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| The White House has a compost bin.
Bees too! Way cool! Lloyd |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Interesting. I highly doubt Obama has anything to do with it. |
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| That was really cool... I would have like know more about the garden... like whats grown and how much each season. |
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| Michelle Obama created, on White House grounds, an organic garden the first spring they were there. |
Here is a link that might be useful: White House Organic Garden
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| That's the best thing I've ever heard that's even remotely connected to the administration. Karen |
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| Sorry, I thought it was interesting, I didn't consider that some might think that this article was political. Lloyd |
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| It is interesting Lloyd, and very appropriate to a compost forum. Americans in general are pretty political. At any given time we love or hate the current person occupying the White House. That might be due to party affiliation or personality, doesn't matter. I imagine it's the same in most of the world, but because ours in a free country we can make our feelings known. That's not always true around the world. Karen |
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- Posted by belgianpup Wa/Zone 7b (My Page) on Mon, Oct 3, 11 at 1:49
| The funny thing is, they put a composter and an organic garden on the White House grounds, while Obama took Tom Vilsack as his Sec. of Agriculture. That's REALLY talking out of both sides of his mouth, isn't it? Sue |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Mon, Oct 3, 11 at 10:45
| Do we HAVE to make this into a political discussion? What does the Sec. of Ag have to do with a compost bin? BTW I am not agreeing or disagreeing with you, I just don't want to get into this stuff here in the garden. :-] |
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- Posted by jonhughes So.Oregon (jonehughes@hotmail.com) on Mon, Oct 3, 11 at 11:43
| Hi toxcrusadr, I'm not saying that I disagree with you or vice versa, but we ARE a family here, and if we were sitting around a kitchen table, would you really try to stifle the conversation,there is room for everyone at this table. |
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| Sorry Tox, my fault, didn't think it through all the way. If I could delete it I would. Lloyd |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Mon, Oct 3, 11 at 13:47
| OK then, I'm not going to make a big deal of it. One of my favorite forums on the web (not gardening at all) has strict rules against ANY political content, so it was kind of a knee-jerk on my part. As long as it's friendly it's fine with me, and if it gets otherwise I can stop reading! Carry on. |
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| No worries Lloyd. You didn't do a thing wrong. Conversations just go where they go. I'm not saying that I disagree with you or vice versa, but we ARE a family here Oh! Oh! Can I be the drunk uncle that hogs all the buffalo wings and passes out in the tub? |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Mon, Oct 3, 11 at 16:13
| BTW Lloyd, I wasn't talking about you, I was referring to the post right before mine. |
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- Posted by earthworm73 WA z8b (My Page) on Mon, Oct 3, 11 at 17:17
| It is amazing how the most innocent of topics usually turn political in a heartbeat. For example on a palm growing forum I asked what folks did for a living. Everything was going good until someone ripped me for being a public employee and blamed me for being part of the problem with the economy. The last couple of years have seen neighbors even family members estranged over politics. I think it is just the "in" thing to heavily criticize anyone who is currently in the Whitehouse. And we are so divided now because of this. But in reference to the OP post I think it just goes to show folks that you are never to busy to start and maintain an organic garden and compost. |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Tue, Oct 4, 11 at 11:41
| Well said earthworm. And you're never too busy for it if you have a gardener! Man I need a staff. Like one of those feudal lords. A gardener ("Would you make a lasagne bed over there and plant melons in it this spring? Thanks."), a chef ("I think we'd like a marinated garden vegetable salad tonight."), a mechanical guy ("Change the oil in the Maserati please, and install an attic fan in the hallway. "), a carpenter ("Haul this tree to the sawmill, stack and dry the lumber and build a couple of 2.5 cu ft. speaker cabinets for me wouldja?"). Oh the fun I could have. |
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- Posted by Coconut_Head none (My Page) on Tue, Oct 4, 11 at 14:50
| Apparently while looking for some "browns" they discovered a stash of old dried up papers with funny handwriting on them. They decided this paper was much too old to be of any use and shredded it up to start the pile out. In other news, the Constitution of the united States and the Declaration of Independance have gone missing. (sorry couldn't resist) |
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| Hi, No matter who is in office, everything at the White house is Political. That being said, I think the First Lady believes in heathly foods. I wonder what the nixt adminstration in the White house will do with the compost( in 4 year or 6 years)& garden. I agree with you, Lloyd, Way cool. Kitchen gardener like Roger Doiron have had a impact on this White house. |
Here is a link that might be useful: www.kitchengardeners.com
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Wed, Oct 5, 11 at 10:26
| I think it is setting a good example not only for nutrition but also self-sufficiency, getting food closer to home, and all that good stuff. Ol' Thomas Jefferson had a compost pile, and if it was good enough for him... :-D |
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- Posted by belgianpup Wa/Zone 7b (My Page) on Wed, Oct 5, 11 at 20:56
| Toxcrusadr: Unfortunately, what most of the world eats is controlled by politics, whether you like it or not. Obama's choice of Sec. of Ag has turned into a potential disaster since Vilsack is Monsanto's pet boy. "Toxcrusadr"... if you're so against politics in gardening, why did you choose that particular name? Sue |
Here is a link that might be useful: Vilsack Greenlights Monsanto's Alfalfa
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| Some of the johnny-come-lately gardens in urban areas don't always know the past history of the plots of ground. Out here in rural Indiana I have an abstract back to 1853 on my land...so it isn't a toxic dump site. I would think that areas in Europe and Asia that have been cleared for centuries might make a person wonder. |
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| When I first read about the Obama's garden and compost project I was glad that they are trying to set an example for others in how to live in a more healthy and environmentally conscious way. They've probably influenced a lot of people to do this and be more aware of food production and the environment. Be nice if all political leaders would do this. Might be a different world. "Man I need a staff. Like one of those feudal lords. A gardener ("Would you make a lasagne bed over there and plant melons in it this spring? Thanks."), a chef ("I think we'd like a marinated garden vegetable salad tonight."), a mechanical guy ("Change the oil in the Maserati please, and install an attic fan in the hallway. |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Wed, Oct 12, 11 at 15:23
| Sue wrote: "Toxcrusadr: Unfortunately, what most of the world eats is controlled by politics, whether you like it or not. Obama's choice of Sec. of Ag has turned into a potential disaster since Vilsack is Monsanto's pet boy. " I'm aware of the influence of politics and corporations, you'll get no arguments from me on that! I will admit to being uninformed about Vilsack. Does not sound too good on that score. " "Toxcrusadr"... if you're so against politics in gardening, why did you choose that particular name?" I'm not against politics in gardening. Just concerned that in this era of so much polarization, that our wonderful forum not degenerate into rock-throwing. It shows no sign of doing so, and perhaps I overreacted. Chalk it up to love and protectiveness for the forum, nothing more. I picked Toxcrusadr as an online name a long time ago and it just stuck. Can't say I have a special familiarity with the cartoons or Toxic Avenger movies. I do share a certain resemblance to Toxie: as defined by Wiki, "A grotesque mutant endowed with superhuman powers, but underneath it all, he was a good-hearted, law-abiding citizen."" I do combat pollution in my role as a state env. specialist cleaning up hazardous waste sites. I try not to combat people in the process, only the contamination! Works pretty well. Back to composting. |
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| Herman Cain 2012! LOL |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Wed, Oct 12, 11 at 18:36
| "Do you want me to stop this car?" :-] |
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| What does :-] stand for? |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Thu, Oct 13, 11 at 15:55
| Uh, that would be the opposite of :-[ or in other words, a grin, which in my book is a bit more sly than :-) and less innocently joyful than :-D It suits my sense of humor well. |
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| Surprisingly, I found it interesting. Here's my take: I like vegetable gardens, I like Ryan Howard, and I like the principle of gardening with organics. Sure, as some may know, I am not, and never have been, a fan of Obama, but that doesn't stop me from appreciating their garden. I do agree though that the Obamas don't have anything to do with it; they just make someone else do it. While I am far from a believer in the green movement, I do favor gardening organically. But, none-the-less, I watched the video and the video didn't make me want to stir up the political pot. However, I got a real good laugh out of Coconut Head's comment. Good one! Joe |
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| I am with you toxcrusadr. Sound like you do more the just talk the talk, you walk the walk too. |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Mon, Oct 17, 11 at 11:26
| Thanks jolj, that's a very nice thing to say. I do my best to walk the walk, and only get into trouble now and then. [Some time I'll tell you the story of how I got in trouble for writing to the state Water Patrol suggesting that they stop making underage boaters pour their beer into the river, and instead send it to our dept. for safe disposal. :-p ] |
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| toxcrusadr, sorry just a new one on me! I'm not in to all the extra stuff, a smile, to me, would be :). LOL Back to the OP, I read an article featuring Pauly Dean, the Queen of butter. She said that Mrs. Obama ate more than anyone that she had ever had on her show. MO ate the chicken wings, ignored the veggies. Is it do as I say, not do as I do? I will probably get banned from this site...... but, I don't care, ban me! The O's are preaching to the people about saving energy, eating local, ETC. They are doing the opposite! I will shut up now. |
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| wertach, there's no need to shut up, because you aren't telling anyone lies. It is very true that the Obama's eat more deep fried food and junk than vegetables, and there is much proof of it. It is also true that they do not practice what they preach, in this case, and many others; for example, Obamacare. They try to sell it to us as being so good, yet they won't have to be a part of it. The whole dang government won't, and either will many large unions, who get exempt. Also, if I haven't been banned yet with some of my against the grain outbursts, I'm sure you'll be ok. I haven't been around all that long here, but have noticed that there is a major lean towards the left. But, hopefully people are tolerant and open, and we can all have a friendly time here, posting opinions and such. If I wasn't willing to tolerate people with opposite views of mine, I wouldn't be here. After all, I think it's safe to say that all of us in here have at least a few things in common, or else we wouldn't be having this chat. It is quite amazing though how polarized this country has become, no matter which side you're on, isn't it? Joe |
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| Thanks! I was wondering which forum this stuff goes on. I've seen a couple of thread mistakedly posted in the wrong forums, and wondered where in the world they were meant to go. Awesome! Now I can go have outbursts where they are welcome! Joe |
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| Apologies to pt03: I have definite views about politics, government, history, and function as well, which is why I don't like the garden and the composter. The whole purpose of the garden seems to be to promote more locally grown organic produce and to educate children about a healthy diet. I totally support those ideas, the problem is the method, the setting, and the design. The Method - There has to be many local organic producers that the WH could support (and visit to raise awareness) without using the landscapers and staff ( which do a great job, probably love the project for a change of pace, are there for a different purpose, and make bank $$$,$$$). I have read articles where the school children who visit already have a garden at their school!!! - go to the gardens at schools!, encourage that! The Setting - Having school children go to the White House to learn about eating healthy using locally grown produce would be like having them go to Cape Canaveral to learn about crossing the street safely. Would it not be better during their short trip to educate them about something relevant to the location? I might suggest President Washington, Adams (the first resident of the WH), Jefferson (who greatly appreciated architecture), Lincoln, etc... Or maybe they could touch on some of the conflicts with the British which brought about our nation and the razing of the WH, and if all of that doesn't catch the attention of the kids, perhaps they could explain the role that the building and the people within it play in government today! The Design - In addition to all of that - their composter could benefit from a lot more air flow! I am not a ball player (which obviously makes you very prestigious and important), but I suppose that we all can go there, take a look around... ,make suggestions, and remove half of the boards on their bin. Best wishes for the future! |
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| "Apologies to pt03: " No apologies required. It is I who should apologize to the forum at large. Most of what I know about the American political system I learned by watching The West Wing. I didn't stop to consider the chord that could be struck by posting Lloyd P.S. Thank you annpat. |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Tue, Oct 18, 11 at 16:11
| Cheapheap, you make a reasoned argument. I am not a blind supporter, but consider: 1) Perhaps the WH *does* support local growers. Do we know they don't? Does having a garden and a compost bin show that they don't? 2) Do we know that Mrs. Obama does not go to schools with gardens and praise them? I confess I don't follow her every move. 3) Doing something - *anything* - like this at the WH is meant to be an EXAMPLE and does not have to be all that practical. It's the bully pulpit, the captive audience, the fishbowl. Carter put a solar panel on the WH (which Reagan removed). Did it significantly change the energy consumption of the building? Probably not. That's not really what it was for. Just playing devil's advocate. I for one would rather have a garden and a compost bin there than a lot of other things I can think of. |
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- Posted by tishtoshnm (My Page) on Tue, Oct 18, 11 at 16:26
| Could you just imaginge all the browns (definite double meaning here) we could add to our compost piles if we were to compost the majority of both political parties platforms? I love that there is a compost bin and garden at the white house! The more air time for such things, the better. |
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| And bees! |
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| annpat, I don't know if Patrick ever comes around here so could you let him know when he gets into his new digs I'll send him some preemo prairie compost for his new garden (once he gets it set up). Thx Lloyd |
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| Send it to me, and I'll send it to him. Honest. |
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| ---wipes spewed coffee off of keyboard... |
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- Posted by jonhughes So.Oregon (jonehughes@hotmail.com) on Tue, Oct 18, 11 at 17:50
| Hey Lloyd, Patrick moved in with me, send the compost ASAP ;-) |
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| Oh, that jonhughes! What a fibber! |
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| So? Do you need my address, Lloyd? Patrick says 'Thanks'. |
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- Posted by jonhughes So.Oregon (jonehughes@hotmail.com) on Tue, Oct 18, 11 at 22:57
| Hey Lloyd, Don't be persuaded by Annpat's feminine wiles, Patrick moved out of her cottage last week and showed up at my door, after listening to his "tales of woe", I invited him in,...soooo, about that aforementioned compost ;-) |
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| I got no wiles. I'm just a girl trying to help out two friends. Paddy would never move out of my cottage! Patrick's got no tales of woe! Patrick adores me (and vice versa). That's why he has me pick up his mail sometime. |
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| Toxcrusadr, To #1 - I imagine that the WH supports local growers. The non-political staff at the WH is presumed to be permanent (even though there have been political problems in the past) and I would suspect that their suppliers are fairly consistent. To #2 - The First Lady definitely does go to schools to support their gardens and a healthy diet in school meals. To #3 - I do understand that the President and the executive branch have great authority to promote causes and to have a garden built in the back yard of the mansion is very far from being outrageous spending in U.S. terms. It is a small matter, I am sure that much more concern is being used for larger matters. About Patrick: What color is Patrick? Is he famous? What is the maximum size for a planarian? Compost on! |
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| "So? Do you need my address, Lloyd?" I thought "Compost Queen Somewhere in Maine" would work. I assumed everyone in the postal service would know you by now what with getting all those samples being sent in for testing. Although there does seem to be a dearth of certificates being sent out from said address from what I can gather. ;-) Lloyd |
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| LLoyd, I'll take 2 tonnes of compost....please. |
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| The certificates!! require a carefully controlled drying process, which depends upon certain atmospheric conditions, and is, therefore, unpredictable. Fish scales are involved, which, I think you would agree, makes the wait worthwhile. wayne, that makes you sound greedy, dear. I'm sure you didn't mean to. |
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| ann, Yes, I did sound greedy...the early bird gets the worm you know. ...........and your scheme sounds kind of. . . |
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| Lloyd, I still agree the garden & compost is way cool. Regardless how I feel about the other stuff & people at the White House. |
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| I Forgot about this thread. I have to ask one more question..... Has anyone noticed the bulge above Mrs. Obamas belt in her latest pictures? She doesn't look pregnant, but she sure looks like she has been eating a lot of BBQ ribs! |
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- Posted by toxcrusadr (My Page) on Fri, Oct 28, 11 at 12:14
| I don't tend to pay too much attention to that sort of thing, but maybe they're deep frying the garden vegetables? :-p |
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- Posted by tn_gardening (My Page) on Fri, Oct 28, 11 at 16:11
| Composting in D.C. Pretty cool. I take it from the guy at our local garden center that D.C. is becoming more and more of a "green" city. He mumbled something about D.C. leading the way in manure production for decades. |
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| If we could capture all the BS the politicians spread around we would have way more then enough manure to make more compost than anyone thopught possible. |
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| I second that kimmsr. |
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