I would like to put this out there. It is KU's "statement on diversity and inclusion"

"As a premier international research university, the University of Kansas is committed to an open, diverse and inclusive learning and working environment that nurtures the growth and development of all. KU holds steadfast in the belief that an array of values, interests, experiences, and intellectual and cultural viewpoints enrich learning and our workplace. The promotion of and support for a diverse and inclusive community of mutual respect require the engagement of the entire university."

I see two ways to apply thisto the situation.

(1) Is the correct response for KU itself to force this company off campus because it could be argued that the views of the company's president and the material support they provide through their donations are counter to this statement?

(2) Should the statement itself be applied to the views of the company's president? Are his views simply another "cultural viewpoint", which the statement seems to indicate should be tolerated?

For the record, I think what Cathy has said is despicable. He will not be supporting any of the groups his company supports with one cent of my money.

Having said that, I cannot help but think that application (1) of the statement on diversity would be hypocritical. If this really is bad enough that the KU faculty and student body don't want it around, then they should boycott it.

Tim Huelskamp, while in the Kansas Senate, often led efforts to completely defund the University of Kansas until certain courses were eliminated or certain professors fired.

He found the content of those courses to be personally offensive. He found remarks or research by those certain professors to be personally offensive.

How's that for your champion of free speech?

Am I the only one that noticed that the quote by the politician in the article pretty much states:

"They would be wrong to do the thing that they have not shown any inclination to do" ?

Gay citizens already have the right to marriage equality guaranteed by equal protection under the law enshrined in the constitution.

They are currently being denied that right, but they already have it whether you like it or not.

Deny rights of a gay.

Eat Chick filet.

"Last time I check that's what freedom of speech is the right to voice your opinion with out fear of being attacked for it."

This is one of the most inane, childish things I have read in some time, and that's saying a lot given this forum.

The First Amendment prohibits government from restricting speech. It does not protect against the consequences of speaking freely.

Speech can be "attacked" in any way that does not otherwise violate the law.

Hate the gay? Eat at Chick filet!

Amazing I know, that a word ending in ay rhymes with a word ending in et. What'll they come up with next? Kinda "french-y" if you ask me.

Hate the gay?

Eat Chick filet.

This story is everywhere, and the dialogue truly can't get any dumber. Idiots on one side accuse the company of hate and discrimination; idiots on the other shrug that it’s just free speech and "one guy’s opinion.” Of course, the biggest idiots on both sides (but mostly on the latter) accuse the other side of fascism/oppression. Sound familiar?

Except that this is not about direct discrimination, but neither is it just limited to words/opinions rather than actions. Chic-fil-A of course treats its employees and customers with requisite fairness, but it supports discriminatory agendas indirectly through its Winshape Foundation, which has donated millions to groups like Focus On the Family, the Family Research Council, and the infamous “pray-the-gay-away” group Exodus International. Dan Cathy’s words are just confirming his motives; the money already did the talking long ago.

It's of course Cathy’s right make those donations and proclaim his beliefs (though the latter is arguably very stupid for a CEO), and it is likewise his business partners’ prerogative to sever ties, and of course all politicians’ right to idiotically grandstand. It is likewise a citizen’s right to be an idiot who regularly eats fast food and helps build these loathsome empires in the first place. Is there a likable party in this mess? Nope!

I'm sure KU admin ain't touchin' this turd.

“Kicking out a private business that is operating legally on the grounds that its leader holds a particular set of religious and political beliefs different from yours or any other official would violate the University’s commitment to non-discrimination,” Huelskamp wrote.

Anyone else read that quote and chuckle? I know it's somewhat out of context but by simply replacing the words "private business" with "representative" that quote begins to sound like what happened in the primary.

What if the president of Chick-fil-A donated money to the Ku Klux Klan and in an interview said he thought all African Americans should be sent back to Africa and the Jews should be sent to Israel? Do you still feel that it would be appropriate to grant this company the privilege to sell their product at an educational institution? It's free speech!

What if he said all the Jews should have to go to re-education sessions to convert them to christianity, and if they didn't convert they should be arrested? Free speech again? Yes.

Now take out the word "Jews" and place "homosexual" in the sentence and place "heterosexual" in place of "christianity". This is what the president of Chick-fil-A is saying with his donations to some groups.

Alliance Defending Freedom (formerly Alliance Defense Fund), a Christian legal advocacy group for religious liberty, the sanctity of life, and marriage and family, has sent letters to five public universities encouraging them to fend off demands from activists on or off campus that want Chick-fil-A restaurants forced off campus. The First Amendment protects Chick-fil-A's right and its president's right to express their opinions on marriage and other political and social issues. Any retaliation against Chick-fil-A based on its speech or low opinion of deviant sexual conduct is a violation of federal law. The letters were sent to West Virginia University, New York University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Kansas, and University of Louisville, where political correctness seems to be squashing academic freedom as well as threatening First Amendment rights.

Eat mor chikin by parkay

Dallas police sergeant Mark Johnson brought a chicken sandwich to work on Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, so naturally 2 lesbian police officers exchanged words with him about the right to eat mor chikin. Before an investigation was complete as to whether anyone made inappropriate or fowl comments, the sergeant was kicked to the midnight shift at the jail, viewed as a punishment. The police association will seek mediation on the unfair treatment of Johnson. Homosexuals should never be hired for a police force. They disrupt unit cohesion and morale.

Eat mor chikin by parkay

The best solution is to do nothing. If Chick filet were handing out anti-gay fliers in their sandwiches, this would be one thing. The CEO expressing bigoted opinions and supporting them monetarily is another.

Seems like good place for the customer to decide whether or not they like mushy, salty chicken sandwiches, the proceeds from which might go to fund anti-gay activities.

Just allow Chi-fil-a to stay right where they are. Then allow a large banner to be placed next to them stating that they support hate and bigotry. Then let the consumer decide. Everyone's First Amendment's rights will be protected.

BTW - Perhaps it's time for the employees to contract "blue flu".

If KU was smart they would remove Chick-Fil-A. Yes there is the idea of freedom of expression BUT this is a business and a place were students from all over the world come and go. The universities purpose is to create a non-hostile place for students to come and go. By letting it stay students that eat at Chick-Fil-A will/could be heckled to the point that they will not go to Wesco which in turn hurts the other businesses in Wesco. On a business standpoint they need to have it removed because the Chick-Fil-A policy does NOT represent the main prupose of KU of treating everyone equally and without discrimination or harrasement. By removing it shows the world that KU believes in equality and the American Spirit. Have to remeber people freedom of speech was based around the individual, not a business. Reason being is business receive tax breaks, special breaks from the State and Feds which WE as tax payers are paying for. Eitherway, I give it a year..maybe 2 and it will be closed down. From what I have researched their sales have dropped by over 38% and is showing no signs of recovery. Many strip malls, etc.. have already cancelled their leases with them for creating a uncofortable and hostile shopping experience.

Another thing, when the made that comment they are saying EVERYONE at the business believes that way... WIDE OPEN for lawsuits from the inside. A local store in Iowa had to shut down for three days because only 2 employees showed up.

Rep. Huelskamp has it right. We are all entitled to our own beliefs. People on the right and left ends of the political spectrum tend to not agree. Their view is that YOU are entitled to what you believe as long it is what they believe. If you have a view that differs from them then you are wrong.

If you disagree with this guy then don't buy his food.