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Approved-By:  Hopwoods <[log in to unmask]>
Message-ID:  <l03130304b475819ee0ac@[198.234.69.165]>
Date:         Thu, 9 Dec 1999 08:27:42 -0800
Reply-To: Biotech Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Sender: Biotech Forum <[log in to unmask]>
From: Hopwoods <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Appeal from a dedicated activist
To: [log in to unmask]

The following is an open letter to an incredible hero who tried the tell
the truth and was silenced by one of the largest corporations in the world.
He and his family have sacrificed their livelihood to help the rest of the
world.  Here is an important message from him.  Please help in some way if
you can and spread his message.
(sent by Laurel Hopwood, environmental advocate working on genetic
engineering issues)

From Steve Wilson <[log in to unmask]> 12/8/99

This will be the third Christmas since my investigative reporting
partner (and wife) Jane Akre and I were both fired by Fox Television for
refusing to lie on the air about the effects of one of Monsanto=92s first
genetically modified products, bovine growth hormone (rBGH).  It is
becoming clearer every day that because we had the courage of our
convictions, we may never again get full-time jobs in mainstream
journalism.

We filed our whistleblower lawsuit in April 1998 and have kept on
blowing the whistle ever since, exposing Monsanto=92s misconduct and Fox=92s
efforts to deliberately mislead and even lie to its viewers.  We=92ve
traveled far and wide to tell everyone who would listen about the
potential human health risks of this GM food and how the artificial
hormone hurts animals.  Meanwhile, our legal fight continues but can
only succeed with help from people who care about the same issues.

Of course we knew before we started that taking on the biggest, richest
media empire in the world would be a costly fight.  We sold our house
and drastically reduced our standard of living. I saved a load of money
by conducting more than 80 pre-trial depositions myself in five states.
I personally wrote several winning legal briefs to assist the lawyers
working on our case.  Many are amazed at how well we have done in court,
beating back efforts to have our case summarily dismissed not once but
three times now. As hard as they=92ve tried and as much as they=92ve spent,
even President Clinton=92s own lawyers now defending Fox haven=92t been able
to derail us.

We are well on our way to a very important victory.  Ralph Nader and an
internationally renowned scientist are among the key witnesses we=92ve
recruited to help lay out the truth about this GM food, animal cruelty
and despicable journalism for all to see.  Court TV has said it intends
to cover the proceedings. So what=92s the problem?

You all know how this game works. Those with the deepest pockets don=92t
have to win on the merits of their case, they merely have to stall and
wait for the other party to go broke and go away. This case which was
originally set for trial last February has been delayed again and again
and is now on the trial calendar for early next summer.

Fox cannot win this lawsuit unless we run out of funds before we can get
in front of that jury=85and that=92s what they=92re counting on.

I=92m certain you=92ll agree that we need to stay the course for a cause
that affects so many of us.  Jane and I hope you=92ll also agree that
staying the course involves a greater sacrifice than any single family
of working people can or should bear on their own.

Mr. Murdoch and his people have now dropped well over $1 million and can
be expected to spend $3 million by the time the trial is over. For every
dollar of our savings that Jane and I have invested in this case, Fox
has spent at least 10 in the realization there is virtually no end to
how long they can continue to pay.

The defendants have told the court they will not even consider the
possibility of a settlement.  Fox obviously believes it cannot afford
not to make an example out of Jane Akre and Steve Wilson, lest any other
Fox journalist ever dare to even think about standing up against them to
tell the truth the next time.  Can all the rest of us afford to let that
happen?  To take away any hope for any future journalist that he or she
can insist upon honest and accurate reporting in a corporate-controlled
environment without risking termination and ending a career?  Worse yet,
failing to win this suit will surely encourage other media giants that
they will never be held responsible for their violations of the public
trust, no matter how blatantly they may seek to slant the news in the
future for their own benefit.

Before I do any more preaching to the choir, let me suggest some ways
you can help us:

1. Contribute To The Citizens Fund For The Right To Know =96 This is an
account we have set up strictly to help fund our legal fees and costs.
Some have sent a dollar, some have sent much more.  If each individual
who cares would make even a small contribution, Jane and I could focus
on trial preparation and sharing our story.  Cash, check, or credit card
contribution can be arranged.

       Citizens=92 Fund for the Right to Know
       25400 U.S. 19 North =96 Suite 192
       Clearwater, FL  33763
       (727) 796-6504

2. Invite Us To Speak In Your Community =96 We have an important story to
tell and we do it in an interesting and often-humorous way that can
inspire other individuals to help make a difference.  We are willing to
go anywhere and speak without a door charge to convey our message.  Even
when groups cannot pay travel expenses, we find support by passing the
hat at the end of the presentation.  Traveling also gives us a chance to
raise awareness with local media interviews.

3. Use My Long Distance Telephone Service =96 Maybe you=92ve seen ads for
>Peak Value long distance in USA Today and elsewhere. The angels must
have been watching out for me when I started the company four years
ago=85it is now virtually the only support I have for my family and this
lawsuit. Since all companies share the same long distance lines, the big
companies that now charge too much are providing no higher quality
connections.  Wouldn=92t you and members of your group be happy to save
money and help support a cause you all care about?  And once our legal
victory has been achieved, profits can flow to the public interest work
you=92re doing.

For more information on this or to let us provide your long distance
service, a toll-free 800 number, and/or a discount calling card to use
when you travel:

         (727) 796-7252 (please leave a message after hours)

4. Help Us Locate A Coordinator/Activist For The Truth =96 As we devote
more effort to fundraising and speaking, we could desperately use some
help here but haven=92t found the right person.  Do you know a highly
trustworthy individual deeply dedicated to public interest work and in a
position to come work with us in Florida for six months or so? This
person would help with media inquiries and publicity, write for our
website, organize speaking tours, research, general organization, and
anything else to help further the cause. The person we seek should also
be willing to do some occasional travel as well as be willing and
capable of staying home to care for our child on infrequent occasion
when both Jane and I must be away for very short periods (she=92s 5, going
on 14).  Housing assistance and a very small stipend are possible.  If
you know of such a person=97a student, a grandmother, anyone who fits the
bill and might enjoy a winter in Florida=97we would appreciate a referral.

         e-mail referrals to:  [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]

5. Share Your Ideas =96 We=92d greatly appreciate anything you can suggest
which we might have overlooked=85sources of support, people or groups to
approach, other methods of raising funds to assure that we can hold out
as long as it takes to present our winning case to a jury.

As you may know, Florida law does not provide for punitive damages in a
whistleblower case.  That is why we had to agree to pay our attorneys by
the hour.  We also pay-as-we-go many other expenses like transcripts and
other costs. The costs are mounting and your help is urgently needed.

I know it=92s a busy time of the year for everyone.  I also know you are
on this list because of your deep concern for the very causes we are
fighting for.  Please take a few moments and consider this message and
how you and others who care can get involved by helping us win this
fight for everyone.

You may contact me by e-mail or by phone at (727) 796-6504.  If I cannot
answer your call immediately, please leave me a message and I will call
back.  Even if it=92s just a word of encouragement or an idea of where and
how we can seek the support we need. Jane and I would both be grateful.

Finally, regardless of what may happen with our case, please accept our
sincere thanks for all the good work you and your local groups have done
and for any support you=92ve offered to us in the past.  We deeply
appreciate it!

Best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season,

Steve Wilson and Jane Akre
http://foxBGHsuit.com

The preceding appeal may be copied and sent or posted anywhere you
believe it would be proper and helpful to do so.

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