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April 13, 2011 at 8:50 pm #598613
Heather CMemberPlease see the following link for an article about a lawsuit currently pending.
http://www.pubpat.org/osgatavmonsantofiled.htm
Since Seattleites love their Farmers Markets and Organic foods and independent farmers I thought a lot of readers might be interested in this article. It makes much more sense if you have seen the documentaries “King Corn” and “Food Inc”.
Monsanto has such deep pockets (and so many lawmakers in said pockets) that the court system is really in their favor. I believe the only way the farmers can win is if this case gets so much publicity that Monsanto worries about public opinion and how it might hurt their future business. Without public and media support the farmers don’t stand a chance, so I was hoping to get people to start paying attention.
If you feel like you need to be better informed on this subject, I recommend watching King Corn. It is instant on Roku or available on Netflix. A little boring, but very eye-opening.
April 14, 2011 at 6:05 pm #722488
dawsonctParticipantYeah, ironic isn’t it Heather; the main inhabitants of our American court system are the cadre of full-time lawyers employed by huge trans-national corporations beating up on the little guy.
But let’s pay attention to the rare occasion when a plaintiff actually wins against these corporations and the hugely stacked-in-their-favor court system and complain about how we need tort reform.
(Hmmm, WHO would benefit from THAT?)
April 14, 2011 at 7:42 pm #722489
mpentoParticipantWeird, you would think that if I’m an organic farmer or actively trying to be GMO free that getting spiked with genetically modified seed from Monsanto would entitle you to some compensation not the other way around. Monsanto should be required to be able to control their seeds. I don’t want to be eating “frankenseeds” while I’m chomping on my antibiotic-steroid enhanced steak.
April 14, 2011 at 10:53 pm #722490
DPMemberFood, Inc. is a good flick. Highly watchable.
Nice try dawson, but I don’t think this has anything to do with tort reform, since legal cases brought against Monsanto and other agribusinesses would most likely not be “tortious.” They would most likely be injunctive suits, to make the companies stop doing something, like polluting organic seed stock. Conversely, legal suits filed by agribusiness against farmers would most likely be for patent infringement or contract violation. Food, Inc. discusses how Monsanto is suing someone for saving corn seed, which the company claims is theft of its patent.
What I’d like to see happen is for our tax dollars to start subsidizing small-scale organic farms and farmers markets. Then someone besides rich people could afford to eat healthy. The reason “Frankenfood” exists is because it is relatively cheap. The reason organic food hasn’t caught on in a big way is because it’s relatively pricey.
April 14, 2011 at 10:54 pm #722491
dawsonctParticipantBetter get your team of lawyers working on that mpento, sounds like you have an argument, to me.
April 14, 2011 at 10:59 pm #722492
JoBParticipantApril 15, 2011 at 6:00 pm #722493
dawsonctParticipantSure DP, my legalese was incorrect, but the MAIN REASON our court system is overburdened is because corporations like Monasanto are constant tenants.
One of the many ways corporations and the very wealthy put a greater burden on our Commons than the average citizen, and WHY they SHOULD pay a greater percentage of their income and profits in taxes than the average American citizen.
April 15, 2011 at 11:47 pm #722494
Heather CMemberThe whole thing can be overwhelming and depressing, but I try not forget that we do hold SOME power. Every dollar you spend is a “vote” for which companies you want to survive. By only buying products that are labeled “Non GMO” or only purchasing organic produce, it tells stores which suppliers they should in turn be giving their dollars to. If it were up to me I’d make everyone I know watch Food, Inc, King Corn, Fast Food Nation, Tapped, etc. It doesn’t hurt to (POLITELY) write to your congress and representatives either to let them know we CARE about how they vote and that we ARE WATCHING them. Thanks for taking an interest in my original post!
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