Dammit...I tried to stay out of this...but...
No one (at least no rational person) disputes that the members of the Cathey family can espouse their views. They can be repugnant opinions...they can support the fucking KKK verbally and with their own personal finances.
The problem (at least what caused the protests and whatnot) arises when the corporate entity donates money to entities that actively work to advance a particular ideology.
Now, I tried to be as party-neutral in the last paragraph as I could. You can substitute any corporate entity and any cause into that paragraph and I would still support the position. In other words: private individuals can espouse whatever ideology they want and their companies do not necessarily represent those positions.
The problem arises (in the minds of ideologues and other activists) when the entity uses its funds to support organizations and entities that work actively to advance a particular position. In the case at hand it wasn't that Cathey espoused a pro-"traditional marriage" and ostensibly anti-gay marriage agenda. It was that Chik Fil A used their corporate funds and influence to support entities that are working actively to suppress and prevent the success of that agenda.
In other words: the man can say whatever he wishes, but when he uses his money and power to advance his opinions, then he should expect a response.
I would be willing to bet that 95% of the people out there, be it in support or protest, don't have a clue about what advocacy groups he donates money to. I would also be willing to bet that some participants of this thread didn't know until it was mentioned in an article somewhere a couple of days later. As soon as his comments hit the air waves I didn't hear or read anything about what advocacy groups he sponsored. Most immediately jumped on the bandwagon of "he is a bigot and hater" or "I fully support his stance and his business". Most in support of and those that want to boycott, including some talking heads on TV and writers, haven't even mentioned where his money goes.
The OP in this thread, was a link to social media. Do you honestly believe that the majority of those that like that BookFace page honestly are mad b/c he supports entities that lobby against gay marriage or b/c of the actual words that came out of his mouth? I would bet good money it was what he said that has them in an uproar and most don't know where his money goes. It should have been expected, they have always been a pro-Christian company.
All I'm saying is that most are that boycotting and those that supported the chain today with business that they normally wouldn't get did so b/c of what he said and not b/c of where his money goes.........and it's dumb.
The real kicker for me in all this is that mayors have stated publicly they would deny him opening a business b/c of his beliefs. The LA Times and Boston Globe hit the nail on the head when they stated in their paper:
“Public officials have a responsibility to carry out their ministerial tasks fairly and evenhandedly – and to uphold the principle of free speech – whether or not they like a business executive’s social or political stances,†the Times opined.
The Boston Globe wondered “which part of the First Amendment does Menino not understand? A business owner’s political or religious beliefs should not be a test for the worthiness of his or her application for a business license.
that is what really has me pissed off. I didn't think I would see the day where someone would be threatened to deny them right to open a business based on their personal beliefs, convictions and a statement they publicly made.
This whole thing has been blown out of proportion and it's not even news worthy, but yet I have had to read about it for a week now when it should have died by now. I grow tired of shit like this making headlines across the nation instead of reporting real news.
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