How cute, Oberg has his own blog

[silverback]

What valid points and concerns?

The only people who bring valid points or concerns to the table are those that are on the side of freedom of choice. The supporters of the board have no facts or figures to prove the board brings premiums to the farmers it is supposed to be working for. All they have is the fear of the unknown and the big bad corporations (who the board relies on every minute of the day).

It is pretty simple man, forcing someone to do business with you is wrong. Period.

There is no wiggle room there

Why don't you just come out and say whose side someone like you wants to be on? Is it fun to make us guess?

[Fransisco]

Looks to me like Obergs comment section is being selectively updated at a snails pace. I think some folks are going to see their final payment for 10-11 before they see their comments posted.

So here's a question, what is the purpose of Obergs blog? Is it to have a discussion about the future of the wheat board, or is it just another way for the board to tell us what to think.

Its starting to look like the latter to me.

[jdepape]

Having strong convictions does not make you
radical.  And as far as I can tell, no one involved
on either side of this debate has become radical.  
Committed and at times argumentative, but not
radical.

If the ultimate solution is something all can live
with, then there is no ultimate solution.  Those
with their arms wrapped around the single desk
will never agree to marketing freedom, and those
wanting marketing freedom fully and completely
reject the single desk.  There is no compromise
position that either group can live with.

The only reasonable "ultimate solution" is to allow
marketing freedom where everyone can market
their wheat the way they want to - unless it
means that others need to do it your way. In
other words, I'm sorry to advise, the only
reasonable solution is marketing freedom.

Begood - I'm not sure what side you are on and,
with all due respect, I don't care.  This isn't about
keeping score.  I know what my position is and
nothing anyone says or does is going to change
that, because my view is not based on a vote.

[begood]

There are just as many inflexable people on both sides of the CWB debate. Is it any suprise that its a war of words where no one even listens.
The CWB has cost me hundreds of thousands; at least a couple of times in the last 3-4 years. I'm sure they cost lesser amounts many times; and I am not sure they have ever returned a "premium" to me personally. Thus I would saay that, as an individual farmer, they have not been an asset to my marketing endeavors.
There are some positives. If you are a registered seed grower; the CWB doesn't crimp your style in many ways. It would be good for your farm; as a seed grower. The organic farmers are not complaining much about their special status; and in fact some support the CWB as a means to keep their USA access which they fear they might lose if we all had the same rights. The government cheque guarantees are very comforting and important. Dealing with unlicenced and unbonded grain firms and brokers catches all of us now and again. That risk should be unacceptable; and fixed with a workable guaranteed payment. It won't be a part of CWB (IMHO) Ten or fifteen working day payments leave lots of risk potential with the many unbonded grain buyers.
The CWB may very well have had a positive influence on railway control and costs to all farmers. But how could they have not known the railways were overcharging for maintenance. I'm sure that it would have been money well spent to have paid a smart, savy "ombudsman" type person to do a much better job overseeing our costs. And the CWB beurocracy may well be the wrong policeman for this important subject. And why wouldn't the rest of the farmers help a small staff by acting as 100,00 pairs of extra eyes.
And probably the CWB was instrumental in setting up an "on farm" Western Canadian weather network. No one else took that lead. But don't make the mistake that the CWB was responsible for the instrument development; nor the data collection and analysis. That was largely in place by the equipment manufacturer.
The list could go on and on.

The point is that if you won't acknowledge that there are some pluses and some minuses then why would the other side listen beyond your opening remark.

And thats why you don't know what I've said in the past. My personal conclusion is that I would personally be much better off if the CWB was gone right now. Waiting till next year, or later, just makes for another hundred thousand dollar personal loss.
And yes you are right that it is basically offensive to have some one control another person to help ensure their entitlement.

Now lets see your flexability. The chances are that your firmly held convictions have less popular support than even my comments above.

[begood]

If your firmly held convictions were the final word on this topic then it would have been settled long ago.
Obviously; there are more twists nad unexpected turns to come. Lead, follow or get out of the way. My guess is that the viable options don't involve all three (if any)