In recent weeks, I have extensively covered a confluence of factors which are combining to create a global food crisis of immense size and scope.  But one thing that I haven't written much about lately is the extraordinary drought in the western half of the United States.  According to the official U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook that was just released by the National Weather Service, nearly 50 percent of the continental United States will either see drought conditions persist or intensify in the coming months.  This is really troubling news, because drought conditions are already having a dramatic impact on agricultural production.