Here’s a cool new toy. A popular article on Forbes today details a new smart phone app called “Buycott,” which is catching the attention of shoppers who want to make sure their money spent on groceries and other basic products isn’t enriching corporations with bad records on social and environmental responsibility.

As the United States Supreme Court decides the limits (or lack thereof) of patenting life, Monsanto is positioning itself to dominate the gene market. After a lengthy legal battle with DuPont and subsequent settlement, Monsanto will likely become the largest Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) company in the world.

Well, just a second here. I’m all in favor of being open-minded and pursuing the truth no matter where it leads, but the type of gut-instinct opposition to GMO that Lynas now decries isn’t nearly the same thing as the fiercely defiant ignorance (usually appealing to tribal resentments) we see conservatives use to rationalize otherwise indefensible policies like rejecting action on climate change — an example that Lynas uses to defend his shift in views.

Over the past few weeks Monsanto, DuPont and other large corporations have flooded California with millions of dollars in ads against Proposition 37, which would require the labeling of food containing genetically modified ingredients. Two new polls confirm the well-funded negative campaign has managed to significantly reduce support for the ballot measure.

This initiative is one of the few statewide ballot measures this November that could have national ramifications. If this initiative is approved, it may not be financially viable for companies to produce both national and California-specific packaging. It could indirectly force many food companies to label the presence of GM ingredients across the country. At the very least, if this initiative wins it could encourage other states to follow suit.

Across the country this November voters will be deciding the fate of about 173 state ballot measures. Many of these measures deal with relatively minor issues, like an amendment to correct a constitutional mistake relating to the oath of office requirement in North Dakota. Several of the measures could result in important policy changes in their respective states, but the impact will be almost exclusively local.

There are 11 measures qualified for the ballot in California, but new polling by the California Business Roundtable and Pepperdine University shows only five initiatives polling over 50 percent. Of those five which have a decent chance of passing, the three most noteworthy initiatives have to do with the labeling of genetically modified food, reforming the state’s notorious three strikes law, and union political spending.

A variety of links to articles/interviews/speeches on current topics that may be of interest.

Voters of California will likely have an opportunity to vote to require labeling of some genetically modified foods. The California Right to Know campaign filed over 970,000 signatures to the Secretary of State. Even if a significant percentage of the signatures are found to be invalid, the initiative will likely clear the 504,760 valid signature threshold to make it on the ballot.

A variety of links to articles/interviews/speeches on current issues that may be of interest.