It's just another example of those good intentions gone awry. Environmentalists and their green, liberal politicians pushed for alternative fuels. Now, many need to find an alternative, just to eat…

Corn is the primary source of ethanol in the United States. Demand for corn has driven up the price. This has resulted in substitution, which is driving up the prices of other commodities.

Overall, grain and soybean prices have gone up 180 percent in the last two years. Prices are now so high that marginal lands are being cleared in order to grow crops. The forest or grassland that must be cleared absorbs far more carbon dioxide than the cropland that would appear in its place.

Further, carbon dioxide is produced during the production and transportation of the ethanol. Finally, there is some evidence that the net energy in a gallon of ethanol is less than the energy that produced it.

Given that ethanol increases carbon dioxide emissions and gasoline now sells at $3.70 a gallon, it seems clear that the use of ethanol as fuel accomplishes neither of the objectives set for it.

But, you may ask, what is the harm? Good question. First, as I write, millions world wide face are experiencing hunger, and face the possibility of starvation, because the cost of subsistence has risen beyond their means.

Instead of drilling for our own oil, digging for our own natural gas, and creating our own nuclear power, environmentalists (and those politicos who pander to them) are the ones solely responsible for the wave of starvation around the world.

But as long as they feel good about themselves, and their smaller carbon footprint, those starving need be reminded that they are serving a greater good.

The growling in their little Third World tummies is a small price to pay to save the planet, and will pass.

When they're dead….