The World Is Flattened

[marmar]

from OurFuture.org:




The World Is Flattened
Submitted by Rick Perlstein on November 16, 2007 - 3:44pm.


So I've been studying the recent report of the Interagency Working Group on Import Safety convened by Bush in July to make it seem like he cares, he really cares, about poisoned toys and pet food. What I've learned, talking to experts, is that the thing is a farce—no surprise—and in a later post, I'll explain precisely why. (My favorite detail, just to tantalize you: "As of October 24, 2007," the Working Group boasts, "the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seafood Inspection Program had inspected and certified seven seafood processing plants in China and had plans to inspect another twelve plants." Well, all told in China, there are 5362 seafood processing plants—hear that, seafood lovers? Just 5355 to go!)

For now, though, I'll dwell on an aside. One of most astonishing things about the 85-page document, which you can download here, is the number of its proposals that, when you read them, you scream to yourself, "How the hell aren't we doing these things already???

It's the way, reading it, the realization dawns on you that at least a decade into Thomas Friedman's golden age of "world is flat" globalization, it seems never have occurred to the conservatives running our government to update a single trade regulation.

Take this proposed guideline: "Clarify the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority to require preventive controls for certain foods."

Yes, well: one would have hoped by now that it was fairly clear that this is what the FDA is for.

Then there's this: "Provide the FDA authority to require measures to prevent the intentional contamination of domestic and foreign foods."

You mean they don't have that authority already? As the kids say, WTF?

"Examine food-safety control systems of other countries to determine whether improvements can be made to the operation of FDA's food regulator program." Now, I know conservatives hate the furriners. But this is only now occurring to them? .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://commonsense.ourfuture.org/world_flattened?tx=3

[Richard Steele]

1. "The B*sh Administration- Too Busy STEALING to Govern!©"