Ontario’s premier, Dalton McGuinty, may well be wondering if meeting with Michael Schmidt might involve a loss of “face”…that he will look weak if he accedes to the dairy farmer’s request.
He might want to take a look at the photo here. It’s from March 1968, and shows Robert Kennedy, then a U.S. senator from New York, and a candidate for the Presidential nomination, meeting with migrant farm leader Cesar Chavez on day 25 of his hunger strike on behalf of laws to protect farm workers. Chavez ended the hunger strike after meeting with Kennedy. And here is some video footage of Kennedy speaking to reporters after meeting with Chavez.
Robert Kennedy with Cesar Chavez as he concluded a hunger strike in March 1968. It might be said that Kennedy had an important political agenda associated with his decision to meet with Chavez–the California presidential primary was coming up that June. But Kennedy was the only one of the candidates for the Democratic nomination to take up the cause of Chavez. The gesture didn’t hurt, since Kennedy won the June California primary (only to be assassinated the evening of his victory).
I don’t think political advantage was all that motivated him, though. In the process of serving as U.S. attorney general and then becoming a senator, he had become ever more sensitive to the desperation of America’s underclass. His ability to relate to America’s poor and disadvantaged was the primary factor in his rising popularity.
He would go on the next month, after his meeting with Chavez, to make one of the most courageous speeches any American politician has ever made, the evening of Martin Luther King’s assassination. He was to speak at a political rally in Indianapolis. When the King assassination occurred just a few hours before, Kennedy was advised to cancel the rally. He insisted on holding it, even after Indianapolis police refused to accompany him into the city’s black area.
Here is a video of that speech. It is well worth watching, Premier McGuinty (and everyone else), for an inspiring example of a politician trying to appeal to the best in people, rather than the dark side.
I spoke today with one of Premier McGuinty’s press aides. I wanted to know whether the premier had made a decision on whether to meet with Schmidt–this in connection with an article I was doing for Grist about Schmidt’s hunger strike. No, the spokesman said, the matter is still “under review.” Could he tell me when a decision might be made? No, he didn’t want to “speculate” on that.
There is little for the premier to lose in meeting with Schmidt, and much to gain. Even citizens who don’t agree with Schmidt about making safe raw milk available on a private basis almost always respect his argument, and his dignified approach to the matter. The only people who might not care for a decision to meet with Schmidt are the public health professionals and the dairy industry bigwigs, but I guarantee they will get over any upset when McGuinty makes clear that he is simply respecting the idea of having an open dialog about a matter of much meaning to an important and fast-growing segment of the people.
All I can say at this point is that time is running very short. Cesar Chavez was nearing death at day 25 of his hunger strike in 1968. Michael Schmidt is now at day 27, and his health is increasingly at serious risk. It’s time Premier McGuinty, to end the suffering, and allow everyone to exhale.
http://www.drudgereport.com
If Drudge picks this story up then the game changes in favor of Michael.
GREAT idea!
Just tweeted Drudge_Report, Drudge and DrudgeReportHQ
nancy
To answer the question:
RAWMI is the voice of raw milk for all of north America, not just the legal states. Those that appose raw milk have a very loud and united voice and include: the FDA, AMA, Deans Foods, Land-o-Lakes etc… Our raw milk voices are distant…non cohesive, non coordinated. There is no track record of our raw milk farmers hard work. There is not recognition of the farmers efforts. We have 50 states that reflect 50 shades of raw milk chaos. Consumers have no way of knowing the quality of the raw milk they are drinking. There is no organization that can coordinate the change of raw milk laws. Insurance is harder and harder to get.
RAWMI is dedicated to universal access to safe raw milk for all people.
No state agency does these things…
The time has come to join together in one very strong unified voice.
There is a young photo journalist (Paul B.) who is in Ontario, covering the Michael Schmidt story. He met with his Member of Provisional Parliament a couple of days ago and is doing everything he can on his blog and Twitter to get coverage of Michael.
Here is his blog: http://stateofswashbuckl.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/tweet-message-judge-napolitano-his-producer/
Twitter: @PaulSwashbuckl
In his latest blog post, he suggests reaching out to Judge Napolitano and his producer of Freedom Watch. I have to agree – If there is anyone on TV who might run with this story, it's the Judge.
I let him know last week about the raw milk freedom riders. It sounds like he and perhaps some other Canadians are planning on coming down to the freedom ride on Nov 1st.
http://shanonbrooks.com/2011/10/people-live-dirt-roads-monte-laura-bledsoe-quail-hollow-farm-csa/
The farmers called FTCDLF and Gary Cox told them to ask 2 simple questions:
Do you have a search warrant?
Do you have an arrest warrant?
The inspectors did not. The farmers asked them to leave.
Join FTCLDF…the food freedom fighters.
My best to Michael Schmidt.
http://www.ufw.org/_page.php?inc=history/07.html&menu=research
Cesar Chavez completed his 36-day Fast for Life on August 21, 1988. The Reverend Jesse Jackson took up where Cesar left off, fasting on water for three days before passing on the fast to celebrities and leaders. The fast was passed to Martin Sheen, actor; the Reverend J. Lowery, President SCLC; Edward Olmos, actor; Emilio Estevez, actor; Kerry Kennedy, daughter of Robert Kennedy, Peter Chacon, legislator, Julie Carmen, actress; Danny Glover, actor; Carly Simon, singer; and Whoopi Goldberg, actress.
Lets have a FAST relay for RAWMILK. Instead of Michael carrying this burden into self injury…how about we all sign up to continue his fast just like in 1988.
We can all take three day FASTS for Michaels cause…our cause.
I know Max Cane and others would take up-the baton. I am also first in Line!!
This is not Michaels fight…it is a human fight for all of us. Michael should not carry this burden alone. Cesar Chavez stopped short of death.
Michael…death is not an option. Give the baton to us and let us carry it forward with you. Start eating…start drinking raw milk!! Martin Sheen drinks raw milk. He FASTED for Cesar Chavez in 1988. So did many others.
Let this be our fast. Not just your fast. We need you…the cause needs you.
I take offence to the lauding of a known a communist – whose personal associations go right back to the Grand Old worshipper of Lucifer Hisself, namely Saul Alinsky – as though what Chavez did, and the way he accomplished it, is a roadmap for which way the Campaign for REAL MILK ought to go
40 years' of paying attention to them has taught me that the commies are wicked, but they ain't stupid. You can always trust a communist = to be a communist. Never forget : these are the same people who genocided 10 million white Christians, in the Holomordor in Ukraine. They hate Christians and they hate small holders. Folding-in the image of Caesar Chavez as someone to be admired, evidences that they're scheming to take the raw milk issue where they want. It signals what we're in for as Ham-merica descends to the kind of equality socialism delivers … whereby every one shares the shortage
http://trevorloudon.com/2011/08/yes-they-did-barack-obama-cesar-chavez-and-their-common-communist-roots/
I urge every one who cares about the real values of the real America to read the article at the above link. Then remember what your Oath of Alleigance says about defending your nation against its enemies domestic. You let the communist vipers in, and they will do to this genuine populist movement what they've done over the last century to every nation in which they sink their poisonous fangs
So the politicians in BC, of both parties, are listening to what Michael Schmidt has been saying. He has accomplished what he set out to do. More than enough reason to = very carefully = break his fast, right now
Gordon S Watson, Burnaby BC
I am sickened by your comment.
Communist….really?
Come-on lets get real.
Obama….a communist???
This is bigotry.
Cesar Chavez….a communist, really???
Humanitarian yes, activist yes, civil rights leader yes….. Communist NO!
I don't oppose Obama for the blackness of his skin, but for the red of his politics.
Gordon, I'm so glad you are here. While I don't agree with much that you post, and find many of your positions comical, I do feel that it important that we all have an opportunity to learn from one another….from even the most ridiculous of opinions. I remember reading Alinsky when I was younger, and your view of the man, what he stood for and why he did what he did is totally off base. But hey, you, as the rest of us, are welcome to live in our own Private Idaho.
First good ol Malcolm, and now Cesar…seems to be a common thread developing here. It's obvious that the fight for rights is the first line on the agenda. Not too enamoured with either of these individuals….but I can guarantee you that if either one were involved in our movement, we wouldn't be looking to mainstream raw milk by proving to the Average Joe, the corporate controlled politicians and those that are supposedly entrusted with the 'public health', that it is 'safe' to drink. I'm certain that both would be in the 'Rights First' camp.
A number of years ago I was taught, by a very intelligent High School teacher, that pure Communism AND pure Capitalism both have their drawbacks, and that a society that tends toward the extremes of either will short change a significant portion of the populace, and eventually become dysfunctional. He pointed out that both were needed for a healthy society, and the combination of the two would be critical for creating a social structure that would be beneficial to most, and stable. China has been figuring this out….blending social communism with economic capitalism…..and that is what makes them so dangerous. A little more 'control' of the greed of capitalism in this country would help get this country back on the right track. That's why millions are demonstrating in town squares all across the country and the world….they know it to be true too.
What I really want to address is Marks question. The question of universal access. Did anyone else notice that universal access magically transformed into Universal Access. It's catch phrases like this that some use to obfuscate truth, and convince people that their course of action is better .or even worse, used to discredit another. Kind of reminds me of the conservatives repeating 'socialism' or 'class warfare' over and over again. If you say it enough times, people will buy into it (right Gordon, lol)
What exactly does universal access mean?
Does it mean that everyone in this country can have access to raw milk if they choose? If so then I contend that we are already there….because whether you believe it or not, raw milk is available for those who truly want it and are willing to take the steps to acquire it (even in states where statutes prohibit it's distribution) Sure, it's not easy to get in many places, but if someone wants it, they can get it…and if they can't, they aren't looking hard enough, or in the right places. Yes, the bar can be set high in certain areas, and tremendous effort must be expended by some to get it….but as we all know raw milk, and the benefit it instills, is worth it.
What I fear here, is that universal access means making it 'easy' for raw milk to be obtained….and lowing the bar for it's acquisition….making it just another healthy food that you can pluck of the shelf at the chain grocery store. Does 'Universal Access' really mean making it more convenient for it to be had? Does it mean that jugs of raw milk should be in dairy coolers right along side the jugs of boiled stuff in every convenience store, bodega or supermarket? Is the goal really to have raw milk available at your friendly neighborhood Walmart? God, or whatever your Supreme Being is called, help us if it is.
Establishing the goal of decriminalization….making it legal for people to procure the foods of our choice…and removing the governmental dictation of the who and what we choose to create our food supply, should be the obvious goal of this movement. Demanding our rights from those who seek to control us and our food is worthy of the two 'radicals' recently being used to frame the argument. Taking back what has been taken from us is priority number one. Establishing a 'institution' that will make our opponents 'like' or accept' us is not the path that either of them would agree with. Making raw milk easier….lowering the bar….and commoditizing the farm fresh stuff, does not serve those who have brought the raw milk market to the place it is today. Supermarkets will not be served by small local producers.
The ultra commercialization of raw milk will diminish it, and despite claims to the contrary, will not lead to a radical change in the health of this country (unless of course, the attitude toward the SAD is changed). Investment bankers, insurance agents, publicized test numbers and fancy 'tested' labels are the concern of large industrial producers…not your small local farmer. Creating a system which will give large corporate entities inroads into the raw milk market will tilt the playing field even harder against the little guy. And we need to pay a membership fee to take part in this?
Now I know some will disagree…that is OK… It doesn't take a rocket scientist that nothing good comes from mainstreaming anything…especially given the prevalence of ignorance in todays society. And sure some might see this view as 'elitist'…if you believe that standing up and protecting the small local farmer…the one that has repeatedly gotten the shaft as Big Ag has gotten bigger…. is elitist. Rights via Safety can work…but if the price to pay is sharing the raw market with large corporations, then it isn't worth it. I wonder how we can ever expect the largest industrial producer of raw milk in this country to agree….especially given his stated opinions toward the small producer and farm shares (at least until it was realized that these opinions would alienate prospective 'members'…and retroactively softened or denied)
Personal trust is what makes raw milk special today….can we really entrust the future of raw milk to someone who stated goal is to transfer that trust to some corporate purchased label?
Worth considering.
"Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history… the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom Lucifer.
On page 10:
"A Marxist begins with his prime truth that all evils are caused by the exploitation of the proletariat by the capitalists. From this he logically proceeds to the revolution to end capitalism, then into the third stage of reorganization into a new social order of the dictatorship of the proletariat, and finally the last stage — the political paradise of communism."
From the website where the previous quotes were taken:
"The Woods Fund, a nonprofit on which Obama served as paid director from 1999 to December 2002, provided startup funding and later capital to the Midwest Academy…. Obama sat on the Woods Fund board alongside William Ayers, founder of the Weather Underground domestic terrorist organization…. 'Midwest describes itself as 'one of the nation's oldest and best-known schools for community organizations, citizen organizations and individuals committed to progressive social change.'… Midwest teaches Alinsky tactics of community organizing."
And:
"True revolutionaries do not flaunt their radicalism, Alinsky taught. They cut their hair, put on suits and infiltrate the system from within."
http://www.crossroad.to/Quotes/communism/alinsky.htm
That last one should scare us the most.
I hope to be able to tell Michael Schmidt's story to those who come to the movie.
Also made the suggestion to the Drudge Report.
He goes back quite a way, a'dairying in California.
He likes to say "I was institutionalized for 12 years" … meaning, incarcerated in the public fool system
it's hard for those who suffered similarly, to think for themselves.
Here's a little exercise to get you started : tell me just one of the Ten Planks of the Communist Manifesto which is NOT being practiced in your neighbourhood?
that''s germane to the Campaign for REAL MILK because our contest is within the much bigger frame of reference = the industrialization of agriculture as called-for by Karl Marx, and seconded by your pal – 'community organizer' read, commie agitator Barry Suetoro ( foisted-offl in his 3 piece suit disguise as Barack O'Bama)
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| !
—- as for old Georgie Gordon, who's been a'dairying since 1950 … he's still milking a few cows out in Isabella Missouri. Reports of his death are greatly exaggerated.
Strikes me, Mr Damaged, from your relentless pessimism that you're still much deeper in 'damaged' mode, than you may appreciate.
Some people who get put through the meatgrinder of the legal racket never recover … but while there's life there's hope. It's up to you. Good handy example being Mrs Martin, finally moving on one tiny step at a time
The bottom line is this. CDFA is completely open to discussion about a new set of regs or rules for small dairy operations. It was the biggest door I have ever seen opened for raw milk. One of the senior CDFA officials shared with me…."that things are changing, we know raw milk is here to stay. We all acknowledge there are differences between raw and processed milk. We all acknowledge that. This group is about local small producers and fair feasible regs for them". As close to a quote I can get.
I know that some do not want any sort of regulations….none. These are the freedom lovers. The word freedom was not raised by anyone at anytime in the entire 2.2 hour meeting. However, the words safety, responsibility and consumer choice came up many many times.
It was fascinating to hear Dr. Beam give a brief history account of milk laws and regs in CA going back to the late 1800's. He brought us all up to the current laws and regs and then said that this working group was coming together at a time of change. A time when we all must adapt to a new trend in local, unprocessed milk and consumer choice.
I say that we have freedom in CA…why?
Because we have a state that responds appropriately and democratically to the will of the consumers ( at least on this issue ). Yes…it took some time, it took raiding Rawesome, it took beating up some cow shares, it took beating up OPDC a couple of times years ago….but the impetus for change is now here and CDFA appears to have opened the dairy barn door wide open for a bright new future. A future that we all need to embrace.
Dr. Whiteford said at her introduction….when we are all done, I hope that this Group effort results in some people that are happier than they are now. We can not make everyone happy….but we can try and make everyone at least a little happier.
This process will take some time…..but there appears to be change & peace in the wind.
I know that OPDC, WAP, Cow Shares, FTCLDF and Rawesome all played a part in this ten year educational battle. A battle won by repeatedly consistent delicious pathogen free raw milk being made available in hundreds of stores. If we had arrived today with a long history of sick people and pathogens…this process would never have been started or embraced. It would have been DOA.
My congrats to CDFA and our new Sec of Ag for their leadership and ability to seek change when change is needed and demanded by the people. I think we have new partners in Sacramento. This is not naive thought. I have been arround the block many times with CDFA.
Change has come and all of us should be proud for our parts in that change.
Thank you CDFA, I know it could not be easy to wear the pasteurized milk Got Milk mustache and also work with small raw milk dairies at the same time.
Mark
You state, I know that some do not want any sort of regulations….none. These are the freedom lovers. The word freedom was not raised by anyone at anytime in the entire 2.2 hour meeting. However, the words safety, responsibility and consumer choice came up many many times.
What exactly was discussed with respect to consumer choice?
When discussing consumer choice are they not responding to the consumers desire for the freedom to make a choice?
No drought the word freedom was not raised since it is anathema and politically incorrect to use such a term among regulators. This however, does not negate the fact that we are all freedom lovers by nature especially those within the real food movement.
I would suggest that freedom was front and centre and indeed the reason for the meeting. Hence freedom lovers played an instrumental role in assuring that this meeting came about. Not all freedom lovers are totally against regulation. Michael Schmitt is a good example with his continued emphasis on freedom of choice.
In my opinion raw milk is over regulated and undeservedly blamed for illness in many instances. It has become the sacrificial lamb so to speak on the altar of control.
Ken Conrad
I am sorry if my comment had any hint of unkindness. I meant to be kind and complimentary to all that have battled so hard to permit the political process to have evolved so far for raw milk in CA.
There is no greater champion of Freedom or responsible consumer choice than me. I just work at it from the inside and over the long term. Those that scream freedom and never come to the political process table when the opportunity is earned are not really about making America better or freer….they are about something different….not really sure. A free America is an America that gives a damn about engaging in the process not refusal to join the process.
Scott,
I could not agree more….what can we do? Michael must pass the torch. You are ready, I am ready, Max is ready….others are ready to take it from here. Michael needs to take the landslide victory in CA ( the CDFA Small Dairy Working Group process ) as his own victory. Michael testified in CA in 2008 in front of our legislature. Our political win in CA is his win. Claim victory and move on. Canada will be a tough nut to crack. It must not be allowed to take his life. All of the raw milk in Canada is not worth Mikes life or his injury. I have pled with Michael to pass the torch. Kathy Pirtle and I talk about this every day or so.
Scott do you have any ideas?
In Canada each dairy owner has millions tied up in his milk quota sale system rights. A passage of a raw milk system would be seen as an erosion of this dairymans cash cow protection system. I do not think that any of us understand the huge political forces behind this Canadian system. To allow a drop of raw milk to bypass the quota system weakens the billions of dollars that are on the line….in Canada this is all about their system and money. I have heard this directly from Canadian government themselves. I met with them directly in BC in 2007 and was interviewed on just this subject. They were not against raw milk per se…they just said their SYSTEM was not set up for it.
Michael is fighting against a system….not safety. Fighting against a system is going to take more than a FAST to change. It will take a state by state evolution across America, then change may come to Canada….maybe in our lives..maybe not. Money and security is a HUGE motivator for the protection of the present Canadian SYSTEM.
Maybe Michael can celebrate the breaking of his fast by eating Raw Milk and Cookies in front of the FDA next week. The Raw Milk Freedom Riders are the change we need.
Liz and the gang have done a fantastic job on this rally….this is the political process that brings freedom!!!
The only way to win the game is not to play.
Those would be the worst things to break Michael's fast. I've done two month-long water fasts myself, one last year, and breaking a long fast is kinda tricky… you can't eat just anything.
Cookies and milk are certainly way too much. Maybe a glass of diluted milk…sipped slowly over the first day.
Damaged Justice,
"The only way to win the game is not to play".
Your words are words of surrender….they are words of an expatriot. They are like saying…do not vote. They are like saying that staying down on the farm and never going to a meeting will change the politics of the FARM BILL.
Your surrender makes it so easy for the USDA-Big Ag Cash Handout programs to rip off America.
Coming to the table….demanding a place at the table. Making solid arguments. Teaching others…moving mountains a little at a time. Those are the things that make us free and make America Strong. Protesting with "eating raw milk and cookies" in front of the FDA…that is engagement, that is American. Max's You Tube showing calls to the FDA….that is engagement- that is American.
Surrender is not American. Ever seen the flag patch on an American soldiers shoulder….it hangs as if it flows in the wind, as the soldier advances forward. It is actually backwards. To show it the other way means that he is running away from the enemy.
Engagement of the enemy and taking a place at the table to fight…is America.
Not engaging is Bullshit!@!&*%%$$
Michael Schmidt is expected to be there, even though the trial has been postponed to December 6th 2011
=======================
the role of revisionists – moi – is to disregard the propaganda / outright lies of the powers that Be, which the masses assume as 'received wisdom', and go to the very source : .. in the Royal Archive in Victoria, I turned-up the Report of the Royal Commission into milk marketing from half a century ago. Our strength here in British Columbia is the fact that commissioner stated there must always be a way for people who want it, to get raw milk. It was sold perfectly legally, with no-one getting sick from then on. There is no other, more logical reason it was outlawed by regulation in 1988 (not by a vote in the legislature) than that the dairy cartel managed to reach the bureaucrats. The present regulation is utterly unconstitutional and will be proven so in the constitutional challenge
the REAL MILK is flowing today in BC largely because Mark McAffee came here in 2007, and inspired Alice Jongerden that it could be done properly. As well, he reached a group of activist types who amplified his message through the "health fanatic" community. Amazingly, he got major coverage on BC's "most listened-to radio station".
then last year, radio talk show hostess Christie Clark had Michael Schmidt on for an hour interview. Saying she'd grown up on raw milk, mocking the govt. for outlawing it
Today, she's the Premier of the Province
it takes a revisionist like me – with an adamantine forehead to be able to put up with the slings and arrows – to get the facts, then hold them up against the fiery darts from idiots who're still mired in their own misery / nattering nabobs of negativity
in fact and in law : our cowshare, and the other dozen cowshares in BC, are legitimately producing today because we assert the right to use and enjoy our own property. We have our paperwork in order to cool-out the bureaucrats … just as Mister Justice Tetley points out in his Reasons for Judgment at paragraphs 52/53 of the Schmidt appeal
my old man used to say "everything goes around in cycles" … the Campaign for REAL MILK is just one of the battlefronts as we awaken from the stupor of communism, imposed on the nation stealthily by RACE TRAITORS, while the pulpit parrots fed the people on lies
what we're suffering is only the end result of what the anti-christ commies planned, proclaimed they'd do, then executed, over the last 3 generations
and the people = stupified by the false teachers in the pulpits of the state-licenced Baal-barns = love it so
That's what it's all about: turf. Step on someone else's turf and get squashed like a bug.