John,the first number you quote should tell you something....

I too,am an animal lover,especially chicken.

To begin with, if you and your militant "animal rights" friends want to boycott KFC (or eating meat), then that is your right. But you have absolutely NO RIGHT to try to force your intolerant point of view upon the rest of us. For the record, after the photo of your small group of anti-choice protestors was posted in the N&R last week, I went 5 miles out of my way to eat at my local Kentucky Fried Chicken that very afternoon. Furthermore, I will be eating at the Battleground Avenue KFC locations from now on during my weekly trips to Greensboro, just to spite PETA. Hate to break this to you, but your protest back-fired, as I, and most Americans, are growing weary of the tactics of the militant "animal rights" movement (and their fellow enemies of freedom/capitalism on the American Left).

I've read somewhere that KFC patronage actually increases during one of these silly protests.

I'll stop by today just becuase we talked about it here this morning and I realized I haven't had any finger lickin' good chicken in a while.

We all know PETA stands for People Eating Tasty Animals.

Good post Thomas, some of these people are a bunch of militant strong arm nut jobs, their leadership certainly is.

Ironic this letter came out today, I'm in Louisiana working in a chicken processing facility. I'll bring a nice fresh one home for you Mr. Robins.

http://www.kfccruelty.com/index.asp

http://www.petakillsanimals.com/petaKillsAnimals.cfm

Eating KFC right now. Original recipe.

Heard online that the same crowd (PETA) was conducting a similar protest at the KFC's in Fayetteville today (Wednesday), but they had some counter-protesters to challenge them and offer an alternative view-point. Also heard that the KFC manager there had to call the Fayetteville Police Department because the PETA members were obstructing traffic. With Battleground Avenue congested enough as it is, I am surprised that the Greensboro KFC managers did not do likewise during PETA's protest last week.

If protesters want to make people aware of the wretched things that are done to chickens during "processing", is that not their 1st amendment right? It is interesting how offended (defensive?) some of the above writers are. I am a vegetarian, and did not really want to explore the meat industry until after I stopped eating meat. When I did, I discovered what I always really knew, but did not want to think about while eating a burger. This is a disgusting industry, which literally turns the stomach when actually viewed in its intimate details. KFC is more offensive than some, in that they have genetically modified chickens for convenience, resulting in the monstrosities pictured on the protesters' signs (with no beaks or feet).
While it is difficult to really think about meat as long as you eat it, don't attack those who have and who are trying to educate the public, albeit garishly.
I used to pick on and mock all my vegetarian friends. Now they mock me. Can't we just agree to disagree, instead of name-calling?

Eric, I became a vegetarian shortly after touring a chicken "factory". Yuck!!!

McDonalds has agreed to guidelines for the rearing of Chickens used in their food. In fact, they've readily accepted them. All PETA is asking is that KFC treat their chickens in a humane way.

It's not the eating of meat I have a problem with, its how the animals are treated before slaughter. The days of the family farm are almost gone. We have replaced them with factory farming which means that, because of the conditions in which these animals are raised, they must be given antibiotics, they are given hormones, and other drugs. Those drugs go into our bodies when we eat them.

If you're going to eat meat, why not spend a few extra bucks and get farmed raised beef, chicken, etc. You can get this at Earth Fare, the Farmer's Market and other places around the Triad. Hey, its good for you, its good for the local farmers and its good for the animals...everybody wins!

Yeah, neocon, I had a problem with that as well. There is another side to the story, but I won't get into that here. However, you are right, there is no excuse for what PETA employees did. The persons responsible for this are no longer employed by PETA.

If PETA is not an organization you can support :-), might I suggest a local group...Animal Rescue and Foster Program: http://www.arfpnc.com/

And don't forget to have your pets spayed and neutered. That'll keep all of us from the heartache of the problem of unwanted animals.

This can't be mere coincidence. I came home from work and guess what my wonderful wife has prepared for dinner. Yep.

Eric,

I assume you were addressing me when you referred to the "above writers" (I was posted directly before you). As I stated in my original post, the PETA members DO have the right to protest KFC's practices, but we who choose to eat there have the very same right to disagree and criticize those who are trying to shutdown the fast food industry. The First Amendment is not exclusive property of those of you on the Left, so the "attacks" (free speech) will continue.

I worked in the meat industry for 8 years (meat cutter for Winn-Dixie) and saw no such evidence of "abuse". I think it is odd that those same protesters that have the suspect photos of mutilated chickens, are with little doubt, "pro-choice" concerning the issue of abortion. As I have yet to see these same people protest outside of Planned Parenthood, I assume that they have absolutely no problem with unborn children being decapitated and having their brains sucked out during "partial-birth" abortions (many in the third trimester). Yet, they want to deny me MY choice of where and what I can eat.

Speaking of this comparison, I will make a deal with any animal rights supporter who claims that meat processing plants are so horrible. I will join you on a tour of any processing plant if you agree to accompany me on a tour of the back room or dumpster of any abortion clinic. Fair enough?

Just finished a day working in a poultry processing plant. Was eating a freshly grilled chicken breast while watching the trucks bring in more chickens. Kinda weird.

Progressive, I've been through dozens of these plants, turkeys & hogs too. The front end ain't too pretty, but after they have the feathers removed they look about like the chickens you see in the grocery store. It doesn't keep me from eating meat, but I am thankful I don't work on a processing line. It's not easy work.

Eric when you eat your lettuce what guarantees you that a rabbit or the guy who picked it didn't piss on it in the fields? Veggies aren't always squeaky clean.

Dan,

Thanks for your posts as well. I agree that the leadership of PETA is the major concern in the militant animal rights movement. Most of the foot soldiers, like those protesting outside of KFC, do have better intentions, but still are a bit naive and gullible. As for the hard-core animal rights activists, I was also wondering if they would refuse medical treatment if they ever became seriously ill, as most advances in medicine were made because of animals in research labs.

You PETA kooks are freaking nuts. Dean Wormer luvs the Crunchy. I like the Original recipe. All the little Wormers go for the Nuggets especialy Dean Jr. Like his dad , he's a breast man. Look whackos KFC doesn't kill your little feathered friends , they only buy them cold stone dead, add eleven herbs and spices ( a secret ) and fry the suckers at 350 degrees F in deep fat. Yummy.

Thomas wrote: "I think it is odd that those same protesters that have the suspect photos of mutilated chickens, are with little doubt, "pro-choice" concerning the issue of abortion."

And, Thomas, you would be wrong. There's quite a few of us who are consistantly pro-life from conception to death and for treating animals humanely. Never picketed KFC, but have spent time with a sign in front of an abortion clinic. You might be surprised that quite a few of the leaders in the pro-life movement are also vegetarians for ethical reasons.

Thomas,

Here are some websites of folks who are consistantly pro-life and for animal rights:

http://www.all-creatures.org/murti/art-vegprolife.html

http://www.all-creatures.org/murti/art-whypro.html

http://www.gargaro.com/vegan.html

Here is a list of organizations that shows that being pro-life is not just a conservative Christian stance:

http://www.gargaro.com/abortion/alt.html

I don't eat at KFC. They are too expensive. I can get a 2 piece meal deal at Ms Winners for $2.49 and I like their chicken better.

PETA folks...picket something meaningful...abortion clinics. Shame on those whose main concern is chicken welfare (can someone give me another good reason for chickens other than eating?) and not on unborn humans.

Why do you have to choose, cutawad? Can't a person be both pro-life and against animal cruelty?

And just because folks eat chickens doesn't mean they have to treat them badly before slaughter.

It is interesting that people who own family farms (as opposed to massive corporate owned factory farming) would highly disagree with you. Corporate farming has destroyed the family farm. Growing up, we had chickens, cows, pigs, etc. We treated the well until slaughter. I don't see the problem in this.

I guess the main thing is a consistant commitment to compassion. Be that pre-born babies or animals or our environment or our next door neighbor.

Why get so angry over people standing up against animal cruelty? Especially those of us who agree with you on other issues. Don't be like the pro-aborts and close your mind to the Truth. Be open minded about this issue. What I am saying is that there is a middle way. Eat your chicken...just don't be mean to them before they are killed. Is that to much to ask?

The other issue is hog farming. It is the same as chicken "farming". However, anyone in Sampson County who can't drink their water because of hog farms can give you info on that.

We are destroying our land and our environment and in the process, we are destroying ourselves.

" If you're going to eat meat, why not spend a few extra bucks and get farmed raised beef, chicken, etc. You can get this at Earth Fare, the Farmer's Market and other places around the Triad. Hey, its good for the local farmers and its good for the animals...everybody wins! "
i especially love the part " and its good for the animals... ". when i was a freelance chicken processing plant reporter i once interviewed a chicken and he categorically denied that any chicken eaten is good. he went on to say that dead is dead no matter how you look at it,he said can you explain to me how it is a win for me to be dead ?
in my next post i'll share an interview i had with some vegetables in a food processing plant....be warned it ain't pretty.