Ron
Mon, Feb-09-04, 18:10
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A Lack Of 'Freedom Of Information' By Robert Cohen
notmilk@earthlink.net 2-8-4
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
givernment. 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 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.
Robert Cohen http://www.notmilk.com
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..............
A Lack Of 'Freedom Of Information' By Robert Cohen
notmilk@earthlink.net 2-8-4
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
givernment. 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 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.
Robert Cohen http://www.notmilk.com
THE NOTMILK NEWSLETTER: SUBSCRIBE: send an empty Email to-
notmilk-subscribe@yahoogroups.com UNSUBSCRIBE: send an empty
Email to- notmilk-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
Forward this message to your milk-drinking friends: MILK from
A to Z: http://www.notmilk.com/milkatoz.html 2O QUESTIONS:
http://www.notmilk.com/notmilkfaq.html