I'm the first in my family to own one.

Keep in mind that Cathy started this. It seems pretty goddamned stupid to interject religio-political personal sentiments into a mass-market business. Why the hell would he intentionally alienate any potential customers?

Even successful business owners can be blithering idiots.

And in Cathy's case he uses the excuse of his "faith" to excuse his idiocy.

In the meantime, I'll not reward his idiocy.

continue going there.

and I am not much on fast foods. I may not have the same values as the CEO of Chik-fil-A, but I will defend his ri ght to express them. Is it me or is all this attention making you want to try chik-fil-A sandwich? I wonder if we have been set up......

People choose to not eat there because the money he makes gets spent trying to supress the rights of others.

We supported the right of the Dixie Chicks to say what they want. Cathy has the same right.

And I have the right to seek chicken-related foodstuffs elsewhere if I so choose.

of our fellow citizens, and actively promoting legislation that denies the civil rights of others.

His "freedom of speech" hasn't been denied him at all- he just doesn't like the concequences that come as a result. BIG difference between denying two people the right to marry another consenting adult of their choice.

then yes, you're being denied your right to free expression.

If you open a restaraunt and no individual chooses to come because of your political views then no you haven't had your right to free expression denied.

Can you understand the difference?

what businesses are allowed to open in a community. That is simple reality. Local control CAN keep keep businesses from becoming established in an area.

Free expression isn't without concequences. If I go around saying a bunch of offensive alienating things, and apply for a job at a company- they can decide not to hire me because of words I have spoken which reflect my "opinion"- Denying a Chick A Fil the right to establish a business within a community because of it's PUBLIC policy of stating that some citizens should have their equal rights with-held is the right of a community as our society currently operates. Mr. Cathy chose to blow this whole issue into the place it is. He could have spoken our making it clear that his views were his alone, but he chose not to-

to see the absurdity of this argument. This is the Ron Paul logic that says 'whites only' businesses are just fine. Again, a complete absence of understanding what a principle is.

I grant you that local zoning ordinances can prohibit certain *types* of businesses in certain areas. However, once an area has been zoned for a particular type of business you can't pick and chose which specific businesses get to operate. Allow one fast food chain to open and you can't legally block other fast food chains from doing the same.

If you want to withhold your business from a merchant and encourage others to do the same that's cool. Attenpting to use the Government to punish people for their opinions is not.

permits based on obscure reasons. I live in a very small town, and have seen this more times than I can count.

I've also seen it in the capitol city- where too many pharmacies or fast food restaurants in a certain area are reasons to deny permits. The law doesn't state "we don't want this business because they______"- but the end result is the same. Traffic patterns, congestion, signage, set-backs, inadequate parking there are many obscure reasons why permits are denied.

It happens, more often you'd think.

Once you've come out in public stating that you're blocking a business based on their political speech it's hard to then turn around and say "Oh wait, it's really because we have too many fast food joints already".

denied license to open a business because of some guy's political views. I'm sure many of the employees who rely on their paychecks and benefits disagree with that guy.

I don't eat there and have only once. Didn't like the food.

don't care about his politics. I would never go there because I avoid fast foods, and now I doubly would not go there because of his views. ...but as you say, ... "I wonder if we have been set up......"

through his business, and I have the right to respond to that expression by not spending my money there so that it can be used for the expression of his hateful views and attempts to suppress the rights of others.

Tell me, does it trouble you at all that they are actively supporting efforts to deny my partner and I the same rights that you enjoy?

is that we want all to think the way we do. Guy has a right to his opinion. He has a right to express it - hope he would afford me the same courtesy.

He does. You do. I do. And I would go to the mat to defend that right. However when thinking becomes actions; actions that aggressively seek to deny some of us civil rights it goes way beyond thinking. Can you honestly not see the difference between the two things?

and crap-fi-la only promotes people who are christian.

You are actively and proudly supporting discrimination by knowingly giving bigots money.

From your tone, it sounds like you don't much care about THAT part of it.

And we have the right to call him out on it. America, yay.

Spending money there while knowing what their views are and where that money gets spent makes you a bigot, too.

say you don't use any product made by companies that are not for gay rights?

I probably have bought things from companies who have less then stellar records on gay rights. I am sure we all have. However when a companies abbysmal record and support for hate groups is spelled out for me in big bold black magic marker I stop giving them my business. Period. Even if I like their yummie fried chicken. Disclaimer, I have never stepped foot in a Chik-A Fil in my life. I am not sure that we have them in Minneapolis.

Nobody is arguing against that.

Using the Government to supress or punish speech that you disagree with is a very different thing.

something to do with the strawman argument that the government is somehow involved (they are not nor will the be) in this controversy? Because if that is what you are saying by responding to this totally off topic post, sorry not buying it.

Cathy is free to speak up a hate storm 24/7 if he likes. He hasn't been and won't be imprisoned or fined for doing so.

There are others that address the topic you keep trying to inject here.

Thanks!

You keep trying to hijack this thread and make it about government interference. You know the OP doesn't speak of that at all. And you also know there are others out there that do address it. I can't imagine what your agenda is but I am done with you. If you want to continue throw life preservers to folks who choose to support Cathy his hate and his gross greasy chicken sandwitches have at it. As you said, "knock yourself out".

So then, there's no particular topic listed other than The Chick-fil-a Controversy™, which I'm discussing, and yet somehow that's "hijacking" the thread.

I thought my agenda was pretty clear. It's "the Government shouldn't deny you a business license based on your political views".

For some reason I thought that was a progressive viewpoint.

Unlike you, who have already stated clearly that you will continue to eat there, in spite of having being shown what they stand for.

Maybe I'm not thinking hard enough to come up with one.

You are what you eat....
The Classic sandwich there:

Calories
410
Calories from Fat
144
% Daily Value*
Total Fat
16.0g
25%
Saturated Fat
3.5g
18%
Cholesterol
60mg
20%
Sodium
1300mg
54%
Total Carbohydrates
38.0g
13%
Dietary Fiber
1.0g
4%
Sugars
5.0g
Protein
28.0g
Vitamin A 1% • Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 10% • Iron 12%
* Based on a 2000 calorie diet

It is what it is, but which came first the high fat 'chicken' or the egg of hate?

Some of those anti-gay hate groups you are supporting by continuing to eat there (even after knowing their anti-gay stance and anti-gay activities):

Marriage & Family Foundation: $1,188,380
Fellowship Of Christian Athletes: $480,000
National Christian Foundation: $247,500
New Mexico Christian Foundation: $54,000
Exodus International: $1,000
Family Research Council: $1,000
Georgia Family Council: $2,500

http://equalitymatters.org/factcheck/201207020001
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/chick-fil-a-has-spent-5-million-trying-to-stop-gay-marriage/discrimination/2012/07/02/42684

As you can see from the list above, those hate groups are not only anti-gay marriage. For instance, Exodus International actively pushes "reparative therapy," also known as "conversion therapy."

"Mainstream health organizations in the United States find that conversion therapy is harmful, and that there has been no scientifically adequate demonstration of its efficacy in the last forty years."

"Mainstream medical bodies state that conversion therapy can be harmful because it may exploit guilt and anxiety, thereby damaging self-esteem and leading to depression and even suicide."

"Mainstream health organizations critical of conversion therapy include the American Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Counseling Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association of School Psychologists, and the American Academy of Physician Assistants."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conversion_therapy#Medical.2C_scientific_and_legal_views

Enjoy your chicken while gay people are tormented into suicide by the hate groups you are supporting, if that is what suits you.

Decades ago. I also won't buy paper products from Georgia Pacific, or pizza from Domino's or Papa John's. When I have a choice, I vote with my wallet.

The 1860's?

(as if.....).......... or anyone you might know who might be a strong supporter of equal rights.

A liberal should be very ashamed to be seen at a business that supports bigotry.

Why do you think she isn't ashamed?

fighting for legal discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens.

Link Please. I would think most of their money goes to the CEO and then employess

Are you positing none of the money you pay them goes there?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-group-donations-_n_1644609.html

Have you been hiding under a rock that you are unaware of his donations?

Plus he made a very public statement, not a private one.

So his views should be conflated with the company. Put enough pressure on CFA and they will get a new CEO and will make a public statement that they fully support gay rights.

It's only fair to use the public arena to counter this CEO's very public statements.

If he came out and said publicly that there is no god and people should live for today as there is no after life.

However; he/she still hired Christan's and they were treated equal to all atheist and agnostic employees. Would you have an issue?

We all cherry pick the issues we want to fight for. No one is particularly fighting for equal rights for Christians. They already have them.

A public figure making a public statement, not a private one, to promulgate the idea that it's okay to discriminate. Even if discrimination is not taking place within the organization, he used his public 'powers' to say it's okay for others to discriminate.

He put this issue in the public arena.

You are correct. I am trying to understand why in 2012 we still argue over religion or who can love who. Such a waste of time and energy. With so many people homeless, starving, struggling and not to forget our useless killings here at home. I look over at my 4 month old granddaughter and wonder what kind of world she was brought into.

Sorry I didn't mean to melt. Just can't help it sometimes

I find it harder to defend any religion against discrimination since they are all equally pointless to me. It's like defending an Islamic religion that discriminates against women. Hard for me to get my mind around that.

But promoting discrimination against one's basic needs is different.

That may not be consistent but, hey, I'm human so I don't always need to be.

Your statement simply doesn't apply to what he does against the gay community. No one is harmed if he doesn't believe in god.

People have a right to say what they want, and we have a right to call them out if we think they're horrible, and we have a right to shop or not shop where we want, for whatever reasons we want.

They have a right to be vile, I have a right to not spend money there. Yay for America.

And if the CEO was a member of the Klan, I wonder if many would be so quick to say "Eh, so what? It's his right to do so."

Hate means something. It should be shunned, and I, for one, won't help them get rich if they were to come to California just because I may want to eat their food.

And screw the apologists for their crap too.

Or is that "featheren"?

I won't knowingly do that when there's an alternative. If there's no good alternative and it's something I need, I'll suck it up for the time being and keep looking for an alternative until I find one.

There are LOTS of fast-food alternatives, and better yet, actual FOOD alternatives. Of course I don't know the politics of everyone who profits from my purchases. But when they tell me, and if I remember it at purchase time, I follow my conscience to the best of my ability.

African Americans or Jewish people?

What if he said he actively supports the Aryan Nation or some like-minded hate group?

Would some of you still think it would be "all right" to give your money to an organization like that?

Or is it because it's "just glbt's" whose rights are being trodden upon?

Besides, you scratch a bigot on one issue, pretty much guaranteed he's a bigot and a misogynist (not that many on DU care about THAT).

Way way back many years ago - living in the South - you visit their restaurants and IF IF mind you there was a minority working there, I can guarandamntee you that they were'n't working the counter. They were in the WAY back or mopping and cleaning. Yep. The hatred of those "not like him" runs deep. You must be Christian, White, Anglo-saxon, and preferably male. Unless you're a really cute perky girl behind the counter. Using females to (chastely) sexually titilate & promote business is okay in that warped book.

So yeah, it does affect what you get there...because if you spend money there, your money is going towards hate.

Pardon me if I don't feel like lining the pockets of people who contribute to political campaigns which go directly against my interests.

and it's the consumers choice who they want nto give their money to

with a fast food joint on every corner maybe he should think about not publicly insulting a good portion of the citizens

when the company gives to causes that are openly fighting to keep the civil rights of a segment of our population from them-

When you purchase anything from this company you are funding anti-equality zealots.

Yes, I think you should consider the character of the businesses you support and frequent. ESPECIALLY if you have a choice.

The Cathy family is proud of their efforts to deny fellow citizens equal rights. Maybe I'm completely ignorant of the Ford Motor Co- (never owned a ford fwiw) but did that company proudly promote protecting laws which denied people of the Jewish faith equal rights under the law?

There is no reason to support this bigot's enterprises, when I could get a similar, better product from a genuinely decent human being?

And the Chick-Fil-A company will be bought out by a big conglomerate.

Just the way things go.

were jailed, beaten, held down and force-fed with tubes down their throats in their fight for women's rights. Blacks were hung, beaten, had dogs turned on them, fire hoses turned on them and treated worse than any animal, for their rights.

Heaven forbid someone give up a friggin' chicken sandwich in the fight for gay rights. The inhumanity of such a great sacrifice - some DUers just ask too much.

I remember when I did not buy California grapes or wine. and many others did the same.

The ACLU is correct to say keeping the restaurants from opening is not Constitutional...

Just do not buy the product.

Trying to go 100% electric - and go 100% solar

I tend to be choosy where my money goes. I don't shop at Wal Mart.

I am anti capitalist and anti corpoRAT, but I don't blame people for surviving. If you work at Chik-Fil-A, you shouldn't have to quit.

But we, who have the money, we can resist. And we can simply not send our money there.

Yeah, Jews had Fords. They were the only option, pretty much, back then.

And in all cases, there ARE better places to go. I had Chik-Fil-A. It sucked. Too pickley.

For example, if you are in San Jose, California - may I suggest Lillie Mae's for fried chicken? The hush puppies are pretty good there too.

Predictable.

This is about using government regulations to punish a business for the political opinions of it's corporate officers.

If you want to boycott, knock yourself out.

If you want the Government to punish businesses for the politics of their owners/officers then sorry, you can count me out.

Perhaps you might review the OP. The thread isn't about what the Government does, it's about personal choices.

Oh and BTW I agree that government can not punish owners/officers for their political views. Otherwise we would'nt have to deal with the likes of the Koch Brothers.

nor do I want his crappy business within my town..I will lobby the heck out of my City council to deny them a business license.

Even the thought of him making money and prospering with that attitude disgusts me...he can do it WHATEVERTHEFUCKYOUCALLIT USA...just not in my town.

sure the politics and agenda of various corporations we patronize, but in this case there's a choice. I would do nothing to support this guy and his company.

Even white people who like the Tigers didn't root for Ty Cobb. They went to the ball park to hate him because he deserved it.

I'm never going there again. I miss the food, and the cows and play areas. But hell, come on.

I can't, won't support bigots. The guy at the top is one, I can't deliver any of my money to him.

When one spends at a business that supports bigotry, What is one saying?

And we will keep doing so.
Chick-Fil-A?
Customers love it.
Check back in six months.
That company is going to be fine, customers still eating.
If you wait for it to fail the anger and hate is going to eat you.
Don't allow that to happen.

You and your family might, but that says more about YOU AND YOURS than it does about anyone else!

It it isn't going anywhere. And I imagine profits will be increasing quite a bit.

it is an issue of his company donating funds to hate groups.