Groveling Degrades our Cattlemen and Our Country

Groveling degrades our cattlemen and our country! Are we in or out? When this article went to press we were out, by the time it's published we might be back in or have been in and back out again. I cannot keep track, but I will tell you I am appalled and embarrassed that our government is forced to grovel at the feet of the Japanese to get them to lift the sanctions against our beef. American beef, not just any commodity, rather the essence of our national identity. American ranchers, cattlemen and cowboys are respected icons for what is right, just and free about our country and I for one am tired that the Japanese continue to snub their nose at them. Beef it's, "what's for dinner," it's what has always been for dinner for generations of Americans, on average we eat about 60 -75 lbs per year per person. While beef is good enough for our children, our soldiers fighting in Iraq and our world class athletes, apparently it is not good enough for the Japanese. In fact, in a recent poll found that 75% of Japanese's consumers are afraid to eat it. Imagine performing your job above average and still receiving the pink slip. That is what it feels like to raise cattle today. Aided by the latest technology and genetic advances our cattlemen produce an exceptional product yet must jump through hoop after hoop to gain "tippy- toe" access to Japans lucrative market worth 1.4 billion dollars annually with the caveat that if Japan bans, other major Asian beef importers fall like dominos. I am saddened at the "heads will roll" rhetoric towards inspectors and Atlantic Veal and Lamb, the company responsible for shipping veal with traces of backbone (a big no-no- under Japans rigid guidelines). The company president admitted to what he called an "honest mistake involving a very small amount of product". The piece of veal in question came from an animal younger then four months and it is a well-known fact in the beef industry that cattle this age does not contract BSE, so the risk of mad cow was virtually nonexistent. A show of support for our countrymen responsible for this honest mistake would have sent a much stronger message to the Japanese. By cow towing to their officials and offering heads on a platter we only continue to fuel fear. If we roll over like a submissive puppy, regrettably, there will be many many more "honest" mistakes and other competent individuals will lose their jobs over dialog that eventually will become indistinguishable from strong-arm tactics. Japan boasts that it has the most stringent food safety standards in the world. Hogwash! The same people that won't touch our juicy t-bones or ribs for fear of mad cow, snack on chicken cartilage, eels, raw and even live fish. This is a country where takos are not filled with cooked ground beef, Takos, are octopus tendrils, preferably cut from a live animal so they move and squirm while eaten. I wonder what stringent inspections salamanders go through prior to being served up on a stick, or the health standards required for Shiokara (squid served in a fermented sauce of fish and squid guts) While there hasn't been a death from mad cow in the U.S tragically 100-300 Japanese reportedly die each year from eating a delicacy called Fugu poisonous puffer fish, yet absurdly they focus on the safety of US beef, Hummmmm&&&something is"fishy" here. These sanctions against our beef have nothing to do with quality. This is a political ping-pong game with our cattlemen being swatted back and forth. If the Japanese continue to play their version of hard ball, which ultimately consists of degrading an industry that not only fueled a developing nation, but continues to feed the most powerful country in the world, I say its time our politicians implement the unwritten code of the west. Those in Washington who do not know it should read James P. Owens insightful book beautifully photographed by David Stoecklein, titled Cowboy Ethics, What Wall Street Can Learn from the Code of the West. Owens lists cowboy principles we would do well to embrace when trading with the Japanese. "Live Each Day with Courage, Take Pride in Your Work, Always Finish What You Started, Do what has to be Done, Be Tough, but Fair, When you make A Promise Keep it, Ride for the Brand, Talk Less and Say More, Remember That Some Things Aren't For sale and Know Where to Draw the Line" If our politicians won't ride for the brand, we can! When the Japanese ban our beef, boycott their products. If they won't accept traces of bone in their cuts, then ship them rocky mountain oysters.