“we’re inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage. And I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude that thinks we have the audacity to redefine what marriage is all about.”
~President and Owner Dan Cathy
You know – religion isn’t always a bad thing. It can be used for so much good in the world and even as an agnostic myself – I can appreciate and respect the true message … the loving message that Jesus is said to have espoused. Unfortunately – religion can be such a double edge sword … while on one hand it can help tend to poverty and the sick it also can help people support bigotry and dogmatic beliefs.
It is pretty obvious that the Cathy brothers who inherited the Chick-Fil-A business from their father are true believers. They’re not just corporate assholes; very few businessmen would close their doors one day a week as a show of respect to god. I respect that. And as far as business quality … Chick-Fil-A is one of the better ones. They’re privately held and they don’t have to cater to hedge funders and other wealthy shareholders; they’re the boss … and that quality shows. But having said that – I do not want any of my $$$ to go towards funding bigotry. It’s not ok. And that’s why I’m boycotting Chick-Fil-A … that could be forever or until I feel comfortable that bigotry won’t be served hot with a chicken sandwich and a coke.
Of course – all the fervor comes from the 1/3 owner Dan Cathy saying “guilty as charged” when asked if he was anti-gay (source). But none of this is hurting their pocketbook and people need to boycott bigotry. If you want chicken – there are hundreds of local places that will sell you a chicken sandwich and probably with fewer calories.
Bloomberg has the story HERE:
The two sons of Samuel Truett Cathy, the chicken sandwich empire’s founder — Dan Cathy, 59, and Donald Cathy, who is known as Bubba — have joined the ranks of the world’s richest.
The report values Chick-fil-A at $4.5 billion. Dan Cathy, the company’s president, and Don Cathy, its executive vice president, each own a third of the restaurant chain, according to a person familiar with the company who asked not to be named because it is closely held. Neither has appeared on an international wealth list.
Chick-fil-A generated $492 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization on revenue of $1.12 billion in 2011, PrivCo said. It added that the company’s 44 percent Ebitda margin was “virtually unheard of in the restaurant industry.”
But as Politics USA points out … it’s having an impact on how consumers feel about the corporation HERE:
The reality is that the boycott is working. A new YouGov Brand Index Survey has found that the consumer perception of Chick-fil-A has taken a nosedive in all regions of the country. Chick-fil-A’s brand score has gone from 65, which was 19 points above average on a scale of 100, to 39 last Wednesday. Their brand has plunged from a score of 80 before Cathy’s comments to 44. The brand has dropped most in the Northeast, where it has gone from a 76 to a 35.
CNN writes about the activism that is about to ensue HERE:
In response to Cathy’s remarks — and the fact Chick-Fil-A has donated millions to organizations that fight gay rights — the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is organizing a same-sex kiss-in to be held at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country Friday. I’m not sure if Rahm and the others are free that day, but unlike their talk of banning the franchise, their participation in the lip lock is totally legal.
It’s an unconventional protest for sure, one that lends itself to great video, funny interviews and front page stories with women kissing and the word “chicks” somewhere in the headline. If you’re thinking of joining in, may I suggest making out before eating a chikin sandwich. Kiss-ins are so much more enjoyable when protesters have fresh breath.
Perhaps more entertaining than the kisses will be seeing how Chick’s management handles the situation.
Having the CEO ramble on about gay people bringing God’s wrath down upon the nation is a PR nightmare, but it’s manageable. Video of staff kicking people out of its restaurants for being gay — and let’s face it, if straight people are kissing and get to stay, that’s exactly what it will be — well, that just opens the franchise up for a more significant financial backlash.
Ed Helms – star from the Hangover and the Office has the right idea; he tweeted:
”Chick-Fil-A doesn’t like gay people? So lame. Hate to think what they do to the gay chickens! Lost a loyal fan.”
Steve Martin tweeted about this:
“Had dinner at Chick-fil-A, then I married a man. There was something about that sandwich…”
