Wednesday, December 17, 2008

GMObama? Tom Vilsack .... Change I Don't Want to Eat, Much Less Believe In


Former Iowa governor (and oft-mentioned possible VP choice for Kerry in 2004) Tom Vilsack was announced to be Obama's choice for Secretary of Agriculture today and it's the first cabinet choice that to me is beyond "questionable and centrist but hey, we'll give them a chance" and more along the lines of "this stinks now and means bad things for the future of the nation and our food chain."

He's a friend to Monsanto, a friend of GMOs, and an ethanol junkie. I know Obama (and other appointees) have said that the policies and ideas will be Obama's not theirs, but if Vilsack's ideas are even in the same vein as the President elect's then this is a real let-down. It's not just bad for small farmers and the ecosystem, it's also bad for people who eat food, and i count myself in that demographic!

There's a run-down of the GMO issue over at Daily Kos that's pretty comprehensive.

The Organic Consumers Association has a petition up to stop the nomination.

And another petition worth reading (and signing) at Food Democracy Now.

Wednesday listening:
Santogold
Amadou and Mariam
Nicky Siano's Legendary The Gallery
Sharon Jones and the Dap-Tones - Naturally
John Coltrane - First Meditations

3 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

.....but he's an Iowan?

10:22 PM  
Blogger Mac said...

no excuses, Iowa!

1:23 PM  
Blogger occasional jason said...

Hello,
I know that this is boringly tangental to the posted topic, but from it and the link to Lantern Rest, on your blog cover page it seems that maybe(?) you are something of a food lover. My wife and I are going to be in Asheville in a few weeks and were looking for rest. suggestions. Preferably slow food or farm to table sorts of places etc. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,J

6:56 PM  

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