Please everyone, stop flaming. My views on sustainable ag and a just
society are probably more closely affiliated with those of the people
bad-mouthing Dale Wilson, but I think that if we can not come up with
responses to Dale that are not full of accusations of where his loyalties
lie and of his ethical core we are wasting everyone's time. Although he
sometimes steps slightly over the boundaries of civil discourse, I am very
happy that Dale takes the time (no matter who is paying him) to challenge
the sustainable ag community. I get the sense that he is truly interested
in the issues and think that he represents the views of perhaps the majority
of people in society at large, a group that generally does not have Dale's
patience with the accusatory comments thrown his way. If we can not express
our views in a coherent manner in this forum that allows self-editing before
pressing the send button, we will do very poorly with the less patient
majority. And, with confronting the many powerful forces that are against
sustainable ag. These forces, in my view, include most of agribusiness that
is interested first and foremost with making a buck with high tech but user
friendly technologies (like RoundUp Ready Soybeans that will and have
resulted in RoundUp resistant weeds) and secondarily, if at all, with the
farmer and environmental concerns. (I expect Dale to challenge this
somewhat hyperbolic comment). I do not include social justice issues
because I do not think many people, never mind corporations, are very
interested in those issues since they generally include sharing resources
with people perceived as "different". But, I transgress and perhaps reveal
some negative perspective, in support of Dale's comments (I don't think
negativity is always bad in light of the "optimism with no justification"
that my European colleagues see among US citizens). In any case, I assume
Dale and/or Pioneer's interest in this list stems in part from the success
of the sustainable ag movement (true, Dale?), so we should rejoice in that
and learn what we can from his input. And if Pioneer is footing the bill,
all the better.
Michel
Michel A. Cavigelli
Research Associate
Michigan State University Extension
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station
Hickory Corners MI 49060
phone: 616-671-2412 x230
fax: 616-671-4485
cavigelli@kbs.msu.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Wilson, Dale <WILSONDO@phibred.com>
To: 'Lester Loam' <lester_loam@hotmail.com>; sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu
<sanet-mg@ces.ncsu.edu>
Date: Tuesday, July 27, 1999 6:47 PM
Subject: RE: Negative people? I don't think so ...
Lester,
>> This list is filled with negative people, apparently
>> worshipping the coming apocalypse.
> Most of the people on sanet and most in the sustainable
> ag community are among the most positive people I know.
> They don't worship the apocalypse.
I meant in the context of genetic engineering, not in general.
> I think that perhaps a decade ago, they were encouraged that
> there appeared to be bridges to their sustainable vision.
> But lately, very powerful forces appear to be trying to
> slam the door shut on their vision.
I wasn't very knowledgable about the sustainable agriculture movement ten
years ago, but it seems like it's credibility and acceptance by the public
have grown since then. What do think are the powerful forces trying to slam
sustainable ag?
Dale
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