03/13/07 Bush in Brazil & River Flooding

Bush in Brazil & River Flooding. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report. President Bush sealed a deal with Brazil Friday morning that is intended to promote international production of ethanol. President Bush says wider use of ethanol would not only diversify energy supplies - but also create jobs and help clean up the environment. Political observers believe the pact could also lessen the regional influence of Hugo Chavez - President of oil-rich Venezuela. BUSH: You`ve got great scientists, we`ve got great scientists; it makes sense for us to collaborate for the good of mankind. But the President did not go along with Brazilian President Lula's desire to reduce a 54-cent-per-gallon tariff charged by the United States on Brazilian ethanol. The visit was marred by demonstrations and continual verbal taunts by Venezuela's President Chavez who at one point said, "Gringo, go home." The President's Latin America visit British Columbia and Western Washington are experiencing a bit of the Pineapple Express, the weather system that is driving more rain and flooding into the area. Flood warnings were in effect on several Western Washington rivers, some which are near or at flood stage. Minor flooding had already occurred in some areas, where many residents have sandbags ready, prepared to move to higher ground. Forecasters remind drivers not to drive across water-covered roads. The rains shouldn`t last for long. The National Weather Service says weekend rains have moved inland and cooler drier weather is arriving. Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Susan Allen. Seems like American's delight in dishing big cooperation's. Wal-Mart is constantly under fire and apparently the bloom is not so bright on the Starbuck Rose. Big pharmaceutical companies are another target for teardown, yet I know there are good guys out there, so imagine my delight when I happened on an article in the New York Times applauding the world's fourth largest drug company, Sanofi-Aventis for their work to bring an affordable Malaria Pill to poor countries. Initially in conjunction with the group Doctors without Borders, but also available to other public health organizations and developing countries Sanifi will be offering the Malaria pill for under a dollar without taking any profit. They have opted not to seek a patent meaning generic companies will also able to produce the Malaria pill. See, not all big corporations are evil, Now it's time for the other "big dog" pharmaceutical companies to learn by example and follow the lead of Sanofi-Aventis. Thanks Susan. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.