Friday, March 22, 2013

Musings: Peace Talks


I was standing there on the bluff, watching big waves breaking on a glassy gray sea, and beyond that, whales breaching, sky-hopping, tail-slapping, spouting, when it came to me, a line from “Apocalypse Now” that so perfectly sums up the GMO/pesticide fervor: “Oh man, the bullshit piled up so fast in Vietnam you needed wings to stay above it.”

The issue was intruding into my thoughts in that spectacuar setting because I'd just gotten off the phone with a friend who felt physically ill — dispirited, I diagnosed — after spending much of the previous day and night in public meetings on the studies into what made kids and teachers sick at Waimea Canyon School.

It wasn't the topic of the meetings, but the tenor, the tone, that got him so down. He's not  the first person to confide that he's depressed, dismayed, by the growing polarization, the posturing and grandstanding on all sides, the ideological rigidity, the violent terminology that now frames so much of the rhetoric on this topic.

As another friend, an activist, asked recently, “Who decided that we were 'at war' with the seed companies? Who declared the Westside 'a battleground'?”

Like most wars, this one is being driven by distinctly different ideologies, from those who truly believe these crops will feed the world to those who truly believe these crops will destroy it. We see the same ideological gap in regard to pesticides. Which is perfectly OK. It's alright to have widely disparate views. But unless you're willing to kill everyone who thinks differently, you have to figure out a way to talk, to find some common ground, to work out some solutions.

Because as this legislative session made clear, the state is not going to label GMOs or even launch a study into how to implement a pesticide registry, much less kick out the seed companies.

That is the current political reality in this state, a reality that is no less real just because some folks refuse to accept it. Which is why all that fury and flash at the Lege came to predictable naught, consuming energy that could have been spent on more fruitful actions. Like actually researching how other states manage pesticide registries, so a thoughtful bill could be drafted. The one that was introduced this year was a joke, a piece of crap like the now defeated labeling bill, yet people did the all out for both, much as America battled for Hamburger Hill.

The enthusiasm of the marchers could have been parlayed into voter registration drives, petition drives supporting specific actions that our Council has the authority to implement, measures that could have some immediate positive effect, like ending the use of pesticides on county parks and roadways, or supporting farmers who want to pursue a different type of agriculture.  Instead, it's being allowed to dissipate into the inevitable disappointment and frustration that will follow being falsely led to believe they could get that stupid labeling bill passed, and that it would actually mean something if they did.

And the Council, rather than waiting six years for the results of a study that any thinking person knew would never implicate pesticides in the Waimea School sicknesses, could have been moving all this time to adopt some meaningful legislation to better protect keiki, like establishing protective buffers between fields and campuses.

Heck, they could have followed up on the study when they didn't get an initial report within the six months required under the contract, instead of waiting five years to whine, as Councilman Tim Bynum did at Wednesday's meeting, “I'm not trusting anymore. I'm verifying.”

Only now, Tim?

We all need to start questioning, verifying, because truth, as they say, is the first casualty of war, and it's under fire from all sides. On the one hand, we've Syngenta publishing a Civil Beat commentary proclaiming its Atrazine is all good, and Rep.Jimmy Tokioka lying in a failed bid to sideline a committee vote on the labeling bill. On the other, we've got activists making unsubstantiated claims about drinking water contamination and clamoring against poisons while spray painting anti-GMO graffiti around the island.

Yes, public awareness of and interest in this issue is steadily growing, which means folks are receptive to education and information. So let's make it accurate and meaningful. Yes, people are genuinely concerned about pesticides and poisons, which means their fears are easily aroused. So let's address those fears, not prey upon them. 

Because most folks, including me, have no stomach for war, especially when it's being waged in their backyard, with the usual unintended fallout and casualties. If it continues, or escalates, as wars tend to do, the die-hards on either side will fortify their positions, and the regular folks will flee, distancing themselves from the conflict. And we'll drift even further from a civil society, the rule of law, community-based solutions.

So can we please take a deep breath, pause for just a moment, and ratchet back the rhetoric a little? It's not helpful to characterize Dept. of Ag personnel as “criminals,” or lecture field workers on how they should “examine their souls” if they've taken a $10/hour job with the seed companies. Nor is it helpful to claim that a pesticide is safe when it's registered for restricted use precisely because it is hazardous, or make like it's all up to the feds, and there's nothing that can be done to regulate seed companies and their associated pesticide use on the local level.

Somehow we need to bridge the gap between a comment made by Councilman Ross Kagawa — “We've gotta have faith these people do care about our lives” — and the sentiment expressed to Jimmy Tokioka by a disgruntled activist, “We have so little faith in you.”

Because we're all on this little island, this little planet, together. And GMOs/pesticides are just one of many critical issues before us.

As Rep. Jessica Wooley, chair of the House agriculture committee noted, “There are differing visions of how we're going to feed the world and how we're going to feed this state. And at the moment we have to learn better how to co-exist with different visions. We don't know where we're going. We're on the precipice of the future and it's up to us to decide. Everybody does have to be at the table.”

So pull up a chair and let's work on this. But please, leave your weapons at the door. To borrow the lyrics of Eddie Grant: 

Everybody seem to be inviting me to a war party, me no wanna go. Heard about the last one so thanks but no thanks....Do you wanna go? Say no...."

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

The CA must approval all contracts, however, who is charged with ensuring that their content and conditions are actually met within the time frame and matter of substance?

Instead of allowing the contracted organization/individual to take the fall for not providing the correct content?

Keep on keeping on amid the total B.S. of the so called County Administration...

Anonymous said...

I guess one can be very logical and calm if they are not around people who have lost their breasts, died of cancer, suffering from cancer, Parkinsons, rashes, bloody noses when the smell of spray is in their homes, birds across the river who covered the trees, but are no more,people who have moved because their health is bad, had children rushed to the ER--it goes on . . . . . . so be calm and rational, have faith that our politicians are acting in our best interest---it's probably that you don't live where I live---WAIMEA!

Anonymous said...

I'll 2nd that Joan. This is the message we the peoples need to be spreading.

Anonymous said...

In the old plantation days we didn't know better. But now we do and it seems that our politicians seems to not care. We should make the corn management and families live in the community where they grown and spray. I just wish they would leave our islands!!!!! Even on Maui the people were like oh.. good jobs. Some of them are getting sick. I wonder why!

Dawson said...

> In the old plantation days we didn't know better. But now we do and it seems that our politicians seems to not care. <

Mainland corporations, the tourism industry and the real estate industry have taken the power place once occupied by plantation owners -- an unholy trio which has, directly or indirectly, made politicians its local agents.

Anonymous said...

politicians only care about those who are lining their coffers not the citizens that they are suppose to be representing - this has only become more and more evidently clear - why else would Tokioka and Kochi be holding fundraisers on the mainland? seriously who do you think they are really representing? Not us, the ones who keep voting them into office. Let it end, let it end now.

Anonymous said...

Joan is right that we need to do our homework and get our facts straight in order to keep our credibility. However, I don't agree that the effort put into getting a labeling bill passed was wasted energy. It failed, like I felt it would, but in the process it created a movement and I don't think that movement is going away. The marches will continue tomorrow on Maui and the following week on Molokai. Another one is planned for March 28 by the law students of William Richardson Law School. We may have lost this battle but the war isn't over. This is a war Joan, its life or death for those living in the war zones of Kekaha, Waimea, Makaweli and Kaumakani. Yes there are other important issues but this one is at the forefront because it affects our food, our keiki, our families and the pollution of our land and sea. If the life of the land is dead, the people will soon follow. Jobs won't matter. Anti-GMO activists brought the issue to the attention of the public and raised awareness. It also gave us clarity about which one of our politicians stand with us. I am hoping this movement will inspire the next generation to get involved in politics so that we can rid ourselves of our current entrenched establishment politicians. We need a new mindset.

Anonymous said...

Monsanto, Syngenta ect, are corporations polluting our community. That is a VERY big difference from a war zone.

Anonymous said...

I really don't know how Tokioka can be elected. He doesn't represent me at all! We need to replace him.

Anonymous said...

Joan I think you are off the mark on this one. While I agree war is not something we should promote, when we are attacked we must defend ourselves and we must do so aggressively. When pushed, we must push back as this is the only language (except for the language of money) these giant corporations will respect.

The tried to take away the right of our county to protect health and life via sb727. And this is not war? They poison our island and the planet. This list is long.

I agree Bynum and some of the others were a bit over the top and a few years late in their display of righteous indignation.

But am happy they are with us now. This war is being waged all over our state, the nation and the world. And yes, the guys with the money are winning.

The answer is not to role over and over them aloha. The answer is to fight back.

Anonymous said...

Joan I think you are off the mark on this one. While I agree war is not something we should promote, when we are attacked we must defend ourselves and we must do so aggressively. When pushed, we must push back as this is the only language (except for the language of money) these giant corporations will respect.

The tried to take away the right of our county to protect health and life via sb727. And this is not war? They poison our island and the planet. This list is long.

I agree Bynum and some of the others were a bit over the top and a few years late in their display of righteous indignation.

But am happy they are with us now. This war is being waged all over our state, the nation and the world. And yes, the guys with the money are winning.

The answer is not to roll over and offer them aloha. The answer is to fight back.
(my earlier comment was posted in haste with too many errors. Sorry for the double post)

Joan Conrow said...

I appreciate your sentiments and mostly share them.

However, there is most decidedly a place between rolling over and war, and that is where this movement can build strength by bringing in more people from the middle. There are many ways to resist and overcome.

Anonymous said...

Joan, how do we do what you imply? Can you help with some suggestions? I don't understand ---- you went to war with the past prosecutor with your blog, caused a lot of uproar and anger-----this is worst than, what you referred to as a bad prosecutor, this is about health, human lives and our aina! Yes, we need your advice, we need as many advisors as possible! How do we resist and overcome?

Anonymous said...

Yes Joan! The strength will flourish in the middle not from the opposite edges of this issue. In history much change has been instigated by college students on campuses. While I keep hearing plenty about the politicians and the seed companies.....what about the fact that UH is in alliance with these corporations? Haven't heard of too much action on the campuses YET.

Anonymous said...

9:14...the answer (in part) to your question is in Joan's post...."The enthusiasm of the marchers could have been parlayed into voter registration drives, petition drives supporting specific actions that our Council has the authority to implement, measures that could have some immediate positive effect, like ending the use of pesticides on county parks and roadways, or supporting farmers who want to pursue a different type of agriculture."

Joan Conrow said...

Dear 9:14 -- I really appreciate your passion and earnestness. I will develop some ideas and publish them in a separate blog post.

Anonymous said...

we resist by voting these goof for nothing but lining their own pockets nincompoops out of office.

Register to vote and VOTE or continue to suffer at the hands of the morons who put their friends, family and incompetents into powerful positions.

Anonymous said...

The council who approved the parameters of the study, and no follow up were bufforns.We need more than Trust and faith for accountability. In the face of people who are in fact very ill, it is criminal to not disclose what pesticides were used that day in Waimea, and every day since.

40 yrs on the westside said...

I don't mean to post negative, or appear resolved towards defeat, but based on recent federal legislation favoring Monsanto and the state's seemingly acquiescent stance on the GMO front, and that with the recent and ongoing new construction of mega-facilities on the wet side, the battle is definitely an uphill one and it is obvious the GMO seed companies have no intention to pack up and leave and will most likely pull out all the stops in the fight to stay put. An Erin Brochovich might help but a lengthy war it will likely be.

Anonymous said...

Middle ground would be ideal; I hope this works. GMO and one of the worst Prosecutors in the US. Lives taken in both instances. And, what do politicians and investors want to do but play games with innocent people's lives.

Then, war overseas and the echoes brought home to Kauai. While I commend the soldiers who make so many sacrifices--make sure these men and women have had time to deal with trauma and facts of war.

Get these soldiers the help they need upon their return back to the US. They are due this much.

Two KPD Officers are examples. KPD Officer DeBlake, who is a Staff Sgt., and KPD Officer Chris Calio, who is Sgt. Both with HI Army National Guard; both having served together at least an 18-month deployment in Iraq.

DeBlake was quoted to say these soldiers saw the worst. This is believable.

Officer DeBlake gets wound-up and tazers a high school student. Tragically, and absolutely intolerable is KPD Officer Chris Calio does the same, but this time shoots and kills a man who is throwing bamboo from his roof top.

The Chief was quoted that officers are trained and KPD Officer Calio's actions were appropriate.

In honesty, don't think so in these 2 cases. And, had the man on the roof top been so dangerous that he needed to be killed, why didn't other officers open fire, too? Something is not right.

Please get these officers the help they need before coming back into the community to serve and protect.

Will look forward to Joan's blog on tackling GMO issues.

Anonymous said...

Civil Beat wrote:

"Hawaii is the only state without a single entity to oversee police officer training and performance standards, raising questions about the qualifications of Hawaii’s law enforcement officers.


There are no statewide standards for police procedures or practices, something 49 other states have, according to law enforcement experts. When it comes to training recruits on how to shoot their guns, detain suspects and follow proper search and seizure protocols, the county’s four police departments and other law enforcement agencies are on their own.

“The power that police have to arrest and use deadly force and to search and seize is really tremendous,” said Roger Goldman, Callis Family Professor of Law at Saint Louis University. “You need to have a minimal standard of training, just like you do for doctors and lawyers.”'



Anonymous said...

Wow! HI only state without a police department overseer. Shows in some problems.

In county meeting Chief Perry thanked Shaylene and Jake Delaplane for their part in bringing justice in the Hilario murder trial! WTH, Shaylene, one worst prosecutors in US.

I wonder what the Moore family would think about this. In Garden Island story, it's said the father of the deceased couldn't even get a meeting with Shaylene, but was able to meet with new prosecuting attorney Kollar.

The Chief's wife tarnished his public image when she decided she was mad at Justin Kollar. Shay and Solette concocted You Tube video where Solette supports Shay. Re-elect Shay because she is local, she cares, and her track record shows this. OMG!

Now Chief Perry makes a public announcement thanking Shaylene and Jake. This damages Chief Perry's credibility. Would any police chief go any where near publicly supporting the track record of people like Shaylene and Jake?

Politics and citizens pay the cost. Can anyone be trusted?

Kollar saved the Hilario murder trial. No telling what the ending would be if Shay still had the case. Must have been very difficult for surviving family to live through knowing Shaylene and Jake had this case for years.

Anonymous said...

A charmer without morals.

Anonymous said...

If Shay an Jake was still in the OPA, Hilario would had gotten out of 2nd degree murder charges because Progressive optimism helps all unite!

Anonymous said...

Hilario is already stomping his feet, demanding an appeal. The Defense attorney is trying to get attempted intimidation charges dropped.

What did Hilario text Aureo Moore? "I can't wait to find you?" Hilario said he would kill Aureo Moore if he stepped foot in courtroom again.

How much did this trial cost tax payers? How much has Hilario and his groupies cost tax payers because he is shielded? How much more will we have to pay for appeals while Hilario stomps his evil feet, "I want! You owe me! I can't wait to fins you!"???