Documentary Suggestions and A Little Rant

I came across a very important and enlightening video on Google the other day. I am not sure what the actual working title is, but the google link calls it Controlling Our Food and I have heard the name The World According to Monsanto. This French produced documentary has an in-depth look at the history of Monsanto, the massive global bio-chem firm which leads the rush into trans-genics (cross-species genetically modified organisms). This is another presentation that I believe must be watched and shared with as many people as possible.

Another video presentation that I am suggesting is Earthlings. This one, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, documents many of the practices associated with the human use of animals as pets, food, clothing, entertainment and research. I believe this MUST be watched by anyone who does not pay significant attention to how animals are treated in their use by humans. I must be clear tho, I do not argue for the total end of animal use. I DO argue strenuously for a much more involved and conscientious relationship between we humans and the other lives with which we interact, especially those that serve our needs directly (I wish I could have found a better way of wording that).

Many people tell me that I should stop watching this kind of thing so much. They say there is nothing I can do about it anyway, so why weigh myself down by reinforcing information I already knew or believed. While this pains me, I understand the sentiment. I understand how easy it is to get lost in a sense of personal helplessness when it comes to some of these massive and incredibly dangerous issues. But, at the same time, we HAVE to be more conscious of these issues. We have to talk about them, painful or scary as they may be. We have to drag them out into the light and deal with them. We cannot hope the right political types come along to make these issues go away. The longer we do so, the less likely it is to happen. The ONLY way these issues get dealt with, is at the local level...by altering our consumption and political choices and by DISCUSSING IT. We can talk about what we believe and what we are doing, without being "preachy" or condescending. We do not have to force our opinions, but we must not close in on ourselves either, hoping that our examples are seen and heeded.

I am saying once again right now, very seriously, that if we don't get very very busy with these discussions as well as our personal efforts....we will run out of time a lot faster than most of us think. So many massive issues are closing in on us with incredible speed.

May God/Goddess give us strength...

Peace to all.