Using a Geiger Counter to grocery shop.

What do you think about irradiated food? Is this a good way to ensure safe food or another hidden danger, like cancer-causing cellphones? My sister Cortina tells me that a supermarket chain in the Washington, D.C. area is now promoting irradiated beef as being "free from harmful bacteria". But she brings up a good question: will the radiation itself be harmful, especially after years of accumulation?

I have even more questions. Does this mean that the butchers will have to wear tags like they wear in hospital x-ray rooms, that monitor the amount of radiation a worker is exposed to? Will the butchers have to wear lead-lined aprons? Will this result in a butcher shortage, due to increased butcher work-related injuries from wearing the weighty clothing? And why do the call them "butch" anyway?

And where will the radiation process take place? Will the neighborhood store have to be retro-fitted with lead walls and radiation-hazard signs? Will the presence of radioactive material constitute a threat to community-land security? What if the local gang breaks in and steals it? Will the Crips have the Bomb?! Sorry, I got a little carried away there…

I say it's all unnecessary. If you're a die-hard meat eater, you're used to taking chances. Bacteria, schmacteria. If the grill won't kill it, it's probably not supposed to be eaten.

More later…
Paul