What they are:
Food, Inc-
A look into modern agriculture in the USA, specifically the pros and cons of the system we have now, and meant to expose the companies that have a monopoly on what we eat.
Food Matters-
The concept of the film is that proper nuitrition could ward off all disease, and the drug companies don't want you to know this, because it is more profitable for them to keep you sick.
King Corn-
Two friends rent an acre of corn, and follow it from seed to product, exploring the most subsided crop in the US.
My impressions:
Food, Inc-
Everyone needs to see this, especially people who consume meat. It shows the cruelty, disgusting conditions, and health implications of factory farming as it has been done in the last fifty years, as well as showing profitable, healthy alternatives. Watch it!
Food Matters-
Interesting concepts, unfortunately foiled by some bold lies. A mix of truthfulness and manipulation, it is well done artistically, but the information could get someone hurt. Watch it if you are the type of person who likes new ideas, but is willing to research them before application. One of the "therapies" the film advocates is banned in the US because it killed a fair amount of people- something not mentioned at all in the film.
King Corn-
Very informative, really accurate, fair information. Unfortunately, a little slow. Still a good flick, and really well done considering it seems like a film made entirely by two buddies. Watch if you are interested in what corn is doing to our land, our bodies, and our finances.
Why this matters:
The more I learn in my classes, including microbiology and toxicology, the more I see our current system of agriculture is killing our nation. Rodale just released a study showing that organic farming methods are more sustainable, produce higher yields in times of hardship (drought, cold or heat spells), and do less damage to the land. We know that the pesticides used on nonorganic plants store in our bodies for long periods of time, and we have only just started to find out how that links to disease. There are correllations to all these persistant organic pollutants in our bodies and rates of autism, attention deficit disorder, reproductive cancers, etc. People would be surprised to know you can find the main chemicals of DDT in their bodies even now, because those chemicals store in fatty tissues and don't ever leave. People who eat animal tissues and products have even higher levels because of bio-accumulation. Mothers who breastfeed their babies pass high levels into their children (breast milk is a fatty substance, and a good way for the body to expel toxins).
So why aren't we doing anything about it?
Well, because it is cheaper not to try to change it, and most people don't understand there is a problem. Yet it seems worth it to look into alternatives for your health, the planet, and the animals. Simple ways to do it- buy in season produce (means it has travelled less far to get there), when you can use farmer's markets, grow your own food (so easy, even in a small space- learn to container garden), buy local, buy organic, buy ethical, learn to cook. Even WalMart started selling rbST-free milk when consumers voiced worries about what bovine hormones can do to people. I'm not advocating WalMart, but if that is not an example of how powerful voting with your dollar is, I don't know what would be.
Plus, we need to prioritize better. A farmer on Food, Inc made the comment of "people will say how $3 for a dozen organic eggs is too expensive, while they sip a soda they paid .75 cents for," and even if I didn't point out that soda probably cost a $1.50, you can see the contradiction. Eggs are pretty healthy unless you have major cholesterol problems. Soda? It is a candy bar you can drink. I know it is hard, and I do this a lot as a college student, but realistically, eating right will save a lot of money down the line in medical care. It is cheaper to avoid getting diabetes than to treat it, and a lot more pleasant.
On top of all this, Iowa and Florida are trying to pass laws (http://blogs.forbes.com/kevinunderhill/2011/03/13/florida-bill-would-make-it-a-felony-to-take-a-picture-of-a-farm/, http://www.kcci.com/r/27226984/detail.html) to make it illegal to take pictures of farms. Why? So they can continue the abuse. There is a reason slaughter houses aren't open to the public anymore, and that reason certainly isn't sanitation. These new laws protect livestock operations as well as "commercial pet breeders"- ie, puppy mills. The reasoning? Well, the Iowa rep says it is to protect animals, as she says all those undercover videos are actually staged, and the animal welfare people are really sneaking onto properties and abusing animals. Really? What about that dairy farm in the "heartland" where the employees and owner took turns beating the calves with crowbars? That is the video that started a lot of this legislation, and you know what? They admitted to the abuse in court (though the owner, who is filmed stomping on a calf's head for fun, said something like he was under the influence of his employees, who were all Bad People, so I think he pleaded not guilty. Bull $!@#).
And people are agreeing to this, because you know if you take away the right of someone to produce anything in mass, inhumane conditions, whether it is chickens, cows, or puppies, you are un-American. If the government tells you can't lock dogs in wire cages and force them to have inbred baby after baby, it's just one step away from taking away all domestic livestock and giving you tofu. Well, I call BS. I'm going to urge people to vote with their wallets. Don't buy from people who support this sort of legislation! Yes, it makes things harder, as more than 90% of our nation's meat is from these abusive agencies. But it is worth it. I don't see the point in buying items produced by companies that are destroying the health of Americans, destroying the environment, and torturing animals, but then giving a donation to an agency like the Humane Society or any other animal welfare agency. If you didn't support the people causing the harm in the first place, you wouldn't need to donate to lessen the ramifications.
This probably seems like a rant, but, honestly, someone needs to do it. I know awareness is the first step (I hope I don't get sued by AA). People don't want to be cruel, don't want to make antibiotic-resistant superbugs, don't want to get diabetes or cancer from pesticides. They just don't know it is happening. I'm going to put even more of an effort into local, sustainable food. I might document the costs on here, just to prove it can be done on a tiny budget. The biggest change I would have to make is just eating in season produce, but it's worth it. Plus, lose my unholy rice cracker addiction. Hah. I might see if I can make it into some sort of an eating right (morally and nutritionally) challenge. I will look into this more, but for right now, I'm tired and all ranted out. I hope you will all check out Food, Inc (it's on instant watch on Netflix), and maybe King Corn if the first catches your interest. For now, to all a good night.
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