TIP TALKS

 

The e-Newsletter of the

Toxics Information Project (TIP)

 

JULY 2010

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TIP TALKS:  JULY 2010 ACTIONS
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Dear Friend of TIP,

This month's action alerts all focus on food.
A major concern in our society is the adulteration
of what we eat by corporate entities seeking
profit and control of agricultural production.

Please check out each of these and take a minute
(honestly, it can be done that fast) to add your
signature to each that concerns you.  It really
can make a difference.  If time is short, do
three now and three next time you log on! :-)

News and resource info will be forthcoming in
another TIP TALKS within a week or two.  I am
trying to keep these mailings brief, helpful
and manageable.

Blessings,

Liberty G 

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1.  ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO CO-SPONSOR
                  KUCINICH'S BILL TO LABEL
          GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS
On June 21, 2010, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) announced
he would introduce three bills to comprehensively regulate all
genetically engineered products, including a bill that would
require all foods containing genetically modified ingredients
to be labeled.  Most Americans simply do not understand that 80%
of non-organic supermarket processed foods (basically every product
containing soy, corn, canola, cottonseed oil, sugar beet derivatives
or ingredients from animals fed soy or corn) are contaminated with
genetically modified organisms. People don't think they're eating
genetically modified foods because they have no way of knowing
whether they are or not. Genetically modified foods aren't labeled.

If we're going to save this generation from reproductive dysfunction
& save our farmland from the ravages of RoundUp, we need to stop
Monsanto. The first step is to protect consumers' right to know
whether their food is genetically modified. Please ask your
representatives in the US Congress to cosponsor
Rep. Kucinich's legislation.  GO TO:
www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_21060.cfm
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STOP ANTIBIOTIC ABUSE ON FACTORY FARMS
Factory farms use 70 percent of antibiotics in the United States,
not for sick people and animals, but for healthy pigs, chickens
and beef cattle. Why? The agricultural industry says it helps
the animals grow to market weight more quickly. Antibiotics
also compensate for the crowded, filthy conditions in which
the animals live. But this indiscriminate overuse of antibiotics
creates virulent "super bugs" -- bacteria that are no longer
susceptible to treatment by commonly used drugs.
The Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment bill
now before Congress would stop some of the most atrocious
drug abuse on farms. Urge your members of Congress to protect
human and animal health by supporting this crucial legislation:
www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/205/866/24
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TELL SECRETARY VILSACK TO SAVE ORGANICS:
                        NO GMO DAIRY
Tell Secretary Vilsack to Save Organics
The battle continues in the fight to stop genetically
modified (GMO) alfalfa from hitting the market. For the
past several months, we've fought against the deregulation
of GMO alfalfa. If allowed, organic dairy and livestock
farmers will lose more than $1.4 billion in sales and
consumers can say good-bye to organic dairy products
forever. Already, Monsanto's cronies in Congress and
agribusiness lobbyists are pressuring Vilsack to issue
a “partial” deregulation so GMO alfalfa can be planted
this fall and next spring. The ball is now in Vilsack's
court. He needs to hear from you today!  Tell Secretary
Vilsack that it's time to stand up for America's organic
farmers and consumers. It's time to ban genetically
modified alfalfa permanently. Click and sign here:
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/cms/sign/tell_vilsack_to_save_organics/?akid=168.94384.HmKUvC&rd=1&t=5
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SUPPORT THE SAFE CHEMICALS ACT
We need Congress to act now, to make sure the products we
reach for, sleep on, and eat from every day aren’t loaded
with toxic chemicals. You can help Congress stay strong in
the face of chemical industry push-back; but only if you
speak out. This is our time to make toxic chemicals history!
Let’s tell Congress to strengthen and reform the law so that
the most dangerous chemicals are taken off the market and that
chemicals are safe for use before being added to products. ACT NOW!
http://healthychild.org/issues/policies/tsca_reform/
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TOXICS OFF OUR STRAWBERRIES:  NO METHYL IODIDE
Clicking the text below will add your name to this petition.
The petition reads: "Methyl iodide is a known carcinogen,
thyroid disruptor, and neurotoxin, & presents clear dangers
to farm workers and surrounding populations when used for
broadcast agricultural applications. We urge you to immediately
re-evaluate the EPA's decision to register methyl iodide as a
soil fumigant." Click here to add your name:
http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=5612&id=9434-1935821-bfBy1Kx&t=19
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AMERICA'S FARMERS NEED YOUR HELP TODAY
(Note:  This is a TIP concern because local, smaller farmers
are more likely to produce healthier food)
While dairy farmers in America face their worst crisis since the
Great Depression, giant milk processors like Dean Foods are still
raking in record profits. Like so many of the problems in our food
system, it's a direct result of excessive concentration, which offers
dairy farmers little choice where they can sell their milk. Please
stand with the farmers in demanding that the Department of Justice
break up the dairy monopolies! Sign the petition here:
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/cms/sign/farmers_say_udderly_ridiculous/?rd=1&t=5&referring_akid=154.94384.nTqJR9
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Liberty Goodwin, Director
Toxics Information Project   
P.O. Box 40572,
Providence, RI 02940
Tel. 401-351-9193
Website: www.toxicsinfo.org
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EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT OUR WORK:
BENEFIT TIP WHILE SURFING OR SHOPPING THE WEB at:
www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=818190
BENEFIT TIP WHILE SHOPPING ON THE WEB AT:
www.igive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=38382&m=0
www.alonovo.com/community/affiliate/98 OR
BUY A BOOK AT TIP'S WEBSITE:  www.toxicsinfo.org/tipstore.htm
MOST OF ALL, JOIN US OR MAKE A DONATION:
www.toxicsinfo.org/subscribe.htm