Kellog’s using GM ingredients

Fuel vs Food

(NaturalNews) The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) has called for a boycott of the Kellogg Company, also known as Kellogg’s, after the company refused to sign a pledge refusing to use genetically modified sugar in its cereal products.

Sugar from genetically modified sugar beets hit the U.S. market for the first time this year, making the beets the first genetically engineered crop to enter the U.S. food stream since the widespread introduction of modified corn and soy in the 1990s. The sugar has been modified by the Monsanto Corporation to be resistant to the company’s signature herbicide, Roundup.

“These GE sugar beets do not provide any environmental, nutritional or food quality benefits whatsoever,” the OCA said. “They are created by Monsanto to withstand massive doses of herbicides and keep farmers on a never ending pesticide treadmill that is bad news for rural communities, the environment and consumers. The bottom line is that there are numerous options to GE sugar beets.”

More than 73 food producers and retailers have signed a pledge not to use genetically modified sugar in their products. When asked by the OCA to make such a pledge, however, Kellogg’s said it had no intention of doing so. While the company will make sure not to use modified sugar in any of its European products — the European Union has not approved sugar from the beets for human consumption — Kellogg’s insists that U.S. consumers do not care if their food is genetically modified.

“However, poll after poll have demonstrated that Americans want GE foods labeled and restricted,” the OCA said.

The OCA said that it decided to launch a Kellogg’s boycott only after the company refused to heed more than 15,000 letters asking the company not to use the modified beet sugar. In addition, the company clearly has the logistical ability to avoid genetically modified sugar, since it is already doing so for its European products.

• About the boycott: www.organicconsumers.org

• About biotechnology and U.S. food labeling: www.fda.gov

R.I.P – Albert Hoffman (1906 – 2008)

Fellow Psycholics,

I was just informed about the death of Dr. Albert Hoffman…

One thing which always amazed me about him was that he never lost sight of his quest for knowledge and scientific inquiry even though he had crossed all borders of human consciousness. Somehow he rededicated his brilliant intellect to benefit humanity.

I guess in many ways he has blown our minds which is not a bad thing but not always a good thing either :-p

Incidently, Bicycle day (The day he intentionally dosed himself with LSD) was celebrated just sometime ago (April 19th)

And to think he gave us the gift of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds while trying to develop a relief medication for headaches !!

For those of you who havent yet read “My problem Child” authored by Hoffman… try and do so when its possible.

His spirit will live on… and who knows maybe in another lifetime he will cross our paths!

“Today a new sun rises
Look in the mirror
there’s no surprises
Things ain’t what they used to be
Cary Grant’s on L.S.D.

If I only had time
I’d think of the perfect crime
If I only had time
I’d think of the perfect crime

It’s the only way to be
From here to eternity
Things ain’t what they used to be
We’re living under a false economy

If I only had time
I’d think of the perfect crime
If I only had time
I’d think of the perfect crime

A million mums are hooked on valium
And you should see what you
have done to them
Things ain’t what they used to be
A generation raised on poverty

If I only had time
I’d think of the perfect crime
If I only had time
I’d think of the perfect crime

Time
Time”

The GodFathers – If I only had time

Indian Government blunders with affidavit regarding Ram Setu

Finally our beloved Government have done themselves in by making a statement regarding the Ramayana.

The controversy has now reached the level of the office of the Prime Minister who was contacted by the leaders of the opposition party to protest against the government affidavit before the Supreme Court saying epics were not historical records that could prove the existence of Lord Ram.

The government has told the apex court in an affidavit filed Monday 10th September : “The Valmiki Ramayana, the Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas and other mythological texts, which admittedly form an ancient part of Indian literature, cannot be said to be historical records to incontrovertibly prove the existence of the characters or the occurrence of the events depicted therein.“

This affidavit was in response to a query whether the Ram Sethu, geographically known as Adam’s Bridge, could be declared a protected monument.

The affidavit can be considered nothing short of blasphemous and an insult to the generations of Hindu’s and people in India who have grown up with the Ramayana.

In a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, objecting to the content of the affidavit, the opposition leader has said – “Ramayana is not only a religious epic but also a national heritage and part of the culture of this country.“

Nationwide protests to show support for saving Ram Setu!

Many independent groups chose today Sept 12, 2007 to stage a nationwide protest against the Supreme Courts decision to give the go ahead for the Sethusamudram project. The rallies are being stormed by hard line Hindus to campaign against the proposed shipping canal project between India and Sri Lanka.

Unfortunately the Indian media is resorting to some really superficial journalism and not realizing the depth of the matter.

Would Australia agree to destroy the great barrier reefs so ships can save 600kms of travel? I think not !

I just finished watching an interview with Dr. Praveen Togadia on the “Headlines Today” news channel which had an absolutely pig headed and arrogant anchor – Zakka Jacob. He made many incriminating statements and chose to deal with the interviewee in a aggressive manner showing utter disregard for not just religious sentiments but also India’s heritage and rich ecological wealth that needs to be protected. What a blowjob this Zakka chap is!

While we are talking thorium deposits, unique and diverse marine species and a natural barrier against tsunami’s, the news anchors are more worried about the traffic jams and inconvenience caused to the corporate rat race because of todays protests. One lady had to give birth on the road because she couldnt make it to the hospital. Sad I agree. But come on look at the bigger picture you damn petty fools!!! Look beyond the Mythological argument. So what if its a natural formation? All the more reason why we shouldnt be blasting our way through it.

Leaving aside the Hindu sentiments, such a blatant disregard just goes to show the bloody sham justice system today. Not just for India but the entire worlds natural ecological treasures.

Urgent need to protect unique ecosystem!

The Athirappilly – Vazhachal area in the southern Western Ghats of Kerala hosts a unique ecosystem of evergreen, riverine forests intermingled with Myristica swamps.

This ecosystem supports a large number of endemic, rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals. While science is still discovering many new species from the area, a hydro-electric project threatens to wipe out these forests.

Buy a T-shirt to show your support!

Rama Sethu : Scientific facts

The Ram Sethu (which was re-christened Adams Bridge by the Brits) is facing serious threat of being hurriedly destroyed, paying no heed to protests. Ironically it is the Indian Government that argues that there is no documentary evidence to prove the heritage. Its time that UNESCO, Greenpeace and some of the global organizations start making a racket about this.

In this exclusive podcast, by Dr.S.Kalyanaraman, an eminent researcher on Indian heritages produces all documentary evidences for the existence of a man made bridge. He also warns that if the bridge is destroyed, it would cause damage to ecology and also create a greater risk to western India, if next Tsunami occurs.

7/7/7 : Live Earth

China will broadcast Live Earth, giving the climate change concerts an audience of 2 billion. Will that silence the sceptics?

It wont! Besides the all english line-up in China isnt bound to have too much influence either!! Nor is it going to stop the worlds appetite for cheaply produced stuff coming out of china’s factories.

The actual impact of the concert to work towards global warming issues might not be that much… more of a publicity stunt for AL GORE and the artists involved.. but hey its still a chance to sit back and ENJOY the music. While the our planet still has some grunt left in it 😉

VH1 will be screening the 24 hour show here in India.

7 Deadly Social Sins

 

Excerpts from Chapter 7 – Seven Deadly Sins

One Acre At a Time

Okay so the global warming threat is now in our faces more than ever.

We have all seen the film “An Inconvenient Truth”. (If not, I suggest you do ASAP). If not checked, the repercussions include a dangerous rise in sea levels, unstable weather conditions (tsunamis, hurricanes), failed crops, depletion of natural resources, and the extinction of species (possibly humans!)

If you are not already doing your bit towards a greener, cleaner planet then hopefully you can put your money where your mouth is and check out the Raintrust Foundation.

Rama Setu : Man made or Natural, We must PROTECT IT!!!

If any of you have been following my older rants on the ram setu your well aware of the intentions of the Indian Government in implementiong Sethusamudram canal built between itself and Sri Lanka.

This means digging a big hole through the Rama Sethu Bridge and effectively destroying it. The economic benefits are said to be enormous but there are also high economic costs – estimated at hundreds of millions of Rupees which will probably escalate into billions by the time the project is completed.

The SOCIAL OVERHEAD COST of the offence caused to over 1 billion Hindus by destroying a traditional place of pilgrimage and worship will be immense.

In Hindu tradition, our entire environment is regarded as sacred and there are specific instances which provide important symbols for this. Witness the reverence Hinduism has for the great rivers – for example the sacred Ganga river – for their life giving and life sustaining qualities, the mountains which source these life giving forces and provide protection and indeed the whole land which is regarded as the Mother in addition to the regard for the millions of plants and animals.

The Rama Sethu land formation (also known as Adam’s Bridge), linking southern India to northern Sri Lanka, is an example of such a sacred symbol which is revered in Hindu tradition as the bridge constructed by Lord Rama and his army to cross into Lanka and defeat the demon Ravana.