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.
Cracker Barrel’s mission is Pleasing People. We operate within the ideals of fairness, mutual respect and equal treatment of all people. These ideals are the core of our corporate culture. We continue to offer Duck Commander products in our stores. We removed selected products which we were concerned might offend some of our guests while we evaluate the situation. We continually evaluate the products we offer and will continue to do so.
Many people are mighty PO'ed at CB from the comments.
People who identify themselves as LGBT have openly admitted that they have a mental disorder. That should serve as the first step toward fixing the problem.
If CB censors DD merchandise its parking lots will become a litmus test of public reaction once it’s gone viral.
Their food is overrated anyway.
There are a lot of people there involved in this decision who are going to lose their jobs over this...I wouldn't get my hopes up. How much you want to bet A&E reinstates Phil, with some statement full of weasel-words and PC-speak, that claims support for both free-speech & gay-rights? Then the compliant MSM shuts up about it as if it never happened...
I believe Cracker Barrel also sells Duck Commander merchandise - this is the family’s line of stuff and they continue to sell this - the Duck Dynasty merchandise is affiliated with A&E - I don’t know what percentage the family gets from these sales.... but it seems Cracker Barrel’s decision is an attempt to support Phil and is being misconstrued.
I see GLAAD is investigating companies that use his for advertising. I have a feeling, while on hold, a lot of offices will say, “Oh, s***, it THOSE GLAAD people on the phone. Tell them I’m on my death bed.”
Well..... upon further reading it seems that Cracker Barrel is removing only the DD merchandise that features Phil Robertson - their facebook page is blowing up with angry ex-customers and their statement is a typical attempt to appease .. this is a sad development because many of the older folks in my family *love* to eat at Cracker Barrel.
Here — interesting take from the Daily Mail:
Sources within the close-knit Louisiana clan say they are convinced A&E are manipulating the controversial situation to bring them – and particularly Robertson – back into line after Television executives grew tired of the family pushing their deeply-held, Christian beliefs.
They also think the network could have done something to stop the controversial GQ article being made public, because an A&E representative was present during the interview with patriarch, Roberston, 67.
Phil Robertson and his family feel that A & E should never have publicized the controversial interview
A source close to the family, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: ‘You have to ask yourself, why this interview happened and why it ever became public. Someone from A&E was there and was aware of the kind of answers Phil was giving.
‘But despite that, they didn’t ever try to stop it or control it. Instead, they let it hit the headlines and then released a statement condemning it.
‘It is our belief that they knew what was going to happen and then used the situation to exercise control over Phil.
‘It is our understanding that when the TV executives came up with the concept for the show they wanted it to be a case of people laughing at a bunch of backward rednecks.
‘But when it didn’t turn out like that and people actually started identifying with the way the family behaved and were laughing with them, not at them, they became uncomfortable.
It did not sit will with the New York TV types.
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
You're arguing technicalities, and while your technicality may be correct, this is an issue of principle.
The principle being violated here is that CB is behaving in a weak manner, caving in to GLAAD, who never go there anyway, and ticking off 95% of it customers.
May they crash and burn.
Many people are mighty PO'ed at CB from the comments.I don't doubt that one bit and I agree they have every reason to be disappointed with CB. However, if CB and other retailers are yanking the products that have a revenue benefit to A&E, even if their reasoning is full of bull-butter, then I won't stand in their way. Go ahead and yank em'
Kills two birds with one shot: It deprives both A&E *and* the retailer (Cracker-Barrel in this case) of the revenue!!
I'd prefer that *everyone* avoid any retailer selling the A&E version of the DD merchandise and *only* buy direct from the family.
I do not agree with death threats but little fairy boys should not piss off armed red necks.
You're arguing technicalities...I couldn't care less if CB crashes and burns or not. My point (which you may have overlooked) is that if they choose to deny themselves *and* A&E of revenue (either small or large) based on their bull-butter political stances, why should we get in their way and try to turn them around?
If they are digging themselves deeper, I'll be glad to let them have all the shovels they want. In the meantime, if folks want to support the Robertsons, go straight to their duckcommander.com website and let them enjoy the full benefit of our purchases.
The Anus & Erect Azzhole & Emasculated Network is now blocked on my system.
Fixed that for ya...
“My point (which you may have overlooked) is that if they choose to deny themselves *and* A&E of revenue (either small or large) based on their bull-butter political stances, why should we get in their way and try to turn them around?”
Cracker Barrel is a publicly held corporation. It is the legal responsibility of management to maximize profits for the shareholders within the parameters of the laws governing business. If management is purposefully taking action that reduces revenue and profits it is negligent in its fiscal responsibility and can be sued.
Over the past 50 years the left and its constituent non-profit groups have successfully used lawsuits to further their agenda. Perhaps it is time for conservatives to do the same. An appropriate reaction would be for a conservative lawyer to file a class action suit on behalf of shareholders of A&E’s parent companies (Walt Disney Corporation and Hearst Corporation) against management for deliberately taking action to suppress the revenue and income of the corporation. Similar suits could be filed against Cracker Barrel and any other companies that alienate their customer bases through management action.
In today’s world, the threat of litigation by liberal public interest groups is enough to force corporations to toe the line. Until conservatives begin fighting fire with fire, corporate America will continue to side with those who seek to destroy American culture and values.
I didn’t overlook your point. I focused on it.
BTW, I hope CB crashes and burns too, just like Carbonite did after it betrayed Rush.
Remember that lesbian NJ waitress that lied about the note written on the bill from the family she served?
I rarely go to CB, so I don’t have a dog in the fight, but my understanding is that they are only pulling Phil items, and it is because A&E has ordered it. Not volunetarily...
If management is purposefully taking action that reduces revenue and profits it is negligent in its fiscal responsibility and can be suedAnd I wouldn't lose a wink of sleep over it if they were sued by their stockholders.
To support the Robertsons directly, I would refer any friends & family to the duckcommander.com website if they want to give them some business. Instead of trying to pick the right stuff at a retailer like cracker-barrel, walmart - heck I saw DD stuff in the airports last week — just go to duckcommander.com and remove all doubt.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.