Oct08
Sick Flags
Posted at 12:44 PM | Permalink
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Comments (8)
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Obviously, those days are long gone.
In a sure sign of desperation, Six Flags Inc.—whose stock has been performing so poorly that it's in danger of losing its listing on the New York Stock Exchange—has decided that the way to drum up business is to have park visitors eat bugs. We can only be glad that these financial geniuses weren't responsible for writing the recent bank bailout legislation, right?
Now, you may recall that Six Flags recently announced that it was going to end the horrible cockroach-eating stunts of the past couple of years during its Halloween-themed "Fright Fest." So, to pretend it's being true to its word, it's announced that it still won't use cockroaches this year—instead it'll offer other kinds of bugs to eat, such as "superworms, larvae, caterpillars, cicadas, night crawlers, crickets, and grasshoppers." Boy, that should make for some delightful childhood memories, huh?
When Six Flags originally announced the end of cockroach-eating, its public relations manager, Sue Carpenter, said, "We're on to other Fright Fest events that do not include any living creatures!" So, what's the dealie? Last we checked, crickets, caterpillars, and grasshoppers were living creatures—and not at all eager to be chewed up so some yahoo can have cuts in the rollercoaster line. Plus, it sends a dangerous message to kids that it's okay to harm others to get ahead.
As soon as we got wind of Six Flags' bait-and-switch nonsense, we wrote to its vice president of communications, Sandra Daniels, to express our outrage and offer another chance to do the right thing.
Posted by Jeff Mackey
TAGGED:
halloween cockroaches six flags fright fest insects
Comments
I can't believe this! It's gross.
Posted by: SASHA | October 8, 2008 03:30 PM
After hearing that Six Flags had dropped the roach-eating stunt, my family got season passes to Six Flags New England this year. I am very disappointed they've substituted one cruelty for another and won't be renewing for next year. Maybe we'll make the long drive to Cedar Point in Ohio instead.
Posted by: Heidi | October 8, 2008 03:46 PM
Heidi-
Yes! As I've said here before, Cedar Point is THE BEST! Be sure to ride the back row of Wicked Twister! Plus, the Johnny Rockets right near the Raptor has vegan veggie burgers!
Screw Six Flags - long live Cedar Point!
Posted by: Mark | October 8, 2008 05:40 PM
@Heidi
I haven't been there in awhile but Cedar Point was awsome. Plus there was a retail store that had a hotel and its own gas station that was cool.
As for the story I mean yeah I understand the logic that if one can't treat bugs well than whats the point of treating animals well. But cockroaches? I'm pretty sure people aren't going to treat cockroaches like pets or just bugs scurrying around the floor in their homes.
Posted by: King of Fiji | October 8, 2008 07:20 PM
Maybe the inability of Six Flags to come up with anything more creative than harming insects for 'fun' explains their decline in business.
Posted by: lynda downie | October 9, 2008 12:51 AM
Umm...if PETA is so compassionate about insects, where are all the campaigns against non-organic farming? Millions of insects are poisoned and killed (intentionally) every day, just so people can have cheaper vegetables.
Why is there no outrage over this? :(
Posted by: Rawr | October 9, 2008 04:50 PM
Would you rather have nasty chemicals sprayed on your veggies to kill nasty pests that chew on the food or a more natural way of using insects that are predators to those pests? I really don't think this insect thing is all that bad. Just something to gross the kids out and double dog dare them. :P
Posted by: thedude | October 10, 2008 01:47 AM
thedude
"The squirrel you kill in jest dies in earnest" Henry David Thoreau
The same can be said for the caterpillar, cricket, and grasshopper.
Posted by: lynda downie | October 11, 2008 01:52 AM