-buggy transport, is being used for marketing purposes -- green by association.
Staff of life
One place where many people won't be eating Amish Naturals or any other pasta is Egypt. The rising price of pasta and rice are putting them out of reach of a large sector of the Egyptian population that is increasingly dependent on government-subsidized bread. Al-Ahram Weekly reports that the the government of Hosni Mubarak is moving to deal with resulting problems including long lineups at the bakeries, but with uncertain prospects of success. It's an example of the rise in food insecurity that experts have pointed to -- a situation that the current push for bio-fuels is not going to help.
An Arab dilemma
In the same issue of Al-Ahram, Gamil Mattar, director of the Arab Centre for Development and Futuristic Research discussed the options for Arab leaders heading to the (now concluded) Arab Summit. They could be good, in U.S. eyes, if they didn't criticize Israeli actions too strongly, did denounce Iran and didn't advocate stronger relations between the Arab nations and the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China). To do the opposite, and to be concerned about the possible threat to the unity of Sudan posed by the fighting in Darfur and the Ethiopian intervention in Somalia, would be to be bad. He writes that the dangerous dilemma U.S. pressure produces for Arab leaders should not be underestimated. "But it is also wrong, and more dangerous, to pretend that political realism compels Arab countries to offer concessions in fundamental rights and principles to avoid fragmentation or disintegration."
Celebrate Earth Day in style
Just in time for Earth Day, Mattel, Inc. has come out with Barbie BCause a "limited edition collection of eco-friendly accessories for girls." The collection "reuses and repurposes excess Barbie fabrics and trimmings to create fashionable and playful handbags, pillows, diaries, totes and other accessories," according to a company release. "Barbie is always a reflection of current cultural trends and issues, and girls are increasingly aware of making a green statement," said Richard Dickson, a Mattel senior vice president. "Barbie BCause is for eco-conscious girls who believe that being environmentally friendly is the right thing to do, and we are thrilled to give extra meaning and extra style to what was once just extra Barbie doll fabric."