In honor of those horses that probably died today (Mar 10) in direct opposition to the EXPRESSED wishes of the MAJORITY of Americans, lets look at the good old 

United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

Gee.. the name implies paid for by tax dollars and maybe intended to benifit all Americans... But, as a one-time mentor of mine used to say

"Your actions speak so loudly, that I can't hear what you're saying"

Horse Slaughter. 
For all practical purposes, there is no consumption of commercial horsemeat in America even though it is legal in many states.  Maybe some folks do it on their own farms, but the sale of it in grocery stores and resturants generally require large signs and labels that it is horsemeat.. how often have you seen these?  More evidence would be the 2006 Ag Appropriation Bill (Jun/Sep 2005) that banned the use of tax dollars to pay for inspection of horsemeat.  This was clearly intended to stop horse slaughter and passed by a 2/3 majority of representatives/senators who represented Americans.  The bill, hugely celebrated by horse advocates, was intended to take effect in Mar 2006.  Now, in Feb, less than 45 days prior to the bill taking effect and without any public comment, the USDA enacted an interim regulation (we lowly Americans don't have a vote on these) to permit the three foreign owned companies, pretty much the sole benificiaries of horse slaughter in America, to pay for their own inspection services.  Read this article from the Washington Post that describes the double-talk the USDA used to justify this action.

Mad Cow Disease (BSE)
We should all be concerned about BSE.  It is a potential source of a horrible and deadly disease.  The Europeans have seen this first hand.  According to some American authorities (the USDA included), we haven't had any incidents in the US.  BSE has been identified in three US cows.  This resulted in a boycot (ban) of American Beef by several countries, including Japan.  Along comes Creekstone Farms, producer of "Natural and Premium Black Angus Beef" who are proud of their "Certified Humane Raised and Handled" products (Animals must receive a nutritious diet free of antibiotics or hormones and must be raised with shelter, resting areas and space that are sufficient to support natural behavior.) 

They want to conduct voluntary testing of 100% of their beef, that would enable them to export meet to France and Japan.  See their page at this link.  They sent staff to France to learn the exact techniques and wanted to use the exact same testing procedures as the countries did.  The USDA, after a drawn out stonewalling, denied their request to do this testing at their own expense!  See this explaination of why the USDA dis-approved their request, scroll down to the title "split within the industry".  Basically, the USDA does not want to do anything that will open the door for 100% testing because they know that the thousands of downer cows each year probably do point to more BSE in American cattle than they care to admit.  So, while the French and Japaneese are safe, we lowly American's have to rely on random, often influenced, monitoring programs that are actually designed to protect profits of the commercial cattle industry.

Raw Milk

National Animal Identification System (NAIS)

And there are a few others, but its getting late, so will update this post again later.

You know... the spin cycle... started off as a name for what politicians did during campaigns, but is pretty much how certain groups promote their interests (sometimes called agendas). 

It's normal, healthy and WONDERFUL to live in a country were people are free to promote those things that interest them.  BUT some groups tend to use mis-direction, mis-information, okay, some just down right lie (even if only by conscious omission)... the groups that seem most prone to this are usually driven by a profit motive (or are controlled by those with a profit motive).

I think its important for the rest of the story, the other side of the story and maybe even the alternatives to be made known... So that is what is here.  Okay, and some are here because they are REAL attempts that are just SO outrageous.  It isn't my intention to bash any specific group, but you'll notice that some groups may appear repeatedly... not because my intention is to single them out, but rather because... well... they just tend to use the 'spin' more often than others.