A CNN news release reports that the US Food and Drug Administration has barred the import of certain foods produced in some parts of Japan.

Here is the link to the article.

More news

Here are what we consider to be interesting, relevant, topical news items and opinions seen in some news sources today.

Intelligencer Journal/New Era (Lancaster, PA) …

Editorial entitled “Pitfall of state store sell-off.” This is an opinion that identifies one of the threats of private ownership; “Such incidents (robberies) would almost never occur at a Pennsylvania-owned liquor store.”

Numerous columnists signing in on the US air strikes in Libya; all are worth reading. “War No. 3: questioning Obama foreign policy.” “Obama bias against unilateral power.” What do we hope to achieve in Libya.”

“Safety on the cheap,” a must-read opinion offered by Robert Reich, the Secretary of Labor during the Clinton administration, takes a look at the “corporatocracy” in the United States. This syndicated column also appeared in today’s Huffington Post

Thomas Sowell’s views on “Debt; inflation; ‘Detroit pattern’” issues several topics that will make you think.

Washington Post … Short, succinct news capsules about the “Developments in Japan’s earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis.”

Quite a cartoon in today’s Intelligencer Journal/New Era (Lancaster, PA)! There is more news about the teachers at Warwick School District agreeing to a wage freeze. But there is a meaningful reader comment to the online posting of the article: “Hats off to the teachers. It is unfortunate that it has come to this and teachers are being bashed daily in the news. They do an amazing job given the circumstances – working with children living in the highest poverty rates of any industrialized nation. I can’t imagine why anyone would enter the profession and take the abuse that they are getting. All while legislators are making ZERO concessions. California, a significantly larger state in terms of geography and population has 120 legislators compared to Pennsylvania’s 253. It’s time to cut jobs where it matters – Harrisburg.”

And have you noticed that several of these elected “public servants” have decided to accept their pay raises and “contribute the increase to charity.” Sure, that way, future retirement benefits are increased and the “charitable contribution” becomes an income tax deduction. Besides, it’s not too tough when your annual income exceeds $78,000 plus benefits and non-taxable perquisites.

Take a look at how Pennsylvania legislative “public servants” stack up against other states here (2007 data) and in this Scranton Times article.