Eat mor chikin

But the beef at my supermarket is fine, right?

Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns said Friday the U.S. government is investigating a shipment of American beef to Japan that may have contained material considered at risk for mad cow disease, a discovery that prompted Japan to announce another halt to beef imports.

Johanns ordered several actions intended to reassure the Japanese.

"We take this matter very seriously," the secretary said in a statement. "We are in communication with Japanese officials and we will continue that dialogue to assure them that we take this matter very seriously and we are acting swiftly and firmly."

You know, I think I'll read the writing on the wall now rather than later having to listen to more idiotic quotes like "We take this matter very seriously" (way to meet those minimum standards, guys) and calls for investigations after mad cow lands me in the hospital.

In case you're wondering, this isn't a safety issue, it's a money issue. After years of pressure from the Bush administration, the Japanese in December finally opened its lucrative beef market to the questionable American beef supply. And now this.

Too bad the administration didn't take food safety seriously from the beginning. You think the corners that have been cut will make up for the nearly $1.5 billion the industry stands to lose if the Japanese once again impose a long-term ban on American beef?

Ignoring safety regulations. It's good for business.