One Mans Opinion - 7/26/2012    
By Dewaine Shoulders

When I think about Political Correctness, I think about Chick-fil-A. Doesn’t everyone?

Let me be clear right off the bat here--- I am not anti-gay. I have friends and family members that are openly gay, and it doesn’t matter to me. It’s their life to live, and let them live it how they choose. I do the same, and it all seems to work out pretty well that way.

On the other hand, the militant gay activists, and others that pander to them, are giving the gay community a big black eye when they act as if they are the only ones that should have a voice or opinion about all matters of marriage.

Let me explain…

Recently, Dan Cathy--- the president of the Atlanta-based restaurant chain Chick-fil-A--- made a statement that he supported the traditional definition of marriage, and warned that redefining marriage might bring God’s judgment on the nation.

Now, in a blatant attack on Dan Cathy’s 1^st Amendment rights, officials in at least three cities have vowed to block efforts to open new Chick-fil-A restaurants.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune, “Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values. They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents.” He went on to say, “If you are discriminating against a segment of the community, I don’t want you in the First Ward.”

Now, let’s face the fact that there are those on the left that suffer from the notion that they are the only people entitled to have an opinion, and that any opposing opinions should be stifled.

As far as I know, Chick-fil-A is a privately-owned company, owned by the Cathy family. It is NOT a publically traded company. This was Mr. Cathy’s personal view on marriage, not the entirety of the company view. As far as I know, the company does not discriminate when hiring based upon ones sexual predisposition. Dan Cathy, is entitled to his opinion under the 1^st Amendment, just like those on the opposite side of the argument are entitled to theirs. Cathy told Baptist Press that the company was unapologetically in favor of traditional marriage. He said, “Guilty as charged. We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”

In another interview, Cathy suggested that the nation could face God’s wrath over the redefinition of marriage. “I think we are 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.’” He went on to say, “I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to try to redefine what marriage is all about.”

Alderman Moreno of Chicago has called Cathy’s comments “bigoted” and “homophobic.” “Because of this man’s ignorance, I will now be denying Chick-fil-A’s permit to open a restaurant in the First Ward,” he announced.

Isn’t that supposed to be against the law? Doesn’t the alderman understand the law?

Boston Mayor Tom Menino announced that the Atlanta-based company would not be welcomed in his city. “You can’t have a business in the City of Boston that discriminates against a population.” Adding, “We’re an open city. We’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion.” Talk about being Banned in Boston!

Chick-fil-A was pondering opening a new restaurant along Boston’s Freedom Trail. Mayor Menino said that he would block it from happening. So, The Freedom Trail isn’t that free?

A couple of newspapers have condemned the decision. The Los Angeles Times said, “Public officials have a responsibility to carry out their ministerial tasks fairly and evenhandedly – and to uphold the principle of free speech – whether or not they like a business executive’s social or political stances.” Even The Boston Globe pondered about “which part of the First Amendment Menino does not understand? A business owner’s political or religious beliefs should not be a test for the worthiness of his or her application for a business license.”

AMEN!

On the other side of this comes news that thousands of Christians are mobilizing efforts to support Chick-fil-A. Fox News Channel host and former Ark. Governor Mike Huckabee is leading this charge. Mr. Huckabee has declared August 1^st as Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. “Let’s affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the Godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, August 1.”

Huckabee continued by saying, “The militant homosexual advocates have launched an all out assault on Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A. The attempts to hurt or destroy Chick-fil-A are nothing short of economic bullying.”

Again, I have to agree that the bully’s are trying to point an accusatory finger at others, claiming they are the bullies. The militant homosexual activists, along with leftist leaders, are trying to bully Dan Cathy, or anyone else for that matter, in expressing their opinions. This is a typical tactic used throughout communist/fascist regimes in order to silence the opposition. And this makes me think that the activists, and those that are allied with them, are communist/fascists, or at the very least sympathize with those beliefs.  

And now, fresh off of their whirlwind condemnation of everything moral and ethical, a group of so-called celebrities have begun their attacks on Chick-fil-A.

The host of “The Daily Show”--- Jon Stewart--- attacked Chick-fil-A. “Open your eyes owner of Chick-fil-A.” And “You’re being such an *sshole, not even Boston will tolerate you.” Stewart’s rant also including a vulgar parody of the popular Chick-fil-A cow – holding a sign that read “Eat More C**.”

Then there’s Rosanne Barr, the bastion of all things weird in Hollyweird. She said on her Twitter account, “Anyone who eats S**t fil A deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4 Christ.”  Obviously unafraid for people to get cancer, Ms. Barr prefers that anyone opposed to her way of thinking simply dies and STFU.

GLEE star Grant Gustin wrote on Twitter that he was “done with Chick-fil-A.” And, “Your food is not good enough to take from a bunch of a**holes.”

Other pseudo-celebrities wanting to ban Chick-fil-A are Miley Cyrus, Lindsay Lohan, Deepak Chopra, and the ever popular Kardashian sisters.  Really, who are these people? They think they speak for everyone? Not me, and not for most everyone I know. They speak for the lunatic fringe that is leftist Hollywood. But that’s okay, as they do have the right to say what they want under the First Amendment.

And so do I!

If they want to boycott Chick-fli-A, then, in turn, we should boycott their shows, movies, and music. Let’s show them that they do not speak for us, and that their opinions are just as unwanted as they say Dan Cathy’s comments were to them.

This is about freedom of speech and freedom of choice. They seem to think that they are the only ones free to speak out while the rest of us just have to sit back and STFU!  

Well, I’m not sitting on my thumbs; I’m not going to sit down and shut up. I’m going to be as vocal as I can. While I do not believe in Gay Marriage, I do believe that Gay-Americans deserve the same rights as everyone else. Accept Civil Unions, and if you wish to call it a marriage behind closed doors, then fine. But to redefine what has been traditional in America to fit your militant views only prove how intolerant you are of other points of view.

What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, and that’s how it should be. Judge not, least ye be judged! I do not judge anyone for their sexual choices, nor do I wish to be judged about mine. What you call a marriage behind closed doors is up to you, but do not force the rest of us to accept what many cannot accept. This is still a Christian Nation, and the Bible says that homosexuality is a sin. And there are those that truly believe that.

I’m not a religious person, but I accept that there are those that have those beliefs, and I respect them. If you cannot, then go live your lives as you wish, and stop trying to shove your beliefs down other people’s throats. Live and let live, and maybe somewhere down the road, we can all get along and prosper. Otherwise, we waste valuable time and effort on something that does not matter in the grand scheme of things.

I also believe that the gay community is hurting itself by continuing to beat the drum of intolerance, when it is as equally intolerant about opposing views. Live your lives, pay your taxes, and let’s move on!

Threatening to boycott businesses because of their views shows how intolerant we all are. If you choose to not eat somewhere, then make the choice and move on. I, for one, intend to eat more chicken, and Chick-fil-A sounds awfully good right about now!

But that’s just my opinion, I could be right!