A house of hemp
In 1941 Henry Ford built a car made of hemp and was working on fuel made from hemp. The car was virtually indestructible.
Hemp is not marijuana. You won’t get high smoking hemp. The difference between hemp and marijuana is like the difference between popcorn and sweet corn.
You can make virtually anything out of hemp. You can literally build your house out of hemp, from foundation to furnishings.
The featured film, “Misunderstood: A Brief History of Hemp in the U.S.,” shows the history of hemp in America, as well as highlighting the plant’s many uses. Hemp is known as the “plant of 50,000 uses” because every part of it can be repurposed.
Colonial America survived on things made from hemp. The industrial revolution killed hemp. Necessity hopefully will bring it back.
Greg Weldon, Papillion
Losing another headquarters
On Gov. Pete Ricketts’ watch, Nebraska has lost two large employers in the Cabela’s and Conagra headquarters.
Now, Pete can’t even keep his dad’s former company in the state (“Omaha is losing TD Ameritrade HQ. Here are 3 other times major corporations have left Nebraska,” Nov. 25 World-Herald).
This spring, the Legislature will consider a bill providing millions in corporate tax breaks again. Why should we take money away from our schools and roads to give handouts to corporations the governor can’t keep here anyway?
Jeff Hall, Lincoln
Kudos to McCollister
Kudos to State Sen. John McCollister (“It’s time to stand up to Trump,” Nov. 23 Midlands Voices).
Finally there is a long-time Republican politician with the courage to go on record with criticism of our president.
The man now occupying the White House demonstrates over and over his lack of character, competency, integrity, judgment and wisdom. He is totally unfit and undeserving of the office … a man who constantly embarrasses our country.
Other Republicans, including elected politicians, likely feel the same way unless they have chosen to ignore the overwhelming evidence. Loyalty to one’s party must have limits.
Insecurities about electability prevent other politicians from being forthright about the tragedy of our leadership at the top.
Republicans can continue to be proud of their political affiliation and priorities and still denounce our current leader.
Sleep well, Sen. McCollister. Unlike the vast majority of elected Republicans, you earned and deserve it.
Gary Welch, Bellevue
Standing with Trump
Regarding the Nov. 23 Midlands Voices by State Sen. John McCollister: His words strongly accuse the president of many nefarious actions. All with zero substantiated evidence. These accusations were sprinkled with much conjecture and opinionated bias.
“It is clear that our president has broken the laws of our nation and trust of the American people.” Oh, really? He should explain the laws that have been broken. And, with regard to trust of the American people, my guess is that President Donald Trump’s popularity is polling at an all-time high.
“These individuals (testifying in the impeachment inquiry) have no incentive to lie to the American people — unlike the president.” Excuse me? McCollister should have reported his firsthand knowledge to Rep. Adam Schiff.
“Trump’s intimidation of witnesses … he has shown a complete disregard for the sanctity of our legislative and legal processes.” True, Trump can be brash and very forward. If intimidating, that’s on you. The president’s style is a product of his upbringing in a tough New York City, and his social media twitter account remains his only available means to communicate openly and fairly with his followers.
“Consider the president’s confidants.” Your characterized them as criminals. Wow. And I suppose the Bidens and Clintons are saints.
“It is time to stand up to the Trump administration.” Perhaps McCollister should be saying “Stand with the Trump administration.” At least then he would be representing those who elected him, Donald J. Trump and those who will undoubtedly reelect Trump in 2020.
Hank Krings, Columbus, Neb.
Cool it on turtles and climate
I read your article on turtles and climate, and had to marvel at it (“Rising temps shape gender of sea turtles,” Nov. 25 World-Herald).
If turtles are polyamorous, live up to 100 years and females can retain sperm for up to seven years, what you have is not a turtle population crash, but a turtle population explosion.
If a female turtle lays a small clutch of 70 eggs, and instead of 50% of them being male, the number is more like 100%, the population doubles in the first year.
The only thing hindering this growth is a bunch of unreasoning numbskulls cooling down turtle eggs in a desperate attempt to stave off reality. Insensate evolution appears to be a whole lot smarter than your average grant-seeker, it would appear.
If temperatures rise, turtle populations explode. If turtle populations explode, they will expand their search for egg-laying habitat to previously uncolonized areas.
When they choose cooler areas, the population balance from those areas will return to a more even ratio. This isn’t doom for turtles, this is Mother Nature covering her bets.
Tyson Boellstorff, Omaha
Recycling pickup
On a recent Monday, my recycling was not picked up as scheduled. In fact, no one on my street had their recycling bins emptied.
This is no big thing because they normally pick it up on the next day if they miss it on the regular day. On Wednesday, after there was still no pickup, I called the city’s Solid Waste Hotline, and I explained the problem to a very nice lady. She said that she would take care of it.
In less than four hours, my recycling bin was empty.
I am very grateful, but no one else on my street got their bins emptied.
I want to thank the company for getting mine.
Doug Arthur, Omaha
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(9) comments
Hank Krings -- you said it - truthfully and accurately -- regarding President Trump!!
Well, I don't know which letter is sillier, I laughed at both.
First, Tyson's, about the die-off of sea turtles. I take it he's never watched a nature documentary. The current balance of nature means that just enough survive to keep the population steady. Birds line the shore to gobble up the little guys as they hatch and head for the water, and fish await them in the sea. Our man-made climate disruption tips the balance away from survival. Move elsewhere? How? Call an Uber? Migration patterns change slowly, over millions of years.
Then there's Hank's parroting of Trumpite talking points. I take it he's never watched real news. McCollister has. So have millions. The day of testimony by Hill and Holmes was summarized by the A.P.: "Trump used foreign policy for political aims, setting off alarms across the U.S. national security and foreign policy apparatus." Hank (& Violet) ought to be curious about what ws it that alarmed career officials in national security and foreign policy, public servants who have spent decades serving both R and D administrations and have never seen anything like this guy's indifference to law. But H & V are both as incurious as their blundering & oblivious narcissistic Great Leader. Hank's funniest line was this: "my guess is that President Donald Trump’s popularity is polling at an all-time high. "Guess"?
I think Tyson is the "unreasoning numbskull" with his paragraph that reads, "If a female turtle lays a small clutch of 70 eggs, and instead of 50% of them being male, the number is more like 100%, the population doubles in the first year."
I'm not following his math here.
As for Hank Krings, he has fallen into the Deep Sewer of Fox News and Sean Hannity. Both are synonymous with bogus conspiracy theories, hate, outright lies, racism, right wing zealotry and an affinity for rejecting the rule of law, democracy and the U.S. Constitution, all in support of the one chosen by God, our Dear Leader, King Donald the Fat.
Hank Krings writes, "The president’s style is a product of his upbringing in a tough New York City."
Yeah, we've all seen those photos of him standing on the NY city street corners with the other street thugs, white T-shirt sleeve rolled up to hold a pack of cigarettes and exposing a gold dollar-sign tattoo.
Thanks for that chuckle, Hank.
For Violet and Hank,
If I may be so frank,
In this world and time,
Regarding Presidential corruption and crime,
There is no place for politically, or criminally being mentally deaf, dumb and blind.
Git ejekatd!
Hank Krings thinks Trump’s popularity is polling at an all-time high? Here’s a sampling of the latest presidential approval ratings - Gallup 40%, Quinnipiac 41%, NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist 44%, Monmouth 41%. His highest ever has been only 46%, which is the lowest of any President since Gallup started polling approval ratings with FDR in 1939. Not even Fox News would make such a ludicrous claim. So, Hank, your guess is not even close. By the way, this information is easy to find. Just fire up the Google machine.
I cannot wait to see how this impeachment fiasco plays out. We will see first hand who the opposition to our duly elected president, really are. So filled with hatred that they are unable to see the forest for the trees. Time is a great eye-opener after the dust settles. By the way, how did that poll thing work out for you after Hillary lost? Funny thing, I have not been polled during this entire Trump entry into the picture.
Your last sentence makes little sense and is more meaningless than the preceding words.
I think it's time to have your doctor reevaluate the meds you're on.
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