Smith invites constituents to dine with him at Chick-fil-A on Wednesday
State Sen. Ralph Smith
State Sen. Ralph Smith, R-Roanoke County, who represents Salem and parts of Roanoke County in the General Assembly, invites constituents to a Dutch Treat dinner at the Chick-fil-A in Salem on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
He says in an email:
I welcome you to join me on Wednesday, August 1 for an informal discussion of the issues over chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. I will not be making speeches, but look forward to hearing from you.
He’s holding a similar event on Wednesday at noon at the Chick-fil-A at Valley View Mall across from Smokey Bones, as well.
July 31, 2012 - 11:00 AM
Obviously Senator Smith supports Chick-Fil-A’s view. An unbiased representative would have picked a neutral location instead of choosing to drum up business for Chick-Fil-A. His informal discussion is not open to the public; it is only open to those who support CFA since those who feel uncomfortable with CFA’s homophobia are not likely to show up, much less spend money. Regardless of one’s stand on CFA, this is a slimy political move, not an honorable attempt at problem-solving.
Didn’t President Obama say marriage was between a man and woman and he supported that view.I think he is now changing his view for this election.I support the minority not telling the majority what to do or where to eat.
Candra, what evidense of “homophobia” at Chick Fil A is there? The owner simply supporting traditional marriage isn’t evidense of homophobia, so what is it? Or, are you just joiner that is helping the perception is reality crowd to perpetuate a falsehood that supports your politics?
Despite Obama’s sell-out on homosexual marriage to his minions supporting the homosexual agenda, the view of the CFA president, supporting traditional marriage, is one held by the clear majority of Americans. It has won in 32 out of 32 states where the issue has been on the ballot.
The horrible attacks from the left against Chick-Fil-A shows their true contempt for the First Amendment…when their agenda is not being pushed. Double-standard, anyone?
The issue is not “homophobia”…it is freedom of speech-ophobia.
God Bless Senator Smith for standing up for the right values…in a society that increasingly puts political correctness over truth.
I plan to visit Chick-Fil-A at least once today…hope everybody will join me!!
Correction – sorry for the typo!
Good move by Senator Smith! A TRUE ‘man of the people!’ Senator Smith realizes that the intolerance shown by the radical leftwing loonies towards Chick-fil-a (a great American food provider) is uncalled for and should be rejected by all objective citizens. Senator Smith is to be commended for his support of traditional marriage as ordained by God.
THANK YOU Senator Ralph Smith for doing the right thing! God bless you!
I believe that all good Christians will be praying for those misguided brothers and sisters who are persecuting us. Defending Chick-Fil-A and prayers at County Supervisors meetings is a small price to pay for Chirst’s sacrifce for our eternal souls. 2,000 years ago heathens were feeding Christian Believers to the lions!!!
Ralph Smith is standing up for the values that built this nation and sustained us for more than 200 years. I would not want a representative who pandered to the latest political fad no matter how depraved it was. And since 98-99% of the people are not homosexuals, he is definitely “representing the people” through his actions today.
I’ll see you there, Sen. Smith!
Senator Ralph Smith is a great conservative leader with an appetite for discussion and Chicken sandwiches!
I strongly support CFA’s executives for exercising their freedom to express their beliefs. This exercise of freedom makes us all better and Sen Smith is right to use this opportunity not only to support CFA but also to listen to others who wish to speak.
It was awesome to see so many wonderful people at Chick-Fil-A at Valley View today; great food; great people. Saw Senator Ralph Smith there at lunch time, in addition to many of my Republican friends. Ralph Smith is a true conservative and a great representative of his constituents. God bless Senator Smith and Chick-Fil-A’s president.
Candra,what is Chick-Fil-A’s “homophobia?” There is actually no such disorder, it is just a slur that someone made up to shut up those who disagree with the homosexual lifestyle. If it truly is a disorder, then you shouldn’t berate them, just as you wouldn’t berate a person who is handicapped in some other way. I think Sen. Smith should be free to meet with his constituents wherever he chooses and I am glad that he chose to meet at Chick-Fil-A.
Good for Senator Smith. We need more elected officials who are not afraid to stand firm for their beliefs. You will never get 100% support no matter what your views on any subject so why not stick to your principles and let the chips fall where they may! It will relieve you of a lot of stress!!
When did it become wrong or incorrect or unacceptable to voice your beliefs. I am so very tired of only very liberal points being “okay to voice” but any conservative or Christian point of view is unacceptable, mean, and has some title put on it like “homophbic”. Such baloney, conservatives and Christians have equal rights to speak their minds, their opinions and beliefs and we need to do so more often! I am so exhausted with all the cry babies in this country who have a belief of entitlement and superiority. Thank you Senator Smith for being strong and steadfast in your beliefs!
I think that Sen. Smith is awesome to support free speech. Mr. Cathey has made Chick-fil-A a success, because of his Christian values. We need more leaders like Sen. Smith and Mike Huckabee.