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Kenney tells Chick-fil-A president to take a hike

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115 comments

Kenney tells Chick-fil-A president to take a hike

POSTED: Wednesday, July 25, 2012, 5:56 PM

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy’s recent comments about gay marriage has caused quite a stir across the country and has City Councilman Jim Kenney fired-up.

Last week during a radio show Cathy said, "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,'" Cathy said. "I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."

Cathy later said that he is supportive of the "biblical definition of the family unit."

In a letter to Cathy, Kenney wrote:

"It is with profound disillusionment and a sense of deep sadness that I write this letter in response to your recent comments. Last week you expressed support for denying gay Americans the prized right of marriage that heterosexual couples in this country so freely take for granted."

"As an American you are legally entitled to your opinion, regardless of how insensitive and intolerant it may be, but as a fellow American and an elected member of Philadelphia City Council; I am entitled to express my opinion as well. So please – take a hike and take your intolerance with you. There is no place for this type of hate in our great City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection."

And when City Council returns in September, Kenney said he will introduce a resolution condemning Cathy and the company. Check out the rest of Kenney’s letter here.

115 comments
Comments  (116)
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:54 PM, 07/25/2012
    All politicians should take a hike.
    tonyS
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:55 PM, 07/25/2012
    Why can't Cathy express his opinion? Why does it make people so angry? The institute of marriage does come from the bible after all. If you're not into it, then skip it and stand by what you believe, and don't get so angry with others who are not afraid to say what they believe.
    ptahan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:53 AM, 07/26/2012
    Cathy can express "his" opinion. But the rights of marriage, bestowed ever so generously on us by your great book of fairly tales, extend to the civil laws here in the US. It makes people angry because the laws she supports (with a great deal of money, don't forget) says they can't see their loved ones in the hospital, or get benefits, on and on. Would it anger you if she said African Americans should not get these rights, because the Bible talks about those who are not "chosen" being less in the eyes of your god? It makes people angry because it affects their lives tremendously. "Do unto others..." Right ptahan? This is not just her opinion, the company funds the denial of rights to equal citizens. What is so Christian, so American, about that?
    TheLowDown
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:56 PM, 07/25/2012
    I second the statement by GREEKPICNIC.
    gemini48
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 6:56 PM, 07/25/2012
    Kenny is an idiot!!!!
    WCJRJR
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:06 PM, 07/25/2012
    Subtext: I haven't done anything about crime in Center City, but I'd like gay Philadelphians to donate to my next campaign. VOTE QUIMBY!!!!
    dragoon6
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:07 PM, 07/25/2012
    I see the 'we're open to all forms of diversity except your own' thought police are out in full force. I guess all of us who agree with Chick Fil-A are closed minded bigots. The only 'right' position is the politically correct acceptance of homosexuality and rejection of natural law.
    DameB
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 8:05 PM, 07/25/2012
    "I guess all of us who agree with Chick Fil-A are closed minded bigots." ---------- Yes, yes you are.
    wb2nd
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:06 AM, 07/26/2012
    No we are not moron. Since when have you secured the moral center on any issue. Liberal hypocrite--accept my views or you are a bigot. I don't think so--take a long walk off a short pier.
    chamborde
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:09 PM, 07/25/2012
    "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,"
    This is blasphemy! i know for a fact that God is a women
    Drewmcc
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:25 PM, 07/25/2012
    Hey everyone! Chic-fil-A delivers.
    Liberty Place, Phone: (215) 557-7853. Deliver to James Kenny, City Hall, Room 330. I'm sure his staff will love it. If we send enough we can feed jurors, who will be thrilled with a breakfast sausage and egg sandwich or a chicken sandwich!
    ptahan
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:26 PM, 07/25/2012
    I'm surprised ethics rules even allow for councilmen to use their letterhead and local position to write such letters to out-of-state businessmen on issues irrelevant to local business.
    dglass1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:41 PM, 07/25/2012
    .
    .
    .
    .
    It all started many years ago when Northerners wrote letters to the Southern states asking them to outlaw slavery.
    It took more than 600,000 people dying to get a good answer.
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:26 PM, 07/25/2012
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Good for Kelley.
    And I thank you for bringing this to my attention.

    What would white people say if
    little mind Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy said
    all white people have to sit in the back of the bus ?

    I rest my case.




    Equality for all unless you're a moron who thinks otherwise.
    Redwoodser
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:10 AM, 07/26/2012
    What a ridiculous comparison. Come back when you can make an articulate comment.
    chamborde


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Chris Brennan, a native Philadelphian and graduate of Temple University, joined the Daily News in 1999. He has written about SEPTA, the Philadelphia School District, the legalization of casino gambling, state government, the mayor, the governor, City Council and political campaigns. E-mail tips to brennac@phillynews.com
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Sean Collins Walsh is from Bucks County and went to Northwestern University. He joined the Daily News copy desk in 2012 and now covers the Nutter administration. Before that, he interned at papers including The New York Times, The Dallas Morning News and The Seattle Times. E-mail tips to walshSE@phillynews.com
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