Listers,

I feel like I'm in some bad "X Files" episode.

Long story short, the USDA will soon start a study on popular diets to see
what's really good for you; low-fat or low-carb.  You probably remember this
nugget.

My firm has been in touch with various USDA contacts on this for months now.
  One promised to notify us when a public hearing date was set.  Well, he
didn't.  Insert swear words here.

If you think I'm pissed, you're right.  I honest-to-God think this is some
lame excuse for a government conspiracy.  I have been told that few people
have asked to address the feds during the public comment session.  Uh-huh.
And George Bush once said 'no new taxes'.

At any rate, the hearing is scheduled to take place on January 11th from 1-5
pm in the USDA's Jefferson Auditorium.  If you like conspiracy and have
cable, see if this will be broadcast on C-SPAN.  It will at least make it to
the news wires.  And I'll be watching for it.

A quick note.  When the USDA's Dr. Eileen Kennedy was asked about this study
while in Denver, she stated she neither supports nor endorses a
high-protein, low-carb diet.  She was sitting right next to Dr. Dean Ornish
when she said this.  Ornish has recieved federal funding for research on his
diet.  The USDA has been in bed with the grain industry for decades now.
You can bet the farm (pun intended) that Uncle Sam is not about to bite the
hand that feeds it and admit a grain-based diet doesn't work.

Okay, I'm off my soapbox for now.  Make of this what you will.  Although let
me add that I think Agent Mulder was on to something...

Dori Zook
Denver, CO
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