Latin America

These Mennonite sound more like the Amish here, instead of the Mennonites I have met. Most people have the wrong idea about both related divisions. They aren't religions, its a way of life.

They can be as greedy as anybody else from what I've observed in this heavily Amish-populated area of KY. I have met ex-Amish (yes, they exist), who left the lifestyle, saying it was too hypocritical. They askew machinery--unless it is used for, "business purposes." Which means, you will see them farming with a $200,000 tractor during the week, but still driving a horse and buggy to church. There are a couple of Amish grocery stores that have no problem using forklifts and the like. Their houses do not have electricity, but natural gas is a-okay. They carry cell phones.

My horse vet in Calif. was Mennonite. They drive cars, have electricity, etc, and you'd never know any difference, except they are likely to drop their heads with no notice and rattle off a prayer for your welfare.

I see no difference between what they are doing in South America, and what Big Ag does. Its all destroying the planet. I trust the Indigenous people to be good stewards of the land, and truly hope they succeed in this battle. You would think they'd get more legal help from all over the world, considering how essential the Amazon is to life on this planet.

I apologize if I have offended any Amish or Mennonites on this board.

Thanks for these posts, Judi Lynn. You do a great job of educating DU about what's going on in the rest of the world.