Stupid Republicans, "junk science" and pesticides

Just when I think stupid Republicans couldn't go any lower; an Oklahoma Republican, Coburn, vowed to block a resolution that would honor Rachel Carson, the author of "Silent Spring", on what would have been her 100th birthday. Coburn, a doctor, must have received his share of donations from chemical manufacturers. In the Washington Post article that can be read here - http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/22/AR2007052201574.html, he mentions Ms. Carson's "now debunked" book...just who are his sources? Clearly he hasn't read her book; his reference to "junk science" is laughable. Pesticides to cure malaria? Perhaps he is not aware that while DDT is banned in the United States, it continues to be exported to other countries -- and pesticides have never "cured" anything. It should be a crime for public servants who are supported by taxpayer dollars, to spew such nonsense. Or perhaps it's just because she's a woman. Thank you, Rachel Carson, for your insights and you valuable contribution! We salute you.

Looks like the campaign against gm alfalfa worked

I'd previously posted a notice about Organic Valley's campaign against genetically engineered alfalfa. On May 3rd, a judge ruled against Monsanto's "Roundup ready" alfalfa, calling it illegal to plant it in the U.S. This is good news for organic alfalfa growers, as well as organic milk producers. Read about it at the Center for Food Safety's press release page.

It's never to late to change

On a personal note...I thought I'd mention that I didn't always advocate environmental friendliness, organics, etc. I was pretty much like everyone else -- eating at McDonald's occasionally, although I did cook often at home for my kids. And I never had soda in the house. i like to think that it's paid off for them. I feel that those first few decades have taken a toll on my body, with fibroids, parathyroid adenomas, weight gain, and other ailments. But it's never to late to change one's lifestyle, to exercise more, eat better, and support worthy causes. So here goes. My children are proud.

2007 Farm Bill not all it's cracked up to be

This year, the USDA's Farm Bill expires, and new guidelines are being developed that will impact farmers in the U.S. and abroad. OXFAM is asking you to take action to help prevent legislation that will harm poor farmers, while supporting monoculture and genetically modified organisms. Visit their take action page at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/farmbill.

The USDA has created forums that help to explain the pros and cons (if you can believe any of it!). That page can be found at http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdafarmbill?navtype=su&navid=FARM_BILL_FORUMS

Citrus peels and ethanol

The ongoing saga continues to find original ways to produce biofuel ethanol. Below is a story about citrus waste that I found interesting:

Citrus peel waste may be used to generate earth-friendly fuel

Counterfeiters substitute toxic syrup for medicine ingredient

More troubling news which implicates China in the export of a toxic substance...Apparently, ethylene glycol (the sweet-tasting poison found in antifreeze) has been found in products that use glycerin - a more expensive, and common, ingredient in cough medicine, toothpastes, and many other products. And people have died as a result. And while the FDA states that there's no danger to U.S. residents, a poisoning incident like this one which took place decades ago resulted in the creation of the FDA. For now, I'd read labels and avoid cough medicine, folks! The entire article can be found at http://www.newsobserver.com/110/story/571380.htm