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back to Organic Consumers Assn. Monsanto Watch page Monsanto and G.W. Bush Administration: Who Will Own the Store? January 21, 2001 THE PELICAN BRIEF John Grisham wrote the suspense novel. Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington starred in the blockbuster movie. THE STORY Two supreme court justices are assassinated so that an evil oil billionaire can petition the president to appoint environmentally unfriendly justices to America's highest court. It's all about politics, multi-national firms, and dollars. TODAY'S PELICAN BRIEF Life imitates art. Here's a jigsaw puzzle, and this column provides the pieces. The finished work merges two art forms, combining political influence with political power. You'll be amazed. THE SCOOP Many of you wrote to me...requesting a list of PAC donations made by Monsanto. Interesting thing has occurred...Nearly one-billion dollars were spent on the elections, and Monsanto is aware that they are under the microscope. Do they stop giving, or do they give in different forms that are not easily observed? THE PLOT THICKENS During the 2000 election cycle, Monsanto gave a total of only $63,350 to Congress...on the record. Nobody will ever know what amounts were invested in the form of soft money, cash money, party favors, and gifts. The $63,350 paid to 435 members of Congress, and 100 members of the Senate averages out to $118 per member. Sure. I believe that. The man receiving the SECOND highest total dollars from Monsanto was Larry Combest (R-TX). He got $2000. Combest is the powerful chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Who got the most from Monsanto? The winner of the Monsanto sweepstakes with $10,000 was: John Ashcroft, (R-MO). Ever hear of the man? You will in the coming weeks during the Senate's confirmation hearings. Now...for those of you who are not regular readers of the notmilk column, let's review the Bush/Monsanto connection. First. Monsanto's lawyer was appointed to the Supreme Court by George Bush, Sr. The deciding swing vote giving the election to George, Jr. was made by Clarence Thomas, Esq. Second. Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense (missing text...) purchased by Monsanto. Third. Ann Veneman, Secretary of Agriculture was on the board of directors of Calgene Pharmaceuticals, purchased by Monsanto. Fourth. Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health was a supporter of Monsanto in Wisconsin. He received $50,000 from Biotech firms is his election run, and used state funds to set up a a $317 million dollar biotech zone in Wisconsin. Fifth. Mitch Daniels, Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Daniels was the vice president of corporate strategy at Eli Lilly Pharmaceutical company. Eli Lilly and Monsanto developed the genetically engineered bovine growth hormone. Lilly "owns" the European "franchise." Daniels presence insures that the bovine growth hormone will one day be approved for use in Europe. Sixth. Last, but not least. John Ashcroft, Attorney General. Winner of the Monsanto PAC sweepstakes. What will America's prize be? Robert Cohen http://www.notmilk.com ---------------------------------------------------- THE NOTMILK NEWSLETTER: SUBSCRIBE: send an empty Email to- notmilk-subscribe@egroups.com