Food Stamps For Mexico, Furloughs for Meat Inspectors: Make it Hurt!

19 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by truthfarmer in food safety, food shortage, USDA Tags: food stamps, meat inspector, sequester

Continuing with the “Make it Hurt” philosophy of the Obama Administration on the sequester, unnecessary expenditures will continue unabated. The ramifications of the furloughing of meat inspectors is enormous. According to the USDA’s own statistics, roughly 6.5 million people are employed in the meat distribution and processing arenas. Furloughing them will affect anyone in the supply chain, and every one in the pocket book….but don’t forget, there aren’t going to be inspections on foreign meat, so maybe you’ll still be able to get get kangaroo, horse, donkey, beef, and who knows what hamburger at something approaching a reasonable price.

From FOX:

Dems preserve US-Mexico food stamp ‘partnership,’ while USDA prepares for meat inspector furloughs

Published March 18, 2013

FoxNews.com

Salmonella outbreaks. E. coli outbreaks. Millions of dollars in economic losses.These are among the scenarios the Obama administration warned about last month as it claimed the sequester would force the U.S. Department of Agriculture to furlough meat inspectors.

But while the administration prepares to take that step, it continues to pursue a “partnership” with the Mexican government to “raise awareness” about food stamps among immigrants from that country. When a top Senate Republican proposed cutting off funds for that program last week — in the form of an amendment to a budget resolution — Democrats on the Budget Committee shot it down.

It’s hard to put a firm price on the cost of the partnership, which was launched under the George W. Bush administration. But an aide to Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., who has railed against the partnership for months, said it could easily be in the millions. Since 2004, the program has blossomed to include dozens of meetings and conferences and health fairs with Mexican officials — all of which cost money, not to mention the cost to the food stamp program of new enrollees brought in as a result of this partnership.

Sessions, in a statement to FoxNews.com, said he believes the public will eventually demand an end to the program, though the Senate Budget Committee allowed it to continue in the vote last week.

“We have uncovered extensive evidence that federal authorities have — during the Bush and Obama administrations — aggressively undermined a core legal tenet of immigration policy: that those granted admission should be self-sufficient and contribute to the economic health of the nation,” Sessions said. “It is amazing that Budget Committee Democrats would unanimously vote to continue funding these costly promotions, especially when our debt is causing such profound economic harm.”

According to a letter from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to Sessions last September, the “partnership” since 2004 has included roughly 91 meetings between U.S. and Mexico embassy and consulate staff; 29 health fair events; and 31 roundtable discussions, conferences and forums in 20 cities.

Twenty percent of the meetings and activities occurred since 2008, according to Vilsack’s letter. Sessions is concerned the collaboration amounts to a vehicle for the USDA to pressure people onto the food-stamp rolls — in this case, noncitizen immigrants from Mexico.

The USDA denies this. In his letter last year, Vilsack said the purpose is “to help eligible people in need make informed decisions about whether or not to seek assistance.”

The initiative is one of several the agency has “to promote awareness of nutrition assistance among those who need benefits and meet all program requirements under current law,” Vilsack told Sessions in the 24-page letter.

However, his letter indicates the number of legal, noncitizens participating in the program — now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program — has increased from 425,000 to 1.23 million between 2001 and 2010.

Meanwhile, the USDA continues to press forward with plans to furlough meat inspectors, describing it as a necessity of the sequester — though the department has eased off a bit on warnings that this could lead to more foodborne illness, since all meat and poultry will still have to be inspected.

Guerilla Gardening–Do this!

17 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by truthfarmer in food, food shortage, Uncategorized Tags: Guerilla Gardening

I just received this link and while I am well aware there are things going on all over the country like the actions taken by this man, I don’t think it is enough. This video should inspire others to join in and reclaim the most basic of all human rights; that being the right to eat food of one’s choice grown in a way one desires to grow it!

Fetus Kidney Flavor Enhancer…

17 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by truthfarmer in Food Destruction Agency, food safety Tags: Food Flavoring, HEK, Senomyx

I heard about this several months ago for the first time. Personally, I rarely drink any soda at all, but this is enough to put anyone off their Pepsi. The other thing is that we are being told that food is a controlled substance for our own good, and that raw milk is inherently dangerous, but consuming aborted baby cells is ok?…From Mercola at this link:

By Dr. Mercola

For several years anti-abortion advocates have been warning that a new technology for enhancing flavors such as sweetness and saltiness uses aborted fetal cells in the process.

The biotech company using this novel process, Senomyx, has signed contracts with Pepsi, Ajinomoto Co. (the maker of aspartame and meat glue), Nestlé and other food and beverage companies² over the past several years.³

The primary goal for many of these processed food companies is to make foods and beverages tasty while reducing sugar and salt content.

While Senomyx refuses to disclose the details of the process, its patent applications indicate that part of the secret indeed involves the use of human kidney cells, known as HEK293, originating from an aborted baby.

It’s worth noting that no kidney cells, or part thereof, are actually IN the finished product.⁴ Rather they’re part of the process used to discern new flavors, which will be discussed below.

That said, to many, this is still “over the line.” Two years ago, anti-abortion groups launched boycott campaigns against Pepsi Co., urging them to reconsider using flavorings derived from a process involving the use of aborted embryonic kidney cells.

Whatever your personal convictions might be on the issue of using biological material from an aborted fetus, the issue of whether or not biotech-constructed flavor enhancers are safe or not remains…

Biotech Cooks Up New Flavors

Senomyx⁵ is a high tech research and development business that is “dedicated to finding new flavors to reduce sugars and reduce salt.” These include new flavors such as Savory Flavors and Cooling Flavors, as well as flavor modulators such as Bitter Blockers and enhancers of Sweet and Salt tastes.⁶

Senomyx is also engaged in a new effort to discover and develop high-potency sweeteners to replace high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, and natural herb sweeteners like Stevia, which some people object to due to its aftertaste.

To accomplish this, Senomyx has developed patented “flavor enhancing” compounds using “proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems.” It’s a taste testing system that provides scientists with biochemical responses and electronic readouts when a flavor ingredient interacts with their patented receptor, letting researchers know whether or not they’ve “hit the mark” in terms of flavor. As described by Senomyx:⁷

“Flavors are substances that impart tastes or aromas… Individuals experience the sensation of taste when flavors in food and beverage products interact with taste receptors in the mouth. A taste receptor functions either by physically binding to a flavor ingredient in a process analogous to the way a key fits into a lock or by acting as a channel to allow ions to flow directly into a taste cell.

As a result of these interactions, signals are sent to the brain where a specific taste sensation is registered. There are currently five recognized primary senses of taste: umami, which is the savory taste of glutamate, sweet, salt, bitter and sour.

Senomyx has discovered or in-licensed many of the key receptors that mediate taste in humans. We created proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems that provide a biochemical or electronic readout when a flavor ingredient interacts with the receptor.”

According to an article in The New Yorker⁸ published in May 2011, Pepsi’s New York plant has a robot fitted with human taste buds to reliably “predict” what humans might like. To create this robotic taste tester, Pepsi Co. scientists injected the genetic sequences of the four known taste receptors into cultured cells, and then hardwired the cells to the robot’s computer. The robot (which has replaced human taste testers for the initial taste trials) can sample some 40,000 flavor assays per day.

What are These Genetically Engineered ‘Flavor Enhancers,’ and are They Safe?

According to a CBS News report from June 2011, 70 out of 77 Senomyx patents^9, 10 filed at that time referred to the use of HEK 293.¹¹ These are human embryonic kidney cells originally harvested from a healthy, electively aborted fetus sometime in the 1970’s. The “HEK” identifies the cells as kidney cells, and the “293” denotes that the cells came from the 293rd experiment.

These cells have been cloned for decades, as they offer a reliable way to produce new proteins using genetic engineering. Senomyx has engineered HEK293 cells to function like human taste receptor cells,¹² presumably such as those used in Pepsi Co’s taste-testing robot. This was done by isolating taste receptors found in certain cells, and adding them to the HEK cells.

HEK cells are also widely used within pharmaceutical and cell biology research for the same or similar reasons. It is however the first time HEK cells have been used in the food industry, which carries a certain “ick” factor for many. There’s also the issue of just not knowing how these new flavors are created. As stated in another CBS news report:¹³

“So what exactly is this magic ingredient that will be appearing in a new version of Pepsi, and how is it made? Unfortunately, those questions are hard to answer. Senomyx… refers to them only as ‘enhancers’ or ‘ingredients’… The products work by triggering receptors on the tongue and tricking your taste buds into sensing sweetness — or saltiness or coolness, in the case of the company’s other programs…

So are Senomyx’s covert ingredients safe? That, too, is anyone’s guess… many of its enhancers have ‘been granted’GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, but all that means is that the company did its own assessment and then concluded everything was fine. We don’t know whether Senomyx did any testing since the company isn’t required to submit anything to the FDA.¹⁴

There’s no reason to think that Senomyx’s products will cause harm, but until or unless Pepsi decides to share details about how exactly it’s achieving a 60 percent reduction in sugar while keeping the taste the same, customers will be drinking their ‘scientifically advantaged’ sodas completely in the dark.”

The lack of labeling requirements is particularly troublesome and will probably become an issue in the future. Since these compounds (whatever they are) are used in such minute quantities, they don’t have to be listed on the label. They’ll simply fall under the generic category of artificial and/or natural flavors. What this means is that the product will appear to be much “healthier” than it might otherwise be, were a flavor enhancer not used.

According to a 2010 CBS report,¹⁵ Senomyx’s flavor enhancers were already being sold outside the US at that time. For example, Nestle was by 2010 using an MSG flavor enhancer in its Maggi brand soups, sauces, condiments and instant noodles, and Ajinomoto was also using a similar ingredient in products for the Chinese market. This means less of the artificial sweetener is needed to create the same sweet taste as before, but while one could argue that this is a good thing, I suspect we will ultimately learn that this flavor enhancement method has multiple unforeseen adverse consequences — metabolically, and biologically.

Consequences of Food Alteration are More the Rule than the Exception…

There are many reasons why you’re better off choosing natural whole foods in lieu of processed alternatives, but one of the primary ones is that junk foods contain additives that increase your toxic load, which in turn may increase your tendency to develop cancer. As of yet, there is NO medical research to back up the assertion that manipulating your taste buds in the way Senomyx’ products do is safe and healthy in the long term. As an example, I would point to the evidence now available showing that one of the reasons why artificial sweeteners do not work as advertised is because the taste of sweet itself is tied into your metabolic functioning in a way that we still do not fully understand… As a result, artificially sweetened products, oftentimes boasting zero calories, actually result in greater weight gain than sweetened products when used “in the real world.”

It’s easy to forget that the processed, pre-packaged foods and fast food restaurants of today are actually a radical change in terms of the history of food production. Much of what we eat today bears very little resemblance of real food. Many products are loaded with non-nutritive fillers — purposely designed to just “take up space” to make you think you’re getting more than you really are — along with any number of additives. Many additives have been shown to have harmful effects on mood, behavior, metabolic functioning and biochemistry.

Now, with the introduction of untested engineered flavor enhancers, you’re left wondering whether processed foods with “cleaner” labels really are safer and healthier or not… Remember, because Senomyx’ flavor enhancers are used in such low concentrations they are not required to undergo the FDA’s usual safety approval process for food additives.

The disease trends we’re now seeing are only going to get worse as much of the processed foods consumed today are not even food-based. Who knows what kind of genetic mutations and malfunctions we’re creating for ourselves and future generations when a MAJORITY of our diet consists of highly processed and artificial foods that contain substances never before consumed by humans in all of history.

How to Enhance Your Food’s Flavor, Naturally

When choosing what to eat, I highly recommend you focus your meals on real food, and remember “food” equals “live nutrients.” Nutrients, in turn, feed your cells, optimize your health and sustain life. To help you along, I’ve created a free optimized nutrition plan, which takes you step-by-step from the beginner’s through the advanced level.

When you eat real foods as opposed to “food products” like the ones being “enhanced” by Senomyx’ technology, you don’t need artificial, lab-created flavors or flavor enhancers, because real foods taste delicious. The fact that processed foods taste good is the culmination of a profitable science of artificial flavors, enhancers and additives, without which most processed food would taste and look like shredded cardboard.

Real food naturally has vibrant colors, rich textures, and is authentically flavorful. For times when you want to add even more oomph to your meals, nature has provided herbs and spices, which are not only incredibly tasty but also will make your real food even healthier.

Make it Hurt- The Method of Obama’s Sequester

11 Mar 2013 1 Comment

by truthfarmer in Uncategorized

As many of you know, the “sequester” is about cutting a percentage of the INCREASE in spending. For this, the Obama Administration has threatened dire consequences because of where they are applying these cuts. In an email from his superiors, APHIS Regional Director Charles Brown was told to “keep the impacts as promised”. Here is an article about it:

Email tells feds to make sequester as painful as promised

The White House announced Tuesday that it is canceling tours of the president’s home for the foreseeable future as the sequester spending cuts begin to bite and the administration makes good on its warnings of painful decisions.

Announcement of the decision — made in an email from the White House Visitors Office — came hours after The Washington Times reported on another administration email that seemed to show at least one agency has been instructed to make sure the cuts are as painful as President Obama promised they would be.

In the internal email, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service official Charles Brown said he asked if he could try to spread out the sequester cuts in his region to minimize the impact, and he said he was told not to do anything that would lessen the dire impacts Congress had been warned of.

“We have gone on record with a notification to Congress and whoever else that ‘APHIS would eliminate assistance to producers in 24 states in managing wildlife damage to the aquaculture industry, unless they provide funding to cover the costs.’ So it is our opinion that however you manage that reduction, you need to make sure you are not contradicting what we said the impact would be,” Mr. Brown, in the internal email, said his superiors told him.

Whole Foods to Label GMO’s

11 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by truthfarmer in GMO's Tags: labeling GMO's, Whole Foods

In the “It’s about time already!” column, Whole Foods, who has been often times found to be working against labeling GMO’s has decided to actually label them. Maybe Walmart, with their control over the US grocery sector, could be targeted to follow suit?? Surely, I dream:

Whole Foods GMO Labeling To Be Mandatory By 2018

The Huffington Post | By Carey PolisPosted: 03/08/2013 1:58 pm EST

Whole Foods has announced that by 2018, all products in U.S. and Canada stores must be labeled if they contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This is the first national grocery store to set a deadline from GMO labeling.

“We are putting a stake in the ground on GMO labeling to support the consumer’s right to know,” said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, in a press release. “The prevalence of GMOs in the U.S. paired with nonexistent mandatory labeling makes it very difficult for retailers to source non-GMO options and for consumers to choose non-GMO products. Accordingly, we are stepping up our support of certified organic agriculture, where GMOs are not allowed, and we are working together with our supplier partners to grow our non-GMO supply chain to ensure we can continue to provide these choices in the future.”

(Read full article here)

26 Generations of Mice Cloned….Still Going

11 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by truthfarmer in Uncategorized Tags: cloned mice, cloning

Your take on cloning may or may not be in line with mine. In my estimation, while it is interesting, and while I have often thought that I need to have about 12 different clones of myself so I could achieve what is on my schedule for the day, I’d want them all to have off switches. Since Yahweh designed all of nature to have diversity, and in breeding, you have various traits that manifest themselves from the same gene pool, cloning seems potentially dangerous to the diversity that preserves us and all the other species. Now plant cloning, by planting runners or root cutting, is a different ball game. It is simple propagation, and there are also pollination issues in play there, so it isn’t the same as mammalian cloning.

At any rate, Japan scientists have cloned 598 mice, and they are still cloning from the same mouse. Here is the article:

08 MARCH 2013 – 11H30

Japan clones 26 generations and still going

Japanese scientists have produced 26 generations of clones from a single mouse, the lead researcher said Friday, possibly paving the way for the mass replication of valuable livestock.

AFP – Japanese scientists have produced 26 generations of clones from a single mouse, the lead researcher said Friday, possibly paving the way for the mass replication of valuable livestock.

The team have so far produced 598 mice that are genetic copies of one original creature in an experiment that has so far been going for seven years, said Teruhiko Wakayama of the Riken Center for Developmental Biology.

“This is by far the largest cloning project using a mammal,” he told AFP.

“By applying our study, mass reproduction of prized animals should become possible even after the original animals die,” he said.

Reliable methods for cloning over an extended number of generations could be a boon to farmers who have, for example, a cow that produces a lot of milk, or an animal that is expected to produce particularly high-quality meat.

Natural breeding does not guarantee that an animal’s offspring will have the same qualities, but a clone is an exact copy.

Wakayama has significantly improved on existing capabilities that had a low success rate and tended only to last for a few generations.

The team used a technique called somatic cell nuclear transfer, whereby a cell’s nucleus, which contains the genetic information of the original animal, was inserted into a living egg that had its own nucleus removed.

The egg was then planted in a surrogate who delivered the clone. That cloned result then became a donor for another cell nucleus, which was implanted into a host cell, allowing the cycle to continue.

Overall, the cloned mice have normal biological features, including normal longevity and reproductive capability.

Detailed genetic analysis showed limited abnormalities in non-vital aspects, such as large placenta, but the clone-specific abnormalities neither increased nor decreased over generations of recloning, Wakayama said.

Wakayama’s team has found that use of a certain chemical agent, called a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and other technical improvements allowed recloning to continue for many generations, he said.

“Our results show that repeated iterative recloning is possible,” he said.

“I want to say we should be able to continue this forever. We will continue our study until we see the end of it,” he said.

The study was published in the US-based journal Cell Stem Cell.

Animal Ownership Death Knell

09 Mar 2013 2 Comments

by truthfarmer in Uncategorized

Photo of US soldiers in Afghanistan

by Taylor Whitney

As astounding as it may seem, laws and regulations have been or are now being put into place to remove the right for Americans to own animals. This is being done under many pretexts, all of them bogus, all camouflaged as beneficial for either the animals or public.

ANIMAL ABUSE:

In California, as reported at http://www.homegrown.org/group/backyardlivestock/forum/topics/goat-share

“They just passed SB917 & AB1117 is on the Governor’s desk. AB1117- will allow for animals to be seized & destroyed prior to getting a warrant. LEO, ACO or Humane Officers are given the powers to be judge, jury, & Executioner. The person charged will not be able to be near any animals for 5-10 years. Fines & liens are placed on the animal owner, or who ever is standing near by.

“Now that SB917 / has passed[, p]retty much anything to do with animals is a risk of being charged with animal cruelty. For example it will be a act of animal cruelty to meet & greet a buyer on the roadside.

“These laws are a direct assault to the farming industry. They were passed as puppy & kitten laws by lawmakers. The problem is they are not exempting livestock. ….

“Please pay attention to what is on the books in each state. For there is a movement to end all animal ownership by special interest groups.

From SB917:

“This bill would provide, in addition and with specified exceptions, that it shall be a crime, punishable as specified, for any person to willfully sell or give away as part of a commercial transaction, a live animal on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival, or boardwalk, or to display or offer for sale, or display or offer to give away as part of a commercial transaction, a live animal if the act of selling or giving away the live animal is to occur on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival, or boardwalk. The bill would provide that a notice describing the charge and the penalty for a violation of this bill may be issued by a peace officer, animal control officer, or humane officer. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.”

The comments on the bill cut to the reality of the bill’s threat.

“Last November I had the great privilege of transporting 5 of the rarest rabbit breeds in the world to knowledgeable breeders working to save these precious, dying breeds from extinction (some of which only 300 animals are believed to exist in the WORLD). SB 917 makes switch off at meeting points during transport relays for critically endangered animals a felony. OPPOSE California SB 917.”

“I believe this also makes it illegal to sell rabbits at sanctioned ARBA shows? Which is where most rabbit sale transactions occur? Opposing animal cruelty is one thing, but the generalities do not account for private, legitimate sales between breeders and the general public? Only at pet stores? Which is where we are told NOT to buy???”

“This is another attack on small farmers and is totally unconstitional as to our rights to persue our freedoms as given to us by our founding fathers so any atempt by the state to take away more rights must be stopped immedistly and those tryng this need to be struck down and never allowed to hold a public office ever again. They need to remember where thier food and fiber comes from diffently not from a plastic raped pack in some store.”

If they charge a farmer with abuse, he or she wouldn’t be allowed any animals for 5-10 years and could go to prison. Same with animal rescue people or pet owners.

How many of these terms have not been defined?

(Read the rest of this excellent article here)

Now, This Would Be A Good Constitutional Amendment for Missouri

07 Mar 2013 6 Comments

by truthfarmer in Control, Dairy, Enforcement, food shortage, GMO's, No Food Rights, raw milk Tags: food freedom, HJR 7 and 11, Jason Smith, Joann Emerson, Missouri Constitutional Amendment, monsanto

Recently, I wrote about Jason Smith’s HJR 7 and 11,which is a proposed Constitutional Amendment for the State of Missouri. By the way, Jason is the Pro Tem in the Missouri House and the Republican nominee to fill Joann Emerson’s seat in the US Congress. It is widely rumored that Smith was flown to Washington four times to be introduced to his future colleagues by Emerson. It is possibly coincidence one of Emerson’s daughters is a lobbyist for Monsanto and that Smith introduced this bill, which would strongly enhance Monsanto’s stranglehold on Agriculture in this State. Possibly. I just don’t know. It’s one of those thing that makes you go, “Hmmm…”, as that old adage goes.

What isn’t questionable is that HJR 7 and 11 and SJR 22 (it’s companion) are flying through the process at Jeff City quicker than a greased pig. And is NOT good for Missouri farmers, Missouri consumers, or economic freedom overall. Please read my first article on this legislation here to get some background on why I see this as terrifically dangerous and deceptive as I do.

An interesting thing about Missouri is the many options available for changing/amending the Missouri Constitution. Battles in ballot language are often fought in the back rooms of the State Offices and voters must go to extensive lengths to find out the full text of the actual proposal on the ballot. When people are voting on a Constitutional Amendment, they should not only be allowed easy access to the language, they should read it and be certain they understand the effects of the proposed amendment. We want the legislators to “read the bills”, why would we be satisfied with out own decisions on issues if we ourselves don’t read the actual text?

After two calls and a facebook message to Rep. Smith, I finally received a return call from Smith’s office, but I was outside dealing in the real world at the time. I called back and left another message, but haven’t yet heard back from the staffer that left a message on my machine. Sigh.

Since this thing is moving so quickly, and the questionable terms “modern” and “agricultural technology” show no signs of being removed from the language, it seems that the public should have the opportunity to look at potential substitute language that would actually be beneficial for farmers, ranchers and consumers as well as the Missouri economy.

I spent quite a bit of time looking at the language and thinking it was completely hopeless. Then it clicked. A light came on and I found language that I have shared with a few traditional farming advocates and some other concerned groups and they all said they would definitely support this language.

For your consideration and comments, I submit a truly helpful and freedom enhancing substitute for Smith’s HJR 7 & 11: (the things in brackets and struck through are removed from the language of Smith’s bill-the bold italicized is inserted instead)

Section 35. That agriculture which provides food, energy, health benefits, and security is the foundation and stabilizing force of Missouri’s economy. To protect this vital sector of Missouri’s economy, the right of farmers and ranchers to engage in direct trade with consumers [modern farming and ranching practices] shall be forever guaranteed in this state. No law shall be enacted which abridges the right of farmers and ranchers to employ agricultural [technology and modern livestock production and ranching] practices that secure independent family farm’s ability to save seed, preserve livestock bloodlines, or impede their access to market.

Section B. Pursuant to Chapter 116, RSMo, and other applicable constitutional provisions and laws of this state allowing the General Assembly to adopt ballot language for the 3 submission of a joint resolution to the voters of this state, the official ballot title of the amendment proposed in Section A shall be as follows: “Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure:

• That the right of Missouri citizens to employ modern farming and ranching practices and equipment that insure the continuance of diversified small farms shall not be infringed”.

So what do you think? Is it too radical to think that people should have the ability to purchase their food from sources that they want? Do corporations and governments acting in the best interests of those corporations increase our freedom and improve our general health? In short, are people too stupid to decide what they want to eat?

A personal note for my friends and readers:

Put this in the whining column, my computer died on me. I amattempting to deal with my husband’s dinosaur that -for no apparent reason- decides to take you to links on pages of articles without clicking on them, starts to type in the middle of preceding paragraphs at will, and will only run one program at a time. I am waiting for a new hard drive, while praying that it isn’t the logic board on my computer that is fried. I have ten years of research in Mac format backed up, but when these Macs decide to quit on you, it is rather expensive to fix them and sometimes downright impossible to get funds together to do do it. Grrr. So if you ever wanted to donate anything to help me keep the alligators at bay, now would be a great time!

Cutting Meat Inspectors Under Sequestration

05 Mar 2013 3 Comments

by truthfarmer in Consolidation, Control, food safety Tags: meat inspectors, plant sutdowns, sequestration

As noted in an earlier post, Vilsack, Secretary of the USDA is going to be furloughing meat inspectors. When you have no inspectors, the packing plant is shut down. Prior to his notice of furloughing these inspectors, he announced that foreign meat plants would either NOT be inspected at all, or the inspections would be vastly reduced. Currently, or rather previously, the USDA typically inspected foreign plants once or twice a year. But in the US, if a USDA inspector is not on site, the plant must be shut down. So….one is left only to surmise that the entire meat packing and provisional sector (ie ranching, chicken and turkey producers, hog growers) will find themselves out of business in the not so distant future. Why? Because the Federal government doesn’t want to make cuts to their budgets in logical places.

If you buy your meat at the grocery store, you will likely experience either a shortage and massive price increases, or a plethora of imported meat….Either way, you really need to source your meat from a grower in your area. Get it processed locally, and KNOW with much more certainty what it is that you are eating. The USDA is going to create a food shortage by their actions here.

Here is an article from a group I can barely tolerate. They think raw milk is scary, and push for the FDA and USDA to further hamstring the producers of food and consolidate the market even more:

Vilsack: Under Sequestration, USDA Cannot Avoid Furloughing Meat Inspectors

By Helena Bottemiller | March 4, 2013

Under the sequester, which recently put in place across-the-board budget cuts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has no choice but to eventually furlough meat inspectors, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack again said on Friday. The statement comes after some lawmakers and industry groups questioned whether USDA needed to furlough inspectors and argued that the department had a legal obligation to provide meat inspection.

When it comes to meat inspection, “there will be disruption in that process,” said Vilsack, in remarks at the Commodity Classic, a convention of corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum farmers. “Make no mistake about it, there is not enough flexibility in the sequester language for me to move money around to avoid furloughs of food inspectors.”

“It is not something I want to do, its not something I like doing, but it’s the law and it’s something I am going to have to do, unless this thing gets resolved,” he added.

With the mandated cuts, which kicked in on March 1, USDA’s budget in 2013 will be less than it was in 2009, according to Vilsack, who highlighted that the department had recently trimmed more than $700 million by modernizing and reducing waste.

Under the sequester, USDA’s operating budget will be reduced by another billion to a billion and a half dollars and there is no flexibility in how the cuts are structured, he told the audience.

“The way this is structured, every line item of our budget and every account that’s not exempted by Congress has to be cut by a certain percentage,” said Vilsack, adding that he has no flexibility to move money between programs, so funds from nutrition, for example, cannot be moved to cover food safety.

Vilsack noted that it wont just be the roughly 8,000 meat inspectors in more than 6,000 plants that are impacted, but also the 250,000 people who work in the plants.

He also said there was no way for USDA to further reduce administrative or travel costs in order to avoid the cuts because USDA has been reducing spending in anticipation of budget reductions.

“Frankly, I have to apologize to all of you, because this is crazy what is happening,” he said. “This shouldn’t happen. In a functioning democracy, this shouldn’t happen. People should recognize that we have fiscal issues and we should address them – it’s a combination of additional revenue and cuts.”

In a press conference following his speech, Vilsack responded to questions about a recent letter from several U.S. senators that took issue with meat inspector furloughs and asked for the department’s legal justification for the move.

The secretary said USDA is working on developing that legal opinion, but said again he believes there is currently no way to avoid inspector furloughs unless Congress comes up with an alternative to the sequester.

Vilsack explained that even within FSIS’ budget there was no flexibility to avoid inspector furloughs because 87 percent of that budget directly funds or supports inspectors. He said another five percent goes toward operating expenses and the rest funds testing, analysis and other “back room stuff.”

On top of that, the secretary said he is only legally allowed to furlough individual employees for 22 total days. “You could furlough everybody else other than inspectors for 22 days and you would still have to furlough inspectors. And by furloughing those other people the inspectors couldn’t do their jobs.”

According to Vilsack, furlough notices will be sent out this week to “start the clock” on notice procedures, but he did not specify whether that would include inspectors.

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“We must genetically engineer babies….”

22 Feb 2013 1 Comment

by truthfarmer in Agenda 21, Conspiracy, Control, Disease, GMO's Tags: genetic engineer, gmo, human genetic engineering

It’s amazing to me that there isn’t a wholesale aversion to the idea being espoused by many in the field of genetics that we truly SHOULD genetically engineer babies for “the good of us all”….

Truth Farmer