Rollin', Rollin', Rollin', get them bovines rollin'

Wow! Two days of big developments for Canadians in a row, first we have peace in our time in the world of hockey, now pending further appeals one assumes, we have peace in our time in the cattle war between Canada and the United States.

The ninth circuit court of appeals set in motion the wheels of cattle crossings, when it overturned the ruling that had closed the border to Canadian cattle for more than two years now. The Mad cow crisis had visited much discomfort to Canadian cattle producers over the last two years and finally there may be some light at this rather lengthy and dark tunnel, which while couched in terms of health protection at times seemed to reek more of protectionism by cattle lobbyists in the USA.

While we're probably not clear of the back fourty just yet, things seem to be moving in the right direction and for that we say Yeehaw! It's about time some common sense entered this cattle debate and not the rhetorical jingoism that the American side of the discussion used to stall and delay the inevitable. For more about the entire cattle crisis check out seanincognito, who has done a remarkable job of recording the various points and counterpoints over the last two years.

Now if we could just get the softwood lumber problem out of the way, yet another irritant between the US and Canada would be removed. Two for two on crisis management this week, one can hope that the trend continues.

*UPDATE-July 15*--Word has it that meetings to resolve the Softwood lumber dispute will resume on Monday morning. All of a sudden Canada is on the US radar, all this attention on old irritants my my, what should we think?