• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

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

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

True, but do you think that religious belief is a 'redneck thing'?

I think outspoken evangelism and religiously based intolerance is definitely a Southern trait. Him being a redneck just adds to the stereotype. I think you're getting worked up about the wrong part of the story. This is a guy who gets rich off portraying an ignorant, intolerant, Southern hick and nobody bats an eye. He says 1 thing about homos and it's suddenly cause for debate.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

By this ****ing logic I should be able to say whatever I want whenever I want at work.
Well you can. That doesn't exclude your employer from taking action - ie., consequences.

I should be able to call my boss an asshole and the guests who complain about their stay a bunch of whiny bitches and I can get away with it because "free speech".
You can!

Some of you right wingers have a pretty funny idea about how free speech works.
What is stopping you from doing it? Oh... the consequences... well there is no law that says you can't call someone, anyone anything you want. That doesn't exclude the consequences for such free speech. I detest speech from the KKK and Al Sharpton alike but they are free to say it and that should remain so. What's so funny about it?

The gentleman works for A&E.

They can fire him if they want to.
Of course - consequences... It sounds like we agree....
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

The whole Robertsons family should man up and tell A&E to go pound sand.

Plenty of other channels who would love the Duckers to come on over. the Christian Broadcasting Network would LOVE to have 'em. Might be a cut in pay but if they are now able to say what they want- that's priceless.....
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Well you can. That doesn't exclude your employer from taking action - ie., consequences.

You can!

What is stopping you from doing it? Oh... the consequences... well there is no law that says you can't call someone, anyone anything you want. That doesn't exclude the consequences for such free speech. I detest speech from the KKK and Al Sharpton alike but they are free to say it and that should remain so. What's so funny about it?

Of course - consequences... It sounds like we agree....

Misread your post.

Did the night shift.

Tired... must... sleep...
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

How are their political views relevant? The issue is more about consequences for our freedom of speech and how those consequences are applied not just in this case, but applied in general.

There are consequences to any freedom of speech.

If I walk into a restaurant and start a loud discourse on any subject, they can kick me out. That is not suppression of free speech, that is a business doing what it must to prevent other paying customers from walking away.
If I work on a TV show, and say all Christians should be executed, the network has the right to fire me.
If I am standing on the street corner saying that aliens are coming and want to do anal probes on all Americans. People can call me a lunatic.

Those are the consequences of my speech. If you are not willing to deal with the consequences of what you put out there, then maybe you should edit what you say. No one is required to appreciate, or approve of, what you or I say. And no one is required to give you a platform to speak from.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

The whole Robertsons family should man up and tell A&E to go pound sand.
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.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

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.
They were already rich. But some have a pair of balls and wont be bought. Phil is that guy.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

They were already rich.
Not like they've become.

The Louisiana family also secured big salary increases just before that record Season 4 premiere, with the clan reportedly earning more than $200,000 an episode — roughly 4.5 times more than their previous salaries – divvied up among the nine adults and 11 kids on the show.
'Duck Dynasty' Star Phil Robertson Suspended For Anti-Gay Comments

But some have a pair of balls and wont be bought. Phil is that guy.
Well, we'll see. There's only three things which happen from here:

1) Phil accepts his suspension because he wants to keep making the big money.
2) Phil accepts his suspension because he knows it was wrong to make those comments in a national magazine.
3) The family quits the show.


Here's to guessing #3 doesn't happen.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

"Dear A&E,

I read that you are indefinitely suspending Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty after he quoted the Bible and said that the homosexual act is sinful. I get it, guys. I do. You punished the Christian guy for being a Christian because you got some angry emails from a bunch of whiny gay activists who lack the spine and maturity to deal with the fact that there are still people out there who have the guts to articulate opinions that they find disagreeable. In so doing, you’ve kowtowed to a pushy minority of vocal bullies who don’t even watch your channel, while alienating the fan base of the one show that keeps your entire network afloat.

Makes sense."
Dear A&E, congratulations, you just committed suicide | The Matt Walsh Blog
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

How are their political views relevant? The issue is more about consequences for our freedom of speech and how those consequences are applied not just in this case, but applied in general.

Which has nothing to do with your post I responded to or the response I made.

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

Leftist intolerance is on full display this year....Merry Christmas.

1) I don't believe that it is intolerance. After all, Robertson DID do some gay bashing, and made some racist statements as well. Had A&E kept him on, it would have given an impression that they supported his racist and homophobic remarks.

2) As for A&E being a bunch of Liberals, that is hogwash. After all, they DID put this knuckledragging savage on the air in the first place.

3) However, it is not fair when Robertson can be fired for saying outrageous crap, but Miley Cyrus can be rewarded for being outrageous.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

I question the OPs use of the adjective "star".
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

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

"Dear A&E,

I read that you are indefinitely suspending Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty after he quoted the Bible and said that the homosexual act is sinful. I get it, guys. I do. You punished the Christian guy for being a Christian because you got some angry emails from a bunch of whiny gay activists who lack the spine and maturity to deal with the fact that there are still people out there who have the guts to articulate opinions that they find disagreeable. In so doing, you’ve kowtowed to a pushy minority of vocal bullies who don’t even watch your channel, while alienating the fan base of the one show that keeps your entire network afloat.

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

"Dear A&E,

I read that you are indefinitely suspending Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty after he quoted the Bible and said that the homosexual act is sinful. I get it, guys. I do. You punished the Christian guy for being a Christian because you got some angry emails from a bunch of whiny gay activists who lack the spine and maturity to deal with the fact that there are still people out there who have the guts to articulate opinions that they find disagreeable. In so doing, you’ve kowtowed to a pushy minority of vocal bullies who don’t even watch your channel, while alienating the fan base of the one show that keeps your entire network afloat.

Makes sense."
Dear A&E, congratulations, you just committed suicide | The Matt Walsh Blog

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

And christian groups have threatened companies with boycotts and picketed companies. Do you find them "thuggish" too?
That is part of the freedom of speech thing. You can speak, I can speak, many can get together to speak with their wallets.

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.

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

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.

Really? You think that companies should not be able to fire some one who creates bad publicity for their company? Is this some new right?
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

Leftist intolerance is on full display this year....Merry Christmas.

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

1) I don't believe that it is intolerance. After all, Robertson DID do some gay bashing, and made some racist statements as well. Had A&E kept him on, it would have given an impression that they supported his racist and homophobic remarks.

2) As for A&E being a bunch of Liberals, that is hogwash. After all, they DID put this knuckledragging savage on the air in the first place.

3) However, it is not fair when Robertson can be fired for saying outrageous crap, but Miley Cyrus can be rewarded for being outrageous.

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

Really? You think that companies should not be able to fire some one who creates bad publicity for their company? Is this some new right?

His interview had with GQ had nothing to do with A&E,
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

The civilized and intellectual world largely realizes that there is nothing wrong with being gay, and recognizes that they are just as human as the rest of us. Someday the people that have a problem with homosexuals will be seen as no better than intolerant racists. Sorry, but that's just the truth. Maybe they went overboard with their reaction to what he said, but they are mostly looking out for their ratings.
 
Last edited:
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

His interview had with GQ had nothing to do with A&E,

Actually as a cast member on a show that A&E shows, yes his interview DOEs affect A&E. Therefore A&E has every right to suspend him.
 
Re: 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson suspended by A&E

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.

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
 
Back
Top Bottom