It is the hallmark of good stewardship of public assets and funds. Giving good deals (in the form of contracts) to "nice guys" and friends is what landed Abramoff and Duke Cunningham in trouble.

. . . and that isn't a criticism of the Cathys . . . but the law says what it says so that people can't be accused of doing what they should not do.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

I don't know for sure what you meant swmbo, but it is so easy to be unfair in the government, and particularily so in business, when one lets religion of a particular ilk, and that only, make decisions for you.

My post was directed to the sentiments of some on the blogs that "nice guys" should be given a break -- even in the lease price of publicly-owned land. Now, in private industry, giving nice guys a break is appropriate because one assumes that the shareholders have the same feelings about the "nice guy" in question. But the public commons -- the spaces of which we, the taxpaying public, are shareholders -- well . . . they are a different matter.

Although most of us here think Mr. Cathy is a nice guy, clearly, some of us think he's nicer than others. And the fact that the public owners (that's us) of the public commons (that's the airport) may differ on who is -- and who isn't -- a nice guy, is what prevents public servants from giving "nice guys" a break. (Some people think it's unfair but it's really leveling the playing field for everyone involved.)

Simply put, because we may disagree on who deserves a break, public officials are limited in their discretion to getting the best value for the best price. So, irrespective of his religious beliefs and charitable works, Mr. Cathy cannot be extended any break that any other guy - nice or not - would get for leasing that public space.

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If you and I are always in agreement, one of us is likely armed and dangerous.

I wasn't even talking about the PTC airport chicken and hangar lease. Don't know much about it, really, except it is stupid about the in the fence, out of the fence crap.
I don't even know how religious Mr. Cathy is! My thoughts have to do with numerous supposed highly religious, very rich, people in the USA, hire thugs, and devious employees to make them more. They have plasusible deniability in case something is discovered. Check the salaries of the executives at Chic-fil-A. The net worth of scores of preachers, The land buyers for these cats, etc.
It is all done under the cloak of magnificant gestures and speeches.
Even high falutin' preachers operate that way any more, they think it is justified---the end justifies the means. (Abu Ghraib?)

Since the family rakes in billions per year one would think they could have increased their college scholarships a bit from the $1,000 they issue occasionally.

No offense dollar - but how much is your scholarship?

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Is there bias on the war coverage? Click Here
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I don't know what you are saying but I assume it is that I should provide scholarships in amounts like the Cathys'.
Isn't that like saying that I should rebuild New Orleans and take the government off the hook?
I don't ask people to buy my chicken, but I have sent three kids and helping a grandson through Universities. Three more to go.

maybe just a little chicken envy

I yam what I yam...Popeye

Or are your comments just idle speculation?

Thanks!

I don't understand. The Cathys' own Chic-fil-A lock stock and barrell. Their profits are published.
Their scholarships are also published. Never saw one over $1,000, which won't buy one years books.
I'm afraid they are like Oprah, they are very nice people but hire commandoes to run things!

Dollar, the Cathy family is obligated to give a safe working environment and the minimum wage required by law to their employees. What do the Cathy's competition do? Just that; the minimum required by law.
The Cathy family makes the non-business driven decision to give the competition an extra day of profits (Sunday.) The Cathy family has a hard time saying no to scout fundraisers, sports teams, yearbooks, charities, etc. The Cathy's business even gives their employees tools to one day step away from the cash register and grill. There is no way on God's green Earth that I will even try to find a way to be critical of that. I hope that the competition takes notice (but not of the closed Sunday thing; sometimes I'm hungry on Sunday and just don't want to cook my own chicken).

Kevin "Hack" King

ps. Hit your reset button

Chic-fil-A has two dormitories full of students who receive thousands of dollars worth of scholarships at Berry College on the Mountain Campus through the WinShape Foundation. Most of the awards are worth $8,000. You might try learning about it at http://www.winshape.org/college/
The Cathy's are wonderful people who have made an extraordinary contibution toward improving the lives of young people.

I am aware of Berry College and WinShape.
It is a religious institution (private) and only those certifying themselves to be Christians are allowed, and are watched to see what they say and do during the years. The kids all work hard at jobs provided to help pay their way.
If one can stand to work at the chicken butcheries for four years, you will be goven a chance to sign up for scholarships, and I suppose continue working raising chickens, etc.
OK by me but not for me, and most others.

I looked them up , according to their web site, mandatory religous adherence was abandoned decades ago, while they offer religous courses they also offer many many other degrees, so dollar once again you're full of it, and yourself.

I yam what I yam...Popeye

What I said is coming back due to the Cathys'. It is a religious,
"military" school, They don't work well. In less than 3 years after graduation, with a liberal arts degree, they will still be making $25,000 per year, ticked off, and abandon the structured life.
Some propaganda is better than others, it fools more people. Have you ever cut up chicken at a Chic-Fil-A for four years?
Did you expect the Berry people to tell you that Cathy saved their University, but at a price? Again, ok, but nothing to brag to those who can't go, or don't want into such things.

Well said. I have no interest in chic-fil-a; however, I know that they do more for their employees (including do not allow them to work Sunday) than any fast food company in America.

They have always had a great benefit package and if you ever visit their headquarters you would see that that people come first.

Go to the drive through "it's a pleasure to serve you sir" and then go to McDonalds – any scholarships aside - there is no comparison.

Back to kids - they are HUGE contributors to public schools locally and are always on the top of the list for 'Partners in Education'.

They also offer scholarships to any student who is employed with them through their 4 year high school career.

It is probably the only time I have ever agreed with Jimmy Carter but I agree when "President Jimmy Carter has called Truitt Cathy “one of the most remarkable success stories of our time.”

First of all NOBODY posting on Truitt has come close to truly sizing up the contributions he has made in our community and around the world. Funding orphanages that would otherwise never have existed is one to mention. I'd like to know the number of times this man has lifted folks out of some sort of dire straits. There is no doubt in my mind that the list of anonymous contributions he's made over the years rivals those of which are known.

Truett Cathy is for real. Can any of us even start to scratch the surface in matching the contributions of time, money and investments in young people that this man made? I'm truly jealous of him. Especially when thinking of how many lives this man has impacted on an individual basis.

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You may not be at war with Islam, but Islam is at war with you! If we lose.... They will follow.

McDonald's makes 10 times what Chick-fil-A makes and they only see fit to hand out 1 $1,000 scholarship per state. All Chick-fil-A requires is a certain number of hours worked. In light of all the other major restaurant companies, Chick-fil-A is by far the most generous. Quit your whining!

So much more helpful than emotionalism & blinding hatred and envy