Adam Smith's bully party at chick fil a

[creaker]

Replying to my own thread, I would just like to say that while I will not control (I can't!) the direction of this thread, I'd like to see it take off in a discussion of the ethics of boycott: when is boycott good, when not. And what is an appropriate "boycott" and when does that become something else, like personal bullying?

If we veer into the tired subject area of gay marriage, I will be bored. Don't bore me.

It makes me wonder what is ethically different between a public boycott day and a public show of support day (anti-boycott?).

Personally I think you should make people aware of facts and then let them make informed choices.

That said, Mr. Smith (who made so sure he got in that he's a heterosexual) I think was looking more for a few seconds of fame than any positive change.

[creaker]

Does anyone who would boycott Chik-Fil-a ever eat there anyway?

I would not eat there - but I don't do fast food places anyway so it's pretty irrelevant. Kind of like I wouldn't shop at Walmart, but since the closest one to me is further away than I would ever go anyway, that's also irrelevant.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I thought the outpouring of support for Chick-fil-a yesterday was cool. Our local outlet was completely overwhelmed and required the Sheriff's Dept to provide traffic control.

Of course, people who want to boycott the chain are more than free to do so, but I suspect it's a lost cause as the local franchise's will never miss the business.

The thing that does concern me regarding the controversy is the manner in which some mayors and other local officials have declared the chain unwelcome in their localities. I shudder to think that the likes of Rahm Emanuel would use the power of his office to declare a family business unwelcome in his city due to political correctness. I think the people of Chicago and Boston deserve better representation.

I also find it curious that Mr Cathy's statements were deemed so offensive to the same people who adore President Obama considering that he held the same sentiments until just recently, just in time for campaign season. It's hard to imagine a better contradiction.

You know, Alan, as a gay man myself, I have not especially cared for the timing of Obama's support of gay marriage - the more cynical part of me agrees with you, just in time for election season.....Maybe this guy Iris Lilly refers to was a jerk, and let's give her credit and say he was - my point is that I don't understand to this day why my sexual preference, something that is so natural to me like breathing is, should be an issue for so many, including the CEO of Chick Fil A? Seriously. Someone illuminate me, I just don't get it......Rob

[bae]

You know, Alan, as a gay man myself, I have not especially cared for the timing of Obama's support of gay marriage - the more cynical part of me agrees with you, just in time for election season....

I agree. After stalling on don't-ask-don't-tell as long as he could, then ooooozing out the policy change, then "evolving" his views on gay marriage, he is a great disappointment to my family as well. Gay, straight, and in-between.

I don't understand to this day why my sexual preference, something that is so natural to me like breathing is, should be an issue for so many, including the CEO of Chick Fil A? Seriously. Someone illuminate me, I just don't get it......Rob

I share your confusion. The whole situation is crazy-making to me.

[iris lily]

It makes me wonder what is ethically different between a public boycott day and a public show of support day (anti-boycott?).

...

That is an interesting point, I suppose my answer is: probably no different.

[iris lily]

Waved how? Nicely, or in a bullying fashion? I personally would never, ever go into a restaurant and just order free water and then leave. I have worked too many food service jobs to treat people that way. But, if someone was polite about it, it wouldn't be that big a deal, from the employee's perspective.

Kara

Well, in his defense, it seems that Chick--fil-a had icewater in containers, ready and waiting for people to drive up and take. At least, that's what I surmised from the video. So they seem to have set themselves up for a certain amount of grab and run non-paying customers.

[bunnys]

I didn't watch the video but what if he is an @ss? What does that have anything to do with his job performance? Last I checked, the 1st Amendment guarantees his right to be an @ss, film himself doing it and posting it on Youtube for everyone to see.

I think it was wrong of his employer to fire him.

[iris lily]

I didn't watch the video but what if he is an @ss? What does that have anything to do with his job performance? Last I checked, the 1st Amendment guarantees his right to be an @ss, film himself doing it and posting it on Youtube for everyone to see.

I think it was wrong of his employer to fire him.

The 1st amendment doesn't guarantee employment. Do you think that anyone working in any position can do anything in their personal life with no retribution by an employer? The employer has to look the other way for any behavior?

[bae]

I think his employers are within their rights to fire him for anything at all they don't like that may cause them business issues, or simply because they don't like the color of his tie.

I know I would have terminated any of my employees who engaged in that sort of nasty bullying of powerless people, it is reflective on character, and who wants someone like that around the office?

[jp1]

The 1st amendment doesn't guarantee employment. Do you think that anyone working in any position can do anything in their personal life with no retribution by an employer? The employer has to look the other way for any behavior?

I think it depends on whether he 1) was bringing embarrassment to his company either by making it clear that he worked there while being an ass (such as wearing a logo shirt), or by claiming to represent the company, or 2) is well enough known that people would say "did you hear what so and so from X company did?". The third possibility where I'd agree with terminating him is his actual situation, where he's an officer of the company. Someone at that responsibility level in an organization needs to behave in a manner commensurate with his level in the company. At least in my opinion. If he was just some joe schmoe employee I would think it's not really any of the company's business what he does on his free time as long as it's legal. There are still states where one can be fired simply for being gay. I tend to be very cautious about the idea that people can be fired for what they do on their free time.

All that said, I would agree that he seems to be an ass. I disagree with Mr. Cathy, but taking it out on an employee at a franchise of Mr. Cathy's organization isn't doing anything to help change the situation.