US Politicians Bought and Owned by Big Biotech – and Maybe the Media Too

Politician takes money from Monsanto, and part of "Forbes" magazine's content is paid advertorial

August 20, 2014 | Source: GM Watch | by

For related articles and information, please visit OCA’s Genetic Engineering page an our Millions Against Monsanto page.

Ever wondered why “Forbes” magazine publishes so many vitriolic attacks on those who threaten the interests of the GMO industry – for example, Jon Entine’s attacks on Prof Gilles-Eric Seralini?
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jonentine/2012/09/30/does-the-seralini-corn-study-fiasco-mark-a-turning-point-in-the-debate-over-gm-food/

It may be because a portion of its content is not journalism but advertising – and comes from organizations that pay “Forbes” to post it, as item 2 below explains. The article states, “Forbes is an obvious fraud. It is not a magazine or editorial operation at all. It is just, in effect, a user comment site that allows commenters the pretense of saying they have written for “Forbes”. Or, even, for paid promoters to write laudatory articles for Forbes about whatever they are promoting, then to say, in further promotions, that “Forbes” lavishly endorses such-and-such complete baloney.”

The media isn’t the only sector in the US that’s bought and owned by Big Biotech. A letter to the editor of a Hawaii newspaper states that a prominent Hawaii politician repeatedly took money from Monsanto – and then denied it (item 1 below).

1. Let’s break the habit of legalized bribery
2. Wolff: What is “Forbes” worth?

1. Let’s break the habit of legalized bribery

Jeff Sims

Maui Weekly, August 19, 2014
http://www.mauiweekly.com/page/content.detail/id/532769/Let-s-Break-the-Habit-of-Legalized-Bribery.html

I got the phrase “legalized bribery” from the book “End Legalized Bribery”. It was written by the late Cecil L. Heftel, a businessman who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1976 to 1986 for Hawai’i’s First Congressional District.

I voted for Terez Amato because she’s promised to not take these legal bribes from corporations or lobbyists. Representing citizens is different than taking money and creating a conflict of interest.

In contrast, our current state senator, Roz Baker, took Monsanto company money in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Yet, on June 17, Baker made a public statement that she had not taken money from Monsanto in a number of years.