Federal Overlords distracted the public again...
unsung
I stopped by on March 7 2024. First time in many years, had to update payment info. Hope all is well. Politicians suck. Bye. Posts: 9,487
...and pass HR 933.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/fo ... ction-act/
What is that?
That is billed as "An Act making appropriations for the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes".
What is it also being called?
The Monsanto Protection Act
Seems they snuck in this little blurb,
SEC. 735. In the event that a determination of non-regulated status made pursuant to section 411 of the Plant Protection Act is or has been invalidated or vacated, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon request by a farmer, grower, farm operator, or producer, immediately grant temporary permit(s) or temporary deregulation in part, subject to necessary and appropriate conditions consistent with section 411(a) or 412(c) of the Plant Protection Act, which interim conditions shall authorize the movement, introduction, continued cultivation, commercialization and other specifically enumerated activities and requirements, including measures designed to mitigate or minimize potential adverse environmental effects, if any, relevant to the Secretary’s evaluation of the petition for non-regulated status, while ensuring that growers or other users are able to move, plant, cultivate, introduce into commerce and carry out other authorized activities in a timely manner: Provided, That all such conditions shall be applicable only for the interim period necessary for the Secretary to complete any required analyses or consultations related to the petition for non-regulated status: Provided further, That nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority under section 411, 412 and 414 of the Plant Protection Act.
What does that mean?
The "Monsanto Protection Act" effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of controversial genetically modified (aka GMO) or genetically engineered (GE) seeds, no matter what health issues may arise concerning GMOs in the future. The advent of genetically modified seeds -- which has been driven by the massive Monsanto Company -- and their exploding use in farms across America came on fast and has proved a huge boon for Monsanto's profits.
The provision's language was apparently written in collusion with Monsanto. Lawmakers and companies working together to craft legislation is by no means a rare occurrence in this day and age. But the fact that Sen. Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, actually worked with Monsanto on a provision that in effect allows them to keep selling seeds, which can then go on to be planted, even if it is found to be harmful to consumers, is stunning. It's just another example of corporations bending Congress to their will, and it's one that could have dire risks for public health in America.
Many members of Congress were apparently unaware that the "Monsanto Protection Act" even existed within the bill they were voting on. HR 933 was a spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown and ensuring that the federal government would continue to be able to pay its bills. But the Center for Food Safety maintains that many Democrats in Congress were not even aware that the provision was in the legislation.
SO THEY NEVER READ THE BILL
We'll let folks know whether their food is genetically modified because Americans should know.
Barack Obama 2007
Bipartisanship at work.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/blogs/fo ... ction-act/
What is that?
That is billed as "An Act making appropriations for the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes".
What is it also being called?
The Monsanto Protection Act
Seems they snuck in this little blurb,
SEC. 735. In the event that a determination of non-regulated status made pursuant to section 411 of the Plant Protection Act is or has been invalidated or vacated, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, upon request by a farmer, grower, farm operator, or producer, immediately grant temporary permit(s) or temporary deregulation in part, subject to necessary and appropriate conditions consistent with section 411(a) or 412(c) of the Plant Protection Act, which interim conditions shall authorize the movement, introduction, continued cultivation, commercialization and other specifically enumerated activities and requirements, including measures designed to mitigate or minimize potential adverse environmental effects, if any, relevant to the Secretary’s evaluation of the petition for non-regulated status, while ensuring that growers or other users are able to move, plant, cultivate, introduce into commerce and carry out other authorized activities in a timely manner: Provided, That all such conditions shall be applicable only for the interim period necessary for the Secretary to complete any required analyses or consultations related to the petition for non-regulated status: Provided further, That nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the Secretary’s authority under section 411, 412 and 414 of the Plant Protection Act.
What does that mean?
The "Monsanto Protection Act" effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of controversial genetically modified (aka GMO) or genetically engineered (GE) seeds, no matter what health issues may arise concerning GMOs in the future. The advent of genetically modified seeds -- which has been driven by the massive Monsanto Company -- and their exploding use in farms across America came on fast and has proved a huge boon for Monsanto's profits.
The provision's language was apparently written in collusion with Monsanto. Lawmakers and companies working together to craft legislation is by no means a rare occurrence in this day and age. But the fact that Sen. Roy Blunt, Republican of Missouri, actually worked with Monsanto on a provision that in effect allows them to keep selling seeds, which can then go on to be planted, even if it is found to be harmful to consumers, is stunning. It's just another example of corporations bending Congress to their will, and it's one that could have dire risks for public health in America.
Many members of Congress were apparently unaware that the "Monsanto Protection Act" even existed within the bill they were voting on. HR 933 was a spending bill aimed at averting a government shutdown and ensuring that the federal government would continue to be able to pay its bills. But the Center for Food Safety maintains that many Democrats in Congress were not even aware that the provision was in the legislation.
SO THEY NEVER READ THE BILL
We'll let folks know whether their food is genetically modified because Americans should know.
Barack Obama 2007
Bipartisanship at work.
Post edited by Unknown User on
0
Comments
Don't you think food makers should be allowed to lie about anything they're giving you?
You need to stop depending on the government to protect you from the food makers.
Stop begging the government to let you eat food that isn't poison. Do you want them to warm you bottle too?
:fp:
Who is Michael Taylor? He was the Vice President for Public Policy of Monsanto.
Transparency indeed.
Ugh, this whole Monsanto thing just pisses me off. And, every time I've tried calling anyone about it, I can't get through. This whole mess started years ago and I am glad to finally see people getting pissed about it.
Let's not forget, that Bush I appointed Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court after working for Monsanto for years. He has not recused himself from cases in which he should have. IMO Monsanto and their shitty frankenfood is partially responsible for the rise in a number of diseases. Read THe Unhealthy Truth by Robyn O'Brien - talk about eye-opening!
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
GMO engineering is one of the reasons I went Paleo. I fully agree that the diabetes and cancer epidemics are directly related to GMO's.
I've seen evidence to suggest that the rise in food allergies, autism and ADHD are also linked to GMO's. I'm not completely paleo but I'm working on removing wheat from my diet - wanting to read The Wheat Belly!
Seems my preconceptions are what should have been burned...
I AM MINE
OK but... I'm serious.
You can't have it both ways.
You're down on me for "begging the government" for rights. And then 2 minutes later you're crying about how the government isn't protecting you from a company that's poisoning you. Which is it?
Do you think companies should be free to say what they want and the government shouldn't force them to tell the truth or do you want big government to be your nanny and protect you from your lunch?
And no... I'm not kidding. Or do you only care about your OWN rights and not those of anyone else?
I'm of the belief that legislation shouldn't have to be needed to protect the food supply, and I believe if I poisoned my neighbor and he got sick or died I'd be charged with an already existing crime.
Didn't you say in another thread that you want legislation passed that requires labeling of GMO foods?
Fraud is fraud. Whether labeling is a requirement or not, mislabeling is fraud which is not permissible in a free market economy.
I haven't done a ton of research on this topic yet, because it's really not my bag, but if these guys are the truth, here is a private enterprise solution for those concerned about GMO foods:
http://www.nongmoproject.org/
Libertarians don't like agencies like the FDA and DoA because of who ends up being in charge of them. Often times the heads of these agencies are former industry CEOs who are expected to regulate their cronies. More liberal-minded people dislike the concept of businesses regulating themselves. Libertarians feel that having a former exec in charge of a government agency is a classic example of business self-regulating to the detriment of society. We don't like being forced to pay extra for a false sense of security.
Do I think a libertarian society would be perfect? No. Far from it. I think it would be better though. For all of the gripes I have, I feel like as a whole humanity is moving in the right direction. At present it seems that maybe we're just not ready for a more voluntary society or even a better governed society. It seems to me that a great majority of the people just want to be ruled, for now. I mean if Congress has a 10% approval rating and most of them continue to be re-elected, what does that say ultimately?
Monsanto...
Evil.
-Eddie Vedder, "Smile"
Probably.
Ultimately I will defend the rights of the individual to make an informed decision under free will. The individual cannot do so without the information at hand. After that the individual takes on his own risk.
The GMO labeling thing is a hot button topic amongst Libertarians. I prefer to be on the side that informs the individual.
makes you wonder just how many laws are shoved through this way.
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All of them. Congress is a joke. One person agrees to allow another persons bullshit through if they allow their bullshit through. Nobody gives a flying fuck about their constituents. Only care about making connections so they can get a cush job after they leave congress or get inside info on companies so they can make their fortunes on the market with insider info that we cant get. Its legalized crime. I give up on this countries govt. Its fucked from top to bottom.