Photo from http://educate-yourself.org/As I type this, I am sick to my stomach.
No, it’s not something I ate. It’s something I read, this headline:
Forbes Magazine named Monsanto the #1 company of the year for 2009
Makes me want to puke.
If you want to read the article yourself, you’ll have to Google it; I refuse to drive traffic to the Forbes Magazine website.
I read it, and then had to create an account to post a comment. Here’s what I wrote:
"Now you've done it. You made me create an account just so I can tell you how irresponsible and ill-informed your editorial staff is for writing such a ridiculous article. But you knew that, didn't you? I suspect this was done intentionally to stir up the organic/sustainable/locavore rabble and net you and you bedfellow, Monsanto, some free publicity. Am I right? If I'm not, then you're too gullible and greedy to continue operating in the publishing business. Please do us all a favor and open a PR or lobbying firm instead."
Yes, I’m done spewing. Now it’s time for some positive action. What can I – and you, too – do to channel this anger at Monsanto and Forbes Magazine into something productive? I've come up with a list of 11.
(If you don’t know why I feel so strongly about Monsanto receiving such positive publicity, please take the time to read this frightening Vanity Fair article: Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear.)
1. Watch Fresh, the Movie. And Food, Inc. And The Future of Food. Then get your friends and family to watch, too.
2. Donate money to DemocracyinAction.org to fund more community screenings of Fresh, the Movie.
3. Donate money to the Center for Food Safety to help them fight Monsanto in a Supreme Court case about genetically modified alfalfa.
4. Help pay Canadian farmer Percy Schmeiser’s legal bills, which he incurred during his lawsuit against Monsanto.
5. Help pay North Dakota farmer Roger Nelson’s legal bills in his defense of Monsanto’s suit against him.
6. Send a letter to the USDA about its draft environmental impact statement and its preliminary determination to deregulate genetically engineered alfalfa. Public comments will be accepted until February 16, 2010.
7. Eat more Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, to support its stand against Monsanto over “rBST-free” labeling of ice cream.
8. Contribute to one of many farm support groups that help farmers who are being terrorized by Monsanto.
9. Write a letter to my/your U.S. Senators and Congressional representative and tell them how I/you feel about Monsanto and genetically modified food.
10. Learn more about how to avoid Monsanto-funded “Frankenfoods” by reading the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
11. Use your buying power; every dollar you spend with local, Monsanto-free farmers, as well as the stores and restaurants that carry their food, is a vote against companies like Monsanto.
There. I feel better already.
Comments
Thanks for a very helpful blog.
Wow, the thought of that almost makes me as naucious as the fact that Michael Taylor former Monsanto Executive was appointed head of the FDA as Deputy Commissioner of Food on Jan. 13th the day after the Haiti earthquake ... way to bury a story deeeep under the headline rug.
Thanks Madeliene, and thanks Kiesha for raising an issue that will surely have a far ranging impact on us all. Scary stuff, we need to be active and vocal.
You have provided excellent links! I have posted this link on the Millions Against Monsanto wall on Facebook. It has something in it for newcomers to the issue as well as for anyone who has been following this issue for awhile. Thanks so much! And yes, I totally identify with the 'puke' factor on this Forbes article. I, too, formed an account JUST to leave my steaming backlash against such a ridiculous selection....and was happy to tell Forbes I would NEVER subscribe to their magazine and will spread the word to anyone who wants to listen. Now, if I could just get rid of the evidence that I have an account with Forbes.....
Thanks Schpinkle, for being smart, spreading the word, and supporting SGT - you rock!
All the laws passed mean nothing as long as consumers keep supporting them by buying the products. All the laws in the world will did not stop drugs. We as consumers must take responsibility of this, of course they will continue if all we do is wine and pay big money for the processed crap they sell. The consumer is god, action with $ is the only way to stop this. Buy local organic food.
Amen, Lee!!
Anonymous -- That's why I included #10 and 11 in the list of things to do. Because you're right, this has to start with how we spend our money. So keep on keeping on buying that local, organic food. Amen.
Right on!!!
Other inspiration for our brighter world: Damanhur's Temples of Humankind in Italy,
Findhorn in Scotland, and all intentional communities demonstrating a true humanity. see ic.org for intentional communites any place on earth...
Oh, and my wee vide of happy freerange organic eggs, chicks & chickens loving life on my Permaculture eco-sanctuary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNmymX76CF8
Aloha from Maui, Claire of KLARITY.org
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