Was A&E's decision to suspend Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson the right call?

[bluntsword]

You may be a Duck Dynasty fan.

You may have never watched the show.

But you're on the internet right now you are probably seeing a whole lot of reporting on A&E indefinitely suspending Phil, the patriarch of the Robertson clan, from the show Duck Dynasty because of comments that he made during an interview with GQ in which he has some pretty crude statements about homosexuality.

Was that the right call?

Interview found here and a warning , he was quite crude.
http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson?currentPage=1

[PhoenixFire]

For the tl;dr people - Shit's stupid man. Grow the fuck up America.



I was unaware you can suspend a family member, and he main person of the company that your show is about, based simply on their opinions. I myself am perfectly okay with homosexuality, and a big supporter of equal rights for ALL people, but I myself don't get offended just because someone voices an opinion that contradicts mine (otherwise if I did, I would have left this forum a looong time ago hahahaha     ). When it comes right down to it, I think America has become way to freaking sensitive, and need to put back on the big boy/girl pants that we used to have. Whatever happened to free speech? Speaking your mind? Being truthful? I'm sorry, are those things really all that bad?

[haloOfTheSun]

I think it's less about freedom of speech and voicing opinions, and more that a television network doesn't want to be associated with homophobia. You can say what you want, but the network decides if people will hear what you say.

And this isn't the first time a television network has done something like this. People get suspended or even fired from shows fairly often for things they maybe shouldn't have said outside of the show they're on. It's just being blown out of proportion because it's a show hugely popular in the south, and southern people are largely homophobic so they don't see anything wrong with what was said.

Anyway, it's all stupid and the show is stupid and I don't even care.

[Long Duck Dong]

In my opinion, the show is overrated and here in the southern states, it's even worse on how it's advertised. I went to Walmart to buy some clothes and saw a pair of Duck Dynasty "toddler" underwear, as well as panties. Honestly, I kinda wish they would cut the show off, or put it on the channels "Hallmark" or "OWN", because all I hear about the bloody show is "How christian the show is" and "How everyone should watch it because it will save your soul" or even "How humble the show is". Not to mention the show portrays the southern states as utter morons, which offends me since I live in Tennessee. I've had citizens of New York and Ohio insult me just because I live in Tennessee.

As for Phil's insult to homosexuality, I think that was a good idea to suspend him. I mean, didn't they suspend Jeff Dunham for being racist towards the Spanish community? It's the same basic principle.

[Moss.]

I just think it's idiotic because, come on, you put an old religious redneck on television, and you're shocked when he starts spouting anti-homosexual sentiment?

I bet this is all just a marketing ploy. Think of the publicity this will create when/if the show comes back!



No, I don't actually think it's a marketing ploy. I just think that would be funny.

[Sophist]

I think it's less about freedom of speech and voicing opinions, and more that a television network doesn't want to be associated with homophobia.

I believe this is the right answer.

[Long Duck Dong]

A small update: Phil got a lawyer to defend him. Thank you, Bing. 

[Acolyte]

Honestly, I thought that comment about black people was more offensive sounding.

"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!... Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues."

I didn't see racism happen so obviously it doesn't exist guise.

[Jules]

I actually like the show, mostly because it reminds me so much of my relatives.  I find it funny and I don't have to worry about f-bombs dropping everywhere. (Hello RMRK   <3)   Did they make the right call?  I dunno. I think some will be offended by his remarks, others will say they don't give a darn. I disagree with what he said. But I think if freedom of speech works for one it should work for all.  The whole "I disagree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"

I do find it funny that that former disney star can get on stage and be downright raunchy and it's all cool. But let some "southern redneck" make a stupid remark and lets string him/her up from the nearest tree. 


PS - I had to google what this thread was about <_<  So my opinion is based on about 5 minutes of reading and the fact that I deeply dislike said former disney star.  So feel free to disregard and carry on~

[haloOfTheSun]

I do find it funny that that former disney star can get on stage and be downright raunchy and it's all cool. But let some "southern redneck" make a stupid remark and lets string him/her up from the nearest tree. 

Well like I said before, it's just a network saving their butts. Former Disney star or not, she did what all adult women are expected to do on the channel she was on. MTV = slutty women. I doubt A&E wants to be known for homophobia, however, so it really isn't the same at all considering one is hateful and not at all a reflection of what a good Christian is supposed to be (this is what people say about their show, yes?) and the other is just a grown woman degrading herself and proving the general population has poor taste in music.

[Jules]

lol  good point


Edit:

You say his statement was hateful and homophobic. And I agree with you.  But my point is if we're going to constantly scream freedom of speech then everyone deserves that right. Not just the people who say stuff we agree with.  He believes what he said, he said it crudely, but he believes that homosexuality is wrong. If he had simply said that he believed that being a homosexual was wrong and they were sinners going to hell would this still have happened?  That's the question isn't it? I think so because it isn't PC now to disagree with homosexuality.  On TV at least its becoming more mainstream and accepted* And so being against it is labeled as being homophobic.  To be "phobic" about something is to be afraid of it, yes?  Some people aren't just afraid of homosexuality. They truly believe it is wrong.  Do those people not have the same rights as you? Do they not have the right to stand up for what they believe in? 



All that being said I think Freedom of Speech is an idea.  A dream we're chasing.  And an elusive one at best. Everything we say is controlled from birth by someone.  Parents, a boss, laws, etc.

*Sidenote: Saw a poll the other day that said something like half of americans think homosexuality is wrong but something like 60% are ok with it anyways. 
PS - I also said on TV cause I live in the south. And while I wish people were more understanding and accepting, I ain't seeing it.

[tSwitch]

I agree with Freedom of Speech, but I'm pretty sure he signed a contract that stated they could terminate his appearance on the show for whatever reason.  That's sort of ceding authority to the network. 

I don't think that violates, nor is this an issue of, Freedom of Speech.

[EvilM00s]

But my point is if we're going to constantly scream freedom of speech then everyone deserves that right. Not just the people who say stuff we agree with.

^This times googleplex.

*kisses Jules' forehead*

[haloOfTheSun]

I think everyone here agrees with that. If I understand correctly, he only said the things in question in an interview, not on his actual show. So he still said what he did and no one stopped him or decided to cut out that part of his interview. His freedom of speech has not been violated.

Freedom of speech also does not mean you have a pass to say anything you want without consequences. I'm pretty sure if anyone here started slinging racial epithets or anything hateful against a specific group of people, it would not be taken lightly by their employers.

To be clear, I do agree with what you're saying. He or anyone else should be free to say whatever they want, but doing that without pissing off a bunch of people is another story.

[bluntsword]

Remember, I'm a youth minister. Yet if I got up on stage and listed out body parts like Phil did, who do you think would get fired from his church?

Yup. This guy.

The fact that this is a private company who has a private contract with this family means that they can do whatever they want. They could fire him if he shaved off his beard.

There are ways of doing things. There are ways of saying things. Phil was very crude in how he stated his views. And oh yeah, there's a verse that goes with that:

Colossians 4:5-6
5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

His speech was certainly not "seasoned with salt." It was all salt with a hint of grace.

I just think he wouldn't be in half as much trouble if he had stated his views with more grace.

[tSwitch]

I can agree with that.

[bluntsword]

I can agree with that.

RMRK. Breaking the internet by agreeing with one another.

[haloOfTheSun]

That makes sense, though. If he were more tactful and simply stated his opinion without being so crude then this situation may not have existed at all. There were certainly better ways to go about it, that's for sure.

[tSwitch]

Also Miley Cyrus is an abomination.

[bluntsword]

Also Miley Cyrus is an abomination.

I concur.

[Jules]

Also Miley Cyrus is an abomination.

Totally agree.

@Halo - that makes sense. I agree. =)

[haloOfTheSun]

Then it's settled. We must eliminate Miley Cyrus.

[bluntsword]

Then it's settled. We must eliminate Miley Cyrus.

[EvilM00s]

Poor kid. I wonder if under all the rubber costumes, twerking and booz, she's a scared, confused young woman who, like many people her age, doesn't know who she is because she's been told who to be her whole life and the only way she knows how to express herself is with a performance.

Just Sayin'.


Oh and Bluntsword... I'm glad you're Christlike in your Christianity.

[Acolyte]

Yet if I got up on stage and listed out body parts like Phil did, who do you think would get fired from his church?

You know, I've never really thought about it before, but who would be your "boss"? 
Is there some sort of church CEO?