The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

[Sapiens]

Why do they make it seem so evil to make a profit? In the long run we are dead anyways, right?

[Verrocchio]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see.

Why do they make it seem so evil to make a profit? In the long run we are dead anyways, right?

Together, the title of this thread and the video imply questions about the American political system.

• Where is the FCC? If Americans will never see this documentary on television, what is wrong with the news media? Aren't the set-asides of airwaves for public broadcasting supposed to ensure that documentaries such as this are aired?
  
• Where is the FDA? Is the FDA as corrupt and inept as the regulators of the lenders have been shown to be?
• Is the Clinton administration's active support of Monsanto's gene-spliced Roundup soybean product a good reason to keep Mrs. Clinton out of the White House?
• Whose interests should government ultimately serve?
  
• In the context of Lord Acton's aphorism that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, can money be used as a synonym of power?

[FRED]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see.

Together, the title of this thread and the video imply questions about the American political system.

• Where is the FCC? If Americans will never see this documentary on television, what is wrong with the news media? Aren't the set-asides of airwaves for public broadcasting supposed to ensure that documentaries such as this are aired?
  
• Where is the FDA? Is the FDA as corrupt and inept as the regulators of the lenders have been shown to be?
• Is the Clinton administration's active support of Monsanto's gene-spliced Roundup soybean product a good reason to keep Mrs. Clinton out of the White House?
• Whose interests should government ultimately serve?
  
• In the context of Lord Acton's aphorism that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, can money be used as a synonym of power?

Further questions:

• During the housing bubble, where was the Fed and other regulators while Twenty One Flavors of Mortgage Fraud - Howard Lax were perpetrated and documented, among other places, at Appraiserspetition.com signed by 10,000 petitioners begging for regulation of their industry?
• During the 1990s tech stock bubble, where was the SEC while securities fraud was rampant?
• Where is the SEC today to investigate the Bear Stearns Buy-Out... 100% Fraud?
• Where was the FAA when airplanes were allowed to fly with known safety hazards?
• Where was the FDA while bisphenol A in plastics poisoned our children?

Health problems linked to chemical in plastic products

April 16, 2008

A chemical widely used in plastic products may be linked to health problems, including breast cancer and early puberty, according to a report Tuesday by the federal National Toxicology Program.

People can be exposed to the chemical, bisphenol A, in their diets from food and beverage containers, including baby bottles. It is found in the urine of 93% of children younger than 6, said the agency's report.

The agency said that animal studies provide only limited evidence of bisphenol's risks but that the possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed."

The Food and Drug Administration in November said there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict" use of the chemical. Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., called Tuesday on the FDA to reconsider, saying the new report's findings "fly in the face of the FDA's determination."

As system of government and private enterprise that evolved since the 1930s to provide checks and balances has since the 1980s been dismantled in the name of libertarian "free market ideology." The result was a license to steal, poison, and murder; steal in the case of sales of misrepresented financial products, poison in the case of dangerous chemicals in plastics, murder by allowing dangerous food products to by sold to children.

Some day libertarians will wake up and realize what has been done over the past 30 years under cover of libertarian ideology. All political systems need checks and balances with strong GOVERNMENT to provide balance to a strong PRIVATE SECTOR. Otherwise, this is what you get: regulators owned by the private sector – puss in your milk, airplanes with faulty wiring, and asset inflations that ruin our economy.

[Rajiv]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

Article in Vanity Fair - Monsanto’s Harvest of Fear

Monsanto already dominates America’s food chain with its genetically modified seeds. Now it has targeted milk production. Just as frightening as the corporation’s tactics–ruthless legal battles against small farmers–is its decades-long history of toxic contamination.

Gary Rinehart clearly remembers the summer day in 2002 when the stranger walked in and issued his threat. Rinehart was behind the counter of the Square Deal, his “old-time country store,” as he calls it, on the fading town square of Eagleville, Missouri, a tiny farm community 100 miles north of Kansas City.

The Square Deal is a fixture in Eagleville, a place where farmers and townspeople can go for lightbulbs, greeting cards, hunting gear, ice cream, aspirin, and dozens of other small items without having to drive to a big-box store in Bethany, the county seat, 15 miles down Interstate 35.

Everyone knows Rinehart, who was born and raised in the area and runs one of Eagleville’s few surviving businesses. The stranger came up to the counter and asked for him by name.

“Well, that’s me,” said Rinehart.

As Rinehart would recall, the man began verbally attacking him, saying he had proof that Rinehart had planted Monsanto’s genetically modified (G.M.) soybeans in violation of the company’s patent. Better come clean and settle with Monsanto, Rinehart says the man told him—or face the consequences.

Rinehart was incredulous, listening to the words as puzzled customers and employees looked on. Like many others in rural America, Rinehart knew of Monsanto’s fierce reputation for enforcing its patents and suing anyone who allegedly violated them. But Rinehart wasn’t a farmer. He wasn’t a seed dealer. He hadn’t planted any seeds or sold any seeds. He owned a small—a really small—country store in a town of 350 people. He was angry that somebody could just barge into the store and embarrass him in front of everyone. “It made me and my business look bad,” he says. Rinehart says he told the intruder, “You got the wrong guy.”

When the stranger persisted, Rinehart showed him the door. On the way out the man kept making threats. Rinehart says he can’t remember the exact words, but they were to the effect of: “Monsanto is big. You can’t win. We will get you. You will pay.”

Scenes like this are playing out in many parts of rural America these days as Monsanto goes after farmers
.
.
.
.
(continued)

[Nervous Drake]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

.

[Rajiv]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

Nervous Drake,

Sapiens' comment was tongue in cheek and sarcastic. I think he think he should make more use of smilies to make it known.

Along the same lines as Monsanto, is the history of artificial sweeteners. I will post some videos and links seperately.

[Corporate Plebe]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

So. I'm listening to the Ed Schultz radio show discuss how the ethanol industry is getting a bad rap, but it looks like the "progressive party" (if we define it as desiring a strong Gov and Priv Sector) is split over the ethanol?

Is this now a poiltical battle over who gets to control an ethanol bubble? A water bubble? Food monoplies? What's going on?

[Nervous Drake]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

.

[Rajiv]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

Interview with Amy Goodman at Democracy Now

Starts at 20 minutes, goes till minute 37

Also Interview with Kevin Phillips on his book "Bad Money" after that -- on the convergence of food prices, Peak Oil, climate change, and global commodity speculation.

[MEDIA]http://www.archive.org/download/dn2008-0506_vid/dn2008-0506_256kb.mp4[/MEDIA]

[Glenn Black]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

Open email I just sent to Monsanto:

*** WITHOUT PREJUDICE***

I just finished reviewing the documentary "The World According to Monsanto"

If you have some defense of your corporate actions, or evidence to the contrary, I would be interested in receiving it.

Based on my own prior knowledge of Monsanto and the petro-chemical industry, and if you fail to provide evidence to the contrary, I believe the documentary to be true.

I am a Chemical Engineer. I never considered myself a tree-hugging environmentalist. I started my career with Dow Chemical, and to this day, I am proud of my career and my former employer, Dow Chemical. Dow made mistakes, just like its employees, just like all of us; but they tried to do good, to prevent mistakes before they happened, and correct the mistakes so they wouldn't be repeated. They started Responsible Care, as you may know.

However, it appears to me, and I truly believe that Monsanto is careless and negligent, makes numerous mistakes, hides the mistakes, encourages deceit and dishonesty,is petty and nefarious, and violates the spirit and letter of the law. Shame on you, Monsanto.

If you disagree with my opinion, I encourage you to convince me otherwise.

I see Monsanto as dangerous. Perhaps this global economic depression will flush away Monsanto and your corporate sins.

I assume Monsanto has some good employees. It is unfortunate that they too will suffer for the evil deeds of the few.

When all the world wants to have nothing more to do with Monsanto and your products, who will you sell your products to then? What will be the ROI for all your evil schemes then?

I hereby revoke permanently and forever the transfer of my personal information.

Glenn Black B.A.Sc., P.Eng. CQE CQA
Phone (705)-377-4039

[Shakespear]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

is the history of artificial sweeteners

Yes, this is an interesting bit of history. I love how just the right actors are to be found right in the middle of the worst events. No sooner are they done there they move on to do more "good". Haliburton comes to mind also.:mad::mad::mad:

[LargoWinch]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

The clip appears to be no longer available from Google Video.

Here is the part 1 on Utube in HD:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_OJcPKEYDE

[Rajiv]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

Try this link - http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...83407501596844

[Digidiver]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

‘Superweed’ explosion threatens Monsanto heartlands

“Superweeds” are plaguing high-tech Monsanto crops in southern US states, driving farmers to use more herbicides, return to conventional crops or even abandon their farms.

http://www.france24.com/en/20090418-...ified-US-crops

[metalman]

Re: The World According to Monsanto - A documentary that Americans won't ever see

‘Superweed’ explosion threatens Monsanto heartlands

“Superweeds” are plaguing high-tech Monsanto crops in southern US states, driving farmers to use more herbicides, return to conventional crops or even abandon their farms.

http://www.france24.com/en/20090418-...ified-US-crops

corporate gov't kills.