Chuck Grassley, PETA, and the Battle Over Meatless Monday
The longtime Iowa senator got into it with another group recently -- this time with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. And it all started, you guessed it, with a comment on his Twitter account.
Chuck Grassley is one carnivore the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals would like to see go extinct.
Grassley, a longtime farmer and Republican senator, bristled on Twitter earlier this month about the United States Department of Agriculture's statement in its interoffice newsletter posted on its website that participating in Meatless Mondays would be "one simple way to reduce your environmental impact while dining at our cafeterias."
"I will eat more meat on Monday to compensate for stupid USDA recommendation abt a meatless Monday," Grassley wrote in response on his now well-known Twitter account on July 12.
After an outcry from livestock producers and legislators such as Grassley and Rep. Steve King, the USDA later retracted its statement.
In response, PETA said on its website that it was taking bets on how long it would be before Grassley died of a meat-related illness, accusing the senator of cow-towing to beef lobbyists.
We're taking bets (place yours in the comments section below) on how long it will take Sen. Grassley to succumb to heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or some other meat-related disease.
This riled up conservative news outlets, and in response Sen. Grassley and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced today that they have decided to have a "Meat Monday," featuring barbeque beef brisket, ribs, and sausage from Hill Country BBQ restaurant.
"This is a reminder to USDA that it’s supposed to advocate for American agriculture, not against it,” Grassley said in the release.
And if that didn't make the point strong enough, Grassley continued to taunt PETA via his Twitter account.
"PETA : I'm at the CedarFalls Bible Conferennce91stAnnual banquet eating meat Pass along to USDA meatless Monday campaign"
Erv Server
10:35 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
A person can support Meatless Monday and yet still support Iowa farmers, who produce many products besides meat.
Lise Hernandez
8:29 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Thank you Senator Grassley for your common sense. Everything in moderation. Shame on PETA!
Jeff Klinzman
9:09 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Chuck Grassley deciding to pork out on meat on Mondays is just as stupid as Sarah What's-Her-Face and her husband being photographed eating at Chick-Fil-A. Both are examples of juvenile behavior passing itself off as "conservatism."
Hey Chuckles, I have a fantastic spinach lasagne recipe you should try!
Troy Murphy
11:25 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
I have an awesome recipe for smoked and salted cheval that Senator Grassley should try on one of his Mondays. It is actually quite delicious. You might actually like it as well Jeff.