This is a very good article from the NY Times today :

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/12/bu...y/12food.html?


talking about the "Center for Consumer Freedom" and the way that group and the Center for Science in the Public Interest try to change public policy and industry practices.

I know reps of both groups are frequently quoted in the media, and are prolific press releasers... and their stuff has often been debated and discussed on this board.

Take a few mintues to read the article - it gives some good background on these groups (especially CCF) and I think it will help you make informed decisions about what to believe when you see quotes from them in the media in the future.

In a way I'm glad CCF and CSPI are fighting each other. That takes away thr time they have to fight this Woe. But the difference between Berman and Jacobsen is apparent in this excellent article. Mr. JAcobsen, while i believe he is wrong about a lot, is sincere in his beliefs and about what he does. Mr. Berman is in it for the almighty dollar. CCf was originally formed for the purpose of fighting bans on smoking. Mr. Bermans past causes have been to lobby to hold down minimum wage. What a wonderful man (tongue planted so firmly in cheek I ache).

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Good article!

Quite honestly, I don't much care who's funding Berman's group. (And I would point out that Coke, Tyson and Outback ALL make products of all kinds. Some fit into my lifestyle. The ones that don't, I don't buy. The marketplace is a huge "voting booth" ya know. )

I'm in general agreement with Berman. IMHO, lifestyle is a matter of personal responsibility, not government regulation. I'm in favor of anyone who lobies AGAINST legislation that tells individuals what they may or may not put into their bodies. If people want to pour junk into their bodies, they have every right to do so. But they have to "own" the consequences. Ya buys yer ticket and ya gets to see the show.

Besides, look at the pictures. Who'd you rather have lunch with - Berman or Jacobson?

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Yeah, I have to agree with Maggie. I am of the opinion that people need to stand up and take responsibility for what they use/drive/take/eat. Is it confusing? Sure, it can be. But for something as vital as one's health and safety, it's worth the effort. And if more people were more informed, then the lobbyist's spin wouldn't work as well.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Exactly why we need to have these discussions! WHOO HOO!
Intelligent, informed consumers: the food industry's worst nightmare!

Amen! To that idea, Which is why I oppose lobbyists and letter writing campaigns. I read once that if a company receives a letter of complaint or commendation or recommendation they assume it represents a hundred or two hundred people who feel the same but don't write letters. The object of people like Berman is to see that information that would benefit consumers is harder (for many impossible) to find. While Jacobsens agenda is to get his limited point of view out there, everywhere, and he's succeeded. So while I said i think his motives are purer, they are just as harmful if not more so.

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There is also the issue of the media itself. As a journo myself - it has always been my understanding that my role is to research and offer both sides of the story with the reader as the final decision maker. I recently wrote some media for farmers here. It was justly critical of the process surrounding the current vegetation legislation. I sent it to the State's largest newspaper's political journo. A call a couple of days later from the State department responsible for regulation of natural resources, revealed that the journo, instead of investigating the story, had given it directly to the State Premier within 24 hours! I now know where that particular newspaper's directive comes from! So becoming informed, in itself, requires a degree of skill and decision making - which is not always easy if one's mind and body are not operating at optimum capacity.

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +

Yup. Those of us who have written press releases count on the lazy journalist to add two sentences and slap on a by-line. Happens more often than you'd like to think.

Like any other commodity, news consumers need to remember the motto: Caveat emptor.

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Anyone who doubts the power welded by food industry lobbyists should read articles like this one:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/02/bu...070&oref=login
It is encouraging, though, to know that some of that influence is starting to weaken, due, in part, to public awareness of sugar's health risks.

I would LOVE to know where those studies came from and who financed them, wouldn't you?

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Hooooo - yep - I think we can all make a pretty accurate gestimate based on experience! AND that doesn't vary much from country to country! Although I note the term 'lobbyiest' has slightly different connotations here. I suspect our process of influencing government is less organised in a 'professional' sense. People do lobby governments for all sorts of reasons -but its very rare to hear of a professional lobbyiest. Naturally, industry and the corporate sectors do approach (and donate to) political parties - but its my experience its more the leaders of those sectors who do the necessary footwork.

The entire cane sugar growing industry in the region of South East Queensland has, in the last year, totally collapsed. This was due to the closure of the mill (owned by a Belgium company who apparently saw the writing on the wall) Whilst I have great empathy for the family families who are suffering economic and social stress as a consequence, on the other hand, the changed use of large tracts of land to organic subtropical fruits and vegetables is welcome! (This produce is becoming readily available at
Farmers Markets etc) I really like this development in our food production and the connection with those who will consume it. I'm also involved in initiatives, studies and one to one with landholders seeking 'eco-payments' in return for 'eco-services' (fresh air, sweet water, healthy soils, climate ameloriation and pest control) delivered from a well managed and healthy landscape. I strongly believe these attributes from the basic level of the food chain have the ability to act as catalysts in consumers awareness of clean, green, fresh food - particularly across the urban and rural 'divide'.

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The fox is wild!



5'3" Maintaining 121-125
Original weight 198 +