I've been so quiet during this whole Mad Cow debacle. I've watched them twist and evade on the news every moring, and the next morning contradict everything they said the day before. But this quote in the Times got me today:

"The industry has been quick to point out that far more people die from salmonella and E. coli than from mad cow disease. "

thuds head on desk ... repeatedly
Objection, your honor, the defense is making my case for me. Ah, I wish I could verify that statement. Who was the rocket scientist who sought to placate the masses with that comparison? (If you're not following, salmonella and E-coli are also spread by poor carcass handling in the slaughter process.)

That was even better than these figures they've been throwing around:
(from National Cattlemen's Beef Assoc.)
___
Q5.

Has BSE ever been found in the U.S.?

A5.

The USDA has conducted a BSE surveillance program in the U.S. for 13 years and has tested over 57,362 brain specimens from cattle displaying any neurological symptoms and from non-ambulatory animals (downer cows) that might indicate BSE.
____

Wow - 57,362 in 13 years... what with 150,000-195,000 downer cows a year? (And yes, I understand that the category "downer cows" includes simple, non-neurological ailments like broken legs and other such injuries.)

Sigh, at least they're recognizing the need for change regardless of whether or not said change is cost-effective.

Arrgh. I sense a downward spiral.

It started last night. I was sound asleep when I was awoken by the sound of a plane going over my house. I live near an airport, but planes don't go over my house. It's a sad post 9/11 fact that such an insignificant thing as a plane straying from its flight path should cause a BERP big enough to wake me up and keep me up, waiting to hear a crash. Not that I shouldn't have been woken up. I had been dreaming that I was a CSI working on a child molestation case. It was the second child victim and the analysis was suggesting that the perpetrator was someone who had molested me (the CSI) years ago, but was never caught. I was just getting ready to testify in court when the plane woke me up. (As a dream, this sounds too canned, and I thought maybe it was something from tv that I'd absorbed, but CSI wasn't on last night....)

So I wake up to hear ... there's Mad Cow disease in the US. I want to scream! When was Fast Food Nation published? Mad Cowboy? Has any one been paying attention? It was only a matter of time. And they don't know where the meat of the infected cow is. I picked a bad year to stop being a vegetarian. Some government official was talking on CBS. She never gave a straight answer to any question. Not even yes or no questions. The reporter asked if other cattle from the quarantined farm had been sent to slaughter. Her answer: It's not a beef farm it's a dairy farm ... yada yada yada. She knows very well what happens to dairy cows that aren't producing up to par - they become hamburger. So the concise answer would be (and should have been ) YES! Another talking head tried to calm the public saying he personally was having Prime Rib for the holidays. And I bet it's from Niman Ranch too.

Then I heard my friend's grandmother died.

Then I see that they're going to allow roads and logging in Tongass National Park.

Never should have gotten up today. Not that that would have changed anything.

Who is that there trying to enable me over on Tag Board? I have too much yarn already. I have too much choice of what to make with it. That's why I'm stifled. I have enough for a Lopi Jacket and tons of other stuff. I still have 3 fleeces that haven't left my office (insulation).

I'm a different color today

you are lavenderblush #FFF0F5

Your dominant hues are red and magenta. You love doing your own thing and going on your own adventures, but there are close friends you know you just can't leave behind. You can influence others on days when you're patient, but most times you just want to go out, have fun, and do your own thing. Your saturation level is very low - you have better things to do than jump headfirst into every little project. You make sure your actions are going to really accomplish something before you start because you hate wasting energy making everyone else think you're working. Your outlook on life is very bright. You are sunny and optimistic about life and others find it very encouraging, but remember to tone it down if you sense irritation.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

I'm not in the best mood today. I'm not sure what it is. I'm bored and uninspired.

My holiday knitting is done, as is my shopping (did it all in 3 days and 3 stores). There are 3 weeks left until I go on vacation .

Feh - I have the doldrums and really nothing to say!

Okay day 3 - I guess I am in the olive family

you are olivedrab #688E23

Your dominant hues are green and yellow. There's no doubt about the fact that you think with your head, but you don't want to be seen as boring and want people to know about your adventurous streak now and again. Your saturation level is higher than average - You know what you want, but sometimes know not to tell everyone. You value accomplishments and know you can get the job done, so don't be afraid to run out and make things happen. Your outlook on life can be bright or dark, depending on the situation. You are flexible and see things objectively.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

Ooh - I'm a different color today. i'll try it once more next week, and the amalgam of the three is probably most accurate.

you are steelblue #4682B4

Your dominant hues are cyan and blue. You like people and enjoy making friends. You're conservative and like to make sure things make sense before you step into them, especially in relationships. You are curious but respected for your opinions by people who you sometimes wouldn't even suspect. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is brighter than most people's. You like the idea of influencing things for the better and find hope in situations where others might give up. You're not exactly a bouncy sunshine but things in your world generally look up.

the spacefem.com html color quiz

you are darkolivegreen #556B2F

Your dominant hues are green and yellow. There's no doubt about the fact that you think with your head, but you don't want to be seen as boring and want people to know about your adventurous streak now and again. Your saturation level is medium - You're not the most decisive go-getter, but you can get a job done when it's required of you. You probably don't think the world can change for you and don't want to spend too much effort trying to force it. Your outlook on life is slightly darker than most people's. You try to see things for what they are and face situations honestly. You'd rather get to the point than look for what's good.

the spacefem.com html color quiz