Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flap
UPDATE: Chick-fil-A just announced the sudden death of its longtime spokesman this morning, reportedly from a heart attack. Here is a link to that story.
A number of celebrities have joined the myriad other commentators in discussing Chick-fil-A.
“Chick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,” tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, “Chick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.”
Roseanne Barr struck a differing tone, tweeting that anyone who dines at the restaurant chain “deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4Christ.” She later clarified her sentiments, saying she did not actually wish cancer on anyone. “I should have been more careful in choice of words,” she said in a follow-up tweet.
Also invoking medical conditions was celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who tweeted, “I heard #ChickFilA gives you diarrhea!”
Atlanta native Ed Helms, the actor of “The Office,” “The Hangover” and “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” note, tweeted: “Chick-Fil-A doesn’t like gay people? So lame. Hate to think what they do to the gay chickens! Lost a loyal fan.”
Celebrities Roseanne Barr, from top left, Perez Hilton, Dave Ramsey and Big Boi have weighed in on Chick-fil-A
And Mia Farrow tweeted a link to an essay on the Think Progress website that said in part, “”There is … no accurate way to reduce Chick-fil-A’s words and actions to merely defending ‘biblical principles.’ This is — in every way, shape, and form — a company proactively engaging against the interests of LGBT people, and that is the quite justified reason for outcry.”
Prominent supporters of the Atlanta-based chain include pro hockey player Tim Thomas. “I stand with Chick-fil-A,” he wrote on his Facebook page. Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, had Chick-fil-A for breakfast today. “Treated my staff to breakfast from Chick-fil-A to support free speech, family values and delicious chicken biscuits,” he tweeted.
U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, on the other hand, tweeted, “For the record, I prefer Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
And San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in urging the chain to stay away. “Closest Chick-fil-A to San Francisco is 40 miles away and I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer,” Lee tweeted.
Financial guru Dave Ramsey, a bestselling author and talk-show host who sells out stadiums all across the country with his live events, tweeted his support: “I LOVE Chick-fil-A food and Dan Cathy is a personal friend. I will be buying a biscuit on Aug. 1 to tell them I love them. Join me.”
He was referring to a movement spearheaded by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is encouraging people to dine at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1. Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum is actively supporting “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” as well. In a statement, the Rev. Billy Graham said he will participate as well.
“I … appreciate Gov. Mike Huckabee’s leadership and for encouraging Americans to support Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1,” he said. “As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday.”
Atlanta author Jackson Pearce is urging a counter-movement on that date. “On … the day Mike Huckabee wants Chick-Fil-A supporters to patronize the restaurant, go to Chick-Fil-A. Ask for a large water and nothing else,” she said in a post on YouTube. “See if they adhere to Proverbs 25:21 (”If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”) and give it to you. If they do, yay! You took a few cents from their hate fund! If they don’t, well…I guess they’re proving their principals aren’t so ‘biblical.’”
The debate stems from Cathy’s comments regarding marriage.
“We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit,” he said in an interview with the Biblical Reporter. Here is a link to his entire statement.
While a number of economics experts pondered whether the flap will harm Chick-fil-A’s bottom line, University of Georgia marketing professor Sundar Bharadwaj told the Associated Press that it likely will weather the criticism relatively unscathed.
With more than 5.2 million Facebook fans and more than 180,000 Facebook users discussing it at the moment (according to a metrics snapshot), Chick-fil-A is certainly awash in commentary. The women on “The View” discussed it with Elisabeth Hasselbeck saying, “As citizens, if you don’t like something… you don’t have to buy anything there” and Whoopi Goldberg saying, “You don’t like what they’re doing, don’t go. But do not step on their right to have an opinion. This is still America.”
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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837 comments Add your comment
Truthpaste
July 27th, 2012
9:57 am
How can America evolve into this non-white free for all gay and lesbian orgy if none of the said free thinkers can produce offspring without help? Adopt the World and let Illegal Aliens invade the border. The Federal government will give you free Obamacare and entitlements for life.
With all the white conservatives gone life will be Utopia and America will be free at last.
Problem is, who is going to pay for all that free stuff and freedom. The money is leaving America. USA is on it’s way to failure and 3rd World status.
TB
July 27th, 2012
9:58 am
Isn’t it funny how liberals only like free speech when they’re speaking? How do so many people read into Cathy’s statement that they don’t like gay people. He said they believe in traditional marriage between one man & one woman & didn’t think is was right to change things. Another funny thing about liberals is how they seem to embrace Muslims whose very lives are emersed in religion yet think fellow Christian Americans are ignorant, redneck bumpkins who shouldn’t be heard.
Bill
July 27th, 2012
9:58 am
I will support wholehearted gay marriage as soon as one man can impregnate another or one woman can impregnate another. I am sure this will happen about the same time as Saul Good pulls his head out and allows his ears to cool off..
That Guy
July 27th, 2012
9:58 am
The dumbing down effect in action once again thanks to the media. It’s all about the money and who has it, who doesn’t and who WANTS it. To heck with anyone and anything that doesn’t want to drink the Kool-Aid, even if the Kool-Aid tastes like &^%(*#@. The homos are upset because they couldn’t penetrate the deep pockets that is Chick-Fil-A. The Cathy’s have values and I commend them for that. Go find some other poor sap to beg, borrow and steal from to promote your self-righteous bad behavior and leave the good successful folks alone. Better yet, you have a friend leading our failing govt right now in Washington, DC.
Keep up the good work CFA and I’m glad somebody is ballsy enough to come out against the PC crowd and stand by their convictions despite the media onslaught.
Wow
July 27th, 2012
9:58 am
Never thought I’d be agreeing with Whoopi Goldberg either! Why have people become so rude and vile if they don’t agree with someone’s opinion? We’re killing ourselves. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and their views.
lovingwifey
July 27th, 2012
9:59 am
I’ve met Roseanne Barr. She came into a clothing store where I once worked in Beverly Hills. I greeted her solicitously and asked if I could help her find anything. She just grunted at me. Of course why would a big important Hollywood star give the time of day to a lowly sales clerk? Typical liberal elitism, such a humanitarian but obviously despises people. Even the Green party rejected this wingnut; maybe her photo where she dressed up as Hitler and was shown biting into burnt “Jew” cookies clued them in. I’d like to see her and her ilk give a fraction in the way of jobs, scholarships and charity of what Chick Fil A does.
Darren
July 27th, 2012
10:01 am
Patrick Romano, if marriage is an unbreakable contract honored by God between one man and one woman, then why are people, even in Catholicism, to receive annulments and divorces? Why does the Bible give multiple accounts of many of Biblical patriarchs and prophets having multiple wives? ( Lamech, Abraham, Jacob, Esau, Gideon, Saul, David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Elkanah, Ashur, Abijah and Jehoiada. Some interpretations also suggest Moses had a second wife in Tharbis. Other polygamists identified in the Bible include Abijah of Judah, Ashur, Ahab, Ahasuerus, Ashur, Belshazzar, Benhadad, Caleb, Eliphaz, Esau, Ezra, Gideon, Jehoiachin, Jehoram, Jerahmeel, Joash, Machir, Manasseh, Mered, Nahor, Rehoboam, Shaharaim, Simeon, and Zedekiah.)
You know that the Sabbath is actually on SATURDAY, right? Always has been. That’s why orthodox Jews (you do know what Jews are right?) don’t work or drive on that day. Unless you are in your home with the lights off from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday with no working, cooking, turning on lights, etc. you are not observing the Sabbath.
So basically, keep any opinion you want, that’s your right. But if you going to use the Bible as the basis for making these claims, at least get your facts right.
Johnny U
July 27th, 2012
10:01 am
Hey Saul, what are you worried so much about clogged aota for, are you afraid to meet your maker before he sends you to HELL.
Sparkle666
July 27th, 2012
10:01 am
Bible’s definition of marriage? I have flipped through this durn bible 50 times and I still cannot find the glossary.
stress>chicken
July 27th, 2012
10:01 am
Stress is going to kill all of the these people getting so worked up over Chick-Fil-A before eating fried chicken sandwichs.
Mama Told Me Not to Come
July 27th, 2012
10:02 am
This is a debate that shouldn’t be. Chik-Fil-A didn’t need to weigh in and neither did the rest of the dominoes in this ordeal. I don’t care about the political views of companies or so-called “celebrities”. I as a simple customer shouldn’t have to feel like I’m taking sides or making a “statement” when I go and order a #3 with sweet tea. Give me one good reason why I should care about Chik-Fil-A’s stance or the Muppets (really?). And I am sick of “celebrities” dishing out their point of view as if the entire non-celebrity world is just waiting for their perspective so we know how to feel.
mgdawg
July 27th, 2012
10:02 am
Proud American, I do not declare myself an expert on homosexuality. I did take a class in college that the purpose was to go over the different sexes, my teacher was in support of all of them. The one thing he told us that most intellectual homosexuals and others agree is that it is a choice. They said if it makes you happy and you enjoy it then you should do it. Of course, the response from people like me is that you can enjoy a lot of things, that doesn’t mean that should do them. Also, reading the bible it’s pretty clear that homosexuality is a sin. It is a sin just like lying, cheating, etc. As long as you are saved you can commit sins and still go to heaven; however, you should strive to not live in sin.
2. I believe you are born straight. Just like you are born with a moral compass of what is right and wrong. I believe everyone truly knows the difference in right and wrong, for example I believe criminals know what they do is wrong. However, they have been influenced by something to believe that what they are doing is justified for some reason.
3. Gays can be christians, as I stated above. Being gay is a sin just like any other sin.
DAVID
July 27th, 2012
10:03 am
IT BOILS DOWN TO THIS…you either believe in SCRIPTURE which explicitly defines marriage as a union between a MAN & a Woman….or you believe in the Dog-& pony show of two men..or twowomen or anything does….any combination will do for the LEFT. They have no value system.
Proud American
July 27th, 2012
10:03 am
The gay life is a wonderful thing. We are always recruiting and if you change your mind later in life then – no biggie. I know lots of formerly gay queens that decided to marry a real woman and have kids. The gay gene is permeating our country at an alarming rate.
Everyone is going to be gay, they just don’t realize it yet.
Eat mo chicken!
BIGMIKE
July 27th, 2012
10:03 am
Biblical definitions aside….this is a financial and political issue. The only reason married couples are given a break on their taxes is because they have or could have children which need additional care and support, while not adding anything to the household financially due their dependence and mandatory schooling.
How does this tax break apply to two hard heads that want to profess their lifelong love for each other. They can do that without the conventional marriage certificate. A new marriage certificate needs to be created just for gay marriage.
There is no good reason for a stay-at-home gay spouse to receive the benefits of their working spouse. This was, is and always should be exclusively reserved for opposite sex marriages that potentially or actually have children to raise. That’s why these benefits were created. It’s the only reason for gays to be fighting for recognition of marriage. Let’s be honest…it’s financial!!!!! Not religious. Unless you cherry picks the parts of the bible you like and the one’s you don’t, it is considered an abomination to God……CASE CLOSED.
It is what it is. I just don’t want to have my tax dollars going to subsidize this sinful, immoral behavior….I’m not from California and they don’t run the country. This is still considered a democracy and I have yet to speak to anyone that supports it.
Steve
July 27th, 2012
10:03 am
Wow, you people are clueless. Imagine if Kroger came out against Black people, or Muslims, or marrying outside your race or faith. Would you still shop there? I wouldn’t.
But hey, if this company sends the money I SPEND ON THEIR FOOD to anti-gay causes, then we are whining?
How clueless are you people??
And even worse, supposed gay people who support someone who promotes anti-gay movements, you might as well be a Jew in Germany saluting Hitler, you fools!
Jesusislord
July 27th, 2012
10:04 am
I really enjoy Chik Fil A and will spend as much as I can budget there. Homosexuality is perverted sin that God will judge. Jesus offers salvation, though, from that certain judgment, to anyone willing to confess and renounce sin, and follow Him on the narrow road to heaven. Homosexuals enslaved to sin should know that Jesus and only He can set you free from that slavery.
jj
July 27th, 2012
10:04 am
Chic-fil-a is only in trouble because that fat,sloppy loud mouth roseanne will not be eating there anymore…going to hurt the bottom line I think.
Jane Rain
July 27th, 2012
10:04 am
Does Truett Cathy know it’s wrong to hate?
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
10:04 am
Look, when Tom Arnold drops your sorry a*s because he thinks you are a nut then you have serious issues. The fact that the media takes her comments and prints them show the media has their own serious issues. Gee, go figure.
Steve
July 27th, 2012
10:04 am
Bigmike, so gays don’t raise children?
Are we in some kind of retard-land here?
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
10:05 am
Yes he does Jane. Do you know it is wrong to be stupid of the facts? Didn’t think so.
hcpiv
July 27th, 2012
10:05 am
SAUL GOOD…what Chick Fil A are you going to be at on Aug. 2nd?
Steve
July 27th, 2012
10:05 am
Homosexuality is no more of a sin than when your Bible proclaims divorce is adultery, or the many other sins it proclaims as wrong. Hypocrites.
Gay Marriage Factoid
July 27th, 2012
10:06 am
The first gay marriage has already ended in divorce. Shocking isn’t it?
KeepYourHands OuttaBoysPants
July 27th, 2012
10:06 am
Is it true Chik-Fil-A was one of Jerry Sandusky’s biggest supporters? Hmmm..hypocrisy abounds at Sik-Fil-A.
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
10:07 am
Steve, you are clueless. You do not understand what racism truly is and you continue to spew liberal garbage. Garbage in, garbage out.
John
July 27th, 2012
10:09 am
Saul Good – Why don’t you get a life you loser. I wish I could meet someone like you in person. You need your ass beat you punk. You’re all tough behind a computer idiot.
Keep talking your stupid ass rhetoric. One of these days, someone is gonna knock your ass out
Steve
July 27th, 2012
10:09 am
Kramer – look up bigotry. Bigotry, racism. It’s in the googles. If Chik filet wants to send my money spent there to bigoted or racist causes, I ain’t a gonna eat there any mo.
That’s what we are protesting.
dont hate
July 27th, 2012
10:10 am
like any group, gang, club, religion, goverment they all start off having good intensions. unfortunately they all end up becoming corrupt, evil, hypocrtical and go against every thing they were founded on. you could even say that about our “great” country. Humanity has to come together as a whole. Put our difference aside and focus on what really matters. If you dont think the world is falling apart around you. WAKE UP!!! Humanity is the Earths CANCER!!! We need to find a cure before it is too late.
Sparkle666
July 27th, 2012
10:10 am
Good news everybody, since I could not find a glossary in the bible I decided to look up the definition of marriage in the Devil’s Dictionary:
MARRIAGE, n. The state or condition of a community consisting of a master, a mistress and two slaves, making in all, two.
Deep Thoughts
July 27th, 2012
10:11 am
Gay marriage is not a Human right. No one has the “right” to marriage, as marriage is a choice later in life and is not genetically determined at birth. Discrimination against race and sexual orientation is ILLEGAL.
Al
July 27th, 2012
10:12 am
Blah,blah,blah…….. I don’t care what Hollywood thinks or anyone else, If I want to go to Chick Fil A
its my business and not anyone elses.
As a country we have gotten so politically correct with everything we do. If I say this I might offend this group of people. I really fear what this country will look like 10-20 yrs from now.
Get a backbone people…. DEAL WITH IT!!!!
Independent Voter
July 27th, 2012
10:14 am
JW@3:12 am, and mgdawg@7:42 am, posted the two best comments I’ve read on this topic. I totally agree with both of them.
RJS
July 27th, 2012
10:14 am
I don’t approve of what Chick-fil-A stands for, but it’s their right to believe what they want, however wrongheaded it is. It’s also my right to go elsewhere for chicken.
Proud American
July 27th, 2012
10:15 am
ASHCAN – Nice try posting your trash under my screen name: “The gay life is a wonderful thing. We are always recruiting” Why don’t you grow up?
Rick
July 27th, 2012
10:15 am
The 2 % of the population believe they have the right to force their perverted lifestyle on others – Yes that is what the Bible calls it PERVERTED. If you don’t believe the way they do you are a bigot.
Good for Chic-Fil-A for standing up for Biblical principles. I have eaten there 3 times this week to help offset the few boycotters. I hope they have record sales this month / year for being one of the few moral companies left that are not to stand up for what is right.
Independent Voter
July 27th, 2012
10:15 am
I’d rather be on the side of Dave Ramsey, who helps thousands of people get out of debt, than Roseanne Barr, whose claim to (in)fame is deliberately butchering the National Anthem at a ball game for shock value and headlines.
Kay
July 27th, 2012
10:15 am
Sure Truett has every right to his opinion and every right to donate his money to any hate organizations of his choosing.
I have a right to advocate that others not spend their money on his factory farmed, hormone and antibiotic filled chickens so that he doesn’t have more money to give to the Eagle Forum, Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, Exodus International, etc…
love
July 27th, 2012
10:16 am
Went to Chik-fil-A this morning, the line for the drive thru was wrapped around the building. Gay people, need to get a grip, you’re entitled to make a choice on your lifestyle, and people are entitled to state their opinion on it. I don’t agree with gay marriage either, do I discriminate against gay people or harbor any ill feelings, no. Free speech is a beautiful thing. I love America & Chik-fil-A!
Dutty Faghut
July 27th, 2012
10:17 am
He Yall. What did I miss?
Fred (I want to marry myself) Willard
July 27th, 2012
10:17 am
Where are my rights? No one is protesting for my rights. What’s wrong with you people?
Lothar
July 27th, 2012
10:18 am
Not all gay people are pedophiles but all pedophiles are gay….just saying
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
10:18 am
What money of yours are they sending to what hate groups Steve? see, this wat I am talking about. You have no clue what your are talking about. I have an idea Steve. On August, 1st when Chick-Fil-A will double their business why don’t you stand at a store of your choice and protest? Your sign can read “Chick-Fil-A hates Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, and Gays. Because Steve says so”.
Advocate
July 27th, 2012
10:18 am
Take a breath people. Chik – Fil – a has individual owner / operators that serve all kinds of people courteously and two that I patronize even have gay people working there. So while Mr. Cathy has his opinion please don’t throw out the baby with the bathwater.
Peter
July 27th, 2012
10:18 am
I’m sick of the Gay Nazis telling us there is only one way to think on their issues or else. The Gay Nazi Agenda is dividing the country like no other ’cause’. It’s beyond ridiculous.
Ben The Independent
July 27th, 2012
10:19 am
Rosanne Barr’s comment is to be expected from a woman that grabbed her crotch while making a joke of our National anthem at a base ball game. The Chick-Fil-A president said they will treat all people (including LGBT’s) with respect. The anti-Chick-Fil-A comments are not asking for respect but rather approvel of the gay life style which the majority of people reject.
Janice Wislon
July 27th, 2012
10:20 am
Why wasn’t ChikFilA this vocal when they were apparently supporting Jerry Sandusky? ’nuff said.
I don’t eat molester food.
jsmooth
July 27th, 2012
10:21 am
Earl and Saul:
Man, you guys need prayer! Wow, who got your undies in a tighty mess? You can disparage Chick Fil A, its messengers and its mesage, however, God’s ultimate will will prevail and you guys will be on the outside looking in. My heart goes out to you, braindead and no heart.
Lothar
July 27th, 2012
10:22 am
Janice Wislon…you are an idiot who apparently cannot even spell your own name correctly. Go stick your head back in the sand, you dumb carpet licker.