• Stay informed as GMO debate continues • Tougher gun controls would be happy medium Stay informed as GMO debate continues As reported in Saturday’s paper, Monsanto’s decision to leave Kaua‘i for economic reasons raises some questions about the sustainability
• Stay informed as GMO debate continues
• Tougher gun controls would be happy medium
Stay informed as GMO debate continues
As reported in Saturday’s paper, Monsanto’s decision to leave Kaua‘i for economic reasons raises some questions about the sustainability of the GMO industry.
The article mentions the increased scrutiny that the industry is facing as well.
Last week’s article by Coco Zickos (“Debate continues over GMOs,” The Garden Island, Feb. 13) also referenced that scrutiny and highlights the debate between advocates for safe food and non-GMO products and supporters of GMO-related agriculture. In that article, it is mentioned that Hawai‘i is ground zero for field experiments and testing.
The debate can be framed by some as GMO Good vs. GMO Bad. If it were only that simple.
The issues of food security, appropriate technology and sustainable agriculture all tie into responsible economic development. The loss of any jobs during these trying times should not be overlooked yet it is hard to deny that the corporate decisions made in faraway offices often are felt hardest by those toiling in the fields and struggling to make ends meet on hourly wages.
It is nice to know that Monsanto will offer jobs to its employees and relocate but chances are great that the majority those positions will be filled by imported workers with little or no ties to Kaua‘i’s Westside.
As a community, we are best served by open dialog and discussion about these issues. The events reported by Zickos regarding the ongoing GMO debate help to further the understanding of the issues.
Between Dr. Cindy Goldstein, a scientist employed by Pioneer Hi-Bred and Jeffry Smith, an international speaker and author invited by GMO Free Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i SEED to present information on the potential harmful effects of GMO food products and its agricultural practices, there is plenty of factual information that will help Kaua‘i decide what is best for our food, our families and our community.
For many the choices are clear and their positions on the debate are fixed. For others, the opportunity to learn, discover and decide about the GMO industry is assisted by objective unbiased reporting from the media.
Mahalo to The Garden Island news staff for its coverage and reports on legislative actions, community forums and industry developments. As the debate continues, it is crucial that we stay informed, engaged and empowered to make a difference in creating a healthy and sustainable Kaua‘i.
James Trujillo, Kapa‘a
Tougher gun controls would be happy medium
I would like to respond to the letter by Joyce Miranda (“Gun law update,” Letters, Feb. 22).
First, I would like to point out that the NRA-sponsored letter that was copied and pasted was written back in 2001, regarding a 1996 law.
Specifically, Australian law bans private ownership of all semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns and pump-action shotguns.
The Australian ban followed an April 29, 1996, shooting at a Port Arthur tourist spot by Martin Bryant, who opened fire with military-style rifles, killing 35 people and injuring 19.
Joyce Miranda also states how much crime has risen in Australia because of the gun ban. The statistics she shows is during a specific two-year cycle. If you go to the actual Australian Government Statistics Crime Base, you will see who is honest here.
Since the issue is gun ownership, we can stick to that topic. Homicides using firearms: Australia had 59, America had 9,369 (www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_wit_fir-crime-murders-with-firearms).
If you multiply Australia’s population to match ours, then Australia would have some 840 homicides using guns, which means we have 156 times the number of homicides with guns in America, per capita.
More information is available at www.aph.gov.au/Library/pubs/bn/2007-08/08bn01.htm.
In 2005, there were 147 firearm suicides. In 2006, there were 46 firearm homicides.
So guess who has a vested interest in letters like the one submitted by Joyce Miranda? Guess who wants to keep guns in the hands of whoever can buy them?
The same companies who make money off of guns used to kill some 12,000 Americans a year.
In America, a little over one in every 100 Americans are in jail. America has more of its own citizens in jail than Russia does.
So yeah, I agree on one point — Americans may want to take note before it’s too late.
How about a happy medium? Let’s enact a law somewhere in the middle. You get to keep something made to take life, but make it harder for everyone to acquire them.
Dennis Chaquette. Kapa‘a
