sleading report. But the Alar scare and Oprah Winfrey’s alarm about beef are not isolated incidents. Farmers and food products are under attack by all sorts of people with there own agendas. They include animal rights and vegetarian groups, consumer activists, radical environmentalists and disgruntled union employees. Their targets have ranged from strawberries and grapes to meat and milk. Farmer’s don’t want to stop public discourse about food and food related issues. In fact, they would like to see more reporting of these issues. They only ask that it be balanced and fair. Their concern is that individuals promoting some philosophy or private agenda will dupe the news media and entertainment figures into spreading lies about food product and farm prices. Oprah Winfrey vs. Texas Cattlemen was especially interesting to me for three reasons. First of all, I grew up in Amarillo, Texas. Most of the people I grew up with had some connection to the beef industry. Secondly, my father is the president of a cattle company and is very involved in the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, and the National Cattlemen’s Association. I also have met Paul Engler, the man who pressed charges against Oprah. Finally, I’m a big fan of Oprah. I think she has a very positive effect of television with the exception of the April 16th 1996 show....
