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
Ifredeemedsayso
July 27th, 2012
5:39 pm
I thank God for Chick-fil-A taking a stand regarding this issue. I wish more businesses as well as people that share the Christian faith would publicly express their belief. http://youtu.be/N83ocNFXfvg
OldSnarkey
July 27th, 2012
5:45 pm
OldSnarkey: so the devil is responsible for two people falling in love and caring for each other? I’m pretty sure I learned in Sunday school that God is the one who creates love and the ONLY thing that the devil does is create hate… Much like the hate you have against gays. My God loves me for who I am because he made me who I am. I have no issue with people who don’t support my marriage, but at least learn to tolerate the lifestyle of those who promote love!
Proud Lesbian Doctor, you need to reread what I posted. I didn’t say that God hates Gays, God hates the sin that gays engage in. I get tired of Gays constantly pushing their agenda on me and my family. It might do you good to read the scriptures and rethink your position. The devil propogates sin. That was the reason for that statement. I don’t hate anybody as you assumed that I do. I do hate the Gay agenda. If you want to sin and toy with missing out on heaven, thats your business but we don’t need to hear about your perverted ways!!! Take your perversions back in the closet!
Robert Lane
July 27th, 2012
6:21 pm
@OldSnarkey (5:45pm): You wrote: “I get tired of Gays constantly pushing their agenda on me and my family.” In what way does seeking the right to marry count as pushing an agenda on you and your family? In what way would legalized same-sex marriage impact you and your family AT ALL?
When other people want to do something that you think is wrong and then seek the legal right to do that thing, that does not count as “pushing their agenda on you.” Your religious rights are not infringed or threatened when others do something with which your faith disagrees. Your religious rights do not include the right to have everyone else participate in your religion, and it’s not an attack on your rights when others don’t join in your specific faith. In a similar way, you do not infringe on any of my rights, nor does it count as “pushing an agenda” on me, when you teach your children religious views with which I disagree, or when you get together with like-minded people to engage in worship. In short, the quest for legalized same-sex marriage has absolutely nothing to do with you and your religious beliefs.
If you value consistency, you may want to revisit the scriptures yourself, including passages that I’ve quoted in previous posts (that forbidden eating pork, wearing clothing made from two different types of fiber, and shaving), as well as others, e.g., those that clearly signal an approval of slavery (Colossians 3:22: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”) Perhaps you never eat bacon and support a return to legalized slavery. But I suspect that you are picking and choosing among Bible passages, emphasizing the one’s you already agree with (like those cited to condemn homosexuality) and ignoring others.
Mary
July 27th, 2012
6:47 pm
The comments from anti-ChickFilA people are all negative, mean and threatening. The comments from the pro-ChickFilA people are all reasonable and positive.
Nicholas
July 27th, 2012
7:03 pm
If Chick fil A was peddling the Koran instead of the Christian Fundamentalist Bible, it’s supporters would go APE SH*T and shut down the crappy mall food chain. Think about it. The 1st Amendment is convenient for them now.
Tired of The Whole Issue
July 27th, 2012
7:50 pm
Is there such a thing as heterophobia? Somebody let me know. I think this is what I’m witnessing. A battle of the phobias! LOL
Sean
July 27th, 2012
8:55 pm
Chick-fil-a is an experience unlike any other fast food. You want “open late” go to Taco Bell. “You gotta eat” whatever that means, go to Checkers. Looking for a muslim to fix your food, go to Subway. You want a friendly greeting, pretty good food, “my pleasure” instead of “no problem”, shirt tales tucked in etc. Go to CHICK. Chick isn’t different because Dan Cathy doesn’t support gay marriage, it’s because Chick is different from everything in fast food and they close on Sundays too!? So they are ridiculed as religious wackos and the left wingers always need something to attack and so there you go. Lets run Chick-fil-a out of business and the world will be saved.Hopefully Chick’s supporters will be loud enough to run the leftys and the news media back into their worm holes so they can regroup to attack again another day. F U Roseanne, Elton, and any other idiot attacking our beloved franchise
L carter
July 27th, 2012
11:35 pm
All your negative thoughts will receive you well. There will be judgement day……………….and oh yes it will come sooner than later. Lets just go ahead now and just spilt the United States in half because that is what has been done to all the churches…………….Lets just use and abuse human beings.
Good job Christians you deserve just what you get.
Letter from American Airways
July 28th, 2012
12:18 am
Recent Blogroll Additions……
[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
ted
July 28th, 2012
3:05 am
Ever hear of Sodom and Gamorrah, God completely destroyed these two cities with Fire Hail and brimstone. Why?? Because of their homosexual activities. When are people going to get it through your heads that homosexuality is a plague on Americas society, and it needs to be stomped out. Hey! I sin every day — you all sin every day, but at the end of every day before I lay my head on the pillow, I can ask God to forgive me and have a better day tomorrow. As a homosexual, you don’t have that luxury, cause your living in a state of sin, you want forgiveness , you got to get out of that situation. Hello !! don’t get mad at me. Take that up with God – Just remember God resist the proud of heart , but gives grace to the humble
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | Ai
July 28th, 2012
3:44 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | Ap
July 28th, 2012
3:45 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | Sc
July 28th, 2012
3:45 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | Gl
July 28th, 2012
3:46 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | FC
July 28th, 2012
3:47 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | My
July 28th, 2012
3:48 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
“#$%@PamelaAnderson @TheWatch WatchYourClutterVanish http://ScanGorilla.net/FreeDigitizedDocumentsToTheCloud @BristolPalin @Ozonelayer @FordEscaperecall @JulieNewmar @StepUpRevolution @Olympicsopeningceremony @Healthcarefraud @RaulCastro” | Ch
July 28th, 2012
3:49 am
[...] Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flapAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)âChick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,â tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, âChick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.â Roseanne Barr … [...]
Inhofe: Waffle Fries Are Bangin’ | The Navigator
July 28th, 2012
7:24 am
[...] Atlanta-based fast food chain has come under fire from a number of left-wing celebritiesRead The Full Story Here: http://freebeacon.com/inhofe-waffle-fries-are-bangin/ Posted in Blog [...]
Cloudodust
July 28th, 2012
8:13 am
In a country built upon the standards of individual freedoms, free thought and that all men are created equal, the squeaking wheels among us are trying to rewrite the basis for our existence instead of simply living it. Dam, no telling how many products are consumed by Americans each and every day that were inked, stamped and produced by people of varying beliefs differing from the individual consumer’s. Kudos to Chick-fil-A’s Dan Cathy for standing up for his beliefs instead of caving to the intolerant fools that can’t stand freedom…
Chris V
July 28th, 2012
10:32 am
I’m glad he made his beliefs clear, so I can choose not to patronize his business
Refugee
July 28th, 2012
1:09 pm
Wonder if Karen Handel will get the PR job? We know where she stands on gay marriage, and she is a PR whiz. A match made in heaven…
300yearsOFpayback
July 28th, 2012
9:43 pm
Dan Cathy has BLOOD ON HIS HANDS. The BLOOD of his Dan Perry, VP of Marketing!
RUSerious!
July 28th, 2012
9:56 pm
Okay…so gays are encouraged to ask for FREE water from CFA to “test” their adherence to the Bible?! Seriously?! You can PAY for your water just like everyone else…gay or straight!!!
allan
July 29th, 2012
12:24 am
Never had a chick fila sandwich but they sound great now. Congratulations to this chain business and beliefs do not mix but i support a bold move for straight people Christian or not. Let gays ban this place it will be allright this country is morally upside down i f you are gay keep it in the closet don’t cram it down the throat of me and my children (they are trying to get kids used to the notion) just they,ve made a hard push but I am seeing a change straight people are starting to take it back. Keep it private or go to another country this one is founded on God’s belief’s of ma and woman. I’ll have a sandwich tommorrow, I promise.
allan
July 29th, 2012
12:31 am
PS I meant MAN and woman and who gives a damn about celebs they are the root of the gay problem (meaning roseann or rosalee whoever she is) she looks like she has eaten alot worse. I liked
ellen before she came out and then every episode had pro-gay reference. Have’nt watched her since
Randy82
July 29th, 2012
1:24 am
Thank you Chick-Fil-A, for keeping Gay Marriage in the spotlight! Without having haters, Jesus Christ wouldn’t have been nearly as popular either, right?
Kelly
July 29th, 2012
4:56 am
The whole is a pretty nice wholesale nfl jerseys. http://www.jerseystribes.com/
Kris G
July 29th, 2012
10:45 am
People go so far to blame hatred on Jesus, to pretend wanting the same rights makes the OTHER guy the radical, to call something that happens frequently in nature radical, to muddy up an issue that is as simple as could possibly be: Can you let your neighbor live his own life, or do you think larger numbers makes you the boss of him?
Kris G
July 29th, 2012
11:23 am
My favorite right wing move: hypocritically telling someone else what they can and can’t do, then someone objects, claim they’re against “freedom.” You guys really have no perspective at all as to what that word means, do you?
John
July 29th, 2012
12:02 pm
Ed Helms is wrong (as so many actors are when it comes to politics). Cathy didn’t say he didn’t like gays. He said he (personally) supports the definition of traditional marriage. So, Ed can go back to CFA.
mecq
July 29th, 2012
5:47 pm
For those of you who are offended by the owners statements: is this not America..??? He has a right to express himself anyway he choses. If you eat any HORMEL products you are supporting one of the largest gay corporate contributors…Not to mention all of the silent contribitors to the cause. I don’t have a problem who one’s sexual proclivities. I, however, am heterosexual and don’t expect any special perks because I am. Nor do I expect to be ostracized or considered a bigot because I am. You’re not special because you’re homosexual and I’m not special becasue I’m heterosexual. These are our choices. Don’t expect me to bend to your will to avert a hissy fit. You may throw one of those anytime you wish. When did we become a nation that mandates policy because of one’s sexuality. I don’t care who you sleep with; nor should you care who I sleep with. It’s not a political matter, it’s personal. The sexuality movement is a distraction to the real issues we’re having in this country.
mecq
July 29th, 2012
5:49 pm
I meant…..” I don’t have a problem with one’s sexual proclivities”……
Jackson
July 30th, 2012
4:50 am
Even though its an Atlanta company, I hope Chick-fil-A goes under for the backwards, redneck views of its leadership…it doesn’t deserve to be in business. If you have a company, you are entitled to your own personal, PRIVATE, opinions, but keep your damn mouth shut if you are representing the company. How idiotic! Personally I think Chick-fil-A should be sued for their discriminatory and illegal hiring practices…but that’s just me.
I'm in for Chic fil a
July 30th, 2012
11:26 am
Will you celebs boycott Muslim businesses? Some gays have been killed by muslims for being gay…but nothing about them…i wonder why?
Mark It Right
July 30th, 2012
1:00 pm
Let me clear up a few things for you anti & pro Chickie Fila people.
1.) EVERYONE has a right to have an opinion. The problem with Dan Cathy is not that he doesn’t just disagree with gay marriage. He sends money that he has earned from Chick Fila to organizations that use it specifically against gays (not just gay marriage). So you see it is more than just an opinion. So of course gays want everyone to know this and not support his beliefs.
2.) Being gay is NOT a choice! If it is then you are telling me that hetero’s have the desire to be with the same sex and just choose not to act on it. (I thought that would shut some of you up.)
3.) Nor is it a lifestyle! (definition -Lifestyle is the way a person lives.) Gays (just like heteros) live various lifestyles. Some examples of lifestyles are urban, country, city, sedentary, green, stay at home parent, etc. The only thing that makes gays different is that they sleep with the same sex.
If being gay is a lifestyle, can heteros live it too? (Again I thought that would shut some of you up.) If you still think it is a lifestyle, please give me details. I might want to live it.
So agree, disagree, eat there, don’t eat there it is your right. Just remember everyone has that right.
Oh yeah one more thing “EAT MORE BEEF”. For the vegans “EAT MORE VEGETABLES”.
WAR EAGLE
July 30th, 2012
1:26 pm
Amazing! IF the gays say something, no one is allowed to disagree with the minorities, but if someone has a different opinion then all heck breaks loose and boycotts appear. 1st amendment guarantees freedom of speech. If someone jumped out of the closet and announced they were straight, it would not hit the news, but if someone announces they are gay- they have parades. This PC junk is getting stupid and sickening. As for liberal Boston and Chicago- who needs them. they are a bunch of taxocratic cities who do not believe in freedom of thought. So if the GAYS cannot accept the fact that there are some religious people and people with thoughts different fro them, then they need to get thicker skin, or GET OVER IT! We the Majority will not cater to the needs of minorities any more! Don’t like it! Move! Preferably to another country! Try Cuba and Mexico. It was Dan and Truett’s thoughts- not the entire Chik fil a company.
joe
July 31st, 2012
9:39 am
SAUL is an ignorant idiot.. I’m embarrassed he lives in this country.. as far as I’m concerned you can move farrrr farrrr away if you don’t like it. You have major issues.