Have Chick-fil-A and same-sex marriage, too
Lewis DiuguidThe long lines of Chick-fil-A fans popped up at Kansas City area restaurants and others nationally in response to Mike Huckabee calling for a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.
But the owners of the restaurants have to hope that the cues on Wednesday were not a flash in the deep fat frier and will continue. Huckabee, an ultra-conservative and former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate, declared the appreciation day in response to boycott calls from gay rights advocates and others, who were reacting to Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy coming out against gay marriage.
The dispute makes it seem as if one can’t enjoy Chick-fil-A and same sex marriage, too. Nothing could be further from the truth.
But the heat that Cathy’s comments have generated may make business tough for his general interest restaurant. Americans’ brand loyalty has the tensile strength of clothes dryer lint.
There are a lot of fast-food options, and people in line today may decide on an easier to digest burger tomorrow.
Steven Fetter
66223
9 months, 3 weeks agoI would guess that the overwhelming majority of people do not care about the politics of the business they shop at.
I know I enjoy Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, Alec Baldwin movies, and the KC Star columnists even though these ultra-liberal entities do not match up with my political beliefs.
If one now has to pass a political test to get a business license to operate, the power of government has indeed grown large.
Kent Mueller
9 months, 3 weeks agoWell put, Steven. I know the two mayors have walked back on their declarations, but what they did is scary. We have mayors of two major cities who, at least briefly, thought it was a good idea to have business pass a political test prior to obtaining the ability to conduct business. Steven, you hit the nail on the head. That is exactly what was proposed. Scary.
Mark Hastert
9 months, 3 weeks ago“If one now has to pass a political test to get a business license to operate, the power of government has indeed grown large.”
I couldn’t agree more on this point. the g-mint shouldn’t meddle in matters like this. I’m reminded of the controversy about the “ground zero” mosque a few months back where people were asking the government to withhold permits for an otherwise legal and legitimate use.
I’ll still vote with my own dollars if only to withhold those dollars from supporting causes I do not.
Ray Parker
Overland Park
9 months, 3 weeks agoThe real message of Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, a world record in food sales, a show of defiance and a show of force, was that Christians are no longer going to tolerate attacks or interference with their businesses from the homosexual agenda or other left-wing extremists. They will make sure that any Christian business under attack gets plenty of customers and profits. And while they are at it, they will not be buying at businesses that promote the homosexual agenda or other anti-Christian interests. Christians are no longer going to shut up, sit down, and quietly take the abuse, especially from leftist bigoted anti-Christian bureaucrats. They are going to stand firmly for their beliefs without apology to anyone. They are not going to endorse or condone sodomy, but will instead follow their Christian tradition and duty in warning of impending divine judgment on rampant immorality, as Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy and Rev. Billy Graham have done. Christ told us how we should structure marriage, family, and society, and He is pretty smart. (Matthew 19:4-9; 28:19-20; Mark 10:6-12)
Rachel Elaine Hines
9 months, 3 weeks agoRay Parker: Yeah! Eat a bunch of fat-laden, salty fast food! That’ll show ‘em!
Steve Alleman
Kansas City
9 months, 3 weeks agoThe mayors did not say the business owners had to pass a political test. The issue they were raising was employment discrimination. If your city has a law barring discrimination based on sexual orientation, and a prospective business announces that it discriminates in this way. it’s the duty of public officials to uphold the law.
Steven Fetter
66223
9 months, 3 weeks agoMr Cathy’s position on gay marriage, which was President Obama’s position until 3 months ago, is that he does not approve of gay marriage. The laws in most of the states would agree and make gay marriage illegal.
Being against gay marriage is not the same thing as discriminating in the hiring of gay people. If there is evidence of this by Chick Fillet, I am aware of it.
Phil Cardarella
9 months, 3 weeks agoGosh, Ray! I looked up your quotes. My Bible must be defective, because it didn’t have anything in there about gays or civil marriage at all, only about the RELIGIOUS position. Interestingly enough, a position different from the Mosaic (which allowed divorce) and the Catholic (which does not, even for adultery).
Now, most Protestant sects treat this less as a law than as an admonition to the ideal — and accept divorced folks as not adulterers when they remarry. And,I know of no state that does not allow divorce as a civil process.
So, if hetrosexuals who are admonished never to divorce — even Catholics — can get civil divorces? Why should not gay folks — who are NOT EVEN MENTIONED in Christ’s religious observations about hetrosexual marriage — be allowed a civil marriage?
Not everything that I consider to be sinful is illegal — for which many on Wall Street should offer prayers of thanksgiving.
Oh, and the valid criticism of this CEO’s behavior is that he uses the money he gets to oppose full civil rights for his fellow citizens — based on his own religious beliefs. That is just chicken$#!t.
Kent Mueller
9 months, 2 weeks agoRachel, it’s pretty funny how you, Lewis Diuguid and other liberals have made caustic references to Chic-fil-A’s frying of food. They have never sold themselves as a health restaurant. Jarrod works for Subway, Rachel.
To quote you, Rachel. Reference their cooking method, “That’ll show em”!!!!!
Kent Mueller
9 months, 2 weeks agoSteve….Can you show where Chic-fil-A has discriminated? You said they have so that you could justify the two mayor’s comments. You must know of discrimination there. Please show us where it is.
Specifically, you said the company actually announced that they discriminate. Could you link in that press release?
Kent Mueller
9 months, 2 weeks agoPhil, your civil right angle is bogus. That shouldn’t even be a part of the debate. But….how can marriage be a right when you have to apply to the government and receive a license to be married?
As far as what CFA does with it’s money, it can do whatever it wants. It’s a private company. Once again, this is an example of liberals wanting to tell others what to do with their money. It’s not your money, Phil. As long as it is legal, CFA can do as they please. That is a beautiful part of this country, please don’t attempt to change that, or we may have to re-direct all of your money to where I want it to go.
Rachel Elaine Hines
9 months, 2 weeks agoThe civil rights angle is not “bogus.” The laws of marriage in this country should not be based on the tenets of any religion. There is no legally justifiable reason to forbid same sex marriage.
Kent Mueller
9 months, 2 weeks agoRachel…..I didn’t say the marriage laws shouldnt’ be changed. I said the civil right angle is bogus. I don’t have a problem with gay marriage at all. We can change the laws if that is what enough people want. But what is reprehensible is to want to deny someone of their right to free speech. Now,that is truly a right. And in the silly category, is the reference how CFA cooks its food.
Rachel Elaine Hines
9 months, 2 weeks agoI never said Dan Cathy didn’t have the right to believe and say whether he wants. But I’m not supporting a company that donates profits to organizations that block equal rights. I have not seen any reports that Chik-Fil-A is discriminatory in its hiring practices or in its customer service. I just think it’s really silly to think you’re making some kind of statement about freedom by stuffing your face with fast food.
Rachel Elaine Hines
9 months, 2 weeks agoP.S. I also disagree with the actions of the Boston and Chicago mayors who threatened to block Cathy from opening locations in their cities, AND with the actions of people who are picketing and holding “kiss ins” that will accomplish nothing but ill will. Just sayin’.
Kent Mueller
9 months, 2 weeks agoThen we agree on some things, Rachel. Is it any sillier to go eat a sandwich in support as it is to stop eating a sandwich in protest?
George Hunsucker
Northland
9 months, 2 weeks agoAh, the soooooo tolerant left….
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/08/03/viral-video-man-picking-on-chick-fil-worker-gets-him-fired/
The outpouring of support for Chick-Fil-A was one of the most impressive demonstrations by the American people of their support for free speech since 75,000 Americans showed up at the Marianne Anderson open-air concert in DC in 1939 afer she was denied pemissiion to sing at the hall of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Watching the interviews with people at the restaurants, I saw little indication that this was an anti-gay marriage demonstration. No, the people who came came because they felt that whatever the merits of the views of Chick-Fil-A’s owner, they were not going to tolerate state power being used to tell people what they can and cannot think. And, despite the frantic backpedaling of the mayors of Chicago and Boston, that is what got people upset about their threats to Chick-Fil-A—the American people are not going to allow their governmental “leaders” to dictate who can and cannot have free speech. Up in Heaven Marianne Anderson must be very proud of her country!! Sincerely and Respectfully, Ernest Evans