What people are saying to Howard and Oprah

More of what people are saying
about this trial
Copyright, 1998 VegSource
Permission to reprint granted as long as credit given to
VegSource with url http://www.vegsource.org

Dear Ms. winfrey:

As a lifelong resident of amarillo, texas, my most sincere apologies to you personally and professionally for A. Being the object of a frivilous lawsuit filed by alcoholic trust babies and nuts. B. The manner in which our new Chamber of Commerce fearless leader showed the lower part of his anatomy.

Amarillo has long been the hotbed of stupidity and opinionated bigotry. Thus the nick name "Jackass flats" Our current so called city leaders are simply there because no one with any sense wants to deal with the "good ole boy" structure, many of whom are parties to this lawsuit directly and indirectly.

As an example, we had an incident summer before last where an hispanic family brought a 250 lb hog into their backyard, gave their 12 year old son a baseball bat and forced him to try and kill the hog for a backyard bar-b-que. when the child was only able to brain damage the animal, the entire family picked up bats and tire tools and beat the animal to death. Outraged neighbors called the police and animal control. The family was not found to be in violation of animal cruelty laws because they were going to eat the animal after dressing it out on a door in the alley and throwing the offal in the dumpster behind their home as well as washing the blood down the alley.

as a result the animal control board voted to recommend to the city commission that a city ordinance be passed that outlawed the slaughter of animals inside the city limits and suggested that the city make some provision for requiring hunters bringing wild game into the city to process the game out of public view. Our brilliant mayor and city commission tried to pass (and did on first reading) an ordinance saying that it would be unlawful to slaughter animals in public view but not out of public view. HUH? this piece of legal lunacy was not appreciated by anyone and the Mayor backed off. Subsequently one of the commissioners introduced a proposal months ago to make it unlawful to slaughter livestock, sheep and goats inside the city limits. The mayor and other members of the commision have refused to hear the proposed ordinance. the mayor insists that it is a plot by animal rights activists, one of the commissioners thinks it's ok by the bible to kill animals. Another commissioner thinks it would hamper the activities of hunters.

Bottom line. It is legal in Amarillo, Texas a city of 180.000 to slaughter a pig, steer, goat, sheep , dog, cat, or gerbil inside the city limits in any form or fashion.

Why would we think there would enough sanity to refrain from suing any and everyone who gets in the way of the small town mentality of a group of power midgets and penny politicians. So sorry you have been a victim of boubon and branch water mentality.

Many of us are cheering you on publically.
Lifetime Amarillo Resident.

Dear Mr. Engler (plaintiff):
I want to thank you for bringing your lawsuit against Oprah. I lost a loved one to CJD in Texas last year and without your publicity, we would have had a much harder time convincing the public about the possible dangers that might be lurking in our food supply around the world.

I can't help but chuckle at the fact that your attornies tried to keep the public in the dark with your gag order. Didn't you realize that this would only add fuel to the fire? Silence breeds speculation both false and fact.

I am not anti-beef; my family is in the cattle business. We must be responsible and instead of trying to cover up the possibility of spreading BSE, we need to make sure every cattle rancher is taking all of the steps necessary to ensure that this disease does not run rampant here.

I wish you could witness first-hand someone dying from CJD. I was with my loved one when they died. It was the worst experience in my life. They went from healthy to dead in less than 6 weeks. We don't know that something they ate caused CJD, but we also don't know that it didn't. I wish you would have used to money you spent to fight Oprah to fund research
for CJD and nvCJD.
Texas

Dear Cattlemen:
You should be ashamed of yourselves and not just because you are suing Oprah Winfrey, that is not the point. You should be ashamed of yourselves, because now your group is just another one of those groups that will sue anybody for anything. It sad that the judicial system is clutter with this type of "muck" when we have more important issues on the block to deal with. Do you realize we have kids killing kids, we have kids involved with drugs, and we definitely have more pressing matters to address than this nonsense. I feel that people all over the country are thinking "those ignorant southerners are being stupid again" and that upsets me. I am ashamed that a southerner does not have more dignity than your group is displaying.
Texas

Oprah and Mr. Lyman: I find it hard to believe that a law such as the one you are being sued over is constitutional. Be that as it may, I am very happy you are bringing this law under public scrutiny. You gave the cattle industry equal time on your program, which was not even necessary. All Americans have a right to express their opinions (even if large industries disagree with those opinions), and that right cannot be applied selectively to those who don't host television programs. Americans who feel concern for civil rights are behind you 100%. Good luck for the trial and I hope you continue to bring us informative and interesting programs.
Champaign, IL

You've helped our cause more than anyone... Well except for maybe the cattlemen! I am a member of a support group formed
to join families of CJD (Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease) victims called CJD Voice. The publicity of the Oprah vs. the Cattlemen has brought CJD to the front page of millions of papers across the country. CJD was also made a reportable disease in Texas as the trial pressed on fast and furious. CJD has gotten more exposure in the recent weeks than we could have hoped for in
several years to come. Our support group has added almost 50 members since the start of the trial and they keep multiplying by the day! Thank you Oprah for having the courage to air this show, THANK YOU, Howard for having the intestinal fortitude to speak out publicly. And although I hate to draw attention to them...... thanks to the cattlemen for "beefing" up the press and bringing CJD to the light. I do not have any personal grudges for cattlemen... my grandfather, whom I adored, was a cattleman and very proud of it. For this reason I shall maintain a certain degree of respect.
Florida

Perhaps it would be nice to question whether then President Bush should be questioned about that "green stuff" he would'nt eat! I do'nt think any vegetable growers decided to sue him!
Hopkinsville, Ky.

Is anyone interested in getting together in amarillo for a free speech protest on 3/15/98?
thanks,
coalition for free speech
Atlanta, GA

Oprah: I have long been a fan of yours, but that fact gives me no greater pride than right now. I'm not anti-beef, but anti-good old boy attitude. You, my dear, are right in the heart of it. And from the sounds of it, may actually be beating it!!

I lived in that part of the country for most of my life, I know how incensed powerful women, blacks, and anyone who goes up against the system can make those good old boys. I was even dumb enough to be married to a full fledged member of that association for awhile.I've known for many years that you were a multi-talented, creative person, I just never realized ya had enough clout to influence the beef market. My prayers are with you and my fingers are crossed. The only thing that smells worse than their suit against you, is one of the actual feedlots.
GO FOR IT OPRAH!!!!
Alaska

Oprah: Those ranchers have been on the range too long. They have not heard of freedom of speech OR truth and the American way. They have made themselves the laughing STOCK of the nation, in my opinion. We support you in your quest of bring the truth to the American public. So get them.
Mississippi

Dear Oprah: Thank you from the bottom of my big ol' Texas heart for having to guts to stand up and tell the truth about the possibility of Mad Cow (nvCJD) in the U.S. My dad died from CJD in Texas in May 1997. I have spent every spare moment researching this disease and talking to other families in Texas (and around the country) about this terrible disease.

I know this trial has been extremely hard on you (heaven forbid being stuck in Amarillo, Texas for months!!), but because of your show, CJD has had more publicity in two months than what we would have normally gained in 10 years! I laugh every time I think of how much negative publicity these cattlemen brought upon themselves -- the very thing they tried to squelch with the gag order!

Thank you so much. We love you, your precious personality and your show! Keep on informing the public -- you are doing a wonderful job!
Fort Worth, TX

Dear Oprah:

I am a fourth-generation Texan/Houstonian. I am in my early 40's, educated and have been a "career woman" until last year when I decided to quit and spend more time with our tiny daughter. My point is this - since I have worked forever, I have never developed the habit of watching daytime TV -- hence, I did not see your show.

HOWEVER, I do watch the nightly news, especially CNN and the news about "mad cow disease" that I saw there registered with me. I was already leery of beef (which I do enjoy eating -- especially a good rib eye) in terms of letting our child eat at Jack in the Box, etc. thanks to the E-coli death of a child in California. I cook our beef thoroughly at home to ensure the correct temperatures are met. In neither of these instances did I develop my negative thoughts due to anything said on your show, since I did not see it. The global, nightly news was full of stories about "mad cow disease" -- which is why I imagine you devoted a show to it. Your show was an offshoot of the news!

Here's another example. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is now in town and I have always enjoyed going on the weekend the poultry is in town. Do we plan to go this year? No, because we have seen on the news about the Asian flu that is killing people over there contracted from chickens. Now, realistically, I know that only poultry bred in the U.S. will be shown, but why take a chance? My husband, who is not from Texas and who has a master's degree, said it is fine with him if we skip it this year for that reason. So, you see -- unless these cattlemen wish to sue the entire network of news affiliates - globally, there is and was no way to have kept the news about "mad cow disease" "under their hats"! They are just trying to pin the blame on someone - you.
Houston

Dear Cattlemen: You have lost perspective and have created a reputation for yourselves--all cattlemen--as opposers of free speech, thought, and action. How can you possibly blame Oprah for losses in revenue resulting from apparently disparaging remarks made on her show regarding the obviously gruesome, profit-centered, and biologically hazardous industry of cattle-raising? We as consumers cannot be fooled by your advertising or your threats or by spurious Texas law. We are interested in examining issues intelligently and making healthful decisions for ourselves that are not dictated by biased and powerful interests--eating animals is not healthful, and the possibility of contracting BSE is an added threat; so don't blame Oprah, blame all of us for staying informed--because as time goes by, your profits ARE going to plunge--and we, your prospective consumer-base, will be responsible.
Arizona

Dear Judge: I look forward to seeing a decision in Oprah's and free speech's favor--big business of whatever kind should not be allowed to get away with bullying people like Oprah who work honestly and publicly to air both sides of a situation and discuss gruesome and often-shelved-by-media issues such as "rendering"--feeding dead animals to cattle and potentially fostering BSE. Do note too that Lyman's comments are entirely plausible--BSE is after all apparently a dormant disease and might well wipe out cattle, their consumers, and cattlemen in a much more obvious way before the next decade ends.
Tacoma, WA

Dear MaryLouRobinson,

The book "Diet for a New America" by John Robbins, 1987: has lots of scientific information on the health problems related to eating meat. This information is accompanied by charts, showing documented statistical data, which may be of interest to you now.
Peoria, IL

Dear Judge Robinson: I have seen you picture in the paper and see that you are overweight and walk with a cane. This appears to be the kind of classic degenerative disease brought on by eating barbecues and gobs of ice cream over a lifetime. It looks to me like you should be suing the cattlemen for ruining your health. And you should probably move fast -- I've seen Paul Engler's picture, too, and it doesn't look like he's long for this world.
Amarillo, Texas

Dear Ms. Winfrey: Thank you for bringing this important issue to our attention. I wish I had seen the show - I didn't find out about the rendering until a couple of months ago. I wish I had known sooner.

You are ENTITLED to YOUR OPINION on this matter. I can't believe these cattlemen are suing you. What is the First Amendment for, if not to protect your right to express your opinion?

I support you totally on this issue, and hope that the judge does also.

I have the utmost respect for the work that you do. You are one of too small a minority of positive, responsible people who can really make a difference in this world. Keep up the good work - and thank you!
Manchester, CT

Cattlemen: You guys have made a big mistake by sueing Howard and Oprah. YOU have made public opinion of cattle ranchers to diminish to an all-time low.

Face it, the majority of the public now hates you for sueing them. The least you can hope for is that Howard and Oprah win, which will spare you a public oulash at the cattle industry. Remember the outrage when Rodney King lost the trial? Everyone knew that Rodney King deserved justice just as everyone knows that Howard and Oprah deserve justice.

Freedom of speech is something that every American citizen treasures. You cattlemen are challenging that and your names are now mud (to put it nicely). Maybe you should read-up on the McLibel case in England, where McDonald's won the case against two British citizens for telling the truth about McDonald's. Even though McDonald's won the case, public opinion of McDonald's victory has caused McDonald's to lose a forturne in lost business.
South Carolina

Oprah: I have watched you for years. I pride myself for having a mind of my own. You are influential indeed. I still eat beef. I suppose what this indicates is at the end of the particular show in question americans were still left with the freedom of choice.

I wish you a succesful outcome. I am from New Mexico. I have not been particularly fond of the Texas judicial system among other things. I am not surprised that such a ridiculous lawsuit would be initiated there. I am also not surprised that court is taking place in its location.

God is on your side and so is most of the world.
New Mexico

Cattlemen: Plain and simple, you are Nazis. You have no one to blame but yourselves for your financial losses, and this repulsive trial brings only more discredit to you and your irresponsible industry.

You are an embarrassment to the United States and everything that we like to think our country stands for.

Kudos to Judge Robinson for ruling that you had no evidence for most of your petty complaints today (Feb. 17).
Chicago, IL

Cactus Feeders: The little people who watch Oprah buy the food for the family. You're angering us, me in particular, with your rediculous lawsuit. If you thought prices dropped before, you better watch out that you don't anger us too much.
Ohio

Dear Judge, Please keep the constitution in mind during this trial.

A lot of people in America assume that the government is doing everything it can to protect the us. But there is a lot of big business mixed up in the pot with the FDA and the legislation. we don't get all the information that is out there because of it.

Howard Lyman is a good man. He is not doing it only for himself, but for all of us. The British Government called him to help them with there "Mad Cow" outbreak. why can't he speak his mind? The way we raise animals these days is way too automated. Throwing cow by-products back into the cattle food chain has never been done before, it is sure to cause problems.

Keep those lawyers under control!
Los Angeles, CA

Dear Oprah,
We are very ashemed about what happend to you. Because, what truly happend to you, was that: when you were talking to Mr.Howard, we sent to you a tellepatic message and you sad that degusting thing. We are realy, realy sorry about that. But please don't tell any body about this, cause we don't have a million dollars!
love from Brazil

Dear Oprah: I hate that you are having to go through this nonsense. You look like you are handling the entire incident well. I am just so ashamed of these people and what they are doing. I just hate the fact that America feels the need to sue over anything and everything. I am appalled that this group of people had the nerve to sue you (or anyone else, as a matter of fact) over stating your opinion. You do have the right to do so.

I feel that many men have lost their lives fighting to get and preserve our freedom, so that we may sit on our sofas, stand around our water coolers or appear on our talk shows and express our opinions. My family and I watch you everyday and we support you completely (for all that is worth). I sincerely from the bottom of my heart apologize for this undignified lawsuit that these people have filed against you. I think they have lost their southern dignity, southern pride and southern hospitality. All of us southerners are not alike. The best to you and your crew, I am glad to see Amarillo embrace you and welcome you. A viewer.
Louisiana

On Sunday 15th february, the BBC 2 station on British TV showed the first of four programs on the history of BSE. The show went out at 8.05 - 9.00 GMT. YOU MUST GET A COPY OF THIS VIDEO. It went a long way in backing-up the statements made by Howard Lyman on the Oprah show in 1996. The OFFICIAL statements revealed in this program would support what Howard said about the possible numbers (millions) of humans who could develop human BSE. GET THE VIDEO FLOWN OUT NOW !!
Scotland

Dear Cattlemen: I am totally behind you. Most people who say they are vegetarian are not. I often see them one day out on the street making us feel guilty about animal rights, and the next night I see them inside a restuarant eating a big juicy steak. Oprah and the rest of the liberal media need to be taught a lesson. I find it very interesting how the liberals, blacks and the Jews all band together whenever the cattle industry is involved. They would like to control this country but it is people who understand the many good reasons why we should feed animals rendered protein that know what they are doing. This is not Los Angeles where people get away with their crimes. This is Amarillo. Oprah will be found guilty and she will have to pay.
Kansas State University

Cattlemen: As I always suspected if there were a Mad Cow disease epidemic consumers would be the last to know. I really had not considered becoming a vegetarian until you people confirmed my suspicions. I have not eaten beef since the lawsuit.
Rhode Island

Mr. Lyman: Did you know there is a man in Dade County dying of Mad Cow disease according to Channel 7 news, wsvn? It was on the news broadcast Feb.11&12 th. Their web is www.wsvn.com
Florida

Do the cattlemen know for fact that they haven't been feeding us tainted beef? Somehow I would think it would require as much speculation one way as the other.I think,We have had other outbreaks from so called safe meat..It also seems to me that the reason the show aired in the first place was because the subject of madcow from England had become so common. Why doesn't the beef industry sue England too?
Washington D.C.