You May Be Arrested Soon For Growing A Tomato

This is truly disgraceful toward anyone who has any regard for their health and well being. It will be a very sad day if this bill passes. Thank you for helping to spread the word!

"allow government officials to mandate the use of chemical pesticides" whooooa.... that's very troubling.

I am forwarding this info to my brother in Colorado who raises vegetables for his many friends and customers at the Farmers' Market. We need to put our money to good use and insure food coming into our country is safe for eating.

Thanks for the info.

Alright, this is gov-corp totalitarianism. This isn't just bad legislation, this is a DEATH TREAT. If you think I'm exaggerating, look up what Stalin did to the Ukranians. By controlling the food supply, exactly as this bill propses, he STARVED an estimated six to seven MILLION. Stalin is just one example.

There is no way in hell, if this bill passes, we won't have war - the states, We the People, against the federal government and the corporate slime who bankroll the District of Corruption. Look around the world and all of the things that people are willing to DIE for. Have you ever wondered what would make YOU draw that line in the sand? If being able to FEED YOURSELF and YOUR LOVED ONES isn't it, nothing is.

Call your congress thing and your senate things and tell them how you feel. DON'T SUGAR COAT IT. These crooks have stolen our country and now they want control over the food supply. When hell freezes over, I say. And, while you're at it, let them know that Monsanto can shove their terminator seeds and poisons right down their own damn throats.

Don't like the bill one bit, will be sending e-mail and calling today! But the "jobless Americans live in tent cities"? Please send me some details on that one, as you make it sound as if it is commonplace and I'm not seeing it.

Excellent blog post. Patriots: the writing is on the wall. How much more can we take? We shall see...

The facts have been lining up one after the other since 1960 to suggest some sort of full blown authoritarian socialist government will take control of the US. There have been facts lining up since 1980 suggesting some sort of institutionalised slavery may be about to be forced upon the american population. What am I talking about here? I am talking about socialism where it is against the law for people to own property, grow food, etc. I am talking about a system of slave/concentration camps being established to force the population to produce for the world market. just keep this fact in mind: The US will have to produce goods once more for this economic crisis to resolve it self. How are the people going to willingly work to produce when they are payed in worthless currency?

Karl,

You wanted details. Here's a few links: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/artic... http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/11/america/... http://rawstory.com/news/afp/One_in_50_US_kids_...

Funny how when this piece was posted your site went wiggy! None of the links worked. Glad to see it back to normal. No coincidence, imo.

BTW, though it doesn't pertain to food, aren't these the same people (DeLauro and Greenberg) the same ones who gave Rahm Emaneul free housing (tax free) for years?

You need to post some sort of link where we can express our disgust with this bill. Most people don't know how or even know who to write. If somoene drafts a petition it can be posted pn a website and just by giving their name and web address and then clicking, they can sign the petition. I know that sounds like people are too lazy to do it on their own, but most of them feel it's too difficult.

If Dmitry Orlov's predictions are anywhere near correct, independent local production may be the last thing between us and mass starvation.

Wayne,

H.R. 875 is still being reviewed and no specific time has been established for an official vote yet. As you point out, this is the perfect time to make your objections known.

Contact the House Committee on Energy and Commerce
http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?optio...

The House Committee on Agriculture
http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/members.html

And your representatives
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

This article is extremely troubling...There is going to be hell to pay if this bill passes....

Thanks for alerting everyone about this bill. Everyone needs to contact their congressmen, farm bureau, 4h band converned groups to stop this bill stone cold!

hmm this seems to remind me of what happened in the ukrain from Government interventionest policy.

http://www.faminegenocide.com/resources/ukraine...

You guys are whacked! This article is so full of lies, misinformation, wild exaggeration, innuendo and stuff taken out of context, it's not even funny how you are jumping up in righteous indignation. Inform yourselves through something more than someone's blog!

Anyone can post blanket accusations in a comment. If you disagree with the article's content, be specific. Tell us what you take issue with -- otherwise, you just come of as a hysterical, knee-jerk reactionary and the country's full of those.

I think Bigfoot has a legitimate claim. The first red-flag I found in Spence Cooper's article is that there is no record on-line of Stan Greenberg ever working for Monsanto. So if Mr. Cooper has some valid information to substantiate this claim he owes it to his readers to present it. Mr. Cooper also misleads readers into thinking that Greenburg's wife, Congresswoman Rosa Delauro was the sole introducer of the bill when actually she was just one of 30. Did Mr. Cooper think no one would click onto the link he provided that presented the Bill in its entirety?

A cursory glance at the actual bill H. R. 875, the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009 doesn't indicate ANYTHING that would subject private gardens growing food for personal consumption to the restrictions or guidelines of this bill. This bill is aimed at the production and processing of food sold to the general public. Considering the problems we have had with this process in recent years I do not think it too much to ask that the FDA do what it has failed to do over the last 8-10 years and which it was establsihed to do back in the 1920's - protect the public food supply from contamination.

I personally think Spence Cooper is a zealot of sorts that simply doesn't like government regulation of any sort and is trying to spin this Bill as one more example of the "Socialist" endeavors of Democrats and Liberals. Perhaps Mr. Cooper could erase this impression by stating his politcal views on government regulations of any kind. Was he a supporter along with every Republican and a few of Democrats who sought to DE-regulate all industries in the U.S., including the financial behemoths that have recently wreaked havoc on our economy.

At the bare minimum Mr. Cooper should point out exactly where in the Bill HR 875 he draws the conclusion that people growing their own fruit and vegetables for personal consumption MAY be arrested for doing so.

I so totally ALSO agree with Bigfoot,
Great comment, Larry! Kuddos
Good to have someone who can take a step back and look at things with intelligence. Too many sheeple following the latest fear-factor-LOL...and there are MANY of those, I get 3 or 4 in my inbox daily. I'm surprised all the disappointed voters haven't started a civil war by now.
I do believe that's what they're working towards...
too bad, not what our country needs (a continuation of the fear mongering and lies of the illicit 2000-2008 administration)

Isn't it time we worked as hard towards SAVING what's left of our country after the past 8 years????

Well, Larry you didn’t look very hard. It’s all over the web. Greenberg is on Monsanto payroll as a consultant, or more to the point a strategist. He’s no doubt paid to gage and/or mold public opinion; nevertheless, that’s means he works for them.

Rosa DeLauro’s name appears as the lead sponsor of the bill, citing 39 Co-Sponsors. You’re nitpicking.
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/1/111-h875/show

Food Safety Modernization Act of 2009

Food Production Facility is defined as:

(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

Let’s see, an orchard is a garden. ANY farm, ranch etc., is pretty much self explanatory.

Food Production Facility is defined as:

(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

Let’s see, an orchard is a garden. ANY farm, ranch etc., is pretty self explanatory.

Anyone who grows food in a Food Production Facility is subject to the following:


Section 206 (a) Authorities- In carrying out the duties of the Administrator and the purposes of this Act, the Administrator shall have the authority, with respect to food production facilities, to--

(1) visit and inspect food production facilities in the United States and in foreign countries to determine if they are operating in compliance with the requirements of the food safety law;

(2) review food safety records as required to be kept by the Administrator under section 210 and for other food safety purposes;

(3) set good practice standards to protect the public and animal health and promote food safety;

(4) conduct monitoring and surveillance of animals, plants, products, or the environment, as appropriate; and

(5) collect and maintain information relevant to public health and farm practices

(Definition of FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.)

SEC. 402. FOOD DETENTION, SEIZURE, AND CONDEMNATION.

(a) Administrative Detention of Food-

(1) EXPANDED AUTHORITY- The Administrator shall have authority under section 304 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 334) to administratively detain and seize any food regulated under this Act that the Administrator has reason to believe is unsafe, is adulterated or misbranded, or otherwise fails to meet the requirements of the food safety law.

Do you see the word “Sale” listed anywhere under Section 405?

Section 405 Civil and Criminal Penalties
IN GENERAL- Any person that commits an act that violates the food safety law (including a regulation promulgated or order issued under the food safety law) may be assessed a civil penalty by the Administrator of not more than $1,000,000 for each such act.

(b) Criminal Sanctions-

(1) OFFENSE RESULTING IN SERIOUS ILLNESS- Notwithstanding section 303(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 333(a)), if a violation of any provision of section 301 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 301) with respect to an adulterated or misbranded food results in serious illness, the person committing the violation shall be imprisoned for not more than 5 years, fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or both.

(2) OFFENSE RESULTING IN DEATH- Notwithstanding section 303(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 333(a)), if a violation of any provision of section 301 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 331) with respect to an adulterated or misbranded food results in death, the person committing the violation shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or both.

If the state has the power to seize your property, conduct warrantless government entry, impose absurd Million dollar fines, broad interpretation of the criminal section for non compliance is just within reach. And the bill’s language is still under construction.

These bills, like the National Animal ID System (NAIS), are designed to benefit agribusiness and eliminate the viability of small farmers. Corporations like Monsanto want ro monopolize everything, all our land, seeds, animals, and water. You'd pretty much have to be living under a rock not to know how insidious Monsanto is, with things like DDT, Agent Orange, and Terminator Seeds.

LOL! The only sheeple I know are the ones that don't question authority, regardless of the political party. I find it amusing that becasue I oppose a democratically sponored bill, it's assumed I'm a republican.

Sheeple..Great word.

What I would really like to see, and I suppose I'll have to do it myself, is a post showing the wording of the bill that has so many garden bloggers posting alarmist messages. You should copy and paste the exact wording of the bill in your post, then state your reasoning for opposing.

I'm sure it'll be a big hassle when I read through the bill, but before I post on my blog about it, I'll find the part(s) showing how it will affect backyard market gardeners before I start making claims or alluding to draconian practices.

One more thing, I don't think Mrs. Obama would be touting a brand new soon-to-be in production People's Garden at The White House if she was worried about this bill.

See this USDA news release about The People's Garden:

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7...

EXCELLENT points, TC-

Oh, and Spence, I DO question authority, have been, daily, on some days, hourly, for the past 8 years I've been working OVERTIME- (and to think I USED to be a repub!)
I'm finally FREE of the crap addiction!

another example of costly, needless, government intrusion----how many more federal workers will be needed to manage this boondoggle?------with global crisis upon us in all forms and fashion, EVERY POSSIBLE FOOD SOURCE WILL BE CRITICAL IN YEARS AHEAD !!!-----just read this month's issue of National Geographic about the global drought conditions sweeping the planet-----we need to encourage, not discourage, all avenues of food production, especially at the local level-----to consolidate food production in fewer hands makes the same mistakes as allowing financial firms to get "too big to fail"----that philosophy has brought the banking system to collapse-----we cannot allow the same mistake allowing the likes of Monsanto to grow to monsterous size----WAKE UP AMERICA !!!----you need a reliable source of food far more than Citigroup or AIG.....

"See this USDA news release about The People’s Garden"

LOL! Too funny. Just a wild guess, but something tells me The Commander In Chief 's garden would be off limits to the federal agencies he's in charge of. I can see Don Knotts now with his citation pad, trying to cite the president's wife, kids, or the White House Chef for violation of the Food Safety Modernization Act.

Hey guys,

There are 6 food safety bills being circulated in Congress, but only this one seems to be receiving a lot of attention. HR 875 would overhauling the totally dysfunctional Food and Drug Administration. But the rumor mill has this legislation pegged as something entirely different. It’s time to set the record straight. Here are a few things that H.R. 875 DOES do:

- It addresses the most critical flaw in the structure of FDA by splitting it into two new agencies –one devoted to food safety and the other devoted to drugs and medical devices.
- It increases inspection of food processing plants, basing the frequency of inspection on the risk of the product being produced – but it does NOT make plants pay any registration fees or user fees.
- It does extend food safety agency authority to food production on farms, requiring farms to write a food safety plan and consider the critical points on that farm where food safety problems are likely to occur.
- It requires imported food to meet the same standards as food produced in the U.S.

And just as importantly, here are a few things that H.R. 875 does NOT do:

- It does not cover foods regulated by the USDA (beef, pork, poultry, lamb, catfish.)
- It does not establish a mandatory animal identification system.
- It does not regulate backyard gardens.
- It does not regulate seed.
- It does not call for new regulations for farmers markets or direct marketing arrangements.
- It does not apply to food that does not enter interstate commerce (food that is sold across state lines).
- It does not mandate any specific type of traceability for FDA-regulated foods (the bill does instruct a new food safety agency to improve traceability of foods, but specifically says that recordkeeping can be done electronically or on paper.)

So basically, the Obama's new garden is safe! And so is yours!

BUT several of the other bills DO include provisions that should worry small farmers – like H.R. 814, which calls for a mandatory animal identification system, or H.R. 759, which is more likely to move through Congress than H.R. 875 and calls for electronic recordkeeping on farms and registration fees for processing plants.

Thanks for your post, Hayley.

Three things:

1) The article you're addressing does not take issue with most of the items listed in your comment, e.g., seed, animal identification system, USDA (beef, pork, poultry, lamb, catfish, etc...

2) The Bill does NOT address the most critical flaw in the structure of FDA by splitting it into two new agencies; on the contrary, the bill creates yet another agency whose creation will undoubtedly generate even more flaws, or as many flaws as the first, costing the tax payer even more money for the creation of an additional agency staffed by yet more bugling idiots.

3) You claim the bill It does not regulate backyard gardens. The term FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- as defined in the bill means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

A "back yard" easily qualifies as defined under bill's terms; the rest of the information mentioned in my article is subject to how one interprets the bill.

Dear Spence,

Anybody who uses the term "sheeple" to deride their critics is simply using a smear tactic to discredit legitimate criticism. Grow up.

Now as for your response about how "It’s all over the web. Greenberg is on Monsanto payroll as a consultant, or more to the point a strategist" - I concur. It IS all over the web BUT more in gossip form that only the blogosphere can cover rather than any authoritative fashion.

There was a note on Mr. Greenberg's page on Wikipedia and when I clicked the source it led me to this site -

http://www.greenbergresearch.com/index.php?ID=109 -

Monsanto is just one of his many clients for his Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research firm, a polling and consulting firm he is co-founder of with James Carville and Bob Shrum. So now that we have established this are we to assume that what you have conjectured about private gardens, i.e. people "being arrested for growing tomatoes", is a truth based on fact and hard evidence or merely some notion of guilt by association?

And good god man - you copied and pasted all that information from the Open Congress website, which most of it I reviewed, but which fails to demonstrate how this specifically is aimed at gardens growing food for PRIVATE CONSUMPTION. To assume that the definitions in this bill are also aimed at "gardens growing food for PRIVATE CONSUMPTION" is unfounded and is merely conjecture on your part. However, if you will please copy and paste that specific statement in the bill that pin points "gardens growing food for PRIVATE CONSUMPTION" then I will retract my criticism of your assumption. I mean your article even implies that this legislation affects businesses or did you mean something else when you said "This bill is designed to allow corporations, with the help of their hired government guns, to force small competitors (you and me) out of business. " Are people who grow tomatoes for private consumption classified as a businesses in your nomenclature of things?

Let me emphasize that I am NOT saying your assumption isn't true; I am merely pointing out that you seem to be basing this on specious evidence. PLEASE, correct me if I'm wrong. My challenge to you is to show me where this legislation is outside the auspices of the FDA to do what it was designed to do years ago - protect the public food supply from contamination.

Sincerely,
The Larry

Hey Larry,

Don't give me that copy and past crap. You just pasted everything you copied about the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research firm in your comment. That backroom bully routine has been used in every political forum from New York to LA. And FYI, I've assumed nothing I didn't extrapolate from the bill. If you've reviewed the bill's language, as I have, and still fail to see any repressive measures that's your problem.

If you feel my article sensationalizes this issue, and creates exaggerated alarm, I suggest any alarm you feel be directed where it belongs: within this bill’s oppressive, unnecessary and restrictive measures whose language is broad enough to be interpreted in such a way as to severely, and negatively impact the nation’s organic food movement. Those who so vehemently oppose this bill are not fearmongering reactionaries; those like you who use party politics as an excuse to mitigate this bill’s clear intent are the ones to be feared. There are plenty of other similar bills just as repressive, such as H.R. 814, or H.R. 759, take your pick.

(14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.


What part of the word "any" escapes the comprehension of some people? The language is broad and vague, for a reason, and that makes it dangerous.

I live in a rural community and this legislation would, indeed, cover the small farmers and growers with road side stands and our local farmer's market.

I looked up Mr. Greenberg and Monstanto lobbyist is on his resume. I wasn't difficult to find. Do we have Mosanto people, here, doing some damage control?

I'm not sure why anyone would try to make this about one party or the other. This is not a one party issue. This has been going on for decades! It's only getting worse.

Please look up "The World According to Monsanto", on Google videos or Youtube. They are just ONE of the monsters in agri biz. Between agri, big pharma and the Codex Alimentarius people, our food supply and natural health are in danger.

Amazing how Nature has gotten us this far without regulatory agencies to do our thinking and make our choices for us. It is big agra and chemical companies that need to be brougt to account, NOT NATURE.

Spence,

Found this information on a site I subscribe to; The Organic Consumers Association:

The Organic Consumers Association is not taking a position for or against this bill, but encouraging its members to write to Congress to urge it to enact food safety legislation that addresses the inherent dangers of our industrialized food system without burdening certified organic and farm-to-consumer operations.


Certified organic farms and farms that sell directly to consumers are oases in a food system gone wrong. Unfortunately, the "food safety" system as we know it has been created largely by the corporations it was supposed to regulate. That's why it takes 9 months to locate and shut down a peanut factory that killed 9 people and sickened 22,500, but a raw milk producer can be raided and arrested without ever harming a soul.


We agree with the Pew Food Safety Initiative, which supports the bill, that:


"The FSMA contains key improvements that will enable federal authorities to better ensure the safety of the food supply-by requiring food companies to implement preventive plans and meet performance standards for contaminants in food; creating a system for certifying the safety of imported foods; establishing a strong risk-based inspection regime for food companies; and granting the government explicit authority over all food-production facilities. The legislation also provides essential enforcement tools such as mandatory recall and civil penalties."


However, we also feel compelled to urge Congress to avoid one-size-fits all legislation. Congress should pay attention to organic and local food advocates like the Northest Organic Farming Association's Leafy Greens Working Group and the Community Alliance with Family Farm's Family Farm Food Safety Campaign. Congress should draw on their expertise in food safety systems that are scale-appropriate and compatible with organic system plans. We share the concerns of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, which opposes the bill because it could be interpreted to impose onerous regulations on small farms, especially raw milk producers who are already unfairly targeted by state food-safety regulators.


Hopefully, this bill will enhance the public debate over why our food production system is so unsafe. The number one thing we could do to increase food safety is to stop the factory farming of animals:

Source: http://capwiz.com/grassrootsnetroots/issues/bil...



Perhaps this will enable you to better understand why I am not jumping on the band wagon with with you in your apparent blanket denunciation of HR 875.

Larry

Larry,

Thanks for the information. How do figure The Organic Consumers Association is not taking a position when they share the concerns of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, who opposes the bill?

Spence says "this bill’s oppressive, unnecessary and restrictive measures whose language is broad enough to be interpreted in such a way as to severely, and negatively impact the nation’s organic food movement."

Thanks Spence for pointing out that ANYONE can interpret this bill to mean ANYTHING they want it to. NOW, please try and direct your energy at the other part of my question and not my mild assault on your verbosity. How Does this bill prevent the FDA from doing what it was designed to do when founded in the early part of the 20th Century?

"Don’t give me that copy and past crap. You just pasted everything you copied about the Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research firm in your comment. That backroom bully routine has been used in every political forum from New York to LA. And FYI, I’ve assumed nothing I didn’t extrapolate from the bill. If you’ve reviewed the bill’s language, as I have, and still fail to see any repressive measures that’s your problem. "

I presume this means you don't have a mature, civil and cogent response to my questions. Also, I merely copied and pasted the URL for the information I referred to in the post. How is that similar to what you did?

Man, for someone who is supposed to influence people on important issues you sure are displaying something akin to a child's temper tantrum.

-Larry

Spence, why would you ask ME "How do figure The Organic Consumers Association is not taking a position when they share the concerns of the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, who opposes the bill?"

I merely quoted the source from the site at the Organic Consumers Association. They, NOT ME, said they are NOT taking a position on this bill. Do you really read anything I send you?

And besides, the fact that the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund opposes this bill means little to me because I am not up on what each and every entity that opposes or supports this bill represents. I have simply explained to you why I think your position is over-inflated, however righteous you may think it to be, based on the concrete and definable information we have at our disposal. Based on factual analysis you have some reason to be concerned but are out of line, IMO, for creating a blanket denunciation of HR 875.

-Larry

"Thanks Spence for pointing out that ANYONE can interpret this bill to mean ANYTHING they want it to…"

Precisely.

:-) Come on, Larry. I think we both know you're not interested in being influenced.

But, but ,but, Spence, you still haven't answered Larry's question, I too, am interested in your answer.

Thanks!

“Thanks Spence for pointing out that ANYONE can interpret this bill to mean ANYTHING they want it to…”

And, therein lies the rub. That is exactly why the language is so broad and vague. These kinds of bills are not for the benefit of anyone except the corporations who are positioning themselves to control the food supply. Politicians dance with those that brung 'em - multinationals whose one interst is MONEY. The marriage of business and government is FASCISM, in it's original definition (Mussolini). No thanks.

" Come on, Larry. I think we both know you’re not interested in being influenced."

With factual data I am. Not alarmist rhetoric

My guess is that the people writing here are getting what they voted for in the last election.

This bill is specifically related to food produced for commercial sale not private use. And the standards for fertilizer use sound like they regulate quality/content as related to the safe production of food and not the specific kind or source per se. At this point, having read the whole bill, I don't yet see how this infringes on our civil liberties or targets organic farmers in any way.

Organic farming is overseen by the National Organic Program (http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/) which enforces regulations and standards developed by the National Organic Standards Board which was created by the National Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 which was a part of the 1990 Farm Bill.

At this point, having done the research you suggest, you come off as a ranting reactionary. But please, do prove me wrong.

National Organic Standards Board - http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/ams.fetchTempla...

If you had read the bill as you claim you'd know neither the National Organic Program nor the National Organic Standards Board are relevant to this discussion since the Food Safety Modernization Act would establish within the Department of Health and Human Services, a Food Safety Administration which in turn would assign all the authorities and responsibilities of the Secretary of Health and Human Services related to food safety to the new Administrator of Food Safety.

as well as...

Transfer to the Administration all functions of specified federal agencies that relate to the administration or enforcement of food safety laws. The Food Safety Administration would be empowered to regulate what the bill outlined as "food production facilities" which are defined as:

14) FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY- The term ‘food production facility’ means any farm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, aquaculture facility, or confined animal-feeding operation.

Clearly organic farms fall within the FOOD PRODUCTION FACILITY guidelines. As far as addressing the bill's broad language and the inherent implied interpretations, I've discussed all that. You're invited to read the comments posted above.

"They can have my Tiller when they pry it from my cold dead hands!!!"

This is a hoax. The bill is about not knowingly allowing bad food into trade. There is nothing about organic farming, home farming, or forced use of pesticides.

And this Rosa Delaura is a member of Academy of Our Lady of Mercy, Lauralton Hall, well she should be ashamed of herself.... No mercy for all things natural in our beautiful world... she a monster to the human race...

Wow.. HasABrain, is your surname HasNoEyes? Or did you just not read the bill? Because I did read it, as soon as i heard about it, and YES there is a lot having to do with organic farming(because they do not use conventional pesticides, for one) Home farming, Because as this blog says, the government will have complete control over any food grown in the country, and they will have the ability to tell someone with a garden "That food is unsafe, we are seizing it and fining you.(up to one million dollars) It is all in the bill.. And I'll give you a tip that might help you here.. Step one: read the bill. Step two: comprehend what you read. Repeat as necessary until you fully grasp what is being said in the bill, because to anyone that reads and understands this bill, it is very, very scary.

This is related to CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. Look it up on youtube. Watch Alex Jones' ENDGAME. The goal is 80% global depopulation. That probably includes you.

The inbred "elites" have gone insane once again.

ADM is owned by PRINCE CHARLES.... GD THEM ALL....

With no new America to escape to we will succumb to the evil we left Europe to escape, save for the Chinese fact - they own and operate our Uber-rich upper class and they hate them with communist fervor and will do everything in their power to eliminate them! Saved by the Chinese communists the first time they hesitate to lend the U.S. Ponzie Scheme Fiat money bullshit system any more money and stall the U.S. economy cold - or the day they OK even larger loans, destabilizing and devaluing the "Almighty Dollar" to toilet paper values - either way the Uber -Rich go away with no game- board to play on! Proof of this cockamamie logic? China took GM down and they don't even know it yet! SEE:
“The astounding Chinese have epoched the great GM, of U.S.A. in producing an Electric/gas/plug-in car! They are driving them in the streets of China as we speak, they will be retailed in the U.S.A. by 2011, they will cost half the price of a "Volt" and they are "On Order" for Israel! GM, take a deep breath, your naughty parts have just been cut off by a Chinese high-tech competitor, and the "Volt" is still "Vapor-ware"!” See:http://www.cleantech.com/news/3983/chinas-byd-sells-first-mass-produced-plug-cars
The Chinese will never "bow down" to American corporate bullshit, they will, as they did the 'milk tainters' in their own country, line them up, blood type them for organ transplant, and kill them on the spot, something we in America should be doing on Wall Street to anyone convictable of aiding and abetting the downfall of the greatest nation in the world for personal profit - we need to bring out Treason laws and apply them liberally to the corporate crews that do our nation harm, Monsanto included - When the Anarchy breaks, expect lynch mobs, and the Uber Rich blood to flow in the streets! It is Historical, the oppressed rise up against all odds when the insult is big enough, and "string up" their oppressors! In darker corners of America today there are "List-Makers" keeping track of the offenders, and when the sh*t hits the fan, they will not go unpunished!

:-) Wow. Don't start the revolution without me.

People were around before there was government.
Therefore if all the people ignore a law, it in fact doesn't exist.
Examples; the tea tax, the 55mph speed limit, prohibition.

If we're so stupid in the aggregate to elect petty tyrants, what can be said? Don't blame the politicians for doing what they said they would do.

Freedom requires self reliance. Self reliance means doing what's needed at the individual and community level to survive and thrive regardless of the "rules". Because there is an overriding rule (refer to the declaration of Independence).

Tim,

Well said. At this point I think an aggregate ignorance of federal income tax is called for -- stop feeding the beast. Recent Poll: 74 Percent support higher taxes on the rich, and a growing number of cash-strapped communities are printing their own money. You can't vote out anyone in a two-party monopoly system where all of congress is bought and sold to the highest corporate bidder. And the days of an organized militia to exercise our Declaration of Independence right to replace the government are over.

"Rosa DeLauro whose husband Stanley Greenburg works for Monsanto"

Wow.. This just isn't right.

Safe food is wonderful but are they going to test all the imported food? This is what I worry about. Don't hold us to standards the rest of the world won't follow and then let that food into our country. They don't have many of the laws against pesticides we do. Why do you think many of the large fruit and vegetable companies grow their produce in foreign countries?

I thought I read, somewhere, around two weeks ago, that delauro said this bill would not affect small farmers or citizens backyard gardens. Maybe I was wrong. When delauro says she doesnt have anything to do with MOnsanto she is lying as her husband works for them, I think, as a vice president. I dont know that I would believe anything she says. I have made it a point to stop buying Canola oil, as it is made from corn grown from seed, genetically engineered by Monsanto.

This article does seem a bit hysterical - it's entirely possible that this bill is an evil, evil thing, but the over-the-top rhetoric ("You'll be arrested for growing your own food!") seems a bit unnecessary. It doesn't help to be so misinformed: Stan Greenberg does not work for Monsanto.

http://crooksandliars.com/nonny-mouse/monsanto-...

Hasabrain intimates this does not affect small farms or organic seed availability. Do your research brain. Monsanto, Burpee, Et al have instituted and won a number of lawsuits restricting people from harvesting crops that "..may or may not have been cross pollinated.." by bees and other insects that are in the vacinity of fields where their genetically engineered seed crops are growing...". If this isn't about control...well as someone told me a long time ago...I have some land on the moon I'll gladly sell you...with just a million or two down payment...
Get a Clue you Progressive Nimrod...

DeLauro's husband is Stan Greenburg who just happens to be a lobbyist for Monsanto and other food and seed corporations. They are also friends with Rahm Emmanuel and there is an investigation into illegal IRS tax evasion over a room she provided Rahm for over five years. Still in investigation. So will this be covered up as well? How naive are all of us who have small organic or just small garden plots for Farmers Markets.

Propaganda says this is just to "..Protect the Masses..".

As Hitler once said ... "All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach."-Adolf Hitler

Andrea - Stan Greenburg draws a paycheck, and a very substantial one at that by being a lobbyist. Now Who works for Whom? Parents of my high school and college friends, who just happen to have survived the Holocost were hysterical when their parents were killed as well. When they talked about it they always said over and over..."We just kept believing it wouldn't happen to us...they needed us...". Will you wait to decide like they did and then have lifelong regrets or maybe be in the same position their parents were in, dead. I hardly think this is hysterical it is absolutely Historical, and sadly seems to be repeating itself.

This always happens when a beautiful woman tries to do something productive and get ahead. You are all a bunch of haterz!

Type all the comments you want...if the people of the United States of America don't stand up and speak up this is total government control. We are now live in a communist/fascist nation. There is still time to do what needs to be done. Scream people at your representatives and get them out of office. Tomorrow we have a choice. you get to vote all those who are power hungry out of office!!!!

So Monsanto is making "round-up ready" seeds. My question is, is the EPA going to allow this? Is so, all of our food is going to be contaminated with glyphosate. It is unbelievable how corrupt and disgusting this country it getting. Corn is in everything and so will Round-up.

Your article is very misleading. The bill has no intention of putting small-time farms or backyard gardeners out of commission. This is simply ridiculous, paranoia. DeLauro is currently revising the bill to clarify and to protect local food production. Do some research before you spout off this ridiculous nonsense. Oh and by the way, I'm a libertarian. Just sick of these internet myths.