that Obama was going to take on big agriculture, so I wasn't too disappointed. I could be wrong, but I don't recall Obama pushing farming reform.

Nice to see that Obama has the good sense not to blindly get on board with all of the "progressive" (I prefer "far left") agenda.

It's highly hypocritical for the left to bash President Bush for eight years for politicizing science, and then reject scientific advances in agriculture that have the potential to feed billions more people because you don't "feel" good about genetically modified crops.

If you're a wealthy American or European, you can afford the niceties of organic food grown on small, family farms. And you can even ignore the science, which says eating organic has no measurable health benefits even though it costs a great deal more.  Sadly, billions around the world don't have that luxury.

Last time I went to Whole Foods, there seemed to be quite a number of farmers who are eager to fleece willing organic shoppers with certified organic products.  So what's the problem? Do you want to force all of us to eat organic?

Breck Henderson

I think progressives have to realize that change won't happen overnight - by all accounts Vilsack is a solid choice that will move the USDA toward a more environmentally sensitive path.  Vilsack has worked for a broad group of organizations in Iowa and that makes him influential and powerful, which is exactly what you need - an insider to move the agenda forward.  

Obama is going to have to play the game like every politician and Vilsack seems like a smart choice for realistic reform.  

Last I heard, Barack Obama was elected to be President of the 'entire' United States: not just the 'Blue' states, not just for the self-styled Progressives, not just the Democratic Party, but to be the Executive in Chief for all the citizens of this nation. As such, he will no doubt disappoint many who thought that he was on-board with their agenda for changing the world. Gathering support from lots of special interest niche groups is how politicians get themselves elected.

Those of us who took the trouble to look at candidates early in the process (like two years ago) knew Obama to be center-right.  What he did in overthrowing the neo-fascist administration we still have for 6 more days is activate a lot of people, and instilling in many of us the desire for change, and the realization that it is the people who will have to move this country to a more sustainable future.  Change cannot be left to one individual, no matter how influential.  It happens when the efforts of each person, working in their small way, become woven together.