Chick-Fil-A?

Well, this issue has been going around lately so I figured I'd tackle it.  For those who don't know, the controversy here surrounds a comment made by Dan Cathy that implied that he is anti gay-marriage (his actual words were that he supported "the biblical definition of the family unit.")  Now, obviously this caused some backlash against the company.  Many have boycotted Chick-Fil-A and the Jim Henson Company (an open proponent of marriage equality) even pulled their Muppets toys from the restaurant's kids' meals.  I applaud both of these efforts as I think it is important to stick to your guns.  However, some have gone way too far.


Let me start by saying I've not been to Chick-Fil-A.  I also happen to support gay marriage.  In my opinion, if two adults with the capacity to make a decision for themselves want to get married, then why shouldn't they?  However, I am also a staunch defender of the Constitution.  So, when I heard that folks everywhere were calling for the removal of Chick-Fil-A restaurants and that some cities were actually considering banning or restricting the establishment, I was disgusted.  Let me say again: I DISAGREE WITH THE OPINIONS THAT DAN CATHY, CEO OF CHICK-FIL-A, VOICED IN REGARDS TO GAY MARRIAGE.  But I DO respect his RIGHT to HAVE and VOICE those opinions, regardless of their controversial nature or unpopularity.  You see, in this country we have freedom of speech.  The first amendment to our constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, or to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."  So, basically, what they're saying here is you can't try to silence this guy's opinion, no matter how much you dislike it.  So, as long as Chick-Fil-A is not discriminating against gay employees or customers, which I have found no evidence to support as of yet (do correct me if I'm wrong), then he can spout all of the anti-gay rhetoric he wants.  There are also those who condemn the company's donations to anti-gay foundations.  Guess what, they have the right to do that too.  It's their money.  YOU also have the right to not eat there.  You DO NOT have the right to demand they no longer do business.  In fact, the same law that protects their rights to say what they want about homosexual marriage is the same one that protects YOUR rights to complain about them.  If we could silence every opinion we disagreed with, everyone would be silenced.  Again, feel free to boycott Chick-Fil-A.  I probably will as well.  If you own a company that somehow supports or has ties to Chick-Fil-A, feel free to pull that support or sever those ties.  But the government needs to stay out of it and allow this company to do business how it wants, regardless of the opinions of its CEO.  Obviously, if the company is actually taking discriminatory action ie. not hiring or serving homosexuals, then go ahead and take government action.  But until then, use those first amendment rights to avoid or protest the establishment, but do not use your rights to try and infringe on someone else's.