phil robertson suspended from duck dynasty

ILoveTheBrowns

for answering a question on what he thought about homosexuality........your thoughts?

Celtic_Ace

BS. Nothing that he said was out of line. Hate/prejudice? Sounded more like preference. And the preference of the majority of the human race.

mdubs76

Although we may not agree with someone else's opinions, they are just that. I don't agree with what he said but I also don't think he should have been suspended for answering a question. That is how he personally feels. But I also see the other side. He is a public figure (whether he likes it or not) and he should watch his words closely. At that same time - he was exercising his first amendment rights.

4homer

While I hate is opinion I don't think he should of got suspended over it.

ekz13

I guess rights aren't all equal anymore...

while it IS your right to have whatever lifestyle you want, what about peoples right to NOT agree with it..

I guess the populous supposed to be sheep and not think/form an opinion different from the masses now?

being in the public eye though, god forbid you have an independant thought...

Celtic_Ace

Majority does rule by ratings in the case of media and voting in the case of government.

Muting personal preferences because of fear is pushing our society back thousands of years.

ILoveTheBrowns

my problem stands with why is one person/organizations view considered right or wrong......why is a gay persons view that homosexuality is right ok but his view that its wrong isnt ok.....just seems un-american to me

grimendale

I guess rights aren't all equal anymore...

while it IS your right to have whatever lifestyle you want, what about peoples right to NOT agree with it..

I guess the populous supposed to be sheep and not think/form an opinion different from the masses now?

being in the public eye though, god forbid you have an independant thought...

You have the right to disagree, but a company also has the right to fire your for voicing those opinions. Free speech only applies to government regulation, not private companies. With certain exceptions (racism, gender discrimination, etc.), a company can pretty much fire you for voicing any opinion. If you worked for a cat food company and went on record as liking dogs better, you could be fired for that.

JoRocka

why is this show even a subject to talk about?

why are these people's lives even worth nothing? seriously- dumbest EVER.

I can't believe this is even a thread. ... even worse why I bothered to comment.

< and no I've never watched it>


that being said- if he was asked- he had a right to voice his opinion- right or wrong.

jenifr818

It's not like his views were a secret from A&E. They knew about his and his family's beliefs from day one. They've been outspoken about them for as long as I can remember. Do I agree with his views? Heck no. However, he does have the right to have them.

He had to have known this would cause a crapstorm, but that doesn't mean he's not entitled to state his opinion. It just means that those who disagree with his opinion have the right to choose not to watch the show.

sheldonz42

.

tasha_rena

I don't think that the "majority" of the "human population" - or, as actually pertains to this, the American people - think that homosexuality is a "sin." He was absolutely free to express whatever opinions he might have on the matter. However, because he is a public figure from a television show, what he chooses to voice as his opinions reflect on the program and the network is clearly separating itself from those opinions. I think this is a good thing.

dewsmom78

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs. Whether you agree with Phil or not, this country has freedom of speech and religion. I support Phil 100%, even if I don't fully agree with him. And A&E was wrong for suspending him. I hope their network tanks.

arghbowl

my problem stands with why is one person/organizations view considered right or wrong......why is a gay persons view that homosexuality is right ok but his view that its wrong isnt ok.....just seems un-american to me

Amen brotha.

ekz13

I guess rights aren't all equal anymore...

while it IS your right to have whatever lifestyle you want, what about peoples right to NOT agree with it..

I guess the populous supposed to be sheep and not think/form an opinion different from the masses now?

being in the public eye though, god forbid you have an independant thought...

You have the right to disagree, but a company also has the right to fire your for voicing those opinions. Free speech only applies to government regulation, not private companies. With certain exceptions (racism, gender discrimination, etc.), a company can pretty much fire you for voicing any opinion. If you worked for a cat food company and went on record as liking dogs better, you could be fired for that.

and that's the other side of the coin (which I agree with you on as well) its a very thin line.

don't poop where you eat.... they are signing his checks... keep da mouth shut :happy:

rml_16

My thoughts:

I think because of the strong religious aspect of the show, there has been a large group of people who have wnated it gone for a long time and have been waiting for an opportunity to strike. I don't think what he said, in context, was that terrible. He gave his opinion based on his faith. He didn't call for killing them all or any other kind of violence or even not letting them work or ANYTHING. He simply said his faith teaches that it's a sin.

So people got they (flimsy) excuse to get rid of him.

I have never watched the show and have no interest in ever watching the show, so I don't really care what happens to the show. I just think it's an overreaction.

HOWEVER, this is NOT a free speech issue. A&E is not the government.

wiscck

He has the First Amendment rights to say it. But freedom of speech only protects you from government intervention. It doesn't mean you can say whatever you want and have no consequences. A&E isn't part of the government, so they are not infringing on his First Amendment rights by deciding to stop producing his show. Just like people who don't like A&E's decision have the right to protest it.

Tiernan1212

I don't know what he said, so I don't have an opinion whether it was right or wrong or indifferent. However, I'm sure he signed some sort of contract regarding public comments and public image. Yes, he can say whatever he wants, but if there is language in his contract that references public comments then I guess the parent company has the right to handle that within the guidelines of the contract.

bcf7683

He was asked a question and he answered it truthfully. While I do not agree with this view, everyone knows that the Robertson family are devout Christians. I'm sure GQ asked that question on purpose, expecting such an answer. Gotta love the US media.

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fbmandy55

HOWEVER, this is NOT a free speech issue. A&E is not the government.

This. Free speech is not the issue here. He can say what he likes but that doesn't mean that he is protected from consequences in is personal life or job.

I use my right of free speech around friends, family, etc... but I keep it out of work because it's not the place to voice certain opinion.

sullus

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and beliefs. Whether you agree with Phil or not, this country has freedom of speech and religion. I support Phil 100%, even if I don't fully agree with him. And A&E was wrong for suspending him. I hope their network tanks.

A&E isn't the US Government.

Nobody's freedom of speech was impacted. Phil said what he was free to say, and A&E had a response that they are free to have.

Nothing to see here.

Kalee34

I feel like the show has enough of a following that another station will pick it up and carry on.
Hats off to Phil Robertson for standing by his beliefs.

oroblar

Everyone is allowed to have their own opinion unless it is geared toward the beliefs of Christianity or the Bible then it becomes slanderous and hateful. I honestly hope that the Robertson's pull the show from A&E and find another home for it. It is absurd to think that one cannot have their OWN OPINION about the hot topics in the world without it being said they are hateful. I disagree with homosexuality but would never hate on those that choose that lifestyle. I have a hard enough time policing my own life let alone trying to tell anyone else how to live theirs.

rml_16

Freedom of speech. Where is it??? Last I checked it is still a part of our rights as Americans!

He's not being thrown in jail, fined or otherwise sanctioned by the government. Try actually reading the First Amendment.

Celtic_Ace

I applaud his character and integrity to freely answer the question without the fear or worry of losing his job. What job is worth that sacrifice?

sullus

Freedom of speech. Where is it??? Last I checked it is still a part of our rights as Americans!

Freedom of speech is the freedom to say what you want (which phil did) .. freedom of speech is not the right to say whatever you want without consequences.

ElliottTN

I don't know why this is news. He's a good ole boy, what did you expect? Even though I have different views than him I still have to give him credit for being in the spotlight and sticking to his guns even though mainstream would have him say otherwise.

I'm not a fan of the show but I will say that I gave it a try a couple times and it was a bit refreshing because they did stress a good value system throughout the episode I watched (in the days of things like real housewives, that's huge)

I sure hope they won't lose any viewing audience or product sales from this, oh wait, yeah, they won't. They will now enjoy some elevated time in the spotlight though...wait a minute, were we tricked by a marketing ploy?

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tkdgirlms

I agree with him 100%

arghbowl

Would a gay man have been suspended from a TV show for voicing his opinion about heterosexuals? No. Yet we can no longer voice dissenting opinions re: homosexuality because it's "hate speech?" It's not like he said "kill all the gays." All he did was voice his opinion that it is wrong.

Thanks to the major media outlets, opinions now don't matter.