Message to Governor re: Factory Farms in Midwest

Dear Governor Nixon:

Here is an article that is written by Tom Philpott, examining the trend in agriculture in the Midwest. I doubt that Missouri's charts would look much different.
http://www.motherjones.com/tom-philpott/2012/11/industrial-scale-hog-farming-screws-small-towns

I remember you were celebrating exports of pork one recent year. Some of them may be landing in Asia I would think.

Because of environment, human rights, animal rights and wages to workers, we are indeed obligated, in my opinion, to revert to sustainable farming practices. This may not be as difficult to sell to the General Assembly as you think, if you show them some of these numbers. By the way I am living in a small town again in Missouri.

Thank you for your attention to these issues.

NFB film imperative viewing for all activists

http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-world-according-to-monsanto/

this film whacked me in the head bone by virtue of default astonishment even tho i thought i was informed: the Whole Earth is being affected by the gmo revolution that is led by the corporate "powers that be" as shown in the above excellent & imperative movie for everyone-- who eats anything-- to watch!

NFB source:
http://search.nfb.ca/search?q=The+World+According+to+Canada&btnG=Search&entqr=0&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&client=beta_onfb&ud=1&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=beta_onfb&proxyreload=1&hl=en&lr=lang_en&site=beta_onfb

other related links to monsanto:
http://theyrule.net/drupal/map_633
http://www.percyschmeiser.com/
http://organicconsumers.org/monsanto/index.cfm

forwardstl posted this post 4 me:
 http://www.forwardstl.org/post/26291252915/nfb-film-imperative-viewing-for-all-activists-write

XTRAORDINARY COMMUNICATION

Revisiting Conservation Lobby Day: a month later

 After a dull interlude without a regular ISP I am back online again, & catching up on stuff. After getting around to signing a petition about monitoring water related to coal ash storage, i was looking over the photos on the local Sierra Club site & remembering what a good time I had on Feb. 29, Conservation Lobby Day in Jefferson City. We had a lovely group of conservationists who shared some goals about discussing issues with the Missouri General Assembly. Since some people were not able to come that day my friend Michael and I had the assignment of covering the St. Charles County legislators, all of whom are Republicans. After a couple of interactive sessions to begin the day, one with the whole Conservation Lobby alliance (/http://www.movotesconservation.org/our-legislative-work/environmental-lobbying-alliance)  and another with the Sierra Club members, plus some photo sessions (http://missouri.sierraclub.org/FrontPage2012/LobbyDay2012Report.aspx), we set to work.  

Michael, who works part time at the local Sierra Club office, and I climbed up several stories of stairs, after which I had to beg for an elevator next time, we set out to cover the issues with our list of legislators. In fact we landed on 2 floors after that & I continued with the stairs. We were dashing back & forth from then on, except for a short lunch break, carrying our heartfelt opinions on coal ash, energy efficiency, and CWIP, which we backed up with appropriate flyers. Most of the legislators were polite and receptive to the message, although several of them stated they do not oppose nuclear power per se.  We delivered a couple of cookies to each of them too, which were donated by Black Bear Bakery & included in our own lunch packs. YUM!  

With Michael a bit ahead of the game with experience and having knowledge aforethought in organizing the lobbying, I learned quite a bit. I also told a couple of the legislators to be sure to see the movie FRESH http://www.freshthemovie.com/, which presents the case for organic sustainable farming, and was made with the help of educators from the School of Agriculture at Mizzou.

I loved the whole day, including the ride up and back to Jeff City with my friends Ginger and Linda. It was truly energizing and hopeful to spend a day with such a lively group of intelligent activists for the conservation of resources in the State of Missouri. Happily also met up with some of my facebook friends there.

Wow I slept well that night, & part of the next day too! : )

ghosts of winters past

In these Dickensian times when our economy seems so out of whack with job stats still under average, how do we cope with the climate trends?

 http://www.livescience.com/18868-mild-winter-climate-change.html

http://thinkprogress.org/romm/2012/03/10/441639/fourth-warmest-winter-on-record-for-the-us/

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2012/01/12/why-this-winter-is-so-crazily-warm/

http://www.c2es.org/blog/huberd/2012-4th-warmest-winter-us

Ghosts of Winters Past

Ever the outlier of stat analysis

one more winter regresses into spring.

No one will notice this one either, the planet mourns,

over the constellation of some perhaps sunspot enmity

against this single digit nonsense that used to be.

That used to be. That used to free up some worthy small spaces

where organisms trended into dying off somewhat now & again.

Who will notice when micro life is expanded while the mammals die?

How many insistent migrations will matter in terms of the whole?

Won't it just go to show you that the few seconds that

humans have lived here

are ever trending into their own loss

of selves ?

Of shelves where products reign?

And who mourns them who live with death

born in some spaces of not enough

where not enough is always in place.

More humans than ever weight the planet

ever more off balance.

3-16-'12

pmb

They asked me to post this everywhere so here it is: KNOWLEDGE IS POWER !

SUBSCRIBE & Read Past Issues | OCA Homepage | Donate Whole Fraud: Exposing the Myth of So-Called Natural Foods Whole Foods Market is attacking the Organic Consumers Association again. They say we're too "hard-line" for insisting that they stop selling, or at least start labeling, so-called "natural" foods in their stores that are laced with unlabeled, hazardous genetically engineered (GE) ingredients. What do you think? Should Whole Foods label their so-called "Natural" foods that contain genetically engineered ingredients? Learn More & Take Action Below Are a Few GMO Labeling Campaigns Whole Foods Should Support... Ask Congress to Tell FDA to Label GMOs The Organic Consumers Association was among 450 organizations and businesses who joined together under the "Just Label It" banner to file a legal petition urging the Food & Drug Administration to require clear labeling of genetically engineered foods. Now, we're joining an effort begun by our ally, the Truth In Labeling Coalition, to organize supporters in Congress to send a letter to the FDA. This week, Sen. Barbara Boxer and Rep. Peter DeFazio began circulating a letter asking their fellow legislators to join them in writing the FDA in support of the Just Label It petition. This "Dear Colleague" letter reads, in part: "Opponents of providing consumers this basic right to information will argue that it would only confuse consumers, be costly, or imply that the products are unsafe. Yet, the FDA requires the labeling of over 3,000 ingredients, additives, and processes. Providing basic information doesn't confuse the public, it empowers them to make choices. Without labeling, consumers will continue to be deceived by current labeling practices. For example nearly 80% of processed foods on supermarket shelves contain GE ingredients, many marketed with labels such as 'all natural' or 'natural'." Please write your Senators and Member of Congress, asking them to join Boxer and DeFazio. Take Action The California Label GMOs 2012 Ballot Initiative Polling shows 80% of CA voters support labels on genetically engineered foods. They want the right to know what they're eating and they're going to have the chance to win it at the polls in November 2012. Signature gathering is set to begin February 18 and we'll have until April 18 to submit 504,760 valid signatures. To be safe, we need to collect 800,000. We need your help! Learn More and Volunteer Donate Attend a Label GMOs Event State Legislation to Label GMOs In the 2011-2012 legislative session, 17 states introduced legislation to label GMOs. In Washington, the Monsanto-funded chairs of the Agriculture Committees blocked votes on SB 6298 and HB 2637 despite hearings packed with supporters, but advocates feel the show of public support was a measurable "win" and are committed to another push next session, or an initiative if necessary.   The number of calls and emails on GMO labels in WA is second only to gay marriage - without a single comment in support of Monsanto's position! Learn More In Hawaii, SB 2279 still has a chance if we can get enough letters and calls to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Nishihara urging him to hear the bill. If you're in Honolulu, visit Senator Nishihara in his capitol office, room 204. Otherwise, please contact him by phone at 808-586-6970 or email at sennishihara@capitol.hawaii.gov. A successful lobby day for this bill on Tuesday generated lots of local media. Hawaii Residents Lobby for Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods Molokai Group Fights for GMO Labeling Legislation Monsanto Responds as Maui Occupy Group Launches Demonstration Rally to Stop Monsanto From Poisoning Hawaii! In Vermont, the Right to Know GMOs coalition composed of the Vermont Northeast Organic Farming Association, Rural Vermont, Vermont Public Interest Research Group, and others has formed to pass H722, the Vermont Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act. The Act has been referred to the House Committee on Agriculture where testimony is anticipated to occur later this month. Get ready to come to Montpelier! Learn More & Take Action Learn More & Take Action on State Bills Nationwide Support the OCA and the OCF In 2012, whether we're talking about getting antibiotics out of animal feed or labeling GMOs, we're fighting harder than ever. With the 2012 California Ballot Initiative, and GMO labeling legislation gaining momentum in Vermont, Washington, Connecticut, Hawaii and other states, we have a real chance to hit Monsanto with the skull and crossbones they fear so much - mandatory labels on genetically engineered food. We also plan to step up our efforts to strengthen organic standards and significantly expand the market for organic food and products, especially those produced locally and regionally. Please be as generous as you can during our February fundraising drive. Donate to the Organic Consumers Association (tax-deductible) Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund (non-tax-deductible, but necessary for our efforts in California) OCCUPY MONSANTO! Secret Video Shows CEO Hugh Grant's Response to GMO Labeling On January 24, Monsanto shareholders gathering for their annual meeting were greeted by 50 protesters calling for Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) to be labeled in the marketplace. While "Occupy-Monsanto" events are becoming more common worldwide, one activist working on behalf of socially responsible shareholders took the anti-GMO message deep inside the inner circle of Monsanto's highly paid executives and recorded the encounter. A newly released hidden video is available for unrestricted use by the members of media at a new website. Occupy Monsanto is calling for protests on September 17, 2012, at Monsanto facilities across the globe to demand GMO labeling and the elimination of cancer causing toxic chemicals in our food supply. Learn More & Watch Little Bytes: Top Stories of the Week A Suit Airs Debate on Organic vs. Modified Crops Occupy vs. Monsanto: Activists, Farmers Fight the Corporation They Fear Will Take Over All America's Crops The Seed Emergency: The Threat to Food and Democracy What's That Coating on Your Vegetables? The Scary Danger of Meat (Even For Those Who Don't Eat It) Sponsored Message Join the OCA-Endorsed National Buying Club for Organic and Non-GMO Foods: The Green Polka Dot Box OCA is happy to announce the formation of a new national distribution service for home delivery of organic and non-GMO foods, at 30-50% below the cost of retail, with free shipping on orders of $150 or more. The new national distribution club is called the Green Polka Dot Box (GPDB). Click here Connect With OCA! Facebook Pages: organicconsumers millionsagainst comingclean Twitter Feeds: @organicconsumer @againstmonsanto @OCA_comingclean More: rss feed youtube channel Please forward this publication to family and friends, place it on web sites, print it, duplicate it and post it freely. Knowledge is power! Organic Bytes is a publication of Organic Consumers Association 6771 South Silver Hill Drive - Finland, MN 55603 - Phone: 218-226-4164 - Fax: 218-353-7652 You are subscribed as: Patricia Berg rivercrittergreen@yahoo.com St. Louis, MO Subscribe & Read past issues and print- friendly PDF versions of Organic Bytes Unsubscribe | Donate

stepping up to "the plate" <"_?

how could this be true <"_?



. . . if the following is also true <"_?
http://www.seattleglobaljustice.org/agra-watch/media-resources/

If any of my readers have further facts about this connection that are well documented I would like to connect the dots. Meanwhile, note that in the eyes of science the efficacy of GMO and its partner component Roundup herbicide are not cleared for the future of the planet in the eyes of all researchers.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/08/12/us-glyphosate-idUSTRE77B58A20110812

Kickstart Villreal Farm in StL City w/ me!

Hey, this is a cool project as far as i can tell, AND you are on the home run team if you join, with your contribution posted to your card very soon.

Letter to Governor Nixon on sustainable energy over nukes

From the St. Louis Beacon by Dale Singer:

He also talked about the jobs that he said would come from the program announced last year that could ease the way for construction of a second nuclear power plant in Callaway County. Discussing the many construction trades that would benefit from the plant, Nixon said:

Gov. Jay Nixon delivers the State of the State speech flanked by Speaker of the House Steve Tilley (left) and Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder.

 "They built Callaway One. And in the not-too-distant future, they will build Callaway Two."

http://www.stlbeacon.org/issues-politics/176-Missouri_Issues/107612-nixons-state-of-the-state-address

My response to the Governor via his page at: 
http://governor.mo.gov/contact/

Dear Governor Jay Nixon:

Sorry, sir, but I cannot agree with you at all on the subject of building another nuclear power plant in Missouri, in Calloway or any other county!

Since I am very aware that your announcement of this as a plausible plan was following your receipt of campaign funds from union organizations you can have no objectivity about this, and your ethics are questionable. You are batting zero with me until you open energy provision and jobs to a wider based discussion that includes environmentalists. Nuclear is so out-dated a concept that it is beyond belief you would stun it up in front of the voters.

In point of fact a combination of wind and solar power would readily meet the entire needs of this State, and would likely take less time to begin. You even have friends in the field, including Byron De Lear.  Why not encourage Ameren Missouri and/or other utilities to consult Boeing about building wind turbines? Do some research!

Your real plan, from recent reports, seems to be to go around any conceivable barrier, including the legislation passed which stops utilities from charging its customers for power development of this sort. No free pass in the form of permits should be given them whatsoever.

Get with the reality of your constituency. You will not find people working to re-elect you from the left end of politics in Missouri with this attitude showing out the side of your mouth.

Sincerely,
pmb


further resources for my blog readers:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/article_161afecf-a620-59df-be21-7a23a20388c4.html

http://www.renewmo.org/
http://www.fairenergyrates.org/get-involved
http://www.moenviron.org/
http://missouri.sierraclub.org/emg/default.aspx

Testimony surrounding a landfill for coal ash in Labadie, MO

Yesterday evening 4 Sierra Club members from St. Louis and I drove to Union, MO. to attend the hearing held about proposed zoning requirements in the County related to a request by Ameren Missouri (formerly "UE"). The Corporation wishes to establish a 400 acre site in the floodplain of the Missouri River as a place to build a landfill for coal ash waste from the power plant in Labadie, Missouri. They have already purchased the land. Meanwhile, the Federal EPA has been examining whether coal ash (or "flyash") will be listed in the future as a hazardous material. Persons testifying were from Franklin County for the most part, with Labadie Environmental Organization in the lead of opposing such a plan. Members of Sierra Club also oppose it, especially the fact of planning it to be in the flood plain.

Some of us question why anyone would have considered such a plan as feasible. Residents of St. Louis County and City registered their opposition to such a threat to drinking water provided by the Missouri River all along the course of the River. A local physician, Dr. Friedman,  testified to the existence of heavy metals in coal ash, and strongly advised that if contamination occurred it could cause multiple disorders in adults and developmental disorders in children or fetuses.

Presiding County Commissioner John E. Griesheimer seemed to believe that the whole matter is a simple one that concerns only the County itself, although all testimony was courteously received. The weight of the testimonials suggested that residents of the two counties agreed that the concerns about the coal ash itself outweighed any common zoning matter.


http://www.franklinmo.org/index.html

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/article_985304e5-b592-544b-a3fd-ab82a4839cba.html

http://www.emissourian.com/news/top_stories/article_dff3a726-0252-11e0-bba0-001cc4c03286.html

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/morning_call/2010/12/opponents-call-for-ameren-landfill-study.html 

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kwmu/news.newsmain/article/0/0/1737671/St..Louis.Public.Radio.News/Ameren.to.build.coal.ash.landfill.in.Missouri.River.floodplain.No.way..say.some.Franklin.County.residents

Reading the news, fighting the blues. . . .

Some days and times I feel discouraged by the events in the world. Who cannot, while we still wage wars, and produce environmental changes that imperil other species besides humans? Somewhere I heard that our human population will be around 10 billion by the end of the current century. That is certainly supposition, considering that we will in the interim face our own survival threats. In many places people already do. We consider ourselves blessed in the United States, somewhat overly optimistically, as though we can continue the same mistakes indefinitely without cruel consequences to our children's children. We are taking little responsibility for our errors. And the whole world sees those errors as American. We plant denial rather than objective reasoning in our media through the prevalent advertising campaigns of large business.

Despite all the knowledge we have accumulated we continue to exceed ourselves in numbers while simultaneously waging long wars, disrupting the balance of nature by recklessly using resources. The wars are aimed at obtaining access to resources. To say they are defensive is a universally understood lie. Corporate raids on other continents are seen by local peoples as outright robbery, with environmental consequences in Nigeria, Mexico, South and Central America, plus elsewhere, that serve our consumerist culture.

Sometimes I have to just laugh outright about political ideas that are so naive and sometimes backwards, being voiced by leadership inside D.C.

Plant bioengineering, which is extremely expensive, is being seen as quite successful by some people in political positions. Meanwhile, in reality, the use of genetically modified (GM) seeds has been resisted in Europe while it "seems" extremely popular among growers in the USA. As to all the ins and outs of why this is so, let's just boil it down to money versus common sense. Monsanto, an International Corporation based in St. Louis, has been The major producer of GM seeds. How many citizens here even know this story?? Among the most vilified of corporations on earth by environmental and justice activists, Monsanto is rich enough to fight any opposition to the use of their seeds in court, including in Canada.

Just from a purely personal perspective I have found that eating corn based foods that are produced, processed and packaged in the USA is hazardous to my digestive processes. Some sort of corn is widely distributed in all sorts of prepared and packaged foods. Blue corn I do tolerate, but not yellow. This is only my own minor evidence that it doesn't suit me well, of course. But scientists do recognized that bio-engineered plants are not being investigated adequately for adverse affects to human consumers. No, I never watched the movie KING CORN, but I think I get the picture.

We have a stunning lot of money available to research certain areas of human life, including food production, commercial and manufacturing products like computers, machinery, electronic gadgets, and the sciences. How much time and success, on the other hand, do we devote to social investigation, conflict resolution, conflict intervention and diplomacy that have proven positive outcomes? Are we simply a genetically impaired species that cannot make any sense out of ourselves and how we relate? Why exactly does a world leader not envision his or her own country boundaries as friendly territory with a neighbor rather than as a challenge to be overwhelmed by dominance?

Isn't it obvious, when you are watching old episodes of Star Trek, that the science of a live future is human communication?

Maybe I am just naive, even in old age.

The Arrival of Environment as Restoration

Just imagine this. Your arctic environment is melting, and threatens the world as a whole with an extenuating  release of migraine level climate warming gas known as methane. OK, now what do you do?

Well of course, you take measures to restore the environment to how it was some 10,000 years ago.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_RUSSIA_ICE_AGE_PARK?SITE=MOCAP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Sergei Zimov is the environmentalist who was also featured in my previous post.

Fortunately for Missouri students and hobby level environmentalists like me we have some judicious journalists who are interested in this subject and willing to post AP news stories about the likes of Sergei Zimov.

Thank heavens for small favors and the irrepressible spirit of science to search for hope.