Chick Fil Gay

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.

Oh the Linsanity

With so much going on in the world, today is an appropriate time for a 4 pack.  This 4 pack covers a wide array of topics so without further ado, let’s get into it.

Control This

Part of the controversial “Obama Care” is the fact that employers must provide women access to birth control without having to pay co-pays.  This angered the Catholic Church leaders who are staunch opponents to birth control because it “goes against their beliefs”.  After a lot of whining and bitching, Obama was left with no other choice but to exempt the Catholic organizations from this and now the insurance companies have to pick up the tab for women working for Catholic organizations.  They claim it’s a “violation of their first amendment rights”.  I have so many issues with this. 

 

First of all why is it that only women can get free birth control?  Why can’t condoms be covered under this plan?  No offense ladies, but as so many of you have said, “It takes two to tango”. Last time I check there isn’t a male birth control pill so why can’t condoms be covered? 

Secondly, who does the Catholic Church think they are?  Violating your rights?  What if there is a non-Catholic working for a Catholic run organization?  You are claiming that the government (Obama) is forcing their beliefs are you and forcing you to do something that goes against your beliefs but aren’t you doing the same thing?  Just because you don’t believe in birth control doesn’t mean everyone doesn't, so by you “forcing” your beliefs on your employees you are basically doing the same thing.  Besides, what is this?  The 1300s?  Who still doesn’t believe in birth control?  Time to get with the times.   

Finally, really Obama?  Of all the drugs that you could have made co-pay free, you choose birth control?  

You are still gay

Am I the only one who thinks it’s absolutely ridiculous that gay marriage is even an issue in this country?  It’s really disturbing that there are some people in this country that get so worked up about it.  I’ve made it clear on this blog my feelings.  Recently the New Jersey State Congress passed a bill that legalized same sex marriages.  Governor Chris Christie (seriously?  What were his parents thinking?) Immediately said he would veto the bill.  His thoughts were that the people should decide the issue on a ballot.  Ridiculous.  I get that one of the foundations of our government is popular sovereignty but why is this even an issue?  I still think there are many more important issues that our government needs to address.  If there is anyone out there that can explain to me why people get there panties in a bunch over this or why our government wastes time dealing with it; please tell me.

Give me a high 5

courtesy of marlinsbaseball.com

The Miami Marlins had retired the #5 in honor of Carl Barger, the team’s first president back in 1992.  Why am I bringing this up?  Logan Morrison plays leftfield for the Miami Marlins.  Morrison wanted to switch his number and wear the #5 to honor his father.   Easy solution.  “Sorry Logan.  The Marlins have retired the #5.”  Or at the very least “Sorry Logan.  The Marlins have retired the #5 but if you can get in permission from the Barger family you can have it.”  The Marlins claim “they couldn’t” get in touch with the Bargers and gave Morrison the number anyway.  It took a reporter from a Miami newspaper 5 minutes to get in touch with the family, who were completely clueless.  The Marlins are now going to place a plaque honoring Barger in their new stadium.  That’s it?  First of all, if wearing #5 meant that much to Morrison he should’ve been trying to get in touch with the family.  Second of all, the Marlins should’ve made it clear immediately that the number was unavailable.  Finally, in my opinion if you retire a number that’s it.  It’s not used under any circumstances.  Tough luck Logan.

Oh the Linsanity

courtesy of espn.com

Unless you you’ve been living under a rock the past 2 weeks, you’ve heard about Jeremy Lin.  As a Sixers fan, I’m not really all that fond of someone from the Knicks doing well.  Maybe it’s the Haterade talking.  Maybe you have also heard that an ESPN.com editor was fired this week for running a headline that read “Chink in the Armor” after the Knicks lost a game.   I don’t think that it was meant as a racial slur towards Lin.  I do however feel that it was irresponsible that this editor didn’t put more thought into this headline.  He also claimed that he had used the headline before….also not very good editing if you are recycling headlines.  Just saying.  For now though I just hope that this whole Jeremy Lin thing goes away….I hate the Knicks.

There you have it.  This week’s 4 Pack covered a ton of ground.  Let me know your thoughts on Birth control, gay marriage, Logan Morrison, or Jeremy Lin.   Until next time this is Jimbo saying I have no problem auctioning off my retired number to the highest bidder. 

You Are Gay......

Courtesy of www.simpsonsimages.tumblr.com

During the Saints/Lions game last night, I stumbled upon the Republican debate that was going on.  Needing a show to flip to during commercials, I decided what the hell.  Keep in mind I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat, I instead am registered as an Independent.  I registered this way because I feel both Republicans and Democrats are all full of shit and I don’t want to be lumped in either group.  Anyway, as I’m watching the “best” that the Republicans have to offer I began to get aggravated.  The topic of gay marriage came up and I can’t believe that supposed “educated” individuals can have such ignorant views.  I also have a hard time trying to figure out why gay marriage is even a topic for a presidential debate.  Do we not have more serious, pressing issues in this country to deal with?  Is whether gay people can or should get married up there with fixing the economy or possible situations in Iran and North Korea?

Courtesy of www.politickerny.com

For the sake of argument, let’s say it is an important issue.  The views given by these candidates were so outrageous I can’t fathom how any of them can coherently run the country.  Just to be clear, I’m not ripping just republicans because the Democrats have a lot of asinine views on other issues.  (I’ll save that for another blog)  In doing some research this morning I stumbled across the website www.balancedpolitics.org (there I go with the free plugs again) in checking out the site it listed the 6 arguments that those against gay marriage generally fall back on.  I’d like to give you my response to the 6 now.  Remember, I’m pro gay marriage.  The fact that this is even an issue baffles my mind.  Here are the arguments and my response:

Courtesy of www.goripic.com

1.        Most religions consider homosexuality a sin- This is the argument I hear most often.  It also is the one to me that makes the least amount of sense.  Our country was founded by people who came here to escape religious persecution; in fact the first right guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is freedom of religion.  My question is who the hell do you think you are to force your religious views on me?  You're that caught up in your religion that you think homosexuality is bad?  More power to you.  I personally disagree.  The first amendment guarantees my right to disagree with you.  Don’t you dare tell me I have to believe “insert nutty religious view here” and don’t you dare make laws that support “insert nutty religious view here” when not everyone in our country agrees.  Last time I checked we had separation of church and state in America…get off your religious, holier than thou high horse and focus on the issues that are really plaguing this country.

2.       It would weaken the definition and respect for the institution of marriage- This is a laughable argument.  As the Dude (Big Lebowski) would say, “Yeah, well, that’s just like your opinion man.”  Same sex marriage wouldn’t weaken my definition or respect of the institution of marriage.  Stop thinking for me.  Besides as a country we have the highest divorce rate (according to www.nationmaster.com ) that doesn’t weaken the definition or respect for marriage?  What about some of your political brethren who consistently commit adultery? (not to mention the other non-political people)  In my opinion there are many more straight people that are destroying the definition and respect for marriage so again, get off your high horse.

courtesy of www.s412.photobucket.com

3.       It would further weaken the traditional family values essential to our society – Just as laughable as the previous.  First of all what constitutes “traditional” family values today?  Do cheaters and divorcees help to strengthen your “traditional family values”?  Yeah, I thought so.  There are so many single parent families today, so why can’t a gay COUPLE instill family values?  Besides, maybe your family values are different than mine and others?  Who are you to tell me?  As far as I’m concerned, a child benefits greatly from coming from a 2 parent home.  You mean to tell me that 2 men or 2 women who want to adapt a child couldn’t do just as good a job as a single parent?  (props to single parents but again, that’s a topic for another blog) That gay couple will give just as much love if not more than straight couples.  Still not convinced a gay couple can do a good job parenting?  Check out this video, and then tell me the same thing. 

4.       It could provide a slippery slope in the legality of marriage (e.g. having multiple wives or marrying an animal could be next) - Just stop.  This argument implies that homosexuals are animals.  Are you kidding me?  Nobody is saying let’s legalize marrying the family pet or supporting polygamy.  This argument just emphasizes your ignorance.

Courtesy of www.dating.failblog.org

5.       It confuses children about gender roles and expectations of society, and only a man & woman can pro-create – With proper sex education (which many Republicans don’t support) a child would know “where babies come from”.  Again, that’s another blog post though.  As far as gender roles, what are gender roles?  This isn’t 1950.  Women work.  That means household chores are now shared.  Like or not, that’s the way it is.  I cook, clean, and do laundry.  My fiancé does too.  Whoever is off or has time does it.  So what exactly are the gender roles and expectations?  The woman should “serve” the man?  It’s 2012.  Your archaic thinking needs updating.  Same sex marriage has nothing to do with this and if this is the argument you give to justify why gays shouldn’t marry, you may as well say that you don’t support women’s rights as well.  You’re basically saying that men and women have different roles in relationships and that a woman’s is in the kitchen. 

Courtesy of www.simpsons.wikia.com

6.       The gay lifestyle is not something to be encouraged, as a lot of research shows it leads to a much lower life expectancy, psychological disorders, and other problems – What exactly is the gay lifestyle and who are you to say what should or shouldn’t be encouraged.  At this point you are grasping for anything.  I’m assuming you mean the sensationalized image you see on TV and in movies?  What about straight couples who “party” all the time?  A lot of research shows that drinking and smoking will lead to a much lower life expectancy, yet they are both legal.  Psychological disorders?  Please.  I know plenty of people who grew up in the “traditional” 2-parent home that have psychological disorders.  What about kids that grow up with alcoholics or drug addicts as parents?  They don’t have psychological issues?  I’m sure there are plenty of people that came from single parent homes with psychological disorders.  Do I need to go on?  Also, I’d love to see where this so called “research” comes from.

Well there you have it.  I’m not sure why this struck such a nerve with me but it did.  In my opinion there are many other more pressing issues our government officials should be focusing on.  If gays want to get married I don’t see one logical reason why they shouldn’t.  I’d love to hear your thoughts no matter what your opinion is on this.  Until next time this is Jimbo saying focus on the real issues, vote Jimbo in 2012….