Eat up, you godless Sodomites!

[Pheidippides]

Why in the holy name of Sam Houston would any intelligent business owner take any political stand publicly that is not directly related to his or her business? Look, talk about your views all you want with friends and such, but when you have the media in your grill the right answer has to be "we just want to make tasty chicken sandwiches.". Unless, perhaps, you have a directive to piss off large sections of your potential customer base.

Maybe they were just trying to galvanize themselves as the fast food of choice for open bigots?

[CardiacCoug]

Why in the holy name of Sam Houston would any intelligent business owner take any political stand publicly that is not directly related to his or her business? Look, talk about your views all you want with friends and such, but when you have the media in your grill the right answer has to be "we just want to make tasty chicken sandwiches.". Unless, perhaps, you have a directive to piss off large sections of your potential customer base.

Maybe they were just trying to galvanize themselves as the fast food of choice for open bigots?

Yep. What was it that Michael Jordan said? Something like "Republicans buy shoes too."

[Moliere]

What the hell are they thinking doing selling their "food" to French people sounds like a disaster. Can you imagine both the service and the complaints?

In France, you can buy beer with your Big Mac.

[Moliere]

Why in the holy name of Sam Houston would any intelligent business owner take any political stand publicly that is not directly related to his or her business?

To increase sales?

[Uncle Ted]

To increase sales?

Well, I am hoping this crowd will clear out on Friday (because of the GLAAD National Same-Sex Kiss day being conveniently held at Chick-Fil-A) so I can get a spicy chicken sandwich without waiting an hour.

[Surfah]

Cathy could say Mormonism is a cult and want the extermination order reenacted and I'd still eat there. Especially at Christmas time when the peppermint chocolate chip shake is for sale.

[frank ryan]

Cathy could say Mormonism is a cult and want the extermination order reenacted and I'd still eat there. Especially at Christmas time when the peppermint chocolate chip shake is for sale.

It is Mr. Cathy to you

[Pelado]

To paraphrase SeattleUte, this isn't an interesting topic anymore. And thats all I'm going to say on this matter!

this summation of the issue is a common one. It is an entirely inaccurate summation, but it a common one, nonetheless.

On the news tonight, the reporter interviewed a woman in line at CFA and she said she was there to "support CFAs right to express its opinion." I truly believe that she was in the line thinking that CFAs right to express its opinion was at issue. Mission accomplished, woman in line at CFA!

??????

France is McDonalds' number 2 market.

Well duh - they have French Fries on the menu.

[Jeff Lebowski]

How is it that government officials threatening the free enterprise of an individual's business because of something that individual said is not at least close to being a violation of the First Amendment?

I concede that there may be some technical reasons as to why this isn't a violation, but clearly these government officials are trying to control speech.

From what I have read, the mayors are using zoning to justify their positions and I believe the Boston mayor backed down on that front but the Chicago mayor has not. This is the same logic used to keep adult-oriented businesses and all but a tiny handful of bars out of Utah County. Nobody seems to have a problem with it in those cases. But yes, you got me there. I think the mayors are wrong. Yet, I have seen very few people focus on that. Most of the discussion I have seen has been in response to overall criticism of CFA and talk of a boycott. I am surprised how many people think that any kind of criticism or backlash to perceived bigotry is an infringement of free speech. I suppose they are taking their cue from Sarah Palin:

"I don't know what the future of our country would be in terms of First Amendment rights and our ability to ask questions without fear of attacks by the mainstream media."

And by the way, this is not just a gay marriage issue. From what I understand, CFA donates heavily to groups that work to reinstate the ban on gays in the military and fight attempts to eliminate anti-gay discrimination in adoption, employment, housing, etc. To me this is basic, fundamental bigotry and discrimination. Not exactly a cause worth rallying around.

[lambdacoug]

From what I have read, the mayors are using zoning to justify their positions and I believe the Boston mayor backed down on that front but the Chicago mayor has not. This is the same logic used to keep adult-oriented businesses and all but a tiny handful of bars out of Utah County. Nobody seems to have a problem with it in those cases. But yes, you got me there. I think the mayors are wrong. Yet, I have seen very few people focus on that. Most of the discussion I have seen has been in response to overall criticism of CFA and talk of a boycott. I am surprised how many people think that any kind of criticism or backlash to perceived bigotry is an infringement of free speech. I suppose they are taking their cue from Sarah Palin:

And by the way, this is not just a gay marriage issue. From what I understand, CFA donates heavily to groups that work to reinstate the ban on gays in the military and fight attempts to eliminate anti-gay discrimination in adoption, employment, housing, etc. To me this is basic, fundamental bigotry and discrimination. Not exactly a cause worth rallying around.

Thanks. I've enjoyed reading your posts on this. I think the whole situation is overblown, on both sides. I think the people lining up behind Chik-Fil-A will one day be looked upon in like manner as the people that lined up to protest desegregation and civil rights, on the wrong side of history.

[Commando]

This is the same logic used to keep adult-oriented businesses and all but a tiny handful of bars out of Utah County. Nobody seems to have a problem with it in those cases.

The same logic because the cases are analogous? Interesting take.

[All-American]

The whole thing is nonsense, minus politicians using their political power to threaten someone's business because he spoke his mind.

As to your "gay" analogy, I wonder how many outspoken 1st amendment touting homosexuals were out in support of CFA?

Possibly this guy.

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-823655?hpt=hp_bn1

[Jeff Lebowski]

Interesting essay on the CFA issue:

http://www.owldolatrous.com/?p=288

Please think about this: How would you feel if KFC came out tomorrow and said they were spending money against equality for Asian Americans, or African Americans, or religious people? Really. Think about it. What would you do? How would you feel? How would you feel if, after their announcement, there was a big increase in KFC sales and I was all over Facebook supporting KFC.

[Commando]

So is Chick Fil A spending money on anti-gay causes or is it just their owner?

[OhioBlue]

And by the way, this is not just a gay marriage issue. From what I understand, CFA donates heavily to groups that work to reinstate the ban on gays in the military and fight attempts to eliminate anti-gay discrimination in adoption, employment, housing, etc. To me this is basic, fundamental bigotry and discrimination. Not exactly a cause worth rallying around.

I find myself mostly just feeling saddened by all this. Some good things have happened in Utah lately to at least raise the level of hope for individuals in the Utah/LDS culture who are LGB. It's sad to me that after yesterday, those few recent good things (the panel at BYU, the support in the SLC pride parade, the YouTube video, etc.) just got dominated by freakin' chicken on a bun. It's the kind of reality that hits you in the face...albeit with a pickle and some waffle fries.

And don't even get me started on everyone yelling about how this isn't about bigotry or gays or even gay marriage, but about free speech. I believe that's the whole story for a handful of people here and there who were at CFA yesterday....the rest of them are all seriously self-deceived.