Posted on 04/24/2015 12:01:08 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Adam Smith admits he probably could have picked a better way to communicate his convictions. In fact, the one-time corporate honcho now wishes he had.
The former CFO of medical manufacturer Vante filmed himself berating a Chick-Fil-A server for the company's notorious stance on gay rights, then lost his $200,000-a-year job after he posted the video online and it went viral.
Now, Smith and his family are living in an RV, scraping by on food stamps.
In his new e-book, "A Million Dollar Cup of Water," the 37-year-old details his experiences since that fateful day he decided to make his point, perhaps naively unaware of the consequences he'd face in spreading his rant over the Internet.
He doesn't regret the stance he took, but he revealed he is sorry about the way he spoke to that fast food worker.
Smith's downfall made headlines in 2012 after he pulled up to a drive-thru in Tuscon, Ariz., to get a free cup of water, ABC News reported.
He proceeded to spew a volley of abuse at the young worker about her company's stated commitment to "traditional marriage." He filmed himself saying that "Chick-Fil-A is a hateful corporation" and told the server he didn't "know how you live with yourself and work here."
He then uploaded the video.
Smith returned to work at the medical manufacturer Vante to find that the clip had gone viral.
"The voicemail is completely full, and it's full of bomb threats," his receptionist reportedly told him.
Smith was fired and lost his handsome salary, plus $1 million in stock options.
He moved with his wife Amy and four children to Portland, Ore., where he was appointed CFO for another company.
But he lost the role just two weeks later after bosses realized who he was. Since then, he has struggled to find a lasting gig.
Businesses have been too wary of the potential fallout to hire Smith, he said.
"I think people are scared that it could happen again," he told ABC.
His e-book is not faring so well on the digital charts, however.
"Regarding the many 1-star ratings my book has received today and yesterday, I would like to note that I have only sold 17 digital copies thus far, yet there are 23 1-star ratings on my book. This fascinates me! LOL!" he told ABC.
Boo fricking hoo.
Now, where’s that little violin of mine?
It wasn’t a stance against Chick-fil-a that cost him a job, it was the decision to film himself berating a teenager for company policies over which she had zero control, then to post that video believing he had done some great work.
I’m sure he could get a job at the counter of a Chick Fil A.
Part time.
No more than 29 hours a week.
tell that moron to call 1—800-WAAAAAH
For him for poor judgement.
What kind of “leader” gets emotionally charged and has such a lack of judgement as to jump on a short-term political narrative — and then is compelled to attack a minimum-wage worker over it?
He’s probably proven himself to be a clown in other areas, and it just gave the company he worked for the final motivation it needed to get rid of him.
Hmm, It ought that only happened to conservatives.
boo hoo
lol
Every once in awhile, someone gets their deserved dues. I am glad this AH got his. Enjoy the rest of your life in the land of the fallen.
No, he lost his job for harassing a young woman who works hard and whose opinions do not necessarily reflect those of the company. His “stance” and his behavior are two different things.
This is so sweet. Bad karma for a liberal.
I’m loving it, except that he’s living on my taxes via food stamps.
The company never, ever had a policy to discriminate against anyone.
I am surprised he does not sue Chick-Fil-A for mental
anguish and economic losses. sarc/
“Stance against Chick-fil-a” makes it sound like he’s being persecuted for his politics. He’s unemployable because he revealed himself to be a total a—, a condescending jerk who berated and belittled someone powerless to respond. She schooled him by being nice and unflappable in the face of his tirade and made him look even smaller.
What kind of person earns $200K in tucson and can’t be bothered to accumulate any savings?
Funny thing is the guy still thinks he did the right thing. His initial actions cost him his job but I have a feeling that his ongoing behavior is what keeps him from another high paying gig.
Exactly.
I’m willing to bet he has pulled similar stunts before and he finally got caught.
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