(1) Based on my incomplete research, the Sunni/Shi'a split is an identity thing as much as anything else. People won't surrender that. [One of the key splits is around the "3rd Imam", whom the Shi'a venerate as a Prophet IIRC.] While both are Islam, they're not really reconcilable.
(2) Maybe. It'll never happen though--WAY too much money in farm subsidies in both sugar AND corn. If the feds (either party) were serious about relations wtih South America, ending sugar protectionism would be a huge step. They're not and it won't.
(3) HFCS is evil evil evil. Nevermind obesity, outright diabetes has spiked hard lately, and shows no sign of slowing down. Yes, there IS a good link there, IMAO. [Our in-house crusade is removal of as much sugar as possible from our diets, and HFCS is Right Out.]
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branchandroot
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Date: 2007-03-09 06:33 pm (UTC)(2) Maybe. It'll never happen though--WAY too much money in farm subsidies in both sugar AND corn. If the feds (either party) were serious about relations wtih South America, ending sugar protectionism would be a huge step. They're not and it won't.
(3) HFCS is evil evil evil. Nevermind obesity, outright diabetes has spiked hard lately, and shows no sign of slowing down. Yes, there IS a good link there, IMAO. [Our in-house crusade is removal of as much sugar as possible from our diets, and HFCS is Right Out.]