Chic-fil-A

...or however it's spelled.  There are none around here of which I know.  I've never been to one or eaten its fare.  I know nothing about it other than it sponsors some football bowl game.  Until now....

Apparently, the owner of Chic was interviewed and, in keeping with his traditional Christian beliefs, explained he opposed gay marriages.  OK, isn't that what traditional Chris believe?  I'm not arguing right or wrong of those beliefs here.  It's the reaction, namely by some elected officials, that is very troubling.  The mayors of large cities such as Chicago, Boston, and San Francisco have indicated they want to run this legal business "out of town."

From what I've read, Chic doesn't discrimate against gays--they are hired and they are served in the restaurants.  No questions are asked.  It's just the owner doesn't believe in gay marriages--he doesn't take any action(s).  So, these loud-mouthed, close-minded mayors (I'm not dealing with the owner of Chic here; I have not made up my mind yet.  There are lots of questions to which I haven't answers.) have decided they don't want Chic in their cities.  Wow!  Where to start?

First, I'll be the citizens of those cities who customers would be happy with getting rid of Chic. Second, those folks who are employed by Chic would probably be happier.  And, no doubt, these mayors would provide new jobs for those who lost them--yeah, right!

Most disturbing is the mayors' attack on freedoms of thought and expression--those First Amendment rights guaranteeing freedoms of religion and speech.  It's one thing for these mayors to say, "I don't like what the owner of Chic said or his beliefs and I will personally boycott Chic."  Yeah, that's one thing.  It's far another to try to use the offices to which they have been elected to close businesses because of the owner's beliefs.  What's next?  You name it...if you disagree with those in power.

If gays and others who support gay marriage want to boycott Chic on their own, fine.  I have no problem with that.  That's their right to do so.  If those who oppose gay marriage want to have Chic feed days to show their support of the owner's beliefs, that's fine, too.  This is America. 

The mayors have tipped their cards.  They are power-hungry and if the Constitution gets in their way, ignore it.  If anything comes of this, that is, Chic is close in these cities, I wonder if a civil rights lawsuit could be filed. 

BTW, yet another story--not front-page headlines--of a shooting in Detroit that resulted in a murder.  Human life, to far too many people, has become worthless.  Killing someone over shoes or a girl or a lousier seat at a baby shower is not big deal.  Just shoot the other one; if he or she or even an innocent party dies, so be it. 

In this regard, there was an interesting letter in this AM's newspaper.  The guy claim the culprit for this is crack cocaine.  He claims the crack babies of 20 and 30 years ago are now the adults who are either doing the shooting because of their own mental derangement or the parents of children who are so mentally disheveled that they have no concept of human decency, the children doing the shootings.  Hmmm....  It bears some consideration.

But let's not forget other factors which are largely overlooked--sex and violence that has permeated society in movies, television, music, etc.  Again I ask, why are guns always targeted, but rarely the media which can have such deleterious effects.  (If we doubt the efficacy of the message of violence and sex, consider the success of advertising/mass marketing.)