It has been confirmed that the USA has its first case of Mad Cow Disease.

It will be interesting to see how this now affects the beef importing and exporting between Canada and the USA.

Listening to the news talk about this (and they are sure doing alot of it) what I hear coming out the loudest is that no ones needs to worry about eating meat. They keep saying over and over that the meat supply is ok and not to worry. Yea right!!! All they are afraid of is losing all that money because of this. What a shame.

Daryl, before you get tired, over your GLOATING over the discomfort of the United States, about one cow we’ve found with “mad cow disease.” re:”Yes, Canada should rightfully have the same health concerns that the USA claimed.”

You may wish to consider the following report!

Investigators Trace Diseased Cow to Canada

Dec 27, 11:28 AM (ET)

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Holstein infected with mad cow disease in Washington state was imported into the United States from Canada about two years ago, federal investigators tentatively concluded Saturday.

Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief veterinarian for the Agriculture Department, said Canadian officials have provided records that indicate the animal was one of a herd of 74 cattle that were shipped from Alberta, Canada, into this country at Eastport, Idaho.

"These animals were all dairy cattle and entered the U.S. only about two or two-and-a-half years ago, so most of them are still likely alive," DeHaven said.

He emphasized that just because the sick cow was a member of that herd, it does not mean that all 74 animals are infected.

Based on the Canadian records, the cow was 6 1/2-years-old - older than U.S. officials had thought,

DeHaven said. U.S. papers on the cow said she was 4- or 4 1/2-years-old.

The age is significant because the United States and Canada have banned feed that could be the source of infection since 1997.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20031227/D7VMR6I80.html

I am not gloating, however, the fact still remains that a cow has been diagnosed with Mad Cow disease within the continental USA.

And yes, both Canada and the USA and the rest of the world should have the same health concerns.

Yes, I was doing some comparing, especially where the USA was so quick to close its border with Canada saying it was only an isolated case, and now the USA is saying the same thing, hoping that Canada and other countries wouldn't do to the USA as the USA did to Canada.

What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

I, personally, saw Daryl's comments as simply information and concern, he certainly did not seem to be "GLOATING!" I appreciate the information, especially to a group of people who hopefully, are mostly vegetarians, or, if not, will soon decide to be with this news!!

It would be pretty ignorant and/or cruel for ANYONE, ANYWHERE, to be "GLOATING" about such a potentially dangerous situation.

I was also reading that the amount of money "gained" by using this suspect cow, can actually snowball into more financial loss than can be imagined. And, that is not even taking into account the danger to health and life. The USA, or any country is so wrong to knowingly put the majority of people at risk.

I have heard a few "meat eaters" state, though, that they were not eating any more beef. (Of course, that is for now, anyway!)

Politics, right or wrong, tends to divide, doesn't it?

If we are going to fight, it should be about moral issues not whether or not the US or Canada are just interested in self preservation. All countries are basically fueled by one thing-- money.

It's about time the beef, pork, poultry and all other meat industries take a big hit. We spend billions (some countries) on cleaning human waste, but most animal waste goes untreated and runs off into our rivers and lakes.

If are poultry factory moves into your neighborhood, you better plan on selling your home.

I feel sorry for the individual farmers who suffer when these things happen, but I rejoice
when the meat industry looses a little prestige.

Mad cow disease is no joke. Ask the British families who have suffered its ill effects. E-coli poisoning is no joke either.

Let's look at the positive side. EGWhite said that if flesh eating was ever safe, it isn't now. How about 100 years after her statements? We should be saying, "We told you so?" But we can't because we haven't.

When I get a chance to talk about this issue I'll just say, "Chalk up one more for vegetarianism."

Richard

I have worked as a pastor out West (Manitoba and Saskatchewan) where most of the members are cattle farmers. Their profit margins are razor thin. They have had to endure drought, the cutting down of the bigger trees in the forest (many work in the bush during the winter months), emptying towns and now this. One year in Hudson Bay Junction, Saskatchewan, we had several suicides. They were farmers who saw no hope...

Of course, we're here to give them hope. But churches depend on strong, basically balanced and happy members to keep them going. Unfortunately they were and are falling over like dominoes because the members become too old and the younger ones move out West or go to the States where the jobs are. (While I'm complaining, let us not forget part of my job was to make sure the teenagers and young adults who are being groomed to take over chruch leadership left for the our Western boarding school). The conference president in the 1990's called some of us pastors together and brought up the idea of home churches because the buildings were emtying so quickly. My local ministerium said that all of their members and denomination leaderships were dealing with the same thing--so it can't be doctrine or lack of vision in the local church that can be blamed for the general trend.

Mad Cow may be the straw that breaks the camel's back--ironically in Iraq and Iran, the land of the camel (and falafel vendors), they're dealing with some of their own problems...

FWIW Dora, when someone says “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.” In an UNCALLED for remark, comparing their individual countries…it certainly sounds like “GLOATING” over the difficulties that may be encountered by the United States! I can’t recall anyone here putting down Canada, when Canada had a “mad cow disease” scare several months ago.

Actually I’m not surprised by Daryl’s demeanor….it’s a TYPICAL Canadian response in some quarters. . For some reason, some Canadians seem to enjoy seeing the United States have difficulties. And the theme of Daryl’s several remarks on this subject clearly indicated his rather inept attempts to “rub it in” so to speak.

OTOH….he should have taken into consideration the apparent FACT, that this sole incident…..ORIGINATED IN CANADA, before he opened his trap and inserted his foot!

Andrew…..good to see you and hear your well seasoned remarks.

Likewise, although this region isn’t heavy on cattle, (although we do have several feed lots around). Primarily we’re a cotton (the largest cotton growing region in the United States!) and now (in the last 20 years) peanut growing region. It’s amazing to pass by the countryside and see every section or so, a group of trees, and perhaps even the remnants of a farmhouse. These indicate the previous economy of almost subsistence farming on 180 acres…….

I did note an article in today’s paper. A “farmer” out in California’s Central Valley, is selling out his farm for 1.5 million dollars. Seems that selling the “water rights” which his family attached to his farm 90 some years ago, makes it more productive to sell his water rights to the city of Los Angeles and cease farming!

Now with large machinery, one farmer around here can make a solid living, raising cotton on 500 to 2500 acres, with perhaps only one helper.

I’m not saying it’s good or bad, simply that it’s a fact of life, that farming is changing along with the total economy. Whilst it is thought that our local economy is dependent on aquaculture, the fact remains that in raw new dollars coming into this city of 200,000. That Medical Services is the largest generator of new $$$, and that a second generator is telephone call service centers. Manufacturing, wholesale and retail commerce probably come in, in equal proportions to agriculture.. And your right….the small towns are simply drying up……there aren’t any population centers of significance for 150 miles either north or south, and for almost 350 miles to the east or west!