Comments on: Oprah's Factory Farm Faux Pas

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:58:21 +0000

I feel that every bit helps in this case. Even if it is not the best food on the earth a company like KFC and a woman like Oprah doing something like this generates conversation and awareness.

For example, my students put on a Hunger Banquet at their high school and 80 people showed up. Now those 80 people did not solve the issue of local hunger but it did help generate some awareness and focus on the issue. Who knows how this one event will affect them 5, maybe 20 years from now. Anything is better than nothing.

Also, if we were to follow your logic giving money to Red Cross is bad because that money will be used to transport aid groups and supplies to people, which in turn will generate pollution and further harm our environment just like “chicken factory farms.”

By: Em

Em — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:59:20 +0000

It was certainly not the brightest thing to do. I wish she hadn’t done it. I’m choosing to cut Oprah a bit of slack instead of crucifying her, however. Even Oprah can’t be perfect all the time. Maybe the press will generate even more positive press and education about hunger, nutrition and factory farming?

By: laila

laila — Thu, 07 May 2009 00:44:42 +0000

Hunger is a real issue that’s not solved by giving out low-quality, unhealthy, garbage food for one day. Period. It doesn’t help anything and does nothing to increase awareness about the real issues at hand with hunger. It’s yet another corporate band-aid.

Not to mention, aside from the PETA award, Oprah started 2009 with a big bonanza about good health, fighting obesity and making positive lifestyle changes. Her support and marketing of KFC undermines all of her credibility with respect to those issues.

It was a terrible move for countless reasons. And it shouldn’t be defended.