Twitter is a flutter with the news that Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty (a show I’ve never watched) gave an interview to GQ (a magazine I’ve never read) and as a result, A&E (a channel I never watch) suspended the reality star indefinitely. The reason? Because, according to A&E:
“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series ‘Duck Dynasty,'” …,.”His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community.”
I don’t really care if Phil Robertson is anti-gay. It is not at all shocking that a religious zealot from rural, poor Louisiana would espouse such an opinion. It’s his to have, and it’s my right and the right of A&E to disagree with that opinion. I can exercise that opinion by not watching his show (an action I was not intending to do ever, anyway) and A&E can exercise that right by giving him a pink slip. That’s the way it rolls.
See, even this guy who disagrees with A&E’s decision gets it:
Phil Robertson can have his own opinion, just like you have your own @DuckDynastyAE
— Lex (@lexvillaverd) December 19, 2013
What concerns me about this whole thing is that Former Governor and Former Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin posted the following to Facebook:
“Phil Robertson and his family are great citizens of the State of Louisiana. The politically correct crowd is tolerant of all viewpoints, except those they disagree with. I don’t agree with quite a bit of stuff I read in magazine interviews or see on TV,” Jindal said in a statement. “In fact, come to think of it, I find a good bit of it offensive. But I also acknowledge that this is a free country and everyone is entitled to express their views. In fact, I remember when TV networks believed in the First Amendment. It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.”
they suspended Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty because he said being gay is a sin… lol @ the lack of 1st Amendment rights in the USA
— Evan Mock (@MockaFlocka) December 19, 2013
When your political position is dependent on having your constituency be ignorant to the law or their rights, your political position is a bad one. That seems like a no-brainer. Then again, look who we’re talking about here.
Follow me at @DavidTDorer