First Amendment Wednesday

Those of us who support our First Amendment rights might consider eating at our local Chick-fil-A Wednesday, August 1st.

Our local franchise owners have been on talk radio this week and report that sales are up 30% since the manufactured controversy over CEO/Owner Cathy's view of traditional marriage. Chick-fil-A has been in business since 1967 and the Cathy family's views have not changed or "evolved" in 45 years; the family believes in Christian values, personal responsibility, operate with no debt and encourage franchise owners to do the same.

The company does not discriminate in its hiring practices, it has a stellar record of responsible stewardship of its resources to include an appreciation for and commitment to, its employees. Beginning in 1973 Chick-fil-A has provided almost unprecedented support via its Leadership Scholarship program for employees.

While one might be tempted to boycott -- or support -- Chick-fil-A based upon media reports related to traditional marriage... the true test should be each American citizen's support of our First Amendment, GOD-given right to Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly and Petition.

I will send a message by quite happily breaking my Weight Watchers Points Plan tomorrow by eating at my local Chick-fil-A restaurant, and I'm dragging three friends along with me, too.

My hope is that every venue experiences so much patronage that it creates gridlock.

A huge turnout will require the Lame Stream Media cover Main Stream Americans' support for Freedom of Speech.

November 5, 2009, healthcare rally in DC. One of seven trips in five months to our Nation's Capitol, undertaken in the vain belief that our elected representatives would actually listen to the will of We the People.

Seemed like a long time to 2012... but a funny thing happened along the way, for the 2010 mid-terms. A preview for this November --

As a reminder, Army Major Nidal Malik Hassan attacked and killed 13 innocent servicemembers and civilians that day, and wounded 29 others. In spite of reports that Major Hassan screamed allah akbar as he murdered, the president admonished the American people to "not jump to conclusions."

(Hassan is not being prosecuted as a terrorist. He refuses to shave for his appearance in court, claiming the requirement to be against his religion.)

Of course, the president's admonition and acknowledgement of the attack was delivered as an aside, at another official event. The loss of American lives did not even warrant a news conference.

Quoting: "I want to thank my Cabinet members and senior administration officials who participated today. I hear that Dr. Joe Medicine Crow was around, and so I want to give a shout out to that Congressional Medal of Honor winner. It’s good to see you."

(The gentleman was NOT a Medal of Honor RECIPIENT {I detest use of the word "winner"}, he was a Medal of Freedom recipient.)

We had chartered a bus and gone to DC with a diverse group, many veterans. We learned about the attack when we boarded the bus and watched the reports, then obama's remarks with stunned disbelief. Americans had just been slaughtered. On American soil. And this was the president's response.

Should have known then, that all was lost, at least til 2012.

Wonder what Washington and Jefferson would think of our Republic today? Can only continue to pray for our Nation and hope that the rainbow captured in this 2009 photo was truly a promise for tomorrow.

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