Monsanto doesn't need any more protection!
By louisehartmann
A little-known provision in the most recent budget appropriations, which passed through Congress last week, is a big deal for biotech giant Monsanto – and GMO opponents. The so-called “Monsanto Protection Act” shields the maker of genetically modified seeds from being sued by consumers who claim they've been harmed by their products.
On Tuesday, President Obama signed the spending bill into law, which means the controversial GMO provision will remain in place for at least six months until the government needs a new bill to fund it's operations. Since it's passage a week ago, more than 250,000 people have signed a petition opposing the measure, and activists have gathered outside the White House to protest.
Opponents are expressing anger not only about the “Monsanto Protection Act” content, but also about the secretive way the legislation made it's way into the final appropriations bill. Reports suggest that many members of Congress were not even aware the provision was slipped into the spending bill.
The International Business Times reported on the story, noting, “The message it sends is that corporations can get around consumer safety protections if they get Congress on their side. Furthermore, it sets a precedent that suggests that court challenges are a privilege, not a right.”
It should be a right to know what is in our food. And it should be a right to hold companies liable when they poison consumers. We must ensure that the “Monsanto Protection Act” is overturned. Call Congress and tell them to repeal this provision now.
Comments
#2
This is a tough one. Without this act anyone can stop the sale of millions of acres of corn being sold because they say they are getting a headache from eating that corn, only to find out later there was no problem with it.
On the other hand they could be killing people with there food And if so the should be held accountable.
Obama is a master of avoiding the difficult problems. Just slide it in a large bill and take off golfing and hope no one notices it. I don't know what you guys see in him.
#3
America is very strange indeed
Not only wage war all over the place for economic reason
But, find business excuse to harm human beings
All for profit and the shareholder... naturally!?!?
Democratically it's okay though!
Did Rome burn?
#4
Capitalism at its most capitalistic. We expect nothing less. We have unenforced laws supposed to control capitalism's predations (Sherman and Clayton), but they were put into a drawer by a supposed Democrat. We now have a president who allowed voters to believe things would be different. In not following through and continuing his rhetoric, he is worse than the other side. We are stuck in a self-aggrandizing, yet ultimately self-destructive system. It is the law of the jungle led by short-sightedly stupid animals. Blessings on us all.
#5
Thom ~ I can see members of Congress acting stupid--they're not acting; but, you? Obviously Congressional legislation isn't being written by Congressmen. Laws are being written by Corporate Lawyers and then delivered to the Congressmen who sign their name to it. That's why everyone in Congress is shaking their heads as to how that stipulation got stuffed into the bill. It was always there and no one even cared to read the damn thing before they casted their preassigned votes for it. What a dirty scam this Government has become.
Why then should we expect any more from our leaders. After all, they vote the same way we do--flip a coin and hope for the best. Who has time to look closely at what you're voting for. I guess in a way we got what we deserve--citizens who don't read anything and vote with reckless abandon elected a bunch of nincompoops that also don't read anything and vote with reckless abandon. At least the Lawyers working for Monsanto are paying attention to what they are doing. Their laughing all the way to the bank! "Let them eat ????"
#6
“Monsanto Protection Act?”- It ought to be to protect US, not THEM. Can the world get any more senseless?
#7
Steve Figler ~ wrote: " We are stuck in a self-aggrandizing, yet ultimately self-destructive system. It is the law of the jungle led by short-sightedly stupid animals."
Steve please don't compare our politicians to "short-sightedly stupid animals"... Thats a terrible insult to short-sightedly stupid animals.
By the way, in your picture, you look like you're fishing; and, by the smile on your face, it looks like their biting. Catch one for me, buddy.
#8
Look closer, Bush did it. Barry can do no wrong.
#9
akunard ~ I'm sorry again. You are so much more ahead of us all, sometimes, I have a hard time following you. Forgive me; but, as they say, the only dumb questions are the one's we don't ask. So here goes:
You said, "Bush did it. Barry can do no wrong."
My question. Who is Barry? You're not talking about 'Barry Soetoro' are you?
#10
akunard ~ With all do respect please disregard the previous post. I've decided to discontinue my activity on this Blog. I've just explained my reasoning to MMmmNACHOS with this post:
MMmmNACHOS ~ My friend! Keeping my spirits up is easier said than done! I too am considering taking a break from this Blog. I don't think I can stand much more of the negativity. Besides, I've stated everything I need to say. It's there in the archives if anyone is interested. I'm quite tired of repeating myself. I'd prefer to think of myself as a Heavenly Counselor then a Parrot. Besides, at the risk of repeating myself, there is that Biblical quote that I've all but worn out on this Blog:
Matthew 7:6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Perhaps it is time for me to listen to my own advice. Shortly, I will be joining you and AliceInWonderland in anonymity. I may return in the future; but, I don't promise anything. Life is too short to put up with this crap. Take care MMmmNACHOS! I will miss you and all my other fellow comrades! Tah! Tah!
DAnneMarc
#11
Hey there -
I would like to add something to the Monsanto "legal pass" debate. And this may be something to follow up on for the show.
I was listening to PRI's "The World" mb 2 days ago. It was about what is killing bees world-wide ( http://www.theworld.org/2013/03/europe-bee-populations-in-decline-debate... ). They are looking at Monsanto. The interview took place in Spain. GMO's and the insecticide component may be to blame. These plants are raised from seeds modified to create " Neonics " , basically neurotoxins. The research ( as far as this interview said ) shows that these neuro disrupters show up in the entire plant and flower. I don't remember if they said it showed up in the bee's honey but their observations said the workers were not doing their job and they observed a reduction in queens born. This research is ongoing.
Now we have recently a "Monsanto is Never Guilty" rider passed in an appropriations/ 6 month budget bill. Think about it- if the neurotoxins are in the flower and killing bees, then what if the final products of which we ingest are also tainted ? If it is proven that the modified production of neurotoxins are killing bees then the next step is to test the effects on humans. Are the neurotoxins metabolized in the human body? If so- what is the half life? If not, how fast does it accumulate in an adult body and does it get passed and accumulate even further over generations? Remember DDT? Eagles dying?
Monsanto has much to worry about here and I think they may hope they can sneek this into a permanent bill in the long run.
Remember Neurotoxins are also known as Neuro Disruptors.
Neurotoxins do not discriminate- just like "dogs of war (Pink Floyd)".
Be Well.
gtmark1
//
#12
I suggest making a silk purse from a sow's ear (sad for sow). Many of us have to. Still waiting for the elderly to guide us. Mb Teddy, FDR, or even Eisenhower again
#13
Who were the Senators who introduced this gift to Monsanto? That is the type of information that is useful.
#14
Well DAnneMarc, you're one of the last I'd have expected to bail out. I would encourage your to stick around, because we need a few critical thinkers here, but I believe it's a lost cause. And did Nachos say he was leaving as well? Double bummer! With you two and Alice gone, I'll have little choice but to follow shortly. But if that's the way it works out, so be it....
There's one thing I would like to have seen developed more fully and that's Thom Hartmann's role in this mess. Mr H is idolized on this blog; nothing but adulation. He throws out his pearls (before swine) for discussion, but in my opinion, his choice of topics for discussion fall far short of what a person enjoying his profile could advance. A very good example is the recent focus on the SCOTUS deliberations on gay marriage. Your recent comments on the Gaussian curve of sexual orientation notwithstanding, DM, this is a very, very minor issue. The bigger issues tower above gay rights, because we're literally talking about life and death.
So Mr. Hartmann writes a couple of parageraphs three times a week to get us all scrambling, but in the final analysis it's mainly hyperbole, as in, "shouldn't we be doing more to to honor the rights of the poor downtrodden gays?", while (as one poster asked) is Rome still burning? In the meantime, if you pay attention to the sidebars, the man is busy selling vitamins. In my opinion, Thom Hartmann is a huckster and a snake oil salesman, and this disgusts me. But then again, this is just my opinion.
In any case DM , Nachos, I think I'm out of here too. It's been nice bantering with you guys. Have a great life and I'll see you somewhere and sometime else agein, perhaps.
Sayonara.
#15
Hey folks, I just discovered this blog a few months ago, finding a little cornor of intelligent commentary among folks who could hold strong opinions while agreeing to disagree. Lord knows we need such. It's been good.
Now suddenly I'm seeing a Spring Break -- at least that's my hope. "A Spring Break" . . . yes, perhaps that's it. Time to cultivate my garden, get my hands in the soil, sprout some new seeds. Re-boot life on our Earth.
Actually, after a long intense 2012 year of political nonsense --apparently continuing now unabated, even more intense.-- I'm considering my next retirement. (Do I really need all this political crap in my life?). Every day my Inbox overflows with several dozen solicitations from strangers panhandling spare-change. These are folks mostly doing nothing about my #1 issue: "Mega-money Corruption of Everything" -- -- -- other than feeding at the expanded hog-trough.
Can it be that it's simply more than we can handle? Day after day one atrocity after another; cause after cause after cause. Paid professionals vs, a Children's Crusaide of amateurs? Where will it end?
Spring is in the wind, the last shards of snow are melting; the first flowers are budding. And, as life begins anew, any day now I'expect to see Genetically Modified Manure advertised at Wal-Mart for their "New Improved Modular Plastic Dung Heap" (Made in China).
It's not going away; but folks ARE gettin it. Left and Right are saying the same things -- "It ain't working." We People/Patriots are gonna have to deal with it one way or 'tother, sooner or later.
Thanks to all who's opinions I respect. We're waking up; but it's tough, damned tough -- and we're way-behind playing catch-up. Best wishes, see you in the streets..
#16
As a beekeeper and organic farmer and someone who lives with Monsanto's Round-Up chemicals in the air and water and on the ground and killing my bees, I find this news upsetting but not surprising--damning Monsanto is a fulltime job for me--and one I'd like to win for myself and the rest of humanity.
I've read and seen horror stories here and abroad about Monsanto bullying farmers. In India, the farmers are forced to buy expensive Monsanto seed every year, Monsanto chemicals, and expensive farm equipment. Many commit suiside because they find themselves in debt and cannot get back out. The promise of a better living for those farmers does not exist. Here the farmers complain of the same things--but they need the balls to stand up and say NO MORE. How many people have to die from pancreactic cancer around here before someone does something significant?
In Ohio, there are more and more bills that protect business--laws/amendments added to our state Constitution. Isn't government supposed to protect human beings from invading sources, both foreign and domestic?
#17
So everybody is bailing. Maybe it's my fault, without me To kick around it probably does get boring. Sorry I have being busy expanding to the west coast.
Look, with all do respect liberals look at the Obama, Poelosi, and Reid as God like figures. The hold them to no accountability and when they do corrupt things like slipping this law through your shocked. All three have a combined wealth of 52 million dollars. How do you think the make their money. And you are surprised when bills like this get passed. Wake up..
#18
I should apologize for my unkind words about Thom. I know he does call attention to some serious issues, as with the creepy Monsanto legislation. It's just that getting people all riled up about gun control and gay rights just compounds the media's obfuscation of the bigger issues such as endless warfare (not just drones, but "empire building") and the systematic brutalization of the middle class and the poor by the 1%. I feel there are frequently larger issues to be discussed, but anyone willing to take on the big problems, if only occasionally, is doing good work. So I retract my mean words of yesterday.
HalFonts, you're one of the others here I've enjoyed reading. Sorry to see you go, but I agree completely with your comments. And you're right; spring is in the air. Time to take a few deep breaths of fresh air! Have fun in the garden, friend....
#19
Happy Easter everyone.
#20
We all know what has been going on since "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson. They bought the legislators to protect them. They bought a supreme court to make them a person. Now the corporation can patent a natural substance by mutating it. We have mutant pulp blobs where once were real trees just by alterating the gene with lignan. They want to isolate certain cannabanoids from cannabis. Anyone growing with their patent cannabanoids will face civil court action. A continuation on the war on cannabis by the corporations. They defeated the right to know of GMO's here in CA. Money is speech now and they have even a bigger voice. Ours will be by consumer action. Buy organic only or Newman products. Support equal rights for agricultural workers.
#21
Here is another gift from Monsato. Those farm raised salmon in cages in the ocean are being preyed on by sea lice. The answer by the corporations are to dose it with new chemicals. Known neuro-toxins are being transmitted into the fish. Buy wild caught salmon only.
#22
Here is a good example of “to big to be useful”. Which is exactly complimentary in “to big to fail”. My argument goes deeper into a long existing use of the common cancer causing hazmat fertilizer called Anhydrous Ammonia. Cows, and other animals graze at the ground root there potentially high levels of hazmat are ingested. True, most corn grown this way is destine for ethanol processing, but it is a wide open range market where that corn is mixed in consumer products at unknown levels.
Commonly used throughout America as a fertilizer to grow corn, soybeans, wheat, etc. used in chicken feed, cow food, and on every label characterized as high fructose sugar. This hazmat put into the soil annually for decades.
My argument is that American soil is permutated or mixed with a carcinogen which directly or indirectly causes cancer. Sort of a second hand smoke. Besides Monsanto’s genetic theater of pushing the derivative to uncharted boundaries mixed in the a secret way conjuring Congressional monopoly money market games, reveals obnoxiously how “big business that is not useful” positions themselves for a bailout if their reasoning is wrong. Banksters, science slicksters, insurance providers, and money market managers all privy to the risk assessment formulas, then hand mid America the healthcatastrophe bill should be a crime of first degree murder, intentional homicide.
The huge CEO payout typify the reasoning that those at the head of corporations keep their mouth shout, even within a disaster like mentally or medical claims that do characterize intention medical industry profiteering. Eisenhower was right about the military industrial complex, he just did not mention it is surrounded by the medical corruption too. All of which is part of America’s problems in spending. Yes it’s spending but it’s spending on corruption that needs resolve.
#23
Very nicely thought out. I agree people are waking up, but way too slowly as usual.
#24
Happy Easter to you, Kend. Thanks for staying with us.
#25
There is a lot of outrage over HR 933 - Sec. 735. It was slipped into the larger bill overnight and was signed into law. That alone is a dasterdly deed. But, what does Sec. 735 say, exactly? Are measures like CA Prop 37 now moot and/or contestable in court? Does it really prevent GMO products from being labeled? Here it is. You decide...
HR 933 –Sec. 735
8 SEC. 735. In the event that a determination of non
9 regulated status made pursuant to section 411 of the Plant
10 Protection Act is or has been invalidated or vacated, the
11 Secretary of Agriculture shall, notwithstanding any other
12 provision of law, upon request by a farmer, grower, farm
13 operator, or producer, immediately grant temporary per
14 mit(s) or temporary deregulation in part, subject to nec
15 essary and appropriate conditions consistent with section
16 411(a) or 412(c) of the Plant Protection Act, which interim
17 conditions shall authorize the movement, introduction, con
18 tinued cultivation, commercialization and other specifically
19 enumerated activities and requirements, including meas
20 ures designed to mitigate or minimize potential adverse en
21 vironmental effects, if any, relevant to the Secretary’s eval
22 uation of the petition for non-regulated status, while ensur
23 ing that growers or other users are able to move, plant, cul
24 tivate, introduce into commerce and carry out other author
25 ized activities in a timely manner: Provided, That all such
79
1 conditions shall be applicable only for the interim period
2 necessary for the Secretary to complete any required anal
3 yses or consultations related to the petition for non-regu
4 lated status: Provided further, That nothing in this section
5 shall be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority
6 under section 411, 412 and 414 of the Plant Protection Act.
† HR 933 EAS
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
Mueller's favorite place to pray (written about in "Prophet's Way"), and the roof of the room where the Last Supper is reputed to have happened.
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom Hartmann is a literary descendent of Ben Franklin and Tom Paine. His unflinching observations and deep passion inspire us to explore contemporary culture, politics, and economics; challenge us to face the facts of the societies we are creating; and empower us to demand a better world for our children and grandchildren."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Hartmann combines a remarkable piece of historical research with a brilliant literary style to tell the grand story of corporate corruption and its consequences for society with the force and readability of a great novel."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Beneath the success and rise of American enterprise is an untold history that is antithetical to every value Americans hold dear. This is a seminal work, a godsend really, a clear message to every citizen about the need to reform our country, laws, and companies."
If he doesn't bring it up, can you ask Bernie what we and/or President Obama can do to stop the implementation of the Monsanto Protection amendment?