Obama White House Appoints Former Monsanto Lobbyist to FDA

[Grinchie]

Source: DailyKos

He did it. He was going to do it, and he did it. For months now, occasional rumors have gone around that Obama was going to appoint Michael R Taylor to this or that. And he did it. Finally. Monday.

It happened with very little fanfare, actually. My fellow food conspirators and I knew there was going to be a White House food safety press briefing on Tuesday. We knew who was invited - mostly big ag shills, including Michael Taylor. He was listed as representing George Washington University, not the FDA.

But by Monday or Tuesday the rumors were FLYING. And by mid-day Tuesday they were confirmed, with a USA Today article and a FDA press release. Monsanto must be having a party back in St. Louis. Below, I've included details about Taylor and what we can expect him to do on food safety.



Read more: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/8/751167/-Obama-White-House-Appoints-Former-Monsanto-Lobbyist-to-FDA

---

Absolutely sickening.

[FiveGoodMen]

1. I'll tip my hat to the new constitution

Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around me
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray...

[grahamhgreen]

4. We wont be fooled again. Can u say 1 term wonder?

[FiveGoodMen]

5. Wouldn't it be great if we could have a 2012 primary and pick someone good?

[Demeter]

8. You Have to Say Good at What---Govt. of, by and for the People, not Corporations

[FiveGoodMen]

11. You're right, but I thought that pretty much went without saying.

[Demeter]

19. Can't Let Anything Go Without Specifics These Days

Too many corrupt standards are deemed acceptable and not worth mentioning.

[Grinchie]

21. Why Yes, Yes I can! N/T

[emilyg]

46. I can say it!

[hamerfan]

6. Meet the new boss

Same as the old boss!

Disgusting how transparent it is these days....

[Mark D.]

29. M & M

Monsanto and Morgan. They rule the world. One via toxic chemicals and getting its dirty hands in our food supply, the other via banking and commerce, or via its helpers, like Goldman Sachs. The second collapsed the economy, just now and in the depression (JP Morgan created the Federal Reserve) and the first collapses US with sickness from its agriculture work. Turn us into a bunch of broke, desperate, malnourished, cancer and diabetes ridden (ie. highly profitable for drug sales) lot that also pumps billions into the giant 'health insurance' ponzi/pyramid scheme. Barack Obama is good person, and probably, if he had his way, would change things for the better. He'd probably be a lot more like the best man for the job (who'll never get elected for that reason) Dennis Kucinich, if he wasn't corporate owned. Very likely, he saw 'the film' and knew his mission then.

"It's just a handful of people that run everything, and that's provable. I have this feeling about whoever's elected president, no matter what promises you make on the campaign trail - blah, blah, blah. When you win, you go into this smoky room with the twelve industrialist, capitalist shits that got you in there, and this little screen comes down... and it's a shot of the Kennedy assassination from an angle you've never seen before, which looks suspiciously off the grassy knoll. And then the screen comes up, the lights come on, and they say to the new president, 'Any questions?'"

- The late, great, Bill Hicks.

[Grinchie]

56. I had always suspected a shadow government, but until now, it seemed rational

Currently, it appears that the Shadow government has lost any sense of rationality. Perhaps due to the massive unwinding of the last 40 years of ever growing fraud at work in the American Economy. While Americans were coddled with free money, Industry was dismantled, and the ongoing exodus of Industry and manufacturing oveseas was tacitly tolerated in the media, and generally raised no hackles, as long as the majority of Americans were coddled and happy.

We saw the H1-B system grow to be a On the Job Training system for foreign nationals, who took what they learned back to there home country, and went to work for the newly built corporate headquarters that sponsored them in the US.

Things changed in 2000. The Shadow Government started it's decade long project of utterly drawing every last penny out of the treasury. Whether it is by design, or by some slick giveaways, they were successful. But now, the Shadow Government is at a turning point. It no longer has any wiggle room, and has turned most certianly into a fascist regime, with a consumer friendly face.

This is the paradox. How can they rule without exposing that they rule from on high, without any concern for the masses? The truth is that they can't, and that is why the shadow government is tettering on the edge of losing control.

So who do I think is the Shadow Government? Who on earth could possibly dictate policy that goes against the public interests?

I think of course that it is a number of Too Big Too Fail Corporations that have there fingers on the Jugular of the nation. The Oil compnaies, the Electric Companies, the Big Agricultural compnaies, Telecom, and media.

At any moment, as we saw in 2008, Oil prices can rise to unheard of levels, all the while there doesn't appear to be any support for the price increase. To this day, there has not been an explanation for the rise to 150 dollars a barrel, nore was their any explanation for the precipitous drop when it came crashing down. Aren't we led to believe that America is driven by Information Technology? If so, then why is there no visibilty on this very important data?

Getting back to Michael Taylor, he was instrumental in establishing "Substantial Equivalence" into the GMO industry, meaning that one tomato is the same as another. Somehow, he was able to railroad the USDA to make claims that if it looks like a tomato, it is, especially if it doesn't cause you to vomit right away due to allergic reaction. This opened the door for ludicrous GMO Preemption laws that are popping up all over the country. GMO Premption is when the State passes a law that prevent scrutiny of studay that would be prejudicial against GMO. Of course, this is circular logic, because it utilizes the false claim that "Substantial Equivalence" even applies to GMO, which contain alien genetic sequences.

Then we have the subsidies that reduce crop insurance for GMO crops "Because they perform better". Why not subsidize Organic crops, or conventional crops? The overall acreage of GMO has exploded in the past decade, and the government subidizes crop insurance premiums for it.. How fucked up is that? Meanwhile, Organic seeds and open pollinated species are disappearing, all thanks to Monsanto gobbling up Seed Companies, and buying out seed cleaning operations in order to make it near impossible to maintain the led method of saving seed for next years crop.

Which leads to the inexorable destruction of legacy varieties in order to promote GMO. The number of varieties is being reduced annually, and many species arcould go extinct. These are varieties our grandparent grew consistently, year after year. Monsanto is trying to destroy this capability, much like General Motors did buy methodically buying up, then dismantling mass transit in major American cities until the only option was to purchase a car.

At this point, it is pretty clear that one company could easily disrupt the population, either via food supply, transportation, or energy. The power is compressed into such a small number of people, with the technology to coordinate effectively, and you don't need a coup to coerce a government anymore.

Then there is the reality of life on earth. We are coming to the end of the carrying capacity of the earth, yet we see absolutely no movement to prepare for Global Warming, the massive disruptions caused by weather patterns drifting, or the loss of resources that it will bring with it.

It's almost as if the Shadow Government wants to keep everyone in the dark about the impending tsunamai or reduced expectations.

We see no news regarding alternate energy systems on the scale that we saw during the 70's and 80's, because that whole scheme was deemed to explosive. Instead, Reagan dismantled the solar panels on the White House, and stored them in the dark for many years, until they were donated to a university, where they were once put back to work.

We have seen a continual degradation of educational resources in the United States, while we have seen and explosion of distraction and entertainment. Former showcases like Nature on PBS are now infused with Yuppie, in your face energy that dumbs down the programs for the current crop of educationally starved zombies. You wonder where programs like Cosmos by Carl Sagan went.. How come we don't have shows that build upon current knowledge? The answer is easy, the Government no longer funds such nonsense, that is still as relevant today as it was in 1980 when it was first broadcast. It was the last evidence of Science not tainted by political fingering, and it predicted the Global Warming catastrophe quite well. But, it had several topics that disturbed the theological and political system, so they basically made sure it played to a limited audience.

We are definately at a turning point. Whether people wake up from their coma or not is hard to say, but I for one am going to coninue to work hard on making sure I'm prepared for the crisis that is inevitable.

Until we all start questioning these stupid ideas, and the reasoning and logic behind them, there will be no change. Until we actually hold our ground, and stop feeding the Corporation our precious time and labor, they will continue to feed upon us.

It's about time that passive resistance started to make a dent in the status quo. This alone would raise a great deal of awareness in the Shadow Government, because they don't want to do anything that cost them anything. They would rather you do it for them, willingly.

I know this turned into a rant, but the Michael Taylor announcement was the last straw. I'm pissed. I am not going to provide any support to the fraud anymore. I'm going to focus on the joy of life, and not follow the dead ones into the void.

[The abyss]

65. A rant – but a good rant!

I don’t necessarily agree on the global warming. But all in all – very well said!

[Bushknew]

72. Good for you when will other people wake up?

[ControlledDemolition]

74. I'm about to start Barack H. Obama - The Unauthorized Biagraphy...

Like 911, I originally swallowed the official version of 911. Unfortunately, I find my scepticism of Obama - who I still really
like - growing.

My thinking is informed by the realization that... one way to keep a war going is to have two to start with. I think this is the lesson learned by the Military Industrial Complex, with regard to the Vietnam tragedy. (The neocons wanted three wars before the end of Bush's second term, namely Iran.)

(Edit: Fix typo.)

[grahamhgreen]

98. MUST READ! Very well said. nt

[ixion]

2. despite the 'change' mantra, the status quo marches on

very sad, indeed. :(

[Tim01]

89. Actually, I think this is worse. nt

[DJ13]

3. Is there any departments Obama hasnt stuffed with corporate reps?

I cant think of one.

[SpiralHawk]

7. "Ptooooey" - The American People

Take that chem drenched mutant facsimile food product and tuck it where the sun don't shine on the corporatists who occultly shove the shit at the American consumer.

[judesedit]

9. Well, we know he knows ALL of the things corporations should be prosecuted on

as he was probably a big part of the problem in the past. Let's hope he uses that knowledge to better regulate the food industry for the sake of mankind now and in the future. Time will tell.

[No Elephants]

15. How lobbyists and other corporate insiders behave in government posts is not a mystery.

[MGKrebs]

36. So EVERY lobbyist and EVERY person who has worked at a corporation is corrupt?

Who would you propose for this position?
Do you know the appointee? Can you really say he is corrupt?
Have you looked into anything about him besides what is in this thread?

[Grinchie]

24. Bullshit.. Lets give someone that hasn't enabled the poisoning of millions the job.

What's with this exclusive Corporatists club? You guys go along with it like there are no other qualified people in America to do this, other than someone who has been proven to work against your best interests, and then turn aplogist and proclaim "I hope he's learned his lesson" like it means anything.

Geez, that may have worked before Obama signalled that he was Going Corporate, but now that he has, you'd have to be pretty naieve to see that the fuse has burned down and is about to blow your fingers off.

Yes, time will tell, but it has serious consequences to all of us, and most notably, Obama's Administration will pay dearly for this travesty. He has lost me forever, and I'm going to be watching every detail for more Ammunition in order to get a real progressive like Dean or Kucinich in.

Obama's ready to be put out to pasture. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if we see a war, or another massive fear campaign as the Administration realizes that they crossed the line.

For the people with short memories, when the end of the years comes and attentive people tally up how similar this administration is to Bush, Clinton, Bush 1, there will be hell to pay when the people wake from their stupor.

Perhaps, they will just be too malnourished and weak due to the Marvelous machinations of Michael Taylor, allowing our food supply to continue to degrade.

[MGKrebs]

35. OK, who ARE those other people who are qualified?

And what exactly is wrong with this guy?

[Bushknew]

73. "I wouldn't be surprised if we see a war, or another massive fear campaign"

Looks like it will be the mandatory Flu shots.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYRF4kg3EyY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informationliberation.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7M_TZpQiIY&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.informationliberation.com%2F&feature=player_embedded

[Grinchie]

86. Thank you for posting the the "Secret Shots" video.

I have been following with great interest the mandadory vaccinations of U.S. Military for some time, as most people are unaware that the Enlistment contract basically waives any rights and individual has regarding vaccinations.

There have been many instances of severe deisabilities occuring by the use of the unproven Anthrax vaccine, which was stopped for a time, but then was re-instated again. Some soldiers refused to take the shot, due to the information that some soldier succumbed to debilitating symptoms, and they were subjected to the punishment of the UCMJ.

The photographs of the soldiers reaction to that vaccine were too painful to watch, and I thank my stars that the vaccinations I received in the military during the reagan years didn't harm me, but that is questionable, since I did come down with something that has no history in my family after my separation.

Know what I now know, I will never subject myself to another vaccination, ever. I am willing to take my chances and let the chips fall where they may, especially considering that many vaccines are created from animal origin, of which animal material may be present, and then infused within our system.

There has been recent, scientific proof that Horizontal Gene Transfer does occur, and it means that simple bacteria can incorporate bits of genetic material directly into their own, imparting those traits to the bacteria.

In fact, the Roundup resistant gene was found in bacteria that thrived in the chemical dumps on Monsanto chemical factorys, and they utilized it for their roundup ready strains. While that bacteria had developed it's trait due to environmental exposure, we now know that Horizontal Gene Transfer is more common than we have been led to believe.

Thanks for posting the Videos.. I saw the first one while researching the origianl Swine Flu fiasco in the 70's.

Everyone needs to see the second one.

[Vidar]

10. So much potential to help the country, but Obama prefers to be a corporate whore.

[ChiciB1]

14. Well, That's About It Folks! What DID We Vote For?? I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO

depressed and feel like such a FOOL! AGAIN!!!

[Midniteagle]

25. Yep..........

I guess it's time to cue Dandy Don to sing his tune....."Turn out the lights, the party's over " !!! The more we go forward, the same it all seems to get.:puke: "For there is no joy in Mudville........:nuke:

[OhioChick]

77. It sure does appear that way. n/t

[MGKrebs]

12. What exactly were you all hoping for?

I mean, who would have been a good pick?

[No Elephants]

22. Someone less deceptive. Obama sounded as though he was saying

certain things. But, when you go back, there were weasel words. Or, there were no weasel words, but he was being deceptive. Or, he did not surface certain things.

For just one thing, if he had said candidly before Election Day that he had no intention of investigating or prosecuting anyone in the Bush administration, from the janitor, to the CIA to Rumsfeld to Bush, I would never have voted for him.

Ditto if he had mentioned that that he (Obama) intended to take the exact same position Bush was taking in pending court cases against Bushco, be it about detainees or FOIA.

I could go on, but he is not what he wanted us to believe he is.

Were we naive? Maybe. Was he deceptive? Yes.

[MGKrebs]

26. Who would you have voted for?

[peacebird]

47. How about Michael Pollan? Alice Waters? Any voice for family farms and organics?

Why did it have to be an agri-biz whore?

[MGKrebs]

55. OK, good ideas. Pollan, I think, is better where he is, as a philosopher and critic.

He doesn't really have any technical expertise in the field. His experience is journalism. And he would likely be pretty ineffective in government, having no experience at any level. The job Taylor was appointed to is a lawyers job. It is to advise the FDA chief on legal implementation of policy. I have no problem with Pollan, but I don't see the qualifications for this job.

Alice is a great advocate, but she is a chef. If she were to be appointed to a similar position in California first, then maybe she would be a viable candidate. But until then, I could definitely see her as some sort of advisor, just not this one.

I will begin looking into suggesting these names for some sort of consumer advocacy panel for the FDA.

[readmoreoften]

78. Right now I vote for mass strikes and a democratic reorganization of society by the people.

The idea that one of these megacorporations is going to appoint someone who represents the public is a little silly. I'm voting for a, you know, a real actual democracy where people solve their own problems with public infrastructure that exists for the profit of the public itself.

[Grinchie]

88. I second that idea.

The manufactured complexity of our Government is an effective barrier to accountability from our leaders, if they can be called leaders.

I sometimes wonder if people are so trained to be compulsively obedient, that they don't see how easy it would be to go shopping for a 2 week vacation, and then stay home and spend time with the family, plant a vegetable garden, and leave the rat race to fend for itself.

I took the time to watch the movie Gandhi the other day, and I was kind of surprised at how brutally the British Government reacted to his passive resistance movement, but it does demonstrate the power of not cooperating with the system, which then collapses, because it depends of the masses in the first place. Eventually, the British realize thay can't continue to kill people and finally negotitates.

There is one scene where the British Government is trying to coordinate some action, but realizes that communication lines are down, the taxis aren't running, and the train is not running as well.

I see the day coming, don't know when, but it feels like it may be fairly soon. I wonder what the reaction of government and security forces would be, considering they are totally unprepared for that sort of thing.

[OwnedByFerrets]

13. I wonder when the eyes of the butt kissers will be opened to the truth

This administration is going to do NOTHING for the common man.

[ChiciB1]

17. Doesn't Seem So... I Wanted To Keep An Open Mind... But It Keeps

getting WORSE! Rahm Emmanuel was the FIRST tip-off for me. Didn't like him when he was in Congress and now must add MORE people to the list!

Would be nice IF Bi-Partisanship could work... in a couple of years we may ALL be fighting among ourselves, just to LIVE!!!

[BlueJac]

16. Sold American!

I just have to have some of those modified seeds.....


Obama is a total joke on the American voter that wanted change, and I thought Bush was bad. He did what he said he was going to do and Obama blew smoke up my ass! Bad on me. Never again!!!

[madrchsod]

18. GM food for everyone!

a lobbyist from the worse corporation in the world...... wow now there`s change we can believe in.....

[Optical.Catalyst]

20. I guess we can expect Triple-Stack profits for Monsanto in the next fiscal year

Genetically Modified plants in open fields all over the world.
What could possibly go wrong?

[Grinchie]

27. Oooh Triple Stack...

Is your Colon Rounup Ready? Ask Monsanto How!

[MGKrebs]

28. Do you know the guy?

Do you have any real basis for saying that?

[Optical.Catalyst]

53. You could rightfully assume I have a dislike for Monsanto

I watched as Dick Cheney showed favor to his former employer, and for some reason I have this suspicion that Michael Taylor will bring the same philosophy to his new job. It is a matter of appearance. I would never paid attention to an FDA adviser if they were hired from a company less controversial than Monsanto.

[ControlledDemolition]

75. Monsanto should be raided by a latter day Elliot Ness and their labs dealt with like...

... bootlegger breweries!

[MGKrebs]

23. Somebody tell me what the problem is?

Did he do something bad while at Monsanto during the two years he was there 10 years ago?
Has he done something bad all the other time he has been working for the government?

I really want to know. I want to have an opinion too, but I'm not going to base it solely on a DK blog where the mere mention of Monsanto taints everything associated with it. Is there more? Some of you seem to know. Tell me!

[Grinchie]

32. Try reading the link.

You can also search on the "Google" using "Michael Taylor Monsanto" and get around 32,000 hits..

it's all there, laid out in all it's glory for you to pick and choose.

Enjoy.

Heres on from the top of the list.

http://www.politicalfriendster.com/showPerson.php?id=2590&name=Michael-Taylo

It should pique your interest and send you on a wonderful journey.

Edited for Brackets

[MGKrebs]

38. I read it.

And I did google him. I got this:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/blogs/healthy-food/michael-taylor-fda-50070809

Care to comment?

All that stuff you got all refers to one thing: he was involved in the approval of BGH. Is that the issue with him? Is there more?

[Grinchie]

59. You are either very blind, or did not click the link I provided

Your Google search may infected with Freepitis. You might want to check your Virus software and make sure it's operating.

If that link is the one you want to base you beliefs upon, go right ahead, but I would'nt stake a flame war on it if I were you.

He drafted the policy of "Substantial Equivalence", which opened the door for the myth that all produce is created equal, when of course, it is only superficial.

So whats you motivation for defending this pick? Do you actually have any knowledge, or any concern whatsoever for the destruction of our choices that were enabled by this person?

You certainly ask a lot of confrontational question for someone who is simultaneously Ingnorant, yet apologetic, so instead of wasting my time on your seemingly innocent questions, I'll let you actually convince me that you know what the hell you are talking about. I'm going to warn you that I think you are a bag of gas.

[MGKrebs]

67. I do not claim any knowledge. Pavlovian responses trip my trigger. I want us to be better.

I am responding to others' quick condemnation of this issue. I have gotten a couple of responsible replies that have been helpful.

"Substantial Equivalence" is new to me. I just looked it up briefly, and I have some apprehension about it too. But my understanding of this particular position is that he would be advising on legal matters pertaining to implementation of policies made by others. Not policy-making.

I'm not sure how I feel about GM food.

I'm not sure what you mean by "destruction of our choices".

It is sad that one can't ask questions and get answers around here anymore without being attacked. That used to be the great attraction to this place. Some people knew things that others didn't and that knowledge would be shared. Now apparently, we all must know the same stuff in advance so all that is left to do is accuse each other of being a freeper. Everybody has to have an instant opinion and it must conform to the OP or you must be a troll. Reminds me of why I stayed away for so long.

[bvar22]

71. "Pavlovian responses trip my trigger."

Do you know how funny you are?

"Pavlovian responses trip my trigger."---an embarrassing admission by MGKrebs

So, you have an admitted Pavlovian response to Pavlovian responses?

Too funny.
You were kidding....right?

[Grinchie]

81. Perhaps your experience here may lead you better research

But don't expect sympathy when your main purpuse appears to muddy the facts, or purposefully waste other peoples time.

The Destruction of our choices means that you are now subjected to GMO without your knowledge. Substantial Equivalence is the platform that allows the GMO and food industry to omit labeling and accountability of GMO sources that are now widespread in our food supply.

There is a reason you don't know, and it is because it a well kept secret, and the BioTech industry pays the media very well to keep this out of the news, and under the radar.

They also employ a great many shills, that pose as people like you, in order to make sure the important message is muddied and diminished.

Thats the side you come off as portraying, and I suggest you get to learning before you attempt to walk into a war zone.

[abumbyanyothername]

83. From Food Inc:

"If our food processing plants had glass walls, our food would be handled completely differently."

They just don't want us to know what is in it.

Which is the main reason I don't buy it. I eat only fresh fruits and vegetables, most of which are purchased at the local farmers' market, some of which I grow myself, and some of which (things with skin, like melons, mangoes, pineapples, bananas,etc.) comes from Costco's produce aisle.

[abumbyanyothername]

80. From your link

The USDA would soon require science-based HACCP systems in every meat and poultry plant, would be testing raw ground beef, and would require contaminated meat to be destroyed or reprocessed. And because E. coli O157.H7 is infectious at very low doses, the USDA would consider any level of contamination of ground beef with these bacteria to be unsafe, adulterated, and subject to enforcement action. Whew. This took real courage.

E Coli kills people. Brutally.

So he essentially told the meat industry that the government wouldn't let them kill people.

Hurrah!

Excuse me if I am less than impressed.

If he wants to prove himself to me, he can start by leaning on his buddies at Monsanto to get them to back off the harassment of seed cleaning operators. It's one thing to have your product win in the marketplace. It's another to use your size and the legal process to browbeat your competition into submission.

This appointment is bad, and the Monsanto connection not only taints Taylor, it taints Obama.

[hamerfan]

33. Try reading the entire article

That was linked to in the original post. She goes point-by-point what is wrong with this guy!

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/7/8/751167/-Obama-White-House-Appoints-Former-Monsanto-Lobbyist-to-FDA

[MGKrebs]

39. You'll have to quote it for me because I've read the whole thing and I don't see it.

[nosmokes]

37. the mere mention of Monsanto dos taint everything and if you can't wrap

your head around that you're a lost cause.

[MGKrebs]

42. Well at least you have the courage to admit that your opinion isn't based on facts or

anything particularly relevant. It's based on symbolism and innuendo. That's cool. There really can be no further discussion with you on this issue then, can there?

[nosmokes]

51. It's fact based and it's relevant.

Monsanto has a history that includes intentionally poisoning the water source of poor Americans. Of course, it was just a bunch of illiterate niggers in Alabama so it was OK. Then they poisoned our GIs in Vietnam, but that was all so messy no one really wanted to talk about it, so it was OK. Now they're poisoning all of us and we just shrug and ask for more lube as we bend over.

[MGKrebs]

57. I completely understand.

Taylor, who was a lawyer working in the food safety area, surely had knowledge of illegal water pollution from a specific plant in Alabama that came to light two years after he left.

I'm not going to argue with you that Monsanto has been a bad company. I am just not sure that anyone who has ever worked for Monsanto in any capacity should forever carry the burden of the whole company. I just don't think that's the way we should make decisions. We're supposed to be smarter than that.

This guy may turn out to be a loser, but from what I can find out so far, he's actually pretty good (if you don't have a big problem with BGH). It's just too Pavlovian to automatically reject anything to do with "Monsanto" or "lobbyist". Sure, let's ask questions and be skeptical, but the automatic rejection is not very thoughtful.

[nosmokes]

66. I have a HUGE problem w/ rBGH as well as Monsantos SOP and more industrial

ag representation is not what is needed in the FDA. it's already loaded w/ GE friendly folks and we can't even get a reasonable labeling requirement to inform consumers they're buying transgenic products.

[abumbyanyothername]

85. But Obama promised to close the revolving door

I am just not sure that anyone who has ever worked for Monsanto in any capacity should forever carry the burden of the whole company.

Monsanto has been evil enough, for long enough, visibly enough, that death by association is appropriate here. Similar to Haliburton, actually, maybe worse.

Beyond that, Michael Taylor is the very epitome of the revolving door that Obama promised explicitly to close.

[Grinchie]

61. So whats your game then?

You obviously cannot read, so what else is there for you?

RIP Mr. Krabs.

[MGKrebs]

68. What was I supposed to read?

[bread_and_roses]

64. nosmokes is correct, and that's based on the FACTS of Monsanto's record

which prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that any person who would lobby for them for even two minutes not only has no ethical compass at all but is a sociopath - a profiteering vampire, able to support causing misery and destruction to any level if it pays well enough.

Let me ask you, would you approve hiring a person for an infant health and welfare post who had lobbied for a company seeking profit by convincing nursing mothers in Africa and other countries where clean water is unavailable to forgo breast -feeding for powdered baby formula? Even if they had "only" done so for two years?

If so, then sure, you can tout this as a defensible appointment. If not, not.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

41. You're either against Monsanto our you're with the terrorists.

[frylock]

30. you pony-poutragists kill me..

it's not like Obama promised that he wouldn't hire lobbyists to work in his admin.

"I am running to tell the lobbyists in Washington that their days of setting the agenda are over. They have not funded my campaign. They won't work in my White House."

errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.... would you rather have mcalin for prez??!!1!

[Grinchie]

90. Actaully, I'd rather have Howard Dean in his second term.

[mark olson]

31. I thought the days of lobbyists influence was over 1/20/09? NT

[MGKrebs]

34. More on Taylor:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/blogs/healthy-food/michael-taylor-fda-50070809

"Mr. Taylor had recused himself from matters related to Monsanto’s BGH and had “never sought to influence the thrust or content” of the agency’s policies on Monsanto’s products"

[peacebird]

48. More on MGKrebs: from his journal - left is socialism, towards the right is populist democracy?!?

"To me, the political spectrum consists of a range of ideologies, for the most part fixed or at least internally consistent. Somewhere toward the left you would have socialism, and moving to the right we find gradually diminishing variations of populist democracy. Somewhere toward the right you would find Libertarianism and, moving leftward, traditional conservatives and variations of smaller central government advocates."

:wtf:

As a progressive liberal I do not believe that "left=socialist" - that is a bs rightwing talking point. Based on your own writing I can understand how you would present a former Monsanto employee as a reasonable choice for FDA.

:puke:

[MGKrebs]

50. As much as you might want to believe it, the "center" isn't necessarily the same as

"you".

[peacebird]

52. I never claimed to be center - I am left. What I object to is YOUR right wing definition of "left'

[MGKrebs]

58. OK, what is "left" to you?

[Name removed]

62. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[EC]

40. So, Obama took a major player for Monsanto and

hired him to his team, meaning Michael R Taylor is no longer a shill bought and paid by Monsanto but is now being paid by the other side...Obama...so...I think it is a brillant move, it removes a player from the other side and puts him in our camp...



Why do you immediately figure Obama is selling out? He's done this all along, enlist the major players of the other side to our side one way or another. Michael Taylor has no morals, he's for hire and Obama just hired him to our fight, he'll do what he's being paid to do, period...so I fail to see why you are so disappointed....

[frylock]

43. fuck. that. shit.

"I am running to tell the lobbyists in Washington that their days of setting the agenda are over. They have not funded my campaign. They won't work in my White House."

[happydreams]

96. ROFLMAO!!!

It doesn't get any clearer than that.
:rofl:

[MGKrebs]

45. So this guy has worked in government and as a lawyer for 35 years, and as a

lobbyist for 2 years (10 years ago), but that 2 year stint disqualifies him from any further government service? Is there any actual problem with his food safety positions (his expertise)?

[Mojorabbit]

49. You would have not said this if the last administration

had done it after promising it wouldn't.

[peacebird]

54. MGKrebs has a very rightwing view of what "left" or "progressive" means - so I would not be so sure.

[MGKrebs]

60. You're right. I had no reason to trust those guys. Especially after a year or so.

We are now to the point of condemning Obama based on what we think MIGHT happen based on no information other than a small part of a minor appointees resume, 6 months into a term, despite significant evidence indicating this guy might be a friend.

It just seems pretty absurd.

[Grinchie]

63. Thank you for Blessing Obama

Now we know that he is nothing more than a prop, and can start working to get someone to replace him.

[Grinchie]

82. Immediately.. Pardon me, but this is step 20 of the continuance of Bush.

Try to wake up and pay attention, or maybe you'll be the one held forever after acquittal, or maybe you missed that announcement too.

[girl gone mad]

93. Yah, that's worked out real well with all of those former Goldman Sachs employees.

They just do the people's work and forget all about the company they owe favors to and the huge check they could cash if they make sure their once and future employer is taken care of.

:sarcasm:

[Jakes Progress]

103. Oh. Of course. It's the old double reverse, secret plan

chess and checkers game. We poor mortals don't have a chance of understanding how things work. We should just sit back and hope. Please sir May I have another.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

44. Good.

That'll really piss off all the conspiracy woo woos.

[The abyss]

69. Wow – this story got moved fast

I commented first in LBN, now I find it in GD.

[Bushknew]

70. Give him some more time, he'll come around.

[ControlledDemolition]

76. Monsanto is working on 'Soylent Green' seeds for all! Hall-a-loo-yah!!! n/t

[Hannah Bell]

79. weird. couple of days ago, there was a thread on this here, we were told it was a phony rumor that

had been debunked.

& here's the appointment.

where ae those knowlegeable posters now?

[Grinchie]

84. Could it mean that they knew this would bring down the House of Obama?

It really is amazing, first we have the massive propaganda campaing regarding HR 875, or "Growing Tomato may soon be illegal" as a scare campaign that was a total fantasy against a good food safety bill, and we see nothing regarding the valid appointment of Monsanto Schill, and Clinton era enabler of the uncontrolled expansion of GMO across the world.

This is truly shocking, and unmistakable Corporate America.

Despite this, the Monsanto fanboys seem to be few in numbers, but just as infantile and helpless as usual, in their attempt to feign ignorance, and Gush over Taylor's appointment.

How does one keep up the strength to help the idiots from their own demise, when they are so intent on destroying themselves?

[Tim01]

87. OH shit! This is really really bad.

This is pretty much the worst thing I could imagine.

Monsanto is involved in making it so poor African countries can't plant crops unless they buy Monsanto seeds.


They are also suing farmers who advertise organic produce, for slander against non-organic food.

I feel sick.

[Grinchie]

91. In the Movie Food Inc. The mother who lost her Son to E. Coli from a hamburger

Was asked about her preferences regarding food. She immediately contracted, and became hesistant to answer, and then described something called "Veggie Liable Laws", which I have never heard about.

It wasn't made very clear in the Movie, but they brought up a scene from Oprah where she said that she wasn't going to eat meat anymore. She was then sued by some meatpacker, and you see here walking out of the courtroom, visibly conscious of trying to not say something that would get her into trouble again.

We are at a point in our history where the Corporations are nothing more than a shield for any accountability. They have preferential tax laws written exclusively for them. They have Hijacked the Constitution and have earned the right to be treated as a Legal Person, despite the fact that this legal person wields almost god like power financially.

In some respects, Corporations have more power now than the U.S. Government.

[happydreams]

97. My understanding is that its worse than that. Monsanto has actually killed

people who lead efforts to break free from their stranglehold on food.

[Tim01]

99. I don't see Monsanto being above anything. nt

[earth mom]

92. I'm not surprised. Pissed off, but not surprised. I knew this kind of shit was coming

during the primaries.

Hate to say it but I told ya'll so over a year ago.

:grr:

[Karenina]

94. VERY. BAD. MOVE.

:puke: I just don't get this. Once these guys get a toehold they hogtie EVERYTHING. Allowable levels of pus in milk... :puke:

[Ignis]

95. Next Appt: Big Tobacco Lobyist for Surgeon General?

This is fucking ridiculous. :thumbsdown:

[rollingrock]

100. How many times did Obama vow that no lobbyists would work for his administration?

what a lying piece of dung.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

101. Whoa, whoa, whoa...

aren't you the guy that loves ozone, and recommends high power ozone generators as a cure-all?

[bobthedrummer]

102. Unless this guy has had a complete change of heart, this is not good at all for US.

Fwiw, I live in the epicenter of the organic world-the driftless region of Wisconsin.

[TheCoxwain]

104. FUCK, FUCk, FUcK, FuCK, fUCK, FUck,FuCk, fUCk, FucK, fUcK, fuCK, Fuck, fUck, fuCk, fucK, fuck

In how many more ways can I say it?