The picture above is taken at 1999 at Vietnam

During the Vietnam war, the the United States sprayed an estimated 17,000,000 gallons of chemicals on Vietnam, much of it being in the form of a defoliant called Agent Orange(AO). Contained within AO was Dioxin, which is termed by many as the most poisonous chemical ever manufactured. In the years from 1961 to 1971, the US used an estimated 170 grams of Dioxin on Vietnam and with the chemical deemed potent in milligrams many Vietnamese people where poison by the substance. Since the effects of the poison is transmitted from one generation to the next, forty some years later its impact is still being felt through out much of Vietnam, taking its tole on the second and third generation of children since the war. There is approximately 1.5 million people in Vietnam who are currently victims of Dioxin poisoning. Many are living an extreme pain and isolation with debilitating illness that prevent them from being able to take care of themselves.

Since the nineteen-eighties, several lawsuits have been filed against the companies which produced agent orange, among them; Dow Chemical, Monsanto, and Diamond Shamrock (which produced 5%[2]). U.S. veterans obtained a $180 million settlement in 1984, with most affected veterans receiving a one-time lump sum payment of $1,200.

American veterans of the Vietnam war were seeking recognition of agent orange syndrome, compensation and treatment for diseases that they and their children suffered from; many exposed to agent orange have not been able to receive promised medical care through the Veterans Administration medical system, and only with rare exception have their affected children received healthcare assistance from the government.

Vietnam veterans and their families who brought the original agent orange lawsuit alleged, 25 years ago, that the government "is just waiting for us all to die". They alleged that most of those still alive would succumb to the effects of toxic exposure before the age of 65.

In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, veterans obtained compensation in settlements that same year. In 1999, South Korean veterans filed a lawsuit in the Korean courts. In January 2006, the Korean Appeal Court ordered Monsanto and Dow to pay US$62 million in compensation. However, no Vietnamese have received compensation, and on March 10, 2006, Judge Jack B. Weinstein of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York dismissed the lawsuit filed by the Vietnamese victims of agent orange against the chemical companies which produced the defoliants and herbicides.

None of the politics or army generals that gave the order to use these bio-hazard poisons get in prisons. None of them was convicted to death. None of them payed the price for this genocide.. Only the people from Vietnam and those innocent faces..

Chamie et al. have provided a revised assessment of the risk of prostate cancer in American veterans exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Federally funded studies in the 1990s indicated that there was a weak association between exposure and the subsequent development of prostate cancer. However, Vietnam War veterans are now entering their 60s, so the authors reexamined this association. All Vietnam War era veterans who receive their care in the Northern California Veteran Affairs Health System were stratified as either exposed (n = 6,214) or unexposed (n = 6,930) to Agent Orange. Strata-specific incidence rates of prostate cancer were calculated. Differences in patient and disease characteristics (age, race, smoking history, family history, body mass index, finasteride exposure, prebiopsy PSA level, clinical and pathologic stage, and Gleason score) were carefully assessed. The authors' analysis suggests that about twice as many exposed men (239/6,214, 3.8 percent) were identified with prostate cancer as unexposed men (124/6,930, 1.8 percent). The mean time from exposure to diagnosis was just under 34 years. Agent Orange-exposed men were diagnosed at a younger mean age (59.7 years) compared with unexposed men (62.2 years), had a 2-fold increase in the proportion of Gleason scores 8 through 10 (21.8 percent) compared with unexposed men (10.5 percent), and were more likely to have metastatic disease at presentation than men who were not exposed (13.4 percent) than unexposed men (4 percent). They conclude that individuals who were exposed to Agent Orange had an increased incidence of prostate cancer; developed the disease at a younger age, and had a more aggressive variant than their unexposed counterparts. [You can access the complete manuscript by clicking here]

There is increasing interest in the cautious use of testosterone supplementation in patients who receive effective treatment for prostate cancer as a means addressing testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), a common side effect of treatment. Morales et al. have reported on a very preliminary case series of five men treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for localized prostate cancer. The men were treated with testosterone once their PSA levels had reached the nadir. The mean level of their testosterone levels before supplementation was 5.2 nmol/L and the mean duration of follow-up while on supplementation was 14.5 months. At the last visit, the testosterone levels were 17.6 nmol/L (with a range of 8.5-32.4 nmol/L) . One patient had a transitory increase in PSA level but none had levels of > 1.5 ng/mL. All five patients reported a noticeable impact of testosterone supplementation on the manifestations of TDS: four patients each reported decreased hot flushes, decreased fatigue, and improved libido; two patients reported improved erectile function. In concluding that men with TDS after EBRT for localized prostate cancer are candidates for testosterone therapy, the authors also note that the patients must be fully aware of the advantages and risks of this treatment. They counsel that PSA levels must have reached a nadir before starting treatment and the follow-up must be particularly close. While they observed no adverse effects from testosterone supplementation in these five patient, Morales et al. point out the need for more information about the safety and efficacy of testosterone therapy in men successfully treated for localized prostate cancer; there is evidence indicating hypogonadism in these patients, compromising their quality of life and longevity, independent of the cancer.

Lets get back to America. By saying north American punk I refer to all kinds of punk, may it be pop-punk (stupid title I never went along with it), skate-punk, hardcore-punk, anarcho-punk, and so on. There is also cookie-punk, or else turquise-punk or scoobie doo-punk which are titles we have come up with my friends in Greece to characterise bands like greenday, millencolin, nofx, blink 182 etc. So, from the oldest to the newest ...

1. Ramones - Leave Home (1977)

The Ramones are for me the cornerstone of punk music. They have all the elements I am looking for in a punk band. Most importantly, I need the drums to sound like the Ramones. If they don't, it's not punk! The second Ramones album is my favourite because it is the album to which I have danced more than any other album in my life. It has a 100% rock n roll feeling but in a totally different context, with simplistic structures, drums, guitars and bass that can be played by absolute beginers. Yet, all the songs are so inspired and all the melodies will stick on the brain forever. Riffs like in the chorus of "commando", were meant to be a guide for composing punk songs since. Favourites: "oh oh, I love her so", "Commando", "I remember you", "Swallow my pride". "Gimme gimme shock treatment".

2. Circle Jerks - Group Sex (1980)

It is hard to comprehend that it came out in 1980! A record whose speed and intensity are unbelievable even today. I cannot remember how I reacted when first listened to "red tape" but I am sure I laughed a lot. "Operation" is indeed a statement of our times, funny but dead serius at the same time, "Live fast die young" is an all time classic 'into the pit' song, "I just want some skunk", is furious. In spite of the fact that it is less than 20 minutes, it is varied and all inclusive and certainly provides with a sufficient dose of neck-breaking hardcore. However, the term hardcore is really not enough to describe the richness of this album. It is a shame the albums that followed were at least indifferent.

3. Adolescents - s/t (1981)

The combined geniuses of Rikk Agnew, Casey Royer, Steve Sotto et al. shine in this album which is the definition of O.C. punk. I consider Rikk Agnew as my all time favourite punk composer and overall one of the great personalities of punk music. His first personal album is a true gem, and the only reason I put this album here instead of his personal is...I do not know why...! Anyway, in here at least two of the best songs ever are included: "Kids of the Black Hole", "No Friends". Agnew's melodies over the main riffs are ubiguitus and make the compositions special. Songs like "Amoeba" or "Creatures" are blueprints of the o.c. sound. The band proves in songs like "self destruct" or "word attack" that when it comes to faster more hardcore sound they are still capable of writing inspired songs.

4. Agent Orange - Living in Darkness (1981)

If I had to choose the most serious record the californian scene has produced, "living..." would have to be the one. So much a typical californian sound and at the same time so different from the rest of the scene. One thing fo sure, this band does not transmit the delinquency the other bands of their time and after transmit. Eight songs, each one an instant classic. Ok, I have to admit that if I listen one more time to "Misirlou" I will puke, but it is not their fault. A quite melancholic album in general, with songs like "A cry for help...", being timeless testaments of the alienated contemporary society. Palm sounds jaded and saddened by the passing of years, loneliness and short-lived human relationships. All songs are perfect, but my two favourites are "cry for help..." and "everything turns grey".

5. True Sounds Of Liberty - Dance with Me (1981)

Another album definition of californian punk. Hymns like "Abolish government" or "superficial love" are not included here, but other are. A dark record with perfect guitars and drums, some unbelievably good lyrics (e.g. "The triangle", "80 Times", "Peace through Power") and some unbelievably bad lyrics (e.g. "Code blue"). Grisham (vocals) sounds a lot like Biafra sometimes but they started about the same period. Barnes is my personal favorite drummer and together with Tommy from the Ramones, the definition of punk drummer. The riffs and melodies are most of the time far from the typical punk. The frequently changing rythms are another interesting aspect of their music, obviously copied by bands like System of a Down (e.g. the ending of "I'm tired of life" is exactly like any system of a down song!). Favourites: "The triangle", "80 times", "Die for me", "Peace through power".

6. MDC -Millions of Dead Cops (1981)

An angry political hardcore album from the early 80s in which two or three songs were meant to become classic. The quitars are insane and the riffs are ahead of their time (just like the Bad Brains and DK). All songs are hyperfast and the singer is awesome, among the greater punk vocalists of all time. Openly gay, Dictor's lyrics criticise in a clever way the fascist homophobic american society, with best example the chorus "...What makes america so straight and me so bent?". The fury, the riff, the incredible lyrics of "John Wayne was a nazi" are beyond the imagination. The chorus of "Born to Die is a timeless slogan ("No War, No KKK, No Fascist USA"). My family is a little weird resembles "Sick Boy" by GBH but they came out around the same time... So I cannot tell who stole whom. Certainly a cornerstone of hardcore music. Fast, powerful, technical and political.

7. Minor Threat - s/t (1981)

Even though it is not a standard album but a compilation of the first two 7'' ep's it is a big part of hardcore history. Only MDC are equally furious, but in a more 'metal' way. Minor threat are furious in a 100% punk way. Clever riffs, frenetic drums and great vocals, on some of the greatest hardcore songs ever. Even though I am against the philosophy of "Guilty of being white" (as a criticism against violent black groups) I think it is the best song ever writen! In fact all songs are monuments of how hardcore-punk should sound. Again no one ever managed or attempted as far as I know to copy them because it is impossible (although Pantera's song "strength beyond strength" starts exactly like "Guilty..."). Their "out of step" album is equally perfect and more coherent, though much slower.

8. Dead Kennedys - Plastic Surgery Disasters (1982)

Even though the first album is a masterpice and probably the most important album from that scene in America, "Plastic surgery..." is my personal favourite. When I first listened to it I was sure that I would never listen to another more complete album ever. I still don't think I have. By far the best orchestration I have ever listened to in a punk album. The changes on "Forest fire" and the lead guitar when Biafra sings"....and hey, what about that cocaine...", the fury with which it continuous with "...where's your brand new pretty wife...", the guitars on "dead end", the riff of "Buzzbomb", the lyrics of "Terminal prepie"!!! What about the boiling tension of "Riot" and that bass-line, maybe the most descriptive song ever written. Biafra, Ray, Peligro and Flouride give their best performance ever. Really a masterpiece of flawless compositions and variety.

9. Misfits - Walk Among Us (1982)

Misfits is a name with negative connotations in greece, because of its connection with football fans and their clubs (Misfits 7 is a club of violent olympiakos' fans) and generally it is considered a band for brainless fans. It is certainly not the band with a serious punk ideology, and their lyrics are full of sexism and murder, and would easily fit into a heavy metal band. With the difference that they are written from a person (Danzig) who, writting music and lyrics is what he was meant for! This said, I think that aside some offensive ideas, which are not really present in this album but in the past like on "Last Caress", "Bullet" or "Who killed Marilyn", this album has the best melodies and some really fun lyrics. The key quality of this record is that it is enthousiastic and makes you wanna dance. It has incredibly intelligent choruses, every single song is a surprise and the BEST vocals EVER. Here's a cool video of "I turned into a martian" and the incredible "All hell breaks loose".

10. Bad Brains - Rock for Light (1983)

When it comes to punk, Bad Brains stick out from the rest bands. Their genious is admitted by most bands of that era (late 70s early 80s). However, their influence is not easily recognisable. This happens for the reason that they simply cannot be copied! The funny thing is that I cannot explain what they were listening in order to play the way they did. I don't mean the reggae songs, but the punk ones. The riffs would remind me death or grind riffs, but the Bad Brains came first! So, what were they listening to play the riff of "FVK" or the riff in the middle of "We will not" just before the solo? The brutal vocals on "Riot Squad" surely had an effect on early death or grind bands. The tempo of "Big Takeover" is among the highlights of the album. Bass, drums, guitars and vocals are from another planet, not only at the time of its release but even in terms of contemporary music.

11. Youth Brigade - Sound and Fury (1983)

Stern brothers' first album has everything one can ask for from California. Fun, speed, rage, attitude, thoughtful lyrics and melody blend together in the most beautiful way. When I first listened to the record I found traces of british Oi punk (in Men in blue, What are you fightin for) which made it even more interesting. This album contains the famous oozin ahs Bad Religion use, before Bad Religion! It also contains the punk hymn "Sink With California". Favourites; "blown away" (the chorus-the ending are unique), "What are you fightin for", "Sink with California", "What will the revolution change?".

12. Bad Religion - No Control (1989)

It is extremely difficult to pick one out of more than ten perfect albums B.R. have released since 1981. Even if someone would hold them responsible for all the bad taste and downfall of todays Mainstream american punk scene, that does not mean that they should not be among the greatest bands ever in music history. Suffer, No control and Against the Grain are my favourite B.R. albums but No control is the first one I listened to, so I choose this one. A 100% original band with Graffin borrowing elements from traditional american music, making the difference. The melodies are unrepeatable and the choruses are the best. A record to dance to forever! Highlights: "No control", "Big Bang", "Automatic man", "I wanna conquer the world", "you", "It must look pretty appealing".

13. Nomeansno - Wrong (1989)

A Nomeansno album should be in this list, not only because they are one of the most sophisticated and innovative punk bands, but because they continue releasing extremely perfect albums as well. Wrong is somehow a turn in the bands sound, employing a more punk attitude. In this album one can find songs with so intricate and clever orchestrations, that no matter how much technocratic bands can turn, will never top them. The chorus of "The Tower", a majestic song that deserves to be among the best songs ever, "It's catching up", "brainless wonder", are among these songs. Songs like "tired of waiting" or "the tower" are songs that every hardcore wannabe band would envy! Other uptempo songs like "Oh no Bruno" or "Two lips..." are more Ramones-like but still exciting and make you wanna dance. Overall, clever lyrics, great music but also technique, something not so common in punk bands, but definetely punk. I like to call it Zappunk or Punk Zappa!

14. Reagan Youth - Volume 1 (1989)

The first complete RY album is huge (recorded in 1983-4). At times it sounds very amateur with a lousy production and a drummer who actually loses the tempo sometimes, but it inspires respect. The guitars are twisted and the singer delivers some of the best vocals ever. "Anytown" is one of my favourite songs of all time and lyric-wise is a true gem. Music-wise the album in general has some of the most twisted riffs ever which create a stressful atmosphere. Best example is "in dog we trust" with that lead guitar imitating an ambulance siren and creating an unbearable tension! "Degenerated" and "Gonowhere" represent heavy critiques of punk lifestyle and yet are extremely enjoyable. All great songs with great lyrics and most importantly, original.

15. Propagandhi - Todays Empires, Tomorrow's ashes (2001)

After much thought I decided to put one new record in this list. Even though there are huge bands that I have not chosen, Propagandhi are here because they are canadiaan and Canada is not represented adequately here, and because they are gods. I really don't care if other bands are more underground or more anarchist or whatever. Propagandhi have it all. They are thinking individuals and perfect players. Further, they draw from different schools and create something very interesting and inspired. This album is unbelievably perfect. It is fast, sentimental, brutal and the lyrics are perfect. The songs "Fuck the border" and "bulshit politicians" are songs that just can't be writen! They are huge! I am tired now, I think I 'll stop.

p.s. For bands that deserved to be here and are not like Subhumans (canada), Jerry's Kids, D.I., Middle Class, Germs, Descendents, Tragedy, Brother Inferior, Ballast, Zeke I will make it up to them in the future!

[ german | deutsch ]

Gift im Angebot
- Die Erfolgsstory des US-Multis Monsanto!

Gift im Angebot - Die Erfolgsstory des US-Multis Monsanto1/3

Diese Situation hätten sie nie für möglich gehalten. Vor dreißig Jahren noch wären sich amerikanische GIs und vietnamesische Vietkongs im Dschungel Vietnams an die Gurgel gegangen. Heute stehen sie als Verbündete vor dem Zweiten New Yorker Bezirksgericht. Ihr gemeinsamer Gegner: Die Hersteller des Entlaubungsmittels Agent Orange. Allen voran der US-Chemieriese Monsanto. Ihr gemeinsames Ziel: Schadensersatz wegen der Spätfolgen von Agent Orange, die bei ihnen und ihren Kindern noch immer auftreten.

Gift im Angebot - Die Erfolgsstory des US-Multis Monsanto 2/3

...

Agent Orange wurde während des Vietnamkrieges in großen Mengen über den Dschungel gesprüht. Der New Yorker Bezirksrichter muss entscheiden, ob es Entschädigungszahlungen geben wird. Die zentrale Frage: Was wussten die Hersteller über die Gefährlichkeit von Agent Orange. Was wusste Monsanto? Kritiker sagen: Monsanto wusste früh um die hochgiftige Wirkung dieses Breitbandherbizides, hätte aber sein Wissen zurück gehalten und damit massenhafte Körperverletzungen billigend im Kauf genommen.

Gift im Angebot - Die Erfolgsstory des US-Multis Monsanto 2/3

Auslandsreporter porträtiert die Firma Monsanto und ihre Aktivitäten. Am Ende der Dokumentation steht der Urteilsspruch des amerikanischen Richters über Agent Orange. Wird es Entschädigungszahlungen für die amerikanischen und vietnamesischen Opfer geben? Wird das eine Lehre für Monsanto sein?

In my book I wrote, "When I first encountered my 'Stalker' neighbor, Piburn, it was March 2007.  The first comments out of his wife's mouth were, 'He's retired military and only has about 3 years left to live.  He has Leukemia from being in Viet Nam.'"  Ok, so did a lot of other Vets that were there.  What makes this such a special case?  What makes it 'special' is that he's had Leukemia for 40 years and is still healthier than I am!  And, with only, let's see, now it would be a little less than 2 years left to live.

They come up here, from Yuma, for the summer months, and he never leaves to go to a doctor's appt., Chemotherapy, or anything else (There aren't any doctor's certified to do Chemo in Springerville).  Why would someone with this advanced stage of Leukemia move so far away from his Oncologist, and adequate medical care?  And, how could someone, in this advanced stage of Leukemia, do the physically challenging activities I have witnessed him doing, e.g., hammering concrete off of a post? 

There are a lot of lies that the general public will 'tolerate,' but, lying about dying and/or having a terminal illness isn't one of those lies.  I watched my sister die of cancer and I can guarantee she wasn't out terrorizing people, running up and down the fence on a four-wheeler, stalking little girls, or planting trees and building decks!  What she was was very contrite and humble.  She hadn't been a very nice person throughout her life and she was remorseful about the hurt she had caused. 

Working as an ICU Nurse, for more than 20 years, I saw a lot of death and dying.  In all of those years I never had a terminally ill patient ask me to help them out of their death bed so they could go do something dispicably cruel  to someone else, or to wreak havoc in a perfect stranger's life.

I look at the picture below, taken 7/24/08, and I wonder about the 'pensive' body language displayed by this guy.  Is he trying to figure out what he's going to say, in 20 months, about why he's still as healthy as a horse?

 What I would really like to know is if he 'acts' this way in Yuma.  If he has singled out someone in his neighborhood down there to harass, stalk, and keep under surveillance while he's up here for the summer.

Joseph Goebbels, Hitler's Propaganda Minister, had a favorite saying, "If you tell a lie often enough, it becomes the truth."  Just how long has this guy been telling people he only has 3 years left to live?  Even if he only said it once, it's a sick and pathological lie to tell!  However, from his perspective it's working; he has most of the residents of "The Road" at his feet.  I fully expect to see an EMS vehicle on the road any day now, for affect.   

Regards,

Looking4trth

Sarah and I are watching 21 Jump Street on DVD.  We were both fans of the show when it came out, but our only thought about it was to sing JUMP every once in a while.  So, we got Season One and have been very pleasantly surprised at how good the show is.  It holds up surprisingly well: the story lines are a bit over the top, and some very basic logical issues like: they go to a different high school every episode, just how many high schools are in this town?  And, what town in the world is as pervaded by so many different teen criminal masterminds?  But, once you get past that (and the egregious late 80's fashion) the stories are really compelling.

Anyhow, the music on the original was very good, but like many DVDs, (Northern Exposure, I'm looking at you) the original scores could not be obtained so they have lame background music.  (Don't even get me started on the bullshit factor of THAT).  But the last episode of Season One features music by Agent Orange (it's about punks, you see).  I assume the band on screen is Agent Orange (although the singer isn't the band's singer, so maybe not).  Anyhow, there are several scene in a punk club, and the Agent Orange songs are really good.  I never got into them back in the day, probably because they only really put out two albums, but I am now intrigued enough to see what they were like.  I'll likely be getting and reviewing their debut, which sounds very promising.

[READ: July 2, 2008] "The Case of the Severed Hand"

This was the only story out of all of the magazine stories I just read that I did not like. I starts out as a stereotypical "pulp" detective story: the detective is named Noir, the woman is named Flame, the cop is called Blue. It was so over the top I assumed it was a joke-noir, especially since the hero winds up in women's clothes twice in the first section.

But no, it proceeds apace, as a crime detective story, albeit a somewhat surreal one. The severed hand in the title appears in a flashback to a previous case, and that part is kind of interesting; however, the bookend part of the story is just sort of noir for the sake of noir.  I kept thinking I was missing something.  Since I don't really read that genre, maybe it was much funnier than I thought. But I kept expecting something to happen, and it never did.

In the past, it was not unheard of for England to try and use Australians as fodder. Churchill's disgusting behaviour during World War II illustrates this. He couldn't fathom that the heathens and convict descended trash could possibly deny the mother country's control. Thankfully John Curtin had the guts to flip him the bird.

A former US govt saw fit to treat us with the same respect shown by past British governments. Did the United States become the new mother country? It makes me wonder what else has happened, and what else is happening right now. Harold Holt, Prime Minister at the time, "forged a close relationship with U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson." Sound like anyone else we know?

This can only add to the conspiracy theories surrounding Harold Holt's disappearance.

After the recent Agent Orange revelations, should this surprise me?

"All governments are liars and murders." - Bill Hicks

Started in Placentia, California in the 1980s, the group Agent Orange is considered the pioneer of the skate-punk music scene. The band has also had an overwhelming influence on the punk and hardcore music scenes. Agent Orange was discovered by the public when they released the song “Bloodstains” on an Orange County compilation CD.

Agent Orange has had numerous changes in band members, but one original member, Mike Palm, remains. Each of the groups members lends their vocals, while Palm plays guitar, Perry Giordano plays Bass and Dusty Watson is on drums.

LPs:

1981 – Living In Darkness

1986 – This Is The Voice

1996 – Virtually Indestructible

2003 – Sonic Snake Sessions

EPs:

 1982 – Bitchin’ Summer

1984 – When You Least Expect It 

VietNamNet Bridge – Former Vice President Truong My Hoa joined hundreds of Vietnamese and Germans in a charity walk in Germany’s Bochum City to raise fund for Vietnamese Agent Orange victims.

Hoa, now President of the Sponsorship Council, joined the June 22 event while leading a delegation of the Community Mobilising and Supporting Fund on a working visit to Germany from June 20-22.

Hoa said the annual event was of great significance for Vietnamese A/O victims and that she hoped such a walk would be scaled up in both the turn-out and the number of involved localities in Germany.

The “Parade for Vietnam” this year was the second of its kind so far in Bochum held by the Association in Support of Vietnamese Women and Youths and the Organisation for Communities in Bochum.

On June 21, Hoa joined in a gathering with Vietnamese youth who are studying in Germany. Also present at the event was Vu Trong Kim, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and Vice President-cum-Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee.

At the event, Hoa encouraged students to study hard and draw experience from an economy of developed science and technology in service of national construction back home.

On June 20, the delegation had a working session with the Vietnamese General Consulate in Frankfurt on community work, paid a courtesy visit to the Mayor of the Bad Rappenau City of Baden-Wuerttemberg State and met with overseas Vietnamese.

(Source: VNA)

Video de YouTube
Agent Orange (en inglés)

Falleció Arthur Galston, uno de los creadores
del agente naranja, a los 88 años de edad.

Por JEREMY PEARCE
23 de junio de 2008

Arthur W. Galston —un biólogo de Yale especializado en botánica, quien participó en las primeras investigaciones que condujeron al desarrollo del herbicida llamado agente naranja y quien posteriormente promovió la concienciación sobre su uso militar en Vietnam en los años sesenta del siglo XX, así como sus efectos devastadores en los ecosistemas de ríos— murió el 15 de junio pasado en Hamden, Connecticut, a los 88 años de edad, debido a una falla cardiaca, según informó la familia.

Mediante publicaciones, artículos académicos, programas de radio y seminarios, el Dr. Glaston describió el daño ambiental causado por el agente naranja y viajó a la entonces Vietnam del Sur para monitorear los efectos. Se calcula que de 1962 a 1970, las tropas estadounidenses lanzaron alrededor de 20 millones de galones del defoliador químico para destruir los cultivos y dejar al descubierto los puestos y las rutas del movimiento Viet Cong.

Noticia completa en inglés en The New York Times

Video de YouTube
Los efectos del agente naranja (1)

El agente naranja

Es una mezcla de dos herbicidas hormonales: el 2,4-D y el 2,4,5-T. El ejército estadounidense lo usó como defoliante en la Guerra de Vietnam. Ambos constituyentes del agente naranja tuvieron uso en la agricultura, principalmente el 2,4-D, que se vende actualmente en productos como el navégate.

Por negligencia y premura para utilizarlo durante la Guerra de Vietnam, fue producido con una purificación inadecuada, y presentaba contenidos elevados de un subproducto cancerígeno de la síntesis del 2,4,5-T: la dioxina tetraclorodibenzodioxina, un residuo normalmente ausente en los productos comerciales que incluyen estos dos ingredientes, pero marcó para siempre el nombre del agente naranja, cuyo uso dejó terribles efectos en la población de país asiático y en los propios soldados estadounidenses: las secuelas se notan principalmente en los descendientes de los individuos expuestos, que tienen grandes probabilidades de sufrir malformaciones.

En 1984, una acción judicial impulsada por los veteranos de guerra estadounidenses contra las compañías químicas suministradoras del agente naranja (entre ellas, Dow Chemical, Monsanto, y Diamond Shamrock) desembocó en un acuerdo de 93 millones de dólares americanos en indemnizaciones para los soldados, por daños a la salud. Sin embargo, las demandas presentadas por la Asociación Vietnamita de Víctimas del Agente Naranja (VAVA, Vietnamese Association of Victims of Agent Orange) han sido rechazadas. Según el juez Jack Weinstein "no existen bases legales que justifiquen las demandas de los cuatro millones de víctimas vietnamitas del agente naranja". Jack Weinstein es el mismo juez que llevó en 1984 el caso de los veteranos de guerra estadounidenses.

Video de YouTube
Los efectos del agente naranja (2)

Video de YouTube
Los efectos del agente naranja (3)

Vietnam News Agency (AVN)

Nueva York, 14 diciembre de 2005

El contacto directo con las víctimas vietnamitas del agente naranja y los testimonios gráficos de su tragedia, durante su estancia de un mes en Estados Unidos han conmovido a muchos estadounidenses, acorde con testimonios.

Científicos, veteranos que sufren los efectos del letal tóxico atomizado a discreción por las tropas estadounidenses durante la guerra contra Viet Nam y representantes de organizaciones de masas de la Unión fueron receptivos del pedido de ayuda para la demanda judicial de esas personas contra las productoras del arma química.

El apoyo se concretó en la recolección voluntaria de fondos para que los damnificados puedan continuar su querella judicial en la Corte de Apelaciones estadounidense y concordaron en que las firmas productoras del defoliante y las autoridades de su país se responsabilicen por la compensación a las víctimas.

Además de los contactos personales, la delegación montó en la ciudad oriental de Connecticut una muestra fotográfica sobre las víctimas del agente naranja tomadas por el fotógrafo Phillip Griffiths y los anfitriones patrocinaron una conferencia por el profesor Arthur W. Galston, además de testimonios difundidos por cadenas televisivas, entre otras actividades.

La delegación vietnamita incluyó al vicepresidente de la Asociación de Vietnamitas Víctimas del Agente Naranja, profesor Nguyen Trong Nhan y dos damnificados, Ho Sy Hai, de Thai Binh y Dang Thi Hong, de Ciudad Ho Chi Minh.

AVN-POL

The government will offer a formal apology to Vietnam veterans and their families on Wednesday.

The apology will take place at Parliament.

Read more

Ik ga het hier NIET hebben over voeding, het lijkt mij voor iedereen wel duidelijk dat hiermee o.a. aardappelen, groenten, fruit, rijst, vlees en visproducten etc. worden bedoeld.

Het gaat mij meer om zaken die de veiligheid van voedsel dienen te garanderen en zijn samengevat in de “voedingswet” en onder toezicht staat van de zogenaamde “Codex Alimentarius Commissie”.

Een handelscommissie die in 1962 werd opgestart door de VN onder sancties van het FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in samenwerking met het WHO (World Health Organization) met als doel het controleren van de internationale handel in voedsel, een commissie waar momenteel al 173 landen claimen eraan deel te nemen.

1. Een commissie die toezicht moet houden op de kwaliteit van voeding en een eerlijke wereldhandel.
2. Een commissie die middels wetgeving de richtlijnen bepaald aangaande het gebruik van supplementen en toevoegingen in voedsel.
3. Een commissie die ook beslist welk gebruik van insecticiden en pesticiden (giftige chemische substanties die de voedingsgewassen zouden moeten beschermen tegen o.a. schimmels, onkruid en insecten) is toegestaan of juist moet worden verboden.

Een commissie die het gehele voedingsproces in kaart brengt en onder controle houdt en aan de bel behoort te trekken indien er iets mis mocht zijn met de kwaliteit van de voeding!

De “Codex Alimentarius” zelf is een dikke pil van ruim 1.400 bladzijden.

Op 19 mei 2008 werd door TROSRADAR reeds aandacht gegeven aan de “Codex Alimentarius”.

Dit vanwege enkele “geruchten” die werden verspreidt aangaande het verbieden van vitamines, de verplichte bestraling van voedingsmiddelen en/of het eten van “biologisch” voedsel onmogelijk zou maken?

Geruchten die zijn ontstaan na enkele videoclips op Youtube!

Zit er een kern van waarheid in deze “geruchten” of is het allemaal flauwekul?

Overigens was deze uitzending vanuit mijn oogpunt gezien wat teleurstellend.

TrosRadar vroeg name(n)lijk slechts aan 1 (Belgisch) Euro-parlementariër Bart Staes (1 van de weinigen die claimt de Codex Alimentarius te volgen) hoe het nu zit met die “Codex Alimentarius”!

Een samenzweringscomplot en de bewering klopt niet, aldus Bart Staes.

Dr. Rima Leibow geeft niet thuis, als men haar wil spreken?!?

Op 31 december 2009 gaat een richtlijn in van de Europese Commissie, dus niet van de “Codex Alimentarius”…

GEEN verbod op vitamines, maar een vastgestelde minimale (15%) hoeveelheid vitamines!

Deze situatie zou mogelijk op een misverstand berusten.

Bernd van der Meulen (hoogleraar voedingsmiddelenwetgeving) zegt: “Iemand is mogelijk getroffen door regelgeving op het gebied van vitamines en mineralen en een kruistocht is begonnen”.

Tsja, na deze uitspraken houdt TrosRadar het wel voor gezien en doet de zaak af als onwaar!

Punten:

1. Het verbaasd mij meteen al dat zo weinig Europarlementariërs op de hoogte zijn (of claimen te zijn) van deze voedingswet, genaamd “Codex Alimentarius”!

Voeding behorende tot de 1^e levensbehoeften van de mens.

2. Ook is het merkwaardig dat dr Rima Laibow als veroorzaakster van al die heisa, niet schijnt te willen reageren op correspondentie van TrosRadar aangaande haar claims waaronder het verbod op vitaminepreparaten!

3. Jammer vind ik het dat TrosRadar niet dieper is ingegaan op die “Codex Alimentarius” bij Europarlementariër Bart Staes, die mogelijk de vraag scheen te ontwijken door te praten over een Europese richtlijnen waarin vitaminen waren opgenomen.

Merkwaardig is ook de stelling op een forum van GroenLinks, “Als men vragen stelt omtrent de Codex Alimentarius bij de desbetreffende organisaties en overheidsafdelingen, wordt steeds ontwijkend gereageerd en wordt je van het kastje naar de muur wordt gestuurd”.

Heeft men het hier over een bureaucratische muur die weigert informatie te leveren of weet de linkerhand van deze bureaucratische machine niet wat de rechterhand doet (onwil of onkunde)?

Één van de YOUTUBE videoclips waar het allemaal om te doen is, gemaakt op de conferentie van het NANP congres in 2005, met DR. RIMA LAIBOW.

Een vrouw die in 1970 afstudeerde van het Albert Einstein College en Medisch Directeur is van de “Natural Solutions Foundation”.

Iemand die al 35 jaar medicijnen op natuurlijke basis gebruikt en geen chemische pillen van “Big Farma”!

Volgens dr. Rima Laibow ligt de macht ligt bij de 5 grote B’s:

1. Biotech bedrijven.

2. Chemie bedrijven.

3. Farmacie bedrijven.

4. Landbouw bedrijven.

5. Medische bedrijven.

Deze 5 B’s zullen 3 miljard slachtoffers eisen, waarvan 1 miljard door hongersnood!

Hoe zit het nou met pillen uit de chemische farmacie en die uit de natuur?

Bij pillen uit de chemische farmacie is het vaak zo dat deze de functies van het lichaam overnemen bij bv het produceren van antistoffen, de verwijdering van gifstoffen of het stimuleren van bepaalde zenuwen binnen het lichaam etc.

Een voor fabrikanten aangenaam bijverschijnsel is dat doordat het lichaam haar functies door de medicijnen laat overnemen, als het ware “verslaving” optreedt, het lichaam kan niet meer zonder die “medicijnen”.

Vaak komt het voor dat die medicijnkuren langer aangehouden moeten worden doordat en die “medicatie” langzaamaan moet afbouwen.

De merkwaardige uitspraak “slechts 10% van de medicijnen” te helpen (en dan nog maar bij zo’n 35% van de bevolking), komt van de topman van GlaxoSmithKline Allen Roses!

Bij pillen uit de natuur is de behandelwijze over het algemeen heel anders, deze zijn vaak gericht op het stimuleren van het lichaam, zodat deze zelf de productie van antistoffen, de verwijdering van gifstoffen of het stimuleren van zenuwen voor eigen rekening neemt.

Skepp stelt dat men bezig is de ene slikcultuur (chemie) om te ruilen voor een andere slikcultuur (natuur).

Qua ondeugdelijke therapieën en pillen van zowel de chemische industrie als de natuurlijke geneeswijze beoefenaars, zou je inderdaad kunnen stellen: “Of je door de plant of door de fabriek (kat en hond) gebeten wordt, maakt verder niet uit!”

PESTICIDEN en MONSANTO’S voedingscontrole claims!

De website van DaanSpeak legt verband tussen Monsanto (van de met hormoonpreparaten behandelde koeien om snel te groeien) en genetisch gemodificeerd voedsel dat minder pesticiden nodig zou hebben.

Interessant is hierbij volgende rechtszaak en een 2^e geval tegen NelsonFarm (beide Engelstalig)!

Monsanto’s genetisch gemanipuleerde gewassen die (door bestuiving van Monsanto’s omringende velden) in de velden van enkele “concurrenten” terecht waren gekomen, waarna deze bedrijven door Monsanto werden aangeklaagd!

Je kunt wel merken dat veel Amerikanen niet zo snugger zijn, anders hadden ze een tegenclaim kunnen vorderen vanwege het besmetten van hun gewassen door Monsanto’s genetisch gemanipuleerde voeding!

Het is dus goed mogelijk dat hier opzet in het spel was om de concurrentie uit te schakelen, opdat Monsanto haar monopoliepositie aanzienlijk kan vergroten!

WAT mogen wij eten en WIE bepaald dat?

Één en ander wordt duidelijk in de volgende video op Google.

Na genetisch gemanipuleerde granen, komt het vee aan de beurt.

Google TOPvideo à Monsanto patenteert varkens, Canvas Terzake Zomer, zodat deze sneller groeien.

Van Monsanto wordt beweerd zo machtig te zijn dat het steeds weer eigen mensen op belangrijke overheidsposten weet te plaatsen de het bedrijf steunen.

Bovendien zou dit bedrijf al 1000-en boeren hebben bedreigd met rechtszaken vanwege patentbreuk?!?

Monsanto zou al 129 rechtszaken zijn aangespannen en miljoenen geclaimd, een groot bedrijf met een indrukwekkend arsenaal van advocaten dat de individuele boeren één voor één juridisch sloopt!

Jean Ziegler (VN rapporteur) “De macht ligt bij enkele mensen vanuit de MEGA-concerns”.

Een macht die groter is dan die van een koning, keizer, Paus of President!

Monsanto is één van die Multinationals.

Monsanto is begonnen met het ontwikkelen van pesticiden.

Daarna werden gewassen genetisch gemanipuleerd zodat ze bestand zouden worden tegen deze pesticiden.

En mocht u zich afvragen wat het doel is van dit gebeuren?

Het aanvragen van PATENTEN (octrooien) op de pesticiden en de genetisch gemodificeerde voedingsmiddelen.

Patenten op zowel GIF als het TEGENGIF?!?

4 VRAGEN:

1. WAAROM worden er giftige pesticiden ontwikkeld, als de natuur zelf al voorziet in natuurlijke vijanden van insecten die de voeding aantasten?

Denk aan “Lieveheersbeestjes” die ingezet kunnen worden bij “Bladluis” etc.!

2. WAT is het effect van deze pesticiden die onze voedselkring terecht komen?

3. WAT is het nut van genetisch gemanipuleerd voedsel en wat is de uitwerking hiervan op ons lichaam?

4. WAT zou er gebeuren als alle gewassen zouden worden vervangen door 1 gepatenteerd gewas?

Pesticiden behoren tot de vergiften!

In Nederland golden de strengste eisen aan de kwaliteit van voeding, doch sinds steeds meer regel- en wetgeving wordt overgelaten aan Europa, komt steeds voedsel vanuit het buitenland naar Nederland.

Met pesticiden verontreinigd voedsel wel te verstaan.

Om maar te zwijgen van de veeziektes van de afgelopen jaren, zoals H5N1 (kippenziekte), BSE (koeienziekte) en de varkenspest!

Mag hierbij een link gelegd worden naar pogingen om vee genetisch te manipuleren met bv groeiversterkers?

Wist u overigens dat:

Monsanto ook de fabrikant is van “Agent Orange”?

Chemicaliën die werden gebruikt tijdens de Vietnam oorlog als ontbladeringsmiddel!

Monsanto Files > LINK < (Engelstalig)

Monsanto al 674 biologische patenten heeft aangevraagd?

Zou U de kwaliteit van uw voeding laten afhangen van een dubieuze multinational met grootheidswaanzin als Monsanto?

Laat ik nu…

Net nu ik dit artikel wilde afsluiten…

Een Youtube Video van David Icke tegenkomen over Aspartaam en daar (wel zeer toevallig) de naam Monsanto in opduiken!

Monsanto als zijnde een lid van de illuminatie, aldus David Icke!

Monsanto wordt dus niet alleen gelinkt met de fabricage van pesticiden en genetisch gemanipuleerd voedsel, maar wordt ook nog in verband gebracht met aspartaam!

Illuminatie zijnde een groep “elite” figuren die de wereldheerschappij voor ogen hebben.

Wel, men mag wel stellen dat: “Wie de voedselketen beheerst, de wereld regeert”!

Meer over Monsanto op de volgende > LINK < > LINK <

Interessante en aanvullende websites over de Codex Alimentarius:

Codex Alimentarius > LINK <

Codex Alimentarius > LINK <

Complete lijst producten Codex Alimentarius > LINK < (Engelstalig)

De EU en Codex Alimentarius bij Genetisch gemanipuleerd voedsel > LINK < (Engelstalig)

Lijst van door de EU toegelaten pesticiden > LINK <

Terminator zaden van Monsanto > LINK < (link werkt niet op zondag (Katholiek Nieuwsblad))

Voedingscentrum > LINK <

Narede:

Nodeloos te zeggen dat ik nog GEEN CONCREET BEWIJS heb kunnen vinden dat de beweringen van dr. Rima Laibow o.a. betreffende het verbieden van vitamines gegrond blijken te zijn.

Maar dat was te verwachten.

Zeker aangezien u reeds heeft kunnen lezen dat deze informatie niet gemakkelijk vrijgegeven schijnt te worden, wat de reden daarvan ook moge zijn.

Wat ik wel heb kunnen constateren is dat er steeds minder landbouwbedrijven overblijven, en de grotere landbouwbedrijven steeds afhankelijker worden van de gepatenteerde genetisch gemanipuleerde zaden van Monsanto om te voedsel kunnen verbouwen!

Zaden die (vanwege de patenten die erop rusten) elk jaar opnieuw ingekocht moeten worden.

Hier is het dubieuze bedrijf Monsanto steeds ter sprake gekomen en op het allerlaatste moment nog en link gelegd met die illuminatie.

Vandaar dat ik wat zeer informatieve videoclips heb verzameld op de volgende pagina’s:

Voeding en Monsanto

Waar Europa zich eens mee bezig zou moeten houden is of deze “Terminatorzaden”, de zogenaamde GURT ( Genetic Use Restriction Technologies ) van Monsanto ook in Europa worden verkocht, zodat hier een halt aangeroepen kan worden!

Ook hier op de link van Monsanto op Wiki bleek dat Monsanto het bedrijf was dat in de 80'er jaren G. D. Searle & Company ( uitvinder van Aspartaam ) overnam!

Het patentrecht kan en zal wanneer deze in de huidige (corrupte) vorm zoals in de hierboven vermelde Google TOPvideo wordt toegekend het einde betekenen van een gezonde en vrije samenleving!

KENNIS is MACHT!

Agent Green is the code name for a powerful herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military in its Herbicidal Warfare program during the Vietnam War. The name comes from the green stripe painted on the barrels to identify the contents. It was one of the so-called "rainbow herbicides" that included the more infamous Agent Orange. Agent Green was only used between 1962 and 1964, during the early "testing" stages of the spraying program.

Agent Green's only active ingredient was 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), one of the common phenoxy herbicides of the era. It was later learned that a dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-para-dioxin (TCDD), is produced as a side effect of the manufacture of 2,4,5-T, and was thus present in any of the herbicides that used it. Due to Agent Green consisting entirely of 2,4,5-T, along with the similar Agent Pink, it contained many times the level of dioxin found in Agent Orange.

The fungus Fusarium oxysporum is also referred to as Agent Green.

Setelah sedikit membaca, mungkin seorang Presiden merasakan betapa beratnya memikul beban dan tanggung jawab kepada rakyat dan negara menghadapi suatu intervensi (benarkah ?) :). Idealisme yang selama ini dijaga seolah tidak ada artinya kecuali ia berani mengorbankan kepentingan rakyat demi tegaknya kekuasaan sebagai Presiden.... Bisa jadi persepsi kita pun akan berubah beberapa derajat setelah menghayati buku ini.

Dengan Kata Pengantar A.S. Laksana; Dua puluh satu intervensi dan penyerbuan AS di dua puluh negara yang termuat di dalam buku ini menyampaikan kepada kita bahwa Amerika berperang dengan segala carauntuk mendesakkan kepentingannya di mana saja dan menggulingkan pemerintahan mana pun yang tidak disukainya. Ia berperang dengan senjata biologi, senjata kimia, dan senjata pemusnah massal lainnya, dan propaganda.

Beberapa yang mencengangkan....(soalnya belum baca semuanya seh... :) scanning)

".....Mr. Ambassador, fuck your parliament and your Constitution," - Lyndon B. Johnson kepada Duta Besar Yunani. (Peduli Setan dengan parlemen dan konstitusimu. Amerika adalah gajah. Siprus hanyalah kutu.Jika dua kutu ini membikin gatal sang gajah, mereka akan disabet dengan belalai, dan itu sabeta yang baik...Kami menawarkan dollar yang sangat bermanfaat bagi Yunani, Mr. Ambassador. Jika Perdana Menteri anda menceramai saya tentang Demokrasi, Parlemen dan Konstitusi, ia dan Parlemen dan Konstitusi tidak akan bertahan lama....)

Antara tahun1962 dan 1971, AS menumpahkan 19 juta galon racun tanaman (herbisida) di Vietnam, dan yang paling ganas adalah 12 juta galon Agent Orange (herbisida dengan kadar racun yang sangat kuat) yang mengandung dioksin, racun yang merusak pusat susunan syaraf..........

Kita dapat meluangkan sedikit waktu dalam kesibukan kita sehari-hari, mampir ke toko buku terdekat . Ratusan ribu hingga jutaan rupiah per bulan rela kita belanjakan untuk ngisi pulsa , tidak berat kan untuk memiliki buku ini? :). Koleksi abadi yang baik untuk diberikan kepada anak cucu kita kelak hehehehe.