Don Merrick

Late on day 13 I sent my letter for day 14.  The group Food Democracy Now was informed by USDA that the USDA National Organic Program would not accept a group letter with a bunch of signatures for their upcoming National Organic Standards Board.  So much for a signature and note I sent in.  USDA now wants personalized comments so I sent this:

"I urge you to retain the principles and the integrity of organic production.  Organic agriculture and preparation of those crops for public consumption has a long and cherished tradition.  This tradition was thrown in the waste bin with the advent of chemically-intensive practices in the 1950s.  There was a new awakening in 1990 with legislation that honored that original tradition.  In recent years we are slowly creeping back to the waste bin as greedy corporations try to cash in by adulterating organic foods.  Must greed always prevail?  Can we one day return to a government that serves people rather than corporations?"

Background: When NOSB first formed 25 years ago they were well balanced in compliance with guidance on advisory boards.  In the last decade the NOSB members slanted to favor corporations, and cleverly justified compliance with guidance.  Now they are permitting materials and practices that were once condemned by traditional organic practices.  Thus, my comment above to, in essence, put people first.  That may happen if USDA Sec.Tom Vilsack is replaced with someone that is not beholden to Big Ag.

On day 13 I responded to a request from Credo to stop a dangerous bill that would allow to federal government to take Native American land for further exploitation by the fossil fuel industry.  the statement provided (not mine) is:

"Reject the Utah Public Lands Initiative Act and any other legislation that would strip away sacred, fragile lands from Native American tribes and hand it over to the oil and mining industry."

Since 2012 I've been interested in opposing fossil fuel advances in the Pacific Northwest by attending protests and hearings, and writing comments to public hearings.  We the people have been successful in our resistance but the fossil fuel companies are always trying to punch through the Pacific ports to reach lucrative Asian markets with their destructive product.  Here's the motto we resistors are demanding:  Leave It In The Ground.

It's day 12 already and I got worked up by a story from Food Democracy  on how the National Organic Program is being slowly corrupted by the big agriculture and food companies, and their  trade associations.  The 1990 Organic Food Production Act was meant to preserve an age old, sustainable approach to growing food and preparing processed food selections.  In recent years the National Organic Standards Board has been infiltrated with Big Ag apologists.  At an upcoming NOSB meeting they will push for hydroponics and GE additives.  Here's my comment to NOSB:

Stop the steady erosion of the National Organic Program.  The basis of organic agriculture is healthy soil and conventional breeding of improved seeds.  It is not hydroponic practices or any thing to do with genetic engineering.

For day 11 I signed on to a form letter supplied by Credo to support Senator Elizabeth Warren.  She just made national headlines by calling on President Obama to replace Mary Jo White as chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).  Chairman White has consistently ruled in favor of Wall Street.  The Constitution's first three words, "We the people ... ," affirm that the government of the US exists to serve the citizens, and not special interest groups.

On day 9 of the EcoChallenge I learned from Social Security Works that AARP has been colluding with and awarding US House Republicans for undermining progress on social security.  I sent AARP a comment that was highly critical of association with Republicans who have been trying to cripple Social Security.

On day 8 I went to my home town newspaper, the Spokesman-Review and saw that they denied endorsing Washington State initiative 732 on carbon pricing.  I think passage of I-732 could have major implications on similar legislation across the country whereas a no vote just digs a deeper hole for climate change.  So I said this:

It was upsetting to see the Review Editorial Board endorse a no vote on initiative 732, though I do understand and appreciate your reluctance.  Large energy users such as Kaiser should be accommodated by the legislation so their losses could be minimized.  Certainly getting these accommodations through a divided Washington Legislature would be difficult but I believe it is worth the risk. 
 
We as a nation need to stop making excuses for denying carbon pricing.  We are way past the point of no return.  An act of boldness is needed.  It's true that Washington State's contribution to greenhouse gases is a blip, but our boldness could influence others to take action.  Many blips would be significant. 
 
Despite your reluctance, I urge all voters to take a chance and make Washington state a leader in a desperately needed change to a near zero carbon world.  We owe it to future generations to resolve a coming catastrophe caused in our generation. 

On day 5 I tried hard to find an issue that was timely and important, but I struck out.  But on day 6 two emails came in with issues I could get excited about.  One was a form letter from Credo to tell the Army Corps of Engineers "to protect tribal rights, combat climate change and stop the proposed Millennial Bulk Terminal port in Longview, WA."  it's timely because I learned that hearings are scheduled for Longview and Vancouver next week.  Next was another form letter to tell the US Congress that we need a public option for the Affordable Care Act.  It too was timely because we will have a new congress forming after the election and maybe, just maybe, enough members will listen, adopt a public option, and challenge the gouging that insurance companies are imposing.

On Monday, October 17, NPR Science Reporter Christopher Joyce presented the contrast between Clinton and Trump on energy issues and climate change.  Briefly stated, Clinton wants to move ambitiously to renewable energy sources and Trump wants to bring back coal and oil jobs.  Although Clinton mentioned risks with not moving away from fossil fuels, Joyce did not bring up the consequences of not acting quickly to reduce GHG emissions.  I sent a short letter to NPR expressing my concern that "risks" were not addressed.  After 28 years of climate change assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change we have a large body of evidence. that fossil fuel use needs to be quickly ramped down.

EcoChallenge For October 15

I sent an Email to Secretary Tom Vilsack (Agriculture) to quit the cheese bailout.  The DOA is sending surplus cheese to needy participants to fulfill nutrient requirements.  Except cheese is 70% saturated fat and is one of many causes of the obesity and diabetes epidemic in this country.

EcoChallenge For October 14

I sent an email to US Rep, Suzanne Bonamici, and to Senators, Wyden and Merkley, to repeal the Dark Act which is a cop out for labeling GMOs.  Repealing the Dar Act would be the first step before introducing legislation that requires labeling of all GMO food sources.