The only things left are an endorsement by the NRA and a declaration of war
by President Obama.
Into the valley of Chick-fil-A rides today's
writer.
At least it feels like that.*
Because almost everyone chronicling the events surrounding Dan Cathy's "statement
of faith" these last few weeks has felt a sense of foreboding mixed with
angst. Ennui? No. There is nothing boring about anger and frustration, although
perhaps the truly boring elements were some of the people involved as they beat
their chests in righteousness.
Where did it all go wrong?
What started out as a Christian Right-wing, homophobic statement by a Christian
Right-wing, homophobic fast food entrepreneur followed by a call for a
"kiss-in" to emphasize that Christian Right-wing, homophobic agenda
got out of hand, landing in one mayor's lap, then another than another:
Boston's Thomas Menino told the franchiser to "stay out of Boston",
causing a domino effect upon other cities: Chicago, San Francisco, New York
followed suit.
Being "banned in Boston" used to be a badge of honor for everyone in
the porn industry. Now it has become a badge of honor for many people who
scream : " Freedom of Religion!" and "Freedom of Speech!"
In retaliation, former Presidential hopeful, former minister, former governor
of Arkansas and current Fox News (home of "formers") pundit Mike
Huckabee quickly called for a "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" two days
before the scheduled "kiss in." The franchise reported a
record-breaking $30 million sales for that day, after bused-in nuns and former
governors had photo-ops. Some of that profit wound up being donated to the long
list of homophobic hate groups.**
Tempers still flared, with one NewYork artist, Manny Castro, mimicking the
Chick-fil-A ad campaign and spray-painting "Tastes Like Hate" with
its famous black and white Guernseys on the side of a Chick-fil-A. Also, a
corporate executive who videoed his drive-through rant in opposition to Dan
Cathy's sentiment was fired.
Behind the Fire - The Reality
"If
that were my wall, he'd be dead right now."- comment on Michelle Malkin's
Twitter site (re: spray paint artist Manny Castro)
"One gay employee who works at Chick-fil-A headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., and
asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing his job, says he is getting it
from both sides. On the one hand, there is the customer who came in and said he
supported Dan Cathy and then "continues to say something truly homophobic,
e.g. 'I'm so glad you don't support the queers, I can eat in peace,'" the
employee, who is 23 and has worked for Chick-fil-A since he was 16, wrote in an
email. On the other hand, he continued, "I was yelled at for being a
god-loving, conservative, homophobic Christian while walking some food out to a
guest in a mall dining room."
"It's a double standard as old as the liberal media itself," stated Media Research CenterPresident Brent Bozell. "If it's part of the liberal agenda, it's protected free speech. If it isn't, it's bigotry. The media smeared anyone who lined up for a chicken sandwich as an anti-gay bigot instead of a proud Christian or free speech patriot, and when the counter-protest flopped, they were predictably silent. Thanks to Chick-fil-A, the media's liberal bias was stark naked for all to see."
And
gays were portrayed as bullies, even
by other gays .
Perhaps
the most reasoned and impassioned support of Chik-fil-A by a gay man was given
by CVNeutron (Matt) :
I'm a gay man. I love Chick-Fil-A as a place to get good tasting food. I do
not support their beliefs and disagree with their funding of groups that are
well known to be anti-gay activists. Personally they have never treated me any
different as a gay man and I will continue to do business with them so long as
that holds true.
The
criticism he endured for his stance, necessitated a follow-up by Matt expounding on his views , te
overall picure was gay rights and should not be focused solely on gay marriage.
The
Polarity Of It All
The
vehemence of stances has created an atmosphere of polarity with such magnitude
that even the stark contrasts listed here and elsewhere could not do it
justice: either you're a bullying,
media-hungry, ultra-liberal boycotter and detractor of Chic-fil-A, or
a homophobic, anti-gay marriage, fundamentalist supporter of Chick-fil-A.
Even Colonel Sanders thinks so.
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