July 16, 2009 at 5:26 pm

It’s so important to recognize that there are multiple steps in the budget process. Thanks for the video update. Nice to see snippets from the House floor! I’m thankful for the actions that ONE members have taken to raise our voices together. Keep it up! It’s making a difference!

July 16, 2009 at 6:19 pm

After I lost my job with Apple Inc. last May, to supplement my family’s food need, I put up a small vegetable garden in our backyard. But just for barely 2 dozens of tomato, pepper and eggplant seedlings (some given to me by a cousin for free) to grow, I was surprised to find out that I would be spending much more than what I initially expected . Relating this on a global scale, albeit the worsening worldwide recession, it would be impossible for impoverished nations to sustain food and agriculture programs to support even just for their own people’s need. It is but appropriate for our leaders to widen their perspectives in extending global support, especially on food and agriculture that fuel human life.

July 16, 2009 at 6:50 pm

Whoo Hoo!!! It is a good start. Keep up the great work ONE!

July 16, 2009 at 6:50 pm

I’m very concerned that the seeds distributed aren’t GMO or stipulation to receive grants aren’t tied to GMO seeds nor the fertilizer. I won’t raise the affects of herbicides & pesticides other than to write the words.

The western world is experiencing various chronic diseases including Alzeimer’s & various autoimmune disorders because of the chemicalized food. It’s a shame that under-developed Africa would have to become slave to GMO as well.

Since I haven’t heard in the video that this isn’t covered, I’m not supporting this.

July 16, 2009 at 8:53 pm

I’m so pleased to learn that our government representatives are actually listening to us, to what is most important to our hearts. I looked up Matthew 25 out of curiosity and I think the verses Wolf was quoted as talking about were Matthew 25:41-23: ” 41-”Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42-For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43-I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.” In every religion there is this admonition in some form and it is good to know our One voice counts, every time we are asked to stand up and do right.

July 16, 2009 at 9:22 pm

I fear the beneficence of people like this:

http://stephenhand2.blogspot.com/2009/03/report-who-is-responsible-for-world.html

July 17, 2009 at 2:04 am

I LOVE ONE! And I love Africa….and because I do, I am all for support in the best ways we can possibly give it….which means to me in this case seeds, education, tools, and opportunity but as far a genetically engineered seed and chemical fertilizer….let’s do away with that in the U.S. first and definitely not spread it as an act of good will to countries in need. Even though Africans have less resource, they do have organic produce and meat, simply because they can’t afford the chemically engineered garbage we use in our country. I count that as a good thing. Let’s do likeHeifer Int. and teach them how to use the or own animal dung and leftovers as good soil enrichers instead of making them chemically dependent on things we know aren’t right for us, for our children or for anyone. But for the effort of helping and putting Africa as a priority….AMEN and more of it.

July 17, 2009 at 2:35 am

I believe the US, should be the first to fight POVERTY in the World. Not only in Africa, also in Asian and South American countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Guatemala, Mexico. And then Focus more in Sub Sahara Africa specially LANDLOCKED COUNTRIES and those where HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other pendemics like Machinya, Cholera. Those are the horrifics killer in the developing countries.

Only the donation of 1 or 2 $ each citizen can make a huge differents and save millions of innoncents brothers, sisters and our lovely children who killed by malnutrition, masles, choacholcal, polio and so many diseases….

Please, Senates, Houses and all who want to see the best future of our world help, act to protect those innoncents…

July 17, 2009 at 10:02 am

This is a great start. If a community cannot feed itself… it cannot survive.

July 17, 2009 at 10:22 am

Monsanto is the wind beneath the wings of this campaign.
I also do not support this.

July 17, 2009 at 10:54 am

Thank you very much for the C-Span footage. Yes, we need to support the poor among the poor. After watching Jesse Jackson Jr., I feel rejuvenated and deeply moved again that the humanitarian inspiration is still reaching out to successfully assist with this campaign. ONE Campaign, you are the best!

July 17, 2009 at 10:56 am

Eliminating human hunger is so important! However, so many attempts have been made to do this, and not much success has occurred so far. Individual people and families need control over and access to clean, fertile land, clean water, and non-GMO non-hybrid seeds. There is a current push by extremely rich people (Bill Gates is one) to supposedly help African people to seeds (which are GMO seeds, and it has been recently shown that the testing done to prove that these GMO’s are safe has been done outrageously badly-so no safety has been proven, and these crops show evidence of being bad for people), and to supposedly improve their access to markets. Remove high taxes, high regulations and other such costs, and people know how to trade and sell crops. They’ve been doing it for millenia. Just stand out of their way. If providing low or no cost clean land, clean water and free access to their own markets is what is being done, then we stand a chance of ending hunger. If not, I doubt anything good will happen this time either. We need more and very specific details.

July 17, 2009 at 11:03 am

This is a great achievement. It’s great to see those representatives voice for people who are less fortunate than us.

There’s still a long way to go though. The most important issue is: even after all the bills have been passed, how are we, the “richers,” going to help those in poverty? With what approaches? What strategies? Fighting poverty is not about showing pity; is not only giving them money; if we don’t do it properly, we will do much more harms than just leave them alone.

That, in my opinion, is the true challenge.

July 17, 2009 at 11:15 am

Along with several others in this comment stream, if this is merely a vehicle for Monsanto and petroleum based fertilizers to expand their markets, I am not at all for this. However, if development is truly sustainable on the local level – in other words, we are enabling folks to make best use of what is readily available to them, then I’m for it. What kind of details can we get on how this program is to be carried out?

July 17, 2009 at 11:30 am

Thank you One, It is so great seeing that you do follow through hearing our voices. I believed in you from the very beginning and will continue.

July 17, 2009 at 11:50 am

I have been with one.org since day one and it has been great! A long hard road and it’s a great way for us to come together! I have called congress and the senate on matters for one.org and everytime they know exactly who they are dealing with- I also suggest to members to add a one.org banner to your myspace or Facebook page to help spread the word-

July 17, 2009 at 12:27 pm

I DON’T KNOW WHY THE UNITED STATES DON’T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SUNSHINE IN AFRICA, I’M QUITE SURE WE CAN MAKE CROPS GROW, I MEAN WITH ALL THAT LAND AND SUNSHINE, WE CAN GROW FOOD.

July 17, 2009 at 1:01 pm

It is indeed a great effort ONE is putting in to ameliorate hunger and poverty in developing world, particularly Africa. I have worked in Africa for over half a decade in the area agricultural development.
I must say that throughout Africa, conditions of small farmers are miserable. Some concerted action needs to be taken without losing time to ameliorate the conditions of African farmers.
It is not that Western developmental model that would deliver the goods in Africa. I find that the farmers are fairly receptive to new and productive farm technologies. Enhancing the rural infrastructure in terms of roads, communication and access to marketing and micro credit and farmers’ education in low cost improved farm technologies would go a long way in enhancing rural economies. There is urgent need to empower the African farmer; more particularly rural women, who hold the key to development of African villages.
Congratulations for the great work. I am proud to be associated with ONE.

July 17, 2009 at 1:05 pm

i think that the u.s should be very thankfull the things that they took from africa in the past and still taking so it about time that america give back to africa to help the people in help

July 17, 2009 at 1:06 pm

The wealth of the world can build fabulous buildings, superbowls, entertainment parks, millionaire toys of all kinds…Satelites, massive technology feats, the list is huge. There is not a single reason why there aren’t scientific feats of wonder that erradicate poverty across the globe.

The race for wealth blinds the eyes to poverty. I want to see the most massive greenhouse type of structures that have the sun’s power – solar energy- harnessed. This will be used to power the structure – water the structure.

Scientists and engineers of the world, the dreamers and lawmakers, the wealthy and the poor, carpenters, masons, electricians, men and women must come together to help. This is the duty and obligation of every country that has the knowlege and means.

It is not enough to continue to watch commercials such as Christian Children’s Fund, and others, that only show the suffering- but do not show the structural results of years of funding. It is not good enough to show poor people eating something that resembles gruel, slop, or mushy rice – dirty and with flies on their faces.

Emotional marketing like those open the pockets of the compassionate, but put doubt in the minds of many. “Where has the money gone that actually changes the human condition?” I need to see a reality change, not a bandaide used when surgery is needed.

I applaude the efforts of the compassionate of the world, but I need to see the people of power, the people with means, the intelligent and amazing abilities that human beings truly have, all come together as “ONE” – just like your name implies.

This is a feat that I believe can be achieved, but we all know quite well how bitter, cruel, and greedy many people in this world truly are. So cruel in fact that our own county has to battle amongst one another just to ensure a viable health care plan for every American. It embarrasses me to watch bitter, greedy, white haired men on television twist and turn in their seats at the proposals being set out to help our own poor fellow citizens.

If people don’t care about the poverty and helplessness in their own county, you must know then how little they will care about those in another country. And the group of bitter greedy people is wider than the white-haired men that have been in charge carelessly for ages. It has spread out to the young that are wide-eyed to follow in their footsteps.

I don’t know how to change the hearts and minds of the greedy, but I do know that it makes the job of the compassionate that much more important. But compassion is only the base element. We desperately need the intelligence, creativity, and scientific efforts in order to make something real happen. Something fabulous- wonderful- and definitely above and beyond a bandaide.

July 17, 2009 at 1:11 pm

I agree that the agriculture incentive being the way Of “getting out Of hungry ” In Africa, but In reality some kind Of fertilizers can cause diseases because they are unreliable to human’s Health.
Part Of the solution Of the problem would be to create orgânic farms based On natural fertilizers.

July 17, 2009 at 1:31 pm

The videos and some of the comments were interesting and well thought out. I too wonder about the influence of our large chemical and agricultural companies on this legislation. While I agree that we shouldn’t take advantage of their poverty by pushing genetically engineered seeds on small African farmers, we also have to insure that conditions we create — namely dumping our subsidized agricultural products on them, thus drying up their own local markets where they would sell their foods — don’t chase them off their lands. To date, our much complained about immigration problem regarding Mexicans and other Central Americans flooding our country is part of the problem of our subsidized agricultural products being dumped in Central America. This makes small Central American farmers unable to make a living and pushes them to come to the U.S. to try to earn a livelihood here.

July 17, 2009 at 3:17 pm

Does the agriculture legislation currently in Congress mandate the use of GMOs or funding for GMO companies? I don’t think it does… Let’s not get too caught up about this when there isn’t any indication that this funding we’re fighting for would be used for those things.

July 17, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Thanks for both the opening discussion and the clips from the floor. Well done! As many people are trying to better understand the legislative process, the flow chart of the committee to house/senate to conference to president is a helpful memory aid for those of us beginning to get a grasp of the steps.

July 17, 2009 at 4:11 pm

Way to go ONE! Let’s get this money on the table, and then we can worry about the specific details about how it should be used.

July 17, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Its cheaper to feed people and make friends of them than it is to kill them which fruit will only produce more wars.

July 17, 2009 at 6:30 pm

Bill Boardman’s comment worried me, so I did some research quickly online about Monsanto and GMO. As a ONE member, I should have been informed about this, but alas I was not. I want to quote something from Wiki: “Patrick Mulvany, Chairman of the UK Food Group, accused some governments, especially the Bush administration, of using GM food aid as a way to dispose of unwanted agricultural surpluses. The UN blamed food companies and accused them of violating human rights, calling on governments to regulate these profit-driven firms. It is true that the acceptance of biotechnology and genetically modified foods will also benefit rich research companies and could possibly benefit them more than consumers in underdeveloped nations. [42]“GM technology to counter world starvation?”. Asia Pacific Biotech News 7 (25): 1614-1620. Dec 2003.” If this is true, and if we are using this GMO food for our own selfish reasons, rather than to alleviate human suffering, it is intolerable. I was willing to overlook the haughty manner of some Congressmen saying we are using food as a National Security measure — talk about a wrong-headed reasons for giving. Actually Michael C. Dewey said that best in saying “Its cheaper to feed people and make friends of them than it is to kill them which fruit will only produce more wars.” My idealistic ignorance isn’t going to help anyone, and I would like to recant my former statement. Based on what I’ve read about Monsanto and GMO, if we are giving this type of food, without the ability of to FULLY understand the negative ramifications of GMO, then I do not support this and I recant my former statement.

July 17, 2009 at 7:02 pm

Thanks ONE, for taking effective action & being the voice for the world’s most needy; parents in extreme poverty working too long in rough conditions for pennies a day to provide for their children. Then I think of the affluent, stagnate in their lifestyles of too much; multiple homes, yachts, jets, who callously turn their eye,,, & my heart weeps,,,, WHY? Giving food & medicine is good but only temporary; education is the key. Lets teach the poorest on SANITATION: procurement of clean water, maybe wells??, digging of outhouses & how to effectively grow crops, a necessary jump start to disease & the lack of foods. It will take generations, for sure, but it can be done with the voice of organizations like One.

July 17, 2009 at 7:47 pm

I agree that we should do everything we can to suppport good practices in global agriculture. The survival of our planet and its people is dependent on this.

July 18, 2009 at 1:14 am

Let us be practical to remove hunger from the world.High sounding words of global and international conventions will not help to remove hunger.If the world is really serious to remove hunger, some of the following critical steps be initiated-
(a) Promote “Community-based” Democracy where people in huger will decide how to remove hunger in mutual consultation with experts and other concerned.Imposing ideas on them will not solve hunger.
(b) Depending on character of various locations, traditional agricultural practices be promoted with new inputs.
(c) “Protectionism” in agriculture in no case be allowed, as it will divert people from agriculture to idleness or shifting to some other occupation.
(d) Restore life of soil as it is now dead due to application of chemicals.
(e) Community-based rain water conservation be practised for watering the land.
(f) Role of Big players in Agriculture be limited.It shoul not be be converted to “business of profit making”.
(g) Owenership of land, soil ,forest and water must be with community . The community be empowered to consult any one which whom they have confidence and initiate actions without outside intervention.
(h)Application of organic manure and the role of microorganisms in the soil, which are traditional in nature should be restored instead of applying hi-tech technology.
These are some of the suggestions but “comminity-based” Democracy is very critical to remove hunger.
Prof.Fani Bhusan Das

July 18, 2009 at 1:20 pm

I’M SO GLAD FOR WHAT ‘THE ONE ORG’ IS DOING!
FINALLY I THINK WE WILL HAVE A VOICE FOR THOSE
THAT NEVER BECOME HEARD.
I DO NOT HAVE MUCH MORE THAN MY VOICE FOR SUPPORT
TO GIVE, BUT THIS WILL GROW AND PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND
THATSUPPORTING OTHER POOR COUNTRIES IS IN THE LONG RUN THE
BEST SUPPORT FOR OUR-SELVES TOO.

July 18, 2009 at 3:15 pm

Thank you One for putting videos like this together and then allowing room for comment. I don’t have time to watch the long debates on CNN and C-SPAN and listen to all the arguments to help me understand what I am supporting. I have to rely on “recaps,” and many times these recaps are more like “re-statements.” Thank you for putting together the debate using the representatives own words. It helps me understand not only the issues being discussed but the motivations behind them, and it puts faces to the names of supporters that I hear about.

Thank you also for allowing people to disagree with you on your blog. It creates a great learning environment. I had no idea who Monsanto was either, so I had to do some research. I still don’t understand all the issues completely, but I feel like you make it possible for me to do so in an unbiased manner.

Keep up the great work!

July 18, 2009 at 4:15 pm

Thank you for putting the organizational structure to the issue, and including the faces of those leaders, in and out of ONE, that are bringing our voices out into the global issue of hunger and poverty.

July 19, 2009 at 12:49 am

Frankenfoods can’t solve world hunger.

I have some concerns about supporting companies like Monsanto. I recieved the following letter last week and it causes me much concern aobut the bill just passed.

Dear Friend,

In a promising move, the G8 — a group of the world’s eight wealthiest nations — has just announced a shift away from providing direct food aid to developing countries and towards helping farmers abroad produce and distribute their own food.

That’s a laudable goal. But the Obama administration along with members of the U.S. Congress are using this singular moment to move their own agenda: propping up U.S. biotechnology companies like Monsanto. They hope to accomplish this by promoting genetically modified seeds and chemical inputs as tools to fight hunger, despite research that shows that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have little impact on crop yield and do not fare well in drought-prone regions that need the most help.

I just took action and signed a petition asking my senators to oppose the Casey-Lugar bill that would push GMOs on the world. I hope you will, too.

http://act.credoaction.com/r/?r=4252&id=4956-984144-3NwLTmx&t=6

July 19, 2009 at 2:12 pm

Has the fertile soil of Africa changed to the extent that we cannot have food without fertilizers? When I was growing up we planted corn, cassava, groundnut, pepper tomatoes and much more and maybe they yielded so much food because we have no knowledge of using fertilizer as a solution to plants bearing food.

I feel it will take more than these practical solutions which in the long run do not amount to much. What needs to change is our conciousness, the farmer needs to know that he is part of God’s creation, the soil is fertile and he will know what he needs to plant.And those who are helping should see these farmers in the same light. To go to massive human lenthgs to correct such long term issues seems short sighted. How much aid has been given and what are the results of them? Are we saying that God is out of the picture of His own creation?

July 19, 2009 at 4:38 pm

No human being, especailly a child should be without food. Starvation is unacceptable and we must do all we can to prevent it! Look at all the other rubbish that is funded by our tax dollars! At least this bill will help FEED PEOPLE!! For all of those who are opposed to this bill….. Do a little experiment for us….GO WITHOUT FOOD FOR DAYS or WATCH YOUR CHILDREN BECOME WEAK & CONSTANTLY COMPLAIN OF HUNGER!!!
& see how you feel. Email us with an update of course and let us know if you have had a change of heart!!!

July 20, 2009 at 3:09 am

TRUE CHANGE: While lobbying our politicians is part of the solution, until we have more than a 2-party system, we’ll constantly be battling against the richer lobbyists who have the manpower and funds to keep the politicians in their pockets.

On related matter, I have been in this political and social struggle for over 25 years and have NEVER received a “cold call” or communication unless I initiated it. Our movement is weak, weak, weak. We do not identify conscious persons. Additionally, most of our NGOs and non-profits and even conscious media, have a bigoted structure and clique.

It’s almost hopeless but I’ll continue hoping that we get our acts together!!!! My email addresses are all over the internet, yet NO ONE has ever contacted me, unless I initiated the communication. What is the conscious community doing to IMPROVE?!?

July 20, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Nice update; thank you! Don’t get ever fancier in your delivery…I love the grassroots sincerity of the classroom effect.

July 20, 2009 at 10:05 pm

I don’t understand the people who are so opposed to using non organic seeds and using fertilizer. Yes, in a perfect word we could all do that, but for heavens sake, these people in Africa and other places are starving to death! Do you really think they care whether the food is organic or not! They just want to eat! I prefer to eat organic but not everyone can afford to do that and until it is made affordable to everyone and we have no more people starving to death anywhere, does it really matter? Get real!!!

July 21, 2009 at 1:43 am

Good work, lifts my spirit after so much corruption every where

July 21, 2009 at 2:36 pm

i believe in this , i am an italian girl and i hope with all myself in this campaign for making a difference. I want tells thank you at barack obama bono vox bob geldolf and other people that believe in love, in peace, in all things that can change. I want make a difference. I BELIEVE CAN CHANGE!!!

July 22, 2009 at 4:29 pm

This is Superb! Excellent work! We came far! I hope we will get what we need!
Thank you ONE.

Marieme

July 25, 2009 at 11:23 am

يوتيوب–يوتيوب–بلوتوث–youtube–يوتيوب
فور–يوتيوب فور 

August 17, 2009 at 11:06 am

I’m with Akosua Albritton.

Obama’s appointees, (Monsanto boy) Secretary of Agriculture Visack, has vowed to “take GMO to the next level”. and Michael Taylor, the FDA’s new Deputy Commissioner of Policy,( who oversaw the creation of GMO policy and who was an attorney for Monsanto), are more than eager to “help” Africa

http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/AboutGMFoods/DangersofGMFoods/index.cfm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/will-obamas-food-safety-t_b_178127.html