The cold and wet spring in the mid west United States has eliminated all chances of keeping a tradition alive in Iowa:  eating locally-grown sweet corn for Independence Day.  Sure could have used some of that global warming and global warming-induced dry weather in Iowa this spring.
Source: planetgore.nationalreview.com

The Washington Post published an article on Wednesday that noted the real reason for skyrocketing food prices and soaring demand:  corn-based ethanol.  A farmer interviewed for the article claims that he’s receiving $5.50 per bushel of corn, which is about the double what he received two years ago.  He says that instead of loading up [...]

Iowans are going to have to start spring a little later this year. Thanks to cold temperatures and lots of precipitation during the winter months, gardening just isn’t possible at this time. One 71 year-old man quoted in the article said he’s never seen it this cold so late in the year. [...]

State lawmakers in Iowa are fighting proposed legislation that would curb emissions and put the state economy in turmoil.http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2008/01/23/news/politics/4cb66a24535d0015862573d9005e62fb.txt