Regardless of how you may feel about Chick-Fil-A and their political beliefs, you’ll have to agree that this guy got what was coming to him.  It’s one thing to want to express your opinion about a fast food chain’s political agenda, but another thing entirely to intentionally berate an employee who has nothing to do with it AND post it online for the world to see.  I hope he and his family enjoy their new life in an RV and that he ends up having to eat at Chick-Fil-A a lot because they accept food stamps…

You may recall the former technology executive who decided it would be a great idea to berate a Chick-fil-A employee for working for a “hateful” and “anti-gay” corporation simply because the company’s owners practice Christian values.

Then former Vante CFO and treasurer, Adam Mark Smith, thought it would be an even better idea to upload his nasty rant to YouTube for the world to see.

Well Mr. Smith certainly reaped a big steaming pile of karma, and then some. And many people are saying its exactly what he deserved.

In the video, Smith bullied Arizona Chick-fil-A employee Rachel Elizabeth at the drive-thru window when she gave him, a “protester”, a free cup of water:

Smith: “You know why I’m getting my free water, right?”

Elizabeth: “No.”

Smith: “Because Chick-Fil-A is a hateful corporation.”

Elizabeth: “I disagree. We don’t treat any of our customers differently..”

Smith: “I know, but the corporation gives money to hate groups. Hate groups. Just because people want to kiss another guy.”

Elizabeth: “I’m staying neutral on this subject… my personal beliefs don’t belong in the workplace.”

Smith: “Yeah I believe that too, I don’t believe corporations should be giving money to hateful groups.. I’ll take my water”

Despite Smith’s anger, Elizabeth was nothing but polite and cheerful, although her eyes betrayed her obvious discomfort. She even wished him a nice day as he drove off:

Elizabeth: “I’m really uncomfortable that you’re videotaping this..It’s my pleasure to serve you, always.”

Smith: “Oh, of course, I’m glad that I can take a little bit of money from Chick-Fil-A, and maybe less money to hate groups.”

Elizabeth: “Well, we’re always happy to serve all our guests.”

The Daily Mail reported what happened next:

“Smith told 20/20: ‘I got into work and the receptionist, the first thing, big eyes, ‘Adam, what did you do?’, she said. ‘The voicemail is completely full, and it’s full of threats.”’

The next day, Smith lost his job and his former employer released a statement noting that Smith’s actions “did not reflect our corporate values in any way.”

Smith  removed the video and posted an apology video in its place several days later. But the damage was already done.

Many remarked on how little emotion Smith showed in his apology video, and some ex-friends later claimed he only did it as a resume-booster as he looked for a new job as a CFO or YouTube-based commentator.

According to Boston News (via Kara Pendleton at IJR), Smith went from earning $200,000 a year, with cushy stock options valued at $1 million, to losing everything. His family even had to move into an RV.

Smith then got lucky. He was offered another CFO in Portland a few months later. He celebrated: “Yeah…I’m back!” he told his friends.

But once his new boss realized Smith was the ranting creep in the video, he was fired once again.

Now the former high-flying Smith says that he and his family are on  food stamps. He has self-published a memoir titled A Million Dollar Cup of Water: Discovering the Wealth in Authenticity.Has he come full circle? Has he really changed? We don’t know, but certainly hope so.

And what about that graceful and kind Chick-Fil-A employee, Elizabeth? She quickly accepted Smith’s apology:

She also noted that she felt bad for all that’s happened to him since he first posted the video.

So did Smith deserve it? It certainly seems so. For those who shout back: “Freedom of Speech!” Well, of course we all have that freedom. But there are consequences to that speech. Especially when you have a very public job, and your idea of “expressing yourself” is viciously bullying an innocent young woman with an extreme political stance, and then putting it online.