Joe as I am sure you are aware, the fire in your area is now under control. HOWEVER, this morning another (2nd) forest fire started about 15 miles north of you. This morning it had burned 3 acres, and by tonight it is up to 600 acres. This fire is also burning houses (cabins) as it moves with the wind. This could be another big one. - Millet (854-)

I heard a fascinating talk by Monsanto folks at the national Alpha Gamma Rho convention, this summer, in St. Louis (any other AGRs here?). It is their full intention to double world food output by either 2030 or 2040 -- I forget which date they stated, but in either case, not that long away, considering the increase needed. The only alternative is human deaths by starvation, war, or pestilence. I admire Monsanto for taking on that problem.

Adding onto Dr. Manners's thread concerning Monsanto's efforts toward world food production, Monsanto acquired 100% interest of Aly Participacoes Ltda., which operates the sugarcane breeding and technology companies, CanaVialis S.A. and Alellyx S.A., both of which are based in Brazil. Monsanto also acquired the WestBred, LLC, a Montana-based company that specializes in wheat germplasm. In addition Inter-Grain, Australia's breeding leader, and Monsanto to share technology, and germplasm efforts which will be the betterment of both companies. I wish Monsanto would become interested in citrus. With Monsanto's technology who know what advancements could be achieved. - Millet (852-)

Isn't Monsanto one of the 3 developers/producers of Agent Orange? Dow Chemical is the other one. Don't know the third player.

I saw some bad pictures of the effect on U.S. soldiers and especially on the civilians. I remember accidentally clicking on a link which showed the effect of Agent Orange. Very sad. That is some nasty stuff. Wished I never saw those pictures.

Anyways.....

Order 81 in IRAQ states all commercial farms must buy registered seed of which Monsanto is the largest by far. Monsanto is one of the big winners in the IRAQ war.

I'd recommend the documentary The Future of Food. It shows how Monsanto does successfully sue tonnes of farmers out of business until they buy Monsanto seed. I don't know but its scary how easy it is to get 70-90% of our corn and soy crops as GMO with no real testing and trying to get a new drug to market takes years and years.