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Chick-fil-A founder goes easy on vandals
Filed under: Tweens, Teens, In The News, Religion & Spirituality
In addition to being responsible for creating the most delicious chicken sandwich known to man, Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy is also known as a pretty great guy. A devout Southern Baptist and former Sunday School teacher, Truett 's religious beliefs carry over into his fast-food business. The company's official corporate purpose is "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."
Apparently, that statement guides Cathy in his personal life as well. After two pre-teen girls broke into his Florida home and caused $30,000 in damage by throwing eggs, spraying fire extinguishers and flooding the kitchen, he opted not to prosecute them. Instead, he wants them to learn the error of their ways by writing ''I will not vandalize other people's property'' 1,000 times. Oh, and instead of watching TV and playing video games, he wants them to read a good book.
Say what?! Around here, you get worse than that for talking back and not picking up your mess. Granted, Cathy is 87-years-old and maybe a little old-fashioned, but I think these girls are getting off way too easy. I wonder what he would have done had they burned the house down. Make them clean erasers and wear a dunce cap?
Apparently, that statement guides Cathy in his personal life as well. After two pre-teen girls broke into his Florida home and caused $30,000 in damage by throwing eggs, spraying fire extinguishers and flooding the kitchen, he opted not to prosecute them. Instead, he wants them to learn the error of their ways by writing ''I will not vandalize other people's property'' 1,000 times. Oh, and instead of watching TV and playing video games, he wants them to read a good book.
Say what?! Around here, you get worse than that for talking back and not picking up your mess. Granted, Cathy is 87-years-old and maybe a little old-fashioned, but I think these girls are getting off way too easy. I wonder what he would have done had they burned the house down. Make them clean erasers and wear a dunce cap?
| Yes, they need to be taken out behind the proverbial woodshed. | |
|---|---|
| No, they are just kids and deserve a break. | |
| I don't care, they aren't my kids! |












ReaderComments (Page 1 of 12)
8-01-2008 @ 5:02PM
Karen said...I don't know if not prosecuting them is the right thing or not. You never know. Maybe this makes a bigger impact on the girls that some other punishment. Some times, an act of compassion is remembered better than a punitive act.
Either way, Chik-fil-A is an awesome business model and I love that they are so successful and take a stand for their beliefs.
Reply
8-03-2008 @ 8:07PM
MJ said...That's a good point about compassion. :)
8-03-2008 @ 8:46PM
ad said...Now, if Mr. Cathy would stop using hormones in his chicken, that would bring glory to God and a lot of people who want to eat without chemicals flooding thru their veins!
8-03-2008 @ 8:54PM
Karen said...Nobody forces you to buy Chick-fil-a. If you don't like the ingredients, don't shop there.
8-03-2008 @ 9:26PM
John said...I like the compassion but think they should have been made to clean and scrub the mess that they made. He was way too lenient by just having them write 1000 sentences and their parents will probably never follow through with the book reading thing.
8-03-2008 @ 10:32PM
sannkiejane said...I worked for Mr. S. Truett Cathy for 10 years, as did my Mom before me. She was there 13 years.
He bounced me on his knee when he didn't have a dime, before Chick-Fil-A.. I worked at the origional first Chick-Fil-A in Hapeville Ga. Mr. Cathy is a fine man and cares for the kids of our world.
However, I am concerned about what will happen when he's gone.
Afraid his son's don't share the dedication their Dad have.
8-03-2008 @ 11:15PM
Michelle said...I'm not sure what hormones you're referring to, but chickens are not permitted to be fed hormones. Cows, yes. Chickens, no.
There's a big bru-ha-ha with Tyson advertising being hormone-free, even though "...since federal regulations prohibit any commercial grower from adding hormones or steroids to chicken products."
So where did you hear that ChickFilA chickens have hormones exactly?
Quote taken from: http://www.pmac.net/AM/stop_ads.html
8-03-2008 @ 11:22PM
Don said...It is illegal for chicken to be treated with hormones. Antibiotics, yes, but hormones, no. Get your facts straight lest ye come across like said chicken.
8-03-2008 @ 11:37PM
Tammie said...I believe the girls got off a bit too easy. I agree that they shouldn't be prosecuted because it may effect their future, but writing that's to easy. That was one of the punishments I got in school. 1000 self control. Maybe he should make the girls volunteer somewhere.
8-03-2008 @ 11:35PM
Karin said...I think not prosecuting the girls is ok, but the girls need to learn that there are consequences for their acts. How about some community service?
8-04-2008 @ 7:32PM
Patricia Saunders Nixon said...I am glad that he did not have them prosecuted, but they should have been made to help clean up the mess and also do community work to help pay for the damages that they caused. They should also learn the lesson of do unto to others as you would want done unto you.
Patricia
8-04-2008 @ 7:09AM
steven sams said...Lettin them get away with something like that will other KIDS an idea that they too can get away with the destruction of other peoples property. I think that a judge should, BE THE JUDGE. At least repay the man for damage and clean-up. YES, foregiveness is great. BUT.
8-04-2008 @ 8:31AM
Beckie said...Amen and Amen: The poll did not give a very wide range of thought to the questions. It was either hang the girls or let them go without punishment. Not good way to handle young bothered girls. I also love Chick Fil A's stand in our community. I love it that they are not open on Sunday and that they are the first to have a benefit if it is needed in our community.
8-04-2008 @ 8:58AM
Shannon said...Very True. An act of kindness will be remembered over any punishment. The Bible says to treat others as you would want to be treated. I gaurentee you, that is why He only did that punishment that he did. He always puts other people first.
8-04-2008 @ 9:54AM
Jewels said...I think that what he did was to give the girls a chance to pause and think. Here is a man who is wealthy and who could really prosecute you severely. However, he is letting them off lightly. I do not think that the founder is crazy. I see two things.
The girls know that they were let off lightly. It may or may not have an impact upon them. They may continue to be deviant. Or, they may momentarily be awed by their good graces. We do not know these kids. They may be the worst or the worst. They may resent every word that they write "I will not..." Or, they may pause and think about this unusual act... Will it change their future behavior? Whose to know.
The founder of this company is demonstrating that money and possessions do not really matter to him. He is going to die one day. Yes, he is worth millions...what is $30,000. However, I look at how he went about this decision. He is definitelly old school and definitely using behavior befitting his generation. He is not their parent. He can not exactly say....spank them until they can not sit down. He did what he felt was right... He showed compassion even if many of us can't understand it.
8-04-2008 @ 9:52AM
April said...I totally agree with Karen. At first read, I thought it was a little light.......however, they are young and still impressionable. Perhaps, this act of kindness will show them how the love of Christ can lead you to see the good in people even when they only display the bad. I would also like to commend Mr Cathy for doing what so many other Christians, myself sadly included, have a hard time doing. Leading a life with the importance on Christ and not on himself. Chic-fil-a is a place you can always go and know that you'll see a smiling face and you will leave feeling like your business is appreciated.
8-04-2008 @ 10:17AM
Bee said...Make them work it off at Chick fil A.....
8-04-2008 @ 12:08PM
JEANINE GRAY said...I think that this is a wonderful act of Christ's mercy and compassion. I hope that the girls learn the lesson that is trying to be taught and give the same compassion to others as has been given to them.
8-04-2008 @ 11:23AM
Lynne said...I think they should have been made to clean up the mess, and do some community service. And write the sentence 10000 times.
8-04-2008 @ 12:52PM
Ice Dreamer said...Amen, and Amen...........
Faith in practice is why we support The Chik Monday thru Sat!
Mar E