Posted on 08/04/2012 9:35:11 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
The Chick-fil-A controversy has no doubt been polarizing in some corners of the country, but the undeniable success of yesterday's nationwide rally to support the fast food chain means we're likely to remember August 1, 2012 as Silent Majority Day.
While the fast food corporation has stayed mostly mum since the fallout from the remarks in support of traditional marriage by Chick-fil-A president and COO Dan Cathy, the company broke its silence about the events yesterday. "We are very grateful and humbled by the incredible turnout of loyal Chick-fil-A customers on August 1 at Chick-fil-A restaurants around the country," said Steve Robinson, executive vice president of marketing in a statement. "While we don’t release exact sales numbers, we can confirm reports that it was a record-setting day."
Across the web, patrons tweeted and blogged pictures of the long lines at registers and drive-thrus across the country. Other anecdotal evidence piled-up: "Chick-fil-a owner friend said they got message from corporate to expect 15-20% more in sales yesterday. Got over 200% more in sales." Indeed, there were reports that a number of franchises ran out of chicken.
However, details on all that happened remain sketchy because as, previously reported, the major media are trying to make sure that the Silent Majority is silenced. But more than that, the media weren't even trying to hide their antipathy. Mark Krzos, a reporter for a Gannett newspaper in Florida, actually wrote on his Facebook page, "I have never felt so alien in my own country as I did today while covering the restaurant’s supporters. The level of hatred, unfounded fear and misinformed people was astoundingly sad. I can’t even print some of the things people said. ... Such a brave stand … eating a goddamn sandwich."
Of course, you don't have to oppose same-sex marriage to feel that politicians threatening business owners because of their private religious beliefs is the far more dangerous attitude. And that's regardless of the fact Cathy's beliefs on marriage are held by a majority of Americans, and the president himself publicly agreed with Cathy until a few months ago.
In fact, a number of gay Americans noted their support of Chick-fil-A yesterday. Along these lines, it seems it's been definitively proven that Chick-fil-A does not shoot lasers at their gay customers. Regardless of your stance on same-sex marriage, it's encouraging that most Americans prefer their chicken sandwiches with waffle fries instead of a side of cultural fascism. Some tried to disrupt Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day by going there and asking for free water to take money from the corporation, only to be stymied by the restaurant's notoriously cheerful employees. (In fact, the guy that filmed this video eventually removed it from his own YouTube channel, presumably after he realized it made him look like a jerk.)
Contrary to Gannett reporters with unresolved issues, I'm happy to report that the scene at my local Chick-fil-A in Northern Virginia was festive. In the line out the door I saw businessmen sliding BlackBerrys out of belt holsters and taking pictures of the line for posterity. There were cops and servicemen, enough different races for a Benetton ad, and, oh, lots and lots of families. In other words, it looked a lot like America.
However, by the time I ate my spicy chicken sandwich and left, three protesters had arrived and were handing out flyers and otherwise exercising their rights. Still, the protesters looked more confused than anything, and even the few Chick-fil-A supporters that engaged them were more polite than outwardly defiant. Same-sex marriage may remain polarizing, but if yesterday is any indication, enjoying milkshakes and tasty, affordable chicken sandwiches is something that most Americans can agree on.
Twas a grand pro-Constitution showing!!
We came for the chicken and a Sweet Tea Party broke out!
“The silent majority went to Chick Fil A”
Yes we did!!!
Had the idiot Mayors not opened their Nazi loving pie holes, this wouldn’t have even happened. Perhaps we should be sending them Thank You notes.
I love pissing off Liberals and filling my tummy at the same time. Chicken Strips, Waffle Fries and a Peach Shake...
The left picked this fight, against this company, at this time.
The left took an interview given by the head of this company to a religious publication. They went online and found this interview. They went into their hissy fit meltdown mode over it, saying to their leftist buddies, can you believe somebody said they believe marriage is a man and a woman????
Then, someone, somewhere, gave the signal to launch this story into the blogosphere and into the MSM. The MSM dutifully went into controversial outrage mode, that this company has people who believe that marriage is a man and a woman. The MSM and the liberals picked this fight. It’s clear that they wanted to intimidate this company, and, to send a message to others in corporate America, that this will happen to them, if they don’t bow down to the homosexual agenda.
The reason the right reacted with Huckabee promoting an appreciation day, and people turning out for same, is because the left started this. The left picked this fight. It’s not as if Chick Fill A had announced some new public campaign against homosexual marriage.
I would add that, as if on cue, liberal mayors of various liberal cities chimed in that Chick Fill A is not welcome in their cities. Again, we saw liberal politicians picking the fight. They pre-emptively announced that this company is not welcome. They fired the first shot so to speak. (Are we still banned from using any violent or military imagery, as we were lectured about after Tucson? If so, I just violated that standard, sorry).
We can debate homosexual marriage all day long, but, the facts should be clear to all. The facts of how this incident with Chick Fill A became a liberal cause of the day should be broadcast far and wide. We can debate the issue, but, let’s all be aware of who wanted to have this debate over a fast food chain and their owner’s opinions.
We are silent no more.
Heard from a friend who works at a Chick-fil-A in Illinois. They took in $35,000 in sales on the historic day, when they were averaging $1,100 per day before that. Customers helped unload the supply truck when they ran out of food.
Mr. Cathy couldn’t have come up with a better marketing plan if he’d brainstormed with every business professor and guru in the country. Plus, how many millions who’ve NEVER been to a Chick-fil-A until 8-1-12 will stay away now that they’ve tasted the food, seen the cleanliness and experienced the top-notch service? He ought to send GLAAD a fruit basket.
I mentioned this in another thread, but wanted to bring it up again and get your opinion. I have no scientific facts to back this up, but I believe what we saw Wednesday at Chick-fil-A is what’s coming on election day. The silent majority is ready.
They were moderately busy Saturday afternoon in Broomfield, CO on Saturday. First time I went there, but the employees were 1000% more polite than most places. Had a woman cleaning the glass on the doors hold open the door for my wife and I and she said “God bless” when we went in. The employees inside could not have been more nice to us. It seemed to be a well-run place instead of the usual dissapointments.
A grand statement - had to laugh because it was so true!! heh.
I still can’t figure how 2010 wasn’t a wake-up call for the elites and a rallying cry for the silent majority. Did you notice that EVERY candidate Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed this time around won their primary battle? How can that be if she’s yesterday’s newspaper and the Tea Party is defunct? How could Chick-fil-A have happened if “everyone” is for same sex “marriage” and Obama is 10 points ahead of his challenger? Hahahahaha!
We couldn’t get to one until today and they were probably about as busy as usual in a Walmart location on a Saturday around a payday. I asked if they had been busy on Wednesday and she said oh yes!
Interestingly, there was a vase of fresh flowers (Asian Lilies) provided by Winn-Dixie on every table. Have never seen that before.
I’ve thought about sending Mayor Dead Fish a postcard of the pic I took at my very packed CFA...with a lovely note :)
But the liberals have told us that this is a hate filled organization.
It’s a horrible corporation with horrible values, as liberal customer Adam Smith lectured Chick Fill A worker Rachel the other day.
Adam Smith and other liberals can’t stand the hate.
Idiot “artist” Manny Castro is so outraged at the hate that he committed vandalism graffiti “art” on the wall of Chick Fill A. He was so outraged at the hate that he committed a hateful act of vandalism.
I’m surprised you didn’t perceive all of the hatred in there. (sarcasm). What do the liberals perceive that we don’t perceive????
Wasn’t there a point in time not all that long ago that Obama stated he was against same sex marriage? Where we’re all the protests against his then position?
I stopped in this afternoon for a sandwich. I love the original regular chicken sandwich smeared with the original regular Chick-Fil-A sauce. Delicious. I parked and walked inside because the drive-thru line was long.
I have a feeling the people working at Chick-Fil-A have been cautioned not to engage in any conversation with the customers that isn’t food related. I asked if they had been busy lately and got only a quick, “Yep.” “Good”, I replied, and left with my delicious sandwich.
Everybody knew he was lying.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.