woertink.com

Conjoined Squash

Originally uploaded by jkwoertink.

Apparently this is the reward I get for years of screwing with super-science.

Wheat Update

Originally uploaded by jkwoertink.

The wheat has gotten much bigger and is beginning to die out and dry. As soon as the head begin to nod it will be ready to harvest. It is amazing how less than a square foot of ground can produce this much wheat.

I have recently heard of companies trolling social websites such as Myspace, Friendster or Facebook to check out their applicants and it made me wonder, have people begun padding their Myspace pages like padding thier resumes? Have people begun covering their pages in wholesome activities and charity work? Perhaps my website is too nerdy scaring off employers or perhaps not nerdy enough? Do they want to see esoteric Dr. Who quotes on a Chemist’s website?

Right now the gardeners are being evicted from a large community garden in LA. They are being evicted by the owner who wishes the sell the land for developement. It is an interesting case which brings up several interesting issues. First for the backstory. In the 1980s the city decided to use its eminent domain powers ( the power which allows the government to take your property, with compensation, for public use such as a police station, fire house or road) to take his land to build a garbage burning electric power plant. He was compensated 5 million and given a clause that he could buy the land back if the land was not used for the purpose of the eminent domain action ( which basically prevents the government for using bait and switch tactics with eminent domain.) However the community did not want the trash burning plant and so the action was halted. He tried to get has property back which began a prolonged legal battle. During this battle the land was given to the Food Bank to manage which turned it into the community garden in question. Time passed and eventually the legal decision was finished and the man bought his land back at about the same price he was given, around 5 million. He then proceeded to evict the current gardeners which began the current battle which has lasted several months. The gardeners attempted to buy the land however they were not able to raise enough money and today the police have moved in to finally evict them.

In general, the issue has been portrayed as a poor family farmers vs. rich developer type issue and expectedly most people come out on the side of the farmers. In general I am one the farmers “side” in the sense the I have community garden plot and I would not like to lose my plot. It is unfortunate that they have been unable to raise the money to purchase the land. But my support ends at the calls for the land to be taken away and given to them for free. The land is owned by the developer. It is his. We should expect equal protection under the law regards of race, sex, creed, religion or wealth. Everyone’s property should be protected from theft. It is not a good precedent to make. I mean if the land can be taken from the developer and given to the farmers why not the other way around. What will stop cities from bulldozing poor communities to put in ritzy upscale shops? It is good for the community after all.