(photo: Duckcommander.com )
CFN – Isn’t it odd when those seeking their own rights and voices lash out and throw hissy fits at others that , my gosh, are diverse to their own? Ten, twenty, thirty years ago it would be arrows and slings at Gay activists over issues like Gay Marriage, Gays in the Military, or simple gay rights.
We’ve come a long way and Gays can now suffer like the rest of the heterosexual world and get divorced and be just another one of the mob in many places. However some of the powerful and loud Gay political groups are still on the march from trying to stop the Socchi Olympics over Russian Gay politics to now leading the charge to take down a show that very few in the gay community would admit to watching, except maybe for some bears….
Duck Dynasty Patriarch Phil Robertson got into some hot water with the folks at A&E over some statements he made in a magazine article. So much so that in addition to the condemnation from Gay organizations like GLAAD; the network suspended him from one of their most successful shows, Duck Dynasty.
The Robertson family just issued an official statement via the duckcommander.com website.
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.
And here is Phil’s quotes from GQ
“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.”
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 says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “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.”
Now Phil isn’t spewing hate. He’s not saying that Glee should be taken off the air or calling for any actions or sanctions. He’s airing his opinion in an interview. And that interview and the fall out has turned this into the hottest story on Social Media and News in general.
Gay people and organizations have to learn that once you have equality you have to take the good and bad. You can’t be “special” when you’re mainstream. Equal rights mean you’re as equal as anyone else. You can’t ask for people to accept your diversity while not giving that same understanding back.
I’m all for Gay marriage and equality; but dropped two gay media facebook friends over their attacks on Toronto Mayor Rob Ford; not over his ridiculous antics, but by their attacks on the Mayor for obesity. (Right Brad & Matt?) I could only imagine the explosion if it were a gay politician being abused in the same manner!
Am I defending Phil? Nope. Have I ever watched Duck Dynasty? Nope. I have watched Glee and do own Village People & Frankie Goes to Hollywood albums though. Will I watch DD because of this silliness and mayhem? Nope. I will admit to watching Honey Boo Boo though while inebriated with a good friend.
We really don’t need to live in a world of mono-culture neo fascist dogmatists telling us mere peons what to think and do. Do we?
Glaad piece on issue. LINK
“Phil and his family claim to be Christian, but Phil’s lies about an entire community fly in the face of what true Christians believe,” said GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz. “He clearly knows nothing about gay people or the majority of Louisianans – and Americans – who support legal recognition for loving and committed gay and lesbian couples. Phil’s decision to push vile and extreme stereotypes is a stain on A&E and his sponsors who now need to reexamine their ties to someone with such public disdain for LGBT people and families.”
GLAAD reached out to A&E to speak about if the network stands behind Robertson’s comments.
Frankly I’m more alarmed by GLAAD’s quotes than Mr. Robertson’s. Glad essentially has admitted to leaning on A&E financially. Should those not terribly happy with Diversity lean on sponsors back? Is that really improving things or just having a bigger gun?
The scary issue is certain cultural attacks on the family unit as we have known for millennium are impacting and changing our society. And family seems to be very important to Phil Robertson. As for his issues about Anal sex, well Anal sex was around before Jesus and I have a hunch some bearded guy in the desert thought about doing it to his good women before the shepherds under the moon. Maybe Phil himself, even in a drunken stupor missed his vaginal target and enjoyed an alternate route to Nirvana? While he should perhaps pray to his god and think about the bigger picture and ponder the realities of the world I don’t think he should lose his show over his statement; unless his ratings drop.
The irony of the drama is that the next season is in the can. Surely if A&E were really that concerned they’d pull those episodes; but money of course trumps God and Gays, right?
Do you think A&E mussed this one up too? You can post your comments below.
(Comments and opinions of Editorials, Letters to the Editor, and comments from readers are purely their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of the owners of this site, their staff, or sponsors.)
He has the right to say what he wants. He also has the expectation that if he says something stupid and ignorant that he will suffer a backlash. A&E is a company not the U.S. government, his freedom of speech does not apply. If you are an ambassador or a representative of a company and you publicly say derogatory remarks towards others then you can expect the consequences. Christians are up in arms over his suspension from A&E claiming his freedom of speech and religion are being violated but they are conveniently disregarding what he has actually said about gays. That is unless of course they actually agree with his stupidity.
Patrick nails it. No doubt that some people who call themselves “Christian” will agree with Robertson’s BS, but that’s to be expected. Intolerance and bigotry are what they thrive on.
Gays have too much power. Free Phil Robertson.
@ 420. I enjoy your comments and sense of humour.
There you guys, ha, go generalizing. You, in fact, are. all the same. Haters
Come on Wolverine try and say something intelligent. I dare you!
@ Wolverine. I simply pointed out the fact that SOME so called Christians are fueled by intolerance and bigotry. Thankfully, most aren’t.
Thanks for the info Phil robertson
I never knew black people were so much better off back in the dark dark days of the south
when even the local sheriff could possibly murder you like the three young civil rights workers
Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney killed by a Ku Klux Klan lynch mob near Meridian, Mississippi
Brethrens and Sisterns,
I would ask that y’all tune your computatin’ machines to the you tube channel and dial in a little dittie entitled “Satan Is Real” by the Louvin Brothers.
Some greal music and also one of the greatest album covers of all-time
Sincerely yours, Rev Biff Toughlove
@ Rev Biff. I completely agree that some of the finest American music came from the “gospel” tradition. I am a huge fan of the Louvins, Doc Watson, Johnny Cash, and just about all those earlier singers and groups. The fact that they sometimes sang about Jesus stuff takes nothing away from their fantastic contribution to American music.
I’d like to lighten the mood with some light-hearted verse based on scripture:
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Were told to leave the kingdom but they wouldn’t go
So they put them in a fiery furnace to burn them into chaff
But they wore asbestos BVDs and gave the King a laugh
Rev. Biff Toughlove
I normally don’t give any thought to who said what and when it comes to tv show actors or representatives. But I heard about these ‘comments’ Phil made and I do quite enjoy watching the show. I finally had time to look at what was said and was surprised. He provided and interview and gave his perspective, there was no hate, no slur that he should of been racked over the coals for. I don’t have the same beliefs on this matter as Phil, but I wasn’t insulted or offended. People have gotten to the point where if one person says something that might, just might, be perceived by one or two people as offensive or a slur, that some reaction has to be made just in case. I would say to man up but then someone might point the finger at me for being sexist which would be ironic since I am a woman, needles to say though, it likely wouldn’t stop them.
@Lisa … I read the article as well and came to a conclusion similar to yours. Funny how when people or a group of people jump on a word or portion of a sentence because it might further their own cause. How opportunistic for them ! The media generally now will jump on the story (or non story) merely because the controversy (real or not) will sell advertising. How shallow of all involved.