What is Digg?Sponsored by Travelzoo
Take Advantage of Ridiculously Low Holiday Airfares view!
travelzoo.com - Flights $52 and up for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year. But move on it now.
323 Comments
- algaeturd, on 03/18/2009, -9/+131If people knew anything about Monsanto, this would be the top story today. It's crazy how much they have muscled the government to up their profits, use chemicals that may cause cancer and worked around laws. All so they can control the world's food chain.
It's no conspiracy. A quick google of monsanto will give you more than enough legit info to see what that company is all about. - inactive, on 03/18/2009, -4/+90lol...Dude, wake up.
95% of what the Federal government does, they have no Constitutional authority to do. - cubicledrone, on 03/18/2009, -7/+84Where does the Federal government derive the Constitutional authority to regulate agriculture outside of interstate commerce?
- UnFriendlyFire, on 03/17/2009, -12/+68This has been posted many times, but it is important to tell everyone your know to write their U.S. Repesentivies and Senators (The bill will go to the senate at some point.)
- jasdf, on 03/18/2009, -4/+59As a farmboy, I feel like this is senseless regulation. Most farmers that I know just want to plant their corp, harvest it, and sell it. They can't afford to hire a lawyer to sort through all of the crappy laws.
My dad works 80+ hours per week on his farm, the last thing he needs is more regulation from the government. - toasty168, on 03/18/2009, -10/+61here it comes... doesn't matter who's in power. republicans or democrats. power corrupts.
- Mattwdj, on 03/18/2009, -7/+52This is a major overreaction to the salmonella out break. If the FDA actually did their job this wouldn't even be a problem. We dont need more regulation, we just need to enforce the current regulations. This will just cause more problems during a recession.
I hope obama can and will veto it, if it passes. - waldo21, on 03/18/2009, -4/+44This isn't just about organic farming, it applies to any small scale farmer who wants to sell produce. Those people along side the roads in rural towns selling corn, raspberries or whatever will also bu subject to the regulations since they "transport" the produce for sale.
- DuneZombie, on 03/18/2009, -1/+36Agreed. Please take the time to learn about Monsanto! Almost all of the world's seed sales are coming from five or fewer giant corporations. It should terrify you that Monsanto was (is) considering the use of terminator seeds! What if they hybridize with other plants!!
So please take time to learn about this issue! It isn't just about organic farming - it is about food production altogether!! - altgeeky1, on 03/18/2009, -2/+35Monsanto is about the only entity more evil than Scientology.
- datatribe, on 03/18/2009, -0/+31I wrote my rep and pointed out that this violates title III - the right to the pursuit of life and liberty seems to be mightily infringed by restricting us from growing our own food. And if you think it's an exaggeration that this would restrict you growing your own veggies in your back yard, folks, be sure to read the definitions section of the bill.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill= ...
The loose definition for Food Production Facility could easily be interpreted to include your garden, pantry and kitchen. - inactive, on 03/18/2009, -1/+26http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wickard_v._Filburn
It's actually the same precedent that the government uses to justify the criminalization of growing your own marijuana for your own consumption. - Jacare, on 03/18/2009, -1/+26you can thank Monsanto for the puss in the US milk supply, prosilac is one of their products(an artificial hormone that boosts milk production), it is absolutely terrible for the cows and can cause large infections in the udder and then said udder gets milked, resulting in puss in the milk. it is banned in Canada, parts of the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, but very legal in the and widely used in the US, at least 90-98% of the US dairy industry uses it.
- phylum, on 03/18/2009, -10/+33organic food is people!
- shrewd1983, on 03/18/2009, -10/+32Damm important issue, people need to open there eyes.
- seks03, on 03/18/2009, -3/+25These guys are just begging for a revolution.
- altgeeky1, on 03/18/2009, -0/+21They don't need authority...
Congress recognize that they can wring more campaign money out of Monsanto and ADM than they can from the middle class. It is a business decision for them.
The FDA is also permitting candy makers to use the word "chocolate" on their products, even if the product contains NO chocolate at all. It merely has to seem like chocolate, in someone's opinion... - trythison4sighs, on 03/18/2009, -0/+21Which is STILL unconstitutional!
- DiggyWiggy, on 03/18/2009, -1/+21Also, research Codex Alimentarius.
The ultimate goal is the outlaw of vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, organic, free-range, natural ANYTHING. Basically, we're *****.
"Who controls the food supply controls the people…" -Kissinger - nixfu, on 03/18/2009, -3/+23We might as well RIP UP the Constitution and roll a big one with it.... the words on it are USELESS. We have a federal government that thinks it can DO ANYTHING.
If you are not willing to rise up and FORCE the government to follow it...then its worthless. Unless your willing to protect your rights at the end of a barrel....those rights are gone. - neozeed, on 03/18/2009, -13/+32Yippie more government regulations! Becuase they LOVE us right? Just like how they poison the water, but refuse to provide universal dental care..
- jfreeman, on 03/18/2009, -4/+23You apparently know nothing about farming. All the major farms use herbicides and pesticides. Monsanto invented Roundup, then they patented Roundup-resistant seeds for several different crops. Monsanto seed provides 70 - 100% of several major crops. This is why Monsanto supports this bill. They can get the government to force people to use Monsanto seed by claiming that anything else is "unsafe."
- quomen, on 03/18/2009, -2/+21But that doesn't make it right. If there's a time to fight back, it's now.
Once expanded government bureaucracy is put in place, it's MUCH MUCH MUCH (near impossible) to get rid of it.
The best medicine is preventative. - ftx437, on 03/18/2009, -19/+36wait, you mean to tell me a Democrat is in with special interest groups? no! that's only a republican thing i thought..(or would think if you believed the msm)
- beshore1, on 03/18/2009, -4/+20Write your congressman:
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml - Ductapemaster, on 03/18/2009, -1/+17Using a cracked.com article as a reference doesn't mean anything.
- NinjaBoy, on 03/18/2009, -2/+17Its my right to choose. Non powered windows in cars are a step backwards. Should that be illegal too?
- inactive, on 03/18/2009, -7/+22Fuoride is NOT good for you. DO a little reserch on its effect on brain development.
- CSimonds, on 03/18/2009, -3/+18For those of you that think this is "silly conspiracy theories" remember this -- draconian laws, rules and regulations that we are facing now all started out "for our own good" until the control-freak politicians got ahold of it. Just like the Patriot Act. It's supposed to "save us from the terrorists" and now we suddenly find ourselves on the terrorist list for daring to speak out against government intrusion. And if you think Lord Obama won't abuse his power like Dubya then dream on. Remember the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
If you want to see an eye-opening film about Monsanto, go to Google video and watch "The World According to Monsanto" - frishackbanned, on 03/18/2009, -1/+15why are you talking about political parties? This is about your life and future. Support the truth, and not some imaginary party line.
- Corrosionx, on 03/18/2009, -2/+16Are you really going to obey that stupid law? Have some balls for ***** sake.
- knowitall, on 03/18/2009, -2/+16YIPPY! More bureaucratic red tape!
- LongShlong, on 03/18/2009, -2/+16There's a difference between wanting to eat non GMO food and being a self-important ***** about what you eat. I suppose you just can't discern that thin line; perhaps it's just blurry because your eyes are too close together.
- PopcornDave, on 03/18/2009, -1/+15Next time try writing it on the back of a donation check in the amount of at least $100K and you'll get a response.
- Ductapemaster, on 03/18/2009, -2/+16Not true, the USDA has it's own set of standards for organic food, and the food cannot sport the label unless it has passed the tests in place. Do some research next time.
- CrudOMatic, on 03/18/2009, -5/+18It's all about the criminal ***** at Monsanto selling their "seeds" and making sure noone can grow food without using their poisons.
They just won't let us get away from this toxicity. If this passes, I may just leave this country - their agenda will be crystal clear then.
You can have 'em - Obama too. - qwikk, on 03/18/2009, -9/+22should read the article. the bill is real and very much not beneficial to our country.
- asciilogic, on 03/18/2009, -3/+16According this article...
<a class="user" href="http://www.cracked.com/article_17084_5-ways-people ... rel="nofollow">http://www.cracked.com/article_17084_5-ways-people ...</a>
...from koinek. Organic farming is inefficient, ie, the output is not as high as one of those mega farms...as a result, transporting to different regions becomes difficult.
Duh! Why the hell would I want my lettuce to come from some mega farm in some other state? I'd rather buy my lettuce from locally grown organic farms. The more of those (local) organic farms, the better...because they'd be competition.
We need to grow locally...sell locally...consume locally! This goes for the rest of the world. Especially poor countries. Let's build up there infrastructure and teach them how to grow. For those items that cannot be obtained locally, then yes...import those items...but the more local we grow and consume...the better.
Oh...and as for the health aspect mentioned in the article...the organically grown food that I buy tastes much better than the "big farm" stuff. I could say it makes me "feel healthier"...but I won't. I definitely now that it tastes better. - inactive, on 03/18/2009, -1/+13Hey, I'm totally with you there, man, but try telling that to the Supreme Court.
Of course, I find the logic absolutely baffling - in the case of marijuana, especially. I grow my own - which decreases demand for an illegal substance and affects a market which shouldn't even exist according to the law, and yet despite the market's illegality, Congress still has the right to regulate it. WTF!? - ProfessorRiffs, on 03/18/2009, -6/+18Completely and totally not even close to "owned". Go back to 7th grade and sit down. The adults are talking here.
- trythison4sighs, on 03/18/2009, -0/+12Actually most gm(genetically modified) crops are "terminator seeds" not by a specific design. They are simply unable to continue to produce. It's like creating a mule. A mule is a sterile "hybrid". But, that doesn't mean Big Agribusiness isn't happy with the results! They actually ARE trying to create more and more "terminator seeds" so there is no way you will be able to feed yourselves without continuously going to them for seeds.
- jbmcb, on 03/18/2009, -2/+12> All that is great, except the Federal government has no Constitutional authority to mandate anything related to agriculture unless it involves interstate commerce.
Actually it does, because the supreme court says so. You see, the constitution is a "living" document, which means politicians and judges can interpret it in any way they want, which is why it was written in the first place. So, you know, that the government can do whatever it wants. - CrazedLeper, on 03/18/2009, -13/+22That will do exactly zero good. Enough of your elected officials are owned by the NWO that the few who are not will never be able to override them. The plan is TOTAL WORLD DOMINATION up to and including the elimination of the individual in totality.
Laugh, scoff and call me crazy while the relentless advance continues. - reaper527, on 03/18/2009, -3/+12unfortunately, i wrote both my senators 3 or 4 weeks ago (granted, it was about a different bill, not this one), and am yet to receive ANY response. thanks for nothing senators kerry and kennedy.
- trejrco, on 03/18/2009, -3/+12I believe ftx's point was that the sponsor of this bill is a Democrat, and that their level of involvement with special interest groups is under-reported. Is any of that factually incorrect?
The fact that both parties have their (related) problems is largely tangential to _this_ conversation ... true, but tangential. - trythison4sighs, on 03/18/2009, -2/+11Some have already postulated that growing weed in certain states, NV for example, while ignored by state authorities will now be subject to this new law. This will allow the Federal Government to step in and, even if you get marijuana legalized, destroy your crop and take your land. They law is written so that they can do it even if you grow anything and it's not actually intended for sale they can destroy your crops and take your land. Oh, and let's not forget "livestock"(read: pets). Same thing.
- MrFunStuff, on 03/18/2009, -4/+12 * Section 3 which is the definitions portion of the bill-read in it's entirety.
* section 103, 206 and 207- read in it's entirety.
Red flags I found and I am sure there are more...........
* Legally binds state agriculture depts to enforcing federal guidelines effectively taking away the states power to do anything other than being food police for the federal dept.
* Effectively criminalizes organic farming but doesn't actually use the word organic.
* Effects anyone growing food even if they are not selling it but consuming it.
* Effects anyone producing meat of any kind including wild game.
* Legislation is so broad based that every aspect of growing or producing food can be made illegal. There are no specifics which is bizarre considering how long the legislation is.
* Section 103 is almost entirely about the administrative aspect of the legislation. It will allow the appointing of officials from the factory farming corporations and lobbyists and classify them as experts and allow them to determine and interpret the legislation. Who do you think they are going to side with?
* Section 206 defines what will be considered a food production facility and what will be enforced up all food production facilities. The wording is so broad based that a backyard gardener could be fined and more.
* Section 207 requires that the state's agriculture dept act as the food police and enforce the federal requirements. This takes away the states power and is in violation of the 10th amendment.
* There are many more but by the time I got this far in the legislation I was so alarmed that I wanted to bring someone's attention to it. - LongShlong, on 03/18/2009, -5/+13... Did I just witness a snooty slave?
Stunning. - inactive, on 03/18/2009, -12/+20So how will this effect the weed?
- roydog316, on 03/18/2009, -3/+11Please do write your representatives and senators as beshore1 suggested. My letter to Representative Paul Hodes is below.
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Representative Hodes,
Please have one of your staffers go over HR 875; the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009. From what I have read of the bill, it looks to be legislative overkill and damaging to small farms everywhere in the United States.
Increasing regulation, and thus paperwork, for small farms is not only unnecessary, but also too costly for these operations. The FDA and HHS have plenty of regulations already, why burden small farms further? Big, corporate run operations only benefit from increased regulation, due to their vast legal departments. Small farms do not have this luxury.
As a side note, Representative DeLauro's connection to international food supplier Monsanto, through her husband, is not only curious, but also very concerning. Companies like Monsanto benefit from increased regulation, due to their legal branches.
These are the type of issues and votes that really show with whom you stand; the corporate/special interest crowd or the average New Hampshire resident. I know I am not alone in my concern over this bill. I hope you plan to prevent this legislation from reaching a full House vote, or at the very least vote against the measure. I will be very disappointed if this bill reaches the House floor and you are a supporting member. Don't expect my vote come November 2010 if so. -
Show 51 - 100 of 329 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is