30259: Leiderman re Lyall 30285: rice-a-rama (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: leiderman@mindspring.com


30 March 2007

dear Readers:

indeed, some varieties of Haitian rice are exported.  as of now, the matters of how much and to what destination(s), who profits, what contaminants, etc. are open questions to me.  readers can help fill in the blanks; ultimately, we'll have a reliable database.

as posted before, a good, plain-English survey of the in's and out's, up's and down's of the rice trade is at www.american.edu/TED/haitirice.htm  this is a research group at American University in Washington, D.C.  I'm sure there are other reports because there seems to be a consensus that the rice trade has been a great economic loss to Haiti and, with continued disclosure of arsenic contamination in American rice, perhaps a great health loss, too.

I think the study of this situation affords Corbett readers an excellent opportunity and motive to a) measurably improve Haitians' standard of living, b) reduce Haitians' cost of living, c) improve environmental quality and d) increase Haitians' freedom of choice.  I will be happy to help or work with anyone who wants to make the most of it.  if/when the discussion list goes on vacation, just write me directly.

meanwhile, this arsenic disclosure ought to make wedding-goers think twice about throwing rice at newlyweds.  small bags of compost might get them off to a better start...

thank you,

Stuart Leiderman
leiderman@mindspring.com