phil robertson suspended from duck dynasty

MzTanya77

This whole discussion would not even exist if Phil Robertson supported gay marriage. Period. He was asked a question and he answered it honestly. We have celebrities and other important figures on TV endorsing homosexuality and gay marriage ALL THE TIME and no one has pulled the plug on their shows. Its even more embarrassing that A&E was unwilling to stand by The Robertsons and Duck Dynasty which has proven to be one of the most successful shows in the history of the network. I fully stand behind the Robertsons and I firmly believe without a doubt, that what looks like negative publicity is going work for their good. They have a successful business anyway, so they are doing great even without the show.

ajaxe432

Its BS....he was asked a question and he answered, nothing more than that. Totally losing faith in the human race.

JoRocka

Let's all be clear.

No one should die. lol

really? because I know a lot of really stupid people who just throw themselves off a bridge- because they are making life harder for the rest of us.

We are not all equal and special and worth while snow flakes. Seriously- we have warning labels for hot coffee- that YOU ORDERED.

our society is messed up- there should be open season on stupid.

Derf_Smeggle

7 pages in to this thread, and the reality that A&E has succeeded in their aim becomes glaringly apparent.

ThinLizzie0802

I agree with what my coworker:

"The first amendment does not grant you the right to have a cable reality show. If the cops were coming after Mr. Dynasty, then this would be an issue of free speech. The reason this dude got fired is no advertiser wants to be associated with a gay basher. Get with the times people."

Jgal8123

I would have to agree with Palin, free speech is an endangered species.

Suspending Roberston is appeasing the liberal bullies and their very flexible definition of "hate speech."

Free speech is not the same as freedom from consequences of exercising free speech. No one restricted Robertson from making the comments - GQ ran the article. However, he is under contract with a private media company and if they believe his comments hurts their brand, they have the right to take whatever action they deem appropriate to protect their brand.

samkelly89

Is anyone really shocked at all that he has these opinions?? On the show they are all very clear in their faith. I admire him for standing by his faith and stating his opinion without any hate. And I'm sure he could care less about being suspended if it means he would have to change his beliefs/opinions otherwise. imo it's dumb that he got suspended at all.

tlcarolinagirl

Its BS....he was asked a question and he answered, nothing more than that. Totally losing faith in the human race.

^^ This

arghbowl

Let's all be clear.

No one should die. lol

really? because I know a lot of really stupid people who just throw themselves off a bridge- because they are making life harder for the rest of us.

We are not all equal and special and worth while snow flakes. Seriously- we have warning labels for hot coffee- that YOU ORDERED.

our society is messed up- there should be open season on stupid.

I like you.

rokdog1

First of all, A&E probably would lose considerable advertiser dollars if they left the show on the air, because companies wouldn't want to be associated with those opinions.

Second, it was not a First Amendment violation, because A&E is not the government.

I'm just going to keep posting this until people actually read it.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Point taken and noted. Not a 1st amendment issue. But let me get this straight...It's okay to be intolerant of anothers opinion, when you think they are being intolerant? Sure. Phil Robertson's religious beliefs were never in doubt for those who have ever watched the show. Shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone. As others have pointed out, this may have more to do with marketing, and publicity than it has to do with A&E having issue with his opinion.

KANGOOJUMPS

I am sad

gsager

I'm attracted to people that are not politically correct.

Sherbog

He quotes from a fictional book. Bases his opinion on a fictional character and then we question him being vocal with his views. Why waste the time. What am I doing even responding...off to research some low calorie dishes.

Shirley in Oregon

BenjaminMFP88

It wasn't just about homosexuality...Robertson also made comments about blacks in the GQ article.

Pretty sure Oprah wish/ordered death upon many a caucasions and I don't recall any lashback on her career...

Source?

In November she said “there are still generations of people, older people, who were born and bred and marinated in it – in that prejudice and racism – and they just have to die.”

I think what she probably meant was that those beliefs by those people are not going to change. The only way for those beliefs to "die out" is for those people to die. In other words, you aren't going to change their minds. I don't think she meant that white people need to die lol. It was a bad choice of words because a lot of people are going to take that differently.

Let's all be clear.

No one should die. lol

I agree, but either way it was poorly worded.

Also, what she probably meant was misconstrued much the same as Phil's, albeit on a different subject.

There's a youtube video of this interview. Watch it and then let me know what you mean. I do not believe at all that the inflections in her voice and demeaner support what you say she probably means. Granted, I could very well be wrong, but just watch the video...

PSULions2008

I agree with what my coworker:

"The first amendment does not grant you the right to have a cable reality show. If the cops were coming after Mr. Dynasty, then this would be an issue of free speech. The reason this dude got fired is no advertiser wants to be associated with a gay basher. Get with the times people."

Is it a matter of "getting with the times" or a matter of being brainwashed to think a certain way by our education system, media, and peers. And if you don't conform to those views you receive such backlash. And that applies to a much broader range of subjects than just the one at hand.

W0rthless_Her0

7 pages in to this thread, and the reality that A&E has succeeded in their aim becomes glaringly apparent.

Curious to know what their aim? was I dont watch that channel. Not even the one of the greatest shows on TV. "The Walking Dead"

Are they trying to sell more Duck Dynasty Chia Heads for the last holiday push???


No successes here. Im still watching the History and Science channels though. You can keep the artsy fartsy stuff.

mrsamanda86

Let's all be clear.

No one should die. lol

really? because I know a lot of really stupid people who just throw themselves off a bridge- because they are making life harder for the rest of us.

We are not all equal and special and worth while snow flakes. Seriously- we have warning labels for hot coffee- that YOU ORDERED.

our society is messed up- there should be open season on stupid.

Have you seen The Purge yet? Kind of a brilliant idea!

ekz13

Truth is, A&E is a business, and if the opinion isn't popular and with the masses, they lose revenue and loss of revenue is bad, so they are going to protect thier bottom line.

sullus

Its BS....he was asked a question and he answered, nothing more than that. Totally losing faith in the human race.

^^ This

But then A&E expressed *their* opinion that they would prefer to discontinue paying someone whose views have the potential to drive away advertising dollars. Nothing more than that.

Brittneyaline

your opinion is reflected back on your job when you work in the public eye.

People get fired at my job all the time because of facebook posts spouting opinions the organization does not reflect.



sorry phil, but you got what you asked for........hate/prejudice comments are not protected under freedom of speech

A&E can do as they please however, they should have remained neutral in this situation. If you do not consider his speech protected because you believe it to be hateful then what you're saying right now is also not protected. FREE as in free to say WHATEVER he wants to. All speech is protected regardless of the opinions that are voiced, otherwise the whole concept is moot.

For the record I am 100% on board with the gay community and believe people can live and love how they choose. I also believe that people can have an opinion about it that doesn't reflect mine and I respect their right to do so.

rml_16

My biggest issue overall is that A&E used to show educational, interesting, quality shows. Now it's all cheap, crappy reality TV. I couldn't tell you the last time I watched anything on that channel.

I saw we boycott A&E for that reason alone.

same with TLC... WTF is educational about honey boo boo???

You're learning how to make a camouflage wedding dress look even tackier than it sounds!

Have you guys really watched any of the episodes, rather than just a 5 second flip through? I find Duck Dynasty to be educational, interesting, and a quality show. The way they are raising their kids to be, is how it should be. Get the kids off of the dang video games and outside playing, hunting, learning, etc. Take the kids to church (if that's your belief), work with the charities, and do some good for society. Yes, they wear camo and talk funny, but really watch the show and see what they are about.

Now, Honey Boo Boo. That's just crap tv right there. Enough said.

I know I will get bashed, but whatever. For the record, I am not white trash, yada yada.

Nothing you just said changes my mind.

I don't find voyeurism interesting or educational. I don't need a television show to tell me how to live or raise my children. I am not a religious person, so telling me it's "right" to take my kids to church is obnoxious.

How about look at the kinds of shows A&E and TLC used to have on and compare them, then you'll understand.

I don't hate Duck Dynasty. I don't care if people enjoy it. I just don't see that it's anything but empty, voyeuristic entertainment with no real value.

Mr_Bad_Example

Celebrities... nobody should care what they think about anything, really.

socajam

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.

majority doesn't rule anymore.....I hope you are more informed to know that now.

More like money rules, they who have it are calling the shots, and will do so until people wake up and stop this.

Mrsallypants

I would have to agree with Palin, free speech is an endangered species.

Suspending Roberston is appeasing the liberal bullies and their very flexible definition of "hate speech."

Free speech does not mean free of consequences.

Again,

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Note the very first word.

I understand this, you're taking it completely literal. I understand that is a private corporation taking action against Roberston due to his statements and it is their legal right as scummy and low as it is. Still, one doesn't have the freedom to express politically incorrect opinions in this day and age without some sort of punishment and bullying by the liberal elite. I was hoping to see these people do the right thing and say, "Well, that is his opinion and we should respect that, not bully him into silence with a suspension."

Bankman1989

“Everything is blurred on what’s right and what’s wrong... Sin becomes fine,” he said. “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” _ Phil Robertson

What he said was correct. As a Christian he has a right to say how he feels.

I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior,” he said in a statement sent to FOX411. “My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together - Phil Robertson

socajam

My biggest issue overall is that A&E used to show educational, interesting, quality shows. Now it's all cheap, crappy reality TV. I couldn't tell you the last time I watched anything on that channel.

I saw we boycott A&E for that reason alone.

same with TLC... WTF is educational about honey boo boo???

You're learning how to make a camouflage wedding dress look even tackier than it sounds!

Have you guys really watched any of the episodes, rather than just a 5 second flip through? I find Duck Dynasty to be educational, interesting, and a quality show. The way they are raising their kids to be, is how it should be. Get the kids off of the dang video games and outside playing, hunting, learning, etc. Take the kids to church (if that's your belief), work with the charities, and do some good for society. Yes, they wear camo and talk funny, but really watch the show and see what they are about.

Now, Honey Boo Boo. That's just crap tv right there. Enough said.

I know I will get bashed, but whatever. For the record, I am not white trash, yada yada.

Nothing you just said changes my mind.

I don't find voyeurism interesting or educational. I don't need a television show to tell me how to live or raise my children. I am not a religious person, so telling me it's "right" to take my kids to church is obnoxious.

How about look at the kinds of shows A&E and TLC used to have on and compare them, then you'll understand.

I don't hate Duck Dynasty. I don't care if people enjoy it. I just don't see that it's anything but empty, voyeuristic entertainment with no real value.

That is so true. Most of the shows on DirecTV are just that, empty, no educational value whatsoever. Some days I want to cancel m subscription. I will be seriously looking in to it in 2014.

wiscck

I would have to agree with Palin, free speech is an endangered species.

Suspending Roberston is appeasing the liberal bullies and their very flexible definition of "hate speech."

Free speech does not mean free of consequences.

Again,

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."

Note the very first word.

I understand this, you're taking it completely literal. I understand that is a private corporation taking action against Roberston due to his statements and it is their legal right as scummy and low as it is. Still, one doesn't have the freedom to express politically incorrect opinions in this day and age without some sort of punishment and bullying by the liberal elite. I was hoping to see these people do the right thing and say, "Well, that is his opinion and we should respect that, not bully him into silence with a suspension."

Do you really think they'd do that when it meant a loss of advertising dollars?

ajaxe432

Its BS....he was asked a question and he answered, nothing more than that. Totally losing faith in the human race.

^^ This

But then A&E expressed *their* opinion that they would prefer to discontinue paying someone whose views have the potential to drive away advertising dollars. Nothing more than that.

Yep....Corporate Amercia at their finest......sell outs

doorki

Its BS....he was asked a question and he answered, nothing more than that. Totally losing faith in the human race.

^^ This

But then A&E expressed *their* opinion that they would prefer to discontinue paying someone whose views have the potential to drive away advertising dollars. Nothing more than that.

Yep....Corporate Amercia at their finest......sell outs

Sellout? Didn't A&E start their reality showcase with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy? I think the are sticking with their original demographic.

WendyTerry420

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

WGAF what some reality show guy thinks about people he doesn't even know? I don't understand why people are so up in arms about the opinions of strangers.