Thread: Food safety, GMOs and the global fight against Monsanto

As Wenonah Hauter, the head of Food and Water Watch, wrote for the Guardian this week:

"We have spent months looking at the extent to which the US State Department is working on behalf of the GM seed industry to make sure that biotech crops are served up abroad whether the world wants them or not."

Her organization, scanning 900 diplomatic cables, found the State Department encouraging US embassies across the world to "pursue an active biotech agenda" and "encourage the use of agricultural biotechnology."

With the support of the government, Monsanto is a key force in American agriculture. Its sells a popular and powerful herbicide, Roundup, alongside the only seeds that are really resistant to it: soybeans named Roundup Ready, for which it charges twice the price of normal seeds. Strong herbicide has led, predictably, to stronger superweeds; now Monsanto is creating seeds that are resistant to even more powerful weedkillers.

Answer this trollybkk - you keep wanting to make this issue not about Obama, but how is it that HIS state department is using US embassies to push GMO food on the world? This is my business, this is my concern, and this is 100% at your man crushes door. So explain then why you think it is not?

Monsanto to stop seeking GMO approval in Europe

Monsanto, the world's largest producer of agricultural seeds and a giant in the field of agricultural biotechnology, is halting its efforts to lobby European governments to allow the cultivation of its genetically modified plants and seeds, a German newspaper has reported.


Full article: Monsanto to stop seeking GMO approval in Europe - Business - CBC News

Originally Posted by TonyBKK

Michael Taylor, a former VP and lobbyist for Monsanto is a good example. Taylor has been with Monsanto, FDA, USDA, Monsanto, private sector, university, FDA and is a classic example of the 'revolving door'.

There is a growing effort to have him fired from the FDA for his role in circumventing the food testing and screening process to speed GM foods in to the U.S. market.

That's good to know I guess.

Some vegetarians who don't understand the ins and outs of governing America in the name of all that's good are getting folks to stand up and oppose Obama's apparent tendency to favour folks who've worked for Monsanto over the years. After actually making an issue of GM foods in his campaigning. Wonder why Obama appointed him in the first place. Can you say bait and switch?

Saying this is an example of the "revolving door" in American administration means what exactly? It's common so it must be OK?

When the Republicans do it, it's Repugnant, and when the Democrats do it it has a vernacular label that makes it sound OK?

I would guess that within a few years there will be a book with Taylor at the center about the legal-legislative-administrative manipulations involved in getting Monsanto and GM foods into an unassailable position in the American Food Manufacturing Industry going back 30 years.

The man is a classic industry hack. 5 years at the FDA then out to a great job heading up food and drug law at a big firm with Monsanto as a client. Publishes a paper that is influential in altering the way the law defines the risk involved with carcinogenic materials- to Monsanto's continuing financial benefit- and his career as a corporate shill working for the federal government is launched well and truly.

But he's Obama's sonofabitch, so that's OK.

Originally Posted by mao say dung

Some vegetarians who don't understand the ins and outs of governing America in the name of all that's good are getting folks to stand up and oppose Obama's apparent tendency to favour folks who've worked for Monsanto over the years. After actually making an issue of GM foods in his campaigning. Wonder why Obama appointed him in the first place. Can you say bait and switch?

What about the meat eaters?

Bad breath and a tendency to sudden outbursts of violence. Fuck them.

Originally Posted by mao say dung

Bad breath and a tendency to sudden outbursts of violence. Fuck them.

Where as vege's chew gum then ?

Originally Posted by mao say dung

But he's Obama's sonofabitch, so that's OK.

Exactly.

Originally Posted by mao say dung

Originally Posted by TonyBKK

Michael Taylor, a former VP and lobbyist for Monsanto is a good example. Taylor has been with Monsanto, FDA, USDA, Monsanto, private sector, university, FDA and is a classic example of the 'revolving door'.

There is a growing effort to have him fired from the FDA for his role in circumventing the food testing and screening process to speed GM foods in to the U.S. market.

That's good to know I guess.

Some vegetarians who don't understand the ins and outs of governing America in the name of all that's good are getting folks to stand up and oppose Obama's apparent tendency to favour folks who've worked for Monsanto over the years. After actually making an issue of GM foods in his campaigning. Wonder why Obama appointed him in the first place. Can you say bait and switch?

Saying this is an example of the "revolving door" in American administration means what exactly? It's common so it must be OK?

When the Republicans do it, it's Repugnant, and when the Democrats do it it has a vernacular label that makes it sound OK?

I would guess that within a few years there will be a book with Taylor at the center about the legal-legislative-administrative manipulations involved in getting Monsanto and GM foods into an unassailable position in the American Food Manufacturing Industry going back 30 years.

The man is a classic industry hack. 5 years at the FDA then out to a great job heading up food and drug law at a big firm with Monsanto as a client. Publishes a paper that is influential in altering the way the law defines the risk involved with carcinogenic materials- to Monsanto's continuing financial benefit- and his career as a corporate shill working for the federal government is launched well and truly.

But he's Obama's sonofabitch, so that's OK.

No, it's not ok. Please see post 46

^Uh-huh.

So you agree that Obama, in this instance, lied to voters and is acting as a corporate stooge, much like Bush did.

Thought for a minute there that you were coming off sounding like a Democrat version of what FOX does for the Republicans.

Whew.

Being that it is quite an important issue, and a lot of merkins are angry about it (some are even threatening to put down the remote and the giant gulp and wave their arm at the tv screen) I would have thought that Obama might have addressed the issue; you know, made a statement or something to put the peoples minds at ease. All the faith people like trollybkk show and yet their god hasn't spoken from the mount yet? Usually if a politician cares about something and the people, he would come out and say "heh, my hands were tired, I had to sign it, but don't worry, I will not do it again...honest".

But no! Silence.

Originally Posted by mao say dung

^Uh-huh.

So you agree that Obama, in this instance, lied to voters and is acting as a corporate stooge, much like Bush did.

Thought for a minute there that you were coming off sounding like a Democrat version of what FOX does for the Republicans.

Whew.

Not sure I'd go so far as to say Obama lied, but certainly he is more beholden to lobbyists and corporate interests than many, including myself, had hoped.

Obama campaigned on a promise to challenge the status quo, but the reality of executive office has given us a president who, more often than not, works within the system he hoped to change.

I remain impressed at what he's been able to accomplish in the face of an obstructionist GOP. I think Obama's hope for bi-partisan compromise and progress have been shattered by the reality of the obstructionist Tea Party GOP.

It's become clear that Tea Party republicans will never cooperate for the good of the country. They are more interested in advancing their own short-sighted agendas. Tea Party Republicans will never make good decisions that help Americans if they think they can make the Democrats take the blame for failing to pass those measures that could help the country.

He just can not do it - can not say a bad thing about The Brand, Obama.

The man who is completely owned and corrupted by Monsanto, and yet Trollybkk can not say a negative about him. Blame it on the gop.

Well, Obama is good at signing executive orders, but only when they take peoples liberties and lives away. Not such a hot shot at signing them when it means protecting the people of the US from GMO etc. Maybe this has something to do with his eugenicist campaign to push GMO into Africa as launched in 2012, publically applauding Monsanto et al for their success in screwing the worlds poorest continent.

Sorry, Tony, but I don't watch TV, so the waving of hands and blatant shifting of responsibility means nothing to me.

The TP Reps didn't hire Taylor straight out of Monsanto to regulate Monsanto-- a Democrat POTUS did.

Just the same as it isn't the TP Reps ordering the drones to kill American citizens and various non-white civilians who happen to be in the area.

Your man isn't just a mild disappointment. He's a very successful sham.

And just as the TP and their ilk are, I agree, corroding American democracy and governance, Obama and his "marketing"= democracy crowd are working the same game from the other end.

They may need to lie and bluster on TV, but surely regular folks can just talk straight about what's what. That's a democratic responsibility too, right?

In politics you have to be able to see the big pictures and know where to pick your battles.

The next farm bill, which is presently working its way through the house and senate, contains language to repeal the Monsanto Protection Act and enjoys broad bi-partisan support.

I expect President Obama to sign that bill into law.

'Monsanto Protection Act' Repeal Effort Officially Backed By Sen. Jeff Merkley

"
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) confirmed that he is proposing an amendment to the upcoming farm bill that would eliminate the "Monsanto Protection Act."
Officially known as the Farmer Assurance Provision, the controversial agricultural provision was surreptitiously tucked into budget legislation -- passed by Congress in March and signed into law by President Barack Obama -- that was intended to avoid a government shutdown. The provision, which the public at large caught wind of only after the bill's passage, allows agricultural companies such as Monsanto to ignore court orders against selling genetically-engineered seeds.
"


Full article: 'Monsanto Protection Act' Repeal Effort Officially Backed By Sen. Jeff Merkley

2 weeks ago... "just defeated"?

Senate rejects GM food labeling amendment to farm bill | World news | guardian.co.uk

Originally Posted by mao say dung

2 weeks ago... "just defeated"?

Senate rejects GM food labeling amendment to farm bill | World news | guardian.co.uk

Ah, I guess Pseudo-troll was talking about food labeling, not the repeal of the Farmer Assurance Provision, aka "Monsanto Protection Act"?

Surprised you have time for all this trolling, boy, when you should be reading through the farm bill to prove that your precious obama is doing somethjing.

Cos he's not

Not even a little word to the press. Because he is 100% corrupt and owned.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

Surprised you have time for all this trolling, boy, when you should be reading through the farm bill to prove that your precious obama is doing somethjing.

Cos he's not

Not even a little word to the press. Because he is 100% corrupt and owned.

For someone who seems to be pretty fascinated by American politics you sure are ignorant of how the legislative process works in the U S of A.

The President doesn't write the laws, that's the job of Congress ya numpty.

Here is the legislative process in cartoon form- I hope you can follow along and learn something...

you are deliberately obtuse.

Where is your president making a statement about GMO, other than a year ago telling your embassies in africa to push GMO there on behalf of Monsanto.

ONe utterance. One word from him. Anything that supports your faith in him. Anything that suggest that he is prepared to listen to 90% "your" country.

He's played ya for a sucker, trollbkk.

Originally Posted by pseudolus

other than a year ago telling your embassies in africa to push GMO there on behalf of Monsanto.

Link?

Debbie Stabenow Pledges To Oppose Monsanto Protection Act Extension Without Full Debate

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), the chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee, pledged to oppose the extension of the so-called the Monsanto Protection Act, a victory for advocates who have been pressing for its repeal.
Stabenow made her pledge in a conversation with Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who has been pushing the Senate to vote on an amendment to the farm bill that would repeal the provision.
Debbie Stabenow Pledges To Oppose Monsanto Protection Act Extension Without Full Debate

Merely a few hours after Monsanto announce they are stopping GMO seed production in some parts of Europe, Eton Boy Cameron launches a salvo

BBC News - David Cameron: 'World must tackle hunger differently'

"beating hunger through Business and Science" is the heading behind him talking about "better seeds".

Another shill for big business but of course we know that already. I wonder if he was told to say all this after his Bilderberg meeting this weekend?

This is a great watch and the guy is hilarious. He makes a good point too. Watch it to the end.