I use this phrase metaphorically, not literally, to describe yesterday's events. We have a new president and a new administration and that means new rules, regulations and oversight of our meat and poultry industry. Do we cower in trepidation as those new in power exact changes? Hell, no! We continue to fight for our share of the consumer’s stomach. But as part of that fight, we had better be ready to lead, follow or get out of the way on all things relating to climate change.

I keep harping on climate change — see here, here and here — and I am not going to stop. By elevating a climate "czar" to Cabinet-level status, the new administration is going to keep harping on it as well. We can either get on the climate change express or kibitz from the sidelines as we watch it leave the station, along with any influence we might want to exert. We are left with a Sophie’s choice of attempting to either discredit any claim of animal production contributing to climate change or to do something about the contributions of GHGs from animal production.

More disturbing to me and, I hope to you as well, two weeks ago, in our nation’s capital, acts of domestic terrorism set the stage for monumental change in our country. Regrettably, it may become commonplace soon to see our cities’ streets patrolled by the National Guard, razor wire-topped fences and block after block cordoned off just like we now see in Washington, D.C.

Watching the domestic terrorism unfold, my emotions ran the gamut from sadness as I viewed the destruction to our nation’s Capitol to disbelief that such an insurrection could happen here. I initially thought that the predominantly white, male, camouflage-dressed despot-inflamed terrorists brandishing various weapons from sticks to flag poles to even firearms and bombs were a misguided few. Alas, they were a large mob primed by continued lies of a stolen election and thus incited to overthrow our democracy caring little for who or what they destroyed. Their faces were contorted in anger spewing venomous bleatings about their rights to protest in a pitiable attempt to foment a coup d'état.

Anger was my next emotion when I saw one rioter carrying a Confederate flag with all its racist symbolism through the National Statuary Hall. To see the camouflaged military wannabes lounging in the Speaker’s office or on the House and Senate floors further fueled my anger.

Then, to see those riotous traitors debauch our Capitol, intimidate members of Congress and their staffs who were hiding in locations nearly breached by the rioters, and kill or injure the Capitol police defenders while shouting their misguided allegiance masquerading as an oath to the U.S. Constitution seditiously incited by our now twice-impeached President just infuriated me.

Now I was more than mad; I wanted revenge. Maybe that will occur soon, as the rioters and all who incited them are identified and brought before the bar of justice. However, after reflection, an old French saying came to mind: “Revenge is a dish best served cold.” Meaning it is better to deliver retribution for an injustice after time has passed and can be done dispassionately with more satisfaction. So, I will wait to savor that revenge dish.

Is this blog the forum to fulminate about the insurrection that took place on 6 January 2021? I am sure some will say that this is a meat and poultry blog, not a forum for political discussion. Well, this is an opinion evidencing my disgust at the insurrection, its aftermath of changes, a new administration’s impact on our meat and poultry industry and, I hope, a discussion incorporating your comments.

We must adapt to these changes, or at the very least marshal well thought-out arguments to debate, and hopefully convince the new administration of our rightful place in society. My future blogs will discuss in more detail how we can do that.

In the meantime, as if I didn’t have to ask, please let me know your thoughts and reactions to the insurrection, resultant societal change, a new administration and what we as an industry and citizens can or should do about it all. Thanks in advance.

'The King is dead, long live the king'

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