The thing is ... Chick-fil-A makes a really, really good chicken sandwich.
Not that most local folks would know that, given that there aren't any of that restaurant chain's franchises in our area, but trust us, it's a tasty sandwich.
But since Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy injected his political views into the extremely sensitive subject of gay marriage, we don't hear a lot of debate comparing Chick-fil-A's spicy chicken sandwich with _ say _ Wendy's.
Instead, we hear outrage and vitriol from interest groups and a stream of self-serving nonsense from politicians.
Cathy is a deeply religious man who backs up his beliefs by keeping his 1,608 restaurants closed on Sundays.
Recently, he discussed gay marriage with a Baptist publication and a Christian radio show, and that's when fowl things started to go foul.
Cathy, who has contributed generously to various groups that many consider to be anti-gay, told the radio program:
"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."
Putting aside the fact that everyone should be wary of anyone _ no matter what the religion _ who claims to know what the Almighty is thinking, Cathy is certainly entitled to his opinion.
But for those of us who support same-sex marriage and consider opposition to it to be outright discrimination, Cathy's words were deeply offensive.
If that's how we feel, when it comes to Mr. Cathy's business, we can protest, sign petitions, write letters to the newspaper.
Chick-fil-A's corporate headquarters has distanced the company from its president's statements, but if we feel that strongly about Cathy, we should go somewhere else for lunch.
What we shouldn't do, however, is applaud blatant political grandstanding by politicians, including Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, who sent Cathy a letter urging him to cancel plans to open restaurants in the city.
On the opposite side, you had Rush Limbaugh and various Republicans, including Rick Santorum and Lindsey Graham, making sure they were seen posing with Chick-fil-A bags for the cameras.
Should progressives also boycott Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut because David C. Novak, the chairman of its parent company Yum!, is affiliated with the anti-gay Southeast Christian Church?
Where does it stop?
This, after all, is America. Cathy has the right to say what he pleases. We have the right to tell him he's misguided and bigoted and we're not going to eat at his restaurants.
It's all too bad, though. It really is a good chicken sandwich.
Editorials
Flap over chicken chain went too far
- Editorials
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be
Let's not mince words. Today's college graduates have it rough when it comes to job prospects.
Continued ... -
Fed ammo theories show who is gullible
Ask 10 people for their thoughts on the National Rifle Association, and you'll likely get a broad range of responses. But on one point, we can all agree - if a threat to the Second Amendment appears, the NRA will find out about it and quickly spread the word. That's why it was nice to see the NRA last summer shoot down one of the more absurd rumors that's been making the rounds: that the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies are hoarding massive stockpiles of ammunition for secret, nefarious purposes.
Continued ... -
Schools must find ways to deal with threats
Anonymous threats to schools are nothing new. Through the years, they have consisted -- among other messages -- of anonymous phone calls, magazine or newspaper lettering glued to a letter, and scrawled warnings on a bathroom mirror.
Continued ... -
On our Opinion: Cheers
To the DEP's "The Watershed Experience," the Oneonta High School Envirothon team, and to ROPS rebate funding.
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Make sure you vote in school tax election
School superintendents have it anything but easy in these challenging economic times. In addition to dealing with myriad day-to-day and semester-to-semester issues, they have to have Solomon-like political acumen and management skills.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 18, 2013
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Casino in our area worth talking about
If Gov. Andrew Cuomo has his way, casinos will be awarded to three upstate locations.
Continued ... - Friday, May 17, 2013
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Take precautions to prevent kidnappings
It has been nearly two weeks since the arrest of Ariel Castro in Cleveland on rape and kidnapping charges for acts that should send a chill through the spines of everyone in America.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 16, 2013
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IRS, Justice actions violate our trust
After the recent actions of the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Justice Department, belief in the integrity of our government is hanging by a very slender thread.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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After 40 years, it was time to get married
This newspaper publishes lots of wedding announcements, but one that appeared prominently in Monday's edition was especially heartwarming.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 14, 2013
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Cheers
To three longtime public servants who recently announced their decisions to leave their posts.
Continued ... - Monday, May 13, 2013
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Military culture of abuse must change
26,000.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 11, 2013
- Remember mothers on their day
- Friday, May 10, 2013
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In Our Opinion: Cellphone alert system can only help
Since the early days of radio, broadcasters have been able to break into programming to alert listeners about dangerous situations.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 9, 2013
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Home rule decision is good for all
What lawyer Thomas West called an "exit strategy" for Gov. Andrew Cuomo, we call common sense, plain and simple.
Continued ... - Wednesday, May 8, 2013
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Internet tax would benefit local businesses
Let's suppose you're the owner of a bicycle business in our area, and a customer comes in to look at a new bike. He asks you questions about it, maybe even sits on it or takes it for a spin. He compares it with other models, looks at the color and checks out what would be the best size for him.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 7, 2013
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Cheers
To the city of Oneonta's tree giveaway, the town of Hartwick's "Clean Sweep" day, and Bassett Healthcare's patient-centered medical home program.
Continued ... - Monday, May 6, 2013
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In our opinion: Take steps to prevent fire tragedy
Oftentimes it takes a tragedy to remind us to do the little things that may save our lives.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 4, 2013
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Collins deserves to be cheered
It's likely that unless you are a big basketball fan, you never heard of Jason Collins before Monday, when he became the first active player in any of the four major American professional sports to announce that he is gay.
Continued ... - Friday, May 3, 2013
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College's amnesty policy can save lives
The statistics on overdoses among college-age Americans are downright sobering.
Continued ... - Thursday, May 2, 2013
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Reality of sequester is scary enough
"Scare tactics" was a phrase used frequently by President Barack Obama's critics about the sequester.
Continued ...
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Grads' fulfillment can wait if need be



