Fresno, Zimbabwe (Walmart Charity Competition For $1M)

Investor's Business Daily ^ | December 28, 2010 | IBD Editors

[PERKY2004]

Environmentalism: Fresno, Calif., stands as the de facto capital of California's mighty Central Valley, the breadbasket of America. So why is that city preoccupied with winning a $1 million prize to stave off hunger?

Local newspapers and Fresno County officials are trying to rally Facebook users to vote for Fresno in a corporate contest sponsored by Wal-Mart for $1 million in charity food donations for the hungry. Fresno, a city of 505,000, has taken the national lead because 24.1% of Fresno's families are going hungry.

Civic spirit is good, but something big is wrong here. Fresno is the agricultural capital of America. More food per acre in more variety can be grown in the fertile Central Valley surrounding this community than on any other land in America — perhaps in the world.

Yet far from being a paradise, Fresno is starting to resemble Zimbabwe or 1930s Ukraine, a victim of a famine machine that is entirely man-made, not by red communists this time, but by greens.

(Excerpted; see rest of story at link)

[PERKY2004]

Please help Fresno win $1 million from WalMart to help combat hunger. Facebook fans can follow this link and "LIKE" Fresno ...

http://fightinghunger.walmart.com/city/Fresno-CA

[PERKY2004]

Is there a Fresno or central California PING LIST? :)

[databoss]

Wow all this for a $1mill corporate handout where there is 24% unemployed out of 550k (that over 100 k ) that’s what 10 bucks each...barely even one oversized mcmeal....California should be ashamed of itself! Followed by the rest of us for letting the environazis get things in such a state!

[Mama_Bear]

Thanks for posting this, PERKY. I am pinging Amy. I think she has a Central California list.

Can you help by pinging your list, Amy. We need as many people as possible helping Fresno stay in the lead. Thanks!

[Mama_Bear]

You know what, databoss? You may be right, but many people are woking really hard on facebook to secure this money for a community that is suffering for many reasons, not the least of which is government regulations that have practically shut down agriculture here.

Can you just let up a bit? As a Californian I am ashamed of many things having to do with this state, but we don't need our noses rubbed in it when we are trying to help a beleaguered city in our state.

[databoss]

I guess as a national awareness campaign to fresnos plight it might be useful but my point was that a measly million is like pissing in the ocean....

[databoss]

I also have a huge problem with huge corps like walmart and facebook getting some pr and feel good cred for pimping a contest like this...it has everyone all in a twitter (pun intended) frankly the whole thing is disgusting.

[JustAmy]

Thanks, MamaBear and Perky.

I’ve pinged everyone.

It is a very sad situation when we have a man-made dust bowl.

To save the Delta Smelt, farmers are no longer getting the water needed to feed the hungry. Farmers have lost their crops and farm workers have lost their jobs. This disaster was created by congress and the enviro-nazis.

[Darksheare]

UN BE LIEVABLE...but all too believable.
When the feelings and mental state of a critter are more important to governments than the well being of their people, you have both a disaster and miss-spent priorities.

[freekitty]

This is crazy. Fresno is irrigated desert. They know this. I loved the place as my husband is from there. They truly had some of the best produce in the world.

[Mama_Bear]

I guess as a national awareness campaign to fresnos plight it might be useful but my point was that a measly million is like pissing in the ocean....

Well, Merry Christmas to you too.

[Mama_Bear]

Thank you, Amy. I knew I could count on you. :-)

[JustAmy]

This is an example of Government run amok!!!

[Darksheare]

A government run by hamsters on crack.
*ugh*

[Mama_Bear]

This is an example of Government run amok!!!

It's completely out of control. Greed and corruption run amok, that is exactly what has gotten us here. Sad.

[tubebender]

Your neighbor (my Sister) has this plea on her FaceBook page and I had no idea why. My wife and I Shared the Peace and took Communion with Betty Chinn at a Memorial service at our Church yesterday afternoon. She offers a Hands Up to our local homeless day after day regardless the weather and our Church assists her in any way we can...

[JustAmy]

So many of these people are forced to accept food from the Community Food Banks, but many would prefer to work in the fields to provide food and housing for their families.

If you visit our area and drive the west side, you will see orchards and vineyards that have died due to lack of water. Melons, etc were not planted so farmers could use the water received in an attempt to keep trees and vines alive.

[Othniel]

Add to that the fact that LA & SF consistently nullify any plans the Central Valley has to get water, and they have the clout to do it because of their populations. LA & SF have kept bozos like Boxer and Feinstein in office, and all their little tax and spend gnomes in the state leg. are no better. Without water, there are no jobs. Plain & simple.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks PERKY2004.

Fresno is the agricultural capital of America. More food per acre in more variety can be grown in the fertile Central Valley surrounding this community than on any other land in America -- perhaps in the world. Yet far from being a paradise, Fresno is starting to resemble Zimbabwe or 1930s Ukraine, a victim of a famine machine that is entirely man-made, not by red communists this time, but by greens.

[tubebender]

I was born and grew up on the west side and my dad leveled hundreds of acres west of San Joaquin. We hunted and trapped in the alkali flats that stretch to Three Rocks. My dad collected rattlesnake buttons by the dozens and my brothers collected arrowheads etc...