Category Archives: ~ my 2cents …

Outsourcing … the new American way? or retaliation and betrayal

07/26/2015 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

Outsourcing, you know; when the company’s bottom line is to get products made in large quantities but on the cheap? Therefore, they send thousands of jobs overseas where cost per employee is so low you cannot refuse in spite of the millions of unemployed Americans.

I have to say when there is a choice between getting cheap material, retaliating against President Obama, cheap labour or that word so many folks on TV involved in the market say “uncertainty”. We all have to compare and contrast what they want opposed to participating in helping America be number one again and the handwriting is clear … Profit before People and Country is the choice of those sitting on the sidelines of “uncertainty” have decided to take.

Unless you are living under a rock, you know or have heard that big Corporations are still sitting on trillions of dollars hate regulation, the rules, fair trade now seem to be fighting the government and the need to help their fellow Americans. The various companies who feel they have no choice as the “uncertainty” of it puts them at risk are leaving Americans jobless. Yes, they have every right to do so but in a time when your fellow American is jobless, your country is still in a recession what could be better for all parts of our financial system to come together and agree to fix the various strands causing our economy to deteriorate instead of participating in retaliation. It’s my contention that those sitting on all that money might be waiting for the 2012 elections and contrary to what Harold Ford suggested – soften regulations and stop criticizing , we have to make sure that the new regulations stay in place otherwise we will always have the uncertainty of systematic financial collapse. It is time for Wall Street, banksters and big Corporations to take part in the healing of America and stop playing the waiting game because given our choices Americans with any common sense will not dare vote for anyone else but Barak Obama in 2012.

In May of 2009 there was a rumor that GM was planning to outsource more American jobs to Russia instead of being a part of our financial solution by providing Americans with jobs, Bill Gates has outsourced to other companies as well as other well-known celebrities and who have started companies overseas in order to get materials on the cheap. Fortunately, President Obama did not allow GM and most of the auto industry to collapse though many politicians even Detroit politicians and current candidates for President felt they should meet their makers and go into bankruptcy which makes you wonder how American is that and what does that tell about their Presidential attributes. I could not vote for a person who would turn their back on a company so apart of what being an American is all about and in the end President Obama saved over millions jobs. While Teapublicans and some conservadems in Congress filibuster common sense efforts to get America back on track, meaning JOBs bills that will help everyone not just adding government jobs or an infrastructure Bank is something that will be available for the Private Sector and Public Service. This is good for everyone but Teapublicans on both the State and Federal level have one thing on their agenda and that is pulling down our beloved America to the edge of disaster in order to take down President Obama … ask yourself how American is that? Teapublicans seem to be out of touch and clearly have a narrow view of how they would govern. Teapublicans are clearly unqualified to govern and if you need evidence do some research on how well Speaker Boehner, Cantor McConnell are really doing and it ain’t for We the People.

Outrage cannot begin to describe how this should make Americans feel and is this what Americans have to look forward to from other so-called American companies more Wall Street and Bank retaliation disguised as an “uncertainty” in tax laws and other policies that will limit their ability to “beat” the system.(my take). We all know these companies were bailed out by Americans who then turned on us by deciding to sit on or use the money to go on trips, hold seminars and give huge bonus’ to their employees without real merit involved. We all know that the money we Americans gave the Banks should have been reinvested in America by providing small or huge business loans. So, what happened and what is wrong with playing by the rules, regulations, policies that are transparent, provide full disclosure, and might deter folks from betting against Americans to get theirs. If you listen to the rumors, Eric Cantor seems to feel betting against fellow Americans might be lucrative and unfortunately, this seems atypical of the Teapublican Party.

The practice of sitting on money, in our case trillions of dollars or offshoring jobs is unacceptable and if outsourcing continues unemployment will remain a problem.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ my 2cents ...

Southern ties and segregation …

07/11/2015 Nativegrl77

So as i surfed the Saturday news, I find MPH talking to a writer about what started out as a 2009 story seemingly about a prom, possible inclusion, promise and progress which tragically splinters off into three different stories as one ends with an unnecessary senseless death of #JustinPatterson,a young black man in 2011. The third is about a black man who struggles to become a sheriff.

In April of 2013, as politics and pop culture collided … while twitter and face book joined in as seeds of change for an event full of inclusion and progress … several side stories which didn’t make it to TV were in full effect . I along with others that night praised, laughed ,danced tweeted positive things about what was happening, while two young men who possibly were in the wrong place are shot at and one killed . The story is one that hurts, makes me upset that this was a side story possibly swept under a damn rug not only by the media but authorities in this little town and brings to mind what happens when young black men are confronted treated as threats first above all else.

We hear that this story really begins in 2009 about couples and proms moves on to 2011 and the tragic death of #JustinPatterson by a white man, his friend is forever traumatized then ends with a black man struggling to be a Sheriff in this 21st Century environment of “jim crow” along with another prom and move toward progress in 2013

the information below is from MHP website ….

Then, drive 160 miles south of Atlanta and you’ll find the rural city of Mount Vernon, Georgia. Traditions run deep in this community situated in the Deep South.

Just in 2009, photojournalist Gillian Laub went to this town to photograph Montgomery County High School’s segregated proms.

And what “began as an exploration of segregated proms in the South became something much more complex, inspiring—and tragic—than [Laub] could ever have imagined.” Laub joins us this Saturday to discuss “Southern Rites,” her new HBO documentary about racial division and progress in a small Georgia town.

Watch the powerful “Southern Rites” trailer here!

Tune In on May 18,2015 for the HBO documentary

Resource: MHP:taken from website

~ my 2cents ...

it was blowin in the wind : GMO

07/10/2015 Nativegrl77 1 Comment

a repost: a story & issue that needs more research and repeal the rider

AquaBounty …

is a biotechnology company dedicated to the improvement and productivity in aqua culture.

Our mission is to play a significant part in “The Blue Revolution” – bringing together biological sciences and molecular technology to enable an aquaculture industry capable of large-scale, efficient, and environmentally sustainable production of high quality seafood. Increased growth rates, enhanced resistance to disease, better food-conversion rates, manageable breeding cycles, and more efficient use of aquatic production systems are all important components of a sustainable aquaculture industry of the future.

Unless you have been resting … under a rock, you heard about the GE Wheat found in an Oregon Field, though folks keep looking left and right stating uh how did that happen; just remind them using that great song by Bob Dylan because it fits our predicament . “The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,” a protest song, that has been described as “impenetrably ambiguous: either the answer is so obvious it is right in your face, or the answer is as intangible as the wind”. [2

I think the answer is so obvious and now it is time to stop sitting on the sidelines and go call your member of Congress ~~ Call the White House and tell them 64 countries – including China, Australia and the entire European Union – already require GE/GM foods be labeled.

I hear that HR933 had among other things, something called the Monsanto Protection Act. Reports from various news sources are that the rider was quietly tucked into the House bill without a proper hearing that is currently chaired by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). I do not know about you but that sadden me considering all that we know about GMOs/GM and even more important, do we know what high consumptions will do to humans in the long term…

Anyway, unless you live in a completely sustainable environment you know that we already eat GMO; you can find out by reading about Monsanto, Cargill, DuPont or Dow Chemical and the best possible way to fight back is by buying local, free-range to avoid some if not all GMOs and synthetic chemicals. Currently, Salmon farming in open net-cages is a reality in Canada, though in March of 2013, “CAAR congratulated the BC government for ceasing issuance of new open net-cage aquaculture tenures.” Yet, their federal government has not acted, making the threat or risk to consumers more likely if the number of plants increase while inspections are far and few, giving some GMO’s an opportunity escape or muscle their way into the wild or even worse the pens are so cramed the environment becomes even more unsanitary. FYI: most if not all GMO salmon will be bigger … above average in all it’s GMO self … which means frankenfish …right?!!! ewww

I ask, do you ask your grocer or the restaurants you eat at if your food of choice is farmed, if not, it is time to demand proper labels wherever aquaculture products are sold. Now, you need to say GM and though we all know something not much sunlight has been shed on GM’s … farmed raised fish are GM’s in my opinion. AquaBounty stated that “If the company is successful, the salmon would be the first genetically modified food animal on the market.” I have to say the notion that GM Salmon would be the first GM food is one thing but to say it is safe has yet to be proven and beyond offensive

One problem among many I have with GM salmon and the company the FDA is doing business with is: Is AquaBounty really a US company as portrayed or was it certified in Canada, given special treatment and relocated in the U.S. The story I heard was that the eggs will come from Canada be hatched and raised in Panama, not Panama Florida, then sold to the U.S. I don’t know about you but I prefer to know where my food comes from, what I am eating and that it is properly labeled giving me the option a CHOICE to say no thanks. Labeling, it is not lost on me that labeling food might not be cost effective or lucrative for restaurants or grocers yet I cannot imagine anyone working for those places or the owners actually eating GM products at home by choice without knowing where ” It” came from .

Choice, my word of the day lately, which covers so many things going on today and the lack of it, pisses me off.

In 2010, 6500 folks chose to take a survey asking if you would eat GMs, 643 said sure, 177 maybe, 5466 No Way, and 147 said I am not sure. Yes, I would have voted No Way. I can hear my dad warning us, who first thought farmed fish, would help sustain the wild; talk about the whispers of ill-equipped , lack of technology or knowledge resulting in nasty bacteria and the possibility of cross contamination. There are reports that marine mammals, such as seals, sea lions and porpoises, may have been killed as the result of the production of the farmed fish not to mention them selling GM without telling you that what you are eating has a little something extra in it. Some environmentalists worry about the possibility of GM salmon breeding with wild salmon. AquaBounty says, “All its salmon are female, most are sterile, and they would be raised in land-based facilities.” This is supposed to make us feel better after reported incidences in Panama. I admit to laughing about these GM Salmon being female… and mostly sterile. There are far too many jokes to be sure, but the joke is the number folks are talking about ~~ 95% … sound familiar to you. Okay, I will say it, you only need one sperm deposit to break through to fertilize a possible 7000 eggs – or roe as my family calls it that wild female salmon lay; maybe 10% of those survive but that 5% margin is silly and suffice it to say cross contamination with GMs could eliminate wild salmon, alter all that salmon do organically for the eco-system like support wildlife at least in the NW – Healthy Salmon runs mean a healthy eco-system.

Folklore has it that Salmon return to the exact spot where they were born to spawn; tracking studies have shown this to be true, and this homing behavior has been shown to depend on olfactory memory … Yet another thing no GM probably can do.

Americans need to demand labels

Salmon Farm Facts

from www.farmedanddangerous.org

A salmon farm is likely to hold 500,000 to 750,000 fish in an area the size of four football fields.
The biomass of farmed salmon at one farm site can equal 480 Indian bull elephants – that is 2,400 tonnes of eating, excreting livestock.
Salmon are carnivores. On average it takes two to five kilograms of wild fish (used in feed) to produce one kilogram of farmed salmon.
In one study, over a billion sea lice eggs were produced by just twelve farms in a two week period. preceding the out-migration of wild juvenile salmon.¹
Infection with one to three sea lice can kill a wild juvenile pink salmon.²
In British Columbia alone there are approximately 136 salmon farm licenses with over 85 farms active at any given time.
Canada and Chile are the two primary sources of farmed salmon for American consumers.³
Two-thirds of the salmon consumed by Americans is farm-raised.³
The government and industry would like to see BC farmed salmon production double within the next 10 years — that means twice the toll on our oceans, wild fish and coastal livelihoods.

On March 18, 2013

AquaBounty Technologies, Inc.

(“AquaBounty” or “the Company”)

Result of General Meeting

Further to the announcement of 15 February 2013, the Board of AquaBounty Technologies, Inc. (AIM: ABTX), a biotechnology company focused on enhancing productivity in the aquaculture market, announces that at the General Meeting of shareholders held on 15 March, all resolutions were duly passed.

The Company will proceed to complete the transaction to raise $6.0 million (£3.9 million) before expenses by means of a subscription of 22,883,295 new Common Shares (the “Subscription Shares”) by Intrexon Corporation (“Intrexon”) and certain other existing shareholders of the Company. Admission to AIM and commencement of trading of the Subscription Shares is scheduled to occur on 19 March 2013. Total shares outstanding upon admission will be 125,138,983, of which Intrexon will hold 67,346,258 shares or 53.8 percent.

For further information, please contact:

AquaBounty Technologies +1 781 899 7755

David Frank, Chief Financial Officer

Nomura Code Securities +44(0)20 7776 1200

Giles Balleny

Luther Pendragon

Resources:

consumersunion.org

cbc.ca/news …

naturalnews.com …

wiki

Be a Seed for Change -me

AquaBounty, is also just one of probably many companies in the “aquaculture” industry … I just chose to write about their upcoming or direct association with the US Government and some say they are based in Massachusetts

Written in 2013

~ my 2cents ...

Stand Your Ground law – who is it really for?

06/13/2015 Nativegrl77

just another rant …

and in memory of things we must never ever forget 5/2012

Today, as we move into 2016 the death count of not only Black Men, Women but Young teens are experiencing Police Brutality still being judged by the colour of their skin not as human beings who may need to be spoken to NOT rounded up. Unfortunately, there is a group of officers who believe America wants “SoftPolicing” NO we want treatment that is equal to the offense just as we expect of all things re: the enforcement of the law! anyway, i needed to repost my thoughts

We all use that cliché …”life goes on” … right. I was able to do my thing though the killing of Trayvon absolutely affected me but not until the days worn on and the main stream media had more and more parents wanting to tell their TM stories do we see that something just is not right. Americans began to hear how this “Stand your Ground” law works, applied or abused in the same state and that was a sad awakening. Shortly after the death of TM, two stories that still bother me were exposed; the first one is about a white man who was able to use SYG after looking outside his window watching two black males attempting to steal from or his truck. The story that I heard is that he left his house shot them both, claimed SYG and while he was questioned he was not convicted and yes he was on his own property. The other story, is about a young black male who made a bad decision to go to a rave party, raided by the police. Yes, he was hiding on somebody’s property, until the chaos and police cleared out but then an older white man decided his domicile was under attack, calls the police who tell him not to go outside does and he shoots killing a 16yr old scared kid who had no gun and wasn’t trying to break in to this man’s house who successfully claims SYG. The big stink about these stories, is that these two white men from Florida claimed and were granted the use of that unknown law while an African American Floridian Mom of two is sentenced to 20yrs in prison for firing off a warning shot to scare her abusive husband. Reports are that Marissa had no arrest record and claimed self-defense. There was evidence of domestic violence by her husband and though the case was batted around for over a year due to the SYG law, Marissa was offered a deal to plead down to 3yrs. Ms. Alexander stated she was innocent, no one was hurt and the warning shot probably saved her life, Marissa’s use of SYG was denied. I cannot say I have read or listened to every story that is close or matches the Trayvon Martin case but my two stories here have a common denominator and that is most if not all who are denied the use of the “Stand Your Ground” law are all African Americans. This brings me to the Trayvon Martin care. We heard the reports that Zimmerman was not only a self-appointed block watch captain, he was a police wannabe who had priors, and it sounds like folks felt he was sort of a hothead. In my opinion, a piece of this tragic event is missing. We all know that he had been told, in my opinion … to stand down. I know too many people who feel as I do – that there are too many inconsistencies in what exactly happened on the night of and after Trayvon Martin died. I want to know who left the scene why the investigator who wanted GZ arrested got override and the way Mr. Bonaparte behaved was not only offensive it confirmed the “nice place to visit but I wouldn’t want to live there” attitude. We have what seems to be a group of Floridian Police behaving badly, leading to questions about the loud noise of silence and the look of a conspiracy in the making… some call the Deep South.

The idea that a law pushed by a couple of interest groups makes me wonder how many cases since, or before Trayvon Martin was killed, got dumped by this FPD or the state. I will admit; I keep saying there is something missing, the timeline is wrong and as that feeling creeped up like it does with parents of color feel; one can only hope the authorities will overcome that seemingly overwhelming lack of cohesive evidence to one of slow contemplation of right and wrong. The idea that “ stand your ground” is being claimed by Zimmerman in this case is not only offensive it does not seem to fit the description, even the folks who created “Stand your Ground” feel this law cannot be applied to the Trayvon Martin case.

I know what everyone else knows about the Trayvon Martin case. I accept that there is information that no civilian has access to; hope that prosecutors will exercise a good faith effort to make sure the person responsible; the person who was reckless, gets charged and jailed. I feel, according to the tapes and it is only my opinion but it sounded like Zimmerman stalked and killed TM because he looked shady and we all know that is not enough for a reasonably sane person to use as an excuse to kill. It was raining thus TM had a hoodie on and while gz is stalking Trayvon is telling his girlfriend someone was following him. The fact is the dispatcher told Zimmerman not to follow because they were on their way, yet he disobeys. I ask anyone reading this, why didn’t Zimmerman acknowledge himself while playing police officer or could it be maybe those %$&#@ always get away and wasn’t having any of it that night then claimed “Stand Your Ground”. We now know that the NRA and ALEC are associated with the “Stand your ground” law. I think this unknown law needs to be revisited reformed or dumped because it works — just not for African Americans. I have to say that since the death of Trayvon Martin it is eerie to hear so many examples of how the law works against people of color, specifically Black folks; Trayvon’s Mom stood up and rightly stated this was about right and wrong though Zimmerman’s own comments on that tape say much much more.

If you are in NYC, Please go the celebration !

~ my 2cents ...

Support Fair Trade

06/11/2015 Nativegrl77

Current logo of Ten Thousand Villages. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

just another rant …

The first time I heard the term” Fair Trade”, I was still living at home. I have to admit that I did not understand nor relate to the conversation but i knew it was having an impact on someone in my family. While I may not have understood it then, I could hear the passion in my mom’s voice; she was adamant about laborers and wages, yes, it is tough to compete but we must support those who labour, are environmentally and socially aware while making products people can buy sell and use that do no harm.

Fair Trade by definition: Although not universally accepted definition of fair trade exists… definition of fair trade developed by FINE, as a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency, and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers –especially in the South. Fair trade organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

The company or industries I remember most talked about while living at home was Ten Thousand Villages’, which is a non-profit organization. They have always encouraged artisans to employ production methods that are environmentally sustainable or recycled and natural materials whenever possible. The thing that was impressive as a kid was that Ten Thousand Villages offered products from all over the world are diverse and true treasures from places we probably would never go while helping disadvantaged artisans at the same time. I loved the small gifts, goodies and handmade toys but I was too young to appreciate the home decor at the time but believe me I have bought and enjoyed scarves, baskets and gadgets from Ten Thousand Villages over the years. I remember the coffee not only smelled different it was very exotic, which is part of why I love some fair trade coffees. Ten Thousand Villages, a Fair Trade company has been a leader in the quest to help the disadvantaged, respect for our environment by using sustainable products in all their forms. I have to say that growing up knowing that most of the people who benefited from Ten Thousand Villages premise were people of colour was major to my family and as the 90’s started to love retro. The “everything old is new again” industry and its revenue has and still is doing far better than those who probably are really supporting and working in the Free Trade world. I believe Free Trade needs to be reformed on all levels, which means reducing tariffs quotas and upping regulatory policies according to supply&demand including size of the company.

Free trade by definition: is a policy in international markets in which governments do not restrict imports or exports. Free trade is exemplified by the European Union / European Economic Area and the North American Free Trade Agreement, which have established open markets. Most nations are today members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade agreements. However, most governments still impose some protectionist policies that are intended to support local employment, such as applying tariffs to imports or subsidies to exports. Governments may also restrict free trade to limit exports of natural resources. Other barriers that may hinder trade include import quotas, taxes, and non-tariff barriers, such as regulatory legislation.

While in college, I discovered The Body Shop, a Fair Trade company trying to bring environmental and sustainable product awareness to young women. The products cost more than the big box stores but the quality was and still is better. I know that my family felt good about supporting free trade companies that help folks earn reasonable wages, is environmentally aware; where sustainable products are readily available. I have beyond sensitive skin; suffice it to say they became a part of my life over the last few years.

I believe in the free enterprise system, but what we have heard lately, suggests corruption is on the rise. We need to have as much transparency in the Free Trade industry as possible. The old attitude of “I will help you if you help me” is definitely an issue with countries and this problem continues today when the art of politics and money gets in the way causing the seller, buyer and workers to become collateral damage.

Since 2008, Ten Thousand Villages has been named one of World’s Most Ethical Companies annually by the Ethisphere Institute. www.Ethisphere.com

Support Fair Trade… the information below is from their website

www.tenthousandvillages.com

Ten Thousand Villages

is an exceptional source for unique handmade gifts, jewelry, home decor, art and sculpture, textiles, serve ware and personal accessories representing the diverse cultures of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. One of the world’s largest fair trade organizations and a founding member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO), about us the company strives to improve the livelihood of tens of thousands of disadvantaged artisans in 38 countries. Ten Thousand Villages accomplishes this by establishing a sustainable market for handmade products in North America, and building long term buying relationships in places where skilled artisan partners lack opportunities for stable income. Product sales help pay for food, education, healthcare and housing for artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed.

Founded in 1946, the company has grown from the trunk of founder Edna Ruth Byler’s car to a network of more than 390 retail outlets throughout the United States selling Ten Thousand Villages products. The company encourages artisan partners to use environmentally friendly processes, sustainable natural resources and recycled materials to ensure each product offered has been crafted responsibly. Ten Thousand Villages is a partner of Mennonite Central Committee.

Ten Thousand Villages is an independent nonprofit, charitable organization (501(c)3, with an independent, nine member board of directors. All sales revenue generated by Ten Thousand Villages and any surplus earned by operations is retained within Ten Thousand Villages. Surpluses are used to increase purchases from artisans and to finance the growth of Ten Thousand Villages retail network.

Our Vision

One day all artisans in the developing countries will earn a fair wage, be treated with dignity and respect and be able to live a life of quality.

Our Mission

Ten Thousand Villages’ mission is to create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories to our markets through long-term fair trading relationships.

Our Name

The inspiration for our name—Ten Thousand Villages—came from a Mahatma Gandhi quote: “…India is not to be found in its few cities but in the 700,000 villages…we have hardly ever paused to inquire if these folks get sufficient to eat and clothe themselves with.” To us, each village in the world represents a unique, distinctive people…offering extraordinary products born of their rich cultures and traditions.

Our Logo

Our logo represents the values we want to invest in the name Ten Thousand Villages. The continuous line of rooftops reminds us we are all linked together as we live on this earth. The light in the doors and windows reminds us of homes of people with whom we work in many villages. The warm red color and hand-etched edge represent the materials and methods used to make the quality handicrafts we sell. Multiply the village idea by ten thousand and it represents the world we are working to build. We invite you to join us in making this vision a reality.