Here is an alternative viewpoint with relative thoughts on where we are going, plus an issue which we need to address with Governor Vilsack as well as VP Gore. Rex --- begin forwarded text Hope you don't mind, but I had to speak my mind when I got the Happy Al Gore the Good Guy Sierra Promo stuff... thought I should let you know about my dissent. E. ---------- From: Ericka <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 17:18:45 +0000 To: Membership Services <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Sierra Club ELECTION COUNTDOWN: Gore vs. Bush AS A SIERRA CLUB MEMBER AND ORGANIC FARMER AND CONSUMER, I CANNOT JUSTIFY SUPPORTING AL GORE BECAUSE OF HIS POSITION ON AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY. Here is some information you would be wise to consider - Al Gore and George Bush are in complete agreement on this dangerous - anti-environment, anti-human health, anti-family farmer - untested, unproven technology. Ericka Dana Organic Consumers Association Eastern Iowa Regional Coordinator http://www.purefood.org 3547 Haines Rd. Duluth, MN 55811 Catnip Farm, Iowa County http://www.catnipfarm.com 319-685-4270 ---------- BUSH, GORE, AND NADER ON GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS George W. Bush: "In 1999, 50 percent of the soybeans, 40 percent of the cotton, and about one-third of the corn produced in the U.S. is genetically modified. The European Union, however, has recently imposed a moratorium on the import of new biotech crops. Additionally, despite a ruling at the World Trade Organization, the European Community continues to ban the import of U.S. beef treated with growth hormones. World Trade Organization rules clearly state that health and safety regulations must be based on sound science. As President, Governor Bush will fight to ensure that U.S. products are allowed entry into the European Union and require them to use accepted scientific principles in enacting their regulations." From: "GOVERNOR GEORGE W. BUSH ON AGRICULTURE" policy paper. Al Gore: "Biotechnology - the development of new crops and new ways to grow existing crops - holds tremendous promise for producers at home and consumers here and abroad. Biotech products can improve yields, help avoid some diseases and reduce the need for pesticides, fertilizer and other inputs. Al Gore believes that reducing world hunger and ensuring America's and the world's future food security depends on its development. Biotechnology also promises new, higher-value crops for specific food and non-food uses. That will lead to better farm income and to jobs and economic growth in rural America. As President, Al Gore will continue to fight for agriculture research funding, and will battle against foreign trade barriers based on fear and protectionism." From: www.algore2000.com/agriculture/agr_agenda2.html Ralph Nader: "Genetic engineering - of food and other products - has far outrun the science that must be its first governing discipline. The rush of genetically engineered foods is leaving behind three areas of science: (1) ecology; (2) nutrition-disease dynamics; and (3) basic molecular genetics itself. The scientific understanding of the consequences of genetically altering organisms in ways not found in nature remains poor. Corporate promoters, such as Monsanto, are playing a guessing game with the environment, with immensely intricate genetic organisms, and with, of course, their customers on farms and in grocery stores. Against repeated opinion polls demanding labeling of genetically engineered foods, biotech companies have used their political power over the legislative and executive branches of government to block the consumer's right to know and to choose." From: Genetically Engineered Food: Changing the Nature of Nature, by Teitel and Wilson, forward by Ralph Nader > From: "Sierra Club Alerts" <[log in to unmask]> > Reply-To: "Membership Services" <[log in to unmask]> > Date: Thursday, 21 September 2000 > To: "Ericka Dana (41951840)" <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: ELECTION COUNTDOWN: Gore vs. Bush > > As a Sierra Club member, we want you to have key facts that our Board of > Directors had when they voted to endorse Vice President Al Gore for > President http://www.sierraclub.org/newsroom/gore_endorsement.asp > > We are sending you this message because what happens on November 7th will > make a big difference for the environment. > <SNIP> --- end forwarded text -- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Rex L. Bavousett Photographer University of Iowa Our old name: University Relations - Publications Our new name: University Communications & Outreach - Publications 100 OPL, Iowa City, IA 52242 http://www.uiowa.edu/~urpubs/ mailto:[log in to unmask] voice: 319 384-0053 fax: 319 384-0055 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask]