As I’m following the whole Chick-Fil-A situation I’m trying
to figure out what the big issue is. Now
before anyone starts in on me, I fully support gay rights and gay marriage and
I have stated so
on this blog. The issue I’m trying
to wrap my head around is why everyone has their panties in a bunch.
First of all what Dan Cathy said was his opinion. He said he personally doesn’t support gay
marriage and he uses the religious argument.
I’ve said before (if you click on the previous link you can see the full
post) that I think that argument is weak at best. However, when I see people lambasting Cathy
and Chick-Fil-A I have to say hold up.
Is freedom of speech not guaranteed by the first amendment of our
constitution? Just to refresh your
memory:
Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances
What Cathy
said is protected by that text. In fact
he bases his argument on the bible which also is protected by the first
amendment. No matter how stupid, idiot
or archaic the thinking, it is protected.
I disagree with his position but if someone wants to base their way of
thinking on a 3000 year old book, I say more power to him.
I challenge
anyone to show me an example of where Chick-Fil-A discriminated in hiring or
serving anyone who is gay. Everyone in
this country is entitled to think and say what they want no matter how much you
may or may not agree.
The second
thing that bothers me is the “protests” that are going on. The mayors of Chicago and Boston have openly
said they don’t want Chick-Fil-A in their cities. Huh?
Everybody is up in arms about Cathy’s opinion and again there is no
proof that Chick-Fil-A discriminates in hiring or serving gay people. These two have the balls to say Chick-Fil-A
doesn’t belong? Can somebody please tell
me how this is not discrimination? Not
allowing a business based on its CEO’s beliefs?
They are worse than Cathy in my opinion.
Do they not believe in the constitution?
Doesn’t appear so.
Then there
are the people who say we need to boycott Chick-Fil-A. Again, I support your right to do that but
what good would that do? Sure you may
hurt the business a little but will there be a full boycott? Doubtful.
There are plenty of people who support Cathy’s beliefs that will still
go to Chick-Fil-A. Besides, if I go to
Chick-Fil-A does that mean I’m anti-gay?
No, it means I like chicken sandwiches with pickles. I don’t agree with Cathy’s opinion but why
would I deprive myself of something I like simply because I don’t agree? I have one question for all of those
holier-than-thou people who like to stand on their high horse. A lot of the goods we buy and use everyday
are made overseas, if you use them does that mean you are anti-American? Where’s the outrage there? Oh that’s right, wouldn’t want you not wear
your Polo Shirts and Nike sneakers. Cathy
came out and gave his opinion but do you check the opinions of every business
you frequent? Seriously, I’d love to know.
It’s ridiculous.
Finally, the
fact that someone’s sexual orientation is even an issue today is insane. However as long as people use their religion
to justify what they think it will always be an issue. There are many more other pressing issues in
our country. I’d like to see these
holier-than-thou high horse people actually pick an issue that will do some
good in this country to support. Instead
of trying to get people to boycott Chick-Fil-A because they don’t agree with
the CEO’s opinion, why not stand up and try to fix our education system? (Shameless teacher plug)
So in
conclusion our priorities in this country are screwed up. Dan Cathy didn’t do anything wrong. He has an opinion and he stated it. We can argue whether it’s a misguided opinion
or a smart business move to even come public with it in the first place but
there is no argument that he has the right to be misguided and not a smart
businessman. What if he came out and said
he supports gay marriage? There are
plenty of people in this country who don’t agree with that. These same people would probably be lambasting
his detractors. Until next time this is
Jimbo saying come on America, get your priorities straight.
