I suggest that the internet is our window and we can shout out by sharing Beale’s sentiment,  “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this any more“.

Under that category I offer this:

The Peanut Corporation of America hasn’t had a smooth road in the legume processing business.  According to information in Wikipedia the company has had other problems in the past.   Dan Chapman and Margaret Newkirk at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote about PCA’s CEO  Hugh Parnell and his rise as a goober businessman.

Parnell had been serving on the USDA Peanut Standards Board until he was removed by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last Februrary 5th.  That same day the USDA banned PCA from all federal government contracts and subcontracts.

President Stewart Parnell has been summoned to appear in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Wikipedia also lists several comments from public officials in its article as follows:

• “This company had no conscience in its production practices, sales and distribution. That they would knowingly ship products tainted with salmonella to our nation’s children almost defies belief.” – U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa)^[12]

• “I’d like to see some people go to jail. This was a company that should have shut things down immediately.” – Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.)^[48][49]

• “The actions by the Peanut Corporation of America can only be described as reprehensible and criminal.” – Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)^[50][51]

• “They tried to hide it so they could sell it. Now they’ve caused a mammoth problem that could destroy their company – and it could destroy the peanut industry.” – Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tommy Irvin^[51]

• “We’re going to be doing a complete review of FDA operations. At a bare minimum, we should be able to count on our government keeping our kids safe when they eat peanut butter. That’s what Sasha eats for lunch. Probably three times a week. I don’t want to worry about whether she’s going to get sick as a consequence of eating her lunch.” – President Barack Obama^[52][29]

• “This is a clear and unconscionable act by one manufacturer.” – American Peanut Council statement^[33]

I’m Mad As Hell And I’m Not Gonna Take This Anymore

This plague threatens the entire world.

1)  The recent outbreak of peanut based Salmonella infections led me to a Wikipedia page that seems to show an increase in food borne illnesses since 1971.  Some years show only 1 outbreak.  While it’s true that there is a definite shortage of inspectors to enforce standards and practices, that’s not the reason for the problem.

2)  Automotive executives fly private jets to meeting to beg for taxpayer dollars to help them out of a jam.

3)  Bernie Madoff complains about house arrest after being accused of scamming $50B from investors.  I agree, he needs to get outside.  If I were the judge I’d provide him with a foot stand, stool and a sign proclaiming “FREE  SHINE” , and park his butt outside the front door of his Park Avenue prison to enjoy some human interaction.

4)  Companies move operations overseas to enjoy lower costs of goods and labor, keeping corporate tax breaks,  but take resulting profit gains for themselves instead of lowering prices a bit to spur spending.

“Recently, AT&T Wireless told the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission that it would lay off 1,900 employees this year. Communications Workers of America members obtained an internal memo prepared by Tata Consultancy Services of India that discussed how it would assume those U.S. jobs.”

The Plague we face is GREED.

The cure is HONOR.

Dictionary.com includes the following definitions of honor:  1) to accept and acknowledge personal responsibility for one’s actions;  honesty, fairness, 2) integrity in one’s beliefs and actions

Please Leave a comment or your favorite example of greed.