Rocky eager to soothe any of our fears
One reason I like the Rocky is that it frees me from any burden of guilt or thinking. A few weeks ago, syndicated columnist Betsy Hart informed us that since scientists had found no nutritional difference between organic and conventional food, she was going to pay less for the conventional product. Moreover, she encourages us to do the same.
Don’t worry about the degradation of the soil, polluted runoff, degradation of the water, or the health of the workers; the important thing is to be able to feed your family for less without feeling bad about it.
Now Vincent Carroll tells us that we should not worry about buying local when we shop for food (“Don’t buy ‘Buy Local,’” On Point, Sept. 5).
It’s America. We have the right — nay, the obligation — to eat whatever we want whenever we want it. Peaches in January from Chile? Go for it. How about the petroleum that is used in growing it and transporting it? Don’t fret at all. Carroll has already informed us that the market will attend to the distribution of this finite resource when it starts to run out. Go back to sleep America.
The important thing is that you feel good.
Steve Milligan, Colorado Springs
Steve, watch that blood pressure. Im sorry Besty popped your bubble. You can eat "organic" if you like. Just, in what soils do they plant organic seeds? My guess is the same soil as conventional seeds. Have a nice day : )
Posted by Breeze on September 18, 2007 08:04 AMWhy would anyone think there's a difference in the seeds from which a plant grows?Organic describes a regimen of care for growing crops that eschews the use of artificial fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals.You'd think people would take just a moment to think and educate themselves just a little before blurting out some inanity.
Posted by davis X. Machina on September 18, 2007 09:13 AMDear city boy, it,s called sarcasm. The post talked about degraded soil. "Organic" (misnomer) food produces less food per acre, is higher in waste (rotten veggies don't sell). Now less product per acre may not effect you, but those on the marginal edge of the world economy... Eat what you like and think happy thoughts. About that education, I suggest some time on a farm. Have a nice day : )
Posted by Breeze on September 18, 2007 09:33 AMSteve, did I ever tell you about my experience with organic food? An older friend of mine, with a pony tail and several tatoos--a 1960s activist--brought some organic bean sprouts and tofu over for dinner. I ate it, enjoyed it and then I bought a range-fed chicken. It was good and I followed that by stocking-up on all-natural, no articicial coloring, no MSG organic food. I also grew my own mushrooms in my basement in order cut down on using oil for transportation.
It wasn't long before I started to hang around my local health food strore with the spikey green-haired, nose ringed, Birkenstock wearning, granola bar munching crowd who worked the checkouts. I began to read Karl Mark, Chez and listen to Bobby Dylan and Joan Baez alybums. I joined a union, became a liberal, then a socialist and finally a communist. I started to hang with some school teachers. I vacationed with them in Havana and Moscow, marched with Cindy Sheehan and now contribute regularly to moveon.org. I voted for Al Gore 3 times and John Kerry twice, partook in weed in order to expand my mind and have since graduated to blow. Barak is one cool dude and Fidel Castro and George Soros are my heroes. I also like that Venezula guy, Gomes or whater his name is.
I recently moved to the Haight area in San Francisco where I now sell carbon credits for a living. I regularly visit Mt. Tamalpias in Marin where we have a weekly harmonic convergences in order to turn back global warming. I'm planning to rescue a few drowning polar bears this winter and open a life-raft business in lower-Manhattin which will soon be 20ft. under water. And how do you like that Hillary, dude, man is she cool. I bet she eats nothing but range-fed. Iv'e been married 4 times since enjoying organic food.
Dude, you are what you eat, man! You are what you eat. Peace.
Posted by Hank on September 18, 2007 10:00 AMActually, if you check it out, you are more likely to get sick on organic food than non-organic. It seems they fertilize with human and animal waste.
Posted by JIm on September 18, 2007 10:12 AMHank, you rock. Good one.
Posted by RU Serious on September 18, 2007 11:24 AMGood one Hank.
Posted by Sharon B. on September 18, 2007 11:47 AMI find it sad that whenever someone talks about either organic food or vegetarianism, some people feel so threatened that they have to mock and insult those of us who care about our bodies and planet.
Posted by Sheila on September 19, 2007 07:54 AMI find it sad that whenever someone talks about either organic food or vegetarianism, some people feel so threatened that they have to mock and insult those of us who care about our bodies and planet.
Oh, and how is the word 'organic' a 'misnomer'? I look forward to your proveable response. Thank you.