A little rant about beef...

[nikkiling]

Well, that's it. No more generic american beef for me. I think I value my heath a bit more than that. I'm only buying from local farms where I know what the cows are eating. Chicken too, I think

Comments

[erviniae]

I understand that you have discovered a different line of thinking, but don't just believe something because you read a book about it. If you really are interested, read the references they site in their book as well. I am NOT saying that it is wrong, just don't accept one book's ideas. I am NOT discounting what you are saying--and governments DO lie but they are VERY bad at hiding them--too many people involved in them to be kept secret.

Yes, I am being skeptical--I can't help it. I even had Daniel read this as well. He has a very knowledgeable and broadly read on many things. He even agrees that the USDA is run by a bunch of incompetent people--because the government is full of many incompetent people who don't know what they are doing.

Everyone has an agenda, please remember that and just because they write a book about something--you don't know that they are telling the truth--please just look into things more--follow references, etc... of course I am not saying that you are wrong--I just need more proof.

*The burden proof is on the claimant.* I really hate this saying (because Daniel uses this on me all the time! LOL) But it is true.

I hope you don't think this is a personal attack on you, my friend, it is not, I just want you to keep an open mind.

*luvs*

[nikkiling]

Honey, I'm not an idiot. I just figured this being my own personal blog, I didn't have to give references and links to all the materials I was reading and refering too, only one of which was that book. I guess I was wrong...
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/cjd/detail_cjd.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creutzfeldt-Jakob_disease
http://www.mad-cow.org/Alzheimer_cjd.html
http://www.mad-cow.org/alz_cjd.html
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0107-07.htm
http://www.nssa.us/journals/2007-28-2/2007-28-2-01.htm
http://www.mad-cow.org/aug99_news.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4046/is_200610/ai_n17196334
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jul2006/2006-07-28-02.asp
http://westernfarmpress.com/news/123107-bse-cattle/
http://www.britishmeat.com/american-meat/cover-up.html
http://www.hpj.com/archives/2007/apr07/apr9/FederaljudgerulesCreekstone.cfm
http://www.technago.com/creekstone-farms-defends-right-to-test-for-bse/
And then, only two weeks ago... http://www.farmfutures.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=CD26BEDECA4A4946A1283CC7786AEB5A&nm=News&type=news&mod=News&mid=9A02E3B96F2A415ABC72CB5F516B4C10&tier=3&nid=CA5310140F934AA89627DD89F1E9302B
I can keep going... The information on Creekstone Farms is quite interesting. One moment the USDA is allowing them to test for BSE, and the next they are forbidding it, refusing under the 1913 Virus Serum Toxins Act, arguing that the U.S. had put scientific interventions in place and that plant-wide testing could find false positive that would be damaging to beef demand. However, since the BSE rapid test they use is not a vaccine, serum, virus or toxin, it should not qualify under the Virus Serum Toxin Act. At this moment, the case is being sent back to the lower court. Can we say the USDA is grabbing at straws? I can't wait to see how this turns out... probably not well.
I would have to go back to the library to get the rest of the literary reviews.
Hell, the fact that drug companies sit on the backs of physicians is something I was taught in my Medical Law and Ethics class back in college. We may not like it, but it's a big part on how they get paid.
I always read everything with the idea that whatever is being written is skewed in some way, whether it's popular culture or scientific research. It all depends on who's writing it and for what purpose. That doesn't mean I should throw it all away as false.
And the fact that the Japanese won't import our beef over the age of 20 months because of BSE is common knowledge. They wouldn't even accept that if there wasn't the money and tariff issue ($3 billion on japanese goods). America has a history of pinning retaliatory tariffs on countries who oppose us. That is one of the major reasons we still ship beef to the UK after they banned us from doing so in 2006
I don't trust our government to do what it should.
I would rather support local farms and businesses.
I have concerns over the health of my food, both for myself and of the animal.
I believe in animal rights.
I don't like the fact that the NCBA has as much influence as it does over our political arena. (Pharmaceutical companies either for that matter.)
So I figure I will use the only thing availible to me to protest: my pocketbook. No more generic beef.

[erviniae]

I never once said you were an idiot.
I think rather the opposite.
Just issuing concern that is all.
I even stated that I did not discount what you are saying.
And it most definitely wasn't a personal attack, I am sorry that you took it that way. ( I really thought you knew me better than that).

I also support animal rights.
I think it is wonderful that you support local farms and businesses. More people should and you happen to be in an area that has access to much of it.

And you are right, it is your journal and you CAN say anything you like, but not everyone agrees with everything about everyone. Even friends.

[nikkiling]

I really don't mind the fact that you disagree. That's perfectly fine with me. Everyone disagrees. Ki-Fors and I disagree on gun legislation... Access_nikita and I have strongly divergent political views, yet they are still my best friends.
I was merely concerned over the fact that you seemed to be implying that I was being gullible by only taking one source of information as truth. You just said it yourself, "The burden of proof is on the claimant." So I was showing you my proof of further research into the issue. It wasn't meant to be an attack either, merely a response to your questioning of my views. (And you're right, you never said idiot, and I have never felt you consider me as such. It was not meant to be a personal affront on you. That was my own mind equating gullibility with idiots. You know. Bush-like. ;) )

And now I must go and find some shoes to wear... You know, I'm really starting to dislike this whole dating thing. It's making me more concerned about how I look than I care to be! :)

[erviniae]

Well, I am glad we have that straightened out. :)
You know you mean a lot to me.

Have fun on your date and I can NOT believe that YOU are concerned about shoes!!!! Has the world begun to spin off its axis? Is it going to snow tomorrow? :P

Which boi are you going out with? Details tomorrow plz.