The Virtue of the Tomato.

This is a call to the tomato lovers of Shenzhen.

Everyone loves tomatoes. In the USA anyone who has a square foot of yard plants a tomato bush or two each summer. They are easy to grow and yield seemingly unlimited supplies of the succulent Solanums. There are literally hundreds of varieties available, so everyone can pick and choose the ones they like best.

I have been thinking of starting a group called Tomato Lovers of Shenzhen. I envision having monthly meetings where we could discuss the beauty of the tomato, argue about which variety is best, share our favorite tomato pictures, and compare recipes.

Some topics for group discussions might include:

1. Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

2. The tomato is sometimes called a “love apple.” Is this name justified?

3. Do you agree with me that the tomato is the most handsome of all vegetables and fruits?

4. Hybrids or heirlooms? Which do you prefer and why?

5. If tomatoes could talk, what would they say?

6. The tomato in the art of the Old Masters.

If there is anyone in Shenzhen who shares my love, respect and reverence for the tomato and is interested in forming a group, please let me know.

I Like Sara Palin, But…

I can not get over her quitting the governorship. Yes, I know she had several good reasons. The investigations, family considerations, financial problems, living in a difficult location from which to travel and develop relationships, etc. Still…

I like her because she seems feisty and doesn’t have the need to be liked by insiders. She chooses her own path and does not follow cookie cutter advice offered by “experts.” I like the fact that she excites grass roots conservatives like no one since Reagan.

Her political beliefs seem to be strongly conservative, and are neither RINO, nor birther. She has matured politically and hasn’t made the beginner’s errors she made as VP candidate. I especially like the fact that the relic media hates her, and she has been able to go around them in getting her message out.

My misgivings come from the fact that she quit her job when the going got rough. The problems she will face as president will make her Alaska problems seem like a Bermuda’s vacation. How will she handle them?

The End Is Near

Of course we have all heard of the coming end of the world brought on by man-made global warming. But there have been dozens of other doomsday scenarios floated around in the past few years. Some include:

The hole in the ozone layer leads to skin cancer, blindness and two-headed frogs.

Air pollution causes all sorts of health problems and leads to early deaths or careers in politics.

Over fishing is depopulating the seas, and the few fish that remain are full of mercury.

Erosion of our best farm land will make growing our food ever more difficult. And what land is not eroded away is being paved over for parking lots and suburban sprawl.

Toxic waste contaminates what land is left making much of the world’s surface unusable.

Species of plants and animals are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. If the bat-winged fruit fly can go extinct, can humans be far behind?

Microbes, germs and viruses are evolving into ever more virulent strains. The new strains laugh at our vaccines and antibiotics.

Insects and rodents are consuming our food supplies and spreading diseases. They are increasingly immune to our feeble attempts to control them.

We are running out of clean water. What water we have left is full of lead, arsenic, and 100 other cancer causing elements.

Bees are disappearing, except for killer bees, which seem to be doing quite well.

Acid rain is killing forests and all life in our fresh water supplies.

Soon all natural resources will be depleted. And unlike through the whole of history, mankind will forget how to overcome various shortages with scientific and cultural advances.

The oceans are turning acidic from the excess carbon in the air. Before long only sharks will be able to survive in the seas.

A few days ago an asteroid came out of nowhere and brushed by the earth. It is only a matter of time until one hits us.

Cancer rates are up, exercise rates are down.

The food we eat is unhealthy and is killing us. What isn’t actually poison is full of cholesterol, trans-fats, and empty calories.

Nuclear waste is so dangerous it can neither be disposed of nor stored. Soon we will all glow in the dark.

 

I came up with this list in 10 minutes of thinking. If someone did a serious study, I feel sure they could come up with 100 times more problems. My conclusion: It’s all b.s.