Questions you must answer before you continue to read this story. Do you believe the ads by the petroleum industry claiming that they are looking to the future of America and its environment while providing safe and clean products? Have the Koch brothers convinced you with ads about Koch Industries which show farmers and workers in a clean air environment? Has Monsanto convinced you that they care about the safety of your food, and only want the best quality for the American people? Has Donald Trump brainwashed you into believing that he cares about the United States of America and all of its people?

If you believe any of the previous questions, you may cease reading and turn on FOX Noise.

Every one of these entities is masquerading. They want you to believe that they are working for the betterment of our nation and the future of the planet. They truth is 180 degrees in the opposite direction.

The petroleum industry is supporting GOP candidates in elections. The reason? They want all restrictions on their industry to be removed, while maintaining tax incentives. They want to increase offshore drilling; they want to drill in wilderness preserves, and they seek additional fracking permits.

Fracking is the single greatest danger to our soil and water. Millions of gallons of water, mixed with sand and more than 600 chemicals, some of which are carcinogens, are forced deep into the earth under extreme pressure. The shale is broken, and crude and gas are forced to the surface. Only a portion of the poisonous water is reclaimed; the remainder moves into the underground waterways. Additional dangers pre present as seismic activity increases in the area where fracking wells operate; even when no earthquakes had previously occurred.

Aren’t those Koch Industries ads moving? Sadly, they are an illusion. Their primary business in the manufacture and installation of pipelines. The Koch brothers have created an entire political party with the primary purpose of insuring pipelines will dominate the landscape and increase the dangers to our water and land.

Monsanto is ‘running scared.’ Do you believe that we have the right to know what’s in the food we purchase? Monsanto is purchasing ads claiming that they are devoted to increased production and the safety of your food.

The truth is that all of their supported food products are manufactured with the use of GMOs. Sixty nations around the world have either banned the use of GMOs or placed restrictions on their sale. Scientists around the world, with the exception of the FDA, have agreed that GMOs cause long term health dangers. In the United States efforts are underway to force the food industry to label food products which have been manufactured with the use of GMOs. Consumer’s right to know has become a major issue.

Monsanto claims that GMOs were invented to increase food production around the world. A blatant lie. Their most profitable herbicide is ‘Round Up.’ The use of Round Up on corporate farms resulted in the weeds it was meant to kill becoming resistant. A stronger form of Round Up was developed, and to prevent the crops from becoming damaged, they developed GMOs to prevent damage from the herbicide. The runoff from fields where the stronger Round Up is used is poisoning our streams and rivers.

Lastly, if you are a Donald Trump supporter, stop reading now. Trump is not just a buffoon, he is a dangerous buffoon. He has assisted ISIS in their recruitment efforts. He is encouraging hatred and violence across our nation. He has no interest in supporting the American people or working for them, he is merely an ambitious attention whore.

Phew! That felt good. I absolutely deplore hypocrisy, and I hate greed.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of Steven Straiton

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