The disturbing attacks on Chick-fil-A
There’s one part of Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy’s recent remarks that the left seems especially intent on disproving: the part where he said,
… we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.
The rest of Cathy’s comments, if you haven’t already heard, concerned his opinion of the propriety of gay marriage from a biblical perspective. As retribution for his voicing this opinion, some liberals in Chicago and Boston want to deny Cathy and his company the right to operate in their cities.
This is disturbing on a number of levels, two in particular.
The first is the idea that local governments might deny a business license to a company because of the beliefs of its owners. In Chicago, Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno threatened to do just that in his ward. (The city’s mayor, former Obama aide Rahm Emanuel, was more oblique, voicing sympathy with Moreno’s perspective but saying only that a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Chicago “would be a bad investment, since it would be empty.”)
As Elizabeth Scalia notes, this is how fascism works. As the far-from-right-wing Boston Globe editorialized, in response to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s statement that “Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston” and that the company shouldn’t be allowed to open a store near famed Faneuil Hall along the city’s — first irony alert! — Freedom Trail:
… which part of the First Amendment does Menino not understand? A business owner’s political or religious beliefs should not be a test for the worthiness of his or her application for a business license. … If the mayor of a conservative town tried to keep out gay-friendly Starbucks or Apple, it would be an outrage.
Menino has since backtracked on his threat. Moreno appears to be digging in, although some of his fellow aldermen take a different view.
The second is the way Menino and Moreno are twisting the definition of the word “discrimination” to apply it to Cathy’s objection to — second irony alert! — the redefinition of the word “marriage” to apply to same-sex couples.
“You can’t have a business in the City of Boston that discriminates against a population,” Menino told the Boston Herald to explain his desire to keep Chick-fil-A out of his city.
“If you are discriminating against a segment of the community, I don’t want you in the 1st Ward,” Moreno told the Chicago Tribune.
But I have yet to see the first shred of evidence Chick-fil-A is actually discriminating against gay couples. Menino and Moreno cited no reports that same-sex couples in a Chick-fil-A restaurant have been denied service or asked to leave, nor any instances of gay employees or job applicants being dismissed due to their sexual orientation. This is hardly comparable to a Southern lunch counter turning away black customers half a century ago.
Nor could anyone accurately describe Cathy or Chick-fil-A as influential political agitators who are enabling some sort of “discrimination.” While much was made back in March of the company’s donations to groups that promote the traditional definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman, the company is practically silent in terms of donations to politicians and political organizations. According to the Sunlight Foundation, the sum total of all political donations by the company, its employees and its PAC, between 1989 and 2012, was just $177,410 — about $7,400 a year. And even this meager spending does not appear to have been tied to the issue of gay marriage.
If a mere difference of opinion with elected officials is enough to qualify as “discrimination,” then in some way or another virtually every employer would be, as Cathy put it in the interview that sparked this episode, guilty as charged. Civil society itself would be fractured irretrievably. As Scalia asked,
… where does the “punishment” spiral stop? The press declares Chick-fil-A “homophobic” (a dishonest word) and then the local governments start penalizing them for it; Jim Henson’s outfit stomps off. What next? Will people against gay marriage start boycotting Muppet stuff? Pyres of Elmo in support of Chick-fil-A’s right to be itself?
We’re already seeing a preliminary version of this: Activists are encouraging same-sex couples to visit Chick-fil-A stores next Friday for a “National Same-Sex Kiss Day”; former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is encouraging fellow social conservatives to “buycott” the company by patronizing its restaurants en masse next Wednesday.
Does anyone see this thing headed toward reconciliation?
The idea at the foundation of our freedom of speech is often said to have been summarized by the French philosopher Voltaire: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” It’s a long way from Voltaire’s France to Menino’s Boston and Moreno’s Chicago, and the direction is a very disheartening one.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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474 comments Add your comment
Up Up and Away
July 26th, 2012
6:56 pm
@@
Thanks for the reply. Can I assume that you area not in favor of the numerous companies that the American Family Association boycotts and urges their followers to boycott?
Personally I could careless who boycotts whom. Everyone has that right, just as the Cathys have a right to go public with their beliefs as individuals and a corporation.
I just think it is funny that many on both the left and right will cry when the issue doesn’t fit their ideology but are ok with the same exact thing when it meets their ideology / beliefs.
Fred ™
July 26th, 2012
6:58 pm
Oh, and I HATE Chik-Fil-A’s food. I have never lied it and refuse to eat there. Their heavily salt brined chicken and that nasty sugary breading make me sick. I have only 1 time ever gotten their waffle fries when they weren’t cold and their salads are way over priced.
My wife and daughter love them though lol so I drive through a lot……..
Fred ™
July 26th, 2012
7:03 pm
On a positive note, I saw my buddy the groundhog twice (got a shot off at him once and missed!) but he’s leaving my garden alone.
Why do I have visions of Caddy Shack and Bill Murray dancing through my head………
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 26th, 2012
7:04 pm
Someone left the door unlocked.
Party time!
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right when needed
July 26th, 2012
7:06 pm
Prepare for the gates to shut down on the Wingfield blog . . . .!
Kyle Wingfield
July 26th, 2012
7:07 pm
Right you are, Tiberius. Commenting’s in moderation until tomorrow morning.
@@
July 26th, 2012
7:08 pm
Up:
You may not assume. People are free to boycott. I just don’t think it accomplishes much.
Del
July 26th, 2012
7:17 pm
Amazing that the left and homosexual community really believe they have strong support from the American main stream. Well they don’t and those who register their displeasure with Dan Cathy’s views by boycotting his restaurants will have little effect on Chick-fil-A’s bottom line.
Samantha
July 26th, 2012
7:29 pm
The notion that a government will deny a business license to a busisness becasuse that busienss has an opinion that a particular official disagrees with is unamerican and wrong. The left is just off the chain on this issue and it shows the degree to which under a lefist government, we are no longer a nation of laws, no longer a nation of freedom and liberty.
All the left has is the politics of division, intimidation and threats. Everytime you vote for a democrat, this is the kind of government that we get closer and closer to.
SheeshLouise
July 26th, 2012
7:29 pm
So @Rafe, is your “research” (e.g. article link) is to prove what exactly? Is it a lame attempt to discredit me?? Epic fail if so; it only proves my point. Just so you know, you are dealing with a lifelong Chicagoan. Are you so gullible to bite on a HEADLINE. Because of the manner and ineptitude in which the CPD handles “crime” in the Black community, NOI (long known for its success in turning Black men into self-sufficient, upstanding citizens when all else fails), they have basically TOLD Rahm “we’re stepping in”, because quite frankly Chicago’s primary interest lies in the Irish, Polish, Italian and Jewish communities. There, I said it! It has ALWAYS been that way. Truth. As such, there has always been a disconnect between the City and the Black and Hispanic/Latino community. Rahm plays the politics of it because it is politically expedient to do so. This has absolutely nothing to do with “welcoming Farrakhan” as you so inaccurately tried to portray it. It has everything to do with the NOI being able to genuinely connect with the community and gain its respect. That’s the problem with reckless rhetoric.
As for thoughts that any individual may express that can be twisted by anyone who has an agenda, or actions done. You need to look no further than your own family/city/church/state/business community to find them. You don’t think there are KKK, Stormfront or similar organizations with members serving in various levels of government or police force?? Running businesses? Cutting land deals? Go to their websites and subscribe to their forums. You will find it all there, from THEIR mouths. Didn’t Gov. Deal just the other day admit to improprieties? Sonny Perdue’s Fishing expedition museum?? Man, come on! “Bad guys” are all around us. I’m just sayin’…screaming “Rezco”, “Wright”,”Ayers” and all that nonsense may make you feel all warm and fuzzy about satisfying your ODS, but it is STILL nonsensical.
And by the way, I have no problem with Cathy and his statements in context, because I see them for what they are – not corporate policy, merely an opinion.
md
July 26th, 2012
7:40 pm
Leave it to the intolerant tolerants to hold true on not being tolerant. I could see the outrage had Chik-fil-a said they weren’t going to serve a segment of society, but the outrage just because one voiced his beliefs shows the true intolerance of the so called tolerants,
homosapien
July 26th, 2012
7:43 pm
I.R.A. homophobe
Bruno
July 26th, 2012
8:00 pm
All that said, I really don’t see the inconsistency on my part. I never said gay-rights supporters shouldn’t be offended by what Cathy said, and I never said elected officials should respond to their offense with finger-wagging. I never said elected officials in NYC should reject the mosque, and I certainly didn’t say they should do so on the grounds of what the mosque-builders believe. As I wrote a few minutes ago: If asked, I would probably give Chick-fil-A the same advice about the wisdom of building something in a place where it might not be wanted, even if it’s their right to do so.
Kyle–I appreciate your detailed response to my earlier post. Sorry I couldn’t respond sooner, but was working.
On the surface, your position in the current Chick-fil-A controversy does seem to be consistent with your earlier position regarding the NYC mosque. In both cases, you clearly stated that public opinion should never trump Constitutional rights. The difference is revealed, however, in your seemingly consistent position that both organizations should base their decision to build or not to build in new areas based upon “sensitivity” to those who oppose them. In the case of Chick-fil-A, that is likely solid business advice, and I might have a similar opinion. No reason to start a business while bad feelings are in the air. In the case of the NYC mosque, however, I would likely have the opposite view, since religious freedom is such an important right in our country.
For anyone who missed Kyle’s original column regarding the mosque in NYC, here’s a link:
http://blogs.ajc.com/kyle-wingfield/2010/08/16/the-nyc-mosque-and-the-obama-two-step/
Bruno
July 26th, 2012
8:12 pm
Obama
“Saved” from what?
I am not a Christian, therefore I do not agree to your religious and personal dogma.
I do hope it is something that is beneficial to you, but not my style.
I asked about Leviticus because their are some things that would be hard to adhere too in this day and age. However I know some Christians have told me that they are not bound by the Old, but live in the New. Or something along those lines.
Up–In spite of our obvious political differences, we may have a lot more in common than you think. As a non-Christian, I get really, really turned of by people like “Obama is Wrong” who never learned the difference between righteousness and self-righteousness.
I believe in both the word of God is in both the Old Testament (the 10 Commandments) and the New. However, Jesus tells us in the New Testament that following the Jewish laws (as laid out in the Old Test) is no longer the way to heaven but instead we must follow Jesus. Then in Romans he tells us again the sin of homosexuality.
Obama Is Over–You might make a stronger case for your self-professed Christianity if you actually knew what the Bible states. At no point did Jesus state that we were free to not follow the law. In fact, he firmly supported the idea of a Judgment Day in which our life’s tally of sin would be subject to God’s judgment. Finally, Paul was the author of Romans, not Jesus. You are quoting Paul’s words.
Bruno
July 26th, 2012
8:14 pm
Final post for Kyle: Please consider lifting the night time moderation. It is unfortunate that a few idiots can’t behave themselves, but you can remedy that situation by banning the flagrant violators of your rules. Thanks.
Thogwummpy
July 26th, 2012
8:45 pm
I’m not for gay marriage (principally because in it’s current form, it doesn’t protect churches and organizations that doctrinally don’t agree with the homosexual lifestyle from being sued…y’know, for things like refusal to host a wedding); but I do have some upset gay friends. Therefore, I found a compromise position: I’m going to boycott Chick-fil-A….BUT ONLY ON SUNDAYS!!!!
Lamar
July 26th, 2012
8:52 pm
If the Cathey family operated on the same terms as most of the people who are so quick to condemn them, they would pull up stakes and no longer let this society benefit from the millions of dollars they have poured into worthy, non-political causes to help all ages of people have a better life from childhood through compassionate death. I find it odd that nobody mentions their many good works, but, then, neither would they.
D man
July 26th, 2012
9:17 pm
Good for Mr. Cathey for standing up to the liberal media and Hollywood actors who are trying to turn America into a sinful nation. I’ll go to Chick fil a more now…
sogadawg
July 26th, 2012
9:39 pm
So…for everyone who is protesting tasty Chick-Fil-A biscuits, and for those of you who have stated that the Truetts are ignorant and bigots, how many of you voted for Obama in 2008? Because you do realize that he stated that marriage was “between a man and a woman” many times during his campaign back then? Hmmm….hypocrites much?
Woody
July 26th, 2012
9:52 pm
I’m not sure if I can keep up with all of this boycotting – I’m already hunting for an acceptable non-Koch toilet paper.
Skip
July 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
If this is really what’s important to America it’s no wonder we’re in deep water.
You libs
July 26th, 2012
10:23 pm
Gay people are evil and should not marry or go to Chick Fil A’s, unless they are conservative bloggers of course.
Stephen Ramsden
July 26th, 2012
10:39 pm
There is NOTHING Christian about denying a person the basic rights of a family, legal recognition of their desired spouse or children. The word marriage is a legal term and a religious term. The Gay rights movement is tying to get the LEGAL portion of the term to apply to everyone, not just those who happen to believe in the Christian version of it. If Dan Cathy wants to “come out” as the leader of this business and make a statement that he surely new would be divisive and inflammatory, I am sure he and his advisors thought it through carefully, then he must have weighed the possible repercussions that he is now facing and thought it to be worth it. The article’s naive statement that he is unaware of anyone who has not been hired because they were gay is ridiculous. Chick-Fil_A asks your religion on their application and I am sure that if a gay man went in there and was truthful then he would not be hired.
Maury Weil
July 26th, 2012
11:19 pm
There is no difference between this and Lester Maddox’s Pickrick restaurant in Atlanta where Maddox gave out axe handles as he opposed integration. I suppose the axe handles were to beat Black people with. Lester claimed to uphold biblical principals. Georgians liked his stance so much they elected him Govenor
bu2
July 26th, 2012
11:20 pm
I agree with you Kyle. Liberals no longer understand the meaning of the word. Boycotting a business because of its founders political beliefs mean you have no understanding of the founding fathers. Its un-American. And many of these liberal bloggers are too ignorant and close-minded (rather ironic since that is what they claim conservatives are) to discern the difference between discrimination and not wanting to re-define a term. And he talked to the “Biblical Reporter.” Its not like he’s going on Nightline debating with Barney Frank.
Matz
July 26th, 2012
11:50 pm
How is “Chick Fil A doesn’t belong in Boston” any worse than “Gay Americans should not be afforded the same right to marry their partners as straight Americans?”
Personally, I don’t fault Dan Cathy for having a different opinion on the matter than I do. People disagree on all sorts of things. No biggie.
I do, however, think he’s a jerk for using his position as a popular wealthy businessman peddling popular, yummy, (MSG-injected, fat-soaked) sandwiches and 600-calorie milkshakes to harass a segment of the population for being different. Live your own principles, and don’t apologize for it, mmm-kay? Lead by example, yadda yadda. But… what was the purpose of making such public statements if not to demean, harass, and divide? DAN CATHY is the one who decided to make it political by sticking his public nose into the private matters of others in a demeaning way. Now he’s milking the act of being a jerk for all the free publicity and loyalty bumps he can get from the narrow-minded cholesterol junkies of America.
(Or… did he do this to deflect from his corporate lawyers suing a small businessman in Vermont under the ridiculous precept that he somehow “owns” the words “eat more?” Hmmmm…… Not very Christianlike is it?)
Reap, sow, and WHINE about it if you must, Mr. Cathy, but don’t expect my sympathy or my car at one of your drive-thrus, paying you to sling heart attack food through the window.
Oblama
July 27th, 2012
12:24 am
Sheep dog I wouldn’t call anyone a bigot if I were you – you fit the definition to a “T”.
Oblama
July 27th, 2012
12:28 am
Closed minded bias and bigotry are traits of the radical leftist fascists. The politicians threatening Chick – Fil – A are basically little Hitlers.
Old Timer
July 27th, 2012
12:41 am
Chick-fil-A won’t loose any business–they will increase sales. When Chicago complains, it is a sick joke. They have a murder rate out of control, so many gangs that police can’t control them and they want to worry about same sex marraiges when they hve numerous fatherless kids. This appears to be some of that Democratic keep the entitlement society happy. What bothers is that our entitlement generations aren’t happy, they think they are entitled to more. When the scale tips we go from the Greatest Nation to just another confused country.
tjatl
July 27th, 2012
12:57 am
While I support everyone’s right to exercise their first amendment rights, including CFA and all who criticize them, I have personally not eaten at CFA since I got food poisoning there in 1988. I chalk that up to random bad fortune, not the company necessarily. Someone told me later that it’s not wise to eat “2 o’clock chicken”….
Vyper3000
July 27th, 2012
5:35 am
All we see from this is how very intolerant and bigoted the liberals are in this country. You are allowed free speech, but only if it agrees with them. You can do business, but you have to do it the way they say or you’re wrong. If you believe something different from them, you are backwards, a “hater”, and you must be silenced at all costs. your rights and freedoms are not important unless you agree with them. That having been said, I think I’ll open the can of worms up a little wider…..
There is no discrimination under the law against gays. Gays are not treated any differently than normal people under the law in any way: there is no place that anyone here can name where that is happening. Don’t believe me? Just try. Straights and gays are treated EXACTLY the same under the law.
Now let’s see who is and is not intelligent enough to understand that. Let the games begin!
Jack
July 27th, 2012
5:58 am
Gay people should start their own restaurants in protest.
seabeau
July 27th, 2012
6:11 am
Years ago homosexual behavior was considered a mental illness. The medical profession reconcidered and this behavior was declared simply an alternate lifestyle. At the onset of the AIDS fiasco several health options,including quarantine(such as TB and STD patients were confined)could not be used due to our Politically Correct Congress Federal Law protecting the homesexual lifestyle. This lifestyle has led to the deaths of a number approaching 30 MILLION PERSONS.
Lynnie Gal
July 27th, 2012
6:25 am
Hey, macho guys–if you want to keep eating hormone-laden chicken that will give you big breasts, and raise your voices by a couple of octaves, go to Chick-fil-a!
Hey, how about “Drag Day” at Chick-fil-a!
middle of the road
July 27th, 2012
6:43 am
Dan Cathy was wrong in one thing – he said “the company” was against gay marriage. Companies cannot have opinions, only people can. He is essentially saying ” I am Chik-fil-a and I am against gay marriage”. Fine. That is his opinion and he is welcome to it. I agree with you, Kyle, Boston and Chicago are WAY out of line.
On the other side, people are welcome to their opinions, too, so they can boycott or “buycott” all they want.
The only problem I have with Chik-fil-a is their habit of putting too much ice in their drinks. (Are you listening, Dan Cathy?)
GT
July 27th, 2012
6:59 am
Cathy has made his fortune on this kind of publicity. He doesn’t open on Sunday, a stroke of genius and this is right up there with it. I doubt he had much traction up north to start with, but I can remember those Irish neighborhoods in Boston setting black people on fire and laughing as they ran down the street a few decades back. I assume they are still there and now will be Chick Fil A customers. Chick Fil A has figured out what FOX has, feed them what they want and they will be addicted to your product for life. Selling hate is a lot like a drug dealer only it is protected by the constitution and Cathy is one of the few Atlanta companies doing well and God knows we need the money.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
July 27th, 2012
7:40 am
Look at what the liberals will be blaming on us when it collapses the economy-
Yes, believe it or not, the federal government is now starting another initiative to force banks to lend to low-credit-rated blacks and Hispanics — not just anybody but specifically blacks and Hispanics — and is threatening — and already collecting — huge punitive fines if they don’t. Moreover, this time they’re going even further. They’re going to take over the credit rating agencies and force them to change their standards to accommodate blacks and Hispanics so that nobody will have any idea who is a bad credit risk and who is not.
This will be Romney’s “fault-”
The principle instrument this time is not the Justice Department, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as it was last time, but the brand-new Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, designed by good old Elizabeth “Nobody-Ever-Made-It-On-Their-Own” Warren, which should really be called the Bureau for Bringing Down the Entire Economy.
It’s happening as we speak and do you think any lib will try to stop it?
@@
July 27th, 2012
8:08 am
23 minutes ago: Stock futures inch up as investors eye stimulus–MSN Money
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Stock index futures edged higher on Friday at the end of a volatile week that has reinvigorated hopes that both the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank will act next week to shore up flagging economies and stabilize the euro zone.
12 minutes ago: ECB-driven rally runs out of steam in Europe–MSN Money
Rules
July 27th, 2012
8:14 am
Good lord, what a bunch of butt-hurt morons. Facts are still fact, no matter how you twist it. CFA does not discriminate against anyone. Everyone is welcome to come in and enjoy a delicious sandwich. Most of you seem to look for reasons to be offended. What kind of life that must be, looking under rocks for people who offend you.
How Inciteful Is That!
July 27th, 2012
8:18 am
I’m offended by how dry Chick-Fil-A’s biscuits are. McDonalds has an excellent sausage biscuit that has just the right amount of moisture content and it’s cheaper too.
@@
July 27th, 2012
8:26 am
Why does Bruno’s 8:14 p.m. go up and my nightly…
“Oh man!” (missed the cut-off) not?
I’m beginning to think Kyle doesn’t like me.
Oh man!
Really you folks cow down to AJC bed wetters
July 27th, 2012
8:27 am
Are the folks who write chick-fil-a is raceist are as blind as be funny when Ceasar Obama said that a Marriage between a Men n women is correct not Man and Man are women and women…You all on the Media no jump on that u let is slide..Like certain Talk show said..You folks would jump off bridge i never go there again they bash Gays and stuff…..Its plain fact media would jump off bridge for that fellow in white house he said a marriage is a between Man n women…repeat pound it in period!
@@
July 27th, 2012
8:29 am
I’m offended by how dry Chick-Fil-A’s biscuits are.
Put some butter on it.
alyn
July 27th, 2012
8:33 am
Yup, less bigotry, less homophobia and less fast food. We don’t need your stinkin beliefs or your chicken.
How Inciteful Is That!
July 27th, 2012
8:34 am
I heard something about a Chick-Fil-A store person that would not participate in some sort of prayer thing and lost his job. Has anyone else heard about that. I think I heard that it was out in Texas. Is there any truth to it.
How Inciteful Is That!
July 27th, 2012
8:38 am
Put some butter on it.
Adding butter does not instill the proper moisture content and does nothing to lower the price so your suggestion does not satisfy my tastebuds or my wallet. But thank you just the same.
Rightwing Troll
July 27th, 2012
8:39 am
“Final post for Kyle: Please consider lifting the night time moderation. It is unfortunate that a few idiots can’t behave themselves, but you can remedy that situation by banning the flagrant violators of your rules. Thanks.”
But then Kyle wouldn’t have any “conservative” posters left here…
Rightwing Troll
July 27th, 2012
8:41 am
“Are the folks who write chick-fil-a is raceist are as blind as be funny when Ceasar Obama said that a Marriage between a Men n women is correct not Man and Man are women and women…You all on the Media no jump on that u let is slide..Like certain Talk show said..You folks would jump off bridge i never go there again they bash Gays and stuff…..Its plain fact media would jump off bridge for that fellow in white house he said a marriage is a between Man n women…repeat pound it in period!”
Ummm… what??!??
@@
July 27th, 2012
8:42 am
Why horn size matters when picking a mate
Ever wondered how to pick the fittest mate? If you’re a rhino beetle, choose the male with the biggest horns.
A subtle comparison of men to beetles? A picture of two male beetles with their horns locked?
HIGHLY OFFENSIVE!
schnirt
Voice of Reason
July 27th, 2012
8:45 am
Don’t agree with Cathy, but I certainly support his right to have an opinion. I’ll still eat there; it’s delicious!