FauxNEWS

In the 17th century, Holland developed a new method for making intoxicating spirits. It consisted of using the distilling process that had been known for centuries in the distillation of essences for perfumes, but now, with an improved cooling system, the Dutch were able to distill alcohol from grain instead of from fruit, as had been the wont of wine makers and other publicans for centuries.

 This ushered in a new era of drunkeness. The Dutch were able to use cheap grains, such as barley, and infuse the concentrated, distilled alcohol with fruits, such as juniper berries, to make a palateable, and cheap drink. “Cheap” being the key word, many of the lower class were now able to imbibe with abandon.

 It was also an environmentally friendly process:  The grain was grown and harvested, using the high-carbohydrate seeds to produce the mash for its distillation. After drying, the seeds were heated with water, and yeasts were introduced. The mixture was allowed to settle, and part was removed, the portion or layer containing the alcohol. This was then infused with juniper berries to give it flavor. Juniper was long known to increase appetite, aid in the prevention of headaches, and other medicinal values.

 Therefore, we now have an intoxicating beverage that has known medical benefits. The new beverage was dubbed, among other things, “eau de vie” or “water of life.”

The remains of the distilling process were fed to the oxen that were used to plow the fields and harvest the grains. A byproduct of the oxen was a substance derived from these remains, and used as fertilizer for the fields, to produce more grain.

 The poor were able to purchase this drink, but it gave them a less employable aspect, causing many to turn to nefarious means to get money for their habit. Women were known to prostitute themselves for it, allowing children to starve, while men turned to crime as well to procure the liquid.

 When William of Orange ascended the English throne as William III, he banned imports from France, making “jenever” (juniper), the drink of choice among those of low station. The Parliament immediately tried to maximize the government’s income from the product, and to control its production for their own benefit. This worked as well as prohibition, and the controls were soon lifted. Government income, though, remained high and growing.

 Well, all good things must come to an end.  The grain was now being used for a beverage that everyone wanted, and yet, food was also somewhat important. A bad harvest occured, and many people starved, even though gin (jenever, juniper) production continued.

The King forced a cessation of distillation, and folks were able to eat again, and gin’s popularity declined. We have many words from that time, still in use: gin mill means a low-class distillery or bar; gin soaked means someone who drinks to excess.

Now, flash forward to today. We have a grain product that is used for food, cooking, and feeding to stock to produce meat. Environmentalists have now forced the government to convert this food grain into a liquid that does not provide sustenance, and that provides less energy content than the other hydrocarbon fuel now in use.

 Food prices are increasing, as are all other prices, since everyone must buy food. Fuel prices, rather than going down, are going up, indirectly due to increased production costs due to this new “biofuel” that we are being forced to accept.

 How long will it be until people begin to turn to crime or abandon their children, in part due to the increased costs of this ill-conceived, feel-good policy?

 Using food sources for other than food has never worked out in man’s favor. I doubt biofuels becomes the one exception to this rule.

Posted on July 14th, 2007 under Envirusmental, Global Whoring, Information, Politics • RSS 2.0 feed • Leave a response, or trackback