Mike Luckovich for July 22, 2012

“freedom of speech” is a right that protects the speaker from government action (except of course libel, fraud, lying under oath, and so on). It has nothing to do with protecting the speaker from negative reactions by other citizens. Chick-Fil-A’s freedom of speech (and mine) are uncompromised by my declaration that their free speech reveals them to be boorish, ignorant, and downright mean-spirited. Nor by my hope that their business suffers as a consequence.

If you’re not happy with them, then eat at Burger King, but quit whining. Is it really not OK for a business owner to have an opinion? Chic-Fil-A does more for their employees than any other fast-food restaurant or even business for that matter that I’ve heard of. Yet they will be hammered because a few people don’t like their views on this single issue, even though other enterprises can walk over their employees and get a pass. Gaaah. Increasingly disillusioned with this nation.

I’m all for freedom of speech. I’m all for bigots “outing” themselves, so we know them for what they are. Calling for a boycott of Chik-fil-A is also a really good way to exercise freedom of speech.

Agree – everyone has a right to boycott just as they have a right to have an opinion. My daughter works there and loves the way they treat their employees. I’ll continue enjoying it. Big jump from not thinking same-sex marriage is OK to being “a bigot”. Name calling does not help create dialogue and understanding. Boycott away, but don’t become speech police – the latter takes us where hopefully no one wants to go!

I enjoy their chicken sandwiches but do not eat there often as I don’t care for their political stance on social issues. They can exercise their free speech and I exercise my freedom to shop elsewhere. I believe in freedom and that includes the freedom to face the consequences of your decisions.

‘Perverted sense of morality?’ Do you even have a clue?

The owner of Chick-fil-a has the right to be just as stupid and disconnected as he so wishes. And others of us have the same right to let him how irrelevant he really is, to refuse to give him our money and to encourage others to go elsewhere as well. And how many times has the hypocritical theocratic right demanded boycotts of different companies and businesses who did not kowtow to their pathetic demands?

Your sense of ‘freedom’ is seriously skewed. I’d say you need some help with that…

In the interview for a job: “Are you married?” “Are you married to someone of the same sex?”.What next? “Are you married to someone of a different racial ancestry?” What does it matter? We love who we love….man, woman, black person, Asian, Democrat, Republican, sandwich eater..Can we not get on with our lives and stop telling others what’s right or wrong?

I guess I’m missing something . . . is this a controversy going on? If this owner says he’s against gay marriage, then he’s against gay marriage. If that offends you, then vote with your wallet. Why is this news?

Well, nothing says “America” like free speach, and denying rights to others.

I’ve never seen one of their stores, but the name implies cannibalism, serving up ex-watresses from Hooters?

I have more respect for a honest person I disagree with than someone being politically correct.

Did somebody surgically remove your sense of humor?

Bhinkle have you raised cattle? They females will ride each other if no bull around. Now a question equality under the law. If the interpretation of the bible says that women are of eve and should be discrimnated against should women be fired from thier jobs? The bible was used to justify slavery also. A privately held belief is just that do it to yourself alone and leave everyone else out of it. Dont like gay marriage dont get one. This country does not need the christian wing of the taliban.

If a store or food chain start passing judgment on questions of morality, enough is enough. They won’t be seeing me buy any food from me.

They can say any lie they like (SCOTUS supports lying as okay), spout their preferences as much as they like. I disagree with their trying to abrogate the rights of a group of people, simply because they don’t like them or because they choose to misinterpret what Jesus is recorded has having said. I also will not purchase any of their food or drink. My choice, isn’t it?

Additionally, their spelling is atrocious.

This is not surprising. Examine the heart of their “never on Sundays” rule. It also suggests they never knowingly hire any Jews or Muslims or any other theology that might be willing to work on Sundays in exchange for being off for the days their theology indicates, but rather must work on those days or not work there at all. In the mind of this United Methodist cleric, that seems a bit bigoted to me. Enforced religion is atheism.

the most wasteful way of getting food; growing wheat to feed beef cattle.

It is a bit ironic that a group like Chic-Fil-A that treats their employees well gets the wrath of the PC police, yet Hooters can exploit women to attract customers and that is fine. We are getting quite twisted.

I was unaware that Chick-fil-A was in the business of performing marriages to go along with their meals. Is this something I can get at Wendy’s as well?

I’m all for freedom of speech. It helps me identify those places that I won’t be doing business at.

Regardless of their position on social or political issues, I wouldn’t eat at any place calling itself “Chick-fil-A”.

All this talk about food, I’m getting hungry!