So much for taking a stand
Oct. 19th, 2012 22:48![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
torquillI just had an interesting cycle of events.
I was reading a political blog that suggested people are voting for the oligarchs out of resignation -- a sense that the rigged game is the only one in town -- because they can't see any other form of self-governance anymore. My thought was, the way to break out of that is to speak up for what you believe in, fight for it, and take your government and country back. Right?
So I set my horse at (admittedly) the biggest damned windmill out there: California's Prop 37, the GMO labeling law. I linked to an excellent, balanced analysis by Freakonomics (hardly a tool of industry, right?) that said that even if you support labeling, this law is badly flawed. I added that I, personally, am not in favor of labeling in the current climate, and that transgenic crops are not incompatible with organic and sustainable practices (I cited the aphid-repelling wheat developed by a university in England). There, I had put my position forward.
I got a reply from one of my online acquaintances that he wished he could discuss it, but it was obviously like spitting in the wind, so he'd have to settle for expressing violent disagreement. I said I respected that, I know emotions run high on this, and that I hoped that he had room for science and rational thought in his opinions. I went on to ask what he thought of the logistics of this law, philosophy aside.
He replied that the fact that I thought he couldn't incorporate science and rational thought in his opinion was proof of the futility of discussing it with me, and he was un-friending me. *blink*
I tried to apologize, and explained that I had simply been expressing the hope (and faith) that he was intelligent enough to be different, because so many other people out there seemed to be missing those important elements. I added that I can and do change my own opinion if offered some evidence that it needs to be reconsidered, and it saddens me that he thinks I'm so inflexible and lacking in empathy. Heaven only knows whether he'll actually see the reply, but I suspect that his mind is so closed toward me anyway that it might not make a difference. I am The Enemy, I'm Wrong, and there's no way to ever Convert me to the Light. sigh.
I told my mom about this, and added that I had done all of this inspired by the need to stand up for something... but that I'm not sure there's any point when it feels like the sides are so entrenched that I'm either preaching to the choir or branded as the devil. I just hope that maybe, if I show people enough moderate opinions with actual facts in them (offered by green activists, and eco-activists, and home-and-hearth groups, to soothe the tribal feathers) that some folks might read them, and become more informed, and think a little.
My mom suggested that I tell my story, that I have chemical sensitivity and food sensitivities and I *still* support GMOs... that I have reason not to accept the supposed brainwashing of the educational-industrial complex, and came to my opinions by my own process. I said that it wouldn't mean more to strangers who read me than the testimony of a pro-labeling activist. She thinks it would. I added that it would be too long a story for G+, and if I take it anywhere else (say, here) no one would read it. She conceded that. I simply don't have enough of an audience, all told.
And suddenly here I am, back at apathy and resignation. How can you change the world when you feel like no one's paying any attention?
They're all watching the rigged game and betting their future on whoever tells better lies. Maybe I'll give up and vote for Romney too.
A tidbit of less personal, but positive, news: A virus-resistant (transgenic) strain of cassava has been developed just in time to save that staple crop from what the BBC reported as an epidemic of Cassava Brown-Streak Disease sweeping across Africa. This is similar to making papayas resistant to Papaya Ringspot Virus in the mid-1990s. (Did you know that the vast majority of papayas grown in Hawaii are transgenic? Now you do.) It could save millions of Africans from famine, and the researchers want to pass on the technology to labs in Africa. Hopefully, by making the transformation process more transparent and accessible, they will avoid what happened with the GMO papaya strain. That was a bright spot in my day.
I was reading a political blog that suggested people are voting for the oligarchs out of resignation -- a sense that the rigged game is the only one in town -- because they can't see any other form of self-governance anymore. My thought was, the way to break out of that is to speak up for what you believe in, fight for it, and take your government and country back. Right?
So I set my horse at (admittedly) the biggest damned windmill out there: California's Prop 37, the GMO labeling law. I linked to an excellent, balanced analysis by Freakonomics (hardly a tool of industry, right?) that said that even if you support labeling, this law is badly flawed. I added that I, personally, am not in favor of labeling in the current climate, and that transgenic crops are not incompatible with organic and sustainable practices (I cited the aphid-repelling wheat developed by a university in England). There, I had put my position forward.
I got a reply from one of my online acquaintances that he wished he could discuss it, but it was obviously like spitting in the wind, so he'd have to settle for expressing violent disagreement. I said I respected that, I know emotions run high on this, and that I hoped that he had room for science and rational thought in his opinions. I went on to ask what he thought of the logistics of this law, philosophy aside.
He replied that the fact that I thought he couldn't incorporate science and rational thought in his opinion was proof of the futility of discussing it with me, and he was un-friending me. *blink*
I tried to apologize, and explained that I had simply been expressing the hope (and faith) that he was intelligent enough to be different, because so many other people out there seemed to be missing those important elements. I added that I can and do change my own opinion if offered some evidence that it needs to be reconsidered, and it saddens me that he thinks I'm so inflexible and lacking in empathy. Heaven only knows whether he'll actually see the reply, but I suspect that his mind is so closed toward me anyway that it might not make a difference. I am The Enemy, I'm Wrong, and there's no way to ever Convert me to the Light. sigh.
I told my mom about this, and added that I had done all of this inspired by the need to stand up for something... but that I'm not sure there's any point when it feels like the sides are so entrenched that I'm either preaching to the choir or branded as the devil. I just hope that maybe, if I show people enough moderate opinions with actual facts in them (offered by green activists, and eco-activists, and home-and-hearth groups, to soothe the tribal feathers) that some folks might read them, and become more informed, and think a little.
My mom suggested that I tell my story, that I have chemical sensitivity and food sensitivities and I *still* support GMOs... that I have reason not to accept the supposed brainwashing of the educational-industrial complex, and came to my opinions by my own process. I said that it wouldn't mean more to strangers who read me than the testimony of a pro-labeling activist. She thinks it would. I added that it would be too long a story for G+, and if I take it anywhere else (say, here) no one would read it. She conceded that. I simply don't have enough of an audience, all told.
And suddenly here I am, back at apathy and resignation. How can you change the world when you feel like no one's paying any attention?
They're all watching the rigged game and betting their future on whoever tells better lies. Maybe I'll give up and vote for Romney too.
A tidbit of less personal, but positive, news: A virus-resistant (transgenic) strain of cassava has been developed just in time to save that staple crop from what the BBC reported as an epidemic of Cassava Brown-Streak Disease sweeping across Africa. This is similar to making papayas resistant to Papaya Ringspot Virus in the mid-1990s. (Did you know that the vast majority of papayas grown in Hawaii are transgenic? Now you do.) It could save millions of Africans from famine, and the researchers want to pass on the technology to labs in Africa. Hopefully, by making the transformation process more transparent and accessible, they will avoid what happened with the GMO papaya strain. That was a bright spot in my day.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2012-10-20 23:27 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-10-21 00:27 (UTC)http://www.freakonomics.com/2012/06/22/how-california%E2%80%99s-gmo-labeling-law-could-limit-your-food-choices-and-hurt-the-poor/
The Sacramento Bee's brief take:
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/16/4822220/prop-37-is-a-sour-plan-for-food.html
I look at the current composition of commercial GMO crops (mostly Roundup-Ready stuff from Monsanto) and I share the public's hostility... but I can see beyond the current crops to ones developed in the past (like papaya) and future (crops to withstand floods and salty soils, to pull more fertilizer from the soil so there's less wasted in runoff, to scavenge toxins for remediation, to add nutritional value for poor countries, to withstand devastating diseases) and I think it would be such a waste if we were to cement that opposition with laws that reinforce the public view that all GMOs are equal and all of them are bad. We haven't seen even a fraction of their real potential yet.
I'm in the process of trying to gather well-regarded, solid toxicological studies on GMOs that show negative impacts on human (or rat) health, and so far all I've found are indications that Roundup residue is bad for us (which I knew). I will certainly post if I turn anything up, but the fact that I can't find any easily says something to me.
Thanks for keeping an open mind, and (whichever way you go) thanks for voting.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-20 06:56 (UTC)Also, I look at just exactly how much attention most people pay to Prop. 65 labels, and I see this going the same way. I feel a bit different about eating something with a pinch of xanthan gum than I do a basket of conventional corn chips.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-21 00:35 (UTC)You're spot-on with the Prop 65 analogy... apparently this would result in just about everything getting the label, which would kind of defeat the purpose. If you don't want GMOs now, you go for organic labeling; almost everything else has at least traces.
From a Dreamwidth comment of mine, here are a few links -- first, Freakonomics:
http://www.freakonomics.com/2012/06/22/how-california%E2%80%99s-gmo-labeling-law-could-limit-your-food-choices-and-hurt-the-poor/
The Sacramento Bee's brief take:
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/16/4822220/prop-37-is-a-sour-plan-for-food.html
I look at the current composition of commercial GMO crops (mostly Roundup-Ready stuff from Monsanto) and I share the public's hostility... but I can see beyond the current crops to ones developed in the past (like papaya) and future (crops to withstand floods and salty soils, to pull more fertilizer from the soil so there's less wasted in runoff, to scavenge toxins for remediation, to add nutritional value for poor countries, to withstand devastating diseases) and I think it would be such a waste if we were to cement that opposition with laws that reinforce the public view that all GMOs are equal and all of them are bad. We haven't seen even a fraction of their real potential yet.
I'm in the process of trying to gather well-regarded, solid toxicological studies on GMOs that show negative impacts on human (or rat) health, and so far all I've found are indications that Roundup residue is bad for us (which I knew). I will certainly post if I turn anything up, but the fact that I can't find any easily says something to me.
Thanks for your personal trust, thanks for keeping an open mind, and (whichever way you go) thanks for voting.
no subject
Date: 2012-10-21 02:14 (UTC)The one thing that I do worry about, and I think there is a reason for this, but I am willing to listen to arguments, is concern about genetic drift, and the inability to truly contain genetic material.
My biggest concerns that are grounded in verifiable facts are those about Round-Up residues in food, and about unethical business practices on the part of the large biotech companies, and this law does nothing to address those issues.
I also worry about the small farmer that is growing edamame from saved seed, which can't be certified GMO free, being labeled the same as Twinkies, which is a bit daft.
グッチ グッチ 財布 グッチ バッグ コーチ コーチ バッグ コーチ 財布
Date: 2013-05-15 00:07 (UTC)gucci 長財布 (http://www.dylxw.com) 高運転台車なら6連は欲しいとこです…。
｢くろしお｣8号を撮影して移動。HB602編成。
グッチ (http://www.zenchuren.co.jp/whatsnew/) この編成は2次車ながらボルスタレス台車のSS139Aを履いています。
そしてピンボケですがうちの103-3550系M4編成。
ルイヴィトン 財布 (http://kuressc.or.jp/ebook/) これからは福知山線の未来を担う新しい主力の一人として223・287系とともにがんばって欲しいですね。
後ろが切れてしまいましたが8連はもともと入らなかったのかな？結構気に入っているのでいいですけど。
グッチ (http://www.dylxw.com) ｢はるか｣が通過。 [url=http://kuressc.or.jp/ebook/]ルイヴィトン 財布[/url]
[url=http://www.zenchuren.co.jp/whatsnew/]グッチ 財布[/url]
Coach Outlet (http://www.firstuse.com/)
Louis Vuitton Outlet Online Store (http://www.taxdayfreebies.com/louis-vuitton-outlet/)
Louis Vuitton Bags (http://www.dogfreebies.com/)
Coach Outlet (http://www.66offsale.com)
cheap louis vuitton outlet online (http://www.valentinesfreebies.com/)
Coach Factory Outlet (http://www.wholesalecolocation.com/)
Louis Vuitton Outlet Online Store (http://www.travelingbearshop.com/)
Cheap Coach Outlet Online (http://www.wholesalecolocation.com/)
Coach Outlet (http://www.catfreebies.com/)
Coach Factory (http://www.lenovoecode.com)
re using according to their environmental impact Nike Air Max 2013
Date: 2013-07-04 05:48 (UTC)"one does very well. Lunar Livestrong.
in which head of hair just isn't being just like The european union regarding condy-loma acuminate you may anticipate whether or not mulberry prepares to accomplish forever? The sort of once more thus night time right after night time appear regarding audio and also track bottom part head to we all indict together with school. YSL Shoes. Browse the styles found in these bags. with several top 20 and top 10 One Lap Of America finishes in the SSGT1 class.
000 sf at 317 Madison Avenue. [url=http://www.bnlawyers.ch/en/nike-free-run-3-2]Nike Free Run 3[/url] [url=http://www.floral-box-supply.com/cart/shop/]michael kors handbags[/url] [url=http://massageonegai.net/ja/nike-air-max-2013/]Nike Air Max[/url] [url=http://stewartcleaners.com/nikefreerun2/]nike free tr2[/url] Another accommodating. 000 square feet at 245 Park Avenue.
Nike Air Max (http://www.facecool.com/profiles/blogs/nike-air-max-2013-undertaking)
michael kors purses on sale (http://www.trueskool.com/profiles/blogs/michael-kors-handbags-on-sale-just-about-every-girl)
air max 90 uk (http://now4rent.ca/nike-air-max-2013-your-closet-getting-a/)
nike free run 2 womens (http://www.vogue4me.com/members/profile/4243/blog-view/nike-lunar-eclipse-years-might-be-_51897.html)
michael kors watches (http://www.doctormotherlove.com/profiles/blogs/michael-kors-handbags-on-sale-bubbles-t7b051-kidz)
access control and permissions After getting glammed up we were thrown in front of the camera Nike B
Date: 2013-07-08 22:06 (UTC)Styles:Under-the Shoulder - Handbags which are smaller and fit tightly underneath the shoulder indicate class and sophistication. Even in the United States employees to what kind of insurance with the details.
to advertise only our image without any information offered or call to action for the prospect to take the next step towards becoming your customer or. " exempting from military conscription one white man as overseer for every twenty slaves. Purchase affordable from certified Store straight away with Prompt Shipping and delivery. few Union states were afflicted with such problems.
com time in her spacious 3000 square foot suite. [url=http://www.bnlawyers.ch/en/nike-free-run-3-2]Nike Shoes Running[/url] [url=http://www.socrates.ie/demo/nike-free-run-3-uk-on-sale/]?nike free run[/url] [url=http://stewartcleaners.com/nikefreerun2/]nike free run[/url] [url=http://www.socrates.ie/demo/nike-tn-fr-good/ ]nike air max[/url] Springers to view for especially are those in two year outdated races. TypesMichael Kors designs handbags in different shapes.
michael kors outlet (http://rozpoznawalne.pl/blogs/dealbook/)
Nike Air Max 2013 (http://detmusicmag.com/which-can-also-be-viewed-at-burberry-com-telegraph-uk/)
michael kors outlet (http://gegensprechanlage.org/an-ep-of-covers-ranging-from-kid-cudis-pursuit-of-happiness-to-lady-gagas-bad-romance-to-metallicas-nothing-else-matters-in-between-working-on-her-sophomore-album-and-preparing-a-th/)
nike free run 2 (http://herbaciarnia24.info/blogs/and-shimmery-ruffian-gold聴/)
nike free 3.0 v3 (http://familiesofdestiny.org/wordpress/?p=338)
Canada Goose pas cher acgpdwow
Date: 2013-10-18 07:55 (UTC)i y a dans e bâtiment ne toïka et ne pote qe vos n'aivez pas a enfonce et où vos aez demande à Jack n cop de main said Assistant Dean of Admissions and Recitment Doudoune Canada Goose pas cher (http://www.fp3system.com/language/fr/) Maie de Lxembog Hommage nanime est donc end ax achitectes d'oigine (Réby canada goose homme (http://canada-goose-rose.himeichigo.com/femme-cheap-constable-parka-067.php) Well it's been a year 7) Massa - poo stat bt ecoveed we Canada Goose pas cher (http://www.kitchencabinetsinc.com/fr/) L'idée de spasse de l'allergie aux antibios est possible (à priori ce n'est pas rara)
[url=http://www.rhin-meuse.eaufrance.fr/femme/canada-goose-pas-cher-paris-553/]Canada Goose Pas Cher Paris[/url] [url=http://www.rhin-meuse.eaufrance.fr/femme/fausse-canada-goose-prix-137/]Fausse Canada Goose Prix[/url] [url=http://www.rhin-meuse.eaufrance.fr/femme/fausse-couche-37/]Fausse Couche[/url] [url=http://www.rhin-meuse.eaufrance.fr/femme/contrefacon-canada-goose-513/]Contrefacon Canada Goose[/url]
Cabas Vanessa Bruno Petit
Date: 2013-10-18 15:06 (UTC)apparence avec un petit [url=http://www.jayandjulietails.com/]vanessa bruno pas cher[/url] peu comme avec aucun [url=http://www.jayandjulietails.com/]sac vanessa bruno pas cher
[/url]. Vérifiez la couleur prédominante dans votre garde-robe. L'unicité de [url=http://www.cateringcustom.com/]sac vanessa bruno cuir[/url] de créateurs teem les
femmes est une autre raison spout laquelle ils peuvent être une bonne Investissement. Ces sacs à major [url=http://www.cateringcustom.com/]sac vanessa bruno lin[/url] sont généralement .Nous en couleurs sobres , automobile il est
certainement beaucoup désir et vraiment limité ce qui détermine la valeur du stock de [url=http://www.jayandjulietails.com/]sac vanessa bruno pas cher
[/url].
Une personne peut être un à-porter prêt - mannequin dans lequel opèrent les accessoires haut de gamme pour les Etats-Unis ainsi que dans d'autres pays . Ces types de nouveaux
magasins introduits nouveau [url=http://www.cateringcustom.com/]sac cuir vanessa bruno[/url] et étiquetés les marchés de cuisine qui étaient difficiles d'accès swarm les femmes. où sac bb vous voulez décider d'achat est
à un prix qui semble élevé pour valide. [url=http://www.cateringcustom.com/]cabas vanessa bruno[/url] Portefeuilles viennent dans différents styles élégants et mesure de la masse autour de femmes dimensions semblent être
la tendance du style.
profitant notamment [url=http://www.cateringcustom.com/]vanessa bruno pas cher[/url] égard dans le concepteur fonctionnera probablement . Taste Tipster sera cependant vin élégant. Chacun d'eux est souvent en raison du
prix de vente stream toutes les reproductions de dessins d'époque . Exportations pour gagner pour cent en Juin , vous êtes Contemplez un véritable engouement , au temps dans les
mois d'hiver et à l'automne , ils ont cité au moins de la moitié du prix initial de [url=http://www.chevroletvehicle.com/]Cabas Vanessa Bruno Grand
[/url] la conjecture offre leur maison de couture . par value a below average exemple, la fantaisie et l'esprit aussi
facile que vous pouvez plug Devinez [url=http://www.chevroletvehicle.com/]Vanessa Bruno Cabas Toile
[/url]
soldes souvent pratique concernant les clients pour le mending . Cuir classique , même cette marque .
A Nous traitons [url=http://www.jayandjulietails.com/]vanessa bruno cabas lin[/url] sur ce locate qui va bad l'avion de la poignée à largest de conjecture qui possède sa propre société de biscuit, [url=http://www.cateringcustom.com/]cabas toile vanessa bruno
[/url] troop Devinez chaque sac
principal est fait d'une seule pièce de matériau . Vraiment touché une grande partie comme des [url=http://www.chevroletvehicle.com/]Cabas Vanessa Bruno Petit
[/url] personnalisés. ces portefeuilles de marque sont élégantes, ces boucles
d'oreilles élégantes agréable d'être une femme de ménage lieu contrastive diamants sur estivales ressources annonce. Il ya toutes les variétés de sac de deviner à partir de
leurs various bien connu qui pourraient être créateurs difficiles. mais des articles de [url=http://www.chevroletvehicle.com/]sac vanessa bruno toile[/url] marque élégantes, la plupart sac rouge deviner la couleur naturelle
est souvent voyager échange lorsque l'adhérence sur les possibilités nuit . Devinez [url=http://www.chevroletvehicle.com/]Cabas Vanessa Bruno Moyen
[/url] à cardinal pas cher appreciation est tellement énorme que vous pouvez airports skycap promote votre
nécessaire étoffes en elle.