...essentially prohibit organic farming as well as individual food growing for private consumption. It puts the business of farming into Federal hands and removes the power of the state, and it supports factory farming. It mandates the use of certain chemicals in the name of Food Safety. Some people describe HR 875 as "criminalizing organic farming".
I did not rely on this one email to make up my mind, however. I went and looked for myself, and what I've found are reasonable arguments both for and against this legislation. Perhaps the most stunning element in the debate is the continued innocent-hearted belief in, and adoration of government... "Government only wants what's best for us." They claim that government has no desire to make backyard gardens and organically grown foods illegal, that the bill does not say any such thing.
Look, however, at what the bill DOESN'T say:
Nowhere are backyard farms or farmers selling to the local farmers market specifically exempted. Everyone who produces food either for themselves or to sell to the local farmers market must register with the government and submit to government inspection, and be subject to fines up to one-million dollars per offense per day.
I understand the desire to insure our food is safe. I understand and approve of some assurances that the food supply is safe. These new regulations, however, overseen by a new branch of government and oppressive bureaucracy are not the answer. Look at what the government did to the Almond industry. It forced growers to pasteurize their fruit thereby killing everything that made the almond so doggone healthy. Sure, you can still get nutrients from almonds, but those nutrients are for the most part inert-- dead --robbed of their famed efficacy. What's the point now of eating almonds except as a tasty form of roughage?
The Organic industry will be hurt by this bill [the Senate has its own version: S 425, the "FDA Farm Nationalization Bill"], as will small family owned farms... this could include, as I stated earlier, the "backyard farmer" for the very reason no provision is made in the bills to protect him. It's called the "Law of Unintended Consequences," the same Law that took 1960's Welfare and shook it for the change in our pockets, and our grandchildren's children's pockets as well. And in the process, creating a new subclass of dependents. What kind of dependents will this this legislation, if passed, create? A sick and dying populace in need of government-funded universal healthcare? Frightening.
The only folks who can literally afford the regulations, fees, and fines these two bills would impose on violators are the large corporate farms like Monsanto, Tyson, ADM, etc. How many of your local family owned farms will be able to afford the burdensome regulations these bills could and will likely impose? Where will you buy fresh fruit and produce? What about organic produce? Where? Not in any government supplied grocery store.
Remember: who was it that was responsible for the two most recent salmonella outbreaks? Not the small family, local, farmer. Not the "Backyard" gardener.
Links:
Change We Can Believe In: How About the End of Farmers Markets? Say Hello to H.R. 875: Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009
HR 875 The food police, criminalizing organic farming and the backyard gardener, and violation of the 10th amendment
S 425 FDA Farm Nationalization
The FDA is completely incompetent NOW. Imagine it with new and deeper levels of bureaucracy. Every week, it seems, we here another story about how the FDA failed to fully study one drug or another, and the imposition of "Black Label Warnings" on drugs previously deemed and touted as "Safe." Do we really want the government, especially the FDA, controlling America's food supply?
Lenin exerted strong controls over manufacturing and food production, but those of us who were of an age to understand remember seeing the food and commodity lines of Soviet Russia. The USSR also thought such controls were a good idea. The problem was, however, that the average soviet couldn't get much of what they needed, while the governmental aristocracy got all they could want, and more. Everyone was equal, but some were evidently more equal than others.
If the United States keeps moving in the direction Barack is desiring to take us, historians may find it difficult to tell 21st century America from 20th century Russia.
Contact your representatives and tell them to get the hell out of your backyard. Tell them to get their filthy fingers out of your salad.
Call: 202-224-3121 and ask them to oppose HR 875 and S 425. While you are at it ask them if they personally have read the legislation and what their position is? If they have not read the legislation ask them to read it and politely let them know that just because other representatives are not reading the legislation and voting on it does not mean they can do the same.
They are not the kings. They are OUR employees. Make and KEEP them accountable by making your voice heard.
Now get out there and be an American! Fight!
Amazing as it seems a lot of dem's oppose bills like this too. In fact amazingly the green block of the left consists of lots of home gardeners. Who'd a thunk it?
ReplyDeleteUntwist your panties this will not be brought to the floor for a vote. We have too many other bigger problems to deal with.
Yeah...like making sure MEE-Shell Obama gets to meet the DC socialites.
ReplyDeleteIf no one stands up against it; if no one voices complaint, what is to put pause in the minds of our representatives? I'll "untwist my panties" as you say, when the bills are sufficiently dead, and not a moment sooner.
ReplyDeleteYour attitude displays the "continued innocent-hearted belief in, and adoration of government" I mentioned. You're not paying attention. You believe everything government tells you.
Iam... I do not.
This won't happen. Ben is right, it's a non-starter.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who thinks that they can rest easy because a particular bill seems unlikely, must remember that it wasn't long ago that ANY form of homosexual marriage was unthinkable. I now take the position that if I'm told, "There's nothing to worry about..." then it's time to worry. Makes me think that those who say such are supporters, on some level, of the very thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's also a good idea to keep in mind that such regs are passed based on the slimmest of evidence. I recall not long ago ephedra was banned from things like diet pills and supplements. Yet, aside from alergic reactions which doesn't count, there was no case of anyone suffering from its use as when taken as directed. One almost had to try to get sick.
The point is this: if something sounds fishy, even if it seems unlikely, it's worth the time to let one's representatives know how one feels.
And....
ReplyDeleteNo one thought prayer could be taken out of school, either.
No one thought abortion could become a legal right under the constitution and murder over 50 million unborn children in the intervening years of then and now... in the US alone!
It is such a mindset, held by such folk as Ben and Dan, that God has been systematically removed from the classroom, and from much of the public square-- to say nothing of public acceptance.
I'll bet no one thought 19 men with box cutters could take down New York's two largest buildings either.
No one thought the government could actually get away with stealing one private person's property to give it to a another private developer, for the purpose of taxes no less.
Both of you-- and I say this without a shred of rancor --are ignorant of the past, ignorant of what's happening today, and ignorant of what these happenings could mean for the future of this country. It's almost as if you guys don't care about your freedom as American's. Or about the freedom of those who will follow us. All you seem to care about is what the government can GIVE you. Well, look around! Look at how beautiful the godless state of America has become.
Just because you think this legislation won't go anywhere is no reason to sit back and say nothing. That's how politicians today have come to so despise the Constitution of the United States, and their constituents. What they care about is their own private Idahos-- the wealth and influence they can and DO build for themselves... the power and prestige. Very few of them actually care about the ideals that formed, framed, and carried this country to greatness.
That greatness is falling, gentlemen. And you're a big part of the cause.
Prayer has not been taken out of school, brother Eric. I prayed in my kids' school just last week. My son has a big senior presentation due right now. I'd be willing to bet he's praying.
ReplyDeleteAlways be vigilant about any administration, but you have no serious fears on this point. Rest easy.
It's wonderful that you are able to pray in your son's school. Great! But many many other school systems do NOT allow it. Students are told NOT to pray. Some school systems won't even allow the WORD "pray" or "prayer" to be uttered or even displayed in school.
ReplyDeleteAs I said earlier. You are not paying attention to what's happening around you. YOU look into the sky and see the sun shining brightly... then erroneously assume EVERYONE in America sees the same bright blue sky. You're not living in-- nor observing --reality, or the reality of life in America. You see, as Paul Simon penned, what you want to see, and disregard the rest.
'Know the way of ALL professions,' Dan. That's how you beat them.
But many many other school systems do NOT allow it. Students are told NOT to pray. Some school systems won't even allow the WORD "pray" or "prayer" to be uttered or even displayed in school.
ReplyDeleteName one.
I believe that this is largely a fiction, as I have never heard of such a thing anywhere. HOW could they stop someone from praying?
Now, yes, they may very well NOT want you to hold outloud prayer meetings in the middle of class, they may not allow prayer services with kids or teachers speaking in tongues or being slain by the spirit and hallelujahs and whatnot, but good for them. I don't want that, either.
"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your God who is with you. Your God sees what you do in private."
~Jesus
As to the rest of your comments, you should know by now that I ALWAYS say, "watch your gov't, don't trust our leaders, but watch their actions." This has been a constant theme of my blog ever since you have known me. That hasn't changed with Obama being in power.
ReplyDeleteAt the same time, let's not waste our time on false fears and non-issues. The gov't CAN'T stop you from praying in schools. The gov't CAN'T and WON'T stop you from growing your own food, especially organically.
If there were a serious threat of either of these, there would be a huge hue and cry and I'd be right there. There just isn't a serious threat of this happening.
Now, there HAVE been serious threats. Where were your concerns when Bush wanted to invade a sovereign nation unprovoked?? Where were your concerns when Bush was appointing Coal industry leaders to be the watchdogs of the coal industry??
You are worrying here about nothing when there have been serious concerns (and still are) that too often go ignored. Save your worries for real threats, that's what I'm suggesting here.
"If there were a serious threat of either of these, there would be a huge hue and cry and I'd be right there."
ReplyDeleteYou can't possibly be this naive!
Eric, I don't know about the Right, but the Left LOVES organic food and growing our own veggies. We would organize and put a stop to this IF it were a serious threat. It's not a serious reality, that's what I'm telling you. We also love our freedom of speech and would not abide any abridgment thereof.
ReplyDeleteTo fail to recognize this would be a naive position for anyone to take. We (the Left) are too well organized and too concerned about either topic to allow it to happen.
It simply is not a real concern in the real world.
But hey, I'm sorry to rain on your parade. I agree with you that it would be a terrible thing to outlaw growing veggies.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to worry about it, go ahead. Once again, we are in agreement on the principle.
Dan, an authority on the subject, has spoken.
ReplyDeleteAll else is just so much bull-shiite!
Okay, my bad, the word "prayer" was not banned, but "God Bless the USA" and "In God We Trust" were... in a Tennessee school... right next door, Dan.
ReplyDeleteTenn. school censors ‘God Bless the USA,’ ‘In God We Trust’
How about this one as well?
Prayer ban stands in New Jersey
And these are only two out of thousands of stories and instances of schools banning prayer... and yes, mention of God, in schools.
Consider your son's school blessed, Dan, because there are schools out there which are not so richly blessed as his.
ReplyDeleteDan,
ReplyDeleteTwo things:
First, are you saying that you and your son pray openly during class time, or are you saying a quiet prayer together before class begins? At the same time, I don't know if any school could completely get away with a preventing a student who prays quietly at his desk even during class as long as he's not interfering with a lesson. If this is what you're saying, then I think you're purposely changing the subject. I doubt if such an example is that to which Eric refers. Yet, there have been numerous incidents where such prayer has been prohibited through a poor understanding of what is and what is not legal. Happens all the time whether you want to believe it or not.
Secondly, this legislation over produce is just the kind of thing that flies under the radar unhindered unless someone stumbles upon it. Eric has. If you are truly down with homegrown goods, it wouldn't be a great sacrifice to get on the phone or computer to make your voice heard on the subject. To act as if it would never pass or even get to the floor for a vote is a perfect example of good men doing nothing. Keep in mind that you rarely show much trust in government to do what's right. You're not being consistent to believe this legislation couldn't come to pass.
Also, one cannot predict the true ramifications of any legislation until it's been in place for awhile. The gov't might not try to stop Dan from growing rhuttabaga, but what it does to the agricultural scene could be far worse.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if any school could completely get away with a preventing a student who prays quietly at his desk even during class as long as he's not interfering with a lesson. If this is what you're saying, then I think you're purposely changing the subject.
ReplyDeleteThat is what I'm saying - if you pray in the manner as Jesus instructs, no one will even know and therefore, you won't be stopped.
And I didn't bring up prayer in schools, Eric did. I just pointed out the reality that no one can stop you from praying in schools. That no one can get rid of God in schools (what sort of God would your god be if a vote could remove him from a building?).
What schools have done is to remove school-endorsed, teacher-led prayers. And I'm thankful to God that they have done so. I don't want teachers I don't know (Mormon? Amish? Jewish? Fundamentalist? Racist? Fascist?? Satanist???) leading my kids in prayers. We do that in our own time, not on school's time. It does not belong there as a school function.
But the only two points I was trying to make are:
1. I agree with Eric, it would be a bad thing if someone outlawed gardens; and
2. No one is going to outlaw gardens so there's no real need to worry about it. BUT, if you want to worry about it, go for it.
AND, if you want to tell your representatives that you are in favor of gardens and opposed to any legislation limiting them, go for that, too. I think contacting your representatives is a good thing to do.
ReplyDeleteAs to the NJ school prayer "ban," prayer is NOT banned in the schools. Teacher-led prayers are.
ReplyDeleteFrom the WaPo:
the East Brunswick, N.J., school district ordered him to stop and banned all staff members from joining in student-led prayer.
Students can pray if they wish. Teachers can pray if they wish. It's just a ruling that says teachers can't lead prayers. So, you can rest your mind and not worry about schools banning prayer in general. They can't and won't do so.
Or, again, you can worry about it if you wish. I'm not.
Dan, you've mischaracterized your own quote:
ReplyDelete"...and banned all staff members from joining in STUDENT-LED prayer."
These teachers are prohibited from "joining in" STUDENT led prayer. So teachers ARE prohibited in praying in school.
My only point in mentioning the banning of prayer in school was to illustrate how foolish it is to sit back and say nothing simply because you don't believe a piece of legislation can possibly pass. That is what happened in the 1960's. No one thought prayer could be removed from the classroom, and so they did nothing... spoke not one word of protest.
Now, 40+ years later, America is an all but godless nation; filled with filth, degradation, and wickedness. You don't see it because you're acclimated to the environment, much like the proverbial boiled frog.
You're of an age that you should remember, Dan. Remember Fess Parker as Daniel Boone? Ozzie and Harriet? Leave it to Beaver? Family Affair? What did all those shows have in common? What differs between that era of television and todays?
Could you have watched vampires frakking each other on HBO? Could you have turned the channel, one after the other, hour after hour, and found NO family entertainment? Could you have watched teenagers and young adults on MTV performing all manner of perversity?
No, you couldn't. But the average person today would not look at TODAY's television fare as remarkable... Every show, it seems, uses Murder, Thievery, Sexual Immorality [to name just a few] as plot devices, devices to which the average viewer has become dangerously acclimated.
Choosing to stand on the outside of this, looking in, it's easy to see that our society has indeed declined. Where did that decline begin? The removal of prayer from school? Johnson's War on Poverty [an abject failure, btw]? Roe v Wade?
You and Ben are certainly entitled to your opinions. But you are both foolish in the extreme to sit back and laugh about getting one's panties in a twist over an issue you feel has no merit. Just like those people in the 60's who thought a challenge to prayer in school was nothing to worry about. Those folks in New London thought they had nothing to worry about either... but the Supreme Court allowed the city to steal their property.
Quite frankly, I hope you and Ben are right, and that I worried for nothing. But I'm not going to allow myself that luxury. Freedom is constantly besieged by those who want to control it-- and gaining control freedom ceases to be truly free.
As Roland Orzabal so truly wrote, "Everybody wants to rule the world." There are people in every crowd who see the crowd as needing management, who see society as needing regulation. We elect PRESIDENTS in this country, not kings. We elect REPRESENTATIVES in this nation, not rulers. We elect mayors and councilors, not overlords. Our constitution says we are a nation of free people. But you fail to realize that there are those in power who do not want us "free" to rule our own lives. They want to meddle, control and gainsay... and ignore the constitution they pledged to protect and defend.
So sit back and yawn... "Ho-hum." You deserve whatever happens to you if you sit back and do nothing while you have the chance to defend your freedoms. But no, it can't possibly happen here. This is AMERICA!
Well, I hate to break it to you, oh noble frog, but America has long since ceased to be a pot of tepid water.
"When you pray, go to your room and close the door. Pray privately to your God who is with you. Your God sees what you do in private."
ReplyDelete~Jesus
Why did He say this? If I'm not mistaken, he said it in response to the practice of praying in public in a manner that was self-promotional marketing, advertising one's self as pious, despite how well one actually followed the teachings and spirit of the law.
The way Dan uses the verse, I would expect that he never attends Sunday service at the famed Jeff St. church. Yet, a group service is just what school prayer used to be. Christ's remarks were never meant to prohibit group prayer in any way. Can you imagine Dan walking out of wedding reception because the minister was asked to pray before the food was served. "Heavens, no! We must all be in separate spaces praying in private!"
Another silly application of Scripture.