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Last week General Mills, who stocks at least 40, maybe more, feet of shelf space in nearly every major grocery store in the country, issued a statement saying they opposed the Marriage Amendment that is on the ballot in their corporate home state, Minnesota, this November.
Minnesota, like Washington State, has a Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in their laws, however it is being challenged in court and Minnesotans, who believe in marriage, have placed a marriage amendment on the November ballot to further protect marriage from predatory legislators and activist judges.
Washingtonians have learned a little about that this past year. Their amendment is not the same, but is similar in affect to I-1192 here in Washington.
But why would General Mills, a company built on serving families, wade into the battle to redefine marriage when stable homes, families and marriages are core to their business? Particularly in that homosexuals make up such a very, very small part of the market place.
Ken Charles, General Mills vice president for diversity, says it is a business decision.
He says if this Amendment is not defeated, it will make it hard to retain good, talented employees. And he said it with a straight face.
If this is the real reason, it has got to be one of the worst business decisions ever made. Worse than J.C. Penny installing Ellen DeGeneres as face and voice of the company. Penny's substantial loss of business was well documented last quarter.
How many of us think there may be other dynamics at work in this decision, regardless of what it may cost the share holders?
Charles, speaking at the Minneapolis "Gay Pride" event last week, extolled the decision of CEO Ken Powell and told the revelers, "If defeated, Minnesota voters would be sending a strong message about our state's view of the importance of inclusiveness and diversity."
What Powell, Charles and others are ignoring in their leap toward diversity, is that if the Amendment succeeds, it will also send a message to General Mills that families not only reject redefining marriage, but perhaps will reject those who try to advance the idea.
So the company that gave us Lucky Charms, Total, Trix, Lucky The Leprechaun, Wheaties, Honey Nut Bee and yes, Cheerios, has stolen a line from the British, which means "good bye."
General Mills is saying to all those who support traditional marriage and family, "Cheerio."
I am not aware of any organized boycott at this point, but can assure you, I will not be the only person in America who knows there are other brands of breakfast cereal.
So, to the company who has been making them for over 70 years, I say "Cheerio."
Your support is essential for us to continue to shine the light in darkness and call people to action on important moral issues. Thank you.
Be Vigilant. Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Active. Be Prayerful. Be Blessed.
