Phil Robertson FIRED from A & E

[sgt. pepper]

'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks

What do you guys think about the reason why Phil was fired...so the ending of Duck Dynasty on A & E? A very, very popular TV program. I think it is sad that he was punished for saying what he believes. What is happening to our free speech??

[tomokc]

Free speech exists in the progressive world so long as they agree with it. Otherwise you'll be attacked.

[Lord Helmet]

Free speech exists in the progressive world so long as they agree with it. Otherwise you'll be attacked.

He is certainly free to say anything he wants...bigoted or not. A&E has every right to fire him as well. Like it or not he's a spokesperson for the A&E brand, and if what he said doesn't fit with that, they are perfectly within their right to fire him.

[Pete]

He is certainly free to say anything he wants...bigoted or not. A&E has every right to fire him as well. Like it or not he's a spokesperson for the A&E brand, and if what he said doesn't fit with that, they are perfectly within their right to fire him.

Also, it has to be said that nobody would be listening and GQ wouldn't be interviewing him if A&E hadn't put him on a show.

He probably said these types of things before and nobody noticed.

If you want fame and fortune, you'd be be prepared to accept the added scrutiny that comes with it.

It's the same about celebrities that whine about lack of privacy. You can have all the privacy you want if you want to act in some stage company somewhere. You want the big bucks and the media limelight, you are also signing up for a lot of other things that come with it. It's not like this hasn't been the case for the last 50 or 60 years.

[OKVision4U]

He is certainly free to say anything he wants...bigoted or not. A&E has every right to fire him as well. Like it or not he's a spokesperson for the A&E brand, and if what he said doesn't fit with that, they are perfectly within their right to fire him.

...not so fast my friend. Phil leads the family in prayer, praying to the God he spoke of in the bible. A&E is OK with that "speech" and they approve of it by allowing it Over, and over each episode? This is their way of (acceptance). If they (A&E) had fired him the first time he "prayed" then they would be in a better position in the release of Phil for his Christian statements.

The advertising groups that "don't belive / don't carry the same view" can opt out of its obligation. That is the Free Market you are speaking of. Employee rights are a completely different set of laws. Civil liberties apply to an individual, not a corporation.

[Just the facts]

...not so fast my friend. Phil leads the family in prayer, praying to the God he spoke of in the bible. A&E is OK with that "speech" and they approve of it by allowing it Over, and over each episode? This is their way of (acceptance). If they (A&E) had fired him the first time he "prayed" then they would be in a better position in the release of Phil for his Christian statements.

The advertising groups that "don't belive / don't carry the same view" can opt out of its obligation. That is the Free Market you are speaking of. Employee rights are a completely different set of laws. Civil liberties apply to an individual, not a corporation.

They didn't just film him praying at supper by accident - it was A&E's idea to end each episode that way.

[onthestrip]

...not so fast my friend. Phil leads the family in prayer, praying to the God he spoke of in the bible. A&E is OK with that "speech" and they approve of it by allowing it Over, and over each episode? This is their way of (acceptance). If they (A&E) had fired him the first time he "prayed" then they would be in a better position in the release of Phil for his Christian statements.

The advertising groups that "don't belive / don't carry the same view" can opt out of its obligation. That is the Free Market you are speaking of. Employee rights are a completely different set of laws. Civil liberties apply to an individual, not a corporation.

First, good job on the worlds worst comparison in the first paragraph. Zero sense.

Second, yes, advertisers can opt out if they dont like it and thats probably what was being threatened. A&E can then appease the advertisers, discipline the problem, and protect the bottom line. Employers are allowed to do that. Period.

[Dubya61]

First, good job on the worlds worst comparison in the first paragraph. Zero sense.

Second, yes, advertisers can opt out if they dont like it and thats probably what was being threatened. A&E can then appease the advertisers, discipline the problem, and protect the bottom line. Employers are allowed to do that. Period.

Businesses are encouraged to do that.

[MustangGT]

Free speech exists in the progressive world so long as they agree with it. Otherwise you'll be attacked.

Exactly. If you do not promote the "company" line you are ostracized. Bring him back Ass&Ears Network!!!

[FritterGirl]

Exactly. If you do not promote the "company" line you are ostracized. Bring him back Ass&Ears Network!!!

So under that same precept, MSNBC should bring back Martin Bashir for his comments against Sarah Palin? Or, Alec Baldwin for his anti-LGBT comments? Just wondering.

[trousers]

I thought in the free market businesses were allowed to hire/fire whomever they wanted?

[BBatesokc]

As long as the show is making big bucks then I predict he comes back. Free speech is alive and well when others can still make a buck off you. Maybe he'll do the usual 'apology tour.'

Hey he attacked heterosexuals too that are adulterous - funny how nobody cares about that even though it apparently applies to millions of us.

[venture]

Free speech isn't the issue. Speaking words that will impact your advertisers, without thinking first on the impacts, is what is at play here.

Let's look at another scenario. A person is an on camera personality for a TV show that is very conservative in the views expressed and attracts that audience and related advertisers. That person goes out and throws full support behind things like gay marriage, abortion, and other hot button issues. That person's comments will now directly impact how the audience and more importantly the advertisers will look at that show. If this person turns off the audience they'll leave and the value starts falling for the advertisers. Also the advertisers may have strong convictions and will not want to be associated with a program that has a main cast member spouting views that contradict theirs.

Is it an attack on free speech? Absolutely not. Business is business. The door swings both ways on this issue. The Constitution gives us the right to say (almost) whatever we want and when we want. The Constitution doesn't say everyone must agree/respect it and keep us employed whenever we exercise that right.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

Free speech isn't the issue. Speaking words that will impact your advertisers, without thinking first on the impacts, is what is at play here.

Let's look at another scenario. A person is an on camera personality for a TV show that is very conservative in the views expressed and attracts that audience and related advertisers. That person goes out and throws full support behind things like gay marriage, abortion, and other hot button issues. That person's comments will now directly impact how the audience and more importantly the advertisers will look at that show. If this person turns off the audience they'll leave and the value starts falling for the advertisers. Also the advertisers may have strong convictions and will not want to be associated with a program that has a main cast member spouting views that contradict theirs.

Is it an attack on free speech? Absolutely not. Business is business. The door swings both ways on this issue. The Constitution gives us the right to say (almost) whatever we want and when we want. The Constitution doesn't say everyone must agree/respect it and keep us employed whenever we exercise that right.

Exactly. No First Amendment violations to see here. Move along.

He can spew forth his love of all things gay unicorn rainbow farts, but A&E is under no obligation to hold a national megaphone to his mouth to help him out. Their megaphone, their channel.

[Just the facts]

I guess the real question is why anyone is outraged. You can't say God doesn't exist and then get outraged when someone says God doesn't approve of your behavior. I don't care what Mohammad or Buddha thinks of me, and I care even less what a follower of Mohammad of Buddha thinks that Mohammad of Buddha thinks of me.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

I guess the real question is why anyone is outraged. You can't say God doesn't exist and then get outraged when someone says God doesn't approve of your behavior. I don't care what Mohammad or Buddha thinks of me, and I care even less what a follower of Mohammad of Buddha thinks that Mohammad of Buddha thinks of me.

When followers of Mohammad and Buddha spend a great deal of time and effort trying to render your (harmless, and private) behavior illegal, get back to us. Until then...The man with the hypocritical plan can take his lashings.

[Just the facts]

When followers of Mohammad and Buddha spend a great deal of time and effort trying to render your (harmless, and private) behavior illegal, get back to us. Until then...The man with the hypocritical plan can take his lashings.

I guess I missed it - did Phil try to make being gay, drunk, or adulterous illegal? On second thought, being drunk in many situation IS illegal and adulterous spouses can be ordered to pay up come divorce time.

[Dubya61]

When followers of Mohammad and Buddha spend a great deal of time and effort trying to render your (harmless, and private) behavior illegal, get back to us. Until then...The man with the hypocritical plan can take his lashings.

Forgive my ignorance, but what was hypocritical about what he said?

[Just the facts]

Forgive my ignorance, but what was hypocritical about what he said?

I think it is because they assume Phil had always been a godly man, so back when he was drinking and running around with women other than his wife it makes him a hypocrite. What they don't know is that he wasn't always a godly man. He found Jesus and changed his ways. He should be held up as an example of the power of faith, not an object of ridicule from people who say that don't even in believe in God anyhow. Maybe deep down, they do believe in God and just have a hard time accepting it.

[kwhey]

'Duck Dynasty's' Phil Robertson on Indefinite Hiatus Following Anti-Gay Remarks

What do you guys think about the reason why Phil was fired...so the ending of Duck Dynasty on A & E? A very, very popular TV program. I think it is sad that he was punished for saying what he believes. What is happening to our free speech??

Do you agree with him basically saying that black people would happier if Jim Crow laws were still around?

[jerrywall]

Do you agree with him basically saying that black people would happier if Jim Crow laws were still around?

That's a rather loose and creative interpretation of his words.

[adaniel]

Do you agree with him basically saying that black people would happier if Jim Crow laws were still around?

FWIW I was more bothered by this. Cause ya know, blacks were just so happy back in those days, before they all got on welfare like they are now, of course.

In a weird way, I feel bad for him as it is obvious A&E never provided them with a publicist. This is not the first time Phil has made some pretty charged comments. In his mind, he has probably said much worse at home and thought he was "toning it down" for GQ.

If you are going to feed from the trough of fame and stardom, you gotta be willing to accept the good and bad with it. IMO this is probably the beginning of the end of Duck Dynasty.

[Just the facts]

IMO this is probably the beginning of the end of Duck Dynasty.

Are you kidding? This just bought them at least 2 more years.

[RadicalModerate]

Wow. This sounds like Paula Deen all over again.

"Does Oklahoma (scratch that) Does A&E really believe in The First Amendment?"

[ultimatesooner]

Phil probably doesn't really GAF - if I had enough $$ and land to hunt and fish everday for the rest of my life i wouldn't wanna worry about a TV show either

- Willie and the daughter in laws are the ones who want all the fame