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Tuesday, June 02, 2015

John Oliver vs. chicken

Feathers flew when John Oliver took on the poultry industry — and the squawking may even end up echoing in the Capitol.

The comedic anchorman recently used his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” to attack the way giant poultry processors — like Tyson Foods, Perdue, Pilgrim’s and Sanderson Farms — allegedly have treated their chicken growers, punishing them for speaking out against their conditions, and pressured Congress into defanging the Agriculture Department’s protections.

“When the chicken companies describe it — again, over jangly f—-ing guitars — they make the system sound great for farmers,” Oliver said in a recent report, referring to the industry’s sunny promotional videos. But he added, “It turns out, many farmers have a very different experience.”

By Saturday — less than two weeks after the 18-minute segment aired — it drew more than 2.1 million views on YouTube.

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4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love how the article intimates growers are forced to take out loans to buy farms.

Last time i checked, nobody I know was forced into signing on the dotted line.

It's called a loan for a reason.

That's what's wrong with this current crop of generation X'ers.

They think they shouldn't have to pay back that multi-million dollar loan if they fall on hard times.

Well guess the hell what, you DO have to pay it back.

Word of advice, don't take money from the bank if you can't afford it.

And for God's sake, don't grow chickens if you have to rely on flock checks.

Furthermore, if these disgruntled growers keep helping to turn government screws, you may see those evil poultry corporations make all their growers employees. HAHA. Then your dreams will come true.

Keep it up sheeple, you think the government can intimidate and coerce private companies without some kickback?

LOL.

Anonymous said...

Once they're "employees" they will be working for minimum wage or close to it. Sometimes independent growers are lucky to make that much, by the hours put in.

But at least they wouldn't be in debt for hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more.

Anonymous said...

For ever grower that complains you find another that is treated fairly and happy with their agreement. Nobody will get rich raising chickens, it is exactly what it is...A JOB! Chicken houses were meant to supplement farming operations with another "crop" or choice of income for the present farming operations. Poultry companies could easily do it all in-house...if substantial land purchases were available, then as the other person mentioned the jobs would be at farm labor rates...minimum wage?????

Anonymous said...

A chicken farmer told me all you are doing is buying a job.