So what about organically grown veggies and fruits?

 I generally question and evaluate everything someone says-- not because I mean to be contentious, but because of my own curiosity. So mostly I question statements of "fact" and weigh them against what else is out there as far as others' experience and knowledge. Where I lack knowledge, I try to go looking for evidence for alternative/both points of view.

In this case, I rely only partially on what has been established-- I don't believe there is some large conspiracy to destroy my well being, but I don't fully trust that people and organizations who have other priorities are necessarily looking out for my individual well being, either. I try to gather as much information as possible and make an informed decision, and not rely on others to dictate that.

In this case, I think it behooves individuals to look at what the empirical evidence is, and to err on the side of caution, which I don't think the "experts" have done. It seems even when the FDA established "recommended daily requirements" for vitamins and minerals, for example, that this standard may be lower than is required for optimum human health and for certain individuals. I'm reading a book right now by an M.D, Ph.D. In nutrition who has an established a very successful track record of treating patients with certain conditions by adjusting those vitamin.mineral levels upward. It's just new information -- not some government consipracy to ruin my health-- and god knows the governmental reaction and research time is greatly lagging -- it's like turning the Titanic, for heaven's sake. They have to think of doing the study, get the approval for studies, get budget approved for the studies, be reviewed by every citizen activist group in the country, conduct the studies, validate the studies, face the political lobbyists to get the study results published, and finally, someday, maybe the info gets to the public. I think it's just better to conduct our own independent studies, honor what we know to be true in our own experience, and watch and listen for educational resources also.

I'm not sure we can trust anyone as much as our selves to look out for what works best for us/our lives. I think that's at least part of the reason we were given thinking brains.

 I recently found out that the FDA does not even have the authority to yank medications etc. If their is major health problems related to them off of shelves by themselves. They must beg and plead with the drug company first and sometimes it can take months and even years before those drugs get pulled! That is rediculous! How can we trust them to care about our health! It is the drug companies that line thier pockets!

 I'm against the government telling me what's good or bad for me.

 It's true that the federal government doesn't have the best track record when it comes to the safety of the American people.

I think that for the most part the government has acted in good faith. It wasn't until new technologies were deveopled and additional studies were done that things they proclaimed safe turned not to be so, and that has shaken the trust we have placed in the government.

More recently, things have gotten worse. For one thing the government seems to be in the back pocket of the pharmaceutical companies. Look at all the drugs that were declared safe and have turned out to be deadly.

Big tobacco is another case in point. How long have the dangers of tobacco been known? But it's a cash crop, and drives the economy of many states.

Unfortunately, I trust the current administration even less than any other. Big business and the bottom line drives it, and that includes the FDA!

Until the government proves to Americans that it can once again be trusted, we need to decide for ourselves what is safe and what isn't. But that takes work on our part.

 Everyone know I have several levels I answer things. So here's one! The herbicides used on your vegetables are 1st cousin to Agent Orange in Vietnam! And they are leached or adsorbed by the very food you eat to a Small degree, and the government puts this into the excepted levels by THEIR rules! The vet's with Agent Orange are dieing like flies with cancer and other problems, with horrible pain! Now we learn that their children and grandchildren have it to the same degree! And it's out their, BUT the government is trying to hide this fact from you!
So IS their a safe level of something that your body will Hold for all eternity, and the more you get the more you have! Then their is the run off over these farmers fields and into lakes, rivers and your very water supply, too! Now these heavy metals, pesticides, and fertilizers are going by the same rules! This leaching and adsorbing effects are being done with the roots and/or the leaves! Now ADD the things that are coming out of the smoke stakes on plants through out the world!
WE HAVE A PROBLEM, and it's a big one, too!
Cowboy101