The problem was more prosaic than an "evil" woman getting her kicks. But, you do love to personalize.
There were once local abattoirs. The EEC changed that to fewer large abattoirs. The beef had to travel a distance across country, taking the Mad Cow with it. So, what might have been a local problem became a countrywide epidemic.
The animals could have been vaccinated, but the government feared it would put off foreign buyers - so they weren't. Agriculture brings in about $1 billion a year. Tourism brings in $5 billion. So, the tourists were prevented from traipsing around the English countryside - which is a joy.
Come to think of it, the English don't seem to appreciate their countryside. A few years ago, I walked the 14 miles from Wareham to Swanage one lovely summer Dorset day - using footpaths across country (along with some paths I made on the spot). (No dank, dark redwoods - the forests were deciduous and alive!)
Met no-one along the way, except around Corfe Castle, where I stopped for an excellent Cottage Pie - not a good decision with 6-7 miles to go.
Similar experience walking in a large 11 mile circle around the South Downs - perhaps 15-20 miles from downtown London. Hardly a soul was encountered - except at the pub for lunch and Bass.
Harry
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Brad wrote:
Ray Evans Harrell wrote:Hi Brad, Actually, I had forgotten about those VPs but I do remember the daughter of that government official in the UK eating a hamburger on television to prove that the beef was OK during the mad cow situation.Does anybody recall Maggie Thatcher herself getting on TV and eating a hamburger?At least one real-life Brit told me matter-of-factly that the reason for Mad Cow disease was that Maggie cut the nunber of meat inspectors. I call it: Mad Thatcher Disease. And, why not quote that great New Scientist cartoon again: Albert the laboratory rat ------------------------- The British magazine New Scientist had a cartoon series, ca. 1980: "Albert the laboratory rat". Each week Albert had a different adventure in the world of science. One episode began with the Lab Director being "made redundant" (AKA "laid off", fired...) by Margaret Thatcher, as a cost saving measure. Next frame: Albert is appointed new Lab Director (presumably at lower salary than the former director). Next frame: Albert hires back the former Lab Director as the new laboratory rat. Final frame: Albert relaxes in his director's chair, popping positive reinforcement cookies with one front paw, and pressing the button on a box with his other paw to administer electric shocks to the new lab rat. Through a one-way mirror, we and Albert watch the former Director writhing in pain from the shocks Albert is administering. Maybe Reagan really has CJD and "they" are keeping it hushed up to avoid public hysteria and embarrassing Maggie? Wake up Maggie, I've something to say to you.... (--Rod Stewart song) \brad mccormick
****************************** Harry Pollard Henry George School of LA Box 655 Tujunga CA 91042 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: (818) 352-4141 Fax: (818) 353-2242 *******************************
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