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Tue 31 Jul, 2012 08:08 am
I've heard a story on the news this morning to the effect that conservatives are calling on all conservatives to patronize Chik-fil-A. I've never even seen one, much less eaten their product. One of the commentators thought it was a good move by the conservatives, because he thinks liberals are shooting themselves in the foot with this, trying to quash free speech. What do you think, goys and birls?
@Setanta,
On FB last night, I noticed that quite a few of the American conservatives in my game-playing circles were posting about their visits to the chicken joint - and giving each other virtual high fives.
Ever eat there? The guy on the radio was saying it's a good sammich.
I ate at one once in Toronto. It was a chicken sandwich. I think Wendy's makes a better one.
@Phoenix32890,
I pretty much agree, although i think both sides smell bad in this one. The guy in the radio interview had a pretty even-handed attitutde, i thought. He criticized Chik-fil-A, and he criticized those call for action against them. He criticized conservatives for making it a political football, but pointed out that he thought it was a good strategy for them.
Can someone please explain to me what the chicken brouhaha IS?
@DrewDad,
Quote: In a radio interview in June, Cathy (Chick-Fil-A President) said, "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 sounds remarkably like a member of the Taliban.
Joe(It's difficult to tell the difference)Nation
@McGentrix,
I'm surprised that they'd set up shop in Canada.
Do you recall where it was? I've tried to locate it, but can't seem to find any in Canada.
@Setanta,
I like the boycott idea.
Don't like a company owner's personal viewpoint: Boycott
Do like a company owner's personal viewpoint: Support
Banning them makes me nervous. Too slippery-slopish.
@Joe Nation,
I think they should adopt Colonel Angus as their mascot, to better compete with KFC.
@Setanta,
Quote:Chick-fil-A's anti-gay marriage stance has gotten some high-profile support by way of Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin and other conservative lawmakers. But among their longtime customers, it's a much different story.
Polling organization YouGov found that the Atlanta-based chain's brand approval ratings have plummeted in the wake of Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy's controversial remarks earlier this month. YouGov also reports that the company's overall consumer brand health among fast food eaters has dropped to its lowest levels since mid-August 2010 in the wake of the media firestorm.
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I've heard that the initial support by conservatives on special days like tomorrow may show positive numbers but overall the brand is taking a hit with the public.
The chain started in Atlanta and is big in the US South, not so much in other areas of the country. The stores are generally much cleaner and well kept than other fast food competitors and their base chicken sandwich (and they don't serve much else) is excellent. I do think liberals are shooting themselves in the foot with the anti-free speech argument but it really doesn't matter. It's not like the conservatives are rushing to Chick Fil-A to support free speech - they generally only support their speech and it's not like liberals will run to Chick-Fil-A's defense on free speech grounds given that Chick-Fil-A's institutionized homophobia is well known. That said, government officials are clearly wrong in saying they will take action against Chick-Fil-A based on the CEO's comments. That is about as first amendment as you get.
@ehBeth,
I believe it was at the Eaton Center.
@JPB,
I'm not surprised. My wife and I certainly won't be eating there anymore - not that we did a ton to begin with - though I don't support legally banning them from expanding their business.
Cycloptichorn
Long before all this got started I and the wife went to one of these places. What I got for my money tasted too salted down and I was still hungry when I left there. One other time I went on my own, about a year ago. I ordered my chicken and figured they would call me when it was ready so I sat down. The order taker brought it to me, miffed that I didn't stand in there where they take the orders. The other workers were ribbing her on the side about it. This time the food was a tad better, but there are lots of better spots to get good chicken.
@McGentrix,
Thanks. I'll look for it again - that's an easy lunchtime walk.
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