GMO: Where is the political will?
posted by helge | December 7, 2009
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IcerocketWhen will we have the public debate and political will to require genetically modified food be outlawed, or at the very least LABELED. With Codex Alimentarius going into full affect this month, the chances are slim to none. GMOs have already run rampant in North and South America, cross pollinating and contaminating genetic code throughout the world. It will not be long until the only way to grow crops is to buy seed (fertilizer and pesticide) from a company, every single season. This is happening RIGHT NOW.
I recently gave a talk at an Evolver Spore about the severity of the food crisis in this country. The following is a portion of the talk and subsequent links.
There is a lot of information, and some of it can be pretty dry (and complicated) at times. Without a doubt this a major reason why it is not a major issue in the public forum.
What was the last thing you had to eat?
How did it get transported here?
Do you know who grew/raised it?
This one can be scary.
Do you know how it was processed?
For some reason, in this country, we are very separated from our food culture. It is not an accident.
Multi-national Corporations control our food, and they do not have our best interests in heart. Even "Organic" has been hi-jacked and corrupted. (Local and homegrown should and CAN be the alternative solutions to our economic and health care crisis.)
It follows the typical American dogma: Short term profits are more important than long term consequences.
This whole issue is really about consumer choice, freedom and when those last 3 questions become really important.
---
In a society where we practice the freedom of religion and freedom of speech, we have little freedom when it comes to our food. From GMO's, to chipped livestock, to not being able to purchase un-pastuerized milk and cheese... we are in a dictatorship. For most people, groceries provide most if not all our food. Our vegetables are sprayed with cocktails of chemicals. Our milk is full of puss, hormones, and anti-biotics. The majority of our meat is chlorinated and irradiated. This is just our "whole" food. Most groceries stock over 90% "prepared" food, which in many cases, are full of even more chemicals and preservatives, and are far less nutritious then their whole food counterparts.
I highly recommend Joel Salatin's book, "Everything I want to do is illegal."
Joel Salatin
http://www.polyfacefarms.com/books.aspx
Food has a story. High end restaurants capitalize their food experiences with highly descriptive explanations of the food story. (who picked it, what conditions it was grown/raised, how it was prepared.) There is a market for REAL food.
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This is the most exciting time to be alive.
There is a upcoming scenario that no one knows exactly what will happen, but what we are doing now is not feasible for the future. Contrary to popular belief, we are not the only important life forms on the planet. The environmental data is staggering: Peak oil, over population, over fishing, deforestation, mass extinctions, loss of genetic diversity. Just to mention a few.
At some point these environmental problems will create overwhelming social catastrophes.
We are seeing these effects every day: in our food prices and the quality of our food, ongoing wars for resources that provide "cheap" energy (which have been going on since I've been alive), not to mention the enormous trade deficits, the de-valutation of the dollar, and an utterly broken healthcare system. This is where preventative medicine (nutrition and exercise) take a back seat to the "For Profit" Healthcare to treat the rampant cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity with non-holistic means. (1 out 3 American children are medically obese.)
It is a statistical certainty that our society will change drastically with current population growth and rates of consumption.
Please participate in the "Crash Course" at
http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse
and:
"The Most Important Video..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY
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WHAT IF Federal Government (we the people) SPENT ONE TRILLION DOLLARS ON RENENEWABLE ENERGY and LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION and EDUCATION? (instead of bailing out Wall St.)
My imagination runs wild. We could have had the political will to make this happen. We still can.
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Instead we support:
Codex Alimentarius - never heard of it? Not surprised! It's part of the WTO and the UN. It's a set of trade "suggestions", that go into affect this month! It is used as a leverage in trade dispute.
Whenever two countries have a trade dispute (about anything, it does not have to be food related) If there are two countries, and only one is "Codex Compliant" then the "Codex Compliant" country automatically wins the trade
dispute.
Official Site:
http://www.codexalimentarius.net/web/index_en.jsp
"Based on Science, Built on Trust"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVbHj97_pMo
Dr. Rima Laibow MD Critique (www.healthfreedomusa.org)
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5266884912495233634#
Citizen's Petition:
http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/?page_id=184
GM experimentation: Terminator Seeds (sterile seeds) and their cross polination:
World According to Monsanto
http://www.twilightearth.com/environment-archive-2/the-world-according-t...
BGH Cover-up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0AL4yml3bw&feature=related
We have allowed GMO's to spread like wildfire without understanding the long-term consequences.
This is beyond terrifying to me. The cat is already out of the bag.
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The key to changing this: is to be active, diligent, and to follow our moral compass.
What can an individual do?
Things you can do today:
Vote with your dollars.
- Support local businesses, producers, and farmers. Avoid multi-national corporations at all costs.
- Ninja plant. Grow food everywhere. Inside, outside, renegade style or legal.
- Contact your county extension and ask for all information about local food.
- Find and support a CSA.
- Find and support a community garden, if you cannot find one close to you start one.
- Find and support a Farmer's market, if you cannot find one within walking/biking distance start one.
- Speak with all of your public representatives (at the very least, email and call them) or meet them in person and discuss what is important to you.
- If you are not happy with your representative, RUN FOR OFFICE.
- If absolutely cannot run, find someone who you can support and help them organize.
This is OUR country. We are the people, and should be active in promoting our ideals and protecting our future.
Comments
I think you would greatly
— Dec 07, 2009
I think you would greatly enjoy the book "A NATION OF FARMERS" by Sharon Astyk and Aaron Newton. I am very new to what you have looked in to in great depth. I especially love your idea of ninja planting, which I have already conspired to do at great lengths in the wilderness areas near my home, come spring of course. I was also thinking of sprinkling wildflower seeds from Colorado all over connecticut, and perhaps being like a new-age johnny appleseed, but with Hemp seeds...
"Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionaries." -- Robert Nesta Marley
engage vendors
— Dec 08, 2009
If enough people would simply ask their suppliers of food, these basic questions, change would happen. Other orgs may not actually be capable of changing anything-- In terms significantly effecting change. Yet if enough of us would simply stop by the office at the mart and ask even the simplest question, that would add up-- If enough people were constantly asking about GMOs in this product or that product. Could the mart please ask their supplier. This is customer blow back.
Admittedly i almost never visit local marts, but would try it, even for entertainment, if it seemed others spoke of doing the action. Dang, they'd probably track my identity and see i was not much of a consumer-- Probably that is why i have not done this to much of an extent. I already support more enlightened markets for 'greener' supplies.
;-)
2 Most Common GMO's
— Dec 08, 2009
The two most common GMO's are corn and soy. These are in almost in all "processed" food containing either high fructose corn syrup or soy lechtin.
Nothing speaks louder then deciding where you dollar goes. Unfortunately, most people feel they are unable to make a higher 'food dollar' sacrifice. Statistically, Americans spend the least amount of money on food when compared to other countries (~10%).
Anything is possible.
"Nothing speaks louder then deciding where you dollar goes"
— Dec 09, 2009
I think that is why they afraid of even considering a labelling system - as if they were to do this, then consumers would have a real choice, they would know what is in the food, decide whether they want to buy and eat it or not.
And now just assuming people got educated even more on this and shelves upon shelves of GMfood items would be left over in supermarkets.
However, real food as I like to call it, needs to show real cost as well - funny thing is, I only buy at the local market and I know that many people say it is more expensive than the supermarket food etc - I have not come to find this. I spend less money, have better produce, cook from scratch - one just needs to try it, educate themselves on where to buy (not all organic is real, much organic food you find in supermarkets is expensive as it is the high-level/"organic" product of the same producer that provides you with the economy/cheap stuff - all a scam!), and start cooking again - btw, it does not take that long to cook from scratch either and you know what is in it :))
another idea - if workable?
— Dec 08, 2009
Apologies but I do not know that much about the US system in detail when it comes to issues like that - but just had the thought: how about starting a referndum.
I think many states in the US have this direct democratic tool in place as well? I am not sure how many signatures you need for this or how it really works (could not find that much information on the web so far) but in the numbers is a lot of pressure and hard to neglect?
An orchestrated approach i.e. organised cross-states and with the same time-table would really get people thinking and politicians on their toes? Or would that not work?
A referendum would be a
— Dec 08, 2009
A referendum would be a terrific solution. However there is very little awareness, and attempts in the past to educate the public have been met with disinformation campaigns. Most networks and traditional media refuse to report these amazing stories for fear of losing ad revenue.
The main thrust of the disinformation campaigns is "increased cost of food prices..." But, I must ask... What about the external costs, that is, the health and welfare of the larger society!
Anything is possible.
I can see that there is a
— Dec 09, 2009
I can see that there is a lot of resistance especially from the media and disinformation campaigns would pop up like mushrooms ;)
Now, with the great gift of the internet and the rise of social networking sites, twitter, blogs and and and I think the issues could be tackled on a broader scale - means however, to make use of the current system i.e. understand where power and control lies and find ways to make it workable and positive for the cause. If they screw with us, why not screw them via their system ;))
And with regards to the cost - I am with you - with the external costs taken into consideration GMfood would surely be more expensive than anything else!
controllerss..ergg
— Dec 08, 2009
Just like anything that is government run, they do not specialize in what they are running. Policy makers don't know how to farm just as they don't know how to run health care. Anything they can get there hands on for profit is how it is going, including the war. Anyways,, fighting to keep control...fighting to gain back control... the latter is a whole nother story.
I can't imagine a world going back to be in touch with the land, even as much as I strive to be myself. Being wiped out almost seems to be the only way to fix it. Mother Earth seems to be taking care of it herself.
DB
Government, Corporations, and the Media
— Dec 08, 2009
At this point, it is blatantly apparent that the three above do not serve the public interest very well.
There is no profit in being: Happy, healthy, and efficient. It simply does not promote a steady, "growth" economy.
I ask yet again:
Instead of spending over 1 Trillion dollars bailing out our failed banking system, would you have been better off if we invested that money in our future: Renewable Energy, Education, and Local Food Production?
With the war in Iraq (alone) costing more then 1 billion each month, not to mention the loss of life, imagine the "nation building" (and life saving) we could do here!
Anything is possible.
The big picture...
— Dec 08, 2009
Excellent blog Helge, we need to become aware. When such issues are raised we benefit from looking at the big picture. The entire structure is a function of the Illuminati machine. Fluoride poisoning, Codex Alimentarius, BGH, cell phones, microwaves, cordless gadgetry, chemtrail spraying, GMO, smart dust, HAARP, heavy metal contamination, mind control through media, mercury poisoning, flu injections, MSG, morgellons disease, big pharm and too many more to mention. Our governments can not intervene. Our politicians are bought and paid for. The media is uniformly and unilaterally controlled for the benefit of mind programming. All national debt is a function of bankster control. Almost all our money is funnelled into this structure.
We are involved in WWIII right now, the fight for control of our minds is being waged. If we are to erradicate this blight on humanity we must educate ourselves, then spread the word of this Illuminati cadre.
If anyone needs a hand, check out the "Unveiling Darkness", "NWO Illuminati Control", and "Soft Kill, protect your health" video sections on my blogsite. There are over 150 u-tube video links on these topics.
Namaste, my brother Helge, unveil the darkness.
I'm late to the discussion!
— Dec 11, 2009
Sorry to just appear and run out again. I'll edit this reply later today and add some story here.
For now, I'd like to express support for creating new stories and for the Transition Movement model:
http://www.ted.com/talks/rob_hopkins_transition_to_a_world_without_oil.h...
Dec 10
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Dec 11
Well, I missed the magic 72 hour mark. But I'll add my story as promised:
I oscillate between an inner and outer approach to change. During November I was entirely focused within, and that was good. But in the past week my feet have landed back on the ground running. I finally got out and made contact with Keith Johnson and Peter Bane, who live just across town and publish Permaculture Activist magazine. From that meeting I was invited to join the Transition Town planning meetings which have been in progress here since last April. I also learned that our city council has recently approved a stunning 257 page report which was prepared by our Peak Oil Task Force, commissioned a year ago. I've also been telephoning many friends on my list of key people, including my earth building buddies, wilderness mentors, green designers, alternative culturalists, renewable energy experts, land trust managers, etc. to reconnect and sow seeds of working together.
I've been studying Rob Hopkins' "Transition Handbook" since summer, and quietly building this positive model into my approach to change. I didn't think that I would be doing any development work with it until springtime. But in the space of a week, I've stepped onto a rocket sled. The Transition Movement is already well underway here, and it's advocates have embraced my participation warmly. It's now time for about 20+ transitioners to make presentations to a growing list of more than 50 local organizations, and join forces for the 'great unleashing' this spring.
To step so abruptly from a place of wistful isolation into a roomful of creative and enthusiastic like-minded activists has left my head spinning a little. It focuses my mind on new concerns like how to make the most of a short presentation to people in a wide variety of reality tunnels. The links you've shared are going to come in very handy over the next month or two!
I am very enthusiastic about the transition model. Though I see and feel a broad range of theories and crises to motivate widespread change, none of them are more universal and positive than healthy food and an open invitation to creative participation. The idea of fostering community resilience is simply brilliant. It's subtle, empowering, transformative, and ultimately subversive!
The way I see it, as in permaculture, working for change must be done thoughtfully, with lots of love, keen observation, and room for error, from the ground up. And as far as I can grok the big picture so far, it seems to be the only way forward with a snowball's chance in hell.
I can already smell the approaching personal challenges of working far outside my traditional peer groups. This reflects back on the inner approach to change. My effectiveness is tied to who I truthfully AM, and the ongoing work I do within myself to bring it forth. I'm very grateful to be connected with such a helpful, kindred group as Evolvers. Your support means a lot.
As Tinh Man quotes: "Soon we'll find out who is the real revolutionaries."
Namaste,
River
P.S. Navigating back to this article, I stumbled across your glass work at last, and Wow! It's ... so beautiful!
the answer is organic gardening!
— Dec 17, 2009
to beat these GMO beasts, we've got to revolutionize farming. There's one place out there that I just found out about that is truly on to something big!
Affordable Organic Foods Delivered Direct To Your Door! Click Here to see how!
