On Thursday 27 September 2001 10:11, Gene GeRue wrote:
> I consider organic gardening to be the finest personal protest against
> local and global corporatization. In the long haul, it just might also be
> the most effective.

Hi Gene, i've really enjoyed your latest posts to the homestead list.
That probably means i agreed with them, but i hope it also means
truth is universal and recognizable.  The same goes for Don's
discussions of history.  It seems everyone distorts history to prove
their point and few people take the time to actually study history.

As to the issue of globalization. I've been following several
discussions on globalization and the topic of gardening doesn't pop
up very often. I wish it were possible to contrast the effectiveness
of gardening to other forms of protest and see which has the greatest
long term impact. The short term impacts is about all anyone every
hears or reads about.

> The most important votes are made at the checkout counter. In the case of
> food, not purchasing is the strongest vote of all.

I suspect quite a few economists would argue with that statement.
They often make the case that a strong economy helps everyone and
everyone suffers in a weak economy. It is our purchases that help
drive the economy. My view is that we need to go deeper and look at
the quality of our purchases and economy. A diversified economy with
lots of local self-reliance seems much stronger than one dependent
upon oil, transportation, and complicated distribution systems. An
economy which focuses on tools and basic needs also is stronger than
one driven by frivolous persuits, junk food, or military spending.
Then there are the issues of pollution and loss of diversity. 

In short, i'm not sure "not purchasing" is always the best answer but
it fits today.  We are in a world of excesses.

jeff (drying herbs and shelling beans today)

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