Governor says Iowa can fight terror war with food

Governor Tom Vilsack says Iowans can help fight the war on terror — by feeding the world. Vilsack says “this is a very dangerous world that we live in, and we as a nation are addressing terror primarily through a military response.” Vilsack says he’s sure “we’ve convinced the rest of the world that we are the strongest military power today and probably ever,” but he says the rest of the world hasn’t seen where the greatest strength of the United States lies — in our inclination to help people in need. Vilsack says that’s one reason to support efforts to use technological and genetic advances in agriculture.Vilsack says when you embrace the so-called “bio-economy,” there’ll be more nutritious food and a greater abundance of it. He says hunger is one of the root causes of terror, and Iowa could lead in the effort to feed the world. Vilsack made his comments this week during an appearance before a meeting of the Iowa chapter of the American Institute of Architects.