Ms. McCaughey does not, however, mention the ways in which our fragmented, dysfunctional health care system has worsened this problem.
The situation was worsened this season by an unusual weather pattern, including a dry winter, growers said.
The financial crisis and subsequent recession, which put many people in economic jeopardy, may have worsened this effect.
Today, as Mr. McGreevey wrapped himself in the embrace of environmental leaders, he noted sharply that Mr. Schundler was spending his own afternoon "with President Bush, who unfortunately has significantly worsened this country's environmental standards".
It made it clear that the abuses went far beyond the three killings, saying that the Kahrizak center "lacked necessary standards for housing detainees, and that beatings by the guards worsened this bad situation".
But Representative Gary Condit of California has substantially worsened this ordeal by failing to cooperate fully with law officers investigating the case when they first interviewed him about the young woman's disappearance nearly two months ago.
