Bloomberg Joins Chick-Fil-A Fray, But Says Government Shouldn’t Interfere

New York City’s bossy mayor Mike Bloomberg has thrown down a gauntlet in the Chick-Fil-A battle, but Bloomie’s nanny state ideals do not extend to booting the controversial, conservative and anti-gay chicken chain with in New York City’s historically very-gay confines.

Few people are aware there actually is a Chick-Fil-A outpost in New York City, bizarrely located on the New York University campus, hidden away from street traffic and hard to find. (Also. Probably not making very good sales this week.)

And as you probably recall, bossy-boots Bloomberg has no qualms about telling the residents of his city what to drink (making national headlines recently for banning large beverages in an obesity-fighting measure, as well outlawing outdoor smoking in a great many areas in Gotham) — but his interference begins and ends only with individuals, and not companies who engage in behavior of which he does not approve.

Bloomberg, who is supportive of gay rights, has joined the growing chorus of people who believe that same-sex marriage is the right thing to do — but who do not believe that a city should enforce such views on a business, or that denying that business freedom of commerce is within the acceptable boundaries of behavior for government.

In response to bans in Boston and Chicago of the anti-gay-marriage Chick-Fil-A, Bloomberg huffed:

“You can’t have a test for what the owners’ personal views are before you decide to give a permit to do something in the city. You really don’t want to ask political beliefs or religious beliefs before you issue a permit, that’s just not government’s job.”

Hizzoner added:

“This is just a bad idea, and it’s not going to happen in New York City.”

Do you agree with the decision in some cities to bar Chick-Fil-A from opening locations?