Page 91 - Summer2009

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It’s an important time for people to speak issue as a bunch of these old hippies. But I am.” In contrast, those sup-
out about the costs of NAIS, as well as the myr- porting NAIS come from a very small handful of Big Ag and Technology
iad other problems with the program. In April, interests. The USDA listening sessions are bringing this truth to light, and
Secretary Vilsack held a roundtable in DC and ZH PXVW NHHS ¿JKWLQJ
invited several of the groups opposing NAIS to People across the country have given strong statements opposing
participate, including the Farm and Ranch Free- NAIS at these meetings. Some have spoken about their personal situa-
dom Alliance. The DC roundtable kicked off a tions—whether as farmers, homesteaders, or consumers—while others
series of thirteen listening sessions around the have provided detailed critiques of the NAIS and USDA’s plans. All have
country scheduled for May and June. spoken with passion and dedication. The remarks of Kim Alexander (see
At the time this article goes to print, USDA VLGHEDU EHORZ RI $XVWLQ 7H[DV FDSWXUH WKH VSLULW RI WKH ¿JKW
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pants at all the meetings have been overwhelm- REFERENCES
ingly anti-NAIS. The Farm and Ranch Freedom %HQH¿W &RVW $QDO\VLV RI WKH 1DWLRQDO $QLPDO ,GHQWL¿FDWLRQ 6\VWHP 1$,6 %HQH¿W &RVW
Alliance, the Weston A. Price Foundation, and 5HVHDUFK 7HDP -DQ KHUHLQDIWHU ³&RVW %HQH¿W $QDO\VLV´ DW 7DEOH
page 30.
the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund &RVW %HQH¿W $QDO\VLV SDJHV
have worked with many other organizations &RVW %HQH¿W $QDO\VLV SDJHV
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nationwide to help publicize the meetings and &RVW %HQH¿W $QDO\VLV SDJH
encourage people to attend. The individuals 6. User Guide at 30. See also Draft Program Standards, United States Department of Agricul-
opposing NAIS at each meeting included not WXUH $QLPDO DQG 3ODQW +HDOWK ,QVSHFWLRQ 6HUYLFH SXEOLVKHG $SU KHUHLQDIWHU
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steaders and horse owners. 7KUHH .H\ 3RLQWV $SU ³7KUHH .H\ 3RLQWV IURP WKH %HQH¿W &RVW $QDO\VLV $
The people opposing NAIS come from all traceability system like NAIS is essential to timely recovery of export markets after a
walks of life and every part of the political spec- disease outbreak. 2. Traceability is becoming increasingly important, even necessary, for
successful participation in the global marketplace. 3. For the major livestock industries,
WUXP $V D ¿IWK JHQHUDWLRQ UDQFKHU VWDWHG DW WKH the costs of NAIS vary depending on the industry’s production practices, which in turn
determine the type of traceability methods used.”).
NO NAIS, NO WAY, NOT NOW, NOT EVER!

I find it quite disingenuous that the USDA calls today a “listening session” when they have already made up their minds
they are going to implement NAIS whether we want it or not. By their own admission in today’s agenda, these sessions
are to “overcome existing and new obstacles to implementing the NAIS.” Furthermore, the USDA “seeks … to create a
program producers can feel ‘comfortable’ supporting.” i.e. “may your chains set lightly upon you.”
Their discussion sessions this afternoon will allow us “producers to provide … input on ‘ways to make the program
into something we can support.’” How thoughtful and kind of you as you attempt to “erect a multitude of New Offices,
and send hither swarms of Officers to harass our people, and eat out their substance.”
Make no mistake; we know what you and the NIAA are up to. You are out to deny us the basic, G-d-given human
1
right to produce food free of government interference. To paraphrase James Madison: “it is proper to take alarm at the first
experiment on our liberty. We hold this prudent jealousy to be the first duty of citizens. …” The free men and women of
America will not wait as your usurped power strengthens itself by exercise and you entangle the question in precedents.
We see the consequences in the principle and we will avoid the consequences by denying you the principle.
Friends and neighbors, sons and daughters of the South, we will win this fight. We are the majority and we are in the
right! The millions of farms, ranches, and backyard barnyards we represent provide real homeland security and food safety.
We may have occasional, temporary setbacks, but we will win. We do not even need to be the majority. As Samuel Adams
stated, “It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather a tireless minority keen to set fires in people’s minds.” Let the
fire of liberty that scorches this tyranny once and for all start here in Austin, Texas and spread throughout this great land
until freedom once again reigns.
USDA are you listening? Take this message back to Tom Vilsack and the rest of your minions: NO NAIS, NO WAY,
NOT NOW, NOT EVER!

Kim Alexander, Austin, TX, 5/20/09. You can view the video of this statement, as well as the dozens of other statements
made opposing NAIS, at http://www.youtube.com/user/somervellcountysalon.
1. National Institute for Animal Agriculture, the industry trade group that created NAIS in the 1980s and 1990s.
SUMMER 2009 Wise Traditions 89