Thursday, July 26, 2012

Fire The Ones Responsible


I’m in full agreement with America’s beef and dairy industries as they call bull on USDA. In an online newsletter to its employees, USDA had the audacity to encourage people to go green by promoting “Meatless Monday” as a means of preventing climate change. Talk about a slap in the face!
Last I checked, USDA had a very specific duty to promote and champion American agriculture. Imagine Ford or Chevy discouraging the purchase of their pickup trucks. Anyone else see the absurdity? How about the betrayal?

In response to USDA’s outlandish and extremist views, Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas challenged Sec. of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to justify these appalling endorsements. USDA responded by backpedalling and claiming the offending comments slipped through the cracks without proper clearance. The agency went on to say it did not endorse “Meatless Monday.” Thanks, but no thanks.

Perhaps the best apology would be to fire the person or persons responsible for distributing these treasonous comments. Why should our hardworking beef producers be paying the uninformed enemy’s salary? Without delay, the responsible parties have got to go.

At a time when historical droughts are threatening the livelihoods of our beef producers and diminishing our food supply, the last thing we need is a USDA that adds insult to injury. Shame on you, USDA. You deserve all the bull you get.

16 comments:

Darryl A Baker said...

Nope. I am a meat eater and I have been doing meatless monday for almost 2 years now. Nothing whatsoever wrong with foregoing meat just one day a week. Get a clue and get over it, dude. You are wrong on this.

Jett said...

I do not appreciate your calling this action treasonous. Perhaps you disagree with it, but to call it treasonous insinuates that everyone who does not eat meat is treasonous. I am a loyal American, and my ancestors fought as patriots in the revolution. How dare you!

Unknown said...

Treason? Really? I would think a little less meat in our diets is a fine idea. We also grow a lot of fruits, vegetables, and grains in this country. Wasn't that what they were suggesting. I mean if they were saying we should have French Fries then I could understand the treason charge(unless we could call them Freedom Fries of course). I think you may be a little off base with the treason charge.

Unknown said...

This is ridiculous. Vegetables are also agricultural products. Once a week --- whoopie. Eating less beef not only leaves a smaller ecological footprint -- it also leads to weight loss, something the majority of Texans need. Oh, and I'm the daughter of a Texas farmer who also raised beef.

Unknown said...

Oh come on. I guess free speech only works one way with you. If you are so convinced not eating beef on Monday will result in a Communist takeover, engage in a real debate.

Bristi said...

I completely agree with you Mr. Commissioner. Eating meatless isn’t a shortcut to saving the planet or eating healthy. Lean beef provides one of the best sources of protein available, not to mention zinc, iron and B vitamins that are needed for a healthy diet. While I love my veggis, they can be served right next to a number of lean meats including beef every day of the week. Any industry would be outraged had a governing agency, like the USDA, whose purpose is to promote all facets of agriculture promoted the non-use of a certian commodity. Plus of all government agencies the USDA has a ton of information that shows producing beef today requires significantly less land, water and energy than it did 30 years ago. Today's ranchers are doing a great job producing more food with fewer number of cattle. As a cattle producer and supporter of the agricultural industry as a whole, the USDA has made a huge mistake by supporting meatless Mondays.

Anonymous said...

The use of the word is obviously not meant to imply treason against the government. I might have picked another one but it demonstrates the outrage over the USDA betraying livestock farmers. Meatless Monday is political, start to finish. A stone broke federal government should not be spending money on it anyway. Ranchers appreciate the Commissioner's support.

Unknown said...

I think several of us are surprised and a bit disgruntled at the USDA "Meatless Money" recomendation. While I don't have a problem with individuals deciding the direction of their diet, I don't think this recommendation by the USDA is good for agriculure.

Agriculture is an intricate, complicated structure of various parts. Beef production is one of those parts. Let's not trip the balance by foolish statements particularly by an agency that is supposed to support all segements.

Commissioner Staples use of the word treason actually falls under one of the defintions of the word..."betrayal of trust or confidence....disloyalty." I think a number of beef producers would have these feelings toward the USDA statement.

Strong statement Commissioner. I support you.

Suzie Wilde said...

I don't and won't go Meatless Anyday. Thanks for standing up for a vital Texas industry Mr. Commissioner.

Katrina said...

Commissioner Staples, I applaud you for standing up for the hard-working ranchers who feed this country and others without sacrificing the environment.

Many experts agree the way we raise livestock in the U.S. should be considered a model for the rest of the world. In fact, the U.S. produces 20 percent of the world’s beef with 7 percent of the world’s cattle.

Additionally, giving up meat isn't as good for your health as some might lead you to believe. In fact, eliminating high-quality animal protein from the diet can have a serious impact on public health.

Again, thanks for standing up for ranchers and up to USDA. They really missed the mark on this one!

Ron R said...

Meat of all types is good - beef, poultry, pork, fish. A meatless day on occasion is OK - if peanut butter is involved. Tying a meatless day to a particular week day sure sounds like an organized state religion to me. Your opinion may vary.

Melissa said...

Really,Treasonouse for the USDA - United States Department of Agriculture - to support not only meat but vegetables, fruits & grains - all products also produced in the USA??? Get a grip & get fired up over something of real importance, like how climate change is affecting weather patterns and Americans ability to produce not only meat but other food stuffs.

Suzie Wilde said...

Hats off to the Commissioner for standing up for an industry that is vital to Texas.

ImperiumD001 said...

You and commenter Gene above are making Texas ranchers look bad. There is nothing treasonous or expensive about an internal memo encouraging USDA staff to forgo meat one day a week for better health and to reduce petroleum consumption. Helping to increase longevity and reduce dependence on oil by just distributing an email memo is exactly the opposite of treasonous.

Lobbying against better testing for BSE is treason. You're putting the brains of America in peril just to save a buck. You're exactly the kind of lobbyist we need to kick out of the halls of government.

Crystal Gable said...

Meatless Monday is an excellent idea. Go check out online stats on coronary artery disease, Todd Staples. Guess where cholesterol comes from?

Unknown said...

I am embarrassed for you, Mr. Secretary. As an expert on agriculture, you must be well aware of the demonstrated benefits of good eating habits on personal health, if not the environment. As a political leader in Texas, your office is supported by tax-payer money to advocate for the welfare of the people in Texas, not profitability for a few corporations. As a role model for the future leaders of Texas, you might reconsider using language that is inaccurate, combative, and causes more problems that it solves. Perhaps, now is the time to issue a polite and sincere apology to the hard working employees at the USDA and start our own Meatless Monday program in Taxes. And, by the way, Detroit is making more smaller, energy efficient cars and making record profits.