Growing Genetically Modified Seeds
Yesterday I learned the three congresspersons representing Southeastern Wisconsin, including my Democratic, liberal, “friend of peace” congresswoman and the two Republicans in areas around Milwaukee voted for a continuing approbations bill, a short term spending bill to overcome the so called sequester. The bill allowed for 517.7 billion dollars for military spending. I sent the information to some peace list, many on those listed consider her an “a friend of peace” and do not want to hear when she votes for more military spending. There was no response on the list server.
Today I got noticed that hidden in the agriculture part of the bill was the ‘Monsanto Protection Act’ a provision protecting genetically modified seeds from litigation in the face of health risks. So our three local congresspersons, including my Democratic friend of peace person, not only voted for more war spending but also allowed companies like Monsanto to be not accountable for health risks resulted from genetically modified seeds. Since I got no response I had a friend send out this news. By the way, 109 representatives, Republican and Democrats voted against the bill. To my knowledge my friend has not heard from any of our liberal peace and environmental friends and I doubt if he will.
Love of friends, especially white liberal friends’ seems to be harder than ‘love of enemies. President Harding might have said it best: “I have no trouble with my enemies. I can take care
of my enemies in a fight. But my friends, my goddamned friends, they’re the ones who keep me walking the floor at nights!”
Over the years I have found it easier to detach myself from what my enemies say about me or the peace and justice issue I struggle for. But when my friends ignore the issues and me I find it very difficult to let it go and be detached. This is now true in both the issues I am working on: the peace issue of Marquette No Longer Teaching War and Killing and the justice issue of the Cry of the Poor Petition. My friends are other open minded liberal persons seem to offer the most opposition and recognition.
But not all my friends are part of this categorization. Real, true friends might not agree with my “opinions of the truth” but they do not ignore me, will dialog on the issues and support me and the same issues and we can work together.
Conservative Catholics like to call liberal Catholics ‘cafeteria Catholics’ although they are often pick and choose the Catholic moral principles and values they accept. Liberals and Conservatives on social and political issues, like the ones above, the bill for more military spending and lack of accountable for companies like Monsanto.
Modified genetic seeds and money for war are both dangers to health, be you liberal or conservative.
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