Video: The World According to Monsanto

I came across this documentary about Monsanto. It is by far one of the best I have seen on the subject.

Afghanistan: Opium Production and Death Toll on the Rise

In Afghanistan things seem to be getting worse according to opium production and death tolls. Opium used to create the world's supply of mainly heroin has been a major issue in Afghanistan for many years. Before the invasion of US and NATO led forces into Afghanistan in 2001/2 Afghanistan had been the lead supplier of Opium producing approximately 75% of the world's opium in 1999. However, come 2000 to early 2001 the Taliban reduced the cultivation drastically which was confirmed by the United Nations [1]. Since the coalition invasion however opium production has risen each year to formerly unknown heights. In 2007 93% of the worlds opium came from Afghanistan which is more then any country ever before. It is also estimated that 14% of Afghanis are participating in the cultivation of poppies [2] and a 78% unemployment rate. This is mainly due to the increasing instability in the country and the economic viability of opium which produces at least 4X or more profits in comparison to other crops.

The instability in Afghanistan is seen very blatantly through increasing mortality rates. 2007 also had the highest mortality rates of more then 6500 deaths by direct conflict 222 being outside forces [3] including 30 Canadians. Five more Canadian soldiers have died already this year including yesterday Trooper Michael Yuki Hayakaze, with no knowledge of how many more casualties will result during the spring and summer -- consistently the most violent time when the most Canadians have lost their lives.

Not to mention that though part of the reason for this war is "Women's Rights". The rights of women are worse then ever. A male journalism student recently looked at a article on the internet that said that women's subjection under Islam was actually a misrepresentation of the Prophet Mohammed's words and the Koran. This has resulted him having to go to court with a possible death sentence. To quote The Independent of London "Violent attacks against females, usually domestic, are at epidemic proportions with 87 per cent of females complaining of such abuse – half of it sexual. More than 60 per cent of marriages are forced. Despite a new law banning the practice, 57 per cent of brides are under the age of 16. The illiteracy rate among women is 88 per cent with just 5 per cent of girls attending secondary school. Maternal mortality rates – one in nine women dies in childbirth – are the highest in the world alongside Sierra Leone." [4] It seems that despite the overthrowing of the Taliban regime things in Afghanistan seven years later are worse not better.

Images of Opium Production and a recent Afghan Funeral from the BBC

USA: South Central Farm

The largest urban farm in the United States is under threat. The farm has been worked for many years by local families and feeds over 350 families in the Los Angeles Area. Truthout.org made a short video of the farm which is available here. The owner of the land Horowitz wants the South Central Farmers off the land and has been making large claims for the land to be bought. The farmers were able to raise the money at which point Horowitz raised the price again. The farmers were able to again raise the new summ of $16.5 million for the land however, Horowitz wouldn't take it and wants to sell it to someone else to build warehouses. Although, the area around the farm is already littered with empty warehouses and the farm acts as a vital resource for the community. Yesterday, police in riot gear swarmed the farm at 5am PST to evict the farmers. About 50 people were arrested and some buldozing of the farm is underway. A fellow blogger The Sappho Manifesto lives in Los Angeles and has been reporting on site.

Ottawa: Farmers Do Feed Cities

For once I actually agree on an issue with Stephen Harper. In recent statements he adressed that farmers have been neglected and should be cared for. In this I agree, the plight of farmers around the world including in Canada is desperate. There is too much food in the world which supresses prices. This is why farmers are highly susceptable to using crops or products which may be detrimental in the long run including genetically modified organisms and harmful pesticides.

Canadian farmers yesterday protested that extreme inequality using the slogan "Farmers Feed Cities". $6.1 Billion is being asked for by the farmers, but time will tell if they get nearly that much or if it will even make an impact. The farmers have even threatend to interrupt food shipments to cities. Some may think that this is only hurting their cause, but with the net income of farmers at below zero it is no wonder that they may take such measures.

Farmers should be supported, but merely giving them money won't solve the problem, its only treating the symptoms. The free trade policies as well as the consumerifiying of farmers by big business is the root of the problem. Food is a necessity of life and farmers are the producers of that. They should be respected.

Tags: Protests, Ottawa, Farmers