A&E is suffering the effects of America’s malignant tumor.
Political correctness.
It’s a cancer on our society and one that needs to be removed without delay.
Yesterday, A&E suspended Duck Dynasty’s Phil Robertson for comments he made in a GQ interview regarding homosexuality.
Phil was asked by the interviewer if there was anything he would like to touch upon in the show that he was not allowed to BY A&E and Phil answered the question honestly.
He spoke of his feelings regarding homosexuality and, in doing so, quoted 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 from the Bible.
“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. 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.”
In that statement, Phil Robertson violated the 1st Amendment of show business, the media and liberals …He adhered to the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.
And the response from the always tolerant liberals came from GLAAD spokesperson Wilson Cruz who stated…
“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. 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.”
Cruz is assigning to Phil things Phil never said.
Christians believe in the same book from which Phil quoted and many believe as Phil believes. Is this Cruz fellow saying that the GAY community is more in tune with the state of Louisiana that Phil Robertson?
Did Robertson say he WASN’T okay with LEGAL recognition for gay couples? No…He did not. And STEREOTYPES??? What STEREOTYPES did Phil Robertson push???
A&E put an outwardly Christian family on television KNOWING FULL WELL that religion is THE driving force in the lives of the entire Robertson clan and, the show becomes THE most watched reality show on all of cable media BECAUSE the Robertsons are OUTSPOKEN and DON’T HIDE behind political correctness but, the minute some sad GLAAD malcontents crawl from under a rock…
A&E takes issue with the honesty and religious opinions OF the show’s star???
This may come as a surprise to you but…
Okay…LET them take issue with Phil and suspend him.
The 1st Amendment gives A&E the same right to take issue with what Phil said as it gives Phil to say it in the FIRST place.
This isn’t about Duck Dynasty. Not really.
It’s not about the militant gay groups either.
And guess what…It’s not about standing up for fundamentalist Christians and supporting their views on the Duck Commander family.
THIS…Is about PRIORITIES.
At a time in world history when Christians are being MURDERED in the very region where Christianity was born…A&E decides to take a stand against a man who expresses his religious beliefs and quotes from the BIBLE???
Throughout socialist media yesterday, Fundamentalist Christians came out in heavy support OF Phil Robertson and Duck Dynasty.
Where have THEY been while Christians throughout the Middle East have been being slaughtered?
Where have THEIR demands been for freeing a Christian pastor from a horrific jail cell in Iran?
These things have been going on, in that part of the world for MONTHS and YEARS and all of a sudden, the top PRIORITY for Fundamentalists is…DUCK DYNASTY???
Really?
And what of the militant gay community?
While Christians are being rounded up and murdered in Islamic countries…SO TOO ARE GAY PEOPLE!!!
They are being HANGED for no other reason than BEING gay.
Where has GLAAD been in calling out the Islamists???
NOWHERE to be seen or heard but, this no-account spokesperson for GLAAD has now made DUCK DYNASTY…HIS and his GROUP’S…TOP PRIORITY???
SERIOUSLY????
Think about this for a second…
BOTH groups have elevated DUCK DYNASTY to the top of their lists in the last 2 days.
PRIORITIES PEOPLE…PRIORITIES!!!!!
The GQ interview also contains Phil Robertson’s views on race in America which are just NOW starting to gain attention and again, for all the wrong reasons.
Said Phil, “Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”
Comments like that will certainly be seized upon by the militant black community just as the militant GAY community came unglued over Phil’s opinions regarding homosexuality.
Regarding the gay issue, the comments reflected Phil Robertson’s religious views and his personally held opinions, in the race remarks, he simply recounts his personal observations from his youth and, he’s entitled to both.
Nobody has to agree with him on either but, the point in excoriating him FOR those views is rooted directly in POLITICAL CORRECTNESS…America’s malignant cancer.
Those on the left believe that POLITICAL CORRECTNESS trumps the 1st AMENDMENT.
Their priorities are screwed up.
One wonders what the response would be had some other A&E star from another show quoted the Koran.
Where would A&E stand, were one from their stable of stars to have told an interviewer that they stood FOR homosexuality thus irritating CHRISTIANS???
Christians, fundamentalist or otherwise, Conservatives, and whites are the ONLY groups deemed by the left, appropriate for targeting.
Now…Tie the 2 together…Race and Religion and let’s see what the ever-so-tolerant left does.
When Juan Williams…a LIBERAL…Made a statement regarding being on edge when he sees a Muslim at the airport…THE LIBERAL NPR…FIRED HIM!!!
Why?
Because…Just like Phil Robertson, Juan Williams violated the 1st Amendment of show business, the media and liberals …He adhered to the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.
And, now that I’ve used that line twice…What exactly IS the 1st Amendment of show business,the media and liberals?
THAT, EVERYBODY HAS THE RIGHT TO NEVER BE OFFENDED!!!
It’s a 100% screwed up priority and the spawn of America’s malignant tumor…Political correctness.
Oprah Winfrey said in an interview tha
t old white people in the south just need to die in order to end racism and what happened to her? She got the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Phil Robertson quotes the Bible and says he believes homosexuality is a sin and HE gets suspended.
We have Benghazi, the NSA and IRS scandals…Obamacare with millions upon millions losing their health plans, doctors and prescriptions…Iran trying to build nukes…Our Veterans getting screwed…As a nation we’re 17 TRILLION DOLLARS in debt…We’ve got a “president” ruling like a Dictator…
Christians and gays being rounded up and killed around the world…
And the survival of Duck Dynasty is now the focus?
Look…A&E has every right to suspend Phil for any reason they so choose just as Phil has every right to state his opinions based on his religious beliefs. Let them end the show if that’s what they want to do but, they need to know who’s priorities they’re bending over for.
The LGBT community has forced gay tolerance into our nation’s public schools but will NOT tolerate a Christian perspective regarding homosexuality to be heard, not ON a show but, simply by a cast Member OF a show and A&E is knee jerking their reaction in favor of a demographic that is NOT even a FRINGE audience OF Duck Dynasty…
All in the name of liberal INTOLERANCE and political correctness.
How many in the LGBT community shop at Walmart or Bass Pro Shop or any of the other Duck Dynasty sponsors?
Not many but…Yesterday morning, a Facebook page opened…“Boycott A&E Until Phil Robertson Is Put Back On Duck Dynasty” Facebook page and 4500 people “liked” it in the first HOUR leading FB to SUSPEND the page’s creator for 12 hours because THEY thought it was a SPAM page.
200,000 likes in less than six hours.
By late afternoon…MORE THAN 570 THOUSAND had clicked “Like,” and by this morning…1.3 MILLION “Likes!!!”
And that’s where the REAL problem resides.
Duck Dynasty, a show about a redneck, conservative family with heartfelt religious and American values and a business that brought in $45 million dollars last year (not counting income from A&E) garners more than 9 million viewers every week and growing while, the entire gay population of the U.S., as compiled by the Williams Institute is…9 million.
A fringe element of a very small demographic by population, is upset that a much larger, CONSERVATIVE demographic has been supporting a family with strong core beliefs and, the LGBT community isn’t getting the same recognition.
Now…The same demographic that watch Duck Dynasty and also watched, “The Bible” on the A&E owned HISTORY CHANNEL, a mini series that drew an audience of more than 100 MILLION, is talking about an A&E BOYCOTT.
It seems A&E may well have chosen to adhere to the politically correct whims of a fringe group that claims to represent a total population of 9 million Americans over the more than 100 MILLION Americans who have supported their networks…Unwisely.
That’s what happens when the liberal law of political correctness butts heads with the law of unintended consequences.
Duck Dynasty doesn’t need A&E anywhere NEAR as much as A&E needs Duck Dynasty and those who have supported Duck Dynasty in the past are NOT those who adhere to the intolerance of the politically correct liberal left.
As I said…THIS is about priorities and Phil Robertson has his right.
God, country and family.
Maybe what Phil said in that GQ interview that ISN’T being reported is where the REAL priorities should be focused.
“We never, ever judge someone on who’s going to heaven, hell. That’s the Almighty’s job. We just love em, give em the good news about Jesus – Whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort em out later, you see what I’m sayin’?”
Personally…I’ll stand with Phil Robertson.
Not so much because of WHAT he said but…Because…Political correctness be damned…He had the courage to SAY it.
Being a gay person in the south I can tell you we all shop at wal-mart and even Bass Pro. Maybe not as much at Bass Pro, but there are a lot of gay country boys that like to hunt and fish
Well Done Mr. Andresen. Both the article and your comments to the posters!
Thank you
Support Phil – Grow a Beard!
There is no need to fire the man! He clearly doesn’t hate homosexuals or blacks. But he has made ignorant and dangerous comments, and these should be repudiated.
http://www.examiner.com/article/conservatives-mislead-public-over-duck-dynasty-controversy
Aaron,
Phil Robertson’s comments were neither ignorant, as he knows his Bible frontwards and backwards nor were they, in any way, dangerous. You may not like or agree with him but to make the statement you made, shows what you WISH his statements to have been.
Craig
The A+E Networks are believing the deceptions disseminated by the LGBT community, who are making false statements, thereby deceiving the public, about authentic Christian beliefs and practices (opposite of “wolves in sheep’s clothing”).
It is clearly evident that both A+E and LGBT community have never demonstrated a passion for attempting to understand God’s Word, a.k.a, The Holy Bible.
Phil Robertson’s comments ARE THE TRUTH! Phil’s method of delivery may not fit the criteria for eloquence, but his spoken words are closer to the truth of God’s Word then anyone professing to be a Christian by name, or those who make misleading statements suggesting they know the true beliefs and practices of authentic Christians.
May our one true God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob have mercy on the souls of the A+E Networks and the LGBT community, for persecuting Phil Robertson because of his committment to stand on the Word of God.
I have already seen people posting about what a racist Phil is over the comments he made about working in the fields with black neighbors. They are twisting it into Phil saying that blacks were happier as slaves. Geez Louise! When the actual words are not inflammatory enough they will just relate what was REALLY meant in their view.
I will be boycotting A&E and the History channel with the exception of “Dude, You’re Screwed” on Sunday night. It’s a fun show and brand new so it needs viewers to stay on. But if Duck Dynasty leaves then The Blaze already said they will pick them up. If that happens then The Blaze TV network could break into the big time.
I fully support Phil. His words were Biblically based, even if they were offensive. The Bible, of course, is offensive to anyone living in sin, no matter what type of sin it may be. A&E will regret dropping Phil Robertson. Duck Dynasty is the best TV show in America, and A&E is making a huge mistake.
Mr. Andresen makes some interesting and obviously heart felt points. I share many of your passions, but some people, Mr. Andersen included, are looking at this the wrong way, or at least are missing an important element, and with all respect, I feel the need to correct them.
First, this has nothing to do with “the right to free speech.” The right to free speech applies to the government; it is a limitation on government authority. The government can’t restrict free speech (with some exceptions: you can’t yell “Fire!” in a crowded theater, people could get injured or killed by the stampede; you can get arrested by the government for that.)
This Phil thing had nothing to do with “free speech.” He is not getting arrested for expressing his views. The government is not involved.
This has everything to do with economic “free enterprise.” I can understand why people would be upset about suspending Phil for expressing views that we share with him. But the dude works for a business; they are paying him; he is their employee.
Let’s say you own a business. And you have employees, and one of your employees spouts off something to a customer that causes you to worry about it affecting your business: “Chinese people are dirty and lazy!” Or “Blondes are sluts!” Or “Mormons are not Christians.” Or (in front of all your customers): “Last night I had hot sex with this hot chick!” You are allowed under our free enterprise system to say to your employee: “Whoa!! Not cool! We don’t behave that way at this company. Under the policies of this business you are not permitted to say things that could offend some of our potential customers and cost us business! You’re fired (or suspended)!” As an employer, you have every right to do that, and run your company how you want, just like Hobbyland and Chic-Fil-A have every right to except its employees to operate in accordance with its rules and mission.
Remember that dude who made that video of him going thru the Chic-Fil-A drive thru and totally harassing that poor drive thru worker about Chic-Fil-A’s policies? The video went viral on YouTube. That dude got fired by HIS employer for conduct that was contrary to its policies. I don’t remember anyone screaming that his employer was violating his right to free speech. Because they weren’t. They had every right to fire him for violating their employment policies.
With respect to A&E, they, like every media company, every advertising company, and every company with high profile employees, agents and contractor, have a provision in their contract with their stars that the stars will not engage in certain activities (it’s always tough on a media company when one of their stars commits a theft, a murder or gets caught engaging in serial infidelity with his wife (you know what I am talking about, Mr. Tiger Woods)). Some of these contract provisions are called “the morals clause,” and some are more broadly called “Community and Common Standards clauses.” And they have a contract provision that outlines that the star will not say certain things that will cast the company’s brand in a bad light as perceived in any segment of society. Phil Robertson signed such a contract, and was handsomely paid by A&E or it’s production company in exchange for this commitment.
Now regardless of whether you agree with this commercial practice, the fact is that these media companies are very sensitive to offending any people who watch their shows, support their brand, potentially patronize their advertiser and maintain goodwill toward their company and mission. These clauses attempt to prevent anyone associated with their shows from offending anyone: right or left, Christian or non-Christian, heterosexual or homosexual. And these terms are very clearly spelled out in these contracts. And the contracts say that if the star violates the terms of these clauses the contract will be terminated, and if the media company even suspects that the terms have been violated, they can suspend the contract until they thoroughly investigate the matter.
Phil Robertson has such a contract, and he is well paid for it.
None of this has to do with free speech. It had everything to do with free commercial practices and free enterprise.
Now if you are offended by what Phil said, don’t watch his show. You’re entitled to do so. Or if you’re offended that A&E suspended him, don’t watch their network. You’re entitled to do that, too.
But I think you are taking a dangerous position when you suggest that A&E has or should have no right to suspend its employees for violating its own standards or that it believes threatens or might threaten it brand and commercial interests. That plays right into the hands of the would-be tyrants in our country who would like to be able to force private businesses to do what the government says they should do.
So let us say we disagree with A&E’s policies and say that we would run their business differently if it was our business….and leave it at that. And if you’re really upset, tell A&E that you won’t be watching their network ever again. But if you suggest that A&E should be forced to run their business a certain way…well, that is a dangerous slippery slope toward limiting the ability of a business to run their private economic enterprise the way they wish.
Jake Meyers,
Jake…You obviously failed to read the article.
In it, I stated…“A&E takes issue with the honesty and religious opinions OF the show’s star???”
“This may come as a surprise to you but…”
“Okay…LET them take issue with Phil and suspend him.”
“The 1st Amendment gives A&E the same right to take issue with what Phil said as it gives Phil to say it in the FIRST place.”
And further into the piece I stated…“Look…A&E has every right to suspend Phil for any reason they so choose just as Phil has every right to state his opinions based on his religious beliefs. Let them end the show if that’s what they want to do but, they need to know who’s priorities they’re bending over for.”
At NO time however, did I EVER state that Phil Robertson was being “arrested” or harassed by the government.
Jake, it seems that you have expended a great deal of time and effort in DISagreeing with me when you SHOULD have simply read the article and AGREED with me.
Craig
/ Spotted this snippet on the net. Enjoy. /
Jesus predicted that just before His return as Judge, there will be a strange, dangerous fad – a spontaneous global steamroller notable for its speed, violence, and impudent in-your-face openness. In Luke 17 He called this worldwide craze the repeat of the “days of Lot” (see Genesis 19). By fulfilling this worldwide mania that’s secretly coordinated by unseen spirit beings, gays are really hurrying up Christ’s return and making the Bible even more believable!
They’ve actually invented strange architecture: closets opening not on to bedrooms but on to Main Streets where kids can see naked men having sex in “Madam” Nancy Pelosi’s San Francisco Brothel District. We wonder how soon S.F.’s underground saint – San Andreas – will get a 10-point jolt out of what goes on over his head (see the dire prediction about cities in Revelation 16:19, and Google “Obama Supports Public Depravity”).
What’s really scary is the “reprobate mind” phrase in Romans 1:28. A person can sear his conscience so much that God finally turns him over to S, the universal evil leader whose unseen agents can give a “possessed” person super-human strength that many cops with tasers have trouble subduing!
Remember, gays don’t have to stay bound to their slavery. Their emancipation is found in a 5-letter name starting with J – no, not James or Julia. As soon as they can find out the all-powerful J name, gays will really start living! (Google “God to Same-Sexers: Hurry Up,” “USA – from Puritans to Impure-itans,” and “The Background Obama Can’t Cover Up.”)
Was Jesus silent about gays? Google ” ‘Jesus Never Mentioned Homosexuality.’ When gays have birthdays….”
God Bless Phil Robertson and his entire family and all Christians who stand up for their beliefs! God Bless America, he is the only one who can help us!!
Great article by my friend Craig! Thank you.