Sandman says "Here's the deal as I see it, Randy. The USDA is not doing the job assigned to them. This BSE is nasty, nasty stuff and everything possible needs to be done to keep it out of here or eradicate it if we have it. For the USDA to abandon set policy just so the AMI can trade is totally unacceptable - and there is no way one can say policy was not changed for the Canada situation. Someone has to step up and yell "whoa". Considering what is at stake here, wouldn't you expect an organization representing ranchers to raise a stink?

The USDA went from a zero tolerance policy to one where they can't even define risk. They talk about using science, but is "low" a scientific measurement? If being upset about the USDA's handling of BSE is "protectionist", I unashamededly proclaim myself to be protectionist with a capital P. That outfit has to be held accountable to their assignment - they are risking our business. They get away with this now, what is coming down the pike?

Now I'm going to jab you a little, Randy. You think R-CALF is wrong for standing up to the USDA and you call them protectionist. You think the US should accept your product. Yet, how is Canada treating the product of other BSE positive countries? Is the CCA in favor of allowing European beef into your country? Are they in favor of allowing Japanese product into Canada? Both Europe and Japan have more extensive SRM removal and testing than you do. With that in mind, aren't you folks guilty of the same of which you curse R-CALF?"

Listen Sandhusker, UDSA is run by the packers. On that account, you and I will agree, and SH would challenge me.

USDA needs to be held accountable just as the CFIA. It may have to be the job of the producer groups of both of our countries to do this, however money rules every capitalist country in the world, and rules the non capitalist ones even more. I will not get into the left wing right wing BS on this post, but I will bluntly say again that money is at the root of all of this. Your talk about the dangers of BSE are bolstered by the fear mongers like Reader(the second) whose views support the BS that Rcalf has jumped all over to run down Canada.

Raise some stink, Sundhusker, keep your government honest, but don't tell me for a second that  Rcalf's aggressive actions toward the Canadian Cattleman have anything to do with anything but money.

Talking about Canada's regulations regarding trade with other countries is a diversion and nothing but. Canada and the USA are unique. We have traded beef and cattle so much that we do truely have an integrated market. Trying to divide the herd to make this a country battle was Rcalf's first mistake. You may have a few more flag wavers down there, but reality will settle in long before their flags need to be exchanged for new ones. I even sense a bit of dedication to Cattle producers rather than Americans in your tone lately.

If this cow is not the one that I predicted would be found before any boxed beef blockage caused Cargil and Tyson to loose the Canadian "Salomon run" of profits, another will.

Cargil and Tyson had no need before to pressure your USDA other than the BS support for AMI, and NMA in the court injunction. NOW THEY HAVE.The threat of a boxed beef closure is real, and Canadian officials talking of BSE testing is also finally real. The raping of Canadian producers was going to end one way or another, and I believe thay have decided to end it their way. Bury Rcalf, with a campaign to connect them to consumer confidence and their nonsense fear monguring. Open the border, and show the transparency of the US government.

Yah, I say BS to that last point too. But you boys at Rcalf have cooked your own goose, and the Canadians and folks like SH have warned you all along.

I hope that you enjoyed the run of cull cow prices Sandman, and I hope the loans you approved for your Rcalf buddies are secured by something other than cows. This thing is going to change drastically now, AND NO I am not going to enjoy watching producers of your country suffer. In fact, I will not even enjoy watching Rcalf dismantled by the greedy ones who find opportunity on the way down. We do need producer groups to oppose, and watch the actions of government, even if they wield little power. But when those producer groups become overrun with greed, and power hungry foolish leaders like Rcalf has, it's time for them to fall as well.