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Chick-Fil-A

I have to say my 25 cents worth on CFA. I have been following this in the news with an all-too-common mix of sadness, anger and revulsion.

As most of you know, CFA was founded in the south by Truett Cathy. The company is private and its ownership unequivocally Christian. They close on Sundays, and do not offer benefits to unmarried couples except where required by state law. Now, you may or may not agree with these values. CFA, as a private company has the right to exert any values it likes within the limits of federal and state law. If CFA wants to hire only white men under 25 it is free to do so, just like Augusta National is a mens golf club. It is their business.

The public has every right in return not to go to CFA. If you don't like their policies, don't eat there. What neither the public nor government has the right to do is prevent CFA from opening a store. The company does not violate local law. There is no law mandating benefits for unmarried individuals or same sex couples in Illinois or Chicago. Or Boston, or Philly. CFA is therefore compliant with local law and may do as it pleases.

Interestingly, public huffing and puffing persists even though legal scholars of every political type firmly and clearly support CFA's position. McDonald's, CFA's competition, supports their position.

New York City made a big deal out of allowing a Muslim community center to be built just a block from Ground Zero. Despite public disgust and outcry from around the nation there was not a legal basis to prevent it being built. Many more people support CFA's values than support Muslim centers in Manhattan. Why then such a public attack on CFA by governments?

I think the answer is it is acceptable and cool to be atheist, pro-gay marriage and 'diverse', while it is distinctly uncool to be Christian, sexually normal (in the sense of a majority) and continent in behavior. That is such a terrible shame.

To criticize CFA without having been to one is ignorance and reflexive prejudice in its own right. Judge a tree by its fruit. CFA is simply the best fast food around. The stores are clean, fast and serve as good or better food of their type than any other. The service is polite, well groomed and clean. Where is the problem?

If the result of living your values is cleanliness and good food then I wish for more Truett Cathys. Let those who protest so loudly compare their achievements with CFA. Have they produced a public accomodation of equivalent quality? Or have their policies produced filth, disorder, rancor and governmental dependency to enforce a 'normality' based on nothing but the sophistry of humans bereft of the Spirit?

Ted

Comments

  1. Elizabeth NelsonAugust 2, 2012 at 7:34 AM

    I think you said $1.00's worth instead of 25 cents! And you are right on so much. I wish I had your ability to express my opinions as well as you can. It is a frustrating issue and does cause too many arguments. But people are still going go with what they believe in and that's the beauty of having that freedom and choice! Nobody right...nobody wrong.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 12, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    I agree on everything - including the great service Chick-Fil-A offers. (I used to work there, so can testify as both an former employee and as a customer.) If I had any advice for the mayors of Chicago, Illinois, Boston, San Francisco, and the protestors outside of various Chick-Fil-A stores nationwide, it would be that of Forrest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does."

    David Graham

    ReplyDelete
  3. kmdAugust 15, 2012 at 8:37 AM

    It is my preferred fast food eatery for the same reasons stated. People are always clean and polite and the food seems healthier than the competition. Love the Forrest Gump statement!

    ReplyDelete

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