Posted on 06/23/2013 8:03:38 AM PDT by rickmichaels
DAIRY is a way of life in Wisconsin. Milk is the official state beverage. Locals proudly refer to themselves as “cheeseheads”. Hats in the shape of slices of Swiss are popular. A heart-stopping treat called “fried curds” is a staple bar snack. Local licence-plates read “America’s Dairyland”. All of which perhaps explains why the state authorities took the conduct of Vernon Hershberger so seriously.
Mr Hershberger runs a traditional dairy with 40 cows. State law prohibits selling milk to the public without pasteurising it first. But Mr Hershberger tried to get around this stricture by setting up a “club” which provided raw milk (also known as “moo-shine”) to its members—until state food inspectors raided his farm, destroyed the milk they found and put him on trial.
Members of the ARMi (Alliance for Raw Milk internationale) and other “food freedom” activists flocked to the courthouse, brandishing placards declaring, “My milk My body My choice” and “Land of the free? Tell my cow”, among other slogans. They likened Mr Hershberger to Rosa Parks, a celebrated civil-rights activist, and demanded the freedom to eat (and drink) whatever they like. The jury was sympathetic: on May 25th Mr Hershberger was acquitted of operating without the proper licences, although he was found guilty of moving food the authorities had ordered him to keep as evidence after the raid.
Mr Hershberger is not the only crusader for raw milk, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture not the movement’s only foe. The federal government prohibits moving the stuff across state lines, although it has no power to regulate it within state boundaries. The Food and Drug Administration’s website explains that unpasteurised dairy products are more likely to make those who consume them sick than pasteurised ones. It adds that moo-shine’s purported health benefits are unsubstantiated.
Raw-milk activists are not cowed. Their kind of milk is much tastier than the processed muck, they say. In some of the 20 states that ban its sale, they operate “herdshares”. A farmer sells stakes (not steaks) in cows that he tends. He then gives raw milk to shareholders, and charges a maintenance fee. If not the land of the free, America is certainly the land of the ingenious lawyer.
“Raw-milk activists are not cowed.”
So my daughters can get Plan B and abortions without my consent, but I can’t purchase and serve them raw milk. We’re from the government and we’re here to help!
Wish my gubmint would stop trying to save me in the name of big ag.
I prefer whole milk, pasturized and not homogenized be
Raised on a farm. Right before supper had to run down to the bulk tank and scoop out a pitcher of milk. In all my days, I was never sick from drinking it.
I switched to Coconut Milk. Reduces crepitation! Tastes great too.
Just think of all those poor people that died before the government helped control milk! /s
I encourage you to consume as many unpasteurized products as possible. Then get back to me on how that worked out.
Whatever happened to the Demonrat slogan of ‘’my body and my right to choose’’? Maniacal, selfrighteous, hypocritical, nannystate, controlling thugs know better than anyone else what is best for you.
Step out of line and choose for yourself, they will do whatever they can to crush you.
Hey. None of your f****** business. Why don’t you go lecture a two year old.
The lack of exposure to dirt, germs, assorted molds and pollens and sterilizing everything and anything has led to more harm from allergies and depressed immunity than judicious use of the wonders of medical science and historical antibiotics.
Our bubble world is killing us.
This dogooder attitude of Mr. Peckwood is what’s killing us.
The only “choice” that Progressives/Socialists/Communists believe in is abortion, and they would prefer that was mandatory too.
That’s what we need, more food poisoning.
If the the crony-capitalists of the big-government/big-corporate criminal complex don't want you bypassing them for your dairy products, they will not be bypassed.
Capische?
I like the stuff. I’ve had far less acid reflux issues since I started drinking it.
Moo-shine Nanny State PING!
Great, then you'll love this:
EPA about to raise allowable concentrations of glyphosate (Roundup) on food crops...
The EPA’s decision is all the more unjustifiable in light of two recently published, peer reviewed studies revealing glyphosate to be a far greater threat to human health than previously determined.
According to a study published in the journal Entropy in April 2013, glyphosate is related to debilitating diseases like gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, autism, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. The study says the negative impact on the human body is “insidious and manifests slowly over time, as inflammation damages cellular systems throughout the body… it may in fact be the most biologically disruptive chemical in our environment.”
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