AOC

I also finished AOC today, and over all I liked the book and appreciated everything it incorporated at different levels. Throughout the book one of the issues we have to overcome as a reader and Will and Cass have to over come as characters is their inability to have children and it was resolved by Frankie. I was surprised when Frankie gave up his daughter to them and relieved that he made a good decision. This issue seemed to have an effect on Cass’s attitude towards every situation, good or bad, but I was excited that they have the chance to be parents. I found this book easy to read and was never board while reading because there was always another surprise.

Elliot

When reading the previous post about Elliot I was wondering the same things. Throughout the book I was not a huge fan of Elliot, and I think it’s because of the way he was introduced to us and his previous actions. I was surprised when he was at the funeral because in a way he caused the most pain and he was the root of all the families’ problems. Maybe it was to show remorse? Or to show that he actually knew that he did things wrong? Or maybe it was to show he knows that the things he did in the past were wrong but it was in the past and he has gotten over and so should everyone else?

March 25

I decided to go ahead and finish All Over Creation today and I thought I might as well write a post about it, so here goes. I did find it interesting that towards the end of the book the fake company Cynaco decides to stop selling its seeds with terminator technology, just like the company Monsanto also agreed not to sell its seeds that contain the terminator technology. That is one thing that I liked about this book, you can clearly see that the author is trying to make a point about current real life issues in a fictional story. I appreciate the fact that she goes on to research parts of her own story, because I felt that this makes her fictional story more relevant. The other shocker is that towards the end of the story Frankie decides to give his own daughter, Tibet, to Will and Cass. Frankie realizes that raising a child on the road is not the wy a child should be raised, so out of love he gives up his only child. Overall I thought the book was good, and it is a great example of good writing.

Garrett

Elliot

I want to eleaborate more on what JMorrison said. Elliot did cause a lot of drama and heartache between Yumi and Lloyd. I wonder if he, himself feels guilty for this or if he just passes it off as he hasn't done anything. I also wonder if before Lloyd died, had he wanted to "have a little talk" with Elliot. Also, if he did, what would have happened beyond?

AOC

I wonder what was going on in Eliot Rhodes mind when he went to Lloyd's burial. I wonder if he felt any remorse over causing the poor man so much heartache and grief over his daughter. Was he so callous that he didn't think of any of this? Didn't he know that Lloyd had another heart attack after seeing Rhodes on TV? Rhodes must have been pretty brazen. Then he asks Yumi to marry him later that day. Strange fella. Did he have any idea of how much damage he had caused Lloyd and Yumi?

more on Lloyd as cake

I am a bit reluctant to venture this interpretation of Lloyd as cake on his death bed, but here goes. I believe this is part of Ozeki's Christian symbolism in the book. I'm convinced she puts a lot of it in the book, but I'm also sure she puts in other symbolism I don't fully understand, some associated with pagan mythology, some with eastern mysticism.

Lloyd, however, is, at one level, a symbol of the Father and Creator. After all he puts the stars on the ceiling of Yumi's bedroom (see page 26) and he stands as the one who drives Yumi from the garden after her fall (consider the gardens in this book, and I think you will see a number of myths at work, including the story of the Garden of Eden).

At another level, Lloyd is a symbol of God the Son. In the first hospital scene (pages 28 ff), he is reciting Psalm 22, a psalm that in Christian tradition is associated with Jesus's suffering on the cross. Now, the cake scene, page 354, is like a party in palliative care and Lloyd is the big white cake, covering, as it were the table, around which his disciples (remember he is the "prophet of the revolution") are gathered. I think Ozeki is depicting Lloyd as the Eucharistic Host, the bread of the communion rite. The communion service in Christianity is tied to Jesus' last meal, the last supper, on earth, during which he told his disciples to eat the bread which "is my body given for you."

AOC reactions

I just finished reading our assignment in AOC and was completely shocked by the horrific accident that occurred involving the Spudnik and Charmey. Who would do such a thing, that is if it was intentional, did Geed really mess the wiring up that much. SO many questions. Like what is to become of that baby Tibet now? Will Frankie raise a child all by himself while he himself is still a child? Personally I think that Frankie could give the baby to Cass and Will to raise until he can get back on his feet and such. I know it was terrible for Charmey to die but in a way this could turn out to be a blessing for Cass. Also I thought that Elliot purposing to Yumi was just sort of a last resort for him as he basically has nowhere else to turn so figured he would try to marry Yumi and much off of her for a while or something. I was glad when Yumi turned him down, I mean who proposes to you the day your dad dies when your drunk, he really didn't think that one out. Anyways the end of the book should be interesting can't wait to get there.

Lloyd as a cake

I was thinking some more about the implications of envisioning Lloyd as a cake. In addition to those discussed in class, another possible interpretation is that he is a birthday cake. Since a birthday party celebrates the anniversary of one's birth, and birth and death are just two sides of the same coin, the cake could be another life-cycle reference.

Post 03/20

Hey I just finished reading the assigned section for tuesday and I thought I'd write a post about it. This section of the book is definately where the climax has to be. For starters, Lloyd finally dies and at his funeral Charmey is killed when the Spudnik somehow explodes. After all that has happened Elliot wants to meet with Yumi to apologize for what he has done to her. Yumi winds up getting drunk and she meets Elliot at the liberty falls motel where Elliot then proposes to Yumi. Yumi says no, which is one of the few times in the book where I believe she actually makes the correct decision. While Yumi is at the motel, her son gets sick from eating dirt at the funeral and Cass is forced to drive him to the hospital. After Cass returns from the hospital she tells Yumi about what happened. Yumi doesn't seem to even care about what happened to her son, so Cass yells at Yumi, saying that she is careless. As I mentioned, this has to be where the climax of the book is. One question I would like to ask is why does Yumi seem to make all the wrong decisions? I believe that the reason she is such a bad mother is because of her relationship with Elliot when she was a teenager.

Reaction to AOC

Although Yumi did seem to come from a normal family, some of the events in her child hood were quite disturbing and could possible contribute to how she is raising her own children. She was neighbors with a abusive family and had a mother and father who never really disciplined her. She ran away at the age of fourtteen and was forced to raise three children on her own. Pheonix is almost a mirror image of Yumi. Adventorous and thrill seeking just as Yumi was when she crawled into the cave. Ocean wants to be just like her brother and looks up to him for guidance. Moving to a new town, especially one that your not welcome in can be very difficult for a young child. This could also be a reason that Phoenix is acting out. He doesn't want to see his mother get hurt anymore and would rather just go back to Hawaii.

All Over Creation

I also agree with Kelsey, that Yumi is a rather childish character and a terrible mother to her children. I'm not sure who acts more like the adult, Yumi or her son (they are both very immature). This book has been terribly painful to read through. It is almost pornographic and it quite disturbing to me how some people choose to live. Those who sow destruction often reap the effects of their own destruction. Eliot Rhodes is a prime example of someone who has sown to the wind and is reaping the whirlwind--they end up with nothing in the end. Yumi's children have no father figure (as Will seems to be) and Charmey/Frankie's baby will no doubt grow up empty. This is a very sad book to read.

local or organic article

My first reaction after reading the article is that for a lot of people, local food is simply not feasable. Personally, I find myself unable to spend the money needed to buy local/organic food. That combined with the hoops a person must jump through to find the food hinders the movement.

Reaction to AOC reading

After reading this past chapter in All Over Creation, I would have to say I partly agree with each of the last few posts . Yumi did grow up with somewhat of a scarred childhood, and there were quite a few traumatic events that happened along the way in her life which would in some respect explain why she acts the way she does today, and it sort of justifies her behavior to a certain extent. But when you bring a newborn child into the world all that has to change. You have to be responsible and caregiving at all times during the early stages of the child's life, and you must always be there for them. You must force yourself to coincide and throw out all vices and bad habits, and live by example and be a role model for your kids.

AOC reactions to readings

Ok first of all I would like to say that Yumi's actions are not all her fault, as you have all stated and the book has stated many times, her childhood and overall life was not exactly anything golden or spectacular. I mean she isn't even married and has to take care of three kids, her parents, and try to manage to keep her job and maintain a somewhat normal home for her mother as well as make decisions concerning her father and then has Elliot coming around and scrambling her brain on top of it all. Yumi is under a lot of stress.
Throughout the readings, ex specially for today, we see how stressed out and frustrated and confused Yumi is. We also see how strong of a friendship and bond Cass and Yumi have, even if Cass had a split second thought of hoping that Yumi was dead their friendship still has deep roots. That's another thing I have noticed throughout the book is how obsessed Cass is with babies and children, I mean seriously why doesn't she just adopt one and get it over with or at least stop being so obsessed and like creepy about the whole thing. I am sure that it is hard for Cass not being able to have children and all but does she really need to go to extremes of trying to steal someone Else's kids or wish that her best friend had died to obtain children to call her own?
I also noticed all the symbolism with Elliot and the terminator thing like when he got fired and was told that he got terminated and such.
Just a few thoughts about the reading.

AOC

I also have to agree with Kelsey. Yumi may have had a less than perfect childhood, but that doesn't give her an excuse to keep behaving the way she does. Lots of people have gone through worse situations than her, but still manage to grow up and actually raise their kids. I not only feel sorry for her children; they obviously need their mom, and shouldn't have to keep tabs on her like Phoenix does, but also Cass and Will. Cass shouldn't be wishing Yumi were dead, but she and Will would be better and more deserving parents.

I would definately have to agree with Kelsey on this part of the reading. I know Yumi is in a great deal of emotional pain dealing with the fact that her father is dying, but she still isn't acting like an adult. She is very irresponsible around her children, and she sets a poor example of what a mother should be. If these characters were real, Yumi's children would all grow up to be in need of psychiatric help. I did want to comment on some of the other characters in the book. I did like the fact that Will and Geek were able to talk and work together to put the Momoko's seed website up on the web. To be honest, I think Will is my favorite character in the book because he always tends to be the voice of reason and compassion. The other thing I wanted to say is how even though Yumi wants her life back in Hawaii, she did authorize a feeding tube because she knew her father wasn't ready to die yet, I think this sheds a little light on her character.

Garrett B.

Frustration with AOC

While reading the past few sections of AOC, I have found myself getting very frustrated with Yumi. She is a grown adult with three young children, but yet she can't get herself put together enough to raise them. I understand that her father is dying and that they haven't had the greatest past, but make amends and get your act together. She swears, drinks, and smokes around her children. I agree with what Cass said to her, that maybe she doesn't deserve to have her children. Then, in this section we read for Thursday, she abruptly leaves the hospital, checks into a hotel, and gets drunk... all without telling anybody where she is going. She has absolutely no thought about who's going to take care of her children. If Yumi was a real person, I would probably tell her to grown up.

I just finished the reading assignment for All Over Creation. I think that it kind of suck that Yumi and Lloyd didn't talk thing through and Forgive each other about all the things that they did wrong in the past. I think that they were both just to scared to tell each other how they felt about what happened back then. I mean sure they were getting along better, but they never really understood each other about the whole thing.
I can't believe that Cass wished that Yumi was dead when Cass saw her laying there on the bed in the hotel. I mean sure I know that she wants kids and all, but I don't think thats the way to have kids. Cass and Will could always adopt kids if they want them that badly. Cass doesn't need to go around wishing she could have everyone else's kids.

AOC

Two things really stood out to me in this last section that we read in the AOC. First that Yummy just found out that Lloyd never saw the letters that Yummy wrote to him and Momoko. She didnt really seem to mad a Momoko for hiding them from Lloyd.
The second thing that I thought was interesting, and Garrett commented on this, is that Will was so against the Seeds, but in the end he decides not to press charges. I think Will decided that there is more to life, like family and friends, than the law.

I just read the last section out of AOC and I thought I write a post about it. The one thing I really thought stood out in this section is how Will agreed to drop his lawsuit against the Seeds all because he and his wife were able to hold Charmey's baby. I know Will was really against what the Seeds did to his potato patch, and he really wanted to take legal action. All that changed in a moment when he was able to see Charmey's baby. When he dropped his lawsuit, this of course led to Elliot getting fired from his job. I thought this was a little ironic because he has spent the majority of his career trying to protect the public image of companies like Cynaco, and then he is fired by the company he was representing for something he didn't cause. I suppose the articles Jillian wrote also contributed to the weakening of Elliot's image as a PR rep.

Garrett

Dinner at the New Gene Cafe

Tuesday's reading from Dinner at the New Gene Cafe made me think about the effect of the internet in our lives. Like Allison pointed out, many people no longer have to watch the news or read newspapers; the internet has replaced the need. The internet has made so much more information available to the world. It's important to be informed; however, I think all articles should be examined critically. Like we discussed in class, it's important to consider who is writing the acticle and what his/her bias may be.

Local or Organic is online

You can find Abby Gold's article at http://fargolocalfoods.net/news/gold_local_organic.htm.

Article in High Plains Reader this week

I am not sure how many of you have had the chance to read Abby Gold's "Local or Organic" article in the High Plains Reader Febuary 28th 2008, but it is quite intersting and eye opening. I thought of our english 120 class as soon as I saw the title. I tried to find a link to the article but it was an older article so the High Plains Reader website dosent have it up anymore. I am sure that you could find an old paper laying around somewhere on campus though. If not I will have the article with me in my binder for class if anyone is interested.
The article was broken into several columes: the intro, our industrialized food, industrialized organic food, and a local food economy.
The intorduction for the article simply talked about farmers and how hard it is to sell their products, in this case beef, locally. It also touched on how obtaining an organic liscence was lenghtly but worthwile as Lynn Brakke, a Moorhead beef producer pointed out. I bet that most people in the F-M area didnt even realize that a local organic beef farmer was so close to home and yet he has to ship his beef 250 miles southeast to sell it. How depressing is that.
The 'Our Industrialized Food' section of the article explained how most people today have lost touch with where their food comes from and even though we may live in one of the richest soil areas of the world, many of our foods are shipped from many miles away. This section also talked about the different food selections and costs when it came to poverty vs none poverty regions of cities and communities.
The 'Industrialized Organic Food' section talked about the incredible distances that food travels today and what that does to the value and overall nutritional value of our food. This section also examined the large food corporations taking over the small local mom and pops places and who ownes who today.
The end of the article was the 'A Local Food Economy' section with basically summed the article up and stated that here in the Red River Valley we need to start to use our local food system and allow our local farmers the opportunity to sell local and save fossil fuels and other resources by not having to ship their products to opposite ends of the country or world.
We have the resources right at our finger tips, its up to us to do something and make a difference.
This article was very interesting and thought provoking. I just thought that it would be a good conversation piece to go along with our classes organic and local food topics.

After reading Dinner at the New Gene Cafe, I thought about the Internet and its benefits to the world. The Internet is so huge, that billions of people worldwide use it as a source for anything imaginable. After the Internet, many stopped watching the news or reading newspapers and magazines. They went to the Internet as their source. If it wasn't for the Internet many people may not even know what genetic engineering is. Although you may find some mislead information. It is a good place to go to research GM foods, read one anothers side, and be able to form your own opinion.

Cloning and Labeling

I agree with the 89% of americans that would like labels on cloned food. (in previous post by alyssa) If there is going to be such an argument about it then we should put it up for a vote to the people. I don't understand the big controversy anyways. You cloned our food. Just let us know you did it so we can choose to eat it or not. The world may not work that way but its so simple.

Food labeling...

I really don't have a really big problem with GM crops that we currently have--Bt corn or Roundup tolerant plants. But I personally draw a clear distinction between the plant world and animal world. This controversy regarding GM crops should be decided in the market place via labeling and let the consumers decide which one they want. However, I happen to think that we shouldn't be cloning animals, and that this practice should probably be banned. Each individual state has a right to decide its own laws via the democratic process.

Cloned food labeling

According to an article published on msnbc.com entitiled "States Move to Label Cloned Food", the labeling of cloned animal food is becoming just as controversial as GM food labeling. In the article, it is stressed that many states oppose the nation's decision to not label the cloned food. The article even gives stagoring statistics stating 89% of American's want cloned foods labeled. Currently, thirteen states have introduced bills requiring labels on cloned food. However, many believe these labeling requirements will not make it because the want for GM food labeling was also ignored.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23465310/

MSN talks about investing in seed companies

Noreen Thomas from My Sister's Farm sent out the following link to a story in MSN Money: Could We Run Out of Food?. It is a story about the shortages of food that create an opportunity for investment. The summary line says, "Biofuel production, poor harvests and emerging nations' growing appetites are emptying the world's pantry, sending prices soaring. It's a good time to invest in agricultural stocks." I find the story interesting because it recommends putting money into the big seed companies like Monsanto, a move that, in my opinion, will further consolidate the control of food worldwide by a handful of companies. There is a video in the story too in which a consultant talks about why he thinks investing in these companies is a good idea.

The recommendations in this story are in stark contrast to Fifty Million Farmers, by Richard Heinberg (originally published Published on Friday, November 17, 2006 by Energy Bulletin). About halfway through this essay, Heinberg says, "Is it possible, then, that a solution lies in another direction altogether—perhaps in deliberately de-industrializing production, but doing so intelligently, using information we have gained from the science of ecology, as well as from traditional and indigenous farming methods, in order to reduce environmental impacts while maintaining total yields at a level high enough to avert widespread famine?" About three quarters of the way through, he suggests that we redefine farmers: "We should perhaps start thinking of a farmer as someone with 3 to 50 acres, who uses mostly hand labor and twice a year borrows a small tractor that she or he fuels with ethanol or biodiesel produced on-site."

It would seem that there is a growing consensus that a worldwide food crisis, caused ultimately by a shortage of petroleum, is on the horizon. These two articles suggest alternatives, the first being to make investments and ride the crisis to increased wealth, the second suggesting that everyone start taking a more active role in producing their own food. Personally, I favor the second.

After watching the video on YouTube about the organic farmer, I feel really sorry for him. Him and his wife had to switch to planting organic foods because they could make a better living that way. Now that there are GMOs being blown onto his fields and planting themselves, many of his crops are no longer going to be considered organic. He has to put more money into planting more organic plants to replace those that have been damaged/ contaminated by GMOs. I am personally for GMOs but I feel sorry that his lifestyle is being compromised by something he cannot control.

Video Reaction

The organic farmer makes a very good point in the video. He switched from non-organic crops to organic crops to save his farm which is now being threatened by GMO canola. GMO are a threat to organic farmers because the seeds can plant themselves unintentionally in different fields. The second valid point that is made by a farmer who goes to court against mansanto. Mansanto's seeds like the canola can also transfer farms or crops unintentionally. Mansanto feels that they have the right to go after the farmers that has the seed illegally planted on their land. After hearing these two stories I'm beginning to think more and more that GMO crops are a threat to others and sometimes unnecessary.

DNGC Chapter 16

I just finished reading chapter 16 out of "Dinner At The New Gene Cafe," and I thought this chapter made a really interesting point about how the internet is like a double edged sword for the issue of biotechnology. I read about how Charles Benbrook's analysis of the bleak future of genetically modified food was leaked through the internet, and this had a profound effect on the way people viewed GMOs. Prior to the internet, acquiring information was a much more drawn out process than it is today. Before the internet, companies had the advantage of making information about their products relativley well known, without much room for argument; however, the internet has revolutionized the way people communicate, and information sharing is now much easier than it was in the past.

Thanks
Garrett

AOC

I like AOC, but I'm not a big fan of hippies. I don't mind when the seeds do nonviolent actions to educate the masses but destroying the property of a farmer they know is just trying to get by crosses the line in my book. If they want to make an impact why wouldn't they concentrate their efforts on the corporation instead of the farmer who has little or no choice these days? And they probably smell too.

Video Reaction

I am on the side of Percy Schmeiser. It is too bad that the concept of GM foods was created by corporations and is being used for profit. I think that GM foods are a tool of the future, a future where there is more people than our current means of food production can feed. But that day is in the very distant future. Right now we have more than enough food to feed the people of the world. You would think that people would think things through a little bit more thoroughly when it comes to something as powerful as the building blocks of life, especially in the times we live in.

While reading these two books, I've learned some things about GM foods. I took note on something that Elliot, from All Over Creation, said. He stated that, "GE foods should have been labeled from the get-go." He is certainly right. Everyone has a right to know what is being put in to their foods whether people think they are good or bad.

AOC Characters

The individuals actions in All Over Creation are a little absurd. Throwing pies in ones face seems a little immature. They have some outrageous point of views and actions themselves, but are not accepting of other people's ways. I like the idea that they are there to help the elders and I also like that they are taking a stand for what they believe, but some of their actions are quite extreme.
I guess I just wouldn't be one of these individuals that go to such extreme, but then again I don't feel that I have a strong enough concern for their issue.

DNGC

I'm sorry. Although this book gives a lot of good information for papers and such, I really just get bored reading it. I really don't like this book as much as AOC. I don't exactly know what I don't like about it either. It's just not a book I would recommend to people for "fun" reading.

AOC

I really like the All Over Creation book. It's a story but still has information. It's hard to read something when it's boring, but this book is definately not boring. A reader can pertain some of the incidents in this book to their own life. The characters were well thought out. Although, I don't exactly like when it switches from scene to scene. It gets confusing sometimes and you have to go back and think about what happened with that character before. I would like it to be just a straight forward book.

AOC

I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion about genetically-modified food. I thought it was fine when the seeds were handing out brochures. However, destroying other people's property is not. I don't think this is a very effective way to demostrate their opinion; it's not even respectable.

Watching this video was interesting because it showed another farmer's perspective. I grew up on a farm in central North Dakota and seeing GM fields are very, very common. I also haven't been very exposed to organic farming until recently. While it is unfair that the organic farmer shown in the video had to suffer because of GM seeds blowing on his field, I don't think the neighboring farmer should be blamed.

AOC

When reading other blogs I agree with their opinions mostly on the seeds. The seeds are imposing their views in the wrong way. Everyone has a right to think what they want and try to get their views out for people to understand, but they cant destroy things to do it. When they were ripping up the persons field it makes you dislike them. Just because those people do not believe in the same values does not mean you can impose on them and ruin what they have worked for. The seeds were okay when they were first introduced but now I don't like them and they are a hassle.

Video Reaction

I am also for GM crops. I grew up in Southwest MN where it was not uncommon to see a field of GM crops and until this class I never really thought about other possibilities. I don't know if i grew up in a different place if i would be more aware of other things or if i would think GMs where more of a problem. Even with thinking GMs foods are okay I do not think it is right for organic farmers to suffer for things they can not control. It's not there fault that the wind carries product onto their fields they can not help it and should not be punished for it.

AOC

I am all for GM crops. However I think that everyone has a right to his/her own opinion. They can do what they want including protesting. However I dont think that protesters should go as far as the Seeds did by ripping up some guys field. That's illegal and they are not setting a very good example. Protesters need to obey the law like everyone else. If the law says that farmers can plant GM crops, then let those farmers plant them.
Reading Alyssa's post made me think about what she said about opinions and if they are truly ours or someone elses. I would like to think that what I think about something is all my opinion, but is it?. It makes me wonder if I amfor GM crops just because my dad raises them. Or if I would be against GM crops if someone close to me was? I'm not sure of the answer to these questions. Thats kind of scary.

All Over Creation--Reaction to the Reading

As I became more engrossed in the book, I found myself growering more attached to the characters. I almost felt like I had a personal connection with each of them. Ozeki made me feel like a part of the world she created.

For example, when I was first introduced to the Seeds of Resistance, I understood their causes a little. But soon, I started to change my opinion of them.

It seems that too many people let themselves be influenced by the opinions of others. When the Seeds started trying to impose their views on Llloyd, I drew back a little. To me, it seemed like they were almost brainwashing him. They took one extreme belief of Lloyd's and intertwined it with their causes.

It makes me wonder what opinions I really hold. I want to know which opinions are really mine and which ones are simply those imposed on me by others. Sometimes, I find myself repeating the words of someone when I become engaged in an argument. This causes me to wonder if I really believe what I'm saying or if I simply am passing on the information given to me by others.

All Over Creation

The events in All Over Creation build and play out rather quickly; everything is in order for the potato party and goes accordingly except for the sudden appearance of the cops and then turmoil breaks out among the crowd. There seems to be a lot of hidden emotions going on between Elliot and Yummy as well as between Cass and Will, we start to see how complicated relationships can be and how something as small as a ‘seed’ can cause a sudden change in a relationship, be it family, job related, friendship, neighbor, or lover. This book has a little bit of everything and says a lot about human nature and life in general. All Over Creation has a completely different writing style from Dinner at the New Gene Café however, it lets us view GMOs and farming with a creative twist and almost seems more realistic at times.

Reaction to Video

I am not yet sure of how I stand when it comes to GMOs and Organics, although after watching the video posted on our website, I have become a little suspicious towards the GMO’s but still do not entirely or by any means at all really, believe that GMOs are terrible and should never have been invented. It is true that large GM companies should not have the right to do whatever with anyone’s land due to Mother Nature’s natural effects, however laws are laws and perhaps organic farmers should choose their field locations more carefully. Then again, maybe GMOs should not plant right next to an organic field. All of these questions and problems will take years perhaps decades to overcome. I find these issues, the video very interesting, and though invoking.

Having grown up and worked on a farm for most of my life, I can’t help but poke a few questions at the books and this video. The background music in this video was just about enough to make me want to hang myself. Monsanto should not have been using strong arm tactics against small individual farmers. That was a huge mistake on their part. Sadly it went all the way to the Canadian Supreme Court. The case always was a sham, and Monsanto is now feeling the wrath of an incensed public. Monsanto mishandled every aspect of GM crops. What “biotechnology” represents is power. Power can either be used for good or for harm. The knife blade can either help heal someone (via surgical procedures) when in a skilled doctor’s hands, or that same blade can be used to wantonly destroy. This biotechnology debate is over the application of how to use this ability. Monsanto has historically been a chemical company, but has recently changed the corporate direction into a life sciences company. Their shift has been towards plant breeding—notably resistance of Roundup herbicide. Before we had Roundup, there was no way to control quackgrass or other invasive weeds. The roots of it went underground and spread shoots through the soil to multiply. The only way to control it was to cultivate it out, which meant the entire piece of ground would sit idle for an entire year while a farmer spent half the summer cultivating very deep into the ground to bring up the roots, which were later burned. Roundup has made our lives so much easier controlling quackgrass and other pervasive weeds. I could go on and on about milkweed as well, but I’ll refrain today. FYI, the patent is off Roundup. Glyphosate (the active ingredient in Roundup) is now available under many generic brands and for a fraction of the cost. It’s cheap, it’s safe, and it works. It is a systemic herbicide, which means that even if only a little chemical contacts the plant, the chemical will get into the entire plant and kill it. Liberty was another chemical used, but it was only a contact killer. Roundup kills the entire plant. However, there are some species of plants that it is weak on, and some that it doesn’t kill at all—namely buckwheat. For the rest, it is much safer and much easier to apply than any conventional chemical ever will be. Harmony can drift ¼ mile in the wind and destroy nearby crops. Other chemicals are much more prone to drift. Roundup is pathetically easy to apply and very safe. This demonizing of Monsanto is really not helpful. Patenting varieties is nothing new. That’s how we ended up with rust resistant wheat, after the rust years in the 50s and 60s ruined a lot of wheat crops. Plant breeders are always trying to breed resistance into crops. Without the specially developed varieties, we would be SOL. I have no idea how a crop could become resistant to Roundup. I suppose it is theoretically possible, but if it is possible it will probably take years, maybe even decades. Roundup is not like the sulfunylurea chemicals, like Glean, that the weeds became easily resistant to (ala kochia). We now have resistant kochia to some chemicals, and also resistant wild oats to other chemicals. I suppose that if something showed signs of developing resistance to glyphosate, research would be done into finding a solution for that. However, I don't think the apocalyptic rhetoric is really necessary.

Video Reaction

I don't really agree with organic farming. Maybe it was the way I was raised, but I don't really know. Anyway after watching the you tube video that was posted on the class web site, I realize that organic farmers have just as much of a right to their property as non-organic farmers. I even felt bad for the organic farmer that was in the video. Having someone elses roundup ready canola being blown onto his field can be a real problem, especially for an organic farmer. I also think that they can't blame the other farmer for what mother nature has done. It not fair. Farmers need to except each other, wether they are organic famrers or not.