OT: The President has signed into law the Protection of Monsanto

Oct 15, 2008
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Very interesting...I shop at Whole Foods quite regularly. This is disheartening....but nothing surprises me in the American food industry!

Did anyone read what Monsanto did to Whole Foods Market. WFM was sued by Monsanto because Whole Foods had claimed that they did not carry any GMOs in the products sold in their stores. Monsanto knew otherwise, demanded the processed foods be checked, and sure enough Monsanto scientists found GMO products in many processed foods sold at Whole Foods that uneducated non-conspiracy minded people were eating.

That is why Whole Foods Market has decided to have mandatory labeling of all its products sold at their stores within five years. This is good. It will require all manufacturers to certify that there are or are not any GMO ingredients in their processed foods.
 
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Very interesting...I shop at Whole Foods quite regularly. This is disheartening....but nothing surprises me in the American food industry!
It feels most of the time like you're watching a crime drama (like "The GodFather" series) and seeing big gangs go at it/doing all of the typical mess that comes with the territory (i.e. extortion, protection racket, bribery, defaming property, violence, etc.) - except it's all within the realm of the farmers vs those who are in farm corporations trying to rule those who compete with them over food.

Corn is the new Crack cocaine...
 
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MariaRegina

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Gxg (G²);62763217 said:
It feels most of the time like you're watching a crime drama (like "The GodFather" series) and seeing big gangs go at it/doing all of the typical mess that comes with the territory (i.e. extortion, protection racket, bribery, defaming property, violence, etc.) - except it's all within the realm of the farmers vs those who are in farm corporations trying to rule those who compete with them over food.

Corn is the new Crack cocaine...

Exactly, and why do lawyers and prosecutors carefully avoid the term "conspiracy"? The Atlanta prosecutor has accused the former Atlanta school superintendent of "racketeering," so as to avoid using "conspiracy." Racketeering involves a conspiracy.

That the current chief of the FDA was formerly with Monsanto shows a conflict of interest.
 
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Thekla

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Did anyone read what Monsanto did to Whole Foods Market. WFM was sued by Monsanto because Whole Foods had claimed that they did not carry any GMOs in the products sold in their stores. Monsanto knew otherwise, demanded the processed foods be checked, and sure enough Monsanto scientists found GMO products in many processed foods sold at Whole Foods that uneducated non-conspiracy minded people were eating.

That is why Whole Foods Market has decided to have mandatory labeling of all its products sold at their stores within five years. This is good. It will require all manufacturers to certify that there are or are not any GMO ingredients in their processed foods.

I had heard of that, yes.

Thus far, Monsanto has consistently used the legal system to fight labeling and to fight farmers (who fear Monsanto's attention as the legal fees for defense drive farmers out of business even when they are not guilty of the charges).

I appreciate that Whole Foods has taken this step, but it is still a "win" for Monsanto in this sense -- the expense of testing and labeling falls on smaller and non-franchise (and non-corporate) farmers. This, and the persistent problem of crops destroyed by pollen drift means that, in practical terms, GM is the "new normal".
 
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Thekla

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Gxg (G²);62763217 said:
It feels most of the time like you're watching a crime drama (like "The GodFather" series) and seeing big gangs go at it/doing all of the typical mess that comes with the territory (i.e. extortion, protection racket, bribery, defaming property, violence, etc.) - except it's all within the realm of the farmers vs those who are in farm corporations trying to rule those who compete with them over food.

Corn is the new Crack cocaine...

Unfortunately; "if the shoe fits " ...
 
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Thekla

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For example:

Monsanto Co Contributions to Federal Candidates | OpenSecrets

Monsanto, Pesticide Companies Contribute Another $5.5 Million to Kill GMO Labeling Initiative | Cornucopia Institute

Lobbying and Advertising: Eight Ways Monsanto Fails at Sustainable Agriculture | Union of Concerned Scientists

tumblr_lve4ye19xf1r0gu47o1_1280.gif
 
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MariaRegina

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I had heard of that, yes.

Thus far, Monsanto has consistently used the legal system to fight labeling and to fight farmers (who fear Monsanto's attention as the legal fees for defense drive farmers out of business even when they are not guilty of the charges).

I appreciate that Whole Foods has taken this step, but it is still a "win" for Monsanto in this sense -- the expense of testing and labeling falls on smaller and non-franchise (and non-corporate) farmers. This, and the persistent problem of crops destroyed by pollen drift means that, in practical terms, GM is the "new normal".

Exactly, and the price of obtaining non-GMO foods will continue to rise until only the filthy rich can afford to buy it.

We have tried to grow organic crops in our little plot of land, but with the fluoride added to our municipal water, the crops do not grow as well as they used to. Only the weeds seem to be able to grow abundantly. Last year our tomato and carrot plants did not produce anything.

In addition, news media and official government reports are saying that chem trailing is necessary to protect us from solar radiation and global warming. NBC news did a test and discovered barium and aluminum were the principal ingredients of this intensified spraying. This stuff covers our cars and our garbage bins, and seems to have hurt our plants. Our neighbors have also been complaining that their eyes are itching more intensely too. What are these chemicals doing to our ground and to our plants?
 
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Thekla

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Exactly, and the price of obtaining non-GMO foods will continue to rise until only the filthy rich can afford to buy it.

We have tried to grow organic crops in our little plot of land, but with the fluoride added to our municipal water, the crops do not grow as well as they used to. Only the weeds seem to be able to grow abundantly. Last year our tomato and carrot plants did not produce anything.

In addition, news media and official government reports are saying that chem trailing is necessary to protect us from solar radiation and global warming. NBC news did a test and discovered barium and aluminum were the principal ingredients of this intensified spraying. This stuff covers our cars and our garbage bins, and seems to have hurt our plants. Our neighbors have also been complaining that their eyes are itching more intensely too. What are these chemicals doing to our ground and to our plants?

2012 was one of the worst years so far for bee colony collapse, so that's also a problem. (In previous years, gardeners I know have had drastically lower yields from lack of pollinators.)

Can you test for Ph and use soil amendments ?
 
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Unfortunately; "if the shoe fits " ...

Indeed..

Of course, for many believers (especially those within Evangelical culture), the main issues will never be something as essential as food since the battle lines are combatting against Gay Marriage and Abortion. And as important as those things are, you ensure people STILL get beat up when you ignore the Food issue.

I remember something that occurred years ago - as the USDA approved the planting of Monsanto’s genetically modified alfalfa, a crop used mainly as hay for cattle. Most organic farmers opposed the decision, but Forbes and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) have brought to attention the fact that Whole Food Markets, Stonyfield Farms, and Organic Valley–three of the biggest natural food brands–split with the rest of the organic community and opted to support “co-existence” with Monsanto’s alfalfa.

Essentially, Whole Foods expected the USDA to regulate GMO alfalfa and make sure that non-GMO varieties are preserved. ..and they expected Monsanto to pay “the farmer for any losses related to the contamination of his crop”–a tactic that the OCA referred to as paying hush money to farmers.

Something that brings the issue home, from another who noted how Whole Foods and Others Joined Monsanto Gang of Food Thugs..and the ways that it is simply one part of a large strand of of Corporate Greed that not many want to tackle..much of it reflective of one large horror show in the way they operate:


evil-corporations-copy-500x384.jpg

dees-food-safety-bill2.jpg



Stonyfield Farm, for its part, denied any wrongdoing - as seen in an open letter on its website from CEO Gary Hirshbirg.

And as others noted, it'd probably not make sense to vilify Whole Foods, Stonyfield, and Organic Valley..for boycotting these companies would only hurt the organic family farmers who supply them. ..and in many ways, they are like the "Mom and Pops" stores that either get run out of town or beat into submission when they realize that the Criminal organizations coming in are fighting it out - with the small stores being either collateral damage or people that get to survive because they choose to support a side.​
 
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MariaRegina

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Whole Foods CLAIMS that it was forced into agreeing with Monsanto due to a pressing lawsuit. APPARENTLY, the relationship between Whole Foods and Monsanto is adversarial.

I doubt that the whole truth will come out due to the APPARENTLY devious measures Monsanto has taken.

Anyone who trusts Monsanto MIGHT just have a hole in their heads.

Again, read C.S. Lewis' book That Hideous Strength and his description of N.I.C.E., which is not nice at all and SEEMS to fit Monsanto like a glove.

Doesn't it SEEM like Monsanto has achieved its goals by getting its own police force (aka FDA), almost the entire collection of earthly seeds, most of the farmlands, and most of the money too? With this latest Monsanto Protection Act, it APPEARS like they have almost achieved their goals.

p.s. I am using uppercase letters to show that I certainly do not trust Monsanto and their lawyers. Let him who has eyes, see.

Gxg (G²);62764494 said:
Indeed..

Of course, for many believers (especially those within Evangelical culture), the main issues will never be something as essential as food since the battle lines are combatting against Gay Marriage and Abortion. And as important as those things are, you ensure people STILL get beat up when you ignore the Food issue.

I remember something that occurred years ago - as the USDA approved the planting of Monsanto’s genetically modified alfalfa, a crop used mainly as hay for cattle. Most organic farmers opposed the decision, but Forbes and the Organic Consumers Association (OCA) have brought to attention the fact that Whole Food Markets, Stonyfield Farms, and Organic Valley–three of the biggest natural food brands–split with the rest of the organic community and opted to support “co-existence” with Monsanto’s alfalfa.

Essentially, Whole Foods expected the USDA to regulate GMO alfalfa and make sure that non-GMO varieties are preserved. ..and they expected Monsanto to pay “the farmer for any losses related to the contamination of his crop”–a tactic that the OCA referred to as paying hush money to farmers.

Something that brings the issue home, from another who noted how Whole Foods and Others Joined Monsanto Gang of Food Thugs..and the ways that it is simply one part of a large strand of of Corporate Greed that not many want to tackle..much of it reflective of one large horror show in the way they operate:


evil-corporations-copy-500x384.jpg

dees-food-safety-bill2.jpg



Stonyfield Farm, for its part, denied any wrongdoing - as seen in an open letter on its website from CEO Gary Hirshbirg.

And as others noted, it'd probably not make sense to vilify Whole Foods, Stonyfield, and Organic Valley..for boycotting these companies would only hurt the organic family farmers who supply them. ..and in many ways, they are like the "Mom and Pops" stores that either get run out of town or beat into submission when they realize that the Criminal organizations coming in are fighting it out - with the small stores being either collateral damage or people that get to survive because they choose to support a side.​
 
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Coporatism at its best - and not even hidden. Love the diagram as it brings the issue home...

What you said reminded of what happened years back when many huge food conglomerates joined Monsanto's gang in an effort to defeat Prop 37 in California on November 6, 2012. ..with Proposition 37 being a ballot initiative that requires genetically engineered foods to be labeled as such, and would prevent deceptive marketing tactics of labeling GMO foods as “natural.”

What was HIGHLY ironic was that most of the companies lobbying against Prop 37 also had a stake in the organic industry...something truly telling in the global food revolution since these companies export their products across the world and can make whatever they want ..even though the public has the right to know if there is GMOs in the food they buy.

In order to know what companies and organic brands to potentially black list on your shopping list, one can go here/see the complete chart of companies that contributed major dollars to defeat Prop 37 and also own organic brands:

  • - General Mills owns organic or "natural" brands including Cascadian Farm, Larabar and Muir Glen.
  • - Pepsi owns Naked Juice.
  • - Nestle owns Tribe Mediterranean Food.
  • - Cocacola owns Odwalla.
  • - Kellogg owns Bear Naked, Morningstar Farms, Natural Touch, Kashi and Wholesome & Hearty.
  • - Hershey Company owns Dagoba Organic Chocolate.
  • - Dean Foods Co. owns Silk, White Wave, Alta Dena, and Horizon, which owns the Organic Cow of Vermont.
More could be said...but suffice to say, there is an entire list of companies fighting to keep us in the dark and the contributions they're making to lobby against Prop 37 - some which were shocking to say the least. It reminded me of a huge Shell Game where the goal is to keep you distracted/guessing as long as possible via acting through sleight of hand...playing on the fact that you want to find where the mark is....and having you think it's in one place while manuevering behind the scenes occurs...and for many organic farmers, it's sad when they think Monsanto is the goal and yet they have no idea that other companies they may support are also in bed with them.

And not a surprise seeing how many already are paid SUBSTANTIALLY well...and thus, you gotta look out for whoever will make sure you get paid:
Monsanto Company = $4,208,000
DuPont Pioneer = $2,441,500
PepsiCo Inc. = $1,716,300
BASF Plant Science = $1,642,300
Bayer CropScience = $1,618,400
E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co. = $1,273,600
Dow Agrosciences LLC = $1,184,800
Nestle USA = $1,169,400
Coca-Cola North America = $1,164,400
ConAgra Foods = $1,076,700
Syngenta Corporation = $821,300
Kellogg Co. = $632,500
Council for Biotechnology Information = $625,000
General Mills Inc. = $519,401
Hershey Company = $395,100
J.M. Smucker Co. = $388,000
Grocery Manufacturers Association = $375,000
Hormel Foods Corp. = $374,300
Bimbo Bakeries USA = $338,300
Pioneer Hi-Bred International (a DuPont business) = $310,100
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. = $301,553
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC = $266,100
Dean Foods Co. = $253,950
Biotech Industry Organization = $250,000
McCormick & Co. Inc. = $248,200
Rich Products Corp. = $225,537
Cargill Inc. = $202,229
Del Monte Foods Co. = $189,975
Knouse Foods Cooperative = $131,409
W.M. Wrigley Jr. Co. = $116,866
Mars Food North America = $100,243
Bumble Bee Foods LLC = $98,074
Sara Lee Corp. = $96,833
Sunny Delight Beverages Co. = $93,796
Campbell Soup Co. = $70,455
Solae LLC (Affiliated with DuPont & Monsanto = $59,215
McCain Foods USA = $50,593
Dole Packaged Foods Co. = $45,580

To see a FULL size chart on the issue, one can go here:​

As noted here, the chart shows the latest update of major corporate ownership and involvement in the organic food sector that is now out. And the chart graphically focuses on the organic brands with ties to the top 25 food processors in North America.

I am so thankful for Dr. Phil Howard, an Assistant Professor at Michigan State, who is responsible for the creation and updating of the organic food business chart. He teaches in the University’s Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies program. And it is fortunately the case that Dr. Howard has now created a new graphically animated version of consolidation occurring in the organic food sector between 1995 and 2007.

For more, you can view this by clicking on this link . Additionally,
Dr. Howard’s first organic food sector chart, from 2002 (the date the USDA’s organic standards were implemented) gave some very interesting comparisons of the dramatic changes that have taken place with organics over the past 4 years...and for more, one can view the 2008 organic food sector chart by clicking here. Moreover, two other revealing presentations of organic business have also been prepared by Dr. Howard. ..as the following are charts of major independent organic companies and private label organic brands, including supermarket chains, specialty chains and distributors.

The rabbit hole goes deep on this one...:cool:
 
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MariaRegina

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Monsanto Company = $4,208,000
DuPont Pioneer = $2,441,500
PepsiCo Inc. = $1,716,300
BASF Plant Science = $1,642,300
Bayer CropScience = $1,618,400
E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co. = $1,273,600
Dow Agrosciences LLC = $1,184,800
Nestle USA = $1,169,400
Coca-Cola North America = $1,164,400
ConAgra Foods = $1,076,700
Syngenta Corporation = $821,300
Kellogg Co. = $632,500
Council for Biotechnology Information = $625,000
General Mills Inc. = $519,401
Hershey Company = $395,100
J.M. Smucker Co. = $388,000
Grocery Manufacturers Association = $375,000
Hormel Foods Corp. = $374,300
Bimbo Bakeries USA = $338,300
Pioneer Hi-Bred International (a DuPont business) = $310,100
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. = $301,553
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC = $266,100
Dean Foods Co. = $253,950
Biotech Industry Organization = $250,000
McCormick & Co. Inc. = $248,200
Rich Products Corp. = $225,537
Cargill Inc. = $202,229
Del Monte Foods Co. = $189,975
Knouse Foods Cooperative = $131,409
W.M. Wrigley Jr. Co. = $116,866
Mars Food North America = $100,243
Bumble Bee Foods LLC = $98,074
Sara Lee Corp. = $96,833
Sunny Delight Beverages Co. = $93,796
Campbell Soup Co. = $70,455
Solae LLC (Affiliated with DuPont & Monsanto = $59,215
McCain Foods USA = $50,593
Dole Packaged Foods Co. = $45,580

I have been boycotting all of these companies as most have sugar in their processed foods, which are not good for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes. By the way, most of this processed sugar comes from GMO corn, which is processed to make high fructose corn syrup, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, dextrose in IV bags for hospital use, etc.
 
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Whole Foods CLAIMS that it was forced into agreeing with Monsanto due to a pressing lawsuit. APPARENTLY, the relationship between Whole Foods and Monsanto is adversarial.

I doubt that the whole truth will come out due to the APPARENTLY devious measures Monsanto has taken.

Anyone who trusts Monsanto MIGHT just have a hole in their heads.
Ultimately, you already know that if BIG MONEY is involved, you are probably not going to truly get all the facts - including what happens off the books and what goes on behind the scenes. Just follow the money trail.

As said before elsewhere (83, #80 , #79 and #89 ) , of course I'm not against all forms of genetic engineering with foods and products - but I do walk with a lot of caution whenever others praise everything done in the name of it.

Many don't really have a lot of wisdom on the basics when it comes to the food supply:

Rich Food Revolution?


And we already have some VERY BIG issues coming up in light of how so many of the chemical aspects we've used in pollinization have come back to haunt us. Bees are dying due to the sheer amount of chemical agents (including those which are not synthetic and are instead organic). You already know what happens when the Eco-System is impacted by the severe loss of bees (regardless of how many try to act as if not taking care of the natural world is not important/a part of the Gospel being promoted) - for it will lead to A LOT of destruction. This goes directly in line with what was noted before when it came to the dynamic of others now making Genetically Engineered Trees (as shared in #14 / #41 ) - as it leads to more problems than it solves.

With what's happening with bees, it's interesting to see the timing of events in light of the fact that scientists have recently realized that nanoparticles made From Bee Venom can kill HIV. And for reference on the Bee issue:











Again, read C.S. Lewis' book That Hideous Strength and his description of N.I.C.E., which is not nice at all and SEEMS to fit Monsanto like a glove.
Already aware of it - and no need for the reference, although thanks for sharing anyway.

As said before, things are not always as simple as they seem and even Lewis noted that on a host of occassions when it came to why men struggle with many issues.
Doesn't it SEEM like Monsanto has achieved its goals by getting its own police force (aka FDA), the entire collection of earthly seeds, most of the farmlands, and most of the money too? With this latest Monsanto Protection Act, it APPEARS like they have almost achieved their goals.

p.s. I am using uppercase letters to show that I certainly do not trust Monsanto and their lawyers. Let him who has eyes, see
Understood.

Ultimately, people are people - no matter how corrupt (or decieved) - and thus, the ultimate solution is prayer/bringing the issues to the Lord.
 
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I have been boycotting all of these companies as most have sugar in their processed foods, which are not good for those with pre-diabetes or diabetes. By the way, most of this processed sugar comes from GMO corn, which is processed to make high fructose corn syrup, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, dextrose in IV bags for hospital use, etc.
Most of the companies I was aware of them doing some bad actions - paticularly Coke..as it concerns the Water supply being abused in other places.


The others you tend to boycott by default by virtue of the fact that having awareness of what certain products due (corn syrup being one of them) tends to make you less prone to buy them anyway without knowing what you're getting into.

My main concern for some of the companies, of course, would be BEYOND food as it concerns my diet. For with companies like Nestle, I'm more disturbed with their connections to Global Slavery when it comes to harvesting chocolate and the trafficking of children to supply it (more disucssed here and here) than I am on whether or not the food is healthy. The slavery issue has been ocucrring for SOME time now - and not many aware aware of it.

But with the foods you noted having bad properties in them, Indeed - I've been aware of that for years when it comes to the issue of processed foods/the damage they do long-term. Hard not to be aware of those things when you grow up in a family that is full of Medical Doctors/Physicans :)

Some of this (as shared elsewhere) has bene discussed when it comes to what the First Lady has sought to do with her "Let's Move" program for healthy food and addressing many of the processed foods kids get in the schools they're at (as discussed in #103 , #109 and #258 )...and I hope others continue to support her on the isuse. Seeing it up close with the foods many kids get in the inner-city, it is a surprise many wonder why kids may not do as well.
 
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That Monsanto has used the legal system to bully small farmers is a matter of public record; farmers in this country have been driven out of business by legal fees defending themselves from Monsanto even when they have been found not in abrogation of the law.

Its a powerful corporation with huge influence; that in itself is neither here nor there. Their track record, and the analysis of the rider, is.
So true....and truthfully, to me, it's just as bad to demonize all people within Monsanto (i.e. workers, managers, etc.) on all levels for the corruption done by many in it as it is to ignore the ways it does damage. Just like the U.S Postal Service has been used to ship materials which many unbelievers (alongside the CHurhc) have rightly condemned as not worthy of support (i.e. shipping inappropriate contentagraphic materials for example or magazines which have bad content) - there are others in the system who are not out to harm others....simply working a job....and unaware of some of what happens, while others involved feel trapped in it and try to focus on the good that has been done. And others in the system understand that both GOOD and bad occur - choosing to look at the good the U.S Postal Services does rather than solely see the bad. Even with Monsanto, there are good things that have been done by it historically - but that cannot be used to ignore the bad.

I appreciate, for example, the fact that Monsanto has done a lot of work in writing grants to others for Nature Conservatories amongst other things
 
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This should help to explain why the rider is a problem, and why the descriptions seem to exceed the language of the rider:


You can read the complete article here:
USDA to Approve the Next Gene-Altered Crop | Rodale News

Imo, this rider was "all about" gmo sugar beet and gmo alfalfa; the rider circumvents the testing process and the judicial system and makes the crop planting the de facto test/trial. And a mistake at this level has far reaching consequences for the farmers the bill very clearly does not protect (conventional and organic farmers, who theoretically stand to lose out in perpetuity from one instance of pollen contamination).

The rider also sets precedent for testing; ie, these crops were fast-tracked. Once fast-tracking approval is done once, and protected, and the judicial level overturned there is the real potential that fast-tracking and concomitant crop protection will become the norm. That is the way things are done in the US.

Perhaps it's just me - but I think that if anything is going to be done long term to address Monsanto at the root of all the things it may do, then perhaps change will come from the Monsanto Workers themselves boycotting their company...and refusing to work for it.



Seriously, it's not just a bunch of people in a Cabal in the shadows acting things out - as they need workers - and till workers speak out in unified voice, not much may occur except people on the outside of Monsanto complaining on the company. We already have the historical example of what happened with the Bus Boycotts and the Sanitation Strikes of the Civil Rights era when others were not being treated correctly - choosing to not support the system as workers.

And we have other exmaples as well....for historically, even agricultural wise, there was a lot of discrimination - and one example of how others had grown tired of it can be seen in what happened in 1903 when 1,500 Japanese and Mexican sugar beet harvesters in Oxnard staged California's first recorded agricultural strike...a truly multi-cultural event and one many Japanese Americans have never forgotten when it came to treatment they recieved...and the ways it really impacted the food industry.

Some of this goes back to the concept of how much power labor unions can really accomplish when taking control of corporations/letting others know that it's NOT impossible for them to have significant impact with their voices. But in light of where Monsanto has done a lot of harm, it could really make a difference for others internally to lend their voice to the many who've been harmed.

 
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In C.S. Lewis' That Hideous Strength, not all the people who worked for N.I.C.E. were evil, but the top people were. The same applies to NICE Monsanto. Many Monsanto employees demanded organic food in Monsanto's cafeteria, so Monsanto did allow some organic foods to be available for sale. Hey, profits matter!
 
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