Posted on 12/28/2013 4:56:57 AM PST by tcg
... The decision by A&E Network to suspend Phil Robertson, the Patriarch of the Duck Dynasty family, was nothing but a political response to a strong bullying tactic by GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance against Defamation). They took exception to a freewheeling interview which Phil Robertson gave to GQ magazine in which, among many other topics, he shared his evangelical protestant beliefs that homosexual acts are sinful.
Like most sincere, faithful Christians - protestant, Catholic, or Orthodox - Phil Robertson attempted to make an important distinction. He explained that, although he respected all human persons - including those who self identify as homosexual - homosexual sexual activity is immoral. He also wanted the readers of the interview to know that the love of God is available to all men and women, can free them from every sin and help them to find a full and happy life by avoiding wrong choices going forward.
Phil Robertson, in his down home manner, went to great lengths to explain his own background. He bore witness of his turn to the grace of God and the mercy which he has experienced. This man offered a sincerely held and well meaning Christian witness. However, it was to no avail, at least among some readers with power and position in the increasingly intolerant cultural and political infrastructure of the United States.
The arbiters of what some hope will become a new cultural order in the West - where active practitioners of a homosexual or lesbian lifestyle are given a moral and legal equivalency under the civil law to a married men and women - have no room for anyone who does not toe the line... However, A&E Network did not expect the response that followed....
(Excerpt) Read more at catholic.org ...
A&E still blew it and they may have lifted the ‘suspension’ but still doubled-down on their error by ordering ‘tolerance’ programs as if what he said was still wrong.
The tolerance needed to be from A&E itself.
Them offering ‘tolerance’ lessons is an even bigger insult. They were the intolerant ones
I’m still wondering if this was all a scam to boost ratings. I do not trust this media today as far as I can throw it.
I guess A&E had to take it in the a$$ on this one.
Yes, and ABC which owns A&E will be making numerous PSAs to apologize to ALL that are ‘offended’. Barf...
“After discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming ‘Duck Dynasty’ later this spring with the entire Robertson family,” the release stated.
It also added that the network would “use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in ‘Duck Dynasty.’ These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio.”
Intolerant tolerance? Pat & Stu break down the hypocritical reaction to Phil Robertson’s comments
Thursday, Dec 19, 2013 at 11:50 AM CST
When you consider the controversy surrounding Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson, you may question why he chose to do an interview with an attention-seeking, agenda-driven magazine like GQ in the first place. You may also question the language Robertson used to express his beliefs. But no one can question the right he had to share his opinions. That hasn’t stopped A&E, however from placing Robertson on “indefinite hiatus” because “his personal views in no way reflect those of A+E Networks.”
On radio this morning, Pat and Stu could not help but question A&E’s decision – citing the remarkable irony of the situation: The loudest voices of tolerance always come from the most intolerant people.
“You can’t feel that way and express an actual opinion when somebody at GQ magazine or wherever asks you for your opinion on something without losing your job and your livelihood? You really can’t do that anymore,” Pat asked. “I think it’s pretty stunning. I think we’re in a scary place.”
While Pat admitted that A&E, as a private company, has a right to handle the matter in whatever way it pleases, given what has happened recently to the likes of Paul Deen, it looks appears there is a strain of political correctness – protecting a certain segment of viewpoints – that has gone too far.
“It has gotten to the point where it’s absolute insanity,” Pat said. “It’s craziness where you can’t say anything without being drummed out of society anymore.”
“I don’t understand how anyone, especially on the left, could think that this makes sense,” Stu added. “Look, if this guy was trying to make every show about gay marriage… they would have the right to say, ‘Look, this is not what we want on the show.’ [But] that’s not what they’re doing on the show. This is a side interview.”
Feeling the pressure of LGBT groups like GLAAD and the Human Rights Campaign, A&E explained its decision to suspend Robertson in the following statement:
“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. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”
My butt. What triumphed was the Robertson family making it clear that they wouldn't proceed without Phil and A&E realizing how much money they would lose if they really fired him.
I can assure A&E that my tolerance for Queers is every bit as great as their tolerance for people like Phil Robertson, and shows like he Duck Dynasty.
Now to my way of thinking A&E should STFU about tolerance and run their entertainment business. Personally I do not enjoy being told how I should act by anyone in the entertainment business. Their record for morals and doing what is right is not exactly up to my standards.
It doesn't mean that at all. It means that A&E will run ads telling us there's nothing wrtong with the queer life style and that we all should accept their perversion as normal.
“I’m still wondering if this was all a scam to boost ratings”
Honestly, I don’t think so. Yet a month or two ago Willie or Phil (can’t remember which one) said in a interview they did not expect the show to go longer than 4/5 seasons. Now it almost certainly will go over 5. Quite the coincidence!
I would have been pleased to have them give A&E the heave-ho as well.
I’d been watching DD reruns of late, and I think A&E was censoring the family’s grace at meals as I didn’t hear them at all over several shows, and then when I finally did, there was no mention of “In Jesus’ name. Amen”
Of course, that much of anything fries one’s brain too and I was probably coming up well over easy at that point.
But not in the way they like ;)
With the exception of DD, there is not 1 watchable program on a & e. All this fuss is about future episodes, as the ones for this year were already in the can and could not be changed. The worry is if DD will take their show to another more tolerant network.
I SAY MOVE the show to RFDTV, a very Christian tolerant channel. DD would be a well fit shoe in with their style programing. Bill Anderson’s Family Reunion, Larry’s Dinner, Joey & Rory, Marty Robins, Gilly’s shows, cattle, farming, tractors, the stuff America is made of type shows.
If your cable service does not have it try demanding it, or switch cable carriers.
Bingo! A&E bent over alright....
I have to agree with you. The network set up the interview, sat there, listened to the answers to the questions, feigned outrage but......the marathon show had already been scheduled.
I trust that the family wasn't in on that decision if it were a scam. It is typical knee-jerk reactionary liberal SOP.
I must say, though, that I have great sadness for Jesse Jackson this morning. The old boy was just too damn slow this time.
“There is not 1 watchable program on a & e.”
Ms p6 and I liked Longmire as well as DD.
The Roberson clan should still walk. They still have the upper hand until they fall for this deception.
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