McGurn: The Chick-fil-A War Is Back On

Wall Street Journal ^ | 09/25/2012 | William McGurn

[SeekAndFind]

Sometimes there comes along an idea so wrongheaded that even Michael Bloomberg and the American Civil Liberties Union can't support it.

So it was this summer, when the Democratic mayors of Boston and Chicago declared Chick-fil-A unwelcome in their cities because the mayors disagree with CEO Dan Cathy's support for "biblical marriage." New York Mayor Bloomberg called the threats "inappropriate." A spokesman for the Illinois ACLU suggested that they were unconstitutional to boot.

Now the controversy is back, after a Chicago alderman announced that Chick-fil-A had agreed to stop supporting "antigay organizations." After two days of confusion, Mr. Cathy this weekend said Chick-fil-A had "made no such concessions." No matter who is telling the truth, this much we know: The targeting of Chick-fil-A is but one front in an ugly campaign where the goal isn't so much to prevail in a political argument as to buffalo opposing voices into silence.

We saw this in California recently, when individuals who had contributed to Proposition 8—a ballot initiative backing traditional marriage—found gay-rights activists pressuring their employers. We saw it in the campaign to get corporations to withdraw from the American Legislative Exchange Council, a pro-market organization of state legislators that found itself branded racist for supporting state voter-ID and stand-your-ground laws. We saw it even earlier, in 2005, when the Schwab financial services firm came under fire for supporting the libertarian Cato Institute and Social Security privatization—not to mention similar efforts to get corporations to withdraw from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

In one sense, these examples are all different. In the Proposition 8 case, activists targeted individuals; the Chick-fil-A matter, by contrast, involves a private company threatened by government officials, while the attacks on Schwab and ALEC zero in on the donations of large, publicly traded companies.

[stephenjohnbanker]

” Chick-fil-A matter, by contrast, involves a private company threatened by government official “

Adolf would be proud....

[Buddygirl]

We need to stand and say, “We don’t care if you call us racists. We will stand with God on the issues.”

[verga]

I’m pretty sure where I will be having a dinner this Saturday

[DarthVader]

It is time for another show of support.

[texican01]

Patriots must stand up to queers whether they are private or government queers.

If things get out of hand, then local “Committees for the Public Safety” may have to materialize. After all I believe we out number the genuine perverts about 50 to 1!!

[svcw]

Wonder how many today will still insist that CFA caved.
They never caved it was just a spin, evidenced by the leftest continuing agenda to destroy them.
CFA is fine company, supports fantastic causes through the foundation, hires thousands of people, brings lots of revenue to the local communities they serve and makes a really good spicy chicken sandwich.

[Liz]

......a Chicago alderman announced that Chick-fil-A had agreed to stop supporting "antigay organizations" ....a move disputed by CFA CEO, Mr. Cathy....

What really happened.

"I demanded Chick-Fil-A add hot sauce to its chicken
sandwiches, and a side of sofrito in a banana leaf,"
said Chicago Alderman Proco Joe Moreno.

=============================================

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emauel danced into the controversy after Alderman Proco Joe Moreno (1st ward) publicly announced his opposition to Chick-Fil-A opening in his ward.

Mayor Rham chuckled while doing a graceful plie: "It's easy to do business in Chicago when you know 'the rules.' Chick-Fil-A can open in our town as long as it adopts 'Chicago Values.' "

(1) weekly cash pay off to the alderman;

(2) hire six of the alderman's friends who work only random days of the month,

(3) BIG AL from the Mayor's office picks up all cash in brown paper bags at CFA's back door,

(4) Chick Fil A staff trained to shoot 10-12 customers per month,

(5) Any CFA customers actually killed must be registered to vote as Democrats,

(6) $100,00 campaign contribution to Obama,

(7) free food to Jesse Jackson, Jr, who is now "convalescing," b/c he screwed up buying Obama's Senate seat.

=========================================

THIS JUST IN: The Chicago Ballet Ensemble announces that
Mayor Rahm Emanuel will debut in the presentation of a new
Chicago ballet: "The Godfather--Bang-Bang, You're Dead. "

Mayor Rahm in dress rehearsal.

[molson209]

all Chick-fil-A employees must be sent to Obama’s new Reeducation Camp

[BwanaNdege]

“No matter who is telling the truth” ??

Come on, McGurn! Can you seriously believe that, between a “Chicago alderman” and Mr. Cathy, it is difficult to determine who is telling the truth?

Yes, my statement is prejudiced, but based on real world observations and logic.

[MrB]

These issues are coming to a head for that very reason.

It’s a line in the sand. God is using the homosexuals as His winnowing fork to separate the wheat and the chaff.

[Da Coyote]

I now have avoided Chicago’s awful airports number of times recently thanks to that idiot.

Shove it up your Smelly Obamas, Chicago.

[Navy Patriot]

Yep, the Gay Nazis just tried a deceitful flanking publicity tactic against Chick-Fil-a, and failed again.

However, it is disconcerting how many supposedly normal people fell for the disinformation campaign and doubted Mr. Cathy.

Anything a Gay Nazi, liberal, leftist, progressive, MSM type, DemoRat, or Chicago public "servant" would say, would be a lie designed to impose an evil agenda. Normal people should know that.

[cport]

Thoroughly enjoyed my chicken, egg, and cheese bagel this morning. Stand firm Mr. Kathy, we will continue our support.

[canuck_conservative]

No matter who is telling the truth

Let there be no further doubt, the Wall Street Journal is now just another one of Obama's media ass-kissers. Too bad, they used to actually be objective, years ago.

[GOPJ]

The targeting of Chick-fil-A is but one front in an ugly campaign where the goal isn't so much to prevail in a political argument as to buffalo opposing voices into silence.

The goal is to totally shut down opposing voices by using tactics that destroy a business or person... It's so Islamic... (Not that I'm surprised the left is using Muslim tactics...)

[Oak Grove]

Dan Cathy negotiated with the Chicago Alderman and the local homosexual groups in an attempt to get approval for a Chicago outlet.

Mr. Cathy should have known that you cannot negotiate with evil people. They will either persuade the supplicant to surrender their principles or they will work to destroy the other party using the most vile tactics.

Now, Chick-Fil-A must convince their customers that they did not betray them. The company has a lot to do to restore the confidence of its supporters.

[Breto]

Anyone besides me notice how similar homosexuals and islamist jihadies are in their sensibilities and political behaviors....

[stephenjohnbanker]

I notice it now. Excellent point !

[stephenjohnbanker]

I would sure like to hear Cathy’s version of this. The politicians are in COA mode.