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Media Crusade Against Chick-Fil-A Continues
NewsBusters.org ^ | July 31, 2012 | Paul Wilson

Posted on 07/31/2012 6:47:40 PM PDT by Kaslin

Edited on 08/01/2012 11:03:38 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

The manufactured controversy over Chick-Fil-A won’t be dying down anytime soon, if media figures get their way.

Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy stated that he was “guilty as charged” when it came to supporting the traditional family, and commented on a radio show that “I think we are inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say: You know, ‘We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.’”

That’s tantamount to heresy in Hollywood and in New York and D.C. newsrooms. The media have proven themselves in the tank for same sex marriage, and Chick-Fil-A is learning what it means to cross them.

Media Join Fight Against Chick-Fil-A

On July 19, CNN reporter Alison Kosik acknowledged that efforts to boycott Chick-Fil-A are not new, noting that: “It’s not the first time that people have called for a boycott of the restaurant chain.” Lately, however, media outlets have deployed their resources to help the left destroy the Christian chicken chain.

MSNBC host Thomas Roberts declared that any supporter of gay marriage eating at Chick-Fil-A was a “Chicken-eating Judas.” Dean Reynolds, reporting for CBS ‘This Morning’ on July 27, declared on air, “At Chick-Fil-A, the menu offers up sandwiches, nuggets, and strips, but to critics these days, it also includes a side order of bigotry.” ABC also played up the Chick-Fil-A controversy.

San Francisco outlet SFist even linked the sudden death of Chick-Fil-A’s PR head Donald Perry to the fanatical Westboro Baptist Church, including the phrase “God Hates Flacks” in a headline.

Politicians supporting Chick-Fil-A also faced the media’s wrath and mockery. CNN, introducing a segment showing Sarah Palin eating at Chick-Fil-A, played the song “Stupid Girls.” (A CNN spokesman claimed the song choice was unintentional.) Gawker’s Rich Juzwiak whipped himself into a frenzy over Sarah Palin’s visit to the chicken chain, snarling: “On Friday, Sarah Palin tweeted/Facebooked a picture of herself and her husband in a Chick-Fil-A looking so fucking happy. They're way happier than the oldest gay couple in America on their wedding day. Sarah and Todd are beaming hateful joy. It's really visceral.”

Descent into Lunacy

Comedy outlets couldn’t resist poking fun at Chick-Fil-A. Jon Stewart made light of the incident on the July 23 Daily Show, snarking: “Wow, open your eyes owner of Chick-Fil-A,” he said. “You are being such an asshole that even Boston won’t tolerate you.” The Onion published a satirical article about a Chick-Fil-A holding a press conference introducing a new ‘homophobic sandwich’ called the “Queer-Hatin’ Cordon Bleu.”

But several media stories and celebrity responses to the Chick-Fil-A were so bizarre they only looked like comedy.

Unhinged comedienne Roseanne Barr launched anatomically incorrect, expletive-laden broadsides against Chick-Fil-A, ranting: “Suck my dick chick filet nazi f---ing pricks” and “Giving urkds Cancer from processed fast food is child abuse.” 

The Huffington Post also displayed similarly warped judgment regarding the chicken chain. Dominick Scudera wrote an unfunny satire piece displaying his breathtaking ignorance of the Bible, obliviously concluding his piece: “And I thank the Lord that I live in a country where fast food is a place of judgment and where chicken sandwiches bring me closer to the Almighty God.”

The Huffington Post also featured Mark Pettit’s self-righteous five-step plan to stop Chick-Fil-A’s “public relations nightmare.” The self-proclaimed “crisis communications expert” lectured the company: “Going forward no ‘anti’ anything groups (as in anti-gay marriage) should receive funds from the company. Not one cent. Not one chicken biscuit.” Instead, he advised the company to donate up to $5 million to build a National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta.

So, in Petitt’s mind, the heads of Chick-Fil-A need to explicitly reject the Biblical principles that the company was built upon and alienate the customers who support traditional marriage in order to resolve the crisis. Perhaps the “crisis” expert should check Facebook. Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee called for ‘Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day’ on Wednesday, Aug. 1. As of this writing, over 500,000 people have pledged to visit a Chick-Fil-A that day.

Even Huckabee’s rally in support of the chicken chain drew bizarre media criticism. Washington Post opinion columnist Dana Milbank criticized Huckabee for the move, opining: “His defense of the fast-food restaurant will make Chick-Fil-A a fat target in the culture wars and will further divide Americans.” Milbank conveniently ignores all the vitriol spewed at the company by the left – and the fact that liberal politicians have been gunning for the company, as well.

Free Speech for Me, but …

A host of liberal local politicians have railed against Chick-Fil-A, and a few have even threatened to block the restaurant from expanding into their area.

According to the Boston Herald, Mayor Thomas Menino of Boston warned Chick-Fil-A "if they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult -- unless they open up their policies." Menino later backtracked on his comments, but his comments reflect a desire among some politicians to use the power of the state to implement discrimination against Christian companies.

Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel told the Chicago Sun-Times about his opposition to Chick-Fil-A expansion in Chicago: “Chick-Fil-A’s values are not Chicago values. They’re not respectful of our residents, our neighbors and our family members. If you’re going be part of the Chicagocommunity, you should reflect Chicago values.” Ironically, Emanuel invited anti-Semitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan to the city, perhaps as an expression of Chicago values.

San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee even threatened the restaurant chain to stay away from San Francisco in speech reminiscent of a gangster, tweeting: “Closest Chick-Fil-A to San Francisco is 40 miles away & I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer.”

In Washington, D.C., Mayor Vincent Gray called it “hate chicken” and said he’d oppose the company if it wanted to expand in D.C. (Chick-Fil-A has no such plans.)

City mayors were not the only local politicians to declare war on Chick-Fil-A. Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno has declared his intention to deny Chick-Fil-A building permits in his ward. Philadelphia Councilman Jim Kenney also told Cathy to “take a hike, and take your intolerance with you." 

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn expressed her desire to remove Chick-Fil-A from the New York University campus. In a letter addressed to NYU President John Sexton, she demanded: "Let me be clear, I do not want establishments in my city that hold such discriminatory views. We are a city that believes our diversity is our greatest strength and we will fight anything and anyone that runs counter to that."

Even reliably liberal columnists and broadcasters blasted these politicians’ ‘moral stands.’ Salon’s Glenn Greenwald declared these moves to be “dangerous attacks on free speech.” Huffington Post contributor Tracy Baim asserted that we all have a “right to be stupid and offensive.” Whoopi Goldberg criticized the effort to punish Chick-Fil-A on “The View,” declaring“If you don’t like what they’re doing, don’t go. But don’t step on their right – anybody’s right – to have an opinion. This is still America.”

Not if Lee Fang of far-left magazine The Nation has his way. He took Greenwald and other Chick-fil-A defending liberals to task, saying their defense unwittingly defends “corporate personhood.”

Sacred Cows

The media rabidly defend any sacred cow of the left, such as Planned Parenthood or gay marriage, and will not tolerate any voices to the contrary. New York Times columnist Ross Douthat pointed out the view of the left: “If you want to fine Catholic hospitals for following Catholic teaching, or prevent Jewish parents from circumcising their sons, or ban Chick-Fil-A in Boston, then don’t tell religious people that you respect our freedoms. Say what you really think: that the exercise of our religion threatens all that’s good and decent, and that you’re going to use the levers of power to bend us to your will.”

It is difficult to disagree with Douthat’s assessment – for the media and for certain liberal politicians, religious freedom is trumped by the newfound freedom to marry. And they will brook no dissent, bashing any organization which disagrees with their views.

Ryan Robertson contributed to this report.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: chickfila; homosexualagenda; liberalmedia
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To: Kaslin
Not if Lee Fang of far-left magazine The Nation has his way. He took Greenwald and other Chick-fil-A defending liberals to task, saying their defense unwittinglydefends “corporate personhood.”

Lee Fang's bogus reporting against the Koch brothers was so thoroughly and embarrassingly debunked by the Powerline guys a few months back that he is effectively a non-entity now.

21 posted on 07/31/2012 7:11:21 PM PDT by Yardstick
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To: Kaslin

I walked passed Chick-fil-a today in the mall in my city and business was BOOMING. Screw the Left and screw the media.

Chick-fil-a is going to break some sales records.


22 posted on 07/31/2012 7:11:48 PM PDT by bergmeid (Leftism kills babies and economies. Leftism is truly a DEAD END.)
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Comment #23 Removed by Moderator

To: Kaslin

Hell hath no fury like an angry poof.


24 posted on 07/31/2012 7:16:00 PM PDT by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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To: workerbee

Actually, I think the Soviets really did dream up the modern American msm.


25 posted on 07/31/2012 7:18:40 PM PDT by cradle of freedom (Long live the Republic !)
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To: Kaslin

Yep, taking the family to CFA tomorrow.


26 posted on 07/31/2012 7:23:28 PM PDT by WWABD (War)
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To: Kaslin

My family expects long lines but we will wait to eat at chick..yum yum


27 posted on 07/31/2012 7:26:38 PM PDT by JamesA (You don't have to be big to stand tall)
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To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra
I’m living on a shoestring.

Me too.

Tapping my savings way too soon.

I'm tapped out.

I never eat out!

Me neither.

But I will be a Chick Fil A tomorrow for lunch!

I won't. The nearest is 65 miles away. I simply can't afford the gas.

But when one opens in my city on August 16th, I'll be in line!

28 posted on 07/31/2012 7:33:46 PM PDT by null and void (Day 1288 of our ObamaVacation from reality - Heroes aren't made Frank, they're cornered...)
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To: Kaslin

I hope this continues at a white hot level until every heterosexual in America has had a chance to read/see the antics of Rosanne Barr, Rich Juzwiak, etc. Let them see what obscene children the queer covens are.

Remember, they comprise, at best, just 2% of the population.


29 posted on 07/31/2012 7:33:52 PM PDT by upchuck ("Definition of 'racist:' someone that is winning an argument with a liberal." ~ Peter Brimelow)
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To: scottjewell
I’m glad that this war on Chick-Fil-A was declared and I hope it continues - because it is revealing the liberal agenda plainly, without any concealment of the brutality of its features. And it is awakening the opposition finally, which is going to do more to set the gay agenda back than anything has thus far. It was time to clear the air, way past time...

Hear! Hear! This is what I've been saying to my friends since I first read Dan Cathy's remarks early last week. The Cathy family has honored their God and his faithfulness, and the anti-Christian Left has exposed its own intolerance for the evil hatred that it is. Let the media spin away; the Truth has a power all its own - and the Cathys fear the eternal God more than they fear mortal men.

It was time to clear the air, indeed!

30 posted on 07/31/2012 7:34:15 PM PDT by Always A Marine
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I wish there was a Chick Fil A in my home town.


31 posted on 07/31/2012 7:36:32 PM PDT by Aetius
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To: upchuck
Remember, they comprise, at best worst, just 2% of the population.

There. Fixed.

32 posted on 07/31/2012 7:39:14 PM PDT by null and void (Day 1288 of our ObamaVacation from reality - Heroes aren't made Frank, they're cornered...)
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To: Kaslin
I hate to say it but now I'd be suspicious eating there. No telling which cook might be a leftist and what tactics they'd employ. I may drop by tomorrow and purchase but I'll drop it in the trash.

Flame away, I know it's not in the spirit of the crowd right now but it's true. This is why bad is bad


33 posted on 07/31/2012 7:42:05 PM PDT by I see my hands (It's time to.. KICK OUT THE JAMS, MOTHER FREEPERS!)
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To: Kaslin

The MSM will keep beating their drums on `global warming’ and for the boycott and for Obama, and against such things as fast food, evil guns and SUVs, and the American people will keep standing in lines for Chick-fil-A, guns and SUVs.

“you masters of men plan the wars and point the way and we will point the gun.”
Johnnie Got His Gun by Dalton Trumbo


34 posted on 07/31/2012 7:44:17 PM PDT by tumblindice (Sic Semper Tyrannis)
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To: FlingWingFlyer

What they don’t understand is once the Christians are gone.. The Muslims will feed THEM to the lion..


35 posted on 07/31/2012 7:44:17 PM PDT by cableguymn (For the first time in my life. I fear my country's government.)
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To: scottjewell

Bravo!


36 posted on 07/31/2012 7:45:53 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (Liberals, at their core, are aggressive & dangerous to everyone around them,)
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To: bergmeid

Looks like the interlopers & invaders on Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day (that’s tomorrow, folks) will consist not only of militant straight-hating faggies, but zombified media people as well.

If somebody sticks a mike or cam in your face, they’re not your friend. A little hook-ankle ju-jitsu might even the odds.


37 posted on 07/31/2012 7:48:07 PM PDT by elcid1970 (Nuke Mecca now. Death to Islam means freedom for all mankind. Deus vult!)
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To: I see my hands

That’s what happens when you live in a box, you remain ignorant of Chick-fil-A employees, for example.


38 posted on 07/31/2012 7:50:11 PM PDT by Balding_Eagle (Liberals, at their core, are aggressive & dangerous to everyone around them,)
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To: Kaslin

Welcome to Nazibama America. THe pogroms must begin and any association with them will be punished.

How far will they go? All the way if we do not have guns.


39 posted on 07/31/2012 7:51:21 PM PDT by JudgemAll (Democrats Fed. job-security Whorocracy & hate:hypocrites must be gay like us or be tested/crucified)
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To: Kaslin
They're going to try to make an example of CFA.

"It's kind of like how the Romans used to conquer little villages in the Mediterranean: they’d go into little Turkish towns somewhere, they’d find the first five guys they’d run into, and they’d crucify them and then, you know, that town was really easy to manage over the next few years."

40 posted on 07/31/2012 7:51:44 PM PDT by tacticalogic ("Oh, bother!" said Pooh, as he chambered his last round.)
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