Chick-fil-A Controversy: 'My Taste Buds Can't Tell'
Why can’t fried chicken and crème-filled cookies get along?
My choice of fried chicken and crème-filled cookies does not define me as a human being. Unless the old adage of “you are what you eat” is really true, then I consist of a conglomeration of sugar, flour, oil and a bunch of words that I cannot pronounce. Most certainly the values of a company whose food I eat do not define my own moral stance.
Last I checked, the United States still remains a free country where people have the right to believe in any God(s) or lack of God(s) that they like. Would you bash and protest outside of the home of neighbors whose moral stances did not equate your own? Most people would leave well enough alone. Then why would someone bash a privately held company for the belief of its president? I think it is great that such a large company such as Chick-fil-A stands on principals and is not swayed by societal trends. If you don’t like it, either ignore it or go eat somewhere else. The Jim Henson company doesn’t like it and will no longer partner with Chick-fil-A. Guess what? That is their prerogative.
What if you don’t like the charities Chick-fil-A contributes to? Fine, form your own company and then donate to whom you want. Private individuals and companies should not be forced to drink whatever kool-aid society is currently offering. The mission statement of Chick-fil-A is to "Be America's Best Quick-Service Restaurant". The statement is not to form hate groups, gay bash or spread Christianity. Their goal is to be the best at fast-food. With over 1600 restaurants and booming profits, they are getting something right. I am not concerned about Dan Cathy’s views on politics, religion, his favorite color or choice of music. I am concerned about the quality of my overall dining experience at Chick-fil-A and so far they are getting it right.
As seemingly ridiculous as the chicken controversy. If Kraft foods wants to advertise a rainbow Oreo in honor of Pride month, Ben & Jerry name an ice-cream flavor in honor of same-sex marriage, a golf-course only accept men or any company do something I don’t 100% agree with—guess what, I am ok with that. That is the beauty of America. I don’t have to agree. I don’t have to be a bigot either. That is where the true problem lies—when someone has the courage to stand by something he believes in—and the opposition meets it with hate. Whatever your stance, disagree and move on. There is a big difference between a difference of opinion and hate. Don’t buy the chicken or ice cream or cookies if that is what you choose—just stop the bullying, the name calling and threats. Put on your big-girl panties and agree to disagree.
Why can’t we appreciate what is in front of us? Let’s take things at face value and enjoy both the chicken and the cookies for what they are worth—fine and tasty specimens of American capitalism at work. Christian, LGBT—my taste buds and my wallet surely don’t know the difference.
uc4333z
6:57 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
AMEN!!!!!! Hypocrites want you to only like what they like and only side with their views.
SlimSam
7:03 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Nice try Kelly, but if my neighbor went on the radio to voice his or her opinions then they too would be openly challenged on a whatever they said. If one goes public, then one is must deal with the consequences. It's true that Chik is a privately held company but its 1,600 locations are in many parts of the country and are subject to its customers reactions; whether it be to its products or doctrines. Your existential reasoning would allow for the repeal of child labor laws, (hey, I like the shirt!) the elimination of ingredient lists on food packages (what? its just a nut how'd I know they were allergic?) or something potentially more sinister. What people say does matter and the fact remains, if Chik is so good they should have let their food do the talking and kept their myopic viewpoints to themselves. Now everything regarding this company is open to discussion and review.
Norman
7:03 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Well said.
lynda
7:15 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Amen sister.Very well said and proud of You!
dan
7:18 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Slimsam you are an idiot. That's my opinion and now its public. Say you?
Tamas Jake
7:28 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
I don't eat Monday through Saturday at a place that won't feed me on Sunday. You run a business, not a church. I am the customer. Serve me when I want to be served, not when you want to serve me.
Main Event
8:32 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
@ Tamas Jake, do you also refuse your mail? It, too, is only served to you Monday through Saturday.
@Kelly, excellent post.
Natalie George
9:20 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Thank you Kelly- finally a well written, intelligent article on this subject. However, some of the comments left are not only idiotic but also borderline humorous. Surely people comment out of emotion before they give their argument any serious thought.
Kookiewkidz
10:43 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Although I think that they are the best fast food franchise with the best service and best food, I think the statements made by the President are deplorable! As "we" have the right to eat elsewhere, we also have the right to protest and we have the right to hold the President to his statement! It is his standard....trickled down through the company. I am sure there will be long standing ramifications!
Abby Hoover
11:03 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Great job, Kelly. So true. Natalie is correct also. Sometimes it seems as if no one has anything else to do but argue over something they have no control over. I do not agree with Chik fil A's president but it is my decision whether or not I eat there. Maybe we should spend more time paying attention to what we can change.
David Raye
1:30 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Nicely Said, And with that I add, " I do not even truly know what the exact controversy is yet?? I worked all week outside and ling days last week in the heat. But i can tell you this much when I heard Chik-fil-A and Obama in the same sentence I knew immediately that any good Christian would say and or have or be of the opinion that Obama is no lnger good for our country. He talked a good story but he lied, he is an eloquent speaker but he Lied, He is a Socialst & He LIED Botom lne is he has LIED to us and he needs to go away simply put. That is All !!!!!!
Heather
2:39 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Well said Kelly. This a free country . We all know that Chick-fil-A a "Christian based" company, so this should be no surprise that Cathy is against gay marriage. It is his feelings. He isn't putting it down he just doesn't believe in it. There are some real issues in this world and if this is what people want to focus on then we are in a world trouble.
And if want to hold a President responsible how about our communist President, Mr. Obama!!!!
Eat Mor Chicken!!!!
Michael
3:41 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
I don't have a dog in this hunt since I don't eat fried chicken; but find it amusing that CFA and the organizations it supports can boycott Disney for having "Gay Days" and "J C Penney" for hiring Ellen as their spokesperson but there is something wrong if the gays boycott CFA. WTH? Eat where you want.
Garry Bell
4:08 pm on Saturday, July 28, 2012
Good points Kelly. At the end of the day, It's a company (not a person-sorry Supreme court) and it can be run any way the owners like. If they have broken laws, then; punish them, ban them, prosecute them. They haven't done anything wrong as a business...no discrimination, no bias, nothing!
So what exactly are the protests supposed to accomplish?
We are not entitled to force Mr Cathy to change his beliefs just as we can't force them to be open on Sundays (sorry Tamas you have the whole customer/business model backwards). as a consumer, If you have a beef with that (no pun) then you have the prerogative to spend your money where ever you like. ....and the government should have NOTHING to do with this issue..in Boston or where ever.
k
12:38 am on Sunday, July 29, 2012
Obviously people are being too critical if other's opinions do not match their own. Consequently leading to childish behavior and statements...Amish make excellent handcrafted goods of all sorts and we buy them , correct? Do we have the same lifestyle as them? NO!!!! And that is ok!!!! In the same breath, am i wrong because i eat chinese food at a chineese restaurt, yet i do not have the same beliefs as them or live the way they live?!? Reading that statement aloud sounds odd! PEOPLE ARE FORGETTING THAT IN AMERICA IT IS OK TO BE DIFFERENT AND FEEL DIFFERENT AND LIVE LIFE HOW WE WISH.....seems to me the opposition to chik fil A is more closed minded than their counterpart and judging from comments via social media in all forms, it is felt that their way is the only right way. It may be possible these individuals would get along better if they moved to a country with a communist dictator and take his place...
Amy Kujala
2:21 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Well said, Kelly! It appears that some people have forgotten that we have freedom of speech along with freedom of religion in this wonderful country of ours.
CJ
8:49 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Too many people with evidentally not enough serious issues to focus upon. Unemployment, high price of health care, and the rising debt of our country are daily problems that affect each of us every day. Once again, if you don't like it, don't eat there! I am tired of a few people dictating what the majority of the people should like, do, eat, and believe. Seems like more and more of our freedoms are being erased daily. This is called FREEDOM of Speech and also FREEDOM of religion, and it works both ways.
Rachel Joyner
2:58 pm on Thursday, August 2, 2012
Check out this blog post from Pastor J.R. Lee from Freedom Church in Acworth - Ben & Jerry's, Chick-Fil-A, and Political Correctness
http://jrlee.tv/2012/08/01/ben-jerrys-chick-fil-a-political-correctness/