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
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
8:12 pm
Melvin…i’ straight…been married 20 years…it does not bother me in the LEAST that two men or two women would want to marry…why would it bother YOU personally? HOW would two gays getting married affect YOUR personal life?
CFA Forever
July 26th, 2012
8:12 pm
@pee wee herman – now that was one of the funniest posts I’ve seen on the matter, LOL. perez hilton’s opinion means absolutely nothing.
Andy
July 26th, 2012
8:13 pm
Once again, this isn’t about his opinion, his belief, or his freedom of speech. The core issue is Cathy’s disclosure of almost 2 million dollars donated by CFA to often divisive and anti-gay causes. Educate yourselves people and know the facts. He did a bit more than share his opinion. He confirmed CFA participates in corporate sponsored and sanctioned bigotry. The company policy and their actions simply don’t mesh. This tidbit seems to be getting left out of the dialogue.
Atlantarama
July 26th, 2012
8:13 pm
These protests are having the wrong effect. It’s apparently true that any publicity is good publicity, because I’ve eaten at CFA more in the past week than all of the previous year.
By the way, I’m pro-gay marriage.
Fats OMalley
July 26th, 2012
8:15 pm
Why the gays got to be so viciuous toward such a great hard working company like Chick Fil A? I plan on doubling my orders tomorrow at Chick Fil A
Chick-fil-A & having the right to an opinion ROCKS!!
July 26th, 2012
8:16 pm
Atlantarama got it goin’ on!!
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
8:17 pm
I hereby declare Auguest 2nd to be “Burn a bible in front of Chick-Fil-A day”!!!
Nothing that creates more division and hate in this nation compared to the slavery condoning human penned bible…no better place to have bibles burning across the country compared to Chick-kk-k!
Join me on August 2nd!
Time for me to make this viral Talibangelicals…. just watch
Snafu
July 26th, 2012
8:18 pm
Here is the problem, Cathy can express his opinion as he sees fit. If he was raised to believe marriage is between a man and woman then who has the right to tell him he is wrong in believing in such. If gays feel they want to be with the same sex then who has the right to tell them otherwise. The gays calling Cathy a hypocrite are the very hypocrites themselves. There are many who do not share the belief that there should be same sex marriages and guess what many will never accept it and that is their choice. I get so darn tired of these gays complaining every time someone says they don’t believe in same sex marriage. If they can get on television and advocate for it then Cathy has the same right to say he believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
I don’t care what adults do with other adults but don’t try to push the sexual agenda on those who feel differently. As far as these so called Hollyweird types, do they even eat at Chik-fil-a? I doubt it and this coming from the very hypocrites who have no morals or values!
And really folks this is about nothing, think about it when you go into a restaurant does the waiter or waitress give you a sexual orientation test. How in the heck would anyone know the sexual orientation of anyone going to get food unless they are just so flamboyant? This is ridiculous, no one is forcing gays to eat anywhere, its called choices.
Chick fil up the bank
July 26th, 2012
8:19 pm
Talk about publicity. This must be stirring up a lot of new business. The owner of Chick fil A is laughing all the way to the bank. Meanwhile everyone is getting angry and losing sleep over something that doesnt really matter.
Steve
July 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
Ahh, liberals. So inclusive. So accepting. So tolerant. Until, of course, you voice an opinion contrary to one of their pet special interests. Then stand back and wait for the hate….nobody slings it better than an angry leftist.
So anyone eating at Chick Fil-A “deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4Christ” (according to Roseanne Barr)? And then of course she and her Hollywood pals will pillory the Cathy family for being mean spirited and hateful. The irony and stupidity of the left is TOO funny.
Joseph Mills
July 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
The problem is that the Cathy’s may not be representing the independent owner/operators of Chick-Fil-A’s all over America and what Dan Cathy did may be his right, but he certainly messed over everyone that helps make him his millions. It was quite a stupid move on his part.
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
8:21 pm
actually outside of the dirty south (lowest educated states in the nation)….chick-kk-k sales are tanking… as they should be…
Kowz
July 26th, 2012
8:22 pm
Never prouder to have been a boy scout and luv to eat at CFA- in fact will dine there more often -to the freaks that amount to less than 1% of the USA population -no one least of all CFA will miss your disease ridden bodies breathing air with all the normal people in the stores
Saul good is a puke
July 26th, 2012
8:23 pm
Saul Good don’t forget that there is a burn ban in the metro area so if you want to break the law be sure to throw a kuran in there with it and get everybody involved
White, conservative Southern Girl
July 26th, 2012
8:23 pm
For those of you who talk about all the Old Testament rules, do you not understand that at the very heart of Christianity is tht Jesus Christ died to take away our sin, and that removed the “law” that the Old Testament laid down. And the principal of one man-one woman marriage is also found in the New Testament. Christianity is based on the New.
I hate how the side that preaches “diversity” is the one who cannot handle anyone having an opinion opposing theirs. They preach tolerance but are not themselves very tolerant. Hypocrites.
dan milk
July 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
geez, homersexuals offended cuz a company dont feel da same way dey doo, is the world about to end?
Contractor
July 26th, 2012
8:25 pm
Boy, you can see where the line is split. With Roseanne Barr and Perez Hilton taking the side against Chick-Fil-A it just makes Chick-Fil-A’s position that much stronger. The day I ever sit on the side with a guy that blogs about celebrities for a living and a fat hack like Roseanne is the day I consider myself mentally retarded and not a citizen of this country. Falling that far from reality to sit on the same side of an issue with them would be worse than death for me. It’s just funny to see a has been and a guy that gets his rocks off following the details of other people’s lives get all upset, yet no one cares but to make fun of them.
B Taylor
July 26th, 2012
8:27 pm
OK for all the folks claiming to be Christ-like. At the end of life we all have to stand before Him and be judged. I’m in no postion to judge anyone. Being gay is nothing new and even though some folks think you can pray-away the Gays…..get over yourself! There’s no such thing. All people should just mind their business. On the other hand if you have an opinion, that’s fine too. Just don’t impose on others and learn to agree to disagree. Chik-Fil-A is a wonderful place to eat at. I’ve never been there when any employee was rude or acting childish. I don’t agree with the owners about the gay issue, but I’ll continue to eat there when I want to. Leave the guy alone! GEEZ!
Little Ricky
July 26th, 2012
8:29 pm
Hey non-CFA peeps… so start your own freakin’ chickin chain… actually, I just spotted you the name… now go for it….
oops… not enough customers.. so nah, bad idea..
actually, i am really pissed that I’ve never been able to figure out that “gay meter” detector that CFA uses to detect my sexual orientation. oops… i guess they don’t really have one do they. crap. now i have to admit i’m protesting one man’s thoughts freely expressed…. oops..ouch.. owieeee.. the liberal emporer has no clothes on…crap crap crap… my liberal philosphy is more bankrupt than Leeman Bros… lfie’s a bitch..
truthbtold
July 26th, 2012
8:30 pm
Let’s see, Men have been marrying women for over 3,000 years as the institution of Marriage. Now, here in the 21st century some same sex friends that take off their clothes and play with each other (It’s impossible for them to consummate the relationship) want what they do to be recognized as a marriage. A marriage continues the family tree through passing genes on via the next generation through child birth and the family name. Neither can be accomplished with same sex relationships.The only thing that can be accomplished is the demise of man. Without reproduction, mankind would gradually disappear. Other animal species become extinct because over time their numbers diminish. What exactly does modern man think is the purpose of marriage? Has society gone so far off the rails that many can’t even think clearly? They no longer know the difference between right and wrong? The difference between natural and unnatural? Violating your body with foreign objects, and exploring bowel cavities is not normal behavior. It’s an acquired taste centered around confusion. Even within these “couples” one plays the role of male and the other female. Or a top and a bottom. This world of pretense has evolved to the point of wanting the rest of the world to acknowledge the pretense. If homosexuals kept their business behind closed doors, we wouldn’t be discussing it. But there is no shame in the world anymore. . .
Carolyn Reefves-Wills
July 26th, 2012
8:33 pm
Guess everyone is against Christians in these days of Violence, Immorality, and other practices
that demoralize our nation. Some at the Olympics have talked about having sex with people
they have never met.
The Cathys have not said they are homophobics or hate homosexuals. Do they not have a right
to their beliefs just because they believe the Bible. They serve everyone who comes in as
equals and do not descriminate. This should make homosexuals (and there are many) who own
businessess. Should others descriminate against them and force them out of business?
I worked in and took care of AIDS patients in a public health facility for 5 years.
I had about 400 patients at one time. I also had people ask me how could I take care of the
Gays. I always told them I also had prostitutes, drug users, and those who caught it innocently
after their husbands/wives indulged in sex outside of marriage. this made me love them all even
more and want to help them. I have a lot of letters from patients saying I did not make them
feel bad-that they all received the same level of care.
I treasure those 5 years.
Lisa Walker
July 26th, 2012
8:33 pm
I support Chick-fil-A 100%…see ya Aug 1st for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Weena
July 26th, 2012
8:34 pm
Hey Jennifer, stop ironing that damn hair and post my comments. They’re funny so allow those of us who are here to have fun can enjoy our time. After all, isn’t this all about page hits.
Chick fil up the bank
July 26th, 2012
8:34 pm
Saul good you are a negative nancy. You also should consider mental evaluation. How about don’t eat at chick fil A? Its as simple as that. No need to get all poopy pants about it.
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
8:35 pm
truthbtold….let me ask…3000 years? How old is the planet and how long have humans resided on it?
Little Ricky
July 26th, 2012
8:36 pm
truthbtold… you so folks… also, there’s basically no homosexuality in the animal kingdom. our liberal friends recognize this huge scientific problem for them… so what will follow this post are many “you’re an idiot Little Ricky, yes there is… why at the Central Park Zoo… so forth and so on”.. sorry neighbors… grew up on a farm.. no gay animals there…
by the way lib friends go ahead and copy the “you’re an idiot Little Ricky…” to save you some time.
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
8:37 pm
chick,.. i don’t eat there…i haven’t had “junk food” (which is what they serve) in over 12 years… i mean outside of the Talibangelicals supporting hate…that stuff is GARBAGE! So eat as much of it as you’d like…me? I like my health and avoid fast and junk food like you avoid Muslims…
CCC
July 26th, 2012
8:39 pm
I think i’m gay for Chick-Fil-A chicken.
AMEN RA
July 26th, 2012
8:42 pm
THIS TO ALL THAT WRITE AND COMMENT ON THIS. GROW UP
RenaP
July 26th, 2012
8:43 pm
i agree that everyone has a right to their opinion.
So my opinion and right is I will never eat or order their food for my events again!
PrezObozo
July 26th, 2012
8:44 pm
So sad politically correctness has run amuck. Someone who owns a business can no longer have a opinion. I will eat @ Chick-fil-a more often….
Little Ricky
July 26th, 2012
8:48 pm
So two gay chickens walk into a bar. One says “barkeep, I’ll have what the little lady’s having”.
Barkeep says “Well, it’s a good thing you can in here and not at that CFA across the street. They have a gay meter detector and they won’t let you in”. Chicken says “no way, I was in there just last week and they treated me mighty fine”. Barkeep says “Well… not anymore… some white guy mouthed off about his personal opinion of legal marriage and now CFA is gonna change 50 years of serving gay chickens, so ya’ll aren’t welcome over there anymore”. Chicken says “well, I don’t believe you barkeep, we’re gonna walk over and find out for ourselves.” Aesop
Daddy, tell me what happened… sorry kids, time for bed.
Sam the Sham
July 26th, 2012
8:48 pm
Never let politics or religion get in the way of a delicious chicken sandwich. I’m with CFA!!!
Independent Voter
July 26th, 2012
8:50 pm
I lean left on most issues — military intervention, taxation, regulation, the environment — and I personally don’t care if gays want equal rights under the law, whether it be civil unions or even “marriage,” if its so important. But they turn me off when it comes to issues like this one, and I end up siding with the right. National Same-Sex Kiss Day — really? They are pushing swing voters to the right with these over-the-top antics. The bottom line is, they’re merely insecure and desperate for broad social acceptance, but the way they’re going about it is backfiring on them.
Reality
July 26th, 2012
8:52 pm
I just don’t get it. The company expresses an opinion and it starts an uproar. What the critics of C-F-A are saying is if you don’t think like I think you don’t deserve to be in business and we will attemp to put you out of buseness by boycoting. Isn’t this type thinking way behind times? Is it not the same type thinking as one saying “he or she is gay so don’t hire them and don’t associate with them”? I’m going for a Chicken S,W, lemonais frys and lemon pie right now. And you can go marry your DOG if you want.
D.S.
July 26th, 2012
8:54 pm
I am a Democrat, but I’m so tired of these fake melodramas manufactured by the media and amplified by all of us who take the bait – myself included more often than I’d like to admit. But beliefs and opinions are like – well, you know…everyone’s got one. We now know what Mr. Cathy’s opinions are and if you’ve ever talked to the man or listened to his speak, it is not a shocker folks. I don’t give a rat’s ass, because he’s an American and is entitled to his beliefs.
But what are his policies toward his employees at Chik-fil-A? If his employee policies are in line with his beliefs then yes, my choice will be to never eat there again because intolerance SUCKS. (I’ll miss the waffle fries, though.) However, if his beliefs are irrelevant as far as his employee policies are concerned, then Good God people, get over it, save yourself the needless drama, take a deep breath, kick back and watch the Olympics. Let God sort it out. It’s not your job.
Ronald Fowlie
July 26th, 2012
8:55 pm
For those of you calling Chick Fil A fast and fatty food, perhaps you should read their fat content and caloric content if you can put your bias to the side and go into a store. First off their food is healthier for you than a McDonalds or Burger king. Most of their meals are 500 hundred calories or less. You can’t say that about other fast food places. They do have fried items, but they are fried in Peanut Oil which is a better product to fry in, if you need to fry. As to the stand taken by Dan Cathey, the last time I looked, this is a free country and we can say what we want and believe what we want. If you don’t agree, don’t shop there. God Bless you Dan!!!
AMEN RA
July 26th, 2012
8:56 pm
THE BIBLE IS A COLORING BOOK.ALL TAKEN FROM THE TRUE PEOPLE OF GOD.GAYS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THERE SELF.SO WHY ARE YOU ALL LOWER YOURSELF TO THIS CRAP. HOTEP
Weena
July 26th, 2012
8:56 pm
I love all chicken, KFC, CFA, Publix, my neighbor….
eliza
July 26th, 2012
8:56 pm
why can’t people just let everyone have their own opinion? If you don’t like it, don’t eat there…chik fil a doesn’t go around yelling at the gays not to do this or that… live and let live!!!
Vince Doodley
July 26th, 2012
8:57 pm
All Gods chillun like chicken. Dan Cathy doesnt think Gay people should be married to each other. So what? Whats that got to do with Chicken.
eliza
July 26th, 2012
8:58 pm
p.s. Jesus never said one word about gay people.. all he wanted was for people to love one another and believe in him.. HE wanted everyone to love each other and get along.. it’s the other idiots who wrote part of the “bible” who condemned other people..
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
8:58 pm
Independant….that’s whty over 50% of American support same sex marriage… that’s why over 70% of 18-29 year olds support gay marriage…THAT is the future of our nation…our youth…and they simply don’t care if gays get married…it will be THEY who vote, who run for office…and who end up making the laws…the best part? Evilgalicals kids are leaving the “cult” in record numbers. They have had enough of their parents hate…by time they leave HS….over 80% of them leave the church…they overwhelming support gay marraige…and they support abortion rights as well. The Talibangelicals have lost their kids…because they used so much “hate” preached at them for so long….that when their kids get to the real world…they support the gays they meet…they end up having the MOST abortions simply because of them not being taught about birth control and abstinance education being a complete failure…
sp step aside…this straight man cares not about gays getting married…why should YOU and how does two men gtetting married to one another affect YOUR life?
San
July 26th, 2012
8:59 pm
As with most Christians, they just can’t help themselves, they have to continue to proselytize, sell their product, Christianity. Christianity is preached to them from the day their born, they don’t know no better so for Cathy to say what he did, poor thing, well, he just couldn’t help himself. Maybe though, for all concerned, it just might be time, to come of age and leave the dark ages behind.
Independent Voter
July 26th, 2012
8:59 pm
Folks, we, as Americans, are facing some very serious problems — the huge national debt, the disastrous housing market, unrest in the Middle East, the threat of terrorism, illegal immigration, collapsing families, deteriorating schools, and an ever-increasingly schizophrenic and violent society — and the GLBT community wants to force the topic to be about something as trivial and meaningless as gay marriage. It’s just a label — who cares! We should compromise — equal rights under civil unions but no “marriage,” and be done with it already. Let’s move on!
a
July 26th, 2012
8:59 pm
Did I miss something. When did he say he hate gay people?
Rev Al
July 26th, 2012
8:59 pm
Saul is small….hehehe..and that’s from Rev Al….let’s go Tawana get some chicken up on that day….
Whiteswallow
July 26th, 2012
9:00 pm
Jesues didn’t eat chickens. He was a Jew, he ate bagels.
Saul Good
July 26th, 2012
9:02 pm
and remember folks….you heard it here from me first…AUGUST 2ND is “BURN A BIBLE IN FRONT OF CHICKFILA DAY”!!!
Time to burn that book which has caused so much pain and suffering to so many….the book that supports slavery… that causes division among humans (as those who believe in that brand of human penned and authored fiction believe they are “superior” compared to those who do not…or simply subsribe to another cult slightly different compared to your own)…
August 2nd… let’s burn 1,000,000 biles in front of chickfila’s nationwide!!! AMEN!
Rodzilla
July 26th, 2012
9:03 pm
Not so sure why everyone is surprised about the comment. Most people know that Chick-Fil-A has a conservative base. Traditional religious beliefs of the Cathy family have pretty much been known to be a part of the company’s operating philosphy. They’ve been talking about it from day one. I’m sure most of the other major restaurant owner, CEOs etc. have the same thoughts, trust me. They just don’t say anything.