Musings: Just Plain Wrong

People have often asked me, how can I learn more about GMOs?

If you're looking for solid information that is intended to educate, but not influence, check out the new Cornell University online course — “Science and Politics of the GMO."  It's a free, five-week class that you follow at your own speed, with fresh content uploaded every Tuesday. 

Topics to be covered include the basics of genetic engineering, the political debate around the GMO, arguments for and against the technology’s use, its impact at both an individual level and on society as a whole, and problems, perceptions, benefits and risks associated with GMOs.

It launches tomorrow. To learn more about the course,or enroll, click here.

Yet opportunity for free educamation: A livestreamed talk by University of Wyoming Prof. Andrew Kniss about the impacts of GMOs on herbicide use and weed management in the U.S. It starts at 6:20 a.m. Hawaii time, or 12:20 EDT.

It's the first in a series of lectures offered to the international students participating in the 12-week Cornell Alliance for Science Global Leadership Fellows program to help them understand the science and issues about biotechnology.

I had to laugh a little at Councilman Gary Hooser's take on the Fellows, as told to a Oregon anti-GMO activist Chris Hardy:

Actually, the Fellows have diverse backgrounds, ranging from a guy in Venezuela who got activated after watching anti-GMO zealots destroy papaya test fields there to farmers, educators and journalists. They aren't trained to shut anything down, merely to speak up with science and facts when people start spouting the usual bullshit about biotech. 

No wonder they're making Gary nervous.

As for the anti-GMO movement being “grassroots,” I think we've all seen ample evidence that it's orchestrated by groups like Center for Food Safety, Greenpeace, US Right to Know and other national and international entities that pour big money into fear-mongering as a way to rile up local constituencies.

Hardy also notes:

It makes me wonder if Gary is a pathological liar who is simply unable to tell the truth. Because surely even he isn't trying to take credit for downsizing that has everything to do with international commodities and corporate restructuring, and nothing to do with his protests. 

Oh wait. He is:

Gary Hooser shared Mahana Mari's video.
8 hrs · Great memories. We are still fighting and still winning, but soon we need to march again. 3 years ago there were 4 Agrichemical companies operating here and today there are 3 with Syngenta and DuPont severely downsizing their operations. Because of our communities strong voice and hard work, they no longer grow and spray directly next to schools, homes and other areas where people are actively present. The vision and fight now is for the opportunity of local residents to step in and establish true diversified agricultural operations that grow real food using sustainable practices that are not chemical intensive. Imua!

Actually, the BASF operations have been bought by a new entity that takes over Oct. 1, so there are still four companies  And if Gary is admitting here that the companies are no longer growing and spraying next to schools, homes, etc., then what is the problem?

What's sad is that Gary thinks there has to be a "fight" to "establish true diversified agricultural operations that grow real food using sustainable practices that are not chemical intensive." 

Wrong. Just focus on recruiting legit, qualified farmers. Nobody is trying to stop diversified ag or food production or local residents. There's plenty of land and water. What's needed are farmers who have experience and commitment. 

Aside from his jaunt to Oregon to schmooze with the antis there, Hooser is taking his failing campaign seriously, as noted in an email he sent over the MuseLetter:

My commitment is total.  I will be working every single day from 5am until I drop at around 8:30 or 9pm. 

But to finish strong and ensure a win that sends a strong message of support for the values we hold dear, we need to significantly increase both the number of people who can physically help, and the amount of donations received.
Please join us and help send a strong message that we are in this to win and that the values we stand for represent all Kauai.

So this is what's at stake, folks. If Hooser wins, he's going to be making like he actually speaks for all of Kauai. And we know that's not true.

Here's his core, the 35 people who showed up for his campaign “re-launch” after he tanked in the Primary. Do they look like a representative group of Kauai residents?

Similarly truth challenged is the Hawaii Center for Food Safety, which has invested in bringing Vani Hari, the self-described "Food Babe" to Hawaii:

Good point, Danny Sullivan. Why does CFS continue to intentionally spread a message that is scientifically illiterate and just plain wrong? 

Here's something that's just plain right: the launch of Namahoe! Congratulations to Dennis Chun, Marshall Mock, John Kruse and the other voyagers who have stuck with this for 20 long years, devoting countless weekends and much of their spare time to this effort. 

I must say, when I interviewed Dennis a few years back, I wondered if it would ever come to fruition. But it did. The smallest island built the biggest canoe. What a feat!