05/03/05 FarmBill listen sessions;Back from Iraq

The when's and how's are still to be determined. But the what's and why's were announced yesterday by U.S.D.A. Secretary Mike Johanns. JOHANNS: U.S.D.A. will conduct a nationwide series of listening sessions. The sessions will focus on how U.S.D.A. can help craft the 2007 Farm Bill through farmer and rancher input. The reason specific locations have not been announced, according to Johanns, is he is soliciting the help of commodity groups, and others to suggest venues within each state to hold listening sessions. The latest delegation of Northwest lawmakers visiting Iraq had time between the flight back home to talk yesterday from Germany. Idaho Senator Larry Craig and Representatives Mike Simpson and Butch Otter spent the weekend visiting Baghdad, and later with the 116th Armored Calvary based in Idaho with members from throughout the Northwest. CRAIG: We said when you are in Iraq, and in country, we would come and see you. We felt that was tremendously important in support of these men and women who are giving their all at this moment. The latest news in the contested Washington State Governor's race came Monday when the Judge presiding over the Republican appeal said the G.O.P. could use the argument of proportional analysis, or subtracting illegal votes based on precinct voting patterns, during hearing of the case later this month. But Chelan County Judge John Bridges cautioned attorneys representing the state Republican Party that just because they are allowed to use the strategy that it may not necessarily work on their behalf. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. ALLEN: Finally, some sanity in the great obesity debate! Ever since a consumer tried a few years back to sue McDonalds because of their inability to abstain from overindulging on a diet of burgers and fires, any body literally that comes in contact with food, either by manufacturing it, selling it, preparing it or even serving it could be the target of some absurd obesity lawsuit. (better think twice before you make that fellow another double mocha with whipped cream). While most of us see the silliness in these suits, attorneys have been chasing the fast food companies with the fervor they once reserved for ambulances. Now some states are crying "enough" and passing bills baring lawyers and their clients from receiving settlements simply over the size of their girth. Texas State Representative Corbin Van Arsdale is the latest in a group of 15 states, with a "Texas size provision that would even protect farmers from obesity suits. The measure is pending in the house and you can bet there will be a few "dinners" on the house if it passes. I'm Susan Allen and this is Food Forethought.