Here’s another reason to stay away from genetically modified foods–it keeps you safe from the Seed Gestapo aka Monsanto. Buying and using patented seeds can get you fined, put you in prison, or get you guillotined, if you dare cross Big Brother Monsanto and use the seeds in a way that “violates” your contract. This includes saving some of the seeds to sow for the next season, something that farmers have been doing since the dawn of time.

But if farmers do that, Monsanto loses money. They want every farmer to buy fresh seeds every season. Now, I have no idea what the contract states, but personally, I think if you’re a farmer, you have to have a few screws loose to get involved with Monsanto and their punitive contracts. And fear not, Monsanto has garnered a huge “seed police force” and will prosecute you if you violate the contract in any way, shape or form.

So, just one more reason to encourage farmers to stay clear of Monsanto and their fancy patented seeds. Buy organic veggies and fruits, which are grown using old fashioned seeds, and keeps Monsanto out of the food supply.

Here is some information on the Monsanto and their army corps of seed whackers, from the Organic Consumers Association:

Monsanto Keeps Up Attack on Seed Saving Farmers

Since the advent of farming, thousands of years ago, farmers have carefully collected seeds at harvest so as to have enough seed for the next year’s planting. Concerned that seed saving by farmers reduces their profits, seed and biotech giants like Monsanto have rammed though controversial “intellectual property laws” in numerous countries that make traditional seed saving a crime. Last year, Monsanto harassed and/or sued more than 500 U.S. farmers who saved their seeds, forcing them to pay the company over $15 million in fines, including up to 8 month long prison sentences

Another powerful earthquake in Indonesia–just what the people there need right now. Reports differ slightly, ranging from 8.2 to 8.5, but either way, it’s a strong quake. And in some ways, it sounds more powerful than the last one. The shaking lasted for two minutes, which is a very very long time for an earthquake. I know, it doesn’t sound like much to those of you who have never experienced an earthquake, but believe me, two minutes is like having a hurricane last for two weeks.

Also, the earthquake was felt as far away as Thailand and Malaysia, and actually jolted people out of bed. In comparison, the Dec. 26 one was only felt in and around Sumatra, and the resulting tsunami was a very unpleasant surprise to those having breakfast in Phuket, Thailand.

Anyway, not much is known at this point, except that it occurred very close to the spot as the one on Dec 26. No news yet of tsunamis, although I think if one was going to hit Indonesia, it would have happened by now. Tsunamis do not always occur after earthquakes, so perhaps the people will have a reprieve this time.

Stay tuned for updates…

Conspiracy and cover-up. Deliberately hidden data showing detrimental health effects. According to an article in Cnet.com, the cell phone industry is the next Big Tobacco.

Very interesting. Cell phones are an addicting habit, enjoyable, and very popular. Same as cigarettes. And no one wants to know that these habits may be detrimental to your health, least of all the companies making billions on the product.

Unfortunately, studies start to appear showing that the product might be harmful to its users–even cancer-causing. The product’s manufacturers deny the presence of any danger and even spend millions of dollars trying to discredit the research that points to problems. Then, an insider emerges, seemingly with proof that the product could be dangerous. The industry agrees to publish warning data about the product, but continues to maintain that the product itself is safe for use. Lawsuits against the product’s manufacturers are filed, but all are dismissed. Industry analysts know that any case that does succeed could start a domino effect of future lawsuits, which keeps the industry determined to maintain that the product is harmless, despite increasing evidence to the contrary.

Cnet is talking about cell phones in this instance, although the above paragraph is a dead-ringer (pardon the double pun) for tobacco. But a number of studies have resulted in disturbing results, such as increased rate of brain cancer deaths, development of tumors, and genetic damage among heavy cell phone users. One study from Europe also showed that without a doubt, radio waves from mobile phones do, damage DNA and other cells in the body.

If you’re a heavy cell phone user, this data may be something to think about. Anyway, it’s an interesting article, so read it at your own peril….