USDA Accused of Misleading Public on Mad Cow

[UpInArms]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A49516-2004Feb17.html

After a month-long investigation, the Republican and Democratic leaders of a key congressional committee yesterday accused the Agriculture Department of misleading the public about a central fact in the nation's first known case of mad cow disease.

Since federal officials announced in December that an animal had tested positive for mad cow disease, they have consistently said the animal was a "downer," an ailing animal that could not walk. The USDA national surveillance system for mad cow disease is based primarily on sampling brain tissue of downer cows.

But an inquiry by the House Committee on Government Reform reported yesterday that three eyewitnesses to the slaughter of the sick animal have testified that it was not a "downer" and did not appear to be sick at all.

<snip>

The letter cited reassuring public statements made by Veneman soon after the diseased animal was found. On Dec. 24, the secretary said on NBC's "Today" show that "the cow had difficulty standing on its own, which is why it was a downer cow. My understanding . . . is that this cow had given birth, and that it had not been able to get up since then."

...more...

[cryofan]

1. That is called "Lying", not "misleading"! eom

[havocmom]

2. so the guy at the slaughter house was honest

Can't recall the chap's name (CRS disease this AM). The gentleman has lost his job yet still goes on with his course of honesty in trying to get the real story out so US citizens will realize that it is the US government, and the corporate interests which presently run it which is endangering everyone through policy which puts our food supply at risk.

Terrorist targeting the US food supply? Don't need any outside help. As Pogo said, "we have met the enemy and it is us."

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. well said.

and a kick for the article.

[UpInArms]

5. the man you refer to

is Dave Louthan

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/03/health/03COW.html


Man Who Killed the Mad Cow Has Questions of His Own


By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.


Shooting a cow turned Dave Louthan into a crusader.


On Dec. 9, at Vern's Moses Lake Meats in Moses Lake, Wash., Mr. Louthan
killed the only mad cow found in the United States.


Two weeks later, he says, he was dismissed after four years as Vern's
slaughterer when he talked to the television crews outside and told them
he
was sure the cow, ground into hamburger, had already been eaten. The
plant's owners did not return calls seeking comment.


"I got a big mouth," he said in a telephone interview.

...more...

[havocmom]

6. Yes, Dave Louthan, a modern patriot who dares to speak truth.

Thank you, UpInArms.

[lovedems]

3. Well, if the AG department wasn't filled with former beef lobbyists

maybe the interests of consumers would outweigh the interests of the beef industry! This administration has screwed us in every possible way. What is it going to be like in 15-20 years when we get the whole truth?

[SpiralHawk]

7. BushCo lies again. As usual.

Mad Cow
AWOL
WMD
2005 Budget
etc.
etc.

[tom_paine]

9. Exactly, they lie about EVERYTHING

I've never seen anything like it outside of Totalitarian Nations.

(sadly, that may STILL be true)

[leftchick]

10. c-span caller: "Bush is a man of integrity"

I actually heard that yet again this AM on C-Span. WTF planet does she live on? It truly amazes me that many people STILL don't know a rat when they see one.... :crazy:

[DeepModem Mom]

8. We have no assurance that American beef is safe to eat --

and Americans should eat or not eat beef, with this in mind.