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'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E (W: 742)

Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

vesper said:
Good Morning Danarhea, I personally see it as intolerance and you make the point by showing the double standards between Miley Cyrus being rewarded when some found her being outrageous while Robertson is being fired because some found his comments outrageous. When people start to become afraid to say what they really think for fear of retribution, (as many do daily in public) its proof of oppression and evidence of free speech/expression being violated.
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I respect your point, but here's the deal. A&E is responsible for it's corporate image, and they do not want that image tarnished. True, it might not be fair, but that's the way it is. And free speech is only free speech up to a point. Like the old adage "You can't shout fire in a crowded theatre". Now exactly where that point is should be what we debate here.

As far as the government goes, free speech is free speech, no matter how wrong it is. I remember the government ruling against the Jewish community in Skokie Illinois and allowing the KKK to march there. However, A&E is not the government. It is a privately owned company, and has the right to set it's own standards of behavior. Don't like it? Then boycott it.... Isn't that what a lot of people are doing now?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Rocketman said:
His interview had with GQ had nothing to do with A&E,
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Employees have been fired since forever for creating controversy that the employer does not want. Phil Robertson is famous because of his show on...A&E. Trying to suggest that the interview had nothing to do with them is flat out silly.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

RabidAlpaca said:
Though I believe obviously A&E has a right to fire whoever they want to fire for any reason, I don't see why his views outside of the show, have any effect on his ability to do the show, nor do I see how that would be put on A&E.
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Because there's no such thing as "outside the show" for reality stars. It's what they sign up for either knowingly or unknowingly.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Smeagol said:
Intellectual honesty and your reply just shut my mouth. Good point.

I would, however, like to see the specifics on what motivated Christian groups to boycott; expressing opinions or things more direct? Fostering a culture where people are free to respectfully express their views is one thing. Supporting direct action that undermines people's deeply held values is something different.

A. I am for (fill-in-the blank) and you might not be. It's my opinion and everybody has one. Lets sit down and talk about it because this is America and we value open dialog in our culture.

--or--

B. I am not only for (fill-in-the-blank) but I'm also announcing today that the profits generated by your support of my business will be used to finance tangible advancements in (fill-in-the-blank) despite your objections. Thank you for your support.

???
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If you go to the links I posted, they give their reasons.

Million moms boycotted JC Penneys because they hired Ellen.
FRC boycotted Betty crocker because they offered to bake wedding cakes for gay couples.
FRC boycotted Home depot because they offered benefits to same sex couples.
AFA boycotted general mills because they support SSM.

There are more explanations at the links, directly from those who are starting the boycotts.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

sangha said:
For one thing, no one called for a boycott of Duck Dynasty

As for your question about why christians have called for action against something they didn't like, here's an example
GEICO Pig on a Date Angers One Million Moms - ABC News
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I might have misunderstood thinking A&E sponsors were being targeted. Thanks for the clarification.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Redress said:
Which has nothing to do with your post I responded to or the response I made.
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Well I ignored your smarmy partisan comment. Of course it has nothing to do with how you responded.

Redress said:
By the way, there has always been consequences for free speech. The only thing the constitution guarantees is that those repercussions don't come from the government.
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Glad you see it that way.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Rocketman said:
Bravo to Phil! Everyone should be able to say what they believe without worrying about their jobs.

Of course the progressives will keep trying to sell us that homosexuality is orientation and not preference. It would be interesting to see a comparison of the brain of a homosexual and that of a serial killer. Both are born that way according to some of today's scientists.
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How did you feel about what Martn Bashir said? When you sign a contract, you have contractual obligations, when you break them, you can lose your job, buisness, not politics.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Ockham said:
Well I ignored your smarmy partisan comment. Of course it has nothing to do with how you responded.

Glad you see it that way.
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You expected me to not respond to a smarmy comment with a smarmy comment that made yours look silly?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

As to the show, I will be very disappointed in the rest of them if they dont politely decline to continue the show effective immediately.

As for those Gay rights group boycotts...the last one we saw was the Chik Fil A episode....and judging by the results, it was pretty good for business.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Slyfox696 said:
The whole Robertson family ought to be eternally grateful to A&E for making them richer than they ever would have imagined.

To quote an old saying, "I may disagree with what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it"...that's how I feel about this situation. I disagree with what he said, but I think he's certainly within his right to say it, as long as he's not actively seeking to discriminate against anyone. But, at the same time, I feel A&E has the same right, and while I think it's a little hypocritical to be offended by the views A&E has profited greatly from, they certainly have the right to do it when it directly impacts their bottom line.

And I felt the exact same way when the CEO of Chick Fil A made his comments last year about homosexuals...and I still happily eat there.
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:lamo Why is that again? You get that they were a very successful and wealthy family LONG BEFORE A&E came along, right?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

VanceMack said:
As to the show, I will be very disappointed in the rest of them if they dont politely decline to continue the show effective immediately.

As for those Gay rights group boycotts...the last one we saw was the Chik Fil A episode....and judging by the results, it was pretty good for business.
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That's because southern conservatives don't need an excuse to eat another fried chicken sandwhich.
 
'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

RabidAlpaca said:
Though I believe obviously A&E has a right to fire whoever they want to fire for any reason, I don't see why his views outside of the show, have any effect on his ability to do the show, nor do I see how that would be put on A&E.
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It alters the value of the brand in a way the network wasn't happy with. Marketing concerns are legitimate for this sort of thing. Remember, the audience doesn't compartmentalizations like some would expect them to.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

iliveonramen said:
That's because southern conservatives don't need an excuse to eat another fried chicken sandwhich.
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Sure...except it wasnt just southern conservatives, it was nationwide, and actually...more than a few homosexuals professed their undying support to their chicken sandwiches and peach shakes.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

VanceMack said:
Sure...except it wasnt just southern conservatives, it was nationwide, and actually...more than a few homosexuals professed their undying support to their chicken sandwiches and peach shakes.
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And their sublime iced tea!
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

VanceMack said:
Sure...except it wasnt just southern conservatives, it was nationwide, and actually...more than a few homosexuals professed their undying support to their chicken sandwiches and peach shakes.
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The vast majority of chik File franchises are in the Bible Belt.

Edit: Just to be clear...I'm not saying you're not right. Alot of people showed support for Chik File...but that is different than national brands where a lot of people in say...NY or California buy a lot of their products.
 
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Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

In other words, you dislike Robertsons use of the words anus and vagina?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

danarhea said:
I respect your point, but here's the deal. A&E is responsible for it's corporate image, and they do not want that image tarnished. True, it might not be fair, but that's the way it is. And free speech is only free speech up to a point. Like the old adage "You can't shout fire in a crowded theatre". Now exactly where that point is should be what we debate here.

As far as the government goes, free speech is free speech, no matter how wrong it is. I remember the government ruling against the Jewish community in Skokie Illinois and allowing the KKK to march there. However, A&E is not the government. It is a privately owned company, and has the right to set it's own standards of behavior. Don't like it? Then boycott it.... Isn't that what a lot of people are doing now?
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Point well taken. But it is reported that Robertson warned up front that he would bail if A&E tried to censor any part of the show pertaining comments about faith in God or guns and they agreed. So why are they now reprimanding him for his comments about his religious beliefs on sin in a magazine interview?

From a report earlier

On May 9, Greensboro, NC country station 93.1 The Wolf reported that after receiving complaints over prayers to God and the frequent use of guns on air, Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson said, "God and guns are part of our everyday lives [and] to remove either of them from the show is unacceptable."
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After that, A&E signed up Phil and the gang for another season of Duck Dynasty under Phil's terms.

'Duck Dynasty' Star Vows to Quit if Network Bans Talk of God or Guns
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

notquiteright said:
I just went looking at several boycotts called by talk radio, one million moms, bloggers or the far right-

saying they are less than effective is being kind. :cool:

But of course the radical right/religious ranters are free to TRY a boycott, letter writing campaign, or whatever. It is the American Way I guess.

But I doubt this is the end of A&E. If the Jersey Shore taught us nothing is many Americans don't understand what the word 'reality' really means... Plenty more train wrecks and freak shows to put on air. How about more knocked up teens- that should appeal to the redneck crowd !!!! "Look there is Linda-Sue!!!!"

WADDA COUNTRY!!!!!!
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I just quoted from a blog that made some good points I thought. Honestly, way too much is being made of this. It's television and nobodies lives are going to change because of the statements of one man, agree with them or not.

Personally, I will admit that I am a political eater. I don't eat veal, foie gras or swordfish because of the ethics involved in the production. I avoid Chevron when possible so I understand boycotts. Personally A&E made a foolish decision. There is no such thing as bad publicity and had they kept the elder Robertson in the line up the show would have blown up bigger than it is.

I don't watch Duck Dynasty so none of this really matters to me.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

tacomancer said:
It alters the value of the brand in a way the network wasn't happy with. Marketing concerns are legitimate for this sort of thing. Remember, the audience doesn't compartmentalizations like some would expect them to.
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iliveonramen said:
Because there's no such thing as "outside the show" for reality stars. It's what they sign up for either knowingly or unknowingly.
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Mind you, I'm pro-SSM and about as anti-religious as one can be, but I'm starting to get a little concerned with the gross imbalance between gay rights and religious rights as pertaining to anti-discrimination laws.

Essentially, a homosexual can say or do anything expressing his homosexuality and he is protected from any kind of discrimination with hiring and firing, but a christian quoting pretty much directly out of the bible can be fired for the same thing.

All I'm saying is we should have a little bit of consistency here. If A&E were to fire a homosexual for saying something homosexual in a non-related magazine, wouldn't everyone lose their ****?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

RabidAlpaca said:
Mind you, I'm pro-SSM and about as anti-religious as one can be, but I'm starting to get a little concerned with the gross imbalance between gay rights and religious rights as pertaining to anti-discrimination laws.

Essentially, a homosexual can say or do anything expressing his homosexuality and he is protected from any kind of discrimination with hiring and firing, but a christian quoting pretty much directly out of the bible can be fired for the same thing.

All I'm saying is we should have a little bit of consistency here. If A&E were to fire a homosexual for saying something homosexual in a non-related magazine, wouldn't everyone lose their ****?
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Society always works by backlash. It'll balance out over time.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

RabidAlpaca said:
Mind you, I'm pro-SSM and about as anti-religious as one can be, but I'm starting to get a little concerned with the gross imbalance between gay rights and religious rights as pertaining to anti-discrimination laws.

Essentially, a homosexual can say or do anything expressing his homosexuality and he is protected from any kind of discrimination with hiring and firing, but a christian quoting pretty much directly out of the bible can be fired for the same thing.

All I'm saying is we should have a little bit of consistency here. If A&E were to fire a homosexual for saying something homosexual in a non-related magazine, wouldn't everyone lose their ****?
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Precisely the issue. Well stated.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

TheNextEra said:
FYI the guy didn't just "voice" that he felt SSM was wrong, it was HOW he said it and what exactly he said.

If someone were to say "I'm against interracial marriage", that's not the same as saying "I just don't get why a white person would want to marry some dirty nigger".
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So you disagreed with his use of anus and vagina?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

j-mac said:
Leftist intolerance is on full display this year....Merry Christmas.
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War against Christmas: 1, Backwoods hillbillies: 0
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

tacomancer said:
Society always works by backlash. It'll balance out over time.
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Yeah... eventually most Americans will be Bible thumping morons that think gays are subhuman. Sure, that'll happen.
 
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