Michael Pollan

A couple of Sundays ago, Michael Pollan had a lengthy letter to the next farmer-in-chief in the New York Times Magazine (Oct. 9, 2008).

Since I don't subscribe to the Times, I just heard about it and got a chance to read it on their website. It's a cogent recitation of the problems the U.S. faces on food policy and some solutions, all written in Pollan's accessible, sparkling prose.

I'd love to see Pollan in a discussion with Minnesota Rep. Colin Peterson, chair of the house Agriculture Committee and one of the chief architects of the last farm bill.

Once again, Pollan gets my vote for top public intellectual.