Friday, March 29, AD 2024 10:11am

Jerkiness Cometh Before a Fall

Note to uber jerks everywhere:  it probably isn’t a great idea to make a YouTube video of one of your nastier bits of jerkiness.  Case in point, Adam M. Smith, former CFO of Vante, an Arizona medical manufacturing firm, was quite upset at Chick-Fil-A over gay marriage and decided that it would be a good idea to protest by berating the young lady attempting to take his order at a Chick-Fil-A.  He was obviously proud of his extreme bravery at giving a hard time to a young fast food worker because he filmed it and posted it on YouTube.  Surprisingly, at least I am sure it was a surprise to Mr. Smith, most people who viewed the YouTube video thought he was being a cowardly jerk.  Smith took down the video, but by that time bloggers had latched hold of the story and had downloaded the video.  Now Mr. Smith will have plenty of time to act like a jerk to other  people and post the results on YouTube as he is without employment.  From the CEO of Vante:

Vante regrets the unfortunate events that transpired yesterday in Tucson between our former CFO/Treasurer Adam Smith and an employee at Chick-fil-A. Effective immediately, Mr. Smith is no longer an employee of our company.

The actions of Mr. Smith do not reflect our corporate values in any manner. Vante is an equal opportunity company with a diverse workforce, which holds diverse opinions. We respect the right of our employees and all Americans to hold and express their personal opinions, however, we also expect our company officers to behave in a manner commensurate with their position and in a respectful fashion that conveys these values of civility with others.

We hope that the general population does not hold Mr. Smith’s actions against Vante and its employees.

Perhaps Mr. Smith could get a job in Chicago city government?

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Paul Primavera
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 5:51am

In this video the man protesting Chick-Fil-A did not yell and scream. Is this the same video? Am I missing something? True, he is a jerk for embarrassing this young lady with his pro-sodomy support, but then again, pro-sodomists are jerks.

Donna V.
Donna V.
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 6:38am

So- a CFO thinks he’s brave because he is rude to a poor woman making minimum wage at a fast food restaurant? Hey, mister, why don’t you go into the nearest Middle Eastern restaurant and berate the owners (who most likely have a much harsher view of gays than Mr. Cathy does)? I’d just love to see a video of that.

This jerk gloated over wasting a couple of pennies of CFA’s money by ordering only a cup of water. That’s more than offset by the gas (and time) he wasted idling away in the drive through. Apart from his rudeness, I wouldn’t want a CFO with such poor financial sense.

T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 7:15am

There is one (that’s it) CFA in NYC. It’s in Greenwich Village: NYC’s gay Gomorrah.

I imagine it’s like feeding time at the zoo when our moral superiors come in to vent.

Paul W Primavera
Paul W Primavera
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 7:59am

Thank you, Donald!

Deborah L Weber
Deborah L Weber
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 8:36am

Smith got in drive-thru to get free water so he wouldn’t have to invest in CFA. Smith’s act was purposefully mean/nasty. CFA employee was respectful and a hero! Kudos for her. For Smith: what goes around, comes around!

Karen Walker
Karen Walker
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 8:39am

What you don’t see in the video is the line of cars that wrapped around the building twice while this jerk was giving his spiel (to someone who had NOTHING to do with what he was protesting) and getting his free water. I would have poured his free water on his head.

TimLambert
TimLambert
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 8:45am

The thing is this behavior has got to be pretty deep into the way this guy typically behaves.
Who doesn’t get mad at what they perceive to be some kind of injustice? But who then thinks the best way to direct that anger is to call out and mock some poor minion struggling to make a living?

Scott W.
Scott W.
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 9:12am

From the video: “They give money to hate groups. Just because someone wants to kiss another guy.”

Talk about a lie of omission! As I mentioned before, it’s typical progressivist Good Cop/Bad Cop. Good Cop: “Homosexuality does not affect you in any way.” Bad Cop: “We will make sure that no safe space exists for anyone believing in traditional marriage to live in peace.”

kenny
kenny
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 9:49am

he did take the water though.

Clinton
Clinton
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 9:51am

That young lady was an excellent model of Christian charity. I admire her ability
to stay calm and professional. The way things seem to be going in our society,
it’s possible that any of us may find ourselves likewise confronted by another Adam
M. Smith. If I were put on the spot, I hope I would hold myself as well as she did.

Pinky
Pinky
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 10:06am

I went to Chick-Fil-A last Saturday. I don’t know what it’s usually like, but the drive-through line circled around the building.

You know, I’m surprised that I hadn’t read anything about the Support Chick-Fil-A Day two days ago. That’s the kind of thing that I would expect this site to feature.

Scott W.
Scott W.
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 10:21am
Mary De Voe
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 10:32am

Stunned by the verbal assault and battery the woman held her own, and courageously kept the dignity of the establishment and herself. I read where Obama had called the victim “stupid”. A public establishment is property for the peaceful exchange of commerce. The abuser ought to be brought up on charges of tresspassing and disturbing the peace for his abuse. Thirty days of public service to repair the damages to society . If Obama consented to the abuse by victim bashing, Obama ought to be made to help the criminal. Let them pick up after themselves, this is not occupy wall street. “No shirt, no shoes, no soul, no service.”

Mary De Voe
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 10:40am

I fell in love with Chick-Fil-A when I saw that they were closed on Sundays (their workers were given a day of rest in the LORD). They were also giving free breakfast Thursday mornings. In the Jewish tradition, all cooking was done the day before the Sabbath. All was prepared for the LORD. The Sabbath was a day of feast and rest and rest and feast.
If Vante rehires Smith, I want to know.

Margie
Margie
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 10:43am

“Those outnumber the hairs of my head
who hate me without cause.
Too many for my strength
are they who wrongfully are my enemies.
Must I restore what I did not steal?” Psalm 69

I have spent part of my hs and college days serving the public in a fast food establishment. Tough work, if you can get it. Was it worth it for this man to lose his job? Let him decide how thirsty he is for truth. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15

David
David
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 10:56am

I really want to hire that woman for our company. What a composed and steadfast individual.

WK Aiken
WK Aiken
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 11:18am

This morning, I heard on the radio that “gay activists are planning a ‘kiss-in’ at CFAs around the country.”

For about 5 seconds I was all “That’s just wrong! We have to rally and . . .” which was as far as I got before another, more stable and powerful voice said “Let ’em. It will not go well for them at all.”

So, I hope they do. The incredible backlash will be an excellent example of the “enough rope” theory in action.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32

Pinky
Pinky
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 12:05pm

Mary – “I read where Obama had called the victim “stupid”.”

Where?

Mary De Voe
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 12:06pm

It needs to be said again: “A public establishment is property for the peaceful exchange of commerce. The abuser ought to be brought up on charges of tresspassing and disturbing the peace for his abuse.” This will go for every individual in the “kiss in for gay marriage” Get ready with your “disturbing the peace and tresspassing” complaints.

Mary De Voe
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 12:20pm

Pinky: Credibility in the dustbin. Just another commentator’s musings, but have you noticed that “They shall stand up to be condemned.”?

Anzlyne
Anzlyne
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 12:44pm

the whole thing is so sad. commentators on fox and other channels have likewise embarrassed themselves, not so flagrantly, and they don’t seem to know it–but revealing the depth of ther misdirected anger.

Chris-2-4
Chris-2-4
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 1:42pm

ATTN: Mary De Voe:

Earlier in a post at Creative Minority Report, I posted the below comment which was a joke referring to the Police/Henry Louis Gates/Beer Summit incident in 2009. I do not believe Obama actually commented on the Adam Smith/Classy Chik-Fil-A employee incident. I noticed you’ve been sort of referring to this as if it happened and I just wanted to set the record straight. Sorry for the confusion.

“I think I just heard that Obama has responded to the video. He said “the young lady acted stupidly”, but he is going to host a Peach Shake Summit with the two of them.”

Barb
Barb
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 2:08pm

It hurts, but…
I saw this earlier on Father Z’s site, shook my head, wished I’d been the window girl (who treated the idiot with 2 things he might want to check in Webster’s; dignity and respect) but didn’t pass it along cause it’s what we expect from people unaware they’re in a forest as all they see are trees.
Then I read a story on New Advent (http://www.getreligion.org/2012/08/when-hating-on-chick-fil-a-try-to-hide-it-better/) that demonstrated how myopic and banal you can become when you can’t understand the principal of absolute truths. Best of all, it had a happy ending as the author is a reporter, apparently posted his thoughts on the companies site and had been led to the wood shed for proper punishment.
Now I HAD to pass both on lest any of my friends miss the good news! Tied it to American Catholic, as I am always pushing it as something that must be read. That’s when I saw the update announcing the idiot had gotten his just desserts… if I could physically still do a jig, Riverdance would have had a new star! Then the back of my brain whispered, “Damn! Now I have to write Vante a note saying he shouldn’t be fired”. By the time it reached my frontal lobe, I realized I had quietly slipped to the 4th level of hell ~
The guy’s a jerk. He’s mean, wrong, very probably 18 bricks short of a load and should be tongue lashed by his mama for being a bully and forgetting common courtesy. BUT, he shouldn’t be fired unless we want to start scratching out words from the same 1st Amendment we’re demanding be upheld.
Two last things ~ although I’ve been reading American Catholic for a long time, I’ve never posted before so if I’ve been too wordy or broken a rule, I apologize. Finally, I have no trek with Facebook or Twitter, so, if “the jerk” in some way identifies his employer on either site, thereby leaving Vante open to the possibility of being considered complicit with his actions, I will be thrilled to be wrong and delighted I won’t have to send Vante a note.

Mary De Voe
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 3:21pm

Chris-2-4 Thank you for your immediate notation as I have attributed the saying to your musings as intercepted by PINKY. I do appreciate the clarity with which our blogs are kept.

Barb: Being fired for indiscretions such as verbal assault and battery, false accusations of hatred, trespassing on property zoned for peaceable business accomodation, and anti-social behavior; let those who love Smith have him. Please know that if there had been a man behind the counter, Smith would have feigned and fainted. This is a first class sexual harrassment lawsuit using Mr. Dan Cathy as a scape goat.

Mike Petrik
Mike Petrik
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 3:24pm

Barb,
Nice first post. Just a couple of points:
First, the jerk was not fired for his views, but for behaving like a jerk and therefore embarrassing his employer.
Second, the First Amendment protects a person’s speech from government reprisal; not employer reprisal. In fact, it is doubtful that a law preventing an employer from firing someone for a political reason would survive First Amendment scrutiny.
Cheers,
Mike

Cathie Streetman
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 5:27pm

What a jerk. The employee really kept her cool. She needs a raise just for that.

Kyle Miller
Kyle Miller
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 5:59pm

@David, No kidding. She handled it very well, better than I would have. Me, “Excuse me sir. I am here to take your order, not your opinion. Now… would you like fries with your water?”

Don the Kiwi
Don the Kiwi
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 6:27pm

“Thread-jack Alert”

Isn’t it very cool to see that little ol’ NZ with only 4.5mil. population is currently 12th. on the Olympic medal table, while our brother Aussies are 19th. 🙂

I’ll gloat while I’m able, because you can be assured that the Aussies will come roaring back, if only to beat us. 🙂

Don the Kiwi
Don the Kiwi
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 6:28pm

Actually, this comment is on the appropriate topic too, don’t you think? 😉

Donna V.
Donna V.
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 8:20pm

Actually, on viewing the video again, I noticed how the young woman took the wind out of his sales. When the jerk drove up to the window, he clearly wanted to make her angry. He was hoping for a dramatic confrontation he could capture on video so he could say “See! Look what ‘haters’ these people are!” But the polite, harried young woman is so obviously NOT a hater that he had to shift gears. He then tried to make her feel guilty (‘how can you sleep at night?”) because he realized things were not going according to plan. (And he was still stupid enough to post the thing on YouTube, because he just couldn’t resist showing the world that he was nobly standing up for gay rights. )

I agree that her self control was admirable. I would have lost my temper in her situation – and handed the jerk “a win.”

T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 8:35pm

Go Kiwi’s!!!

I was a few days in Canada. Their Olympic coverage is heart-warming.

Go Maple Leafs!

Back to topic, fast-food employees often get the “treatment” from irate customers, liberals, and other specimens of human flotsam.

This idiot, as are all liberals, is too stupid to get it. Liberals’ stupidity is forgivable. The evil is not.

Paul W. Primavera
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 8:40pm

T. Shaw, I think that’s one of the nicest things you have said here at TAC: “Liberals’ stupidity is forgiveable. The evil is not.” Usually you’re an undiplomatic malcontent like me, telling the bald truth just like a skunk off gassing at Sunday morning Mass! 😉

T. Shaw
T. Shaw
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 9:09pm

PWP: It ain’t undiplomatic or uncharitable if it’s true. Here I paraphrase the famed, American philosopher, Bear Bryant (or Cassius Clay). He was referring to bragging.

PS: The Bombers just beat the Mariner 6 – 3: complete game CC.

Spiritual Works of Mercy:

Admonish the sinner.

Counsel the doubtful.

Instruct the ignorant.

Pray for the living and the dead (including sinners. “Those most in need of Christ’s Mercy.”)

Plus, at the moment, Mac isn’t moderating me.

Paul W. Primavera
Friday, August 3, AD 2012 9:20pm

Oh, I agree, T. Shaw. You wrote the truth!

trackback
Saturday, August 4, AD 2012 4:31pm

[…] Jerkiness Cometh Before a Fall – Donald R. McClarey, The American Catholic […]

Attia Sprouse
Attia Sprouse
Sunday, August 5, AD 2012 5:13pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEYjZGsf7xY <– Adam Smith's apology (he seems very open here).

Kyle Miller
Kyle Miller
Sunday, August 5, AD 2012 5:35pm

He should have made it a straight up apology without the commentary on CFA.

But, to comment on his comments, I have noticed the same sex supporters trying to re-shape the argument away from Dan Cathy’s comments to where CFA or the Cathys donate there money. If they are so outraged by this, then where were they before Dan Cathy’s comments? CFA being a Christian business is certainly nothing new. I believe the homosexual crowd were being used by the scandal pimps, getting them worked up about a company that seems so out of place in a decadent liberal world they want.

Sherwin
Sherwin
Monday, August 6, AD 2012 1:11am

I feel really proud of the drive-through counter lady … She kept her cool … I would’ve lost my patience had it been me, but she kept it together … I hope CFA promoted her to deputy manager, or something …. 🙂

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