Reposted from Robert Cohen's site:
http://www.hungerstrike.com/diary02.html#87
Sunday, February 6
YOU CAN'T TELL THE PLAYERS WITHOUT A PROGRAM
Today is the 92nd day of my hunger strike.
Environmentalists and pure food activists have become outraged by all
that Monsanto stands for, blaming that company for many of the world's
illnesses, from asthma caused by polluted air to cancers caused by
tainted foods. Yet, Monsanto is merely one of numerous companies whose
futures are firmly rooted in agricultural biotechnology and genetic
engineering.
I often refer to Monsanto as Monsatan, confident that I will never be
brought to court for what I say or write because of the clear and
incontrovertible evidence of their crimes against humanity. This is a
company that has brought many "gifts" to mankind, including dioxins,
Agent Orange, PCB, aspartame, the genetically engineered bovine growth
hormone, and other genetically modified Frankenfoods.
By focusing so closely upon Monsanto, I and other activists have lost
sight of the other "players" who sit unidentified on the sidelines,
pursuing their own unique biotechnological agendas.
I, THE "EXPERT," IN REALITY KNOW VERY LITTLE
I recently consulted my "2000 World Almanac" to see how Monsanto ranked
against other chemical and pharmaceutical companies.
The top nine chemical companies had a combined gross revenue of $98
billion dollars in 1998, and the top three companies generated more than
2/3 of that cash flow.
Du Pont was first at $39.1 billion dollars. Dow chemical was second at
$18.4 billion. Monsanto was third at $8.6 billion. Why have we been
looking at just one firm while neglecting the others? What are the "big
guys" up to? What role does numero uno play in the new world order?
The top nine pharmaceutical companies had combined revenues of $137
billion dollars. Merck was first with $27 billion in revenues.
Pharmacia-Upjohn was tenth at just under $7 billion. In 1999, Monsanto
failed to merge with American Home Products (fifth on the list of
pharmaceuticals) and will now merge with Upjohn. These days, Wall
Street rumors have Du Pont seeking to acquire American Home Products.
The giant multi-national corporations do battle for control of the
world's chemical and drug markets, while the common men and women of the
planet hardly take notice.
One thing is for certain. Whoever controls the seeds used to grow our
crops controls the food supply. Whoever controls our supermarkets
controls the world.
THE LARGEST SEED COMPANY IN THE WORLD
Pioneer Hi-Bred is based in the United States and has operations in 21
nations. Pioneer Hi-Bred is no household name. I've just gotten off
the phone with 20 adults randomly selected from the parent-listings in
my daughter's elementary school. Not one of the 20 had heard of
Pioneer Hi-Bred.
This company controls 42 percent of the U.S seed corn market and 16
percent of the soybean market. Pioneer's corporate motto is:
"Only those with great faith and the 'long look' can hope to succeed."
What great philosopher wrote that corporate slogan? Today's DILBERT
(comics section of your Sunday newspaper - 2/6/2000) reflects the sorry
state of today's business world. Dilbert notes that tests indicate his
company's products to be defective. Dilbert's boss responds:
"Our corporate philosophy is 'quality is our primary goal.'"
Dilbert assumes that he should delay shipment of that product until the
errors are corrected. The boss informs him that the shipment should be
made immediately so that the company can obtain the revenue.
Dilbert reacts:
"Gaaa! That's the opposite of our corporate philosophy!!!"
His boss responds:
"Now you know why there aren't any rich philosophers."
Pioneer's 'long look' at the future includes a plan to genetically
engineer all seeds. Their philosophy of vision and faith should include
an apology to the Monarch butterflies who died by ingesting pollen from
the new genetically engineered corn.
In 1998, Pioneer Hi-Bred's visionaries created $1.8 billion in sales for
their company generating a gross profit of $890 million dollars. More
than 40% of their sales were from genetically engineered seeds. In
1998, Pioneer Hi-Bred was issued more patents for genetically modified
organisms than any other company, gaining 108 exclusive patents. By
comparison, Monsanto was ranked 203rd with 77 patents.
Last year, the largest chemical company in the world, Du Pont, merged
with Pioneer Hi-Bred. Du Pont CEO Chad Holliday called the union:
"…One of the most important mergers in U.S. history."
Rick McConnell, senior VP for Pioneer, said:
"Crop germplasm…is like the chassis of a car on which we build valuable
and useful options. We've got a great chassis. Du Pont and Pioneer are
the mechanics."
GENTLEMEN: START YOUR ENGINES
Warning: The race has begun, but there are very few spectators
attending this event. They've got the chassis and the mechanics and
their cars are racing around the track. Unless we regain control, the
world's people shall become more than mere witnesses. We will become
the victims.
We must all recognize that the powers that be exert enormous influence
upon regulators and government officials. Secret deals are being made
by the World Trade Organization, which does not take the rights of the
individual into consideration.
The one most basic right that we have is the right to know what we are
eating. If Monsanto and Du Pont lobbyists succeed, genetically
engineered foods will carry no label.
America's milk has changed as a result of the new biotechnology. Lab
animals got cancer from the genetically engineered bovine growth
hormone. Lab animals treated with that hormone developed a vast array
of cancers. Levels of existing hormones in milk have increased. The
corn has changed. Monarch butterflies have eaten pollen from the new
corn and died.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stands between the common man and
biotechnology companies. The FDA stands between health and safety, and
a tragedy of unprecedented consequence and proportion. FDA has
previously betrayed America on the health and safety of thalidomide and
diethyl stilbesterol. FDA has erred on the copper coil uterine device,
breast implants, new gene therapies, and countless drugs and protocols
relying upon irrational and inconclusive animal research.
FDA is now armed with Monsanto's enormous deception. The official FDA
file number to my suit is: DOCKET # 99P-4613
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Should you wish to voice your outrage at FDA's inaction, include that
file number (DOCKET # 99P-4613) in the subject of your letter, and
forward your email to:
-- Dave,remodeler, drummer, farmer, soapmaker
cutting, banging, sowing and milling!
Got those pepper seeds up and running.....
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