A Real Downer At The USDA

If nothing else, Ann Veneman deserves recognition just for the ability she’s demonstrated to roam free as a buckaroo through the back plains of the Bush Administration.

While cow bosses like Cheney, Ashcroft and Rumsfeld are well known for branding enemies and prodding their agenda, Veneman has been virtually invisible as she’s lead agricultural and environmental regulations and safeguards to the slaughterhouse.

While the public and mass media might have been caught grazing, hopefully the specter of Mad Cow will cut a circle around the Agriculture Department, halter its lead rider, and help de-horn her maverick protection of big agribusiness.