Beef: It's the downer that's for dinner.

A few weeks ago, the USDA was shocked (shocked!) to learn of an undercover investigation by the Humane Society that exposed a California slaughterhouse forcing sick and diseased (so-called "downer") cattle into the hamburger supply chain for the National School Lunch Program, right under the nose of USDA inspectors. The prospect of an outraged citizenry watching callous ranch hands using taxpayer dollars to turn abused cows into diseased meat products for underpriveliged children was simply too much to bear for Washington bureaucrats, who promptly initiated the largest beef recall in the history of the United States.

It's fairly obvious why the USDA decided to "do" something. The undercover video is not a pretty sight:



But these hideous and illegal practices really shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone -- least of all to the USDA. As this 1993 video by the Farm Sanctuary shows, California slaughterhouses have been violating cattle, health regulations, and the public trust for several decades:



Ironically, this 15-year-old video ends with a sincere but pathetic call to action, urging viewers to contact the USDA to put an end to the abuse. That strategy didn't work too well, it seems.

So now we know the extent of the USDA's "leadership" on this issue.

Monument to Antigravity

Rock sculpture at Tennessee Valley Beach, Marin Headlands, Calif.

Best Handsfree Solution for Cars

Everyone knows it's prudent to use a handsfree phone setup while driving. Trouble is, traditional Bluetooth headsets just aren't very suitable for use in cars. Here's why:

Option # 1: While still parked, you can attach an unsightly headset to your ear in anticipation of answering a call while driving. Downside: It's a pain to remember to do this, and you'll look and feel like a dork with a blinking headset on your ear the entire time you're driving -- especially when you're not talking to anyone.

Option # 2: Leave the handsfree headset within reach. If a call comes in while you're driving, attempt to answer the call on your mobile phone while simultaneously fumbling for and mounting the wireless headset on your ear; this is especially fun in the dark. Downside: Driving into a ditch while your attention is diverted by dealing with not just one but two pieces of equipment.



The BlueAnt Supertooth II Handsfree Speakerphone solves this dilemma. Simply mount it on your visor with the included magnetic clip, pair it with your phone, and you're set. When a call comes in, just press the button on the speakerphone to answer the call. There's no fumbling, and no hardware stuck to your head. What's more, the built-in speaker is loud and clear, and the noise cancellation system works wonders. Top marks for this gadget -- it's well worth the money.