by
Robert Cohen
February-08-2004
from
Rense Website
Is this column too hot to handle?
On Saturday, February 7, 2004, the mailman delivered a pleasant
surprise. A large manila envelope stamped with $1.42 worth of
postage provided fascinating reading. Proving that some news is
great news, I was astonished to learn that my efforts have helped to
launch an official government criminal investigation against
Monsanto.
That news may prove to be a godsend, but my own pessimistic
prediction is that presidential election year politics will
ultimately sweep this crime under the rug. Monsanto is fortunate to
play the game well by having two allies in their vest pocket,
President George Bush and presidential wannabee John Kerry.
Monsanto is America's most dangerous criminal.
History will judge
them to be mass murderers. From Agent Orange to NutraPoison, to
Dioxins and PCBs, Monsanto has introduced many horrible chemicals
into our food supply and environment. History will also reveal that
George Bush was elected by a key vote from one Supreme Court Justice
who also served as their attorney (Clarence Thomas).
History will also expose that the George Bush cabinet was filled
with employees and friends of Monsanto, from Cheney to
Ashcroft to
Rumsfeld (sounds like an inept double play trio from the old
Washington Senators baseball team). Two other from our Monsanto hall
of shame include Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman (who was on
the board of directors of Biogen, purchased from Monsanto), and
FDA's boss Tommy Thomson, Secretary of the Department of Health and
Human Services. Thompson was Monsanto's bed partner as governor of
Wisconsin, investing over $300 million of state funds to promote
biotechnology.
On February 1st, 2004, I received a partial reply to a Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) request, made in December, 2003.
I learned that Monsanto had contaminated batches of their
genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (Posilac) with
Staphlococcus, Propionibacterium acnes, and Bacillus pumilus during
the manufacturing process. The report indicated that Monsanto may
have distributed bacteria-contaminated product to the market.
See:
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/notmilk/message/1554
Yesterday (February 7, 2004), I received a denial from FDA and the
Department of Health and Human Services for the most important part
of my original FOIA request.
I had sought details of Monsanto's errors. Here is what I received
from America's government agency:
"We have already released certain materials to you and are denying
the remainder of your request."
The reason given:
"The authority for denying you access to the non-disclosable
material... records or information compiled for law enforcement
purposes when disclosure could reasonably be expected to interfere
with enforcement proceedings."
FDA cites Code # 5.68:
"We may withhold information whose release could reasonably be
expected to interfere with prospective or ongoing law enforcement
proceedings. Investigations of fraud and mismanagement, employee
misconduct... may fall within this category. In certain cases--such
as when a fraud investigation is likely--we may refuse to confirm or
deny the existence of records that relate to the violations in order
not to disclose that an investigation is in progress, or may be
conducted."
In other words, FDA is investigating Monsanto for crimes against
humankind. I have very little hope that the right thing will be
done. My expectations are based upon that long history between
Monsanto and senior-most people in our government. This is not just
about
George Bush. It was Bill Clinton who praised Monsanto in a
State-of-the-Union address, and enacted the economic espionage act
(public law #104-294) making it illegal for me to share with you a
damning scientific study that I still have in my possession. I would
go to jail for 15 years if I did so, and receive a fine of $1
million.
It would be naive of me to think that FDA (Food and Drug
Administration) has the power to buck the
warriors in America's White House. To do the right thing today is to
commit political suicide.
So grab a shovel, and while you're at
it... call the rug cleaner.
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