<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for The not-so-fragrant side of fresh-cut flowers]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by MACoen http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/ Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:46:50 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/1 wake up and smell

Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart
http://www.amazon.com/Flower-Confidential-Beautiful-Busin ...

]]> wake up and smell

Flower Confidential by Amy Stewart
http://www.amazon.com/Flower-Confidential-Beautiful-Busin ...

]]> Comment #2 by JMG http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/ Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:55:17 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/2 Maria Full of Grace

This piece -- like all discussions of flowers -- reminded me of "Maria Full of Grace," a great movie.  I haven't bought anything but locally grown flowers since seeing it, which means that my wife never gets flowers for Valentine's Day.  On the other hand, I get her a bouquet of gorgeous flowers almost every week from the Farmer's Market six months a year, so I figure it's OK.

Here's a review of Maria from Netflix:

You'll never look at the flowers your husband sends you the same way again. The things we take for granted without ever knowing the true story behind them--like the sickness, even the deaths that are caused by the toxic chemicals used to bring us the lovely flowers we puchase in the store. The horrors members of south American countries endure just to make a poor living. The horrors of living in countries where there are few rules, no government agency watches out for your health, and poverty is a place you will never leave. No wonder people in other countries take any opportunity to simply get to the United States. Whatever it takes, the risk --in their eyes -- may be worth it. This wakes you up to how lucky we are to have been born in the U.S. But you'll ask your husband not to buy you flowers grown in South America. You'll look at immigrants in a new way and wonder how much you would risk for a chance at life in the U.S.

The 5% Project Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

]]> Maria Full of Grace

This piece -- like all discussions of flowers -- reminded me of "Maria Full of Grace," a great movie.  I haven't bought anything but locally grown flowers since seeing it, which means that my wife never gets flowers for Valentine's Day.  On the other hand, I get her a bouquet of gorgeous flowers almost every week from the Farmer's Market six months a year, so I figure it's OK.

Here's a review of Maria from Netflix:

You'll never look at the flowers your husband sends you the same way again. The things we take for granted without ever knowing the true story behind them--like the sickness, even the deaths that are caused by the toxic chemicals used to bring us the lovely flowers we puchase in the store. The horrors members of south American countries endure just to make a poor living. The horrors of living in countries where there are few rules, no government agency watches out for your health, and poverty is a place you will never leave. No wonder people in other countries take any opportunity to simply get to the United States. Whatever it takes, the risk --in their eyes -- may be worth it. This wakes you up to how lucky we are to have been born in the U.S. But you'll ask your husband not to buy you flowers grown in South America. You'll look at immigrants in a new way and wonder how much you would risk for a chance at life in the U.S.

The 5% Project Let's live on the planet as if we intend to stay.

]]> Comment #3 by caniscandida http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/ Tue, 02 Dec 2008 17:41:38 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/3 Yes, JMG

I too was thinking about that powerful movie.

And by the same token, one suspects that life would be far better for many people, if only Adam Smith's invisible hand were to be allowed to direct the commerce of some substances now controlled, e.g. cocaine.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

]]> Yes, JMG

I too was thinking about that powerful movie.

And by the same token, one suspects that life would be far better for many people, if only Adam Smith's invisible hand were to be allowed to direct the commerce of some substances now controlled, e.g. cocaine.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

]]> Comment #4 by greenlagirl http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:55:05 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/4 virtual water trade

A related concern's the virtual water trade inherent in flower export / imports. Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food and Water Watch, talks about this often -- i.e. how Lake Naivasha in Kenya's shrinking in addition to getting polluted.

http://greenlagirl.com/

]]> virtual water trade

A related concern's the virtual water trade inherent in flower export / imports. Wenonah Hauter, executive director of Food and Water Watch, talks about this often -- i.e. how Lake Naivasha in Kenya's shrinking in addition to getting polluted.

http://greenlagirl.com/

]]> Comment #5 by PermieWriter http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/ Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:18:43 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/5 Dead plant genitalia

No kidding. Next time you're tempted to give flowers, go buy a six-pack of organic lettuce instead. Try mache. It's pretty, tasty and won't have to be tossed (okay, maybe with a vinaigrette).

It might take some time to get your loved ones around to your POV, but you won't be poisoning them in the meantime. Or the workers, for that matter.

Eat what you grow, grow what you eat

]]> Dead plant genitalia

No kidding. Next time you're tempted to give flowers, go buy a six-pack of organic lettuce instead. Try mache. It's pretty, tasty and won't have to be tossed (okay, maybe with a vinaigrette).

It might take some time to get your loved ones around to your POV, but you won't be poisoning them in the meantime. Or the workers, for that matter.

Eat what you grow, grow what you eat

]]> Comment #6 by redambrosia99 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:32:00 -0800 http://www.grist.org/article/thorns-and-roses/6 roses smell like... grass?

So, even before I found out how ridiculous the cut flower industry is, I didn't like cut flowers, because I've real roses.

I used to keep a couple rose bushes, and those roses made the most HEAVENLY scent.  That smell, drifting in my window in the summer was just wonderful.

Whereas the roses at the store smell like... grass?  Or nothing at all.

"Sweetheart, get me another potted plant for Valentines, no cut flowers, plzkthxbai!"

]]> roses smell like... grass?

So, even before I found out how ridiculous the cut flower industry is, I didn't like cut flowers, because I've real roses.

I used to keep a couple rose bushes, and those roses made the most HEAVENLY scent.  That smell, drifting in my window in the summer was just wonderful.

Whereas the roses at the store smell like... grass?  Or nothing at all.

"Sweetheart, get me another potted plant for Valentines, no cut flowers, plzkthxbai!"

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