Posted on 12/21/2013 4:50:44 AM PST by IbJensen
The Phil Robertson suspension continues to inspire justified reactions from the conservative community. On Friday there were reports of beefed security, death threats, suspicious packages, merchandise sell outs and a lot of backlash toward the gay community.
A&E received death threats, suspicious packages and decided to beef up security as reported by Deadline.com:
A&E Network has had to beef up security at its New York headquarters after receiving death threats and suspicious packages from people enraged about the network’s decision to suspend Duck Dynasty patriarch Phil Robertson. No formal meetings are schedule today between A&E and the Robertson clan, who yesterday issued a statement saying they “cannot imagine” doing the show without Phil — which, loosely translated, means “No Phil – no show.” That said, the network, which has had a good working relationship with the family (as the clan noted in its statement), is “always talking to them,” as one source with knowledge of the family said. The decision to suspend Phil Robertson triggered a firestorm and has created some strange bedfellows; last night Jon Stewart defended Phil’s “right to say ignorant shit” — joining Phil defenders Sarah Palin, who’d tweeted “Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynastypatriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us,” and Republican Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who’d pronounced it “It is a messed up situation when Miley Cyrus gets a laugh, and Phil Robertson gets suspended.”
No one should condone any death threats. This is an unpopular decision but there are ways to make a point without calling for violence.
Jon Stewart took Phil Robertson’s side? Very interesting indeed. But he is right. Whether you consider his remarks to be “ignorant shit” as Stewart opines, or consider his comments to be truth, does not matter. Phil Robertson has the right to speak his mind. A&E also has the right to fire or suspend him but they must realize that their actions will create reactions.
In another predictable development, shoppers around the country started buying up all of the Duck Dynasty merchandise they could find. In an article by U.K.’s Daily Mail, some interesting screen shots were provided as proof of the buying frenzy.
The article included various opinions and jabs about Duck Dynasty fans continuing to put money into the pockets of A&E, but I don’t think that is the point. There were likely three types of people buying this merchandise.
1.The first group would be devoted fans who may be panicked about the future availability of merchandise. They aren’t thinking about politics. They just want to get some merchandise before it’s gone. They may be afraid that Wal Mart will follow A&E’s lead.
2.The second group is probably a lot of profit seekers who may have the same idea about future availability, but they don’t necessarily care about Phil Robertson or the show. They just want to make a buck if they can.
3.The third group is likely a large segment of Duck Dynasty supporters who choose to support the cause with their hard-earned dollars. They may or may not realize that they put a substantial amount of money into A&E’s accounts. Then again, they may not care. Either way, they are supporting the Robertson family as well.
Consequently I don’t think that tweets like this one completely grasp the whole of the situation:
I am not saying that “JoeMyGod” does not have a point, but it is much more complex than something that can be stated in “140 characters or less.” Every product we buy likely supports someone who we would rather not make wealthier. But people are rallying around the Robertson Family more than they are protesting A&E with these purchases. That is my opinion.
In another development on Friday, GLAAD reported record backlash from its Phil Robertson comments. Yahoo News reports:
In the fallout over Wednesday’s suspension of “Duck Dynasty” star Phil Robertson by A&E for anti-gay and racist remarks, GLAAD is experiencing record levels of backlash.
“In the five-and-a-half years I’ve worked at GLAAD, I’ve never received so many violently angry phone calls and social media posts attacking GLAAD for us speaking out against these comments,” the media watchdog organization’s vice president of communications Rich Ferraro told TheWrap.
He said those reactions range from those who simply believe as Robertson believes to those who feel that GLAAD and A&E’s actions limit the reality star’s free speech.
…
“I don’t think this is about the first amendment,” Ferraro said. “I feel it’s more about the America we live in today. That is one where Americans, gay and straight, are able to speak out when people in the public eye make anti-gay and racist remarks.”
Who would have thought that a simple Louisiana country boy would cause such a stir?
People are coming out in droves to support Phil Robertson.
Why?
Because they see Phil Robertson as a real human being and not some fake D.C. Poli-wood Actor who poses as a representative of the people. Phil Robertson is like our neighbor down the street. He comes off as a real human being and it just so happens that he made it big with some duck calls.
People would rather pump more money into A&E, knowing that the Robertson Family will get a cut of it, than to keep throwing money at lying, murdering, backstabbing, treasonous thieves who do nothing but tell us what we want to hear to get elected.
Phil Robertson didn’t say what all of us wanted to hear but rather said what all of us needed to hear. The Bible is still the authority in this country and do not let anyone tell you it is not. It is the book we still swear upon when we take oaths (unless you are John Brennan). The principles of this book formed our constitution. Our laws were written in accordance with this book. How can people not see that?
And for anyone who says that “we are no longer a Christian nation” you might check your calendar. Christmas is still the only federal holiday that falls on any religious holy day.
We can deny that all we want but it is the truth. And by the way, today is December 21st, 2013 A.D.
Do you know what A.D. means?
It doesn’t mean “after death” as I used to think. It is a simple abbreviation for anno domini, a Latin phrase that means “in the year of our Lord.”
Yes America we are a Christian nation and much like Peter we have denied Christ far too many times. Phil Robertson simply chose not to do that on this occasion and now he is paying for it.
But make no mistake… people are waking up.
And by the way… for those of you looking for leadership I think brother Phil could teach you a thing or two. Stop putting men and women of politics on pedestals and look to the only One who can truly lead this country back to greatness.
For those of you who are looking for a leader for the revolution that is to come, you have been overlooking the obvious for far too long. The leader has always been there.
A&E is now officially on the side of the sodomists. The network hasn't the right to fire Robertson. Firing someone for their religious beliefs is a violation of the civil rights act of 1964.
I simply don’t believe it, or the threats are coming from homosexual activists trying to discredit Christians.
The radical left, as exemplified by A&E is capable of ANYTHING to advance their agenda.
spoils the surprise ?
Imagine how terrifying a bearded white man who reads and believes the Bible, likes guns, shoots and eats animals must be to gays and most of the Democratic base. It was only a matter of time before the vile liberals who dominate TV would go after this man. Also a network that claims to be grounded on the “Arts” and practices censorship is a fraud.
So is the right. The whole spectrum is smeared.
The Anus & Erect Network is now blocked on my system.
Phils!
“After the meeting, GLAAD issued its statement on Robertson’s comments. A&E initially released a statement from Robertson in which he said he would “never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me.” But the network declined to comment itself until Wednesday night, when it announced the suspension, which GLAAD applauded.
“We believe the next step is to use this as an opportunity for Phil to sit down with gay families in Louisiana and learn about their lives and the values they share,” the spokesman said.
The organization is also currently researching companies who use Robertson as a spokesperson.
“Silence is agreement in this case,” he said. “With such egregious anti-gay and racist comments, those companies that choose to be affiliated with this family need to speak out.”
http://tv.yahoo.com/news/duck-dynasty-fallout-glaad-reeling-biggest-backlash-years-010050637.html
I just don’t believe that there are death threats against GLAAD or other homosexual pressure groups because of this.
I don’t see A&E’s position on this. The family was hired to do a “reality” program and Mr. Robertson was being true to the character that A&E contracted with and they want to fire him for it? Even though Robertson is at the height of his popularity?
Just doesn’t seem to make logical sense. Firing Robertson for his outspoken Christian viewpoints is like firing Don Rickles for being a sarcastic old man or Britney for being a stereotypical blonde. They knew who they were signing when they did the contract, and Robertson has remained true to his self and has stayed in character.
Your comments are RIGHT ON TARGET!
Both ‘Cowboy Bob’ and ‘ZULU’ are spot on. These people are notorious for manufacturing their death threats.
False flag death threats sounds the most plausible.
But if I'm in a conversation about my values or religion that's different. I'll say what I really think about homosexuality from cultural/religious/philosophical standpoints. I have every right to my opinions and the US Constitution protects my right to have them and express them.
This firing goes so far over the line that I'd think even some free speech liberals should be outraged. This is a reality show star, for heaven's sake. A&E exploits him to make huge profits, and now that he's entrenched, they want to control what he says because they don't want to hurt the feelings of their employees? If those employees are so offended by the Robinson's cultural and religious values, why were they content to profit from them?
We have to step way back from this speech-police thing. My expressed views might offend people. So what? Disagree with me if you want a serious discussion. But don't act like a three year old who lost their favorite teddy bear if I say a "bad" word or express how I feel about stuff like thinking open homosexuality is a symptom of a sick society.
This should be a tipping point. We should say what we damn well please, using the words we choose. The line should be we shouldn't impose our views on others. Which side crossed that one?
I must say I am shocked by the outrage over this. I really didn’t expect it to be that big of a deal. Seems this has struck a nerve and mid-Americans are getting sick of all the PC crap and are not gonna take it anymore.
A t-shirt:
Phil Robertson’s head on Kirk Douglas’s torso
I am Phil Robertson!
A little old lady once said “I am glad you are out of the closet, now, KEEP IT IN THE BEDROOM!”
I agree with her, I don’t care what they do. I just don’t want to hear/see about it.
Same with straight couples. I don’t want to know what is going on in their bedrooms either.
No one is going to kill A&E. A&E is strangling itself trying to play that orgasm enhancement game.
I read where Cracker Barrel is pulling all DD products from their shelves
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