'Duck Dynasty' Under Fire Following Star's Incendiary Anti-Gay Remarks

[CowboyBob]

 

[cityboy-stl]

CNN:
A&E issues a statement saying it "has decided to resume filming 'Duck Dynasty' later this spring with the entire Robertson family."

 

[Kulindahr]

All too often all too true.

 

[paintact]

I've noticed that many out there (in the public) are essentially saying that it's ok to say what he said simply because it was in the name of his religious faith and holy book. That some how, because he justified it with using his faith/bible, that means actually being held accountable for what he said 'makes him a victim of censorship' (the whole "free speech" issue). This kind of thinking by the religious right (and actually far too many others) is so incredibly frustrating. He is not a victim of anything. He has the right to say/do/believe whatever he likes (he did, and he still does)...and others have the right to tell him there are consequences for it since what he said was illogical, bigoted , and willfully ignorant... and just because he used his faith/bible, it does not give him a pass. The only thing he's a "victim" of are his own prejudices and ignorance. The whole issue just shows how deeply rooted forms of homophobia are alive and well in this society, and while the race comments are clearly wrong (as they are), the homosexual comments get to somehow be 'up for debate'..."oh, they're just personal opinion"...homophobia still getting a pass...

 

[White Eagle]

^^Ditto to that!

 

[White Eagle]

CNN:
A&E issues a statement saying it "has decided to resume filming 'Duck Dynasty' later this spring with the entire Robertson family."

Then, what we need to do is get someone with no gag reflex to watch the shows and write down who the sponsors are and then we can boycott them like we did for Lush Rimabaugh.

 

[Jack Springer]

You're missing a few specifics in your view. Bashir's comments were done as a host of a news channel with intentions -- there were graphics and the producer and he knew exactly what he was going to say before he said it - he also wished Palin physical harm. Robinson's remarks were made in an interview, even though he agreed to the interview, he did not purposely try to make statements -- he answered questions by the interviewer. He also did not wish anyone harm.

Your illustration is flawed.

 

[naglfarii]

I find it kinda... weird that the focus is on his gay remarks and not his racism.

 

[Alnitak]

I find it kinda... weird that the focus is on his gay remarks and not his racism.

The most recent remarks were the basis of his dismissal, and the ensuing controversy.

Then the research began, and found, much more offensive and racially insensitive things said in the past. Robertson's supporters whom falsely believe that he only gave an interpretation of the Bible, and protecting themselves mentally from having to defend those more offensive remarks, are now ignoring them outright.

A&E, of course, and its parent corporation do what all businesses do, to wit, there is no such thing as right and wrong, only profit and loss. But don't mistake yourself, we will dog Robertson, A&E, and their sponsors until the end of time.

 

[pat grimshaw]

...we will dog Robertson, A&E, and their sponsors until the end of time.

Fair enough. Inspector Javert dogged Jean Valjean for 52 years and went insane doing so.

Captain Ahab dogged Moby Dick for a decade and went insane doing so.

The Third Reich dogged their perceived oppressors for 13 years and went insane doing so.

 

[xbuzzerx]

Fair enough. Inspector Javert dogged Jean Valjean for 52 years and went insane doing so.

Captain Ahab dogged Moby Dick for a decade and went insane doing so.

The Third Reich dogged their perceived oppressors for 13 years and went insane doing so.

Aren't you the guy who got visibly angry when the topic was gay people boycotting a bakery that refused to sell to gay people?

I'm not sure what you would agree with other than discriminated-against minorities agreeing with and supporting their own discrimination. You have most certainly never pointed out what you believe racial minorities or gay people should be doing to work towards a more egalitarian society amidst your constant hovering around the topic of the disapproval you harbor for what they actually are doing. Hence the occasional musings people have as to whether or not you're even a gay male.

 

[pat grimshaw]

...should be doing ...

You have to be strategic in choosing which battles to fight and which to ignore.

I reckon the most effective ones are done behind the scenes or alongside the decision-makers or at the actual scene of the conflict.

We're seeing too many over-publicized, self-aggrandising and remote ineffective melodramatic media-circuses here— viz Kony.

 

[PhunkSpunk]

I find it kinda... weird that the focus is on his gay remarks and not his racism.

As I just said!

This thread's focus on the 'community' issue fails to see how the race issue is far more germane to everyone's rights!

 

[xbuzzerx]

You have to be strategic in choosing which battles to fight and which to ignore.

I reckon the most effective ones are done behind the scenes or alongside the decision-makers or at the actual scene of the conflict.

We're seeing too many over-publicized, self-aggrandising and remote ineffective melodramatic media-circuses here— viz Kony.

I think whether or not we want someone on a popular television program putting gay people in the same category as terrorists reaches near the top of the non-legislative list of what battles need to be fought.

But, as I previously stated, I'm really unaware of any conditions whatsoever which would bring you to agree that a minority group out to speak up or do something. Again, your response voiced only your disapproval and not a single example of what might be a more important thing to work on. As far as what views you've chosen to ever express on this site I'm unaware of you ever being any kind of friend or supporter of any gay rights effort on the planet, no matter what or where that effort was.

 

[PhunkSpunk]

That old adage "I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it!" applies hear.

Robertson exercised his First Amendment right in GQ. A&E exercised its First Amendment right in deciding that Robertson's opinions were contrary to the corporate image they wished to project. The First Amendment wins all-around.

While clothed in progressive, righteous rhetoric, I'm sure A&E's decision was strictly business. The younger portion of their market is supportive of Gay Rights. The Robertsons of this country are quickly becoming anachronisms, even in rural Louisiana.

Personally I thought his most offensive comment was about Blacks being happy under Jim Crow.

 

[xbuzzerx]

As I just said!

This thread's focus on the 'community' issue fails to see how the race issue is far more germane to everyone's rights!

I don't think his racist comments were unimportant. I do however think that what he's saying while actively on a popularly watched television show today is more immediately important to address as it goes out to a national audience currently than something people dug up in a magazine article from however long ago that no one knew about or remembered until the more current controversy.

 

[PhunkSpunk]

A lot of the blame goes to GQ, for asking loaded questions toward the end of getting sensational answers. Seriously, what did they expect he'd say about gays?

 

[MoufOfKhaos]

A lot of the blame goes to GQ, for asking loaded questions toward the end of getting sensational answers. Seriously, what did they expect he'd say about gays?

No one forced him to go beyond scripture - or to even quote(or in his case, misquote) it at all. He could have just as easily stated he preferred not to answer.

So no, GQ are not to blame for his mouth. Might as well blame the sun for being bright.

 

[paintact]

No one forced him to go beyond scripture - or to even quote(or in his case, misquote) it at all. He could have just as easily stated he preferred not to answer.
So no, GQ are not to blame for his mouth. Might as well blame the sun for being bright.

THIS. Exactly.

(You'd think the A&E publicists would have given this family a little "media training"...)

 

[palbert]

And for a further rise: marry 15-16 year olds:

In the video, Robertson says “Look, you wait till they get to be 20 years old - the only picking that’s gonna take place is your pocket. You gotta marry these girls when they’re about 15 or 16.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-ae-walking-a-fine-line-over-duck-dynastys-phil-robertson/

Can you spell p-e-d-o-p-h-i-l-i-a?