"Kill 'em with kindness," goes the old saying. And a couple of Chicagoans have their cross hairs pointed at Mike Huckabee.
Chicagoans Steve McDonagh and Dan Smith, better known as The Hearty Boys, invited gay marriage opponent Mike Huckabee over for dinner, reports Time-Out Chicago.
Their invitation is a response to comments the Arkansas governor made on on Wednesday, April 7, during a visit to The College of New Jersey, where he compared gay marriage to the legalization of incest, polygamy and drug use.
"[Legalizing gay marriage] would be like saying, well there are a lot of people who like to use drugs so let's go ahead and accommodate those who want to use drugs. There are some people who believe in incest, so we should accommodate them. There are people who believe in polygamy, should we accommodate them?" he said, according to the campus news magazine.
Huckabee went on to say that gay couples should not be allowed to adopt because "children are not puppies."
Hurt by Huckabee's words, the Hearty Boys—two Chicago chefs who are adoptive fathers to a 4-year-old boy—invited the Republican politician to their home.
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"We're Chicago caterers, restaurateurs, cookbook authors and most importantly, dads. Dan and I have been in a stable, monogamous, loving, positive, nurturing and healthy relationship for 13 years. We were blessed to adopt our son, Nate, at his birth 4 ½ years ago.
"Sir, your comments likening my parenting my son to adopting a pet are beyond hurtful and dangerous. My love, passion and commitment to Nate is not one iota different than what you have for John, Mark, David and Sarah. Our son is loved and cared for just as much. He feels just as loved and cared for. He is a happy, well adjusted little guy whom I fiercely love.
"Mr. Huckabee, I invite you to spend the evening with us at our home in Chicago next time you come through. You need to understand and see firsthand what a family like ours is like. We are no less a family than yours, and in fact, we are healthier and more stable than most."
Indeed, most would agree. McDonagh and Smith have never tried to send their son away on a plane.
Huckabee later responded to the campus news magazine, suggesting he was misquoted.
The student publication answered him by releasing the audio.
Maybe they can all settle their differences over a nice Hearty dinner.
Matt Bartosik is a Chicago native and a social media sovereign.
