Let's clarify something about the Chick-A-Fil-A hubub: It has not been banned anywhere
In another thread here on DU, and last night on Facebook, I've seen people expressing concern about the possibility that a single mayor or alderman can make a decision about whether to "ban" a particular business from operating. If, in fact, that were what was going on in the case of Chick-A-Fil-A, it would indeed be alarming. But that is not what's happening here.
No mayor, councilman or alderman anywhere in the country has the legal authority to ban an otherwise legal (even if offensive) business from operating, provided that business is in compliance with all pertinent local laws, ordinances and administrative regulations. What's more, Mayor Menino of Boston, as well as the other mayors and council members/aldermen in other cities who have written similar letters telling Chick-A-Fil-A its business was unwelcome in their particular city, are all well aware of the fact that they do not possess such authority, and are under no illusions that they can, in fact, ban Chick-A-Fil-A from operating. And Chick-A-Fil-A's owners (or at least their corporate lawyers) know this as well. But that's not the purpose of sending those letters. The purpose of sending those letters, and making the fact that they were sent very public, is primarily for the purpose of galvanizing community support for calling out the company's habit of funding abhorrent causes. They are using the bully pulpit in order to help create social pressure for positive change. There is nothing unprecedented or improper about this. It is political grandstanding to be sure, but occasional grandstanding in the service of a worthy goal can be a useful and valuable tool.
= new reply since forum marked as read
