He certainly is NO friend of ours. -----Original Message----- From: l <[log in to unmask]> To: IOWA-TOPICS <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Mon, Nov 23, 2015 10:47 pm Subject: Fwd: Government witch hunt to eliminate Monsanto critics Tom Vilsack is mentioned here as one of those who directly engages in trying to intimidate USDA scientists. I still find it difficult to believe that Vilsack was endorsed by Sierra Club, Iowa Chapter, for re-election as governor. I would like to use much stronger language, but will refrain from doing so.--Tom Mathews -----Original Message----- From: Laurel Hopwood <[log in to unmask]> To: CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Mon, May 25, 2015 9:22 am Subject: Government witch hunt to eliminate Monsanto critics https://jonrappoport.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/government-witch-hunt-to-eliminate-monsanto-critics/ Government witch hunt to eliminate Monsantocritics Jon Rappoport blog May 19 2015 (edited) Government scientists who believe in exposingthe truth are being targeted. Ten scientists at the USDA are on such atarget list, because their research findings would harm big-corporateagriculture. (See Common Dreams, 5/5/15, "Suppressing Science forMonsanto?") PEER (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility), a non-profitgroup, knows who these scientists are, but they aren't talking. Notyet. They're trying to gain protection for theresearchers. Here is a March 26 release from PEER, "USDAUrged to Shield Its Scientists From Harassment": "PEER has received reports concerning USDA scientists ordered toretract studies, water down findings, remove their name fromauthorship and endure long indefinite delays in approving publicationof papers that may be controversial. Moreover, [USDA] scientists whoare targeted by [big-Ag] industry complaints find themselves subjectedto disruptive investigations, disapprovals of formerly routinerequests, disciplinary actions over petty matters and intimidationfrom [USDA] supervisors focused on pleasing 'stakeholders'." The "stakeholders," of course, would include huge biotechcompanies. Like Monsanto. In a separate PEER petition to the USDA, wefind this: "USDA scientists have been subjected toDirectives not to publish data on certain topics of particularsensitivity to [big-Agriculture] industry; "Orders to rewrite scientific articlesalready accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal to removesections which could provoke [big-Ag] industryobjections; "Summons to meet with [USDA] SecretaryVilsack in an effort to induce retraction of a paper that drew the ireof [big-Ag] industry representatives; "Orders to retract a paper after it had beenaccepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. The paper couldonly be published if the USDA scientist removed his authorship thusleaving only the names of authors unassociated with USDA; "Demotion from supervisory status and areprimand after the scientist provided testimony before Congress thatdid not reflect [USDA] agency preferences; "Disruptive and lengthy internalinvestigations to search out any irregularity that could be used formanagement leverage against the targeted scientist; "Suspensions without pay and otherdisciplinary actions for petty matters, such as minor irregularitiesin travel paperwork; "Inordinate, sometimes indefinite, delays inapproving submission for publication of scientific papers that may becontroversial; "Restrictions on topics that USDA scientistsmay address in conference presentations; "Threats by USDA managers to damage thecareers of [USDA] scientists whose work triggers [big-Ag] industrycomplaints." "USDA scientists working on topics with direct relevance to [big-Ag]industry interests are under constant pressure not to do anything toupset these important 'stakeholders.' Rather than shield staffscientists from [big-Ag] industry influence, USDA managers amplifyit." This is a witch hunt. Claims that the USDA is serving the publicinterest? A fairy tale. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -To unsubscribe from the CONS-SPST-BIOTECH-FORUM list, send any message to:[log in to unmask] out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.aspTo view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:[log in to unmask] out our Listserv Lists support site for more information:http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp