ESSAY OF THE WEEK
Seeds of Revolution
With special thanks to, and permission fromAcres U.S.A., North America’s monthly magazine of ecological agriculture, we reprint the following introduction and in-depth interview with Dr. Shiva.
Americans who visit India often come back more or less overwhelmed by its vast size and complexity, and if they are not stunned into silence they are at least much less willing to engage in generalities. Timeless beauty, explosive economic growth, persistent poverty and about a billion people all make for an intense experience if you’re used to the predictable movements of cars and shoppers.
One thing that does emerge from the ancient nation’s recent history, though, is the way societies that seem chaotic and disorganized to outsiders actually offer opportunities for their citizens who are willing to act with boldness, imagination and fierce resolve.
Gandhi was one such actor, and Vandana Shiva may well be another. Increasingly well-known here as an author and lecturer, her popularity makes her a pain in the neck to proponents of industrial agriculture.
Read the Acres U.S.A. interview with Vandana Shiva
ACTION ALERT
Call the Doctor!
WebMD Health Corp. (NASDAQ: WBMD) is a publicly held corporation that answers first and foremost to its shareholders. The company, with its long history of deceiving consumers and partnering up with drug, junk food and biotech companies, is not, and never was, in the business of caring about consumers—a fact meticulously documented in an article published this week (January 19, 2016) by Mercola.com.
Why bother to ask one corrupt corporation, WebMD, to cut ties with another, equally or exceedingly corrupt corporation (Monsanto)?
Because Monsanto’s WebMD propaganda is cleverly disguised as legitimate health advice. So cleverly, that millions of visitors to the site probably have no idea that they’re being duped.
TAKE ACTION: Tell WebMD CEO David Schlanger to Stop Promoting Monsanto!
More on WebMD’s collusion with Monsanto and Big Pharma
Text “WebMD” to 97779 to join OCA’s mobile network and take action!
ACTION ALERT
Welcome to Democracy
As we reported last week, on January 13 (2016), USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack met with five representatives of the Grocery Manufacturers Association and Monsanto (the folks who oppose mandatory GMO labeling laws), and five representatives from the GMO labeling movement.
The meeting was “invitation only,” and participants were sworn to secrecy about what went down. All that was said publicly was “We’re still working out a compromise.”
We’ve heard our share of rumors, including a number of “compromises” that we find unacceptable. Like a mandatory QR code labeling scheme, that would not only preempt Vermont's law, but also make it illegal for companies like Campbell's to print on-package GMO labels.
Yesterday, PoliticoPro reported that all meeting-goers were still “mum” on the negotiations:
However, it does appear some information has been provided to members of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Chairman Pat Roberts said he knew the sides were meeting again this week, while Sen. John Hoeven, who is working on a GMO labeling bill, said he has heard from the agency about the first session, "but nothing I can be talking about publicly."
"We are trying to get people to come together and we are not there yet," Hoeven told MA, though he added that he is optimistic that an agreement can be reached.
Optimistic? That our side will go along with any scheme that preempts Vermont, unless it’s as strong, or stronger than Vermont’s law? Not if we have anything to say about it. Let’s keep raising our voices!
Text "Back off" to 97779 to join OCA's mobile network and take action!
SUPPORT THE OCA & OCF
Evolution Revolution
Donate to the Organic Consumers Association (tax-deductible, helps support our work on behalf of organic standards, fair trade and public education)
Donate to the Organic Consumers Fund (non-tax-deductible, but necessary for our GMO labeling legislative efforts)
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Home on the Range
First of all, we reject the notion that all ranchers (and meat consumers) are part of the global warming problem. Many ranchers are dedicated climate-fixers, intentionally or otherwise, because they employ holistic management practices that actually repair soil and grasslands, turning them into natural carbon sinks. (Visit the Savory Institute website for more on how ranchers can be key players in cooling the planet. In fact, we desperately need their help).
As our national director, Ronnie Cummins, wrote recently:
North American cattle ranchers, for the most part, have no love for Cargill, Tyson, Monsanto, JBS, Smithfield, Elanco (animal drugs) or McDonald’s. Most of these ranchers practice traditional animal husbandry, conscientiously taking care of their animals from birth. They graze their cattle free-range on grass, as nature intended, before they’re forced to sell these heretofore-healthy animals at rock-bottom prices to the monopolistic meat cartel.
The conscientious rancher in our video this week shares the history of his family’s ranch, and the lengths he’s gone to repair his land and turn it into a healthy, biodiverse landscape—all while raising animals.
Why Vegetarians, Ranchers and Conscious Omnivores Need to Unite
NEW REPORT
Steeped in Toxics
In the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consistently finds high levels of illegal residues on imported tea that eventually finds its way to the American consumer. This includes permethrin (a synthetic pyrethroid, linked to cancer and endocrine system disruption), DDE (a metabolite of DDT, banned in the U.S. in 1972), heptachlor epoxide (a derivative of the pesticide heptachlor, which was banned in the U.S. for use in agriculture and as a termiticide due to its carcinogenicity and persistence in the environment),4 and acetamiprid (a bee-toxic neonicotinoid).
Why don’t we reject these tea imports, if they violate regulations? It seems that the FDA now tests less than one-tenth of one percent of all imported foods (yes,foods, not just tea)!
How best to avoid contaminated teas? Choose certified organic, according to the report.
LITTLE BYTES
Essential Reading for the Week
Mercury Fillings: ADA Attacked for Mercury Denialism
Our GMO Rules Need Fixing, Mr. President
Anger and Scrutiny Grow over Poisoned Water in Michigan City
As Bees Die off, the EPA Shuffles Its Feet
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