Originally published March 1 2013
Paul Craig Roberts nails it on pollution, GMOs, superfoods and the collapse of honest food
by J. D. Heyes
(NaturalNews) The observations of some political commentators are much more insightful than most others, and that is certainly true of Dr. Paul Craig Roberts.
An economist, academician, former nationally syndicated columnist, one-time Reagan administration Treasury official and current president of the Institute for Political Economy recently demonstrated this signature trait in a column posted on his website titled, "Polluted America." The focus of his piece: All of the ways in which the American political system is "polluted" with special interests to the detriment of society:
Democracy is polluted with special interests and corrupt politicians. Accountability is polluted with executive branch exemptions from law and the Constitution and with special legal privileges for corporations, such as the Supreme Court given right to corporations to purchase American elections. Accountability is polluted with executive branch exemptions from law and the Constitution and with special legal privileges for corporations, such as the Supreme Court given right to corporations to purchase American elections.
Damage to soil fertility, crops and... humans
But Roberts saves the bulk of his column to discuss the "pollution" that has occurred, and will occur, to the nation's food supply. He specifically cites the dangers of genetically modified crops and the "science" being used to alter food:
Waters are polluted with toxic waste spills, oil spills, chemical fertilizer run-off with resulting red tides and dead zones, acid discharges from mining with resulting destructive algae such as prymnesium parvum...
The soil's fertility is damaged, and crops require large quantities of chemical fertilizers. The soil is polluted with an endless array of toxic substances and now with glyphosate, the main element in Monsanto's Roundup herbicide with which GMO crops are sprayed. Glyphosate now shows up in wells, streams and in rain...
Our food itself is polluted with antibiotics, growth hormones, pesticides, and glyphosate.
The latter substance, noted Roberts, might actually be the most dangerous agricultural development today, because, he says, some scientists believe it could eventually wipe out main grain crops. Further, "now that Obama's Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas Vilsack, has approved genetically modified Roundup Ready alfalfa, maintaining sustainable animal herds for milk and meat could become impossible."
The Obama administration was warned, but Monsanto won the day
Roberts says Vilsack approved the Monsanto-manufactured chemical despite a warning from Dr. Don Huber, professor emeritus at Purdue University. Huber:
outlined the dangers of approving Roundup Ready alfalfa in a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack. Huber requested that approval be delayed until independent research could evaluate the risks. Vilsack ignored Huber's letter and ten days later deregulated Roundup Ready alfalfa on January 27, thus accommodating Monsanto's desire for monopoly profits that come from the company's drive to control the seed supply of U.S. and world agriculture...
What makes Huber so special? Writes Roberts:
He has been a plant pathologist and soil microbiologist for a half century. He has an international reputation as a leading authority. In the U.S. military, he evaluated natural and manmade biological threats, such as germ warfare and disease outbreaks and retired with the rank of Colonel. For the USDA he coordinates the Emergent Diseases and Pathogens Committee. In other words, he is high up in his scientific profession.
Roberts also points out:
-- Glyphosate is a very powerful biocide. "It harms beneficial soil organisms, altering the natural balance in the soil and reducing the disease resistance of crops, thus unleashing diseases that devastate corn, soybean, and wheat crops, and giving rise to a new pathogen associated with premature animal aging and infertility."
-- Also, "there is evidence that the new pathogen is related to a rise in human infertility and is
likely having adverse effects on human health of which we are still uninformed."
-- Monsanto is rich enough to influence political outcomes. "...Monsanto succeeded last year in blocking with money and propaganda the GMO labeling law in California. I would tell you to be careful what you eat as it can make you ill and infertile, but you can't even find out what you are eating."
Roberts concludes:
You live in America, which has "freedom and democracy" and "accountable" government and "accountable" corporations. You don't need to worry. The government and responsible corporations are taking good care of you. Especially Obama, Vilsack, and Monsanto.
Read the entire column here.
Sources:
http://www.paulcraigroberts.org
http://www.naturalnews.com/037310_barack_obama_monsanto_lobbyist.html
http://www.mindfully.org
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