Today is Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, where supporters of the restaurant chain use their dollars to eat at the restaurant and show appreciation for the company whose CEO has come under fire for expressing his views on traditional marriage. The event was suggested by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee:
I ask you to join me in speaking out on Wednesday, August 1 “Chick Fil-A Appreciation Day.” No one is being asked to make signs, speeches, or openly demonstrate. The goal is simple: 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. Too often, those on the left make corporate statements to show support for same sex marriage, abortion, or profanity, but if Christians affirm traditional values, we’re considered homophobic, fundamentalists, hate-mongers, and intolerant. This effort is not being launched by the Chick Fil-A company and no one from the company or family is involved in proposing or promoting it.
There’s no need for anyone to be angry or engage in a verbal battle. Simply affirm appreciation for a company run by Christian principles by showing up on Wednesday, August 1 or by participating online – tweeting your support or sending a message on Facebook.
This morning at 10:00am central, the Chicago GOP planned a press conference where they are launching a formal complaint against Alderman Moreno and Mayor Emanuel with the Illinois Department of Human Rights and Attorney General Lisa Madigan for their role in suppressing free speech:
The complaint states that the Alderman and the Mayor have broken civil rights laws pertaining to religious freedom and the First Amendment in denying Chick fil A a permit to operate its business in the City of Chicago.
At the conclusion of the press conference, the complaint will be delivered to the Attorney General’s office and IDHR in the Thompson Center.
Meanwhile, some gay-marriage advocates are planning a “Kiss Mor Chiks” event Friday, a kiss-in designed to show their displeasure with the company and its CEO’s stance.
Companies are not immune from the larger culture wars, and it seems that our brands and our companies are migrating to one “side” or another. And consumers, many of whom feel unrepresented in the political world, are seeking out other venues where their voices can be heard, and where they can have an impact.
I’ve written before about this age of “Bully Marketing,” where public companies are either seeking out or responding to pressure to promote leftist positions either through their advertising or choice of products to carry. In these cases, it was, above all, odd from a profit perspective; why would a public company (and its shareholders) seek to alienate one sector of its potential consumers in order to please another? Or is it the case that those working for these companies, many making merchandise and advertising decisions from headquarters in big cities on the East Coast, out-of-touch with their consumer base?
Chick-fil-A, a private company, chooses to stand by its Christian founding principles by, for example, remaining closed on Sundays. As a private company, much as Ben and Jerry’s was prior to being purchased by Unilever, it can and should pursue whatever positioning and principles its owners believe are right. Without shareholders to answer to, the loss (or gain) by such actions are largely absorbed by the owners themselves.
Whether we’re inundated with political products at the Gap, Target, or Unilever, or running to support the First Amendment rights of a CEO of a private company, politics are integrated into the consumer space. And those Americans who are taking part in the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day along with the Kiss Mor Chiks event are ultimately seeking a way to express their points-of-view as our insulated system makes it difficult to do effectively in the political world itself.
For myself, this may just be more satisfying than voting, where my choices have been restricted by party bosses and where the cycle of incumbency and externalities make true representation one of the last priorities of the so-called public servants.
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Comments
The problem, professor, is that one side of this political argument sends black bloc members in ski masks to throw molotovs through the store window, or eco-terrorists to terrorize lab workers or drive spikes into trees. The Left knows that they are right, so any tactic is acceptable.
That’s why Traditional Chicken lovers should concealed carry, never know what Scissor Mor Degenerates will resort to…
A different Aurora shooting, concealed carry saves the day
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9d9_1343153727
Chik-fil-A supporters to liberal fascists…
BITE ME
Ours was busy, I couldn’t tell if business was up or it’s just that popular however.
LOVE Chick Fil A!
I am not much on fast food, but had a craving for a chicken biscuit today. I boycotted one Chicken-fil-a today since the lines were so long, but found a new one in a relatively low traffic area which had good but reasonable lines. The tastiest pro-First Amendment statement I have ever made.
Well, the one here is swamped. No room inside, long line outside. People are parking in Home Depot and other neighboring parking lots and walking over in an attempt to get in and show their support. I would venture to say that it is a success. We too are entitled to our opinions and to voice them. Do you think people are waking up and becoming more engaged and realizing that their future is in their hands? Oh, and we can build that!
From what I remember, that’s the pace of business at my local Chik Fil A almost every day at lunch time. Even before this controversy.
Waited in line for 30 minutes for a chicken biscuit. The car line snaked out onto the feeder along the highway. Felt like a Tea Party event! Lots of people chatting in the parking lot, flags, conservative bumper stickers, etc.
Proud to be an American and Texan.
Had my first Chick Fil A last Saturday while visiting family in Texas. I wish they were out here on the East End of the Island.
Of course they don’t reflect Chicago values-they provide a good product at a fair price in an honest forthright manner.
“Good”, “fair”,”honest” are words that politicians in Chicago would never get caught using. It would ruin their reputation.
My, my, I see someone is busy signing in and giving a thumbs down to all the comments on this page. Why is that? Is dissent not allowed? Who is being intolerant then?
“My, my, I see someone is busy signing in and giving a thumbs down to all the comments on this page. Why is that? Is dissent not allowed? Who is being intolerant then?”
Obviously, it is someone who does not believe people have First Amendment freedoms of religious exercise, speech or peaceful assembly.
As for the “downer”, we can all say all those who eat at Chick-fil-A today are giving him/her/it now a huge, multi-million-times flip-of-the-bird right back!
I wonder if the disliker sees the irony in being free to dislike other’s love of free speech.
What am I saying? Of course they can’t see the irony.
Markets produce offerings that are inherently more satisfying than voting.
If you want a necktie with flowers, stripes, or complex geometric designs, you can find one you like. Usually several.
Imagine all your subtle choices in cars and options, offered by people of considerable genius and creativity bent on making you happy.
Our electoral process offers us a very limited choice, and that by necessity. Generally, we are ultimately faced with a choice between two candidates, one an incumbent. Often that is a very unsatisfactory choice, and we know intuitively there are MUCH better “products” out there, but we don’t have the option of choosing them. Which is one reason I have settled on supporting term limits.
Markets work. They provide choice. They foster efficiency. They drive innovation. They provide a higher standard of living to everyone.
BIG GOVERNMENT ruins, and does the opposite of the things markets provide us.
I agree protests are one of the purest forms of exercising First Amendment rights. It can be very satisfying depending on how you engage. However, to the observer who might be influenced, it can be difficult to distinguish between the sincere and the insincere as well as to sift through the data/information in a lot of cases – I’m thinking of environmental causes, for example, and “paid” participants in another example. And for some, the goal isn’t just communicating and soliciting sympathy (for a point of view) any more. The goal is fast becoming harm, especially financial damage to those against whom they protest. We have two numb-headed elected officials to thank for shedding light on exactly how key that tool is to their goals. How quickly did they pull the financial penalty action out of their quiver? Almost immediately.
At the Cobb Corners Chick-fil-A near Rocky Mount NC I had a Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit for breakfast, and at this moment I’m about to chomp down a Char-grilled Chicken Club Sandwich for lunch. For din-din, Mrs. H says she’ll surprise me and pick up something else from Chick-fil-A to eat at home.
Bruuuuuuuuuck, bruck, bruck, bruck.
BTW…….
Chick-fil-A’s Menu page:
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Food/Menu-Section/Classics
Chick-fil-A Store Locator:
http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/Locator
Just got our order. The second place was bursting at the seams, 1/2 hour wait in line (unable to get into first one; assume that the 3rd franchise in the area is much the same). Orderly, almost festive atmosphere. Police presence only to help with traffic. Yes Anne, this was satisfying.
As Todd Starnes put it in a very good article he wrote…
Those who preach tolerance – are the least tolerant of all.
Hey Kiss Mor Chiks… Kiss My Cheeks and quit trying to scare small children who are out for a meal with their parents.
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According to the American Communities Survey, 0.39% of the US population is in a same-sex couple/relationship (I did the math).
http://www.census.gov/prod/2011pubs/acsbr10-03.pdf
33% of the US population is in a heterosexual marriage.
If I were a business owner, I know which demographic I would try and appeal to…..
After reviewing the filthy tweets directed at Sarah Palin I would say that homosexuals have only hatred on their menu. Homosexuality is the least satisfying of all market choices.
Important to remember that many…maybe most…homosexuals are not militant supporters of gay marriage. Sir Elton John is one, as I understand.
Also, a lot of the people showing the most hate are not homosexuals, but just your “normal” hate-twisted Collectivists.
It’s my experience that the strongest and most offensive (hateful?) language often comes from those who feel they are in a morally superior position and are “speaking” for others. As it the others couldn’t speak for themselves. So much of the angry language and hateful invective in “protection” of a group often doesn’t come from within the group. We only have to look at Occupy XXX to see that some of the protests were not exactly solid 99 percenters. And many who deride those who oppose abortion, or even just late term abortion are neither female nor perhaps ones who have ever been in that position. Sure, there are some hateful people in any group, especially when they gather to act “collectively”. But it is my experience that many (most??) gay people just want to be left alone to live their lives. Perhaps they should speak out against the verbally abusive in their ranks more often…
From what I have seen many of the radicals pushing gay marriage are far more interested in attacking organized religion than they are in helping gays.
Exactly!
Exactly!
There certainly is a hate filled sector of the homosexual community. How representative it is, I don’t know.
I am sort of a minority myself–an atheist. I usually keep it quiet–because I don’t want to be identified with the rabid nut cases that wear it on their sleeve.
In my experience, most religious people are trying to live a better life; real religions teach truths that have been developed over human history. They are the keepers of what works in human behavior. I have the most respect for real religious institutions and those who try to follow the teachings.
I think loss of organized religion in a society is a serious blow to continued existence.
I view myself as a bit of a free rider on those who do believe. The problem is–I don’t.
My point is–don’t judge the whole community by the rabble rousers.
Same here, lichau. I go to church to please my wife but my heart’s not in it- except that, like you, I consider it a repository of traditions that have been tried and found worthy by the passage of time. Occasionally it puts me in a contemplative mood that could perhaps qualify me as a very vague sort of Deist. Of one thing I’m certain, if there is a God, more of His essence is to be found in Maxwell’s equations or the Euler identity than in any book written by men.
Went to one here in Virginia Beach around lunchtime. The line extended out of the CFA lot and almost spilled out of the big shopping center lot and out onto the road.
I realize it was lunchtime, but for comparison I drove by a KFC to get there. Only one truck was in the drive thru lane. The two restaurants are in the same place, appx 100yds apart.
I didn’t get a chance to take any good bumper sticker pics, there were a few good ones. Oddly, to me it seemed that, the biggest theme as far as the stickers went was that many related to dogs somehow.
Between the love of the first amendment and the love of dogs I doubt there were many Obama voters in there.
KTRH AM 740 in Houston just announced the backup at Chick-fil-A’s around the Houston area are causing lotsa traffic problems! Heh!
As I said before,
Every bite, every morsel of a Chick-fil-A sandwich, wrap or tender is a big flip-of-the-bird right sent right back at those who don’t believe Christians have First Amendment freedoms of religious exercise, speech or peaceful assembly.
“…a big flip-of-the-bird…”
Heh! At least a big flip of PART of the bird…!!!
Have you been to one yet today? How did you see the traffic?
I’m heading out soon to scout the Chick-fil-A’s near my little part of the Houston area.
I’ve never had Chick-fil-A even though we have one nearby in the mall food court. Our 6 person home will be having it for the first time ever today. I can’t wait.
Our update: sent the mister out to pick up lunch (we live in the greater Phoenix metro ares), he refused to go into the mall, so he drove an additional 8 miles or so to the closest free standing location on the edge of “town” – which is funny cuz we have to drive 10 miles into “town” then an additional 8 miles south, back out of “town” – anyway, He gets there, the line for the drive through was through the shopping center, so he parked and stood in line. Stood in line for 20 min then it took about 10 more to get the food. We got a variety of menu items, and we all like everything alot. The peach shake was like “peach cobbler in a glass”.
This is a sad day for gay chickens.
Kiss Mor Chiks should just move on, start their own fast food joint, they could have some huge lesbian like Rosie O’Donnell do their commercials like Paris Hilton did for Hardee’s … lol
“…huge lesbian…”
I’m smellin’ what you’re cookin’.
I’d like to know if the Chik-fil-a in Chicago is getting the enormous business that other cities are getting. Anyone from Chicago?
Chicago- suburbs, actually. Lines out the door, parking lots jammed, smiling but resolute people voting with their wallets. It’s a party.
My vote is for the “Southwest Chargrilled Salad,” which will be placed today, tomorrow, and in succeeding generations.
Mine is the “Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad”, with a little less sodium than a chicken sandwich!
I like diversity in my diet. So, the effects of a little more sodium in one meal can be moderated by a little less in another. I prefer my meals and principles free from radical fanatics.
Not surprisingly, self-moderation is not only a prerequisite for liberty, but also for physical and mental health.
Embrace evolutionary fitness. Reject normalization of dysfunctional behaviors. Fight for the future, literally.
I can’t wait to see Chick-fil-A’s 3rd quarter financial (profit) report.
I can just imagine a group of idiots demanding to buy stock at Chick-fil-A in order to, ahem, “change the corporate culture”… when they find out that the company is privately-owned…
Nope, it’s actually “family-owned!”
Heh!
At first I thought, well, there’s the chilling of future comments by managers or anyone else in a position to speak. Who would speak after seeing what happened here? But seeing the tremendous outpouring of support, getting people in to stores where they may never have gone for fast food before, this may be a stroke of marketing genius!
Looks to me like people ARE voting, today. It’s called “voting with your feet” — that is, using your feet to walk into the store.
Or rather, “Voting with your wallet… and your hunger pangs!”
Just got back. All I can say is WOW. JUST WOW.
It’s hard to over-exaggerate what I experienced. I thought I was going to be smart and arrived right at 11:00am for lunch. The parking lot was completely full so people were parking in the parking lots for Dick’s Sporting Goods and Lowes and walked over from there.
The registers are on the north end of the building. There are two entrances, one on the east side and one on the west. When I arrived at 11:00, the line to get to the registers to place my order started at the north end, went all the way to the south end of the building (snaking around a condiment rack), then swinging back north to the entrance/exit. Then the line went out the doors with maybe 50 people deep outside on each side. I forgot to make a mental note, but there were either 4 or 6 cash registers humming non-stop.
They had “rent a cops” trying to direct the people wanting to go through the drive thru, and I’d estimate there were about 40-60 cars backed up waiting to go through the drive through. From the time I parked my car until I received my order it took an hour and 25 minutes. I’ve never seen anything like it. And I saw people who wanted to participate but were intimidated by the long lines and turned around and drove away.
While waiting to place my order, I overheard one woman say she’s eaten more at Chick-fil-A the past 2 weeks than she has in the past 3 years. Someone else mentioned that Ted Cruz served Chick-fil-A at his victory celebration last night (and this is in Missouri, not Texas. I was a bit surprised a fellow Missourian was paying close attention to the Texas runoff.). I agree with the guy above who said it was almost like a Tea Party event.
I’m glad the Left is boycotting the place. Who knows how long I would have had to wait if their boycott were not in effect. 🙂
After seeing all the photos of the crazy long lines, I am hoping we can get people this fired up about voting for Romney. I realize he’s not a tasty chicken sandwich, but I’m thinking of allowing myself to start maybe believing people are finally paying attention. Yay!
After reading this report on How Mitt Romney Mentally Castrated the Obama Campaign, well, many voters might!
These long lines represent Americans putting up walls of protection…
Sadly, its no different than those walls that protect Israeli from Palestinian terrorists.
Angela, we can take this Chick-fil-A phenomenon as evidence people are at least fired up about voting agianst Obama, if not for Romney – and that’s plenty good enough.
Just a little addition. My husband and daughter tell me that there were a lot of young people there with children and a lot of teenagers, not just middle aged “old fogies.” 🙂
Everyone was courteous. As someone said…can’t wait to see their 3rd quarter financials.
Tea Party + Chicken sandwiches = Romney victory? Who knew!
Listen to Smitty: Don’t Eat That!
As I said on your post of Chicagoians eating a Chick-Fil-A, I had it for breakfast this morning and I’m mailing the receipt to Rham Emanuel. If you want to flood his office address is 121 N LaSalle Street Chicago City Hall 4th Floor Chicago, IL 60602
A buddy and I went to the Chick-fil-A on Hwy 68 in High Point, NC for lunch. We didn’t have to wait in line but we got there at 11:15. The store was slammed and a couple of guys were directing cars in the parking lot and there was a line of cars around the building in the take out lane.
My wife called and said it was worse at the Asheboro, NC store with no place to park and the take out line twice around the building!
Totally dislike the story article headline at Google News that “Same Sex Marriage Foes” flock to Chick-Fil-A. While that statement might be true for many, it’s also true that many do not accept the Socialist pronouncement condemning Chick-Fil-A and are protesting that idiocy.
Wonder why these Chicago Demi-gods and their Boston cohorts aren’t protesting Moslem organizations, especially the Nation of Islam, which Godfather Rahm welcomed into Chicago.
For these damned Socialists, it’s all about exercising power and demanding that everyone toe their marks in the sand. What’s next for Godfather Rahm and his dancing buddies? Will certain of us have to wear distinguishing insignia, maybe of a specific color too?
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