What is with all the hate directed toward Paula Deen?

[Snake Alchemist]

Is it because she's obese. Is is because she speaks with a southern accent? I just don't get it. I think when you make a recipe containing twinkies, sugar, and cool whip you pretty much know what you're getting yourself into.

[WingDinger]

1. To he who has much, more is given.

Most of us that are not famous, are thrown to the wolves when we develop a dread disease.

Also, the drug she is promoting, is carcinogenic, in the extreme, and ineffective almost entirely.

[Snake Alchemist]

5. "carcinogenic, in the extreme, and ineffective almost entirely"

Guess it completely skipped FDA approval? Or is is considered an herbal supplement?

[WingDinger]

9. Guess you havent heard all the ambulance chase commercials for all the heavily

advertized drugs. Nor are you likely familiar with the flimsy FDA approval system.

[Snake Alchemist]

11. So ambulance chasers can verify the extreme carcinogenic effects and

virtual ineffectiveness?

[WingDinger]

22. Are you aware that it is up to the potential profit taker to admit danger, or ineffectiveness?

Mostly?

[Snake Alchemist]

23. Link to that assertion? nt

[WingDinger]

26. I was in the business.

[Snake Alchemist]

28. I cannot pull up that site. nt

[grasswire]

12. it carries the strongest FDA warning about cancer risk

thyroid cancer, specifically

[Snake Alchemist]

17. You do know that the warning was there because of uncertain relevance, right?

And you do know that the drug also has several advantages over other therapies.

[Wait Wut]

2. I don't hate the woman.

And, you're correct in your statement. When a recipe calls for 2 cups of butter, you've pretty much given up on life.

She just irritates the hell outta me by saying "y'all" in every friggin' sentence. My family was from NO LA, so I have nothing against southern accents. Just word abuse.

[Snake Alchemist]

3. LOL. That is perfectly understandable. nt

[Liberal Veteran]

6. Y'all gets a +1 for that there comment - nt

[Fawke Em]

20. Agreed. I'm from Tennessee and say the word when appropriate.

I don't feel I have to include it in every sentence when addressing any group.

[Retrograde]

50. She shrieks

It's not the accent per se, but she has (to my ears anyway), a loud raucous voice that reminds me of scrub jay shouting matches, so I've never watched her show beyond the few seconds it takes to activate the off button when she came on after something I was watching.

Nothing wrong with butter, especially if you have an active lifestyle, like old-time Southern farmers like my late in-laws had - Mr. Retrograde's cornbread stuffing uses at least a cup of butter, but it's a once a year thing and is intended to serve 15-20 people, with leftovers.

[Quantess]

58. Regular english doesn't have an equivalent of y'all

Other languages have a way to address all of you as different from one person you. But in english all we have is "y'all".

So for that, I sort of wish I could say "y'all" in my standard northern american accent and not sound weird.

[Wait Wut]

60. My LA relatives would make fun of my...

"Chicago accent". They claimed we all said "yous guys". I have never said "yous guys" in my life. "You guys", yes. But, there was never any reason to make "you" plural. In fact, I've never known any Chicagoan to say "yous guys".

The occasional "y'all" doesn't bother me. But Ms. Dean seems to have some type of affectation that causes her to use it in an overly abundant fashion.

Us northerners can just say "dudes".

[Quantess]

62. I know someone who ripped into an innocent young waitress

for addressing their mixed-gender group as "you guys". saying that she had just offended his wife, does she look like a "guy" to you, blah-de-blah.

I disagree that there's never any need to make "you" plural. In my opinion it's a big gaping hole in the english language.
I also wish there was a way to use the pronoun "one" without sounding so old-fashioned. Nowadays it's casual to say "you" when talking about anyone in general, instead of "one" (One must strive to...).

I'm bilingual swedish and we've got 3 different pronouns to differentiate, that we use every day, all day. You can't just say "you" for everything in swedish.

[kentauros]

63. I guess it all depends on what kind of cooking requires 16oz of butter.

I seem to recall that Julia Child often used large amounts of cream and butter in all those French cooking recipes. Of course, she also served smaller portions. It was all about having some sense of moderation.

Here is a PDF of a recipe for puff pastry that uses 20oz of butter. I have a recipe here (and maybe in the C&B forum on DU2) for Flourless Chocolate Cake that calls for 15oz of butter (and fifteen eggs!) However, you serve it in very small slices. It's just too rich to serve slices bigger than 1/16th of the whole (10" dia. and under 3" tall.) But that has nothing to do with giving up on life. If that were truly so, the French would have all killed themselves long ago.

I don't like Paula Deen partly because she doesn't do vegetarian food (I also don't care that much for most "southern" food despite growing up in it.) I really don't watch the Food Network at all because of that lack of vegetarian shows, plus the fact that all the rest of the shows seem to be about competition instead of teaching. So, I'll just have to be content with the vegetarian show(s) on the Veria channel.

[cthulu2016]

4. Fuck Ron Paula Deen

(joke)

[barbtries]

73. got a laugh out of me.

i don't understand the "hate" for her. disgust, contempt, okay. but "hate" - that's just republican imo.

[grasswire]

8. none of the above

It's because

1) she promoted unhealthy food while hiding her disease for three years

2) she has contracted with Big Pharma to hawk a diabetes drug that carries the strongest FDA warning about cancer risk and will make big bucks from it

3) she is anti-worker; a spokesperson for Smithfield (a company that treats its workers like shit and sells unhealthy food).

That's three reasons, none of which have anything to do with her personality or body shape.

It's the hypocrisy and the crass commercialism.

[Snake Alchemist]

13. She promoted by making it look delicious?

If she uses and believes in the drug, is that a problem?

So you just despise unhealthy food in general?

[librechik]

16. and presented it to millions on her tv show as desirable.

She's not a consumer of delicious foods, or your neighbor showing you a recipe. She's a mega snake oli salesman.

[Snake Alchemist]

18. Should she have presented it as being undesirable?

I am always upset when the table next to me orders loaded potato skins.

[librechik]

39. in a sense, to be honest with her audience instead of pandering, she should have.

But she made her choices and it's her show. I just watch other things, since I don't care for Paula's approach.

[shanti]

75. that's it in a nutshell

has absolutely nothing to do with her weight, gender, or that she's a southerner. as a diabetic, it chaps my ass that she's hawking this drug now. whether she takes it or any other insulin is unimportant. there was a reason for the reveal at this time, imo, and that was the $$$$. there is an obvious cult of celebrity in this country (unfortunately), and with her influence, she might have saved a few pre-diabetics from moving on to full blown diabetes if she had spoken up 3 years ago. again, she's a hypocrite and all about the money.

[RebelOne]

10. Well, I guess I am one of the few here at DU

that likes Paula Deen. I watch her show every Saturday. I would never cook any of her recipes, though. Too fattening. Though I have to admit that I also have a heavy hand when it comes to butter. That is one of my few sins in eating. I am a vegetarian, so my vegetables, toast, baked potato, etc. are smothered in butter.

[Snake Alchemist]

14. Has she ever ordered you to make her recipes?

That seems to be what some are saying.

[woodsprite]

59. I enjoy watching when she actually cooks. I don't like the interactive guest thing

she does. That being said, I have only tried 3 of her recipes, all of which were very good but are 'once in awhile' or 'guests coming for dinner' treats.

Jerk Chicken
Baked pineapple
Key Lime Pie

And 'No', we didn't have them all at the same meal

[Bill O-Rights]

70. Actually, butter is way less deleterious than 'substitutes' (in moderation of course)

remember when eggs were just below cyanide as awful poison? I wonder though, since butter is made from animal products, why is it okay for vegetarians? (I don't know any, so I'm just curious, please don't be offended!)

[librechik]

15. she's a hypocrite "selling" folks on an unhealthy diet

she can't eat herself--oh, and her illness was possibly the result of indulging too much in the very foods she advertises--she should have mentioned that 3 years ago and spent more time on the concept of moderation and helathy foods substitution. She kept mum--isn't that a lot like lying?

Nobody hates her because she's a Southerner or overweight. How insulting is that characterization of her critics?

[Snake Alchemist]

19. Did she sell it?

I just remember her making the recipes.

[librechik]

32. You don't remember her getting paid to make those recipes? I do.

not to mention the various other product endorsement deals she has.

[Snake Alchemist]

33. Yes, but I don't remember her telling people they must make them. Do you? nt

[librechik]

37. I guess you just don't know how commercial media works then. n/t

[Snake Alchemist]

41. Subliminal messaging? nt

[Scout]

21. so much nanny state crap

... we are all adults here, and Paula did not FORCE anyone to cook or eat the recipes she makes.

and i've got news for you, dietary fat does NOT give you diabetes. duh.

[librechik]

36. certianly diabetes is never "given" to anybody. It's not contagious. But as an adult

you must be aware that a certain constellation of high fat high carb diet, little exercise (have you heard Paula talk about how much she hates to exercise? I have.) and genetic indicators contribute mightily to the probability of becoming diabetic.

[Scout]

40. and Paula Deen and what she does or doesn't do has absolutely NO BEARING

on what I do for my own health.

and yes i am aware, i am not stupid nor am i a child, nor do i rely on cooking shows on tv to determine what is correct behavior for my own health.

[librechik]

53. You are an informed consumer who can watch out for herself

many who watch the show are not and don't know any better no matter how old they are, and they look on Paula as a role model.

[Scout]

54. oh please, give me a break

a role model, really? you got any proof that people actually look on Paula as a role model? for what? how to be an overweight southern belle with a cooking show?

i think you are just grasping at straws, and still not giving people much credit for brains

[NAO]

24. As Anthony Bordain said, "I'll go into the leg breaking business...so I can sell crutches"

I don't think people are being hostile to her because of her weight or her southern accent. Everyone was always fine, possibly even charmed by those traits in her. And if she had just come out and said she had diabetes, that would likely have been greeted with support...

...But...

...She came out about her diabetes as part of a marketing campaign for an expensive patented drug.

She used her disease to make money selling expensive, potentially harmful drugs to other, less fortunate victims of her disease. That's what created all my negative feeling toward her.

[Snake Alchemist]

27. What if she believes in the drug and feels it can help people? nt

[Scout]

31. like Anthony Bourdain has any room to talk about lifestyle choices....

"Ironically, Bourdain himself appears to be an excellent illustration of this phenomenon. Bourdain’s books are full of tales of the many gargantuan meals in which he indulges on a regular basis, and they contain no hint that he has seen the inside of a gym at any point of his adult life. Yet Bourdain has always been thin—an attribute that appears to have nothing whatsoever to do with his lifestyle.

Speaking of lifestyle choices, Kitchen Confidential contains various harrowing scenes from Bourdain’s past as a heroin and cocaine user, as well as copious documentation of his chain smoking. I don’t mean to suggest that Bourdain intended to glamorize these habits; indeed, he went out of his way not to. But the fact remains that, at least among certain trendy segments of society, a male celebrity chef with a serious drug habit in his past is, oddly enough, considered a less problematic spokesman on health matters than a matronly woman who does not disguise her affection for comfort food."

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/17/no-proof-paula-deen-s-high-fat-southern-cooking-caused-her-diabetes.html

[BlancheSplanchnik]

49. Great point, so typical

I'm talking about the sexism.

They're probably about the same age, but Bourdain is a gonzo, testosterone soaked adventurer who throws himself in the public eye; therefore, cool and above reproach.

Deen is a woman, is a well-off, comfortable Southern family woman--and matronly at that--throwing herself in the public eye. By stepping out of the acceptable role for older women (viz. invisibility) she is fair game for contempt.

But the fact remains that, at least among certain trendy segments of society, a male celebrity chef with a serious drug habit in his past is, oddly enough, considered a less problematic spokesman on health matters than a matronly woman who does not disguise her affection for comfort food."

[The Straight Story]

25. It's like smoking in bars, you watch her cook, you must now cook and eat

People can't change the channel (go to a different bar) and feel they are forced to watch.

She is not preaching their gospel, telling others how to come to their 'lord', so therefore she is bad.

[LeftyMom]

29. English peas.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/english-peas-recipe/index.html

Adding fat to everything doesn't make a culinary genius. She's a hack.

[Cali_Democrat]

30. I don't hate her. I actually like her

She's very popular.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

34. She seems fake including the exaggerated accent and disgusting recipes. Don't like how she

perpetuates and glorifies stereotypes of southern culture. Not going to lose sleep over any of it though.

[Gold Metal Flake]

35. You wanna see hate? Two words:

Sandra Lee

[Snake Alchemist]

42. I try to hate her, but considering the way she grew up, I just can't do it. nt

[GoCubsGo]

67. I don't hate her, either.

In fact, anyone who includes a cocktail in every episode is okay with me. The stuff she does on her show is not generally to my taste, but to each their own. Not everyone wants to be, or can be a chef, and she caters to those people. Nothing wrong with that.

[Snake Alchemist]

68. "In fact, anyone who includes a cocktail in every episode is okay with me."

And that is the other thing.

[randome]

38. Too many people are addicted to their taste buds.

I don't hate her because I never knew who she was until recently but she helps feed the addiction that too many have that they must indulge their cravings.

[Scout]

43. really? i think you give far too little credit to the average person. n/t

[randome]

46. And I think too many people think of food as some sort of 'reward' system.

People who chug sodas all day, eat out because they 'deserve' it or because they convince themselves it's okay 'this once'.

There is a reason we have an obesity epidemic.

I am going on a business trip next week. Like all my business trips, the people I interact with look askance at me because I don't eat at a restaurant every chance I get, even though it's 'expected' of me to do so.

I'm no nutritional saint but I prefer to stay healthy by eating fruits, vegetables, etc.

Everyone knows the route to staying healthy but few people can resist the siren call of fine foods.

[Scout]

56. your moral strength is admirable...

hey, i MIGHT live longer if i eat only fruits and vegetables for the rest of my life, but i'd rather live and enjoy it than "exist" on foods i don't enjoy eating.

[Stinky The Clown]

44. "Herd Fashion"

[jsmirman]

45. She's a Shill For One of the Worst Companies On Earth

She promotes Smithfield "Farms" hams.

To endorse that company is morally unforgivable.

That corporation practices animal cruelty on a massive, staggering, systematic scale. That corporation molests the environment wherever it spreads its foul tentacles.

And if you hate animals and/or the environment or think it's passe to care about them, Smithfield hates humans, too. Their treatment of their workforce is shameful.

So, in summary, she takes money from a corporation that brings more misery, suffering, and ecological damage to the world than the mind can comprehend.

I can provide pictures, if you would like, but I don't think you would like (they're hard to look at, but if you're going to innocently wonder about this woman, you should be able to look at what she supports and has attached her name to).

I wish all bad things on this woman.

[emilyg]

47. I have Type 2 diabetes - don't

eat meat or fats. Weigh 110lbs. Paula is an entertainer - I never felt I had to copy her cooking.

[Jack Sprat]

76. We need a Vegan forum, emilyg.

I have type II diabetes too now. I eat steamed fish fillets most days with some ketchup, yam patties, and some kind of steamed greens. However, I still eat some fried oysters, hamburgers or steak about once a week.

I'd like to eat more fresh vegetables, but I don't have a clue about how to prepare them other than the easy steam packages. I think we need a Vegan subscription underneath the Cooking & Baking.

[just1voice]

48. It's a media manufactured drama

Television sells food like they sell everything else, then they sell weight loss programs and drugs for high cholesterol. The corporate media is a soulless bunch of whores, they'll promote torture, war and civilian killing then talk about the "evil" people in other countries that do the exact same thing. If anyone is actually upset about anything Paula Dean cooks then they are likely just responding to the non-stop corporate propaganda.

[xchrom]

51. I think the Paula hate is silly.

She over came depression, serious financial adversity, single mom hurdles.

She's a character - but I like her.

Oh & I like butter in my cooking but I focus more on French stuff.

[jsmirman]

55. I beg you to look into Smithfield Farms

and tell me if you think it is morally defensible to be a spokeswoman for their products.

[xchrom]

61. & the Ed secretary of our democratic president is hostile

To teachers unions.

Smithfield should come under legal scrutiny for it's practices - but that's not paula's fault.

[jsmirman]

64. I don't get how it's not her *choice* to PROMOTE

Smithfield's products???

If she wasn't successful at doing this, they wouldn't use her.

If she is successful that means she helps Smithfield make more money, make more sales, and expand their production further, introducing more cruelty into the world.

Sure seems to me that she's doing her part.

[xchrom]

65. She's a paid spokes model.

Hardly the worst.

Smithfield is responsible for their practices - not Paula Deen.

[Bluenorthwest]

66. Jason Alexander did a KFC commercial and so many people called him on it and educated

his as to their practices that he ended the contract and returned 1 million dollars to them. Yep. His choice I respect, hers, I do not.

[xchrom]

72. Well good for you. Nt

[redqueen]

52. Fat, Southern and politically incorrect.

It's like the trifecta of rationalized hate.

[X_Digger]

57. The perfect DU hate-magnet, yep. n/t

[lynne]

74. The exact reasons I love her!

I don't judge people based on their looks so I really don't care about her weight. But I love her Southern-ness and ADORE her political incorrectness.

Her coconut cake ain't half bad, either!

[etherealtruth]

69. I cannot figure it out

I am not a fan ... I cannot imagine ever watching the "food network" ... but, criminy .... she's an entertainer what the heck?

[B Calm]

71. I loved the shows she did with Jimmy Carter

I always thought of her as a southern democrat. .