14 Worst Corporations of 2005

We think a yearly update of the worst corporate entities is so important to share that we decided to read the list put together by Global Exchange. Listen to show #20 for details, or visit the Global Exchange website to read their full list of the Most Wanted Corporate Human Rights Violators of 2005.

Caterpillar
Chevron
Coca-Cola
Dow Chemical
DynCorp
Ford Motor Company
KBR (Kellogg, Brown and Root): A Subsidiary of Halliburton Corporation
Lockheed Martin
Monsanto
Nestle
Philip Morris USA and Philip Morris International (a.k.a. The Altria Group Inc.)
Pfizer
Suez-Lyonnaise Des Eaux (SLDE)
Wal-Mart

Coffee Piece

This week we premiered Coffee, the first in a series of experimental pieces on many topics thread together by a theme, in this case, coffee. Let us know what you think!

Coffee is heavily based on Stuff: The Secret Lives of Everyday Things by John C. Ryan and Alan Thein Durning (1997). Their website has a bunch of neat and informative resources on product lifecycles and sustainability.

Fascinating overview of the history of coffee

Fair trade coffee is coffee that is traded by bypassing the coffee trader and therefore giving the producer (and buyer) higher profits. Fair Trade does not necessarily mean that the extra money trickles down to the people who harvest the coffee.

Selections from Mamdou Habib’s affadavit on his torture in Egypt and Guantanamo:

Phillip Ruddock, the Australian Attorney General on Habib’s physical condition after release from Guantanamo

Testimonials from Gemima Mukashyaka on Rwandan fair-trade coffee cooperatives

War on Drugs info

In vitro and ex vivo antihydroxyl radical activity of green and roasted coffee. Daglia M, Racchi M, Papetti A, et al. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Mar 24;52(6):1700-4.

Effect of roasting on the antioxidant activity of coffee brews. del Castillo MD, Ames JM, Gordon MH. J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jun 19;50(13):3698-703.

Comparison of the antioxidant activity of commonly consumed polyphenolic beverages (coffee, cocoa, and tea) prepared per cup serving. Richelle M, Tavazzi I, Offord E. J Agric Food Chem. 2001 Jul;49(7):3438-42.

Antioxidative activities of fractions obtained from brewed coffee. Yanagimoto K, Ochi H, Lee KG, Shibamoto T. J Agric Food Chem. 2004 Feb 11;52(3):592-6.

Does caffeine intake protect from Alzheimer's disease? Maia L, de Mendonca A. Eur J Neurol. 2002 Jul;9(4):377-82.

Coffee consumption and risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Salazar-Martinez E, Willett WC, Ascherio A, Manson JE, Leitzmann MF, Stampfer MJ, Hu FB. Ann Intern Med. 2004 Jan 6;140(1):I17.

And, finally, yes, you really can get your own civet coffee. We totally missed another bizarre coffe variation, "Weasel Coffee":

"Wild Weasels roam the coffee plantations and eat the ripe coffee beans, but rather than digest them the weasel regurgitates them and vomits them up! Due to the fact the cherries have been in the weasels gastric juices, it seems to dramatically alter the taste of the coffee once brewed."

Sagebrush Song Lyrics Up!

We've added the lyrics to all the songs produced for Sagebrush to our website.

Erratum

This week's show credits Lea Wilson for her acting, but the name should be Lea Williams. She plays Vidalia Gleason on Have-It-All Habitat and the Tourist on Snow Blow Hard.

Saving Energy in Winter

For more money-saving and heat-conserving ideas, visit some the following links: http://www.nstaronline.com/customer_service/energy_efficiency/wintertips.asp http://www.newdream.org/buy/save_energy.php http://facilities.uoregon.edu/cps/energy/myths.html

Lyrics to "Rebel"

(PJ Dimdeed:) I've done it all to make a buck I've seized and squeezed opportunity It's got nothing to do with luck I'm a piece of work I'm a one-m,an dynasty I'm a legend But really, I'm just a regular sort of guy (Ghost of Holidays past:) You're poisoining the land You must control your greed There's a better way You must confront your life (PJ Dimdeed:) I'm a rebel and I deserve a medal For inventing recycling I feed corpses to my hogs I spread stoxic sludge on crops I got rich by never wasting nothing I'm the badass grandpappy of the green revolution When you thaw your frozen dinner and you plop it on your plate Think of me and tell me ain't I great? It takes a lot of land but I can get that cheap Good soil, now that takes work and time away from profit So I soak my potatoes in a bath of chemicals Just spray lot of chemicals, that's how you grow potatoes. I'm a rebel and I deserve a medal For inventing recycling I feed corpses to my hogs I spread stoxic sludge on crops I got rich by never wasting nothing I'm the badass grandpappy of farm mass production When you thaw your frozen dinner and you plop it on your plate think of me and tell me ain't I great (Ghost of Holidays Past:) PJ, PJ come with me Come with me, Take my hand We're going back, I'll make you see How you came to be, PJ.

Sagebrush Gets a Grant!

The Sagebrush Variety Show has been awarded a grant from the Green Institute under its Local Governance Program Area. Green Community Projects funds small-scale local Green projects that are determined by the Institute to be innovative and to further Green values and issues. That be us! Thanks to the Green Instutute for the new audio gear we've been able to procure, which will make us mobile and improve our production quality, not to mention reduce the producer's stress level.

Technical Difficulties

We apologize to our listeners for re-webcasting show 14 on 12/6/05. Show 15, featuring the premiere of Snow Blow Hard: Xmas with a Vengeance, will be played tomorrow, Wednesday 12/7 at 8pm MT. We had a really rough week and an even rougher series of recording sessions with noisy neighbors and uncooperative software. If you missed it, the show will be available for download after Wednesday.

Bucky's Raw Backyard Egg Recipes

EGGNOG
2 eggs, beaten well
3 tbs sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp nutmeg, ground
2 1/3 cups soymilk
Blend all ingredients together and serve chilled.

ZABAGLIONE
4 large egg yolks, at room temperature
1 tablespoon light or dark rum
1/4 cup Marsala wine
1/2 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 cup silk soy creamer
Combine the yolks, rum, and Marsala in the top of a double boiler. Place over (not touching) barely simmering water in the lower pan and whisk vigorously, or beat with an electric mixer, until the mixture begins to foam. Add the 1/2 cup sugar and whisk continuously until the mixture triples in volume and thickens to form soft mounds when the whisk is lifted, about 7 minutes. Immediately place the top of the double boiler in the ice water bath to stop the cooking. Let cool, stirring occasionally.
Serve the zabaglione immediately

MAYONNAISE
1 c Salad oil
1 Egg
Or
2 Egg yolks
2 tb Lemon juice
Or
2 tb Vinegar
Salt and pepper
Paprika
Beat egg or egg yolks with a rotary until slightly thick; add 1 teaspoon oil at a time beating well after each addition, until 1/3 cup has been added. Add a few drops lemon or vinegar.
The mixture should be quite thick and perfectly smooth. If it isn't you added the oil too quick or didn't beat it enough. Continue to add the oil and acid alternately until it's used up. Add seasonings to taste. Store covered in the refrigerator.

HOLLANDAISE
2 tablespoons white-wine or tarragon vinegar or fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons boiling water
3 large egg yolks
1/2 cup non trans fat butter substitute like earth balance or smart balance light
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon salt
Melt the butter substitute and keep it warm.
  Heat the vinegar or lemon juice until just warmed.  Have small saucepan with boiling water and a measuring tablespoon ready.
  Place the top of a double boiler over (not in) hot water. (This means the bottom of the top of the double boiler sound not make contact with the water heating in the bottom half of the double boiler).
Place the egg yolks in the top of a double boiler and whisk until they begin to thicken.   Now add 1 tablespoon of the boiling water.  Continue to beat the sauce until it begins to thicken. Repeat with the remaining water, one tablespoon at a time, beating the mixture after each addition.
Now add the warmed vinegar or lemon juice. Remove the double boiler from the heat.   Beat the sauce briskly with a wire whisk. Continue to beat the mixture as you slowly pour in the melted butter.  Add the salt and cayenne and beat the sauce until it is thick. Serve immediately.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
2 cup soy creamer
3 oz unsweetened chocolate (fair trade)
c sugar
Heat 2 cup soy creamer in saucepan over medium heat, until just about to boil.
Finely chop the chocolate and place in bowl.
Pour hot cream over chocolate, stir once, cover, and set aside.
Whip remaining cream and sugar in the other bowl until they form soft peaks.
Stir the chocolate mixture until all is melted and well incorporated, then fold in the cream.
Chill for at least 2 hours.

Show 13 synopsis

We're up to show 13 this week, which includes: The exciting conclusion of Ukiah Digby for Coroner was webcast! Also, Curtis PUllin interviews Marty Durand from the ACLU of Idaho on "activist" judges and interpreting the Constitution; Bucky Buckaw discusses salmonella and raw eggs; Have-It-All Habitat takes a look at Spendus maniacus; the conscious consumer on animal ingredients. Friday, November 25 is Buy Nothing Day. The Sagebrush Variety Show microsite on RadioBoise.org is ready! Check it out.

Show 12 redux

This week's show also includes: Bucky Buckaw on avian flu Michael Badnarik on Ukiah Digby for Coroner - the final episode of the series is next week! Have-It-All Habitat looks at Powerus hogus The Conscious Consumer on factory-farmed turkeys We have updated our podcasts to high-quality feeds and are now current. Show 12 will be up tonight. Soon, we will have our microsite on RadioBoise.org up.

Thanksgiving Alternatives

Every year over 300 million turkeys are slaughtered in the United States in factory farms. Forty five million are killed each year for Thanksgiving. There are plenty of alternatives: Have your regular Thanksgiving feast minus the turkey. You can try a Tofurkey or Unturkey found at the Boise Co-op or Fred Meyer. These don't always appeal to everyone, but if you reallylike leftovers, try Tofurkey sandwich slices. Start a new tradition. Have friends and family bring their favoritevegetarian dishes or have a themed dinner. Be creative! Try some of the following recipies for alternatives. There are some great vegan recipes at http://vegweb.com/recipes/events/index-thanksgiving.shtml. I especially like the Thanksgiving "Meat" Loaf, and everyone who has ever tried this gravy in Idaho has gone absolutely crazy over it (even meat lovers). Here are some more vegetarian recipes to try: http://www.vegcooking.com/f-thanks05.asp. For more information on the lives of factory-farmed turkeys and why you should choose a cruelty-free Thanksgiving check out: http://www.goveg.com/f-top10turkeys.asp.

Michael Badnarik Talks to Sagebrush

Michael Badnarik, the Libertarian Party's 2004 Presidential Nominee, not only chatted with us while he was in town last week, he also was game enough to play himself in a cameo appearance on Ukiah Digby for Coroner. We just love third-party candidates with a sense of adventure! His performance and the interview will be on this week's show (show 12). RadioBoise will also broadcast a half-hour interview a few times during the week. We'll post those times when we learn them.

Sharon Ullman Interviews

Former Ada County Commissioner (2001-2003) Sharon Ullman is Curtis Pullin's guest on the show this week and next (shows 10 & 11). In part 1, Sharon talks about the role of the commissioners, budgets, and open government. In part two, she gives us the lowdown on Commissioner Rick Yzaguirre and the other commissioners' dirty deeds. Sharon received the Max Dalton Open Government Award in 1999. Link to Sharon's opinion piece in Boise Weekly from July 2005 about some of the topics discussed in the interview. Sharon recommends Free Market Duck to listeners (it's a little Randian in spots, but there's plenty of great stuff there). Ready to get involved in city government? Here are some local links: Meridian has a very crappy website and council meeting agendas are nowhere to be found. Eagle has a decent website with meeting agendas. Boise takes the prize for most accessible documentation on a website. All the relevant links are on the home page and you can even watch City Council meetings webcast from the comfort of your own home. Nampa city council agendas & minutes Caldwell's website is disastrous. There are some sporadic agendas (rather old, I might add) for some of the city commissions, but it doesn't appear that they post their city council agendas & minutes. Ada County Commissioners agendas but minutes unavailable online. Canyon County Commissioners agendas & minutes search (why they don't post them by date is beyond me)

Conscious Consumer: Cut Flowers

Are you aware of high traces of pesticides in floral bouquets? Organic Bouquet - online teleflorist that sells pesticide-free flowers Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA The Smith River Project in California

Essay of the Week 7: Ostrich and Sheep

The inspiration for this essay is the testimony from Colorado State University Professor Richard L. Knight and California rancher Mike Byrne. It's actually true: some species are still around today only because they were put on ranches as livestock. However, in most cases, overhunting is what threatened them in the first place. A few remaining Florida Pelicans and American Bison were raised on ranches for feathers or meat and that's the only reason they're still around today. There is a story out there claiming that in the 1940s Sidi Mohammed, a boy in North Africa, was raised by ostriches for a decade.

4th Anniversary of USA PATRIOT Act

How many references to the USA PATRIOT Act in this week's show? Tell us how many by email and we'll write a small part for you into an upcoming Digby episode. That's right, the dastardly PATRIOT Act was passed 4 years ago this week. Idaho has had its share of successes in passing resolutions expressing our distaste: -West Bonner Library District passed a resolution on Monday, February 10, 2002 -Idaho County passed an ordinance on Monday, September 22, 2003 -Boise City Council passed a resolution 5-1 on Tuesday, September 30, 2003 -Moscow City Council passed a resolution 5-1 on Monday, June 7, 2004 -the Idaho Legislature unanimously passed a Joint Memorial encouraging passage of the federal SAFE Act (which would rescind some of the most egregious sections of the Patriot Act) on March 25, 2005 Idaho is one of the 7 states to have expressed statewide opposition to the Act. The others are VT, AK, HI, ME, CO, and MT. We're encouraging people to write letters to the editor about the Patriot Act and how much it sucks, before Congress reauthorizes the sunset provisions (any day now). For writing points, visit the Bill of Rights Defense Committee's information-packed web site.

I'm a Believer

This week we deviated from our tradition of writing original musical material and did a much-altered cover of I'm a Believer (by Neil Diamond/the Monkees). Rather than go for a traditional sound, we made it as different as possible: tenor sax, steel-string guitar, nordic fiddle, and no drums. I thought it was just a liberal fairy tale But now conservatives feel the same The Feds were out to get me Cos of the books I read I guess the Patriot Act isn't what is claims Then I saw that badge Now I'm a believer Not a chance I'll get a fair trial I've been detained now I'm a believer I couldn't leave here if I tried I thought the Bill of Rights would be my guarantee After all, I had nothing to hide It's un-American to fight it Something must be done About the terrorists--and baby, I'm not one Then I saw that badge Now I'm a believer Not a chance I'll get a fair trial I've been detained now I'm a believer I couldn't leave here if I tried What's the point of justice? All you get is framed when I needed defense, I got is blame Then I saw that badge Now I'm a believer Not a chance I'll get a fair trial I've been detained now I'm a believer I couldn't leave here if I tried

Interview with Diane Jones

Diane says that fall is the perfect time to kill your lawn! Here's how: smother your lawn with autumn leaves. Get them from your neighbors if you don't have enough, because you'll want a layer 6-8 inches deep. Wet them down to keep them from blowing away, and by spring, not only will your lawn will be good and dead, it will be nicely mulched with the decaying leaves. You can plant native perennials directly into it. Seed germination methodology for penstemons (if you want to try growing your own - now is the time!) Idaho Rivers United water conservation pages explains why it's important to reduce water use and gives you advice on how to achieve just that. Diane Jones runs Draggin' Wing Farm, which specializes in hardy, drought-tolerant perennials. You can still find her plants at the Boise Co-Op, and again in the spring at the Annual Idaho Native Plant Society Plant Sale. She's also at the downtown Boise's Farmers Market Saturday mornings. You can also visit her nursery Tuesdays 9am to noon, and 5pm-8pm through October. She is in the process of establishing demonstration beds to showcase the many varieties of xeric alternatives to lawns. and roses. Draggin' Wing Farm is located on Stinger St off Castle Drive in NW Boise. You can call her at 345-4199, or hardyplants@cableone.net.

Conscious Consumer: Getting Enough Protein

Many vegetarians and vegans have heard the all too familiar question, “You don’t eat meat!? How do you get enough protein?” The truth is, many Americans are getting too much protein in their diets. The average daily protein requirement is 20-40 grams—about the weight of 10 pennies. The average American eats 90-120 grams of protein each day. This can cause health problems including damage to the kidneys, calcium loss, and osteoporosis. A varied vegetarian diet easily provides all the necessary amino acids. You don’t have to worry about combining proteins. A variety of foods through out the day will suffice. Some excellent vegetable protein sources include grains such as brown rice, oats, millet, and wheat, legumes such as green peas, lentils, alfalfa sprouts, beans, tofu, textured soy protein, soymilk, and peanuts. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower, sesame, and pumpkin seeds are also good sources of protein as well as greens such as broccoli, collards, and spinach. Although it's not necessary, combining vegetable protein rich ingredients in one sitting can increase protein absorption by about 30%. Some examples that average 15-35 grams of high-quality protein are: corn tacos with pinto beans, soy yogurt with walnuts, whole grain bread with peanut butter and jelly, noodles with sesame seeds, and hummus made with tahini spread on pita bread. For more information visit: www.vegweb.com www.gentlebirth.org/nwnm.org/Diet_Prevents_Osteoprosis.htm www.vegsoc.org/info/protein.html www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/protein.php