Jalopnik Does Math Good: A Corny State Of The Union Address?

Ok, so here's what we know. Earlier today FoMoCo issues a press release tauting six states receiving a test fleet of new E85-fueled hybrid Escape SUV's (gallery below). On top of that news, but wholly unrelated, there appears to be some kind of a run in stocks of companies involved in E85 production today. We've also heard unconfirmed reports the ethanol lobby plans to open up a bigger office in Washington, DC. How can these seemingly unrelated things all be happening today? To explain, let's put it together into a handy math equation below the jump.

Ford press release On E85 Hybrids
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run in E85 stocks
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corn lobby opening up new lobbying office
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Bush plans to announce the continuation and expansion of an ethanol policy in tonight's State of the Union address. He'll be pushing a crop which yields less energy than is required to produce it. Hooray, corn! Boo, energy efficient switchgrass and sugar-based ethanols!
See, unlike some people, we learned basic math in school. We also learned how to get into fights, but whatevs — nobody's perfect. – Ray Wert

Springtime for Ethanol [NYT]