When I was in Omaha in November of 2004, during a family reunion, a case of suspected mad cow was reported in the United States.
It was front page news in the Omaha World Herald that entire week of November. What was interesting though, was the immediate reaction, across the board, of the World-Herald and all of the TV commentary. It was stated that the suspected mad cow event was untrue, never happened. A mistake.
What is so interesting about this is that the USDA released the inforomation of the suspected case of mad cow on November 18. By the next day, the World-Herald and every other news outlet in the state of Nebraska seemed to be saying it wasn’t really true. Meat industry spokespersons were saying the same. And, on November 23, the USDA was stating that more tests have now shown the suspected case of mad cow was a false alarm.
It really struck me at the time as an excellent example of industry spinning not only the news, but the USDA. It was so obvious back then. And, sure enough, the issue was swept under the rug.
But, such bulges of dirt have a way of becoming more apparent down the line…
From UPI on May 2,2005:“Feds probing alleged mad cow cover-up”-
Lester Friedlander, a former USDA veterinarian, told UPI he was questioned recently by two representatives from the USDA’s Office of Inspector General who were investigating statements he made before Canada’s Parliament in April.“I told them I think there’s a cover-up,” said Friedlander, a 10-year veteran of the USDA who received official praise and recognition for outstanding performance during his tenure with the agency. [...]
In November 2004, a cow tested positive on two initial rapid tests, but it subsequently was ruled negative by the USDA on a different test. BSE-testing experts and consumer groups have questioned the agency’s rationale for not using a third type of test — called a Western blot — on the cow that may have helped clear up any confusion about whether the animal was infected.
But, confusion was exactly what they wanted, and it is what they got.
