Senate committee passes GMO bill in 3-0 vote

[Wao nahele kane]

http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y&id=242356441&id=242356441

No subscription?
http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2014/1/2...in_3-0.htm

Alternate Story:
http://beforeitsnews.com/health/2014/01/...20844.html

Actual Bill:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_in...illtype=SB&billnumber=2736&year=2014

PDF Document:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session201...B2736_.HTM


- Armed citizens provide security of a free State.

[peteadams]

The arguments are still the same old, same old:

(Quotes from http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/2014/1/2...in_3-0.htm apparently the S-A article)

The science-oriented folks are sticking by the science:

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"The [state health] department told the Senate that the state could not enforce the bill because practical and legally defensible methods to test for GMOs do not exist. The department also said that there is no conclusive scientific evidence of negative health effects from GMOs, so labeling is not a health issue and should not be assigned to the department."

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And offering alternatives that put the labeling burden where it belongs:

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"Alicia Maluafiti, executive director of the Hawaii Crop Improvement Association, which represents biotechnology companies, said she supports the marketing option of labeling food that is GMO-free. She compared it to food products labeled "kosher" that conform to Jewish dietary laws.

If you want certain foods because of a lifestyle or religious or philosophical choice, then you go that way," Maluafiti said."

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The rabble-rousing is still evident:

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Several lawmakers privately believe that some of their colleagues are playing to the vocal anti-GMO activists and progressives, who are planning a rally tomorrow at the state Capitol, regardless of the merits of the issue.

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And what the opposition "believes" and who it considers authoritative is still in la-la land:

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"But Nomi Carmona, president of Babes Against Biotech, said she does not believe there is a scientific consensus that GMO food is safe."

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That said, I'm extremely disappointed in some factions of the Democratic party and alleged "progressives" (they're not) helping to enable the labeling panic. This is a good time give your representatives a phone call.

[kalakoa]

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That said, I'm extremely disappointed in some factions of the Democratic party and alleged "progressives" (they're not) helping to enable the labeling panic. This is a good time give your representatives a phone call.

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Again, for the millionth time already: do not make the mistake of thinking that "our" "representatives" actually "represent" the "people". Their votes are bought and paid for, policies awarded to the highest bidder.

[peteadams]

Not being quite the cynic on Kalakoa's level, I find it a positive development that not every Democrat is falling in the hysterics of the anti-GMO bandwagon with HB 2506 introduced in part by our own Faye Hanohano and Cliff Tsuji and quite a few others. Hopefully it will pass and protect the future of agriculture on the Big Island and Hawai'i Nei.

Report Title: Right to Farm; Counties

Description: Amends Hawaii's Right to Farm Act to ensure that counties cannot enact laws, ordinances, or resolutions to limit the rights of farmers and ranchers to engage in modern farming and ranching practices.

Introducer(s): ONISHI, AQUINO, AWANA, BELATTI, BROWER, CABANILLA, CACHOLA, CHOY, CULLEN, EVANS, FALE, HANOHANO, HASHEM, ICHIYAMA, ITO, KOBAYASHI, MIZUNO, MORIKAWA, NAKASHIMA, SAIKI, SAY, SOUKI, TAKAYAMA, TOKIOKA, TSUJI, WOODSON, YAMANE, YAMA****A, Fukumoto, Johanson, Luke, Matsumoto, McDermott, Ohno, Takumi, Ward

http://capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv....illtype=HB&billnumber=2506&year=2014

Another reason to give your representatives a phone call: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/members/legisl...?chamber=H

[Bullwinkle]

Why is it politicians use the term "right to" when I was a kid they passed right to work laws- unions were castrated and.....

next thing I know work sites had fences around them to keep workers out

double speak goes back a long way - here they are using the term to try and subvert our county's right to make decisions that affect hawaii

so now "right to" is being used against the people again - this time determining what we eat

loosers

[kalakoa]

quote:

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so now "right to" is being used against the people again

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Just like the "war on" (terrorism, drugs, personal freedom, etc).

A short catchy phrase makes for an excellent soundbite when your primary objective is media coverage.

[Bullwinkle]

and sub 68 IQ voters

[Wao nahele kane]

If a GE crop carries a patent, it legally separate's that product apart from all others in nature. Therefore it is not legally recognized as a natural product and thus has no rightful claim to be marketed as such and therefore must be labeled appropriately by virtue of its legally recognized patent.
I as a consumer have the right to buy naturally bred foods and if a GE bred food is masquerading amongst all the naturally bred foods... I HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW. There is NO legal right of the GE product to subversively pretend it's something that it has legally been separated from.



- Armed citizens provide security of a free State.

[Adam-I-Am]

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Originally posted by kalakoa

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That said, I'm extremely disappointed in some factions of the Democratic party and alleged "progressives" (they're not) helping to enable the labeling panic. This is a good time give your representatives a phone call.

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Again, for the millionth time already: do not make the mistake of thinking that "our" "representatives" actually "represent" the "people". Their votes are bought and paid for, policies awarded to the highest bidder.

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Unfortunately, this is true. There are some that are not bought — but, overall, what HASN'T happened, from Maine to Hawaii, since Jan. 20 2009 has really disappointed me. I can't believe that change is going to come from our reps and presidents, anymore. Only the grassroots. If the grassroots ever wake up.

[kalakoa]

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...since Jan. 20 2009...

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meet the new boss,
same as the old boss