"Eat Mor Chikin" while Rahm eats crow!

Threats to Chick-fil-A 'height of stupidity'

Legal team warns city officials, like Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who promise trouble for restaurants:  “Make My Day”

Rahm Now Clarifies His Chick-fil-A Stance… Like His Former Boss Spends a Lot of Time Walking Off-the Cuff Comments Back

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The issue before us is not an anti-gay issue.  It is a pro-freedom of speech and freedom of religion issue.  Chick-Fil-A does not discriminate against gays.  But Chick-Fil-A is a private company whose owner stand-up for their Christian beliefs.  Hello, this is America where that is allowed.  And America is still the land of the free, governed by a Bill of Rights and Constitution, where the majority of people are Christians.

Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy said he believes in the natural, biblical view of marriage as being between one man and one woman.

How, in America, could that viewpoint possibly be considered controversial or discriminatory?

Have our nation’s values and culture collapsed that far?

Apparently, liberal politicians like Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel think so. Upon hearing of Cathy’s stand, radical pro-homosexual organizations and sympathizers immediately began calling for boycotts, “kiss-ins,” and other types of protests against the family-friendly national chain of restaurants.

Then, government officials from major U.S. cities like Chicago and Boston said they plan to prevent Chick-fil-A from opening new restaurants in their jurisdictions.

Demanding a public apology from Cathy, Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno said that he will deny Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told the Boston Herald that he would block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in the “Cradle of Liberty.”

Never one to “let a good crisis go to waste,” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel followed suit. Emanuel’s statement that “Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago’s values” was both legally ignorant and ill-advised. Emanuel, the former Chief of Staff at the Obama White House, surely knows that viewpoint discrimination violates federal Civil Rights statutes!

++These threats of action and discrimination against Chick-fil-A because of the viewpoint of its owner are not only illegal – they are toxic to every business and businessman in America!

To deny business permits or zoning approvals to Chick-fil-A because the president of the privately-owned family business expressed his biblical view of natural marriage is outrageous.

Any city trying to ban Chick-fil-A will not win this battle. If this discrimination is challenged in court – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino will be eating crow, and in large portions! Even the ACLU condemned the knee-jerk announcements by ultraliberal Mayors Emanuel and Menino!

These government officials ought to be ashamed. For a public official to threaten denial of a right to do business because the president of a private company supports natural marriage is the height of stupidity and intolerance.

Unfortunately, their response is typical of intolerant homosexual activists. They will go to any lengths to silence the majority of Americans who believe that children do best when raised in a natural family with one mom and one dad.

A legal team that specializes in religious and civil rights and the Constitution says city officials who are promising to punish Chick-fil-A restaurants for the religious beliefs followed by their chief are asking for trouble.

“These government officials ought to be ashamed. For a public official to threaten denial of a right to do business because the president of a private company supports natural marriage is the height of stupidity and intolerance,” said Mathew Staver, chief of Liberty Counsel.

“Unfortunately, their response is typical of intolerant homosexual activists. They will go to any lengths to silence the majority of Americans who believe that children do best when raised in a natural family with one mom and one dad,” he said.

The issue has turned into a firestorm over the last couple of days. Among the results? The Henson Co., creator of the Muppets characters, said it no longer would work with Chick-fil-A. The mayor of Boston publicly bashed the restaurant chain. Chicago officials said they would not want the company to operate in their wards. And “kiss-in” protests were announced in front of company outlets on college campuses.

Boston’s mayor reconsiders his position on Chick-fil-A expansion in his city.

All brought on by advocates for homosexual behavior because Dan Cathy, whose father, Truett Cathy, founded the $4 billion-plus a year business, gave an interview to the Baptist Press.

“We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that,” Cathy said.

In a separate radio interview, Dan Cathy 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. I pray God’s mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think we can try to define what marriage is all about.”

Earlier today, Billy Graham, the longtime dean of Christian leaders in the United States, expressed his support for the Cathy family

“I want to express my support for my good friends Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith,” he said in a statement released by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

“I’ve known their family for many years and have watched them grow Chick-fil-A into one of the best businesses in America while never compromising their values. Chick-fil-A serves each of its customers with excellence, and treats everyone like a neighbor. It’s easy to see why Chick-fil-A has become so popular across America,” he said.

Liberty Counsel noted the city officials who are on thin ice include Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno, who “said that he will deny Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in Chicago’s Logan Square. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told the Boston Herald that he would block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in the ‘Cradle of Liberty.” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel followed suit.”

“There is absolutely no evidence that Chick-fil-A has discriminated against anyone,” Staver continued. “The intolerance displayed by these government officials ought to serve as a wakeup call to the majority of Americans who support the commonsense understanding of natural marriage.

“If given the chance, these intolerant officials would silence anyone who supports natural marriage. They have placed extreme ideology over freedom,” Staver said.

“To deny business permits or zoning approvals to Chick-fil-A because the president of the privately owned family business expressed his biblical view of natural marriage is outrageous. Any city trying to ban Chick-fil-A will not win this battle,” Staver said.

Liberty Counsel is an international nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics.

But as WND reported, hundreds of thousands of people across America are pledging to support Chick-fil-A restaurants.

A Facebook campaign has been launched by Gov. Mike Huckabee seeking to build support for the chicken-sandwich chain famous for closing its stores on Sundays so employees can attend church if they choose.

Huckabee, a 2008 Republican presidential candidate, invited Americans to join him Wednesday, Aug. 1, for a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.” Some supporters are advocating showing support every Wednesday.

He noted the company now is a $4 billion a year effort with more than 1,600 stores.

“The militant homosexual advocates have launched an all out assault on Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A, pushing for a boycott because the Cathy family has contributed to traditional marriage organizations. The attempts to hurt or destroy Chick-fil-A is nothing short of economic bullying. In the name of ‘tolerance,’ there is an effort being mounted to put pressure on people to stop eating at Chick-fil-A. Even worse is the vilification of the company and its employees. The Christian world view of Dan Cathy is being met with intolerance and vicious hate speech,” Huckabee’s announcement said.

“I ask you to join me in speaking out to your constituency via Facebook, Twitter, email, broadcast, etc., to make 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.”

John Hayward at Human Events said the attacks are reaching unhealthy levels.

“The name of the game being played against Chick-fil-A involved ending the discussion, by ruling one side of this important social debate completely out of order, and dismissing their beliefs as unworthy of respect. All resistance to gay marriage is instantly transmuted into personal hatred of gay people. On the other hand, criticism of traditional marriage proponents cannot be viewed as hateful, no matter how angrily it might be expressed. It’s a rigged heads-we-win, tails-you-lose game,” he said.

Chick-fil-A appears to have taken itself off the soapbox, at least for now, with a corporate statement that said: “The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 restaurants run by independent owner/operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”

Related:

Can it be un-American to be a Christian? 

Rahm Emanuel chickens out on Chick-fil-A ban

'The View' Co-Hosts Defend Chick-Fil-A After Chicago Alderman Announces Ban

Biggest name in Christianity defends Chick-fil-A

Liberty Action Counsel Stands with Chick-Fil-A

See what the biggest companies in the nation are doing to promote homosexuality.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (and Former Obama Chief of Staff): Chick-Fil-A should be banished for Christian marriage beliefs

• God You Think You Know The Bible Well? Test Yourself With Our Trivia Game www.BibleTriviaTime.com
• Chick-Fil-A Franchise Find out about owning a franchise. Get the info you need fast & free! www.FindaFranchise.com

 

Announcing the Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on August 1 

July 26, 2012
Christian-owned Chick-fil-A has come under assault once again, this time because CEO Dan Cathy recently affirmed his personal view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld.

The "Big Gay" machine has ramped up an un-relenting and vicious public attack against Chick-fil-A. Homosexual activists are spewing hate-filled bigotry and intolerance toward the company in unprecedented fashion.
Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day is our way of showing our support for a company whose leaders believe in marriage as that of one man, one woman. http://66.210.221.105/index.html
Join millions of others in showing support for Chick-fil-A by visiting your local Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, August 1, 2012. The plan is simple. At least once on August 1, eat a meal at Chick-fil-A and politely let the staff and management know you appreciate the company's Christian value system.

Let us know you're supporting Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day by signing up today! We'll let Chick-fil-A know to expect record sales on August 1! http://66.210.221.105/index.html

"Eat Mor Chikin" while Rahm eats crow!

Thanks to patriotic Americans of all stripes from Billy Graham to the ladies of The View, Chick –Fil-A’s media coverage and sales are up!

Technorati Tags: Bill of Rights,Freedom of Speech,Freedom of Relgion,privately owned companies,freedom,Christianity,Chick-fil-A,religion,gay marriage,traditional marriage,individual freedoms,The View,Billy Graham,Liberty Counsel,Mike Huckabee,judeo-Christian values

Big Media Tramples On Constitutional Rights to Protect Antiquated Business Model

Big Media Tramples On Constitutional Rights to Protect Antiquated Business Model

Hanni Fakhoury  -  EFF

In its ongoing battle against music piracy, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is backing a bill in the California legislature, SB 550, which permits the police to disregard the Fourth Amendment. SB 550 would allow law enforcement to search without a warrant any CD, DVD, Blu-Ray or other “optical disc” manufacturer to ensure the discs they are producing carry legally required identification marks. SB 550 easily passed in the Senate yesterday and is now headed to the State Assembly.

The Supreme Court has long recognized that the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures applies to commercial property.1 In most instances, a warrant is required to search a business. However, there is a narrow exception that permits warrantless searches of “closely regulated” industries if: (1) there is a substantial government interest in the search; (2) the warrantless search is necessary to further that interest; and (3) there are constitutionally adequate substitutes for a warrant. Plus, the warrantless searches must be limited in time, place and scope.

SB 550 attempts to frame the optical disc manufacturing industry as “closely regulated”, bringing it within this otherwise narrow exception to the warrant requirement. But there are at least four problems with this theory.

1. Optical Disc Manufacturing Is Not a “Closely Regulated” Industry

A “closely regulated” industry is one that has a history of government oversight and regulation.3 Usually, this means industries that have some connection to the public’s health and safety, such as automobile junkyards, liquor license holders, firearm dealers, mine operators and nursing homes, that require permits to operate.

Optical disc manufacturers, by contrast, have little history of government oversight. Someone who wants to manufacture CDs or DVDs, can just open shop and start production; there are no registration or licensing requirements specific to optical disc manufacturers, apart from the requirement they stamp every disc with a unique identifier.

2. There Is No Substantial Government Interest

All the industries mentioned above have an effect on the public’s health and welfare, which is why the government has a substantial interest in regulating them. This is true even of automotive shops, as car theft leads to higher insurance premiums for consumers. Regulating stolen car parts takes unsafe vehicles off the road, and discourages people from getting shoddy mechanical work with stolen parts. And most importantly, it reduces the violence associated with car theft. The same concern about public health is why the government regulates mining, one of the most dangerous professions in the world.

But there is no substantial government interest in regulating disc manufacturers. According to the bill’s sponsor, state Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima), fraudulent CDs and DVDs “steal revenue from artists, retailers and our entertainment sector” and “undermine our economy and California’s role as a global leader in music and film.” Of course, its important to help make sure artists are rewarded for their hard work. But pursuing that goal shouldn’t come at the cost of ignoring the constitutional rights of California small businesses. And of course, permitting the warrantless searches themselves may undermine the California economy if optical disc producers decide to move their business out of the state altogether to escape the law.

3. Warrantless Searches Are Unnecessary

Search warrants are not impossible to obtain. For more than 200 years, law enforcement officers have obtained search warrants and been able to effectively investigate crime. In California, law enforcement can submit search warrant affidavits by telephone or email.4

Nor is there anything inherently different about investigating optical disc manufacturers that justifies a blanket exception to the Fourth Amendment. If law enforcement agencies tasked with investigating illegal gun and drug trafficking, fraud and physical violence can comply with the Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement, what makes investigating music piracy any different?

Obtaining a warrant requires only that the police have probable cause to believe a particular manufacturer is engaging in illegal activity. If they have that belief, a warrant can be obtained and a plant searched. The police can still have the element of surprise on their side, as a search warrant does not require prior notice to the businesses or the public.

4. There Are No Limits to the Searches Authorized by SB 550

SB 550 claims that the “scope of the inspection shall be restricted to the physical review of items and collection of information necessary to verify compliance” with state law. But in the next paragraph, the bill empowers law enforcement to:

• Take inventory of all manufacturing equipment
• Review any record, book or document concerning the business
• Remove any disc, production part, record or book for as long as wanted and without any time limitation.

These aren’t limits, but a blank check: without a warrant or any suspicion of wrongdoing, law enforcement can take whatever they want, wherever they want, for as long as they want. Nothing about this is “reasonable” under the Fourth Amendment

SB 550 Is Nothing More Than A Criminal Fishing Expedition

Rather than creating a tool to regulate the optical disc industry, SB 550 arms law enforcement with sweeping new powers with little justification. It’s doubtful that warrantless snooping of optical disc plants will have any effect on the losing battle against piracy. It’s clear that the market for CD sales is shrinking with the advent of digital music files, internet radio stations, and online music lockers. Perhaps the RIAA needs to rethink its business model rather than push for a powerful – and unconstitutional – tool.

All Californians – not just the optical disc industry – should stand up to protect the Fourth Amendment. Now is the time to write your local Assembly member to oppose SB 550 and require law enforcement to come back with a warrant!

1. See v. City of Seattle, 387 U.S. 541 (1967).
2. See generally New York v. Burger, 482 U.S. 691 (1987).
3. Marshall v. Barlow’s, Inc., 436 U.S. 307 (1978).
4. California Penal Code § 817(c).

America 2012