GMO Free Kauai: Silencing a Dissident
From HawaiiFarmersDaughter October 21, 2013
In 2007, a study was conducted on the scientific literacy of the US public. The results found that only 28% of people were considered scientifically literate. It is no wonder that we are having the issues with the topic of GMOs in our state. The minority of folks who understand and accept the evidence is the underwhelming minority and even less so when it comes time for speaking out.
If you just take a look at the many recent polls on GMOs in the local papers, you can clearly see that reflected in the results. There are more people lacking the ability to decipher what is evidence and what isn’t. Then that same population makes for hot pickings for a very powerful fear mongering campaign by industries trying to grow its market share.
The lack of scientific literacy and the advent of the social media has given way for this largely uninformed public, who have been bombarded by the black marketing tactics and growing presence of the environmental groups, to have a seemingly louder presence. Extremist activism has now become the mainstream way of life here in the islands and it doesn't look like it is going to stop, unless others are willing to speak up. However, when many of the activists have resorted to intimidation, the likelihood of speaking up becomes less and less. Just watch what happens in this video during the hearing for Bill 2491 and note the emotional tone facing the council members who were hesitating.
Here’s a personal account of someone who acknowledges the tactics being used that early morning too from a Civil Beat article.
There is an even slimmer chance that the leaders in office are scientifically literate enough also knowing these statistics. It is no wonder we are seeing laws being passed around our state against this technology.
Take a look at what some examples of the intimidation that we are seeing going on when you speak up.
We also can’t forget Kevin Folta’s interaction with another Kauai activist, Christi Demuth also. Or even the death threats that followed Kevin and Karl after their trip to Kauai.
Now, if you haven’t learned yet, you do not want to disagree with these people because their power is in their multitudes and social media masses. So if you are a leader in the community, you’d better watch yourself if you become too vocal because that 72% will resort to all kinds of tactics. They will quickly complain about no aloha, but then just look what they have done to Chuck Lasker, who has openly spoken out about the issues of biotech.
http://www.change.org/petitions/rotary-club-of-kauai-remove-chuck-lasker-as-president-elect-of-kauai-rotary
(Note, if you want to help stop this, please scroll down to the bottom and flag it.)
They are even paying people to sign this petitions too!
Just take a look at the commentary in there of these people. Note how they claim to be so victimized by this but then the vile comments posted above are those of signing the petition. These are the same ones who posted so much hate on the Pro GMO FB page when it first came out!
These people are the extremists that leaders are working with to make laws. It’s no wonder why the community remains divided. In usual political dealings, the radicals are the ones that can’t be reasoned with should be marginalized and the reasonable ones are the ones you work with. That is the leader’s choice to either continue the division by working on with radicals or choosing the reasonable ones. Unfortunately, with the tactics witnessed, what leader wants to be subject to this? You’d Better Vote That Way Or Else I Go See You Later In Da Back Alley!
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