Bird Tales: Chick-fil-A ruffles feathers of the easily offended & turkeys on the table

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Gramster Rant: When Chicken Sandwiches Cause Controversy

In Duluth, Minnesota, Essentia Health recently issued an apology to its staff for offering free Chick-fil-A sandwiches, claiming the gesture had offended some employees. The administration praised those who had "the courage to speak up" about their concerns, citing values of inclusivity and justice.

Let's examine this situation clearly: We're talking about complimentary food being offered to healthcare workers. Whether Essentia purchased it or Chick-fil-A donated it (as they often do for community organizations), the response is baffling. If you're offended by a chicken sandwich, you have bigger issues to address.

The real problem isn't about the food - it's about Chick-fil-A's stance on traditional marriage. But here's what adults making adult decisions do: When offered something from a company they don't support, they simply decline and move on with their day. Instead, we've created a culture where silence is violence and chicken sandwiches require trigger warnings.

The irony is stunning: How exactly does one "widen the lens of inclusivity" by apologizing for including those who may think differently? This demonstrates the opposite of inclusivity - it's narrow-mindedness masked as virtue.

For believers, let's remember Galatians 6:9-10: "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." We must stay engaged in the conversation, sometimes through gentle mockery, sometimes through prayer, and sometimes through simply explaining what mature adults actually think.

Salvaged by God Teaching Moment: The Danger of Deception

Just as people can misinterpret a mirror reflection as a framed ceiling fan photo, we can misinterpret scripture when we don't look carefully. The authentic Gospel sometimes doesn't say exactly what we think it says on first reading. When our eyes and ears are truly open, we follow Jesus more deeply because we realize we can get things wrong.

This is why walking the narrow way requires careful attention - our hearts can be deceitful above all things. The solution is to stay immersed in God's Word, constantly asking for wisdom, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our understanding.

Right On or Way Off: Thanksgiving Edition

Several holiday-related claims were examined:

"Mickey Mouse was the first balloon in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade" WAY OFF! Felix the Cat debuted in 1927 as the parade's first balloon.

"Calvin Coolidge was gifted a live raccoon for Thanksgiving in 1926" RIGHT ON! The raccoon, meant for dinner, became a White House pet instead.

"Only male turkeys gobble" RIGHT ON! While both sexes make various sounds, the distinctive gobble is male-only.

"Jingle Bells was originally a Thanksgiving song" RIGHT ON! Written in 1857 as "One Horse Open Sleigh," it was later rebranded for Christmas.

"Sarah Hale, who wrote 'Mary Had a Little Lamb,' made Thanksgiving a national holiday" RIGHT ON! She successfully petitioned President Lincoln to establish the holiday.

"California receives the most Thanksgiving travelers" WAY OFF! Florida leads with Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale as top destinations.

"Swanson threw out 260 tons of turkey after miscalculating sales" WAY OFF! Instead, they created TV dinners to use the excess.

"Leftovers are better than the original Thanksgiving meal" RIGHT ON! According to a 2021 survey, two-thirds prefer creative leftover dishes.

Closing Thoughts on Gathering Together

The true essence of Thanksgiving isn't just about the food - it's about gathering together. As Ross noted, examining scripture reveals how Jesus used meals as opportunities for meaningful connection. Whether it's sharing traditional family recipes or creating new memories, the holiday provides precious opportunities to commune with loved ones while expressing gratitude to the Lord.