How much is too much? How little is too little?

Hello folks! I’ve been away from the blog for way too long this spring/summer, what with the visit of my mom, youngest brother, and my stepfather. But though they have been gone for a whole month now, my memory cards are bursting with pics to post and there are tales to be told of our travels, I haven’t been able to sit down and hammer them out for your enjoyment (or mine really. Who are we kidding here?). First, I just needed some down time to vegetate. But then a comment was made during a Facebook exchange that caused me to pause and reevaluate my stance on a particular issue. I wasn’t sure how I really felt about it, or if it changed my outlook/behavior. To be clear, the comment wasn’t malicious and I do not bear any grudge against the commenter.

So basically, I posted a news article about how Hobby Lobby pays way above minimum wage, just to show that while their stance on birth control is silly and I completely disagree that they should be able to ignore the law (my real issue with the corporation), they aren’t completely evil on all fronts. The previous season was a Facebook newsfeed stuffed with how big corporations (mainly a certain Arkansas based one), was headed by super rich evil CEOs who refuse to pay their workers a living wage. I have no opinion to share on the greediness or benevolence of CEOs. My stance on that issue is moot, but I did want to point out that at least Hobby Lobby had already addressed one issue that many others have a problem with. I like to try to find the positives and celebrate them, while simultaneously working to rectify the negatives. It’s how I roll.

The comment came after I clarified that I still wasn’t a big fan of Hobby Lobby and probably wouldn’t shop there (kind of a non-issue as I am currently not living within 2000 miles of a Hobby Lobby store) and they were on my list with Chik-Fil-A. My dear friend stated that the 1/8 of a cent from the meal purchased that went to harmful anti-LGBT activities wasn’t enough to keep him from eating there because their sandwiches were so good. And herein lies my internal debate. It is such a small amount. I did love their food and the girls and I would drive miles out of our way when we were back to search out the nearest Chik-Fil-A. We looked forward to it every time we came back home from overseas. Am I being silly to deny us the pleasure of such yummy fast food (beyond the obvious health reasons) over so small an amount of money? And my number one member of the LGBT tribe has stated that he/she still eats there on occasion because it’s so good and that he/she is OK with me eating there if I want. I have been mulling it over for about a month now and here is what I have decided.

Those who know me, know where I stand on the issue of equal rights for LGBT individuals and couples. There is no question that I am a big proponent of gay rights and fiercely opposed to discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation (or for any reason really, but this is the issue at hand). So I say that ANY amount of MY money that goes to anti-gay activities, groups, legislation, or otherwise is TOO much of my money. Does some of my money go towards these things anyway? Probably. I’m from the Bible Belt for Heaven’s sake. Do I know about it? Nope. But if I did, you can bet I would try my hardest to find alternative options where my money did not fund hate in any amount. It makes my heart hurt to think about supporting anyone who would want to harm those that I love, that are just trying to be who they are and were born to be.

To those who continue to patronize Chik-Fil-A, I hold no ill will towards you. I believe in freedom of choice. I will not berate you, or demand that you change your beliefs to match mine. I will simply say, I do not wish to participate in such activities and I will find sustenance at some other equally heart clogging joint instead. One in which, at least as far as I know, does not wish to do harm to my loved ones.

And for those you who are LGBT and do still frequent these places, I just have to ask you to think about what message you are sending them, and to those around you, about your worth in this world. Again, no judgment here, just something to ask yourself and to ponder.

Phew. Now we can get back to travel posts and silly pictures…