On December 14, 1981 a resolution was proposed in the United Nations General Assembly which declared that "education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development are human rights". Notice the "proper nourishment". The resolution was approved by a vote of 135-1. The United States cast the only "No" vote.
A year later, December 18, 1982, an identical resolution was proposed in the General Assembly. It was approved by a vote of 131-1. The United States cast the only "No" vote.
The following year, December 16, 1983, the resolution was again put forth, a common practice at the United Nations. This time it was approved by a vote of 132-1. There's no need to tell you who cast the sole "No" vote.
These votes took place under the Reagan administration.
Under the Clinton administration, in 1996, a United Nations-sponsored World Food Summit affirmed the "right of everyone to have access to safe and nutritious food". The United States took issue with this, insisting that it does not recognize a "right to food". Washington instead championed free trade as the key to ending the poverty at the root of hunger, and expressed fears that recognition of a "right to food" could lead to lawsuits from poor nations seeking aid and special trade provisions.[1]
The situation of course did not improve under the administration of George W. Bush. In 2002, in Rome, world leaders at another U.N.-sponsored World Food Summit again approved a declaration that everyone had the right to "safe and nutritious food". The United States continued to oppose the clause, again fearing it would leave them open to future legal claims by famine-stricken countries.[2]
from http://members.aol.com/bblum6/aer57.htm
Add to this, now, the large agrobusinesses are using increasing amounts of corn for fuel [it is more carbon-intensive than petroleum - not less] and the high price of oil [a result of both peak-oil and the War in Iraq and general political tensions, plus speculation on the futures and derivatives markets] and voila - food riots around the world - hundreds of millions at peril of starvation [beyond the normal number who die of malnutrition and starvation yearly - mostly children]. Not all, but much due to the policies of the multinational corporations and their 'protector' (the US Government and its Military and Intelligence apparatus). The WTO, World Bank, IMF and other such, have been the main instruments of destroying food industries in poorer countries; forcing them to buy more expensive American foods [Haiti and rice the classic - but far from the only example]. Even in the Empire, food and fuel prices are starting to hurt the growing poor and lower middle classes. The world can no longer 'afford' nor bear the burden of the Corporate Capitalism as practiced in the USA and being spread around the World.
Then there are the issues of GM foods - mostly coming from Monsanto, Cargill and other US Huge Agrobusinesses.....for another post.
It is now clear multinational (huge) corporations are threatening the Planet and life on it. Their main champion and protector - if not 'Crusader Force' is the USG.
Alternately the EU and their ridiculous mismanagement of commercial fisheries can be easily blamed for the devastation of fisheries across the central Atlantic. Ditto for China and Japan and the ensuing commercial fishieries ciris in Asia.
And we can blame Chine and INdia for working their way out of poverty and increasingly demanding more food, more meat, developing areas that were formerly used for crops.
And we can blame drought in Australia and poor weather in Southeast Asia for crop shortages.
And we can blame speculators worldwide for running up commodity prices.
And we can blame consumers worldwide for hoparding rice, causing a panic.
And we can blame leftist environmentialists for demaning increases in biofuels without enough foresight to see that alternative to corn biofuel are the better answer (algae-based biofuel, bio diesel from veegtable oil, switchgrass, sugar cane)
And we can blame right wing oil execs and their cronies in governments from Canada to Venezuela to the US to Africa for running a cartel which has increased prices.
And we can go back and blame Africa for using more fertilzier to expand crop production, thereby causing a huge spike in the cost of bulk fertilizer, which oif course uses petroleum byproduct for development.
Simple answer isn't it. but of course ultimately it must be me and every denizen of the UNited States- the great evil- that's to blame for every harsdship real or imagined...
On a final note- support local farms, support organic farms, drive less like a maniac, fish for your own seafood, bring tote bags to the grocery instead of using plastic, recycle, eat beef rare (less energy to cook
).
And we can blame Chine and INdia for working their way out of poverty and increasingly demanding more food, more meat, developing areas that were formerly used for crops.
And we can blame drought in Australia and poor weather in Southeast Asia for crop shortages.
And we can blame speculators worldwide for running up commodity prices.
And we can blame consumers worldwide for hoparding rice, causing a panic.
And we can blame leftist environmentialists for demaning increases in biofuels without enough foresight to see that alternative to corn biofuel are the better answer (algae-based biofuel, bio diesel from veegtable oil, switchgrass, sugar cane)
And we can blame right wing oil execs and their cronies in governments from Canada to Venezuela to the US to Africa for running a cartel which has increased prices.
And we can go back and blame Africa for using more fertilzier to expand crop production, thereby causing a huge spike in the cost of bulk fertilizer, which oif course uses petroleum byproduct for development.
Simple answer isn't it. but of course ultimately it must be me and every denizen of the UNited States- the great evil- that's to blame for every harsdship real or imagined...
On a final note- support local farms, support organic farms, drive less like a maniac, fish for your own seafood, bring tote bags to the grocery instead of using plastic, recycle, eat beef rare (less energy to cook
).Hi Scott,
I've often wondered why more people don't take responsibility for their own food production. Maybe we will see more of this in future. I suppose that people are trained like Pavlov's dogs to be passive consumers instead of self reliant. Certainly in Australia it was common practice until a few decades ago to have a couple or more fruit trees in the back yard and a vegie patch even some chooks. Even though there has been lots of subdivision in the suburbs most places here still have enough room to grow many things. Local councils could help by planting fruit trees on the foot paths and parks. I bought an apple tree the other day that grows about 3 meters high but only 60 cms wide. Something like this can even grow on a balcony and there are many other dwarf varieties of fruit trees. Vegies can be grown in pots which is good if you are renting and have to move on you can take your garden with you. It is not so difficult to do and is very rewarding in many ways. The cost saving for one and the satisfaction of being part of the whole process and the superior taste and quality and freshness. While many things such as rice are unlikely to be grown in a back yard or balcony many staples and certainly salad type plants can. A decentralized approach to food production is also better for disease control.
QUOTE
Simple answer isn't it. but of course ultimately it must be me and every denizen of the UNited States- the great evil- that's to blame for every harsdship real or imagined...
On a final note- support local farms, support organic farms, drive less like a maniac, fish for your own seafood, bring tote bags to the grocery instead of using plastic, recycle, eat beef rare (less energy to cook laugh.gif ).
On a final note- support local farms, support organic farms, drive less like a maniac, fish for your own seafood, bring tote bags to the grocery instead of using plastic, recycle, eat beef rare (less energy to cook laugh.gif ).
All of these personal actions are great things to do and while you and many others are doing these things it is not enough. It is a human right to have access to food and the 'free market' is no guarantee of meeting any one's needs. I was not aware that the US was the only country not to support this basic human right but I am not surprised given the contempt they show to their own citizens and other inhabitants of this planet. The EU may have many faults but they are resisting the push by corporate interests to impose genetically engineered foods. It is only through a combination of personal actions and policy that things will change for the better. While you and I can be forever recycling, fishing, shopping locally and bringing our own bags when we do it will only be when governments implement sane policies with the needs of the planet and people, not corporate profits in mind that there will be quantum changes. Why does the oil industry even need any subsidies at all? They have never made so much profit ever. It is just corporate welfare. If they had funded the solar and renewable industries the way they do the fossil fuel industries we would be decades ahead of where we are now. I have never met a consumer who has ever wanted pig genes in their tomatoes or other such grotesqueries. Why do we have that? GE foods are not meeting consumer need but a corporate need to control the food chain. The abolition of corporate personhood would be a good place to start but this is a legislative action and not something that you or I can do as individuals. US corporations are not the only one's to worry about by any means however the US government and the 'free market' policy push that they and their corporations have been on about for many years now has just wreaked havoc on the world and must be stopped. Please don't be defensive if I or Peter criticize the US government. We know that there are many people there who abhor what the government does and also that the US is not the only government involved in destroying the planet and our lives with insane economic policies and corporate externalities. I don't see anything imaginary about that.
QUOTE(Maggie Hansen @ May 4 2008, 07:35 AM) 
Hi Scott,
I've often wondered why more people don't take responsibility for their own food production. Maybe we will see more of this in future. I suppose that people are trained like Pavlov's dogs to be passive consumers instead of self reliant. Certainly in Australia it was common practice until a few decades ago to have a couple or more fruit trees in the back yard and a vegie patch even some chooks. Even though there has been lots of subdivision in the suburbs most places here still have enough room to grow many things. Local councils could help by planting fruit trees on the foot paths and parks. I bought an apple tree the other day that grows about 3 meters high but only 60 cms wide. Something like this can even grow on a balcony and there are many other dwarf varieties of fruit trees. Vegies can be grown in pots which is good if you are renting and have to move on you can take your garden with you. It is not so difficult to do and is very rewarding in many ways. The cost saving for one and the satisfaction of being part of the whole process and the superior taste and quality and freshness. While many things such as rice are unlikely to be grown in a back yard or balcony many staples and certainly salad type plants can. A decentralized approach to food production is also better for disease control.
All of these personal actions are great things to do and while you and many others are doing these things it is not enough. It is a human right to have access to food and the 'free market' is no guarantee of meeting any one's needs. I was not aware that the US was the only country not to support this basic human right but I am not surprised given the contempt they show to their own citizens and other inhabitants of this planet. The EU may have many faults but they are resisting the push by corporate interests to impose genetically engineered foods. It is only through a combination of personal actions and policy that things will change for the better. While you and I can be forever recycling, fishing, shopping locally and bringing our own bags when we do it will only be when governments implement sane policies with the needs of the planet and people, not corporate profits in mind that there will be quantum changes. Why does the oil industry even need any subsidies at all? They have never made so much profit ever. It is just corporate welfare. If they had funded the solar and renewable industries the way they do the fossil fuel industries we would be decades ahead of where we are now. I have never met a consumer who has ever wanted pig genes in their tomatoes or other such grotesqueries. Why do we have that? GE foods are not meeting consumer need but a corporate need to control the food chain. The abolition of corporate personhood would be a good place to start but this is a legislative action and not something that you or I can do as individuals. US corporations are not the only one's to worry about by any means however the US government and the 'free market' policy push that they and their corporations have been on about for many years now has just wreaked havoc on the world and must be stopped. Please don't be defensive if I or Peter criticize the US government. We know that there are many people there who abhor what the government does and also that the US is not the only government involved in destroying the planet and our lives with insane economic policies and corporate externalities. I don't see anything imaginary about that.
I've often wondered why more people don't take responsibility for their own food production. Maybe we will see more of this in future. I suppose that people are trained like Pavlov's dogs to be passive consumers instead of self reliant. Certainly in Australia it was common practice until a few decades ago to have a couple or more fruit trees in the back yard and a vegie patch even some chooks. Even though there has been lots of subdivision in the suburbs most places here still have enough room to grow many things. Local councils could help by planting fruit trees on the foot paths and parks. I bought an apple tree the other day that grows about 3 meters high but only 60 cms wide. Something like this can even grow on a balcony and there are many other dwarf varieties of fruit trees. Vegies can be grown in pots which is good if you are renting and have to move on you can take your garden with you. It is not so difficult to do and is very rewarding in many ways. The cost saving for one and the satisfaction of being part of the whole process and the superior taste and quality and freshness. While many things such as rice are unlikely to be grown in a back yard or balcony many staples and certainly salad type plants can. A decentralized approach to food production is also better for disease control.
QUOTE
Simple answer isn't it. but of course ultimately it must be me and every denizen of the UNited States- the great evil- that's to blame for every harsdship real or imagined...
On a final note- support local farms, support organic farms, drive less like a maniac, fish for your own seafood, bring tote bags to the grocery instead of using plastic, recycle, eat beef rare (less energy to cook laugh.gif ).
On a final note- support local farms, support organic farms, drive less like a maniac, fish for your own seafood, bring tote bags to the grocery instead of using plastic, recycle, eat beef rare (less energy to cook laugh.gif ).
All of these personal actions are great things to do and while you and many others are doing these things it is not enough. It is a human right to have access to food and the 'free market' is no guarantee of meeting any one's needs. I was not aware that the US was the only country not to support this basic human right but I am not surprised given the contempt they show to their own citizens and other inhabitants of this planet. The EU may have many faults but they are resisting the push by corporate interests to impose genetically engineered foods. It is only through a combination of personal actions and policy that things will change for the better. While you and I can be forever recycling, fishing, shopping locally and bringing our own bags when we do it will only be when governments implement sane policies with the needs of the planet and people, not corporate profits in mind that there will be quantum changes. Why does the oil industry even need any subsidies at all? They have never made so much profit ever. It is just corporate welfare. If they had funded the solar and renewable industries the way they do the fossil fuel industries we would be decades ahead of where we are now. I have never met a consumer who has ever wanted pig genes in their tomatoes or other such grotesqueries. Why do we have that? GE foods are not meeting consumer need but a corporate need to control the food chain. The abolition of corporate personhood would be a good place to start but this is a legislative action and not something that you or I can do as individuals. US corporations are not the only one's to worry about by any means however the US government and the 'free market' policy push that they and their corporations have been on about for many years now has just wreaked havoc on the world and must be stopped. Please don't be defensive if I or Peter criticize the US government. We know that there are many people there who abhor what the government does and also that the US is not the only government involved in destroying the planet and our lives with insane economic policies and corporate externalities. I don't see anything imaginary about that.
Americans have become, with the exception of farmers and a small minority who grow their own or are more in touch with nature and their own foods, a nation of Corporate food eaters. A study some decades back found that most grade-school children could not make the connection between orange juice coming from an orange or a tree somewhere - but thought it came from a factory somewhere. Food additives and preservatives are ubiqitous - many people eat foods totally artificially flavored, colored and preserved - and likely with a base of some GM/GE product.
Here in Europe I find many who still take advantage of the forest for mushrooms, berries, herbs, but in the USA most have no knowledge and no care to do so. In the American Southwest where sage is one of the principle and omnipresent plants everywhere, the average housewife there would buy a bottle of dried sage in the grocery, never thinking to pick it just outside their home - nor that it was the same. This has been the Agrobusiness conspiracy. The fast-food industry another.
There was an active movement in the USA to destroy or destabilize communes, collectives or groups who tried to 'move back to Nature'. The Berkeley Barter Collective's destruction is well documented. 'Health' regulations and other 'city codes' are used to stop or fine local produce markets - in favor of huge grocery chains that contain foods that ON AVERAGE have travell
d 4,000 miles [thus greatly increasing their cost and a loss of freshness]Add to that, all the pesticides and intensive use of petroleum for the pesticides, farming
techniques, transport, refrigeration, over-lit groceries and promotion of over-milled; over-modified; non-whole-grain or fresh foods and you see the effects - cancer; overweight nation; unhealthy; increasingly unable to afford the foods; overconsumption of meats [full of growth hormones and other problem chemicals] and fats - often the very bad varieties.
I could go on - but will not just now. It is total madness - again Big Business madness - profits without thought for the health, people, Planet or anything else.
In the 50s it took one calorie of energy to produce one calorie of food in the USA. Now it takes 15! Real increase in efficiency - not to mention the decline in variety, freshness, increases in price and deleterious additives. Junk Food Nation. Junk Food Economic Model.
I heard the other month from somewhere, can't remember off the top of my head, that Nestles now owns Jenny Craig. I think also one of the 'food'- tobacco conglomerates now produces the nicotine patches to quit smoking.
QUOTE(Peter Lemkin @ May 4 2008, 10:32 AM)
Americans have become, with the exception of farmers and a small minority who grow their own or are more in touch with nature and their own foods, a nation of Corporate food eaters. A study some decades back found that most grade-school children could not make the connection between orange juice coming from an orange or a tree somewhere - but thought it came from a factory somewhere. Food additives and preservatives are ubiqitous - many people eat foods totally artificially flavored, colored and preserved - and likely with a base of some GM/GE product.
Here in Europe I find many who still take advantage of the forest for mushrooms, berries, herbs, but in the USA most have no knowledge and no care to do so. In the American Southwest where sage is one of the principle and omnipresent plants everywhere, the average housewife there would buy a bottle of dried sage in the grocery, never thinking to pick it just outside their home - nor that it was the same. This has been the Agrobusiness conspiracy. The fast-food industry another.
There was an active movement in the USA to destroy or destabilize communes, collectives or groups who tried to 'move back to Nature'. The Berkeley Barter Collective's destruction is well documented. 'Health' regulations and other 'city codes' are used to stop or fine local produce markets - in favor of huge grocery chains that contain foods that ON AVERAGE have travell
d 4,000 miles [thus greatly increasing their cost and a loss of freshness]Add to that, all the pesticides and intensive use of petroleum for the pesticides, farming
techniques, transport, refrigeration, over-lit groceries and promotion of over-milled; over-modified; non-whole-grain or fresh foods and you see the effects - cancer; overweight nation; unhealthy; increasingly unable to afford the foods; overconsumption of meats [full of growth hormones and other problem chemicals] and fats - often the very bad varieties.
I could go on - but will not just now. It is total madness - again Big Business madness - profits without thought for the health, people, Planet or anything else.
In the 50s it took one calorie of energy to produce one calorie of food in the USA. Now it takes 15! Real increase in efficiency - not to mention the decline in variety, freshness, increases in price and deleterious additives. Junk Food Nation. Junk Food Economic Model.
Here in Europe I find many who still take advantage of the forest for mushrooms, berries, herbs, but in the USA most have no knowledge and no care to do so. In the American Southwest where sage is one of the principle and omnipresent plants everywhere, the average housewife there would buy a bottle of dried sage in the grocery, never thinking to pick it just outside their home - nor that it was the same. This has been the Agrobusiness conspiracy. The fast-food industry another.
There was an active movement in the USA to destroy or destabilize communes, collectives or groups who tried to 'move back to Nature'. The Berkeley Barter Collective's destruction is well documented. 'Health' regulations and other 'city codes' are used to stop or fine local produce markets - in favor of huge grocery chains that contain foods that ON AVERAGE have travell
d 4,000 miles [thus greatly increasing their cost and a loss of freshness]Add to that, all the pesticides and intensive use of petroleum for the pesticides, farming
techniques, transport, refrigeration, over-lit groceries and promotion of over-milled; over-modified; non-whole-grain or fresh foods and you see the effects - cancer; overweight nation; unhealthy; increasingly unable to afford the foods; overconsumption of meats [full of growth hormones and other problem chemicals] and fats - often the very bad varieties.
I could go on - but will not just now. It is total madness - again Big Business madness - profits without thought for the health, people, Planet or anything else.
In the 50s it took one calorie of energy to produce one calorie of food in the USA. Now it takes 15! Real increase in efficiency - not to mention the decline in variety, freshness, increases in price and deleterious additives. Junk Food Nation. Junk Food Economic Model.
I agree for the most part- especially about additives like high-fructose corn syrup. However the meteroic rise (once again) of farmers and produce markets in the last few years had been amazing. We here in St. Petersburg now host the largest open air farmers market in the SOutheast, and dozens have started in the last two years. Fresh, organic ,locally-produced- buzzwords for the new milenium to be sure, but it's taking hold with so many people I know. Here in Florida, we alreayd have an abundance of fruit trees and edible plants- I think people are more in tune with what's out there for the taking.
Your observations of US attitudes towards food are about five years out of date, in that there has been a major paradigm shift across the board- from restaurants to groceries to even Wal-Mart (the great Satan themselves) to support locally-produced food, organic food, etc. And you can appreciate that kosher food variety and availability is at its highest ever.
On the other hand, as someone who cooks, agri-business has allowed for a greater variety of unusual and exotic ingredients to be available. Both good and bad with this.
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