Duck Dynasty Star Suspended

[RaisingAPrince]

Just wondering what people's thoughts are on this topic.

A&E suspends 'Duck Dynasty' star over remarks on homosexuality

The suspension comes after a profile piece appeared in GQ in which Robertson told the magazine that he does not support homosexuality, calling it illogical and a sin.

"[A woman has] more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical."

Robertson went on to say "Everything is blurred on what's right and what's wrong. Sin becomes fine."

"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," he told the magazine before paraphrasing a portion of 1 Corinthians 6 from the Bible.

"Don't be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers — they won't inherit the kingdom of God. Don't deceive yourself. It's not right."

A&E said Robertson is "under hiatus from filming indefinitely."

I am all for gay rights but I also believe in freedom of speech and that people should be allowed to voice their opinions whether they are famous or not.

I recall A&E tried telling the characters of the show that they couldn't pray at the end. Each episode ends with the family around the dinner table saying a prayer. The family said if God wasn't allowed in their show they would no longer do it. A&E agreed to that......

[Duchess]

My thoughts on it are that I can't believe so many people are talking about it. Apparently it's a hugely popular show.

I think all people are entitled to their opinion but if you're high profile you should probably keep it to yourself.

[RaisingAPrince]

My thoughts on it are that I can't believe so many people are talking about it. Apparently it's a hugely popular show.

I think all people are entitled to their opinion but if you're high profile you should probably keep it to yourself.

It's A&E's most popular and pretty much what is bringing in the money for them right now, from what I've read. A lot of people are saying they just committed suicide because when they lose this show they've got nothing. I've seen so much about it online the past few days, it's crazy!

[HairOfTheDog]

I am all for gay rights but I also believe in freedom of speech and that people should be allowed to voice their opinions whether they are famous or not.

Yep.

I've never watched the show RAP, but it sounds like those who do would already know or have a strong inclination as to where its stars stood on such issues.

A&E likely has a right to terminate over this per contract, but I think it's a foolish business decision if that interview was the only reason for the "hiatus". Let the viewers/ratings decide, that's what I'd do.



Anyway, here's a bit more from the interview.

"It seems like, to me, a vagina -- as a man -- would be more desirable than a man's anus. That's just me. I'm just thinking: There's more there! She's got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I'm saying? But hey, sin: It's not logical, my man. It's just not logical," he's quoted as saying.

Asked what, in his mind, is sinful, Robertson replied: "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."

He also made comments regarding race and growing up in Louisiana before the civil rights era.

"I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I'm with the blacks, because we're white trash. We're going across the field. ... They're singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, 'I tell you what: These doggone white people' -- not a word!


http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/18/showbiz/du...uspension/

[JsMom]

Freedom Of Speech! That's all Ive got to say.

[Maggot]

Now we will see the ratings go up. It's a gimmick just like the Miley Cyrus schlick is a gimmick to sell her records. She actually said thats what it was. I think this is the same.

[FAHQTOO]

I belive GQ asked him that question just to start some shit. Anyone that's ever even heard of these people knows where they stand.
The man was asked a question and he answered it...it's not like he's going around willy nilly shouting to the world that he hates fags.

[SIXFOOTERsez]

Duck Dynasty is one of the funniest shows on tv and one of the very few that I watch.
There should be no surprise that the man has an opinion about fags, most people do. The fact that they are a protected class if all fine and good, that does not in any way legislate peoples opinions nor should it. We also have freedom of speech here in this country, the interviewer asked him the questions, he has the right to answer them any way he wants.
That said, Freedom is not free, actions have consequences. If they have a contract that he is signed up to that states Thou Shall Not Express Any Negative Opinions About Xxxxx, then he may have fucked up. Or he may not give a fuck. I think if A&E stays this course its going to cost them, as it should.
Thats My Opinion

[Tammy75]

Now we will see the ratings go up. It's a gimmick just like the Miley Cyrus schlick is a gimmick to sell her records. She actually said thats what it was. I think this is the same.

My Other Half called *Last Season* a couple of days ago when we were in Walmart. When you can get DD bandaids, it is time to go. This guarantees another season.

I think no one is really questioning freedom of speech as much as *let's jump on the bandwagon* and pretend we are perfect and all moral and such. My problem with this type thinking is that YOUR MORALS AREN'T NECESSARILY THE SAME AS MINE, but that doesn't make either of us wrong or bad.

[ZEROSPHERES]

There should be no surprise that the man has an opinion about fags, most people do.

Six, A&E is writing a part for you in their new show.

[cannongal]

I don't see it as a freedom of speech issue, but rather a freedom of religion issue.

I thought the constitution guaranteed the right not to be persecuted for ones religious beliefs.

His statements were based on his religious beliefs, so does A&E have the right to suspend him over his religious beliefs?

[Duchess]

When you can get DD bandaids, it is time to go.

I was listening to some people talk about this last night. Not only do they have band-aids but they've designed a mobile home complete with camo walls.

I think this is all much ado about nothing.

I could make a wise crack about hillbillies thinking same sex loving is an aberration but don't think twice in regards to incest but I won't.

[HairOfTheDog]

I swear I don't live in a cave, but I had never even heard of Duck Dynasty before this week. Apparently, it's the highest rated cable show on tv, and sometimes the highest rated show, period.

The story is all over the news pages; with high profile names weighing in now.


SNIP:
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who had her picture taken with Robertson just last month, complained that his free-speech rights were being trampled. Bobby Jindal, governor of the state of Louisiana, where the show is filmed, complained that Miley Cyrus got a pass for twerking on TV while Phil got shown the door.

T-shirts, of course, went on the market with the words "I Don't Give a Duck About A or E, Bring Back Phil."

"It's a show that is promoting clean living and good moral values, and that's something we need more of today," one of the program's many fans, Rick Peter of Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, told The Associated Press.

It's also a show that 67-year-old Robertson, who sports a beard that seemingly should qualify him for immediate membership in the rock group ZZ Top, is at the center of.

When or if he'll return — or if he'll ever really go away, however — is an open question.

"Duck Dynasty" is on hiatus until Jan. 15, and a network spokesman said Thursday that nine of next season's 10 episodes have already been filmed. That means Robertson likely isn't needed in front of the camera before next March, by which time this whole crisis may have blown over.

And blow over it will, eventually, says veteran Hollywood crisis publicist Howard Bragman, who added that Robertson will likely return to the show as well, perhaps after making a heartfelt apology (HOTD: I think this is exactly what will go down).

"There's too much money at stake," said Bragman, vice president of reputation.com. "Although he plays kind of a hick on TV, I don't think he's dumb. I think he gets what's at stake here. And I hope people on his team, the network and his producers get the message that what he did was wrong. ".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/19...76976.html
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Judging by the statement of the fellow family members/cast members, they might not continue the show if Phil isn't brought back.

[Midwest Spy]

Why do we as a society have to be so damned PC toward the homosexual lifestyle?

I'm not homophobic, but I'm not 'glad', if you will, that it's become so mainstream. Last night on ABC I saw three separate images of men kissing.

I haven't heard the soundbite from Phil (and I've never seen an episode of the show), but I'm pissed that he's getting 'fired' over this.

In our state, this past year has been nothing but 'Gay Rights, Gay Marriage, etc.' and, if you don't agree with that viewpoint, you're considered a bigot

If you have a conservative CHRISTIAN point of view in this country, you're now in the minority.

[Duchess]

Why do we as a society have to be so damned PC toward the homosexual lifestyle?

I'm not homophobic, but I'm not 'glad', if you will, that it's become so mainstream. Last night on ABC I saw three separate images of men kissing.

I haven't heard the soundbite from Phil (and I've never seen an episode of the show), but I'm pissed that he's getting 'fired' over this.

In our state, this past year has been nothing but 'Gay Rights, Gay Marriage, etc.' and, if you don't agree with that viewpoint, you're considered a bigot

If you have a conservative CHRISTIAN point of view in this country, you're now in the minority.

Gays have had to fight tooth & nail for any rights whatsoever. If people didn't have such an issue with them and what they are entitled to or not, then chances are you'd never have to hear from any of them again.

Would you shield your children's eyes from gays kissing? Would you make a big enough deal over it that it would raise questions on their part? Does their love make you uncomfortable?

[Duchess]

Conservative Christians are not tolerant. Who the fuck are they to dictate how things should be done and who the fuck are they to tell people who they can love, like loving someone is a choice. Pfft.

[Midwest Spy]

Conservative Christians are not tolerant. Who the fuck are they to dictate how things should be done and who the fuck are they to tell people who they can love, like loving someone is a choice. Pfft.

You sound like the bigot now, lumping everyone into one convenient pile.

[RaisingAPrince]

http://duckcommander.com/news/robertson-...-statement

"We want to thank all of you for your prayers and support. The family has spent much time in prayer since learning of A&E's decision. We want you to know that first and foremost we are a family rooted in our faith in God and our belief that the Bible is His word. While some of Phil’s unfiltered comments to the reporter were coarse, his beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Bible. Phil is a Godly man who follows what the Bible says are the greatest commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Phil would never incite or encourage hate.We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm. We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family."

[Duchess]

You sound like the bigot now, lumping everyone into one convenient pile.

No, just conservative Christians. Am I wrong in my view of them?

[FAHQTOO]

Conservative Christians are not tolerant. Who the fuck are they to dictate how things should be done and who the fuck are they to tell people who they can love, like loving someone is a choice. Pfft.

He never told anyone how they should live their lives, or who they should love. They asked him
his take on homosexuality and he gave his
opinion, or what he personally believes.