You put the news on the back burner for a few days and what happens? Pots boiling over all over the place.
I had an April 30 deadline for my book about raw milk, so have been singularly focused the last few days. (I did meet the deadline, whew.)
But like everyone else, I’ve been wondering what to make of this swine flu thing, or whatever the hell they are calling it. It seems pretty clear now that, with most illnesses of the mild variety, the whole thing may well have been turned into something more akin to yelling “Fire!” in a movie theater than a public health issue.
Many people are so terrified, they won’t venture out, or they won’t touch door knobs. Schools have been shuttered, sports events postponed. On the opposite side of the precautionary scale, Mark McAfee of Organic Pastures tells me, “There has been a run on raw milk in California. Our sales this week where higher than ever before.We have been hearing that people are getting it because they want stronger immune systems in light of Swine Flu and the suggestion that weak immunity people are most likely to be affected negatively.”
It’s easy to blame the media, but the media are really only playing follow-the-leader. One leader has been the World Health Organization, the health arm of the United Nations, which raised its alert level to an unheard-of level, with its director stating Wednesday, “After all, it really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic.”
I agree with a number of the recent reader comments warning us not to jump to conclusions about this situation. It’s just that when the professional bureaucrats start using hyperbole, you have to ask yourself: What’s the real agenda here? Usually, with these people, it’s a matter of gaining more power. After all, they’re too altruistic to be after money, right? (They leave that to Big Pharma and its various offshoots.)
And so my mind goes to something truly scary I just read: how President Obama, at that international monetary gathering in London a few weeks ago, apparently signed the U.S. on to international regulation of our financial system.
I know this sounds like weird conspiracy stuff, but it comes from a financial analyst I’ve been reading for several years, who is part of an organization I’ve found to be level-headed and fairly objective (even if I don’t always agree with its political leanings), and very much anti-conspiratorial and trusting of the sytem.
The author, Gary Halbert, argues that President Obama committed to placing the U.S. financial system under international regulation via something called the Financial Stability Board controlled by the G-20 countries. He says, “This new Financial Stability Board is so alarming in so many ways, and there may be no way to stop it now that Obama has signed onto it. And the worst part is that virtually no Americans have any idea about it. This is unbelievable!”
I bring this up because it’s clear that the financial crisis has been used as an excuse to make major changes to our financial system—mainly giving the federal government much more control over companies and regulations via trillions in bailouts that haven’t even been fully calculated. So why not a health crisis to centralize, and maybe even internationalize, our health care and public health systems?
It was adept use of fear tactics during the 1930s and 1940s that eventually led us into near-mandatory pasteurization and homogenization of milk. It was fear tactics again during the 1980s, this time by a Nader-backed consumer group, that led to the government prohibition on interstate sales of raw milk (which was opposed, by the way, by the regulation-wary Reagan Administration).
In the final analysis, when fear mongering is used as a cover to adjust who controls what, power (and control) shifts away from ordinary people and toward nameless faceless bureaucrats who tend to be arrogant in their knowledge of what is best for the rest of us. Watch out who becomes really sick from this flu bug.
I absolutly love the picture of the cute toddler kissing the "Non-CAFO pig".
So much has been lost as humanity left the farm. That toddler just recieved the gift of immunity from the ecosystem in which he lives, learns and loves ( as his little kisses show us all). Kissing is one of the best ways to share immunity and show love. It is interesting that one of the most universal expressions of love is also the best way to share immunity. A gift of love is a gift of bacteria and sharing what makes us human. Yes….80% of us is made up of bacteria. Try as hard as you want…you can not wash it off or flush it out…
It is innate and deeply Bacteriosapien….it is how we were born on earth and how we have survived. If we intend to survive in the future we better figure out how to get more good bacteria ( and feed them well ) into us… not out of us.
So go out and kiss a pig and drink some raw milk. In CA, this last 14 days, our consmers are drinking raw milk like mad….it appears that they want the good strong immunity it brings. So much for the media craziness and Smithfield Flu ( thanks Pete ).
This is another FDA fear scam that fizzled….what a bunch of lost sad souls.
Mark McAfee
I saw on the previous post, regarding the Tenn bill. Why on earth would a person need a RX to buy raw milk? How asinine.
we should all be very angry and marching on washington with axes and pitchforks. but instead we’re like sheep. like the jews in 1930’s germany: it can’t be what it looks like….
can it?
Cute picture. One thought though, if thinking about going into the petting zoo business to supplement your raw milk sales…something to consider – those previously healthy kids who did not have "immunity," and their parents that were not provided proper education about precautions :
http://www.marlerblog.com/2009/04/articles/legal-cases/petting-zoos-still-dangerous-e-coli-o157h7/
David just one question is placing the US financial system under the FSB permitted in the US Constitution?
The FSB is a foreign institution perhaps we should consult a Constitutional scholar.
"Unbelievable" and scary indeed!!!
That people still look to our dysfunctional and threatening government for "proper education" or advice on health (or for that matter for anything but its core purposes as enumerated in our now washed up constitution) is simply amazing. Please Lykke, I know you must see this mess for what it is. Why, when the core model is so terribly damaging, do you still support applying programs to it? Is there any reasonable expectation that another program, or rule, or violent enforcement action, will fix these problems? (Even if programs could be helpful, do we want them to be invented and controlled by the very system that created the problems?)
If I hear about another government program I’m going to just spit. Government is emphatically NOT about about preserving freedom, and certainly not about preserving health, but about preserving control and money. As long as we keep supporting its expansion we can count on nothing but expansion of tyranny (and poor health).
http://www.thepacker.com/Wisconsin-company-recalls-spinach-after-salmonella-find/Article.aspx?articleid=365518&authorid=680&categoryid=205&feedid=215
Spinach is taking a beating.
David, I look forward to reading your book.
DH and I coughed our way through hand shearing our small herd of sheep and angora goats, recovering from some unknown flu that obviously wasn’t covered in last fall’s shot. We got it well before messing with the sheep and goats. Somehow, 2 weeks after shearing, neither of us are ever sick.
We get sick from other people, not from our farm. According to Marler’s blog, I should have died 20 times already and should be on dialysis. I really can’t stomach that stuff. Petting zoo e-coli? I’m sure it exists, but I am frankly more scared of a daycare center and people who bleach their homes from top to bottom! I don’t befriend them, and I don’t invite their germs to my house.
Whoa, what? World Financial Stability Board? I’ve never heard of it. I read something on the BBC website about Swiss banks signing onto something, and the U.S. trying to get them to disclose U.S. accounts in Swiss banks for tax purposes, and the Swiss banks putting up a fight. My thought was, "Why didn’t I know I could hide money in Switzerland sooner?" Could it all have something to do with that? Tax collection?
I have read every conspiracy theory under the sun on farming groups and forums online about this swine flu, and a couple of nights ago I heard a few more I hadn’t heard yet at Farm Bureau meeting. I used the words, "consipiracy theories," in a mildly sarcastic post in one group, and was moderated to not discuss non-farming issues, while others went on and on and on with their various theories!!! If I believe any at all, I’m more apt to believe the corporate ones. But I’m just not sure about it any more, David. There is so much paranoia, that I’ve been effectively deconditioned against conspiracy theories. I think it is mass-feudalism with kings-gone-rampant-with-taxes; and corporate execs in some cases replacing the kings. We’ve come to a place where the system has become too pathological and no longer works for us, and we are going to have to call it back to its mission – like in Walter Wink’s, "The Powers That Be."
My cuts are healing nicely without infection, and without triple antibiotic ointment or any such thing – just plain soap and water. I’m looking forward to your book too. I feel better than I’ve felt for weeks.
New York Times
Emergency Rooms Fill With Record Nimbers, but Many Aren’t Ill, Just Afraid
by Kevin Sack
"Some hospitals emergency rooms have seen record-breaking numbers of patients this week as those with coughs, sore throats and fevers -and some with NO SYMPTOMS AT ALL- sought reassurance that they do not have swine flu"
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/02/us/02er.html?_r1&f=WRH
Perhaps we should all just turn the dam TV off and maybe read Davids new book or something that will block the TSUNAMI of propaganda with the accompaning flotsam and jetsam of lies surrounding us.
Sadly those who fall prey to all the fear mongering are the very ones that have no idea of what they are consuming in their SAD and look to TPTB for guidance.
I honestly and seriously beg you to join us and drink some raw milk. I am truly saddened by your visits to TCP to only look on critically and not join in with us.
At todays Fresno Farmers Market …..it was a controlled mob scene, especially towards the end, when we ran short of product ( this after we overstocked our truck ). We sold out for the third week in a row and sold the last amounts to moms and kids in limited amounts to make it stretch. Moms were lining up because other moms had shared their families story of recovery from chronic ear infections and colds and yes…even the flu. All this while Korean National TV film crews watched and interviewed the moms as they said they "had had enough of illness and sad sick kids".
CP and Lykke….please join us in this powerful and meaningful evolution towards prevention through whole food nutrition. Your personal passion and purpose would be better focussed on a positive and worthy direction.
My next tee shirt is going to say…."No Flu for U….Drink Raw Milk". The food movement is towards being immunized through food to prevent disease. There is no immunity without biodiversity. There are no dainty steps or half way moves. Our next banners that will hang over the OPDC Raw Milk Booth is going to say…:" FOOD FARM-A-SEE…See the Pharmer for Advice"
Raw Milk Rocks!!
CFR 1240.61 and the FDA suck!!
Mark
An easy answer-big pharma. Push for that vacc, take these pills, try these OTC, they’ll help decrease the symptoms, use these antibacterial soaps… Yes indeed, an easy answer.
"I do want our government to stay abreast of health threats. But first I want them to promote good health, teach people how to build immunity, and craft laws that foster nourishing food and stop letting TPTB get away with murder. Isn’t nourishment the first law of life? " -Blair
"I know you must see this mess for what it is. Why, when the core model is so terribly damaging, do you still support applying programs to it? " -Dave M.
It would be great if education was sufficient – simply announce to the public that the government has identified an outbreak, or a new strain of a virus, or a component in food that increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer or some other risk and call it a day. At least 2 problems though:
1) it seems like most on this blog are very different from the mainstream public – in my experience, the majority of the pubilic want the government to provide some sort of message concerning what "to do" about the risk. If the CDC head got up and said – we have identified a possibly deadly strain of influenza that was first recognized in Mexcio and appears to be spreading in the US and other countries. We will keep you up to date on its location. Thanks all for your attention. And stopped there….
Hmm, how would go over with the media and most of the populace? It wouldn’t. The hotlines are ringing off the hook from the public wanting to know "what to do." If the message was just – the government has no role ofther than to inform – you need to be responsible and go figure it out yourself.
2. Based on expertise, the government tends to organize itself into boxes or silos, which has pros and cons. There are numerous messages and "programs" about nutrition, chronic disease, the dangers of SAD, etc. if you visit government sites (especially CDC and the state health department Chronic Disease and Maternal/Child Health programs). On this blog, most of the critique is focused on those that study germs – why aren’t the government nutrion programs ever commented on – they are packed with informaiton about the dangers of SAD, and all kinds of recommendations for a better diet with fresh foods, lots of fruits and veggies, etc.
I MHO, the system needs many improvements – it is a challenge to figure out how to make it better (easy to criticize, much harder to come up with solutions that work for as many people as possible; and, some people will never be pleased no matter what the government does, right Don (teasing you here a bit – I know there is a sense of humor under the sometimes crusty, frustrated surface)?
Finally, Mark, thanks for the invite to join you selling raw milk at the market. Since I’m playing "the system" here, you probably don’t want a visit from that "program." Be glad everyone is over "visiting" with the sprout, pistachio, and spices people of late.
This is an interesting discussion regardless of differences in opinion. I will likely read David’s book too.
http://www.cdc.gov/search.do?queryText=food+additives&action=search
The cdc’s site does not inform people about additives/chemicals in or on foods. The 2nd link was from searching the cdc site for food additives. It also is not informative.
Where does it state the "dangers of SAD"? Please post a link.
http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/WIC-NE-AuthorizedFoodListEnglish08-07.pdf
http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/WIC-NE-AuthorizedFoodListEnglishFuture.pdf
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/benefitsandservices/foodpkggenfaqs.HTM#2
Processed cereal is part of SAD, many on this list encourages poor nutrition. 2009 is no better than 2008 That box of cheerios meets the govts nutritional standards! That is SAD.
http://ww2.cdph.ca.gov/programs/wicworks/Documents/WIC-NE-EdMaterials-GiveYourBabyAHealthyStart.pdf
Lykke,
I am not seeing where there is any realistic information from the govt sites. These don’t teach anyone anything.
As I mentioned before {same old story but a new twist] I was having very very severe stomach problems prior to making a massive diet change. All my life I also suffered very very severe hay fever problems and the diet change improved that by about 20%. This spring I increased the size of 2 of our large flower gardens added more dayllies, daffodills and mulched and mowed the grass 3 times and did a lot of triming with the dirts and grass flying everywhere including massive amounts up my nose there by into.
my body. But no allergy reaction at all none. In prior years after doing just a part of these tasks I would be unable to breathe thru my nose and be utterly miserable red eyes achy body even feverish. My DW laughs at me nearly every day as I keep showing her that I can now breathe thru my nose with my mouth shut. Keeping my mouth shut has been a BIG BIG plus for her also.
Next month we will begin our fifth year on raw daiy pastured meats real salt and all the real stuff. No MDs no drugs and no sickness. We choose to step out of the mainstream and have no desire to return.
Lykke I am not angry all the time but it does break my heart to watch all the NEEDLESS suffering! And I can not keep my mouth shut about it. SORRY
PS I am not against good government as they protect the individual rights of us all. What can be said of our present state of affairs? Are we not the mere SERFs at the base of the pyramid and we serve all those above us? The money [IOUs] flows upward. Any trickle effect down?
You sure got it right when you said this (which I take out of context): [a] majority of the public want the government to provide…
You can fill in the blank there with whatever you like.
Of course the problem is that the powers inherent in government are available for manipulation, so the good things government does are very often (always?) directed by somebody’s narrow self-interest. The good is often good only for some (usually very good for a very few) and damaging to the rest.
What good has government wrought from this latest scare of swine flu? Panicked people looking for masks and prophylactic medicines? Reassurances that CAFO pork is safe? Millions upon millions of dollars spent on swine flu emergency plans by hospitals and health departments? Government control of medicines by massive purchasing and stockpiling? Reinvigorated interest in vaccinations? Reinforcement of the notion that medical care is the only way to achieve health? Reinforcement of the notion that microbes are the enemy?
Surely somebody has profited, either in money or power, from each of those. Certainly nowhere in any of them do we find Truth Justice and The American Way. Yet, as you say, a majority want government to provide…
The broad brush used by government is just only when it applies core principles like protection of rights and peace. As soon as it escapes its chains (as it has in spades in the era of programs and agencies) it becomes a weapon against some (usually most) of its citizens.
Even the good programs look ugly if we merely see them for what they are.
Preserve Farmland! In America today that means preserve millions of acres of pesticide-laden, eroded, dead soil. Help our children! Well, I listened to a Head Start (one of those untouchable programs) director recently say that, among the great things her program does is teach parenting skills like how to trim nails (…because you know how scary that can be, she said without even a blink). She was also quite proud that Head Start uses its powers to assure that children receive the twenty or so vaccinations they must have before the age of two (!) and that they will be there to support all the children now mysteriously suffering from autism and other developmental problems.
One might think that a constitutional republic would not find any opening at all into such actions. Wrong there. One might think that the very negative outcomes of government actions would turn the tide. Wrong there, too. All because, alas, [a] majority of the public want the government to provide… and because, God knows, there’s profit to be made.
P.S. Lykke, as a thinking, open-minded representative of the dark side you have indeed added immensely to this blog, and I, for one, appreciate your presence here (not only, by the way, as a springboard for conversation, but also as a target for conversion!).
MSNBC Food Firm Recalls LEAD-Contaminated Lollipops
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30530838/
Its called planned Globalization and no raids with guns and badges and no farmer arrested here even tho lead a deadly poison was in this candy from Mexico not China this time. Whats wrong with this picture?
Last week I stopped in a grocery store and in a new health food section I picked up a bag of organic pumpking seeds [we toss in a few hand fulls of that and other seeds and raisns in our home made bread] I was delighted because this was a nearby source but while standing in the check out line then the OS____ moment happed I read on the back of package A Product of China yea I lost my place in line.
Globalization has destroyed our industrial base, Globalization is now helping to destroy our farming base Globalization is destroying our monetary base.. Who and what in our nation for years has promoted Globalization and the demise of America?
Are my Globalization statements correct? If yes then answer the follow up questions.
Am I crusty and frustrated you betcha and why arent you?
Lykke you and CP are smart ladies I also hope both of you both would join us for we are in a fight for our lives. Melamine from China, lead from Mexico, mercruy in our fish, chemtrails poisoning our air [do you know what that is ?] fluroide in the water [ do you know what that is?] where did the swine flu come from evolution, GMOs, cloned animals and on and on! Do a Google search on this madness!
The odds and history are not on our side and our very survival is at stake will TPTB save us???
So many thought-provoking comments – thanks to all of you! Gwen, loved your hoof-trimming story. This kind of stuff happens to me too on a smaller scale – I buy whole chickens because I read that they are the most presentable (the "all legs" or "all breasts" packages come from chickens that are not presentable in their whole form…I have a great pair of Joyce Chen scissors (awesome torque and sharp!) but I end up snipping myself often. I just shrug, rub in the coconut oil, and tell myself to drink more kefir. Besides, these are pastured chickens – full faith working.)
Lykke, I loved your last post!!! You have indeed set yourself up as TPTB, and you have done an admirable job explaining your perspective. I’m listening to you, I love your respectful independent and considerate responses. I also have much more respect for what you do. Thanks very much for your courage and honesty. Please, keep it up, keep educating, keep thinking and challenging! My response to your last post is Yes – ask Americans to think for themselves. Don’t fold to the nanny state pressure – demand that they take responsibility. This Complete Patient group is not just different; they are exemplary. We lead; we know it can be done. If they love their children, if they understand the threat to their health, and the earth, they can do this too. But you need to teach well, and you need to lead.. Also, can you point me to the govt websites that teach the dangers of SAD diet? Hasn’t been a salient message from our gov’t….as Dave and Sylivia so clearly point out
Dave Milano. thanks for your undeserved praise but I want to humbly point out that I’m a "she". Love your posts – your’e the best!!!
-Blair (Mary Blair – blame my mother – she named her sons John and David, but for her daughters, it was Caila, Blair and Megan – 50 years ago…I think I understand her agenda but dang, when I was assigned a dorm room in college, they 1st had me rooming with Chuck and Bob….kind of embarrassing…And liberating too – heh…Yes we did get that corrected but my name has always confused people. I’ll stick with it though. Seems to fit my unconventional life, but I l am proud to be a woman – untold gifts…)
I better shut up now.
http://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/index.html
A couple links that are good, IMHO:
Farm to School and School Gardens
http://tiny.cc/IgAqA
5 a Day
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/
I’m a big fan of fruits and vegetables, even juicing. Some like raw milk, I prefer a dark leafy green vegetable!
Bottom line: regarding perceived deficiencies on the governmental nutrition websites, the people who work in that area should be addressed for the most impact., not necessarily the "germ" chasers and food safety regulators. Their job description is to track outbreaks and put out prevention information (or enforce regulations) on foodborne illnesses, not develop nutrition or "immunity" programs….
Just some thoughts…