GM Plants Destroying Bees?

Excerpt:
As far back as 2005, Haefeker ended an article he contributed to the journal Der Kritischer Agrarbericht (Critical Agricultural Report) with an Albert Einstein quote: "If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."

Mysterious events in recent months have suddenly made Einstein's apocalyptic vision seem all the more topical. For unknown reasons, bee populations throughout Germany are disappearing -- something that is so far only harming beekeepers. But the situation is different in the United States, where bees are dying in such dramatic numbers that the economic consequences could soon be dire. No one knows what is causing the bees to perish, but some experts believe that the large-scale use of genetically modified plants in the US could be a factor.

and

But that could soon change. Since last November, the US has seen a decline in bee populations so dramatic that it eclipses all previous incidences of mass mortality. Beekeepers on the east coast of the United States complain that they have lost more than 70 percent of their stock since late last year, while the west coast has seen a decline of up to 60 percent.

Pet Food Recall

You know, I have a penchant for conspiracy theories. I laugh about them usually because they usually are very far-fetched. Such is the life of someone who has way too much time to just sit and think.
Don't worry, I'm not buying Catcher in the Rye compulsively just yet.
But, here's my theory on the pet food thing:

Monsanto - maker of Round Up. They have an incredible lobby and also own several seed companies. They have genetically engineered many grains to withstand Round-Up's toxic nature so farmers can use their product. They've also lobbied so that farmers can NOT save grain from the previous year to sow the next year - hence, needing to buy the latest and greatest GE seed.

Countries world-wide are refusing this grain, due to its untested nature. Who can blame them? Fish genes in grain just doesn't sound like a good idea. Even African nations with populations starving to death refuse this grain. And yet, we keep growing it.

Well, knowing the public isn't too keen on the idea of GE foods, what ever will we do with all of this grain we have stored? I know! Put it in Pet Food! We'll have a captive market since we can sell it dirt cheap (and farmers get subsidies for growing it and then selling sub market prices) to a completely unregulated industry that grosses billions per year. After 5 or 10 years, we can say, "hey, it's been in pet food for 5/10 years with absolutely no ill effects. Therefore, it's safe for humans to eat."

Only, our pets have become the canary in the coal mine. They're dying en masse because of a new strain that might grow spectacularly with Round Up on it, but isn't compatible with any other life form.

And because pets are considered property, there's no huge risk of lawsuits that would put anybody out of business. Monsanto is safe, Menu foods is safe. Iams, Eukanuba, and a host of others are safe.

Who wants to research the true owners of the Menu company? I'll put money on it being a back door subsidiary of Monsanto.

Progress - I think

I survived the St Patrick's Day Storm of '07. Then we got another 6" in lake effect snow - all powder. Gorgeous!
Well, I went out to take the crows some old bread we had and found this:


It's the wing print of a crow taking off, right by the foot path he made walking around looking for food. THIS is why I loved going hiking in the winter - to find things like this.
It came to me this year. Very peaceful.




This is the chair in our back yard that I put together last year. I've been waiting for a decent day to take its picture during the snow. In MARCH, it finally happens! LOL