First, they asked Monsanto what their ideal future looked like in fifteen to twenty years. Monsanto executives described a world with 100 percent of all commercial seeds genetically modified and patented. Anderson Consulting then worked backwards from that goal, and developed the strategy and tactics to achieve it. They presented Monsanto with the steps and procedures needed to obtain a place of industry dominance in a world in which natural seeds were virtually extinct.
Integral to the plan was Monsanto’s influence in government, whose role was to promote the technology worldwide and to help get the foods into the marketplace quickly, before resistance could get in the way. A biotech consultant later said, “The hope of the industry is that over time, the market is so flooded that there’s nothing you can do about it. You just sort of surrender.”
The anticipated pace of conquest was revealed by a conference speaker from another biotech company. He showed graphs projecting the year-by-year decrease of natural seeds, estimating that in five years, about 95 percent of all seeds would be genetically modified.
More on Acquisquishin’
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Dear Folks,
Life is about creating yourself. — George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Author
Life is a Grand adventure; one we only appreciate fleetingly as we experience our Triumphs and defeats in this mortal coil. On the other side we will look back with longing and astonishment.
Peace,
Jim
            GRAND

Definitions: (1) conceived or expressed with great dignity; (2) illustrious; powerful; (3) splendid; magnificent; (4) noble; sublime; lofty; (5) important; distinguished
Synonyms: elevated, exalted, majestic, superb
Color: green
            TRIUMPHANT
Definitions: (1) notably successful; victorious; (2) rejoicing over winning; exultant; elated
Quote:  The most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. — Baron Pierre de Coubertin (1863-1937) French Historian [Father of the Modern Olympic Games]
Comment: Triumphant is a quality of the past and the future. It is important to appreciate what has been accomplished. Contemplate the fact of having been triumphant in order to project it onto your next goal. Visualize it clearly and experience the victory even before it happens.
Color: red
Symbols: 1) a laurel wreath; 2) the Chariot (Tarot)
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Dear Folks,
As you create, you naturally evoke that which is highest in you. — The Path of Least Resistance, Robert Fritz, Entrepreneur, Author
Give yourself as much credit as you would any other person for your Distinctive achievements and you positive nature. It is appropriate to be Proud of your children for growing up straight and true; for giving credit where credit is due – even for yourself.
Peace,
Jim
            DISTINCTIVE
Definitions: (1) possessing a quality, mark, or feature of admirable difference; that which makes or keeps an individual unique; (2) specially recognized or honored; eminent; superior; famous
Synonyms: discernment, notable, ranking
            PROUD
Definitions: (1) feeling pleasure or satisfaction over an honorable or creditable accomplishment of another; exultant; (2) having or showing self‑respect or self‑esteem for a personal success; (3) stately, majestic, or magnificent; (4) full of vigor and spirit; elated
Too Far: pride, the sin of
Color: green
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Dear Folks,
When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it. — Author Unknown
I was going to write a long Romantic poem about being Law-abiding but I thought I would simply suggest you get outside this spring and be thankful the laws of Ma Nature are so well balanced.
Peace,
Jim
            ROMANTIC
Definitions: (1) responsive to an imaginative or emotional appeal of what is heroic, adventurous, mysterious, or idealized; (2) loving and affectionate; (3) conducive to or suitable for a loving relationship
Derivation: Originally, a “romance” was a long narrative in verse or prose, written in one of the Romance dialects about the adventures of knights and other chivalric heroes.
            LAW‑ABIDING
Definition: obeying the law; respecting to the law
Quotes:
Only outer peace can be had through law. The way to inner peace is through love. — Peace Pilgrim [born Mildred Lisette Norman] (1908-1981) Steps Toward Inner Peace

Mere obedience to the law does not measure the greatness of a nation. . . . The true test is the extent to which the individuals composing the nation can be trusted to obey self‑imposed law. — Lord John Fletcher Moulton (1844-1921) English Barrister and Judge

Comment: Laws, rules, and regulations have been made to state the obvious, like the protection of the innocent, and also because some will take unfair advantage when the opportunity is available. When that happens, society makes a law.
On the other hand, straying from the (unfair) law may be necessity, thus civil disobedience.
Questions: What should be allowed? How much freedom should be given? The level the individual can cope with or the level the society can deal with? How can we be sure something like nuclear material or the idea of freedom can be handled safely and responsibly? – only time, trust, and common sense are safeguards.
Note: We can learn from history and hope for positive possibilities.
Symbol: the Archpriestess (tarot)
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Dear Folks,
Every cask smells of the wine it contains. — Spanish Proverb
Some words usually refer to men or women. Look at the qualities in the definitions of Debonair and Sporting to see that they can be lived by anyone.
Peace,
Jim
            DEBONAIR
Definitions: (1) possessing an affable manner; genial; courteous; (2) suave; urbane; worldly; (3) jaunty; cheerful; lively; carefree
Derivation: Old French, “of good disposition”
            SPORTING
Definitions: (1) characterizes one who indulges in a happy diversion <usually with others>; playful; merry; one who enjoys recreation; gamesome; (2) playing fairly and according to the rules; courteous; accepts failure gracefully and victory graciously; (3) possessing the ability to accept jestful teasing with a good sense of humor
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Dear Folks,
The Seven Attributes of a Druid:
• Wisdom
• Compassion
• Liberal
• Abundance
• Nonconformity
• Learning
• Idealist
We live inside time. Some qualities are Seasoned as we mature. We can aid in our own growth by consciously focusing on those ideals we aspire to. It need not be complicated; make a Succinct decision on who you want to become.
Peace,
Jim
            SEASONED
Definitions: (1) made competent by experience; matured; (2) improved quality; fit; (3) accustomed; acclimatized; (4) imparting with relish, zest, or interest; (5) made less harsh or severe; tempered; softened <He seasoned his remarks with discretion.>
            SUCCINCT
Definition: particular and concise <especially in speech>
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Grateful people – those who practice gratefulness – have an edge on the not-so-grateful when it comes to health, according to University of California Davis psychology professor Robert Emmons’ research on gratitude. “Grateful people take better care of themselves and engage in more protective health behaviors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, regular physical examinations,” Emmons wrote.
He went on to say “Gratitude research suggests that feelings of thankfulness have tremendous positive value in helping people cope with daily problems, especially stress.” It’s no secret that stress can make us sick, particularly when we can’t cope with it. It’s linked to several leading causes of death, including heart disease and cancer, and claims responsibility for up to 90 percent of all doctor visits. As it turns out, gratitude can help us better manage stress.
Grateful people also tend to be more optimistic; a characteristic that researchers say boosts the immune system. “There are some very interesting studies linking optimism to better immune function,” said Lisa Aspinwall, Ph.D, a psychology professor at the University of Utah. Optimism also has a positive health impact on people with compromised health. In one study, patients preparing to undergo surgery had better health outcomes when they maintained attitudes of optimism.
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Dear Folks,
Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence. — Confucianism, Mencius VII.A.4
We are each Authentic in a unique way. This insures that any Beneficent actions we give or revive are also unique. This is a primary technique for us to be co-creative, and in harmony with the Big Plan.

            AUTHENTIC

Definitions: (1) worthy of acceptance or belief <an authentic idea>; genuine; real; (2) approved by authority; trustworthy; reliable; (3) true to one’s own personality, spirit, or character; unique
Synonyms: credible, faithful, official, original
            BENEFICENT
Definitions: (1) characterizes one who produces good <especially performing acts of kindness and charity>; (2) describes thoughts, words, or deeds resulting in actual advantage <especially for others>
Derivation: Latin, bene “good” or “well,” facere “to do”
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Dear Folks,
As a man thinks within himself, so he is. — The Bible, Proverbs 23:7, Solomon
There are some qualities society expects you to have (although, only at a minimum level) and there are qualities you strive to garner for yourself. What would you put on your personal list of essential Self-contained qualities? Would Sheltering be one of them?
            SHELTERING
Definition: (1) protecting or defending <especially a loved one> from danger, violence, injury, annoyance, or attack; (2) securing or rendering safe; harboring
Derivation: Middle English, “bodyguard”
Symbols: 1) a roof; 2) a house
            SELF‑CONTAINED
Definitions: (1) having within oneself all necessary qualities; self‑possessed; (2) functioning independently; self‑sufficient; (3) formal and reserved in manner
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Dear Folks,
We acquire virtue just like we acquire crafts, you learn to build by building. — Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) Philosopher
At first blush, Dynamic and Tidy seem to be disparate qualities. But, after reading the definitions, maybe one could ‘exhibit organized power in motion” while cleaning out the refrigerator, or producing a ‘fair solution to a problem of growth.’
            DYNAMIC
Definitions: (1) exhibiting power in motion; involving or causing energy; (2) active; vigorous; forceful; (3) relating to or tending toward change or growth
Color: pure red
Symbol: the ocean
            TIDY

Definitions: (1) in good order; neat; (2) organized; systematic; methodical; (3) precise and appropriate <especially in manner and dress for a particular occasion>; (4) an acceptable and fair solution to a problem
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