Senators protest call for "Meatless Mondays"

www.grassley.senate.gov/

A pair of Republican senators on Monday protested a Department of Agriculture call for participation in a "Meatless Mondays" initiative by ordering staffers beef brisket, ribs, and sausage from a Washington barbeque restaurant.

"In some of the toughest times they've seen in recent memory, Texas cattle ranchers and farmers deserve an Administration who works with them, not one who undermines them with boneheaded decisions from bureaucrats in Washington," Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said in a statement.

Added Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa: "This is a reminder to USDA that it's supposed to advocate for American agriculture, not against it."

The cattle-state senators, who ordered the food from Hill Country Barbecue, were responding to a message published in a USDA interoffice newsletter last week that read, "One simple way to reduce your environmental impact while dining at our cafeterias is to participate in the 'Meatless Monday' initiative."

Meatless Monday, which comes in part from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, is designed to encourage Americans to eat less meat to reduce their risk of cancer, diabetes and other diseases while benefiting the environment.

The USDA's call for employees to participate in Meatless Monday prompted anger from the meat industry and a backlash online; among those who complained on Twitter was Iowa Republican Rep. Steve King, who posted, "USDA HQ meatless Mondays!! At the Dept. of Agriculture? Heresy! I'm not grazing there. I will have the double rib-eye Mondays instead."

Last Tuesday, the USDA retracted the call for employees to participate in Meatless Monday, saying the appeal had been posted without proper clearance. A copy of the newsletter, which was taken offline, can be found here.

Grassley's office publicized Monday's protest by posting the above photograph of their Hill Country Barbecue takeout order.

Grassley aide Jill Kozeny told the Des Moines Register that the senator was eating meat throughout the day, including a beef sandwich at lunch.

"Sen. Grassley didn't have meat for breakfast but he had some beef jerky after lunch, for good measure, and he's planning on a steak tonight," she said.

[WHAT-IS-HE-SMOKING]

Some people have to have meatless days, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE MEAT!!! But heck, the senators don't have to worry about that because they can afford meat every day.

[magnumdr]

These people can ask for whatever they want to ask for but they can shove it where the sun don't shine when they try to control our personal lives!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rharrin1]

Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, is designed to encourage Americans to eat less meat to reduce their risk of cancer, diabetes and other diseases while benefiting the environment.

Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa would rather have you get cancer than skip meat for one day a week.

"This is a reminder to USDA that it's supposed to advocate for American agriculture, not against it."

Seems they think it is okay to work against the country as they have been doing.

[thehomelessguy]

Scroo people's health, we've got money to make!

[Eco99]

Why don't they pass out packs of cigarettes as well. I would think it a big deal if they demanded but I see nothing wrong with promoting healthy habits as long as people still have the freedom of choice. I also find it hypocritical that they abhor government suggesting what you can or cannot eat but still think it is acceptable to decide what a woman can or cannot do with her body. Talk about hypocrisy.

[krisd999-2009]

Roast piglet Saturdays..mmm...Lets see how long before Bloomberg starts imposing his Kosher laws on everyone...oh wait..he has started already...

[Ulgnud]

Let them say whatever they want. I decide what to eat.

[nearl451]

Your pocketbook will dictate after the drought effects hit.

[wfw3536]

Just another example of Obama's big government trying to tell us what to do, and let's not forget Obama doesn't believe businesses make it on their, but as result of big government.

[retmw1]

I would like to see you start a business on your own with no help, like bank or government small business loans or even investers. Every small business I know of that started all got loans.

[Ulgnud]

True enough. Not all guzzled at the Government handout trough when building their business. Many used loans from banks. Which were paid back. Their only government input was the taxman skimming their profits.

[Transatlantique]

Its too bad that meat, like cigarettes, doesn't kill the consumers of them quicker.

[rubberrezi]

I hope the USDA employee who initiated this will have the balls to stick up for it.

[Rafterman11]

No, tb91006, that is just one of many diets out there and no one can prove what is "the best".

[ultraskygod]

tb: i am a long time conservative, and a long time vegetarian. to equate diet with political ideology is dumb.