Thursday, September 20, 2012

Chick Fil-A's Sham Change of Policy - NOTHING has Changed

I've often said on this blog and elsewhere that literally no one lies more than the self-anointed, self-congratulatory members of the Christian Right.  Indeed, if their lips are moving, the only safe assumption is to assume that they are lying.  Apparently, this maxim holds true with Chick Fil-A and the members of the Cathy family who in a ploy to gain city approvals lied to Chicago alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno that the company was changing its policy of funding anti-gay organization.  The truth is that NOTHING has changed and that anti-gay, bigoted organizations can continue to count on Chick Fil-A derived funds to bankroll their campaigns of hate and intolerance.  Today, Chick Fil-A released a press release that makes it clear that NOTHING has changed.  While there is mealy mouthed language about Chick Fil-A treating all customers with respect, the reality is that Chick Fil-A is funding groups that would keep LGBT customers third or fourth class citizens subjected to virulently religious based discrimination.  Frankly, I'd go hungry before I'd spend ten cents at Chick Fil-A.  Think Progress looks at this sad situation.  Here are highlights:

As a result of questions regarding a change in Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay giving — despite the fact it was supporting an anti-gay group this week — the chain has clarified in a new press release that nothing has changed:
A part of our corporate commitment is to be responsible stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Because of this commitment, Chick-fil-A’s giving heritage is focused on programs that educate youth, strengthen families and enrich marriages, and support communities. We will continue to focus our giving in those areas. Our intent is not to support political or social agendas.
As we have stated, 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.
It is the very organizations that “strengthen families and enrich marriages” that Chick-fil-A supports that advocate against marriage equality. The restaurant may claim it does not support “political or social agendas,” but that is how the groups it supports spend its money. As for the “honor, dignity, and respect” line, this is the exact same language it issued when the controversy first broke two months ago, and does not constitute a non-discrimination protection for employees.

The Advocate also has coverage on how Chick Fil-A has sponsored a for an anti-gay  organization yet coyly had the checks payable directly to the anti-gay group so as to avid having the funds flow through Chick Fil-A.  Chick Fil-A is using technicalities and semantics to pretend that it has changed its ways when NOTHING has changed.  In short, it is ALL A LIE.  Just as one would expect from a Christofascist controlled company.

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