Feathers Ruffled Over Chick-fil-A Controversy

It seems that you can't even talk about a chicken sandwich without sparking a debate these days.

Ever since Chick-fil-A president and chief executive officer Dan T. Cathy made remarks condemning same-sex marriage a couple of weeks ago, the fast-food chain has become a flash point.

As Stephen Colbert said last week, "a line has been drawn in the lard."

Two events are scheduled this week at Chick-fil-A. On Friday, supporters of same-sex marriage are calling for a National Same Sex Kiss Day, scheduled for 8 p.m., presumably at Chick-fil-As throughout the country.

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Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and former Republican presidential candidate, has designated Aug. 1 "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" to show support for the company and the traditional religious view of marriage.

By early Wednesday morning, more than 570,000 people have joined the Facebook page to take part in Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.

At the Arbutus Patch page on Facebook, I made an innocuous query about whether any events were expected at the local at Lansdowne Station Shopping Center.

Within hours, there were dozens of comments--a lively and spontaneous debate about a restaurant that has become a local institution.

Among the comments:

"I know the owners of that Chick-fil-A and they are the kindest people and have done nothing to anyone. If we're going to protest everything thing and everyone who doesn't agree with us then that's pretty darn sad!"--Amy Hall

"The LGBT community is not trying to 'shove' anything down anyone's throats. They are simply trying to gain equal rights under the law."--Dana Smith

"Chick-fil-A is free to donate money to whomever they like."--Amanda Belt-Arnold

"People are idiots. If everyone protested against companies that don't have exactly the same beliefs than nobody would be in business! There are far more pressing issues. Their food is better than it's competitors, and quite honestly all of the bs makes me want to eat there more just to support personal freedom!"--Cheryl Allen

"I really hope no one from our community protests at our local Chick-fil-A. That store has given SO MUCH back to this community and they don't deserve to have this headache. Its not the Lansdowne Stores fault so why disrupt a business that gives jobs and gives back to the very area we live!!!"--Nikki Marlatt-Young

"As far as I am concerned, the only time a food provider's religious beliefs mean a damn thing is to a person who keeps to a kosher or halal diet."--Stan Modjesky

"The CEO of Chick-fil-A has the right to speak his mind and consumers have the right to 'vote' with their feet by spending or not at his stores."--Jack Ross

What are your thoughts? Will you be dining at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday, same-sex kissing on Friday, or none of the above?