Welcome To Badlands Journal

Absolutely the dumbest question anyone around here can ask is: How come when housing prices were rising astronomically, everyone was buying; yet now that housing prices are falling, very few are buying?

There are smooth answers to this question floating around but none of them quite stick. However, a comment made by a local realtor the other day may provide a clue. She said that home prices are falling so low there is once again some interest from out-of-town investors.

Below are two lengthy reviews of William Enghahl's Seeds of Destruction, a critical look at the political, economic and scientific history behind the development of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Once again they come to us through an indespensible website for people concerned with agribusiness science and the political economy behind it, ge_news@eco-farm.org.

Come on down to Foreclosure-stan. We got brand-new houses for sale, real cheap, down at the county courthouse. On second thought, wait a few months and they’ll be even cheaper.

Yessiree, Folks, Come on down to Foreclosure-stan—San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties—highest mortgage foreclosure rates in the nation. If the motels are full, consider spending the night in the branches of the eucalyptus trees on M Street in Merced along with the wintering Turkey Vultures, not far from the auctions. Get a bird’s-eye view.

Why do three adjoining counties in the northern San Joaquin Valley -- San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced -- continue to top the national ranking for highest mortgage foreclosure rates while continuing to contain some of the least affordable housing in the nation. The press dutifully reports month after month that these counties do top the charts with this dubious distinction, but do not dwell on any reasons.