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
JB
July 26th, 2012
9:49 pm
Most hollywood types are one break away from not happening from being plumbers or hotel clerks. Pretty dim lot, the most of them.
GreatATLGuy
July 26th, 2012
9:50 pm
Struck a nerve with all you fat rednecks who eat at CFA…. keep going there and eat yourselves into a greasy coma.
Atlanta truth
July 26th, 2012
9:50 pm
No. It probably won’t JB. Just cause millions more deaths over another cult over the last 2000 years. No biggie.
JB
July 26th, 2012
9:52 pm
GreatATLGuy……………..is that your mid town street cred name?
truthbtold
July 26th, 2012
9:54 pm
@ Saul Good – Do you know what sodomy is? Do you know what perversion is? You want to propose burning Bibles in front of restaurants because some feel the definition of marriage should be changed to accommodate the whims of others? If that’s the case – Then what about all of the people in the world that love being intimate with children. Why can’t they marry the child if the kid wants to? Or why can’t those that practice bestiality marry their animal? After all, many leave their inheritance to their pet anyway. This is the world of confusion that you want to create and fight for. Who takes who’s last name in these relationships and why? Who’s the head of the household and why? Who’s the protector in the house in these unions? You don’t know, because it’s being made up as you go along. A female is born with anatomy designed to accommodate male anatomy, not a man made foreign object. And, no male is born wanting his sphincter violated. These are acquired tastes. A person can pretend and act all they want, but it still doesn’t change reality. A woman can never feel what it’s like to be inside a woman, and a man can never know the sensation of becoming moist, giving birth, or breast feeding. It’s all pretend!
Fact
July 26th, 2012
9:54 pm
Since gays feel that no one should be able to restrict and/or condemn who they sleep with, they should not attempt to limit or restrict a person’s religious belief system.
JB
July 26th, 2012
9:56 pm
Maybe the atlanta police will have a sense of humor and feed some of you alternative lifestyle boys ( pretty PC for a redneck huh?) CFA when your are locked up for indecent exposure at your next parade.
The Dirty Bird dance is here
July 26th, 2012
9:56 pm
All I can say is that if other people don’t want to eat it, to bad, so sad! If Chicago or Boston doesn’t want chicfila there, sounds stupid too!! Anyone that has a brain knows the Christian values of the restaurant by its chriatian music inside and also being closed on Sundays. Truet Cathy is from old-school where a person would stand by values and character. I say cheers and lets bring on the chicken!
With that said, lets all agree to disagree if you happen to be sensitive to feel hurt and disagree and do the Dirty Bird in preparation of football season right around the corner!!!!
Atlanta truth
July 26th, 2012
9:57 pm
Most ignorant, intolerant types are one break away from cult preachers / child molesters / hypocrites. Pretty dim lot, the most of them. Not to mention weak minded.
T A
July 26th, 2012
10:02 pm
Hard to believe that this topic could generate so many responses. Those of you quoting Leviticus need to read Acts. God okayed eating foods previously banned by Jewish law through Peter.
Those of you who think that marriage is only a man and a woman, think about it, why do you care? It is too hard to find love in this world. If it doesn’t effect you, why do you care? Get a life, the next time I have a craving for Chick-fil-A, I’ll go get one. Unless it is Sunday, then I’ll go to McDonalds.
JB
July 26th, 2012
10:03 pm
They have been laying in the weeds waiting for this fight. And the guy will not back down and that will really P_______ them off, because if they knew anything about Christians, and they don’t, Jesus tells them they will me mocked and ridiculed for following his teachings and it will make them stronger. They don’t have a clue. A few signs by folks wearing pink tights protesting won’t rattle this man.
M
July 26th, 2012
10:04 pm
Two things:
1. Given Chicago’s murder rate, they are the absolute LAST place that should cast judgement on any person or entity!
2. I wonder do gay rights activists patronize dry cleaners and gas stations that have Muslim owners? Do they plan on boycotting them as well?
Atlanta truth
July 26th, 2012
10:05 pm
Maybe the Atlanta police will think twice before breaking the law themselves as they did a few years ago downtown and brought shame upon law enforcement in Atlanta AND cost YOU and the city millions of dollars in legal settlement fees. Maybe just maybe. Maybe the police will uphold the law and rights for all including “alternative lifestyle boys from Forsyth County and Gordon County”. Maybe they will have a sense of humor for those folks. Maybe. Or they will pay more.
B
July 26th, 2012
10:08 pm
all he said was he believed in the current , since the beginning of time, definition of marriage. There is no hate in those words
haha
July 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
GOD is a joke and akin to superman.
If a grown person told u they believe in santa claus what would be your response?
replace god in place of santa. no difference.
bryan
July 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
wasn’t obama against gay marriage until about a month or so ago??
Taco
July 26th, 2012
10:10 pm
I here eating Perez Hilton will give diarrehea and probably much worse. Just thinking of Rosie makes me want to barf.
JB
July 26th, 2012
10:11 pm
M…………….good point. The big difference is Christians will just pray for them. Muslims would cut their head off for that lifestyle….both of them….so they take the path easier traveled……….At at the end of day, it’s all about a block of votes of 60-70 million people who are standing in their way of new laws that they think they need to have. It’s all about votes. Let everyone over say 55 die, and they can have all the new laws they want. Decency will be dead……………So will the US.
Atlanta truth
July 26th, 2012
10:11 pm
Interesting. And who defined marriage ? What cult holds sway over that institution ? NO entity has legal bounds on that in the USA. Check your Constitution folks.
I wonder
July 26th, 2012
10:12 pm
Since this an election year, many politicians are saying what they perceive as politically correct to get the votes. It is a sad case, when we really don;t know what are politicians and some preachers really feel. These days is about being popular; very few public figures are strong enough to state their true feelings without fear of losing their status. It use to be a positive trait to stand up for one’s belief and value.
Georgia Dad
July 26th, 2012
10:12 pm
The Cathy’s have contributed so much to charity and the community over the years so I overlook their opinion on this subject. What do we care what he thinks? A large corporation such as theirs should remain neutral on matters as this. Obviously the loss of revenues or gains won’t mean anything to this company. If they were all about money they’d be open Sundays or 24/7
Taco
July 26th, 2012
10:12 pm
OMG I totally forgot Muslims hate queers too! Go bitch slap them.
Kujohn
July 26th, 2012
10:12 pm
Enter your comments here
Trey
July 26th, 2012
10:20 pm
I love me some Chick-fil-A
Kelli
July 26th, 2012
10:20 pm
I think I’ll start making my own lemonade. The Cathy’s can believe anything they wish, this is America. But I’m gonna begin a diet that is free of Chick-Fil-A. Let’s see how much I can loose by not eating their tasty waffle fries and lemonade, and watching the Muppet’s movies this summer.
DIXIE
July 26th, 2012
10:22 pm
If you don’t agree that someone can speak a personal thought and also represents a private company, then you are on the complete opposite of what the United States of America foundation of freedom are based upon. Freedom to be, as long as you do not inhibit the rights of freedoms of others. Saul Good, you have the freedom to express yourself as a bigot. Saul Good, look up the definition.
Kujohn
July 26th, 2012
10:24 pm
Chic fila is was founded by a racist an a homophob the CEO has carried the tradition into 2012 Chicken sandwiches for the common biggot aka conservative Christians hopefully soon Sunday won’t be the only day they are closed
DIXIE
July 26th, 2012
10:26 pm
“‘Bigotry’ is the state of mind of a “bigot”, a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices; especially : one who regards or treats the members of a group (as a racial or ethnic group) with hatred and intolerance”[1] Bigotry may be based on real or perceived characteristics, including age, disability, dissension from popular opinions, economic status, ethnicity, gender identity, language, nationality, personal habits, political alignment, race, region, ***religious or spiritual belief***, sex, or sexual orientation. Bigotry is sometimes developed into an ideology or world view. The word is used with caution due to the inherent reflexivity.
jimbob
July 26th, 2012
10:26 pm
I don’t understand why the same folks outraged at CFA are fine with the psychotic homophobia of federal government friends like the Muslim Brotherhood.
A person that embraces government leaders that send US taxdollars to vicious homophobes while simultaneously hating CFA are tremendous hypocrites.
VoiceOfReason
July 26th, 2012
10:27 pm
Eat mor Chicken!
Trey
July 26th, 2012
10:27 pm
Kelli, get over it.
Georgia Dad
July 26th, 2012
10:28 pm
So lets ask every CEO or every large corporation what their thoughts are on the matter. Do we really care what each says? Everyone has a right to their own opinion but not all get the press that this has. Lets get beyond it. There are much more important things going on than what Cathy and his company think about gay marriage.
Trey
July 26th, 2012
10:29 pm
Kujohn, I hope your house gets foreclosed.
leroy
July 26th, 2012
10:30 pm
Hipos! These gay people call everyone phobics , bullys haters exc. Gave u noticed how they bullied Miss. California n anyone who does not see there way! Christaphobics . Father God u call them fools so it would not help to tell them that it is u that says marriage is between man n woman not I or they we just trust in u. U ask us to b light to those who r blind. It r duty to inform those that r in danger of death. To inform those that r being deceived.We need to sleek now or forever hold r peace or consequence. Boycott Kraft orios, Disneyland, Chicago, San Fransico Bosten n all the Hellywood supporters. A home divided will not stand? Bless Chick Fi. A 4 the truth. God bless the USA. Lap
Goddess
July 26th, 2012
10:30 pm
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. Anyone has that right to excercise their position. You cannot please everybody, and Chick-Fil-A pre gay position, didnt please everybody, so go figure.
CE
July 26th, 2012
10:31 pm
To all the political officials and gays who wish to boycott CFA and restrict them to opening stores in their area, how selfish of you. You would discrimate against people who have jobs or need jobs because of the Cathy’s opinion. To be clear, if people are against your lifestyle, you would limit their’s.
Harry Toothacher
July 26th, 2012
10:31 pm
Kujohn, you moron, you can’t even enter a comment. Bwwuuahhhh. And apparently, you are punctuation averse.
BTW – what is racist about CFA? Their counter staff looks like the freakin’ United Nations. Oh yeah, I don’t think I saw any Eskimos. Hey ya’ll, the Cathy’s hate igloos.
parkplaceman39
July 26th, 2012
10:33 pm
I agree with Whoopi…… We all live in the US. Democracy isnt easy….
Adrian
July 26th, 2012
10:35 pm
Why, AJC, did you decide that Big Boi’s booking photo was the best picture of him to use on the front page of ajc.com? I’m almost sure that you have a better picture in your archives somewhere. Just another example of how the media prefers to portray black people…
Powerpole
July 26th, 2012
10:35 pm
Dixie, who do you hate?
Huh
July 26th, 2012
10:37 pm
How does Cathy feel about divorce and adultery? Or Matthew 19:24: “…A camel will have a better chance of passing through an eye of a needle, than a rich man will have to get into God’s kingdom.”
Can’t pick and choose, Danny boy. It’s all right there in that random book written by a random dude.
Truth
July 26th, 2012
10:37 pm
When people are looking for jobs, some idiot would stop a food chain from opening? That mayor or govenor needs to be voted out of office. Also, Cathy spoke HIS point of view. There is no way he can speak for everyone he employes. I am sure there are gays who work for CFA, too.
DIXIE
July 26th, 2012
10:38 pm
Powerpole…please tell me where you found “hate” in anything I posted. You will impress me if you can quote a statement from above that suggests same, without implication of your own personal interpretation. Good luck…you will need it.
Freedom
July 26th, 2012
10:39 pm
Barring the who is right,who is wrong, I find the situation with Chick Fil A a sure sign that what America stands for is slowing disintegrating. Americans have rights given to us by those in the past that sacrificed everything to give us “FREEDOM” including freedom of speech. This mean that whether you agree or disagree with a particular subject you have the FREEDOM to express those thoughts. Instead, that freedom is really what is being challenged here. The fact that a company does not WANT to support gay marriage is THEIR right given to us by those that left their homeland to find a BETTER way of life. INSTEAD, today, we are telling our forefathers that the blood they shed for this means nothing and the right they gave us is frankly garbage. I really don’t care to state my opinion on the issue but I am thankful that I have the right to have my OWN opinion and can voice it WHENEVER I feel like it. We need to show respect to our “FREEDOMS” and a line needs to be drawn. Each side needs to understand that it isn’t a issue of right or wrong but that we can each have and value our own views. That is the freedom given to us. God Bless America! Let Freedom Forever Ring!
Come on Now
July 26th, 2012
10:41 pm
Solomon, David, Ester, all rich. Being rich is not a sin…come on now………jeez
Ses
July 26th, 2012
10:46 pm
Ok let me get this straight…Gays are acting “Intolerant” over someone’s else’s religous beliefs? Isn’t the same thing that they are fighting against? How is this helping their cause? It isn’t.. Chic Fil A owners have every right to believe whatever they want to as do Gays. I haven’t heard of Gays not being served at the Chic Fil A because they are gay I haven’t heard that they can’t go thru the drive thru as I do because they are gay? Why are they being intolerant to someone else’s beliefs when they are battling so hard to be treated the same. This isn’t helping in my opinion. I love my chic fil a food no matter what their beliefs are I love my gay friends no matter what their beliefs are.. Tolerance isn’t this what this is about or IS IT?
DIXIE
July 26th, 2012
10:47 pm
Well said Freedom…I have a personal oponion of the issue of substance that is likely different from what Saul Good thinks. My issue supports the right for the person or company to state their personal perspective, no matter how it makes others “FEEL”. God Bless the freedoms outlined by out USA Consitution.
Dirty Dawg
July 26th, 2012
10:48 pm
The only time I find myself going to Chick-Fil-A is when my Grandkids want to…oh, maybe to get one of those peach milkshakes…and since I’m not looking forward to trying to explain to them why we don’t need to have nuggets or strips or lemonade, I guess I’ll probably give in…for now.
What I’m really wondering is how this will impact the Chick-Fil-A Bowl’s efforts to be considered in the final mix once the playoffs begin in 2013. It’s not that the people making the decisions don’t agree with Cathy and the corporation on the subject, but they’ll be acutely aware of the potential for controversy…so why bother? I mean it’s the very reason corporate heads don’t want their personal beliefs and prejudices made public cause somebody’s not gonna agree with it…and maybe a lot of somebodies. And wonder when some school will turn down an invite to play in one of those Chick-Fil-a kick-off games because they don’t want the aggravation more than they want the money. This thing iis gonna have ramifications beyond just what Cathy decided he wanted to say in some meaningless speech…then doubling-down in claiming the wrath of God if we didn’t watch out. The Atlanta Sports Council may be looking for another sponsor before its over…UPS anybody? Delta? Waffle House?
Powerpole
July 26th, 2012
10:49 pm
Dixe, puhleeze. You are clearly implying the Cathy’s are bigots. Thus, you are a bigot. You’ve never met Dan Cathy. You’ve never met Truett Cathy. In your world, no group can legitimately disapprove of the behaviour of another group, unless of course you agree with the group doing the disapproving. That’s why liberals are intellectual 40 watt’ers.
BTW, your name offends me so change it. Remember when the AJC slogan was “covers Dixe like the dew”. Had to change it cause bad things happened in Dixie 150 years ago.
Huh
July 26th, 2012
10:49 pm
“Solomon, David, Ester, all rich. Being rich is not a sin…come on now………jeez”
So the Bible lies?