The Proposal to Outlaw the Home Garden - HR 875 and S 425

[aninocentangel]

Originally Posted by feldon30

I'm worried about laws that prevent me from slicing into a tomato at a farmer's market and allowing people to taste it. I thought this was America?

America seems to be becoming the land where the politicians have nothing better to do than protect citizens from themselves.
I have to wonder what people expect from the government. Making everything safe isn't possible, the best we can strive for is statistically unlikely, and over legislating just gives that much more control over our lives to the politicians. The activists are not all innocent either, they often put their own spin on matters just to incite passions, and donations, from the masses, which are then heralded as gospel by those too easily excited to actually track down and read the proposal. Personally, I'm going to go feed my kids tomatoes my friend gave me to thank me for the jam that I gave her, made from berries I purchased for cash from another friends u-pick, before the red tape gets in the way.

[WVTomatoMan]

Originally Posted by feldon30

I'm worried about laws that prevent me from slicing into a tomato at a farmer's market and allowing people to taste it. I thought this was America?

Ruh-roh. In West Virginia you can't do that without facilities to clean the utensils and provide some way to either cover the cut fruit or have the operation in an enclosed area. These are state laws. I guess West Virginia isn't part of America.

Randy

[WVTomatoMan]

Originally Posted by mx4inpa

I'd rather see some sort of scientist take the position than a lawyer. Especially one who lawyered for Monsanto...

...I always remember one person abusing power...

I have issues, reservations, and concerns with Michael Taylor assuming that position that have very little to do with the fact that he was a lawyer for Monsanto. I suspect he has his own agenda. That agenda involves feeding the masses, especially those in Africa. And, the way he proposes to feed the masses is through genetically altered food sources (i.e. wheat and similar that have been genetically modified to grow in arid areas such as those found in some regions in Africa).

He has also been a long time proponent of increased legislation for the FDA so they can have more power to provide safe food. Therefore I would have real concerns about him abusing power.

Currently he is a professor at GW and you can go to his website and see some of his published papers and get a bit of a feel where he's coming from.

Randy

[WVTomatoMan]

Originally Posted by aninocentangel

...and over legislating just gives that much more control over our lives to the politicians. The activists are not all innocent either, they often put their own spin on matters just to incite passions, and donations, from the masses, which are then heralded as gospel by those too easily excited to actually track down and read the proposal...

My sentiments exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks.

Randy

p.s. May I quote that?

[aninocentangel]

Sure, just don't get me into trouble.

[organichris]

Originally Posted by feldon30

I find it funny that you use this expression at the end of your otherwise enlightening post because that is the very excuse these legislators use to write these bills. Oh, America will be safer if we regulate the heck out of the food industry.

I do not disagree with your points and concerns, but just realize that the expression "better safe than sorry" is usually at the root of the more absurd legislation. I NEVER use this expression and advise others to avoid it.

Taken to its extreme, "better safe than sorry" could be used to outlaw the automobile. After all 30,000 people are killed EACH YEAR in automobile accidents.

Just food for thought. I really do not think we need ANY kind of comprehensive food safety bill. We just need more FDA inspectors (the agency's budget and manpower was cut to the bone in the last administration) and more enforcement of existing laws.

Point well taken.

[WVTomatoMan]

Originally Posted by mx4inpa

Sounds more like Monsanto's agenda.

Any actions taken by Michael Taylor with respect to genetic alteration will be construed by a lot of people as him following Monsanto's agenda and I understand that. What I'm saying is it is coincidental. IMHO this person has his own agenda. In addition to papers he's written on Africa and GMO he's written papers on increasing FDA regulations in the name of food and drug safety. He's appeared before congressional hearings with regards to food safety. He's an advocate of increasing legislation to give the FDA more power. In a lot of cases his actions don't have anything to do with nor will they negatively affect Monsanto, but they might negatively affect you and me. The activists or whatever you want to call them know that tying his name to Monsanto will turn a lot of people against him. And, like I say IMHO there are plenty of things to be concerned about with respect to this individual that have nothing to do with Monsanto.

Randy

[organichris]

Originally Posted by WVTomatoMan

Any actions taken by Michael Taylor with respect to genetic alteration will be construed by a lot of people as him following Monsanto's agenda and I understand that. What I'm saying is it is coincidental...

Randy

You're kidding, right?

[WVTomatoMan]

Originally Posted by organichris

You're kidding, right?

Did you see a smiley face? No I'm not kidding. Why do you ask?

Randy

[aninocentangel]

While it would make sense for someone who believes in GMO's to work for Monsanto, or for an employee/service provider to develop an interest in and form an opinion similar to a company they represented, I still don't like him. Regardless of if his agenda is his own, Monsanto's or a combination of the two.
I also disagree with Randy. I see the potential for Monsanto to use Taylor to lay the foundation for future political maneuverings. That's neither here nor there though, Randy doesn't like him and that fits in fine with my political agenda.

[WVTomatoMan]

To clarify I don't think Taylor, should he be appointed, would be like "gee what can I do to help Monsanto". So, what I'm saying is I don't think he'll be the Monsanto puppet some people are making him out to be.

Lobbyist? Yes, if it promotes him and his ideals.

It seems some or a lot of people are stuck on the Monsanto thing. I think a little research will reveal that there other areas of concern.


Randy

[organichris]

Originally Posted by WVTomatoMan

Did you see a smiley face? No I'm not kidding. Why do you ask?

Randy

I'm asking because I think that's absolutely ridiculous. That's like saying, "Yeah, I left the Senate to pursue a career in the health care industry, because that's always been a passion of mine. The fact that I was instrumental in pushing through Medicare Part B has nothing to do with it. What are you? A conspiracy theorist?"

[WVTomatoMan]

Originally Posted by organichris

I'm asking because I think that's absolutely ridiculous. That's like saying, "Yeah, I left the Senate to pursue a career in the health care industry, because that's always been a passion of mine. The fact that I was instrumental in pushing through Medicare Part B has nothing to do with it. What are you? A conspiracy theorist?"

When I accept a position that position and meeting the goals of my current organization are my primary objectives. Some of the companies I've worked for in the past could fall off the face of the planet and I wouldn't care. It other companies I've worked for could help me acheive my objectives fine, but should there be a conflict who is paying the bill now takes precedence. I don't know what Taylor's relationship is with his previous employer Monsanto.

Taylor was with the FDA, Monsanto, and now he's in acedemia. I don't know how much any has to do with the other.

Randy

[WVTomatoMan]

I've providing a link below to Michael Taylor's testimony before congress. Do you have any issues with the FDA plan or Michael Taylor's comments? How is Monsanto benefited?

In other words what happens when you look past the Monsanto thing?

Randy

http://help.senate.gov/Hearings/2007_12_04/Taylor.pdf

[aninocentangel]

Randy, I'm not seeing the link.
Enjay