I think this headline is a little premature.<br />n<br />n<a href="http://enews.prismb2b.com/enews/beef/beef_stocker_trends/current" > National ID Is Dead </a><br />n<br />n<blockquote> <acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym> effectively and quietly knocked the National Animal Identification System (<acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym>) in the head last Wednesday. It did so with the unheralded publication of the "<acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> User Guide," which replaces all former <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> draft documents. This document, for the first time, emphasizes <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> as a voluntary program rather than as a steppingstone to a mandatory one.<br />n<br />nIn fact, at the very beginning, the guide explains, "<acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym> is not requiring participation in the program. <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> can help producers protect the health and marketability of their animals — but the choice to participate is theirs." </blockquote><br />n<br />nMaybe I'm cynical, but I really don't think <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> is dead. Can everybody out there remember how the Federal Government mandated a 55 MPH speed limit in the 70's? Since they couldn't set a national speed limit themselves they required the states, by threatening to withhold highway funding, to set speed limits and all states fell right in line and did it. <br />n<br />nWhat's to stop them from doing this here. Requiring a mandatory ID system by the states by blackmail them. I think it is something to be aware of and to remain wary of. Also of note, what will happen with the Democrat congress and in the future a new administration?<br />n<br />nAll of us Americans that value freedom will need to be wary of <acronym title="National Animal Identification System">NAIS</acronym> in the future. The <acronym title="United States Department of Agriculture, Bought and Paid for by The Big Meat Packers">USDA</acronym> might have had to back off for now but vigilance is required to ensure its ugly head does not rear up again.<br />n<br />n<strong>Blackmail has become respectable. Robert G. Menzies</strong>