“Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values.” Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
Well, apparently the Catholic Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Francis George, begs to differ. In response to Barack Obama’s former Chief-of-Staff and his assault on free speech and religious liberty, Cardinal George — a native Chicagoan — has laid the smackdown (verbally speaking) on Mr. Emanuel. In a post entitled “Reflections on ‘Chicago Values,'” published on Sunday, July 29, the Archbishop of Chicago writes:
Recent comments by those who administer our city seem to assume that the city government can decide for everyone what are the “values” that must be held by citizens of Chicago. I was born and raised here, and my understanding of being a Chicagoan never included submitting my value system to the government for approval. Must those whose personal values do not conform to those of the government of the day move from the city? Is the City Council going to set up a “Council Committee on Un-Chicagoan Activities” and call those of us who are suspect to appear before it? I would have argued a few days ago that I believe such a move is, if I can borrow a phrase, “un-Chicagoan.”
Un-Chicagoan, indeed. Not to mention un-American. Of course, Rahm Emanuel and many other leftists (as opposed to traditional liberals) in this country wouldn’t understand basic concepts of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press if Madison, Hamilton, Jay and the other founders were explaining it to them at a 5th grade level. Are they smarter than a 5th grader? I think we know the answer to that question. To paraphrase Jeff Foxworthy, “You know you’re a political hack who has no basic understanding of the American Constitution when you try to block legitimate businesses like Chick-fil-A from locating in your city based upon a CEO’s opinions/beliefs and not the company’s actions.”
I, for one, appreciate Chicago’s religious leaders, like Archbishop Cardinal Francis George and Armitage Baptist Church Pastor, the Rev. Charles Lyons, who have reminded Mr. Emanuel about what real Chicago and American values are all about. Said Pastor Lyons:
“If the thought police come to Armitage Baptist Church, we will meet them at the door respectfully, unflinchingly, willing to die on this hill, holding a copy of the Sacred Scriptures in one hand and a copy of the U.S. Constitution in the other.”
I said as much this past Sunday from the pulpit where I serve as pastor. Whether in Alamogordo, NM or Chicago, IL, it is a hill on which this Baptist pastor is willing to die as well! What about you?
Excellent post! I ate at Chick-Fil-A in Savannah, Georgia on Monday, and I could hardly get into the place at 1:00 p.m. It will be sooo crowded on Wednesday. But I’m sure the liberal news media will ignore it.
Bob,
Thanks. I am taking a group from my church tomorrow to our nearest Chick-fil-A, which is a little over an hour’s drive away in Las Cruces, NM. I have been hearing reports from over the weekend that the restaurants have been packed. Looking forward to standing for religious liberty, free speech and eating mor chicken 🙂 You are probably right about the media ignoring Wednesday. They will probably give lots of air time to the “Same-sex Kiss Day” on Friday, though. We shouldn’t be surprised. Thanks again and God bless,
Howell
I’m planning to eat lunch there tomorrow. Maybe lunch and supper.
I think I meant Friday – the National Kiss day.
Dave,
If I didn’t have a yard sale scheduled for Friday and the trip to Las Cruces wasn’t a little over an hour’s drive, I would probably take the family back on Friday. As it is, I have a group from my church meeting me at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday to make the trip to eat at the Chick-fil-A in the Las Cruces Mall. I don’t know how many we will have, but I will be sure to post on FB and/or on my blog a follow-up late tomorrow or Thursday. You’ll have to let us know how it goes on Friday. Thanks and God bless,
Howell