Truth Farmer

Focus on Freedom Conference

Anyone who can make this conference will be rewarded with good information and a chance to be surrounded by other people who hold freedom near and dear. It is always a good time. This year there are great deal of candidates for all levels of office. If you need to know more about them, I encourage you to attend.

12th Conference on Private Property Rights
July 28 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
YMCA Mountain Grove, Missouri

Directions to the YMCA, E. 9th & YMCA Drive
On Highway 95 in Mountain Grove, turn east on E. 9th,
Between Casey’s & Town & Country Bank, Go to YMCA Dr. on right

Conference Agenda (not written in stone)

8:30 a.m. — Coffee and doughnuts (Thanks to Kim Kosmicke)
9:00 a.m.  — Opening prayer  – Pledge of allegiance—Welcome
Updates from various OPRC Chapters
9:30 a. m. to 10:30 a.m.— Ray Cunio – Agenda 21
Latest developments and positive actions to take.
10:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m.— Break
10:40 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.— Doreen Hannes  “Lemonade is a Controlled Substance”
The progressing control of our food choices and what we can do about it.
11:30 a.m. to Noon —Dirk Shea—”How a Constitutional Sheriff Protects a County’s Citizens.” The importance of the Sheriff’’s office & its relevance to citizen’ rights.
Noon — Presentation of the c. Russel Wood Memorial REAL Conservationist Award
12:05 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. — Lunch on your own at area restaurants.
1:00 p. m. — Bob Parker—”How Big Government is Destroying the Economy”
1:45 p. m. to 4:00 p.m.—Candidates for offices at Federal level first, then State level, followed by local level.

Your vote is important! Vote August 7th!

While it isn’t surprising to me at all that people want to verify the quotes that reporters are ascribing to them, the implications of this particular method are a little bit more than frightening. That you must clear quotes from the White House, that they come back heavily redacted to the reporters, and that the reporters discuss this on the grounds that they remain anonymous is, well, a little Orwellian. Isn’t it? You can read the story here.

Then the real issue behind the issue is rather thoroughly laid out in this article which clearly points to a very serious issue within our society. For starters, the massive corporate consolidation within our nation is a major problem in not only media, but agriculture, food processing, manufacturing, retail outlets, and more.

The consolidation of all sectors and control of information to the majority by only a few leads one to recall what was reportedly a quote from Henry Ford, “You can have any color you want, so long as it’s black.”

The problem seems to me to be that we have a government that doesn’t enforce the laws on the books that are actually beneficial to the freedom to profit from our labor, and the breaking up of monopolies under various federal acts just isn’t happening. This leads to the thinking that the federal government must bail out corporations that are “too big to fail”, while the same entity (the government) doesn’t enforce the laws that are meant to halt the danger of things becoming “too big to fail”. Inevitably, this top heavy control paradigm leads to the thing that really should be “too big to fail”…That being our freedom and our nation and the opportunity for individuals to make it or break it on their own merit and effort.

There is no bail out available for the failure of principles. The sacrifice of decency on the alter of corporate consolidation and continued campaign contributions keeps the charade rolling on. As we choose our candidates for state and federal offices it seems to me that we must push them on the issue of breaking up this excessive consolidation.

I realize that there is a fair argument that our votes don’t even count, but I am also certain that the abysmal turn outs at primaries and the continuous return of the same people into positions that can effect positive change are largely responsible for our situation.

Get as informed as you can and try to make a difference by deciding who it is you have to choose from as your representatives.  As I am fond of saying, and as appears to hold true to history, it all comes down to the consent of the governed.

$25 Million of Dirtwork at Bird’s Point

Last year I did a rather thorough piece on the aftermath of the Bird’s Point Levee intentional breach. If you are unfamiliar with that issue, please read my article here. Just for a little back ground, it was recently reported in the South East Missourian that $25 million had been spent on the “restoration” of the levee thus far. Then, on June 20th, it was reported in the same paper that work couldn’t progress on the project (restoring the levee to 55 feet) because the Army Corps of Engineers had received an objection in their reward of contract for an additional $20million.

Today, it was reported that work would begin again on the levee restoration project.

To put this in perspective, if you paid $250 per hour to 10 dozer operators, you would spend $20,000 per day. At that rate, for $25,000,000 in tax payer dollars, you could have 10 dozers working full time for 3.4 years! 1250 days. If you add the new expenditures of $20 million to it, you would have ten dozers working 8 hours a day, five days a week for the next 6.16 years.

The breach in the levee was 2 full miles long. When I was in school, a mile was 5,280 feet. That means that the two-mile breach is 10, 560 linear feet. Thus, to date, nearly $2400 per linear foot has been spent on bringing the “levee” a fair bit short of its original height. After the disputed $20 million is spent, the cost per linear foot will be $4261 per linear foot.

This is the government’s idea of restoring a levee.

While they may be out there somewhere, I have never found any figure given for the cost of blowing the perfectly working levee up. So whatever the cost of a couple of barges hauling pumpable explosives up the Mississippi might be, add that to the University of Missouri’s projected crop loss of $85 million, and you have a massive expense to the entire nation. One that is currently nearly 16 trillion dollars in debt, can ill afford these kind of boondoggle expenses.

On March 25th of this year, my family and I found ourselves in the general area of Bird’s Point Levee and drove down the entire length of the blown out section. Here are the photos of your tax dollars at work, with a little commentary from time to time to help you with understanding what you are looking at in the photos.

The plastic was already torn away when I took this pic. The green material feels rather like a scrubee pad for doing dishes, and like there is sand behind the green material.

A lonely dozer at the end of the breach.

The sandbags are really expensive here!

The bottom line is, who is being treated respectfully and fairly by the way this issue is being handled? The Citizens? With over $120 million of losses if you bother to figure crop loss into the equation? Or the undisclosed entities making $4k per linear foot if this job is ever completed?

This is a shovel ready job….Bring yours!

===I was made aware that there was actually a third breach at the levee. It was at a location known as Seven Island Conservation Area. The footage on the three breaches are: the main breach referred to as Bird’s Point, 9,000 feet, Seven Island breach, 800 feet and Donaldson Point is stated as being 4700 feet.

This should clear up any confusion caused by not having complete information. This issue is huge, and the cost has yet be fully tabulated. The effects on lives is impossible to calculate.===

©Doreen Hannes

The First Amendment to the US Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

July 4^th is the day that we are supposed to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence from tyranny at the hands of the King of England. That document, along with the Federalist Papers and the US Constitution are the foundational documents of this Nation. The US Constitution is rapidly becoming void where prohibited by law, and often treated as void when it isn’t actively prohibited. It simply isn’t being upheld by many of those who take oaths to do exactly that.

As a matter of fact, it was thoroughly trashed by the Supreme Court ruling on the Affordable Healthcare Act just prior to being soundly violated by both Sheriff’s Deputies and Park Rangers at the Army Corps of Engineer  (ACE) run Lake Wapapello in Missouri’s 8^th Congressional District. It is very likely that this same type of challenger candidate suppression is taking place all across the country, and it is past time that the American people understand the depth of the hijacking of our political processes.

A little background

Southern Missouri has had the same Congressional Representative, Jo Ann Emerson,  for almost 16 years. Emerson was born in Washington DC, grew up to be a lobbyist and then married the late Missouri 8^th District Congressman Bill Emerson. When he passed away she ran for his seat, and she has held onto Emerson’s name and Congressional seat ever since. This is a very conservative district, and the fact that Emerson has remarried Ron Gladney, a Democrat and prior Union lobbyist, had not been common knowledge.

Then, two years ago, she was challenged by Bob Parker of Raymondville, Missouri, and for the very first time, an upstart challenger with a shoestring budget, received 35% of the vote in the 2010 Republican primary, largely due to exposing Emerson’s actual voting record during her tenure. After the Primary, Parker continued about his business as a rancher, realtor, and property rights advocate, and began another serious run for the seat in early 2012.

In the 2010 election, Parker set the foundation for his growing posse of grass roots supporters, dubbed “Parker’s Rangers”. The 2012 election had tons of new supporters come on board and take it upon themselves to hit the streets and public events in this hot summer spreading the word that there is a real choice for conservatives in the Republican Primary on August 7^th.  Their mission is to visit as many events as possible, sometimes several in one day, displaying large “Parker for Congress” signs in their pick up trucks, handing out information if allowed, and visiting with their fellow citizens about the upcoming primary. Simply put, they are intent upon creating visibility in the only way open to those who are not the favored choice of the now traditional political machine.

Mission Not Allowable

Several of the Parker Rangers found their mission took them to Lake Wapapello for the Annual 4^th of July Fireworks display, and this is where they ran into Park Rangers, who denied them the ability to exercise their right to peaceably assemble and show their support for Parker at this large public event.

The Parker Rangers trucks lined up before being forced to leave Lake Wapapello under protest.

On June 30^th, which we all know is not Independence Day, but simply the day the Army Corps of Engineers chose to celebrate our Nation’s independence, Eldon Wright and six other Parker Rangers pulled into the public parking lot at the Eagle Point Recreational Area at Lake Wapapello. Eldon says that not long after they’d parked their trucks, and snapped a few pictures, Park Ranger Becky Hays pulled up and told them they had to leave because there “is no politicking allowed” on Federal land.

Mr. Wright informed Hays that this was a violation of their Rights and went to the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitors Center to see if he could speak with someone higher in the Chain of Command. That was fruitless and he retuned to the parking lot for continued conversation with Becky Hays, who was now joined by two Sheriff’s Deputies and two other ACE Park Rangers.

The Park Rangers and Deputies initially insisted that the Parker Rangers leave the event. The authorities then requested that the Parker supporters show their identification. One supporter had the temerity to ask, “Am I being detained?” An official denied that they were being detained, and that particular supporter said, “Since I’m not being detained, I’m leaving.” The official then replied, “Well, you are detained now.”

Mr. Wright stated that he requested the identification and badge numbers of the officials, but they ignored his request. He later found the name of one of the Deputies from Butler County, which has a contract to assist the park when they ask for help, and was able to learn the names of three of the officials actively engaged in preventing the Parker supporters from displaying their signs in the public parking lot. They are Butler County Deputies Frank Castille and Tim Darnell and Army Corps of Engineers Park Ranger Becky Hays.

The officials ran checks on the supporter’s identification. Not surprisingly, the checks came up clean. The ACE Park Rangers also took photographs of all the vehicle’s plates of the Parker supporters and sent the one supporter who was not a driver away from the rest.

Some of the Parker Rangers at Lake Wapapello

Regrettably, the Parker supporters failed to take pictures of their exchange with the authorities. The supporter with the camera was understandably just shocked by being threatened with arrest over something so essential as our basic right to free speech.

When the Parker supporters were told they would have to leave, Eldon pointedly asked Ms. Hays on who was responsible for issuing the order to refuse access to those with campaign signs on their vehicles. Mr. Wright said, “She then went over to her car and made a call on her phone, then came back and said that it was against the law to display candidate signs on federal property. She never did give any of us the statute or regulation number that she claimed we were violating.” They also were never told who gave the order to enforce this regulation against freedom of speech at an Independence Day Celebration.

To the Parker Rangers, it seemed very inconsistent. Just a few weeks prior to the Independence Day Celebration at Lake Wapapello, there had been a Wayne County Republican Committee Candidate Forum at the lake, and a myriad of signs were displayed and large amounts of literature changed hands at that event.

During conversation with the ACE Park Rangers and the Deputies, the threat of a fine was communicated as well. One of the officials pointed to another pick up in the parking lot with a sign promoting Democratic Candidate for Judge, Steven Mitchell in the truck bed and said, “We couldn’t find the driver of that truck, but he has a ticket waiting for him.” You can click on this link for the pdf of the ticket, and then this link for the sheet that has the regulation circled that is cited as their authority to prevent campaign signs. Legal action is likely in process on this issue.

Interestingly, after threatening the Parker Rangers with arrest, demanding their identification papers, photographing their vehicles and generally intimidating them, the Park officials then said that they could all stay at the event; but there was a catch. Mr. Wright explained, “They said we could stay, IF we parked our trucks inside this grove of trees where no one could see them.” None of the Parker supporters were thrilled with this offer. Eldon said, “ Finally, we just told them no. I told them we will leave, but we will leave under protest; you are violating our Constitutional rights, and we will leave under protest.”

Since Bob Parker has been actively engaged in protecting private property rights for more than a decade there is some basis for a suspicion that was voiced that the Parker Rangers were being specifically targeted by ACE. Parker isn’t often kind to the Army Corps of Engineers when they interfere with private property use. You can read a very descriptive article on the intentional breach of the Bird’s Point Levee here and see why this may be a legitimate concern for Parker supporters. This is an issue that may come more to the fore as events unfold regarding the actions of the ACE Rangers at Lake Wapapello on June 30^th.

Full Speed Ahead

These same Parker Rangers joined other Parker supporters and continued to attend numerous Independence Day Parades and celebrations all across the largest Congressional District in Missouri on the 4^th of July. Despite being shut down at one of the largest celebrations, they are determined to keep spreading their message of  true independence throughout the District. Like lovers of liberty across the nation, they are tired of non-representative representatives. Politics as usual is simply not an option any longer.

There is a very high probability that legal action will be lodged against both the Deputies, who reportedly said, “We’re just doing what they tell us to do” and the ACE Park Rangers involved in this event.

Eldon Wright told one of the Deputies, “The fact of the matter is you’ve committed a Federal level criminal act, and I am not going to quit on this.”

Elected Representatives all over the nation, at every level of government, are receiving the same message, “We are the People, and We are not going to quit.”

Recently, two of the giants of genetically modified plant organisms have been charged with substantial fines over their products. The first one to make it across my radar was the criminal charges against Syngenta for covering up cattle death attributed to their “wholesome” product, BT Corn. BT is an insecticide and when it is consumed, it is widely reported that it continues to produce the insecticide within the consumer’s body. Animals fed exclusively on genetically modified crops are developing serious disease issues or simply falling over dead at a terrifically high rate. You can read about the Syngenta case here.

Then, on the very heels of the news about Syngenta, word came from Brazil that Monsanto, arguably one of the most hated corporations in all of America, may be on the line for 7.5 billion dollars to Brazilian farmers and affected workers! Here is an excerpt from the article that points to many more legal issues the Monsatan Corp is facing:

“Lawsuits and criminal charges continue to hit Monsanto, scratching away at the financial foundation of the agricultural behemoth. Monsanto has been found guilty of chemical poisoning in France after their weedkiller product led to neurological problems, and the company has even dished out 93 million to victims of toxic dioxin. As Monsanto continues to be slammed with lawsuits, many of which are from multitudes of affected farmers and individuals, awareness spreads among the general public regarding the corporation’s true acts.”

It is apparent that people are actually catching on and a great deal of people are learning the differences between, GMO versus hybrids versus open-pollinated/heirloom seeds. These developments are excellent, but not likely enough to stave off the massive consolidation in agriculture that has benefitted the predatory practices in the market side of agricultural products.

Meanwhile, we continue in drought here in the Midwest and pray that it rains good and long for us so we can continue to feed ourselves and those in the nation who get that if there aren’t any farmers, there isn’t any food!

Norman Davis

The NDAA has been enjoined, which is an excellent shot in the arm for freedom fighters everywhere. Linked below the excerpt is a rather in depth article on this inspriring event!

MANHATTAN (CN) – A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction late Wednesday to block provisions of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act that would allow the military to indefinitely detain anyone it accuses of knowingly or unknowingly supporting terrorism.
     Signed by President Barack Obama on New Year’s Eve, the 565-page NDAA contains a short paragraph, in statute 1021, letting the military detain anyone it suspects “substantially supported” al-Qaida, the Taliban or “associated forces.” The indefinite detention would supposedly last until “the end of hostilities.”
     In a 68-page ruling blocking this statute, U.S. District Judge Katherine Forrest agreed that the statute failed to “pass constitutional muster” because its broad language could be used to quash political dissent.
     “There is a strong public interest in protecting rights guaranteed by the First Amendment,” Forrest wrote. “There is also a strong public interest in ensuring that due process rights guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment are protected by ensuring that ordinary citizens are able to understand the scope of conduct that could subject them to indefinite military detention.” (read it all here)

We are in the last week of state legislative session here in Missouri. Then we have the primary in August, and since the races that are of largest concern in my area are really being held in the primary, things should mellow out a little bit then.

I just wanted to share the happy news about the NDAA! Please pass it around and let folks know that while it isn’t dead, it is in a state of suspension for now!

This came across my radar earlier this week. I am finally getting it posted here, and I truly hope people will cross post this everywhere. It’s just more ammunition against one of the most corrupt organizations in existence. Please read and share:

Cassandra Anderson
& Anthony Gucciardi
NaturalSociety
May 2, 2012

Did Monsanto actually plant genetically modified alfalfa before it was deregulated by the USDA? There is some shocking evidence that, until recently, was withheld from the public showing that Monsanto’s genetically altered alfalfa may have been set free in 2003 — a full two years or more before it was deregulated in 2005. In a letter, obtained by NaturalSociety with permission to post for public viewing, it becomes clear that the USDA may have turned a blind eye to the entire situation, allowing widespread GMO contamination of GMO-free crops.

Amazingly, the letter actually proves that the USDA was fully aware of the situation. In order to fully understand the intricate details of this event, it is first important to understand a few key factors regarding alfalfa and its connection to the entire food supply.

I really don’t think it’s just me. The nasty things, the tyrannical things, the fearful things, and the even worse things, are coming to light at seemingly the speed of light. In just the very recent past, we have had a full scale implosion in the industrial meat sector because the general public found out about “pink slime” or “soylent pink” and just lost their marbles.

The downside is it cost 650 people jobs.

The upsides are much more numerous, and more difficult to enumerate. First is more people know and people have shown that they actually can get upset and effect the market.  The anonymous corporatized, industrialized, consolidated and concentrated meat sector got a big black eye….maybe even a broken rib. A really solid wallop. Mac D’s, Taco Bell, all the grocery stores, and even the USDA heard the people when they said, “We will not be fed garbage and told that it is “leanly textured fine beef”.

It’s really funny to see the propagandists still trying to pump pink slime at us. They don’t get that no means no.

Then, the illustrious USDA, ever mindful of the US Constitution and Tax Payer’s dollars, announces they are offering a giant contract for data mining the internet for people who my be in violation of the AWA or the HPA. That means you may be selling pets without a license or moving horses without the proper documents.

The USDA, who was dubbed “the people’s department” is really bringing the communistic overtones of their nick name into high relief. Yes, they are Uncle Sam Destroying Agriculture, and I am sure they will be paying someone to read my comments about them as well. At any rate, you can read the offer that is open to anyone, particularly smaller businesses, right here.

Then, the EPA, the same intelligence agency that decided to regulate milk like oil, is expanding their definitions and control of “waters of the United States”. The rule is being finalized now.

Then, in the happiest news of the day, farmers in Canada have grown a back bone and formed the “Farmers Peace Corps”. They removed forty one extremely rare sheep that the Canadian CFIA  had slated for destruction into protective custody!

Here is a short synapses, of the issue. Two years ago, a sheep that Montana Jones had sold three years earlier tested positive for scrapies. The CFIA put Jones under quarantine in 2009. Now they have decided the sheep she has must be killed. The Farmers Peace Corps has stepped in and taken the sheep away. The story is growing and highly interesting. I intend to dig into this quite a bit.

Like I said, there is a lot going on. And in the meantime, spring has arrived and the garden will not plant itself.