Barton: Don't pick on Paula Deen

Food Network Fan · 12-09-2007, 11:33 AM

Barton: Don't pick on Paula Deen

Opinion | Editorial | Tom Barton Tom Barton | Sunday, December 9, 2007 at 12:30 am

Union's beef isn't with Savannah's Vamp of Vittles.

Paula Deen is as political as a plate of fried chicken, with greens, squash casserole and corn bread on the side.
The only group that might have a beef with her is Weight Watchers, or grumpy vegans, not a big national union.
Yet on Monday, supporters of the United Food and Commercial Workers union plan to be on the sidewalk outside The Lady & Sons restaurant - and wearing chef's hats, no less - to protest her role as a paid spokeswoman for the Smithfield Food corporation.
The head wear is a nice touch. But if it's not too late, they should go with dunce caps.
Smithfield is the nation's leading producer of pork products. Paula Deen is one of the country's experts in getting those pork products past people's taste buds.
The pairing is a natural. While I have no idea what Smithfield is paying her, she's worth every dime. She's the Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan of Southern cooking. Celebrity-wise, the road to "real" food goes slap dab through her kitchen, thanks to her show on TV's Food Network, a pantry of cookbooks and her rich-as-real-butter personality.
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Food Network Fan · 12-09-2007, 11:35 AM

I kinda feel sorry for her. I am sure she didn't go into this knowing what was going on. Whoever her P R person is they need to be fired for not checking into more of what was going on.

BerryBaby · 12-09-2007, 01:27 PM

Well she sure is getting a ton of publicity over this. Received an e-mail from a friend who said they were having Smithfield ham for Christmas. Never once mentioned Paula or the problems so not everyone is even aware of this situation. They just said how much they loved the ham.

Food Network Fan · 12-09-2007, 04:09 PM

It seems as though now that they do know they aren't making any effort to try and smooth this over for her though. I mean surely she has public relations people who could have her make a statement on this if she didn't know anything about it. It just seems she doesn't have anyone taking care of her with this, and most likely someone put her in it to begin with, unless she personally got the gig for herself.

TrixieinSeattle · 12-10-2007, 07:28 AM

I think it is highly likely that she was advised not to make a statement on the issue. I think the more celebrities pay lip service to these types of matters they really know nothing about, the more they get themselves into hot water. Look at Tom Cruise and his public stance on anti-depressants...he is not a trained professional, but felt it prudent to give his very misguided opinion on national TV and got raked over the coals by Brooke Shields!

Given the political nature of this issue, I think Silence in Golden. Paula (and her people) are doing the right thing by not commenting. I would hate to see her image tarnished over saying the wrong thing.

Chefnot · 12-10-2007, 09:52 AM

I agree, she has done nothing inappropriate.

Food Network Fan · 12-10-2007, 10:43 AM

I guess so, it just seems like she is ignoring it with so much press about it. And I don't think she is to blame for any of this, so I would like to see them separate her from it.

radiodugger · 12-11-2007, 11:22 PM

They follow the Lady all over the country! One woman even used her handicapped child to get Paula's attention, then went off on her!

Who ARE these people? Why are they being allowed to make TROUBLE? Protesting is one thing, but THIS has crossed the line!

Maybe someone will (I hope) form a group to follow THESE carrion-feeders around and "make THEIR day"! I could really get creative on this! LOL!

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