hunger is now called "food insecurity" by the bushgang

[donsu]

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/08/opinion/08fri3.html?ex=1113624000&en=88ad4b7130add481&ei=5070

Hunger-Based Lines Lengthen at the Faith-Based Soup Kitchens


-snip-

The sight of masses of Americans gratefully chowing down on free food is indeed a show, an amazingly discreet one that is classified not as outright hunger but as "food insecurity" by government specialists who are busy measuring the growing lines at soup kitchens and food pantries across the nation. There were 25.5 million supplicants regularly lining up in 2002; they were joined by 1.1 million more the next year. And even more arrive as unemployment and other government programs run out.

-snip-


"It's a desperate thing," said the Rev. Bill Greenlaw, director of the Holy Apostles charity, one of the largest among 1,298 kitchens and pantries regularly helping more than one million residents in New York City. "Every level of government seems to have the same mantra, that these programs are vulnerable.

-snip-
--------------

note the word "desperate".

how are the food insecure doing in your neck of the woods?

[toymachines]

1. 25.5+ thats a dam large amount of our populace

we have a serious problem here people. every single day i read at least one thing that makes me more and more disparaged of our society. we need more progressive changes. soon.

[BiggJawn]

3. But, Fear NOT!

Because in the 21st century, EVERYONE will have "wings", thanks to the Small Aircraft Transportation system!

Can't afford to FEED or get Healthcare for everyone, yet we're spending tax money researching a new way for CEO's to have their own government-subsidized Air Taxis...

[PaulaFarrell]

8. I don't think that's an overall figure

I'm thinking they had maybe 25.5 million total visitors in NYC? So like an everage of about 75,000 per day? I seriously doubt 1 in 10 people are going to soup kitchens, even withstanding current economic problems. Still it's a huge number of hungry people.

[toymachines]

9. that sounds about right, but still horrible.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

2. Just another element...

That is left unaddressed, will light up America.

Note: I am not celebrating this possibility. It scares the hell out of me.

[JohnnyRingo]

4. My theory is that we are being set up for a future of less food at higher

prices through planned shortages.

When I was young, a steak on the grill was a symbol of success.
Since then, unknown to many, five companies have taken control of almost all our farmlands through the government foreclosures on family farms in the 80s. (Remember Farmaid?)

It's not much of a stretch to imagine these five companies huddling together OPEC-style to fix supply and pricing structure.

When the corporations view a field, they demand an increase in profit per acre on a quarterly basis. When the profits level off they get a new CEO.

Someday soon, eating well may be a rich man's badge of pride once again.

[unhappycamper]

5. the term "looking prosperous" rears its head again n/t

[CrispyQ]

6. Only when the masses are cold & hungry will they wake up. ~~eom

[KamaAina]

7. But how are we supposed to put food on our family

if they won't let us have any food? (or any family, for that matter, if we aren't hetero)

[Fuzz]

10. Insecurity? So will Homeland Security take this up now?

Heh.