Branstad’s ‘pink slime’ stance is questionable

So, Gov. Terry Branstad and others are waging their own campaign to convince us that the media and non-meat-eating extremists are working to destroy jobs and smear the beef industry because of irrational fears about perfectly safe, delicious “pink slime”?

All while political candidates like him have accepted thousands of dollars in campaign donations from the producers of the stuff. Just politics you say.

Besides, beef processors are safely upcycling what might have gone to waste.

Why can't politicians fight for an industry that preserves jobs and authentic, safe and wholesome beef instead of pink slime? Fact is, potentially bacteria-ridden, ammoniated, pulverized, centrifuged and denatured offal is not what most unbought folks would consider “beef.”

Thanks to a diligent media and concerned, outspoken consumers, we now know what pink slime is and not many want to eat it, let alone buy it anymore.

I'd think that everyone in Branstad's camp would be clamoring to stand up and fight for this prime example of a healthy free market in action.

Thomas J. Havran

Urbana