It is not against the law to knowingly report false news

This is a clip from The Corporation, a documentary from 2003 directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbot.  Two news investigators profile Monsanto's bovine growth hormone for a story on the Fox news show "The Investigators" only to be harassed first by lawyers representing Monsanto, then by Fox themselves.  It's a very interesting clip, the two reporters have done their jobs, represented both sides of the story, refuse to give in to the wishes of both corporations to falsify their findings and wind up with nothing.  It turns out that it is NOT illegal to report false news.  It doesn't shock me, I just never really thought about it.  The whole documentary is great and free to watch on Hulu.com.

I was going to add that when you see "rBST free" on dairy labels this is what that means, it's free of the bovine growth hormone recombinant bovine somatatropin.  When I went to lord google to get the correct spelling of the hormone I find this (below) from www.stoplabelinglies.com and since I love to stop lies I read it.

ACSH Agrees rbST-Free Milk Marketing Misleading
By : Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D. - (ACSH) August 29, 2007
ACSH By Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D. August 29, 2007 Both the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have ruled that companies that sell milk and other dairy products may state that the milk comes from cows that were not treated with recombinant bovine somatatropin (rBST) http://www.acsh.org/publications/pubID.320/pub_detail.asp. This bioengineered hormone is identical to the one naturally produced by cows and, when injected, extends the period of milk production. Monsanto, the corporation that produces rBST, had sued to restrict such labeling. Marketers who use the "our cows aren't given rBST" approach are thus legally correct but scientifically wrongheaded. There's nothing unhealthful or dangerous (to humans or cows) from using rBST, in spite of activists' claims (does anyone doubt that the proponents of organic foods are behind these claims?). But the implication of this labeling is that the milk from rBST-treated cows is somehow inferior to that from untreated cows, which it isn't. Thus it perpetuates a myth about the supposed advantages of "natural" products. While ACSH is in favor of truthful advertising and marketing, sometimes following the letter of the law can lead to the dissemination of misinformation. This is such a case. Ruth Kava, Ph.D., R.D., is Director of Nutrition at the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH.org, HealthFactsAndFears.com). Source: American Council on Science and Health.

Can I say any more?  We have the director of Nutrition at the American Council on Science and Health siding with Monsanto, making a dig against proponents of organic foods and stating that the advantages of "natural" foods are a myth.  Not to mention lying about the effects on cows and humans that rBST causes.  Yikes.  I guess Dr. Kava was already familiar with the title of my post.

Have you seen it? Morgan Spurlock's Super Size Me

It's hard to believe this film is already six years old.  What was created with a budget of $65,000 is a true wake-up call and a partial explanation of why the newest generation of children are estimated to have a lower life expectancy than their predecessors (based on CDC studies done in 2005).  In 2007 74.1 percent of American adults were overweight or obese ("World Fattest Countries" forbes.com).  Last year obesity related deaths surpassed those from tobacco use.  What are we doing?  According to the USDA only 21 cents out of each dollar is spent on the farm value of food.  There is an excellent graph explaining where the rest of our money goes here.  It's true that when we purchase food from a company there will be a markup which pays for labor, rent, etc, but 79 percent seems like a high number.  I hear all the time that healthy food is more expensive than ____ (fill in the blank) but with a little effort one can find superior resources like local organic food co-ops that deliver each week, online farm markets, etc.  It's possible to spend less on food and not even have to leave the house to get it.  LocalHarvest.org has a database of local farms, what they offer, farm stand hours and more.  The site is well designed and even has an online shop.  Buying food from a farm may also help children develop a better appreciation for fresh vegetables, meats and fruits.  We don't have to be such a self-destructive nation.  Even a little bit of effort will pay off in money savings and health gains.  Cheers to that!

Having Issues

My first issue is that I need to write a bio for this new gig I got.  The first sentence has to include the year I started writing.  Uh... ?  It would be like if someone asked me how long I've been making art.  I can't seem to get past this.

Concern number two:  (this is why I never watch tv news) on ABC news right now is a story on the 'gluten-free diet FAD' and how it can be dangerous.  My goodness...  I'm feeling moody about this.  Nutritionists need to get their heads out of their asses.  He just said that not many people have celiac disease and then gave the stat as 1 in 100 have it.  I'd say that is a pretty high number!  OK, now he's saying that a diet devoid of gluten will lack fiber and nutrients because wheat flower is fortified with minerals and vitamins.  What about vegetables for fiber?  And beans and other grains like brown rice?  I know I'm just ranting but really?!  This is why two thirds of adults in this country are overweight.  They try something new, something a little different to help benefit themselves and they are shot down by an old-fashioned nutritionist from Columbia and a popular news station.       :(   
At least they explained what gluten is in the beginning of the story.  I am happy about that. 

Bad titles

Yeah sure, I shouldn't be doing this.
Aren't I too old for explanations via
blogging?  My inner guidance system
is shrugging and humoring in that
bat the eyelashes and shrug of the
shoulders sort of way.  "Go on," it
says.  "Just let it out."  Well, I will.

Vegetarians beware!

Uh huh.

Here it is,
I try to write about it
but the layers get in the way.

The shit's from the bottom.
That crack, exposed in the middle.

Why it comes out below,
Yes.  I know why.

But do you?

Nope.

It's alright.
Except that I'm the fawn
who thinks she's the buck.

And when this time is here,
it feels uneasy.

Nevermind

Nevermind.
No, I take
that back.

 

NOH8 Campaign

On November 4, 2008 Proposition 8 passed in California, amending the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The defeat provoked a groundswell of initiative within the GLBT community at a grassroots level, with many new political and protest organizations being formed in response.

The NOH8 Campaign is a photographic silent protest created by celebrity photographer Adam Bouska (http://www.bouska.net) and partner Jeff Parshley in direct response to the passage of Proposition 8. Photos feature subjects with duct tape over their mouths, symbolizing their voices being silenced by Prop 8 and similar legislation around the world, with "NOH8" painted on one cheek in protest.

Nearly two years since its inception, the NOH8 Campaign has grown to over 5,500 faces and continues to grow at an exponential rate. The campaign began with portraits of everyday Californians from all walks of life and soon rose to include politicians, military personnel, newlyweds, law enforcement, artists, celebrities, and many more.

The NOH8 Campaign has received overwhelming support from around the world, appearing on various local and national news programs and publications. The images are currently being used on various social networking sites to spread the message of equality, predominantly Facebook and Twitter. Eventually the images are expected to be compiled for a large-scale media campaign.                 NOH8 Website

Ben Persett, the person to the right in this photograph is someone I've known since I was five.   It's so wonderful to see him making such a great contribution to gay rights!  I'm so proud of him.  Go Ben!

Wordwang!

go for it

Pickles and Deemo

Whenever I miss being in Texas, I remember that youtube is a click away.  Yes, they are twins.

DS 9

In a cozy nook,
a docile woman
rests her head
on a padded shoulder.
She feels for
a blanket and pulls
it over her body.
Warm tea sits in
a medium sized mug
to her left, on the floor.
The closing credits
of a television show
from the 80's singals
an untimely departure

from the comfort
she's finally able to feel.

Transformation

Be my window

I'd still prefer you to be my window.
There's been talk of ladders of hair,
well, mine's gotten pretty long.

Implausible.  I know.

I don't live a fairytale life
to anyone but me.

Stop the car