Mad cows, mad Americans

[polkaroo79]

U.S. court says judge erred in keeping Canadian cattle out

No shit.

In a 56-page written opinion, the appeal court judges disputed that claim, suggesting that Cebull had been swayed by R-CALF's experts without properly considering the judgment and expertise of the USDA.Okay, you're a judge from Montana, a state that has a lot of cattle ranchers.

Comments

[ardin_resolute]

I think bias is the word. More so than either corrupt or incompetent. He might see his job as to uphold American values which including defending American interests.

[polkaroo79]

Yeah, but judges overturned it, calling it deeply flawed. His job is to interpret the law, not uphold American values, including defending American interests.

One could even question the American interests bit. Is he really protecting Americans? Or is he protecting American cattle ranchers at the expense of the rest of the population paying more for cattle prices? Which is more important in the argument of protecting "American interests?"

What happened was wrong. The USDA even recognizes that.

[anidada]

Let's hope Canadian farmers sue the pants off 'em. (If that's even possible.)

[polkaroo79]

I wouldn't mind them doing it for attention, but I doubt it'd amount to much. I mean how many times has NAFTA/WTO ruled against America in the softwood lumber issue? And they STILL ignore it. They'd prolly just do the same with the lawsuit. Bastards.

[siobhan63]

Which is why judges shouldn't be elected...

[polkaroo79]

Geebus. I forgot they do that over there. This explains much.

[anidada]

Amen. Nor sheriffs, nor district attorneys, for that matter.

[polkaroo79]

Nor presidents apparently ;)

[allhatnocattle]

I don't want to look into this too deeply for fear I'll overheat.

But really, the cattle ban was actually good for an industry that had been complacent with getting the easy money. 20years ago when Mulroney opened up beef imports from Argentina, Australia, etc and liberalized cattle trade between the USA and Canada, a strange side effect occured. We stopped exporting and instead turned to the eliminated border. Cattle crossed the 49th sometimes 4-5 times a year in search of cheap grain, etc. Many of our facilities here closed as it was just more economical to use American ones (where wages are less then our minimum).

Something you may not have heard is that Tyson and Lakeside are about to go on strike. This, right after the border opens. Tyson is American owned. Where Lakeside is out of Quebec (I believe). http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php/20050714113633322

[polkaroo79]

Kinda reminds me of how the low loonie made the manufacturing sector lazy cuz they were getting lots of contracts without having to be innovative or efficient.

I actually did hear about the Tyson/Lakeside thing, I think on siobhan63's site.