Oprah Buys Everyone Free KFC, Chickens Everywhere Cry Fowl

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by Michael dEstries May 5, 2009
Categories: Animals, Film/TV
Tags: .

kfc, oprah

Remember that special Oprah had last year addressing the “dark side” of chicken factory farming? The same one that helped earn her PETA’s 2008 “Person of the Year” Award? Yea, well, we don’t see a repeat performance anytime soon.

On Oprah today, the host announced that she was hooking up with Kentucky Fried Chicken to give away a free two-piece Kentucky Grilled Chicken meal to every family in America. Obviously, this is going to come as a shock to PETA — who is in the middle of a renewed campaign urging KFC to change the way its suppliers treat their chickens. Famous folks like Pamela Anderson, Sir Paul McCartney, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, The Rev. Al Sharpton, and countless others have signed on to boycott KFC.

Some will argue that this is a free meal — and in a time of economic hell, any food is good food. It just bothers me that with everything Oprah has done to bring attention to the plight of chickens and animals in factory farms, that she would approach a chain like KFC to give people a free meal. Why not give something relatively healthy like a free salad instead? Spout off below.


Categories: Animals, Film/TV
Tags: .

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

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  • NZvego

    I completely agree with you Jackie. It sickens and saddens me also. Some people have a complete lack of conscience. I am so thankful for all the vegetarians/vegans out there. You are truly amazing people and a lot of good karma is coming your way. As for the omnivores out there, I can’t even imagine the weight of hundreds of animals souls on your shoulders.

    (Vegetarian 13yrs, also still alive)

  • mar

    can someone explain to me why Oprah did this? was it to help the animals or to help the people who cannot afford food? Im a bit confusedQ

  • http://www.veganjapan.net herwin

    i fail to see how in the world anybody can make a substantial contribution to the health of families by shoving and promoting to them some free tickets for the nearest fast food restaurant. and that from a person who had in the not so distnat past, a ten day vegan detox. seems nothing did stick after all at ms Oprah.

  • Whoever…

    Jackie you’re so right!

    Most humans are in such a ‘zombified’ state they don’t question anything any more!

    That’s why I really don’t have much hope in the future of mankind. The planet can’t take our ignorant and savage behaviour much longer.

    Hey, but who cares about that when there is a worldwide financial crisis (which by the way was artificially created to control people even more) and people are struggling to get by? That’s why when they are offered a free meal they don’t even question the motives behind it!
    As if ONE free meal handed out indiscriminately would solve any of their problems. And KFC, who doesn’t give a f*** about the poor, is going to make a huge profit with this and Oprah’s image will improve a bit more! (I hope this answers your question Mar…)

    As I’ve stated before, this is what you get when you deify someone. They get so powerful they think they are above any criticism!!

    (Vegetarian for 11 years and almost vegan now – I only eat honey and eggs from home-bred hens who are not hurt in any way; environmentalist; don’t wear leather, fur and don’t use products tested on animals; volunteer at my local animal shelter; still, I believe I’m not doing enough!!).

    :)

  • Claudia

    It amazes me as to how much people who have never given anything and never will give anything away always has so much to say. What ever the conflict of interest, my stomach is a lot happier. Shut up!!!

  • NZvego

    Says the girl TAKING something at the expense of an innocent animal. Good one.

  • Cherie

    I am very surprised Oprah chose to partner up with KFC. In her mind are you only deserving of a free meal if you eat meat? What about all Vegetarians/Vegans out there, does she consider them not worthy of a free meal. I would have thought her 30 day stint as a vegan would have made her more aware of people with different dietary requirements.

    I’m not from the US but here in England, KFC do not offer any veggie alternative. But even if they did I still wouldn’t spend my hard earned money supporting that company.

  • Sid Samant

    Read more about Rodger Eaton’s apology at
    http://www.aircheese.com/article/kfc-dominos-ms–apologies-part-i

  • Ramona

    Here in Canada we have a vegetarian alternative at KFC. It’s called the Vegetarian Sandwich and it’s quite tasty. This all came about due to the involvment of PETA and the protests of many vegetarians. Also the Burger King here has what is called The BK Veggie burger…a very good soy burger which is on the menu. They do have another veggie burger which is lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and sauce. This is not on the menu but if you ask for it they will gladly serve it up. McDonald’s used to have vegetarian choices…but alas no longer do. I went in there last year thinking I could get a veggie burger or personal veggie pizza and they told me they no longer served them, but I could have a grilled cheese sandwich…thanks but no thanks McDonalds! Hope more people wake up to the horror the animals go through at the factory farms and slaughter houses and change over to a veg diet – thus saving the animals and also the environment. GO PETA!!!! =D

  • Sasah Canadian

    Oprah’s idea of feeding people is good and kind to people but the choice is bad. Rather than killing chickens, why not offer locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables — food grown in the United States or Canada?

    Ramona (my cousin) left a comment worth reading.

    Sasha

  • saladeater

    To those that shun salad as not filling – the price of a family meal at KFC would probably buy 3 or 4 cases of mangoes or a whole case of bananas. That would fill someone hungry up for several days rather than one meal. Why do people not consider fruit real food?

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  • s

    sad. really, really sad. i can tell you this though: if she ever tries to give ME KFC, i will punch her in her face.
    and to those who say salad isn’t filling, as IF. gosh. eat a bigger salad.
    and even if PETA’s KFC protest is based off of one plant, that doesn’t make it irrelevant. anybody whose business is sticking animal carcasses (meat) into vats of cooking oil and selling it to be savagely devoured by mindlessly comsumptive (is that a word?) masses needs a protest against them once in awhile.

  • s

    amen jackie!!!!!

  • s

    Jeff Braun, lets see who’s the sick person in 20 years. while you’re suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, obseity and cancer, all the vegans/vegetarians will be dong just fine, thank you.
    vegetarian for ony two years, but am never going back.

  • s

    Pat the Meat Eater: “They are too dumb to prevent themselves from being dinner.” pat, you just made the vegetarian’s point! because these animals cannot defend themselves, that’s why we fight for them! that’s why we think before we eat and try to get our friends and family to adopt a more compassionate lifestyle!!!!!
    go eat a veggie burger, pat.

    • Stephen

      Just for all these stupid comments, I am going to have chicken and steak today and stop by and get something at Burger King and KFC.

  • Daniel Z

    Go screw yourselves, Oprah buys people something and remember its “FREE”
    and you all bitch about it. Ohh she should have bought THIS for the country. I live in Canada and I think it’s a pretty good f’ing deal, but you little bitches whine about every goddam thing. Serious, vegetarians go eat your shit, and we’ll eat ours, just because Oprah bought some shit for me, doesn’t mean you have to eat that shit. Got it? Good.

    -Daniel

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