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A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
If there is no contractual obligation for Phil Robertson to discuss his feelings on homosexuality...can A&E actually (legally) do this without some form of recourse from the Robertson family?
Also...whatever happened to freedom of speech? I understand that Phil probably should have recognized that his commentary would go viral (doubt that he cares though) and it could jeopardize their show. However, why is he not allowed to talk about what he believes in if someone asks him a question in an interview?
Seems to me that freedom of speed is really becoming something only available for a select few...Disclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
I can't really answer these. He basically said he just doesn't get it and it's not his job to pass judgement on them.
I guess if you don't come out and say hey, gay or straight or whatever do what you want I support it, then it's considered "anti-gay".
A man who is a devout christian answered a question much like you would expect a devout christian to answer and people get upset, same with the Chick fil a guy. I don't see the big deal.
Ultimaltey though I think A & E will suffer because of this and he'll be back sooner than later.
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
From what I understand, they're a pretty tightly knit family. Additionally, they're already wealthy as shit from their Duck Commander/Buck Commander products...so it isn't like they need the TV show anyway.
I wouldn't be surprised if they all just told A&E to go fuck themselves.Disclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
Good read on the topic"
http://ideas.time.com/2013/12/19/the...ry-than-phils/
GK Chesterton said that bigotry is “an incapacity to conceive seriously the alternative to a proposition.” If he is right—and he usually is—then I wonder if the Duck Dynasty fiasco says more about our bigotry than Phil’s.
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12-19-2013, 02:46 PM #5Legendary RSR Poster
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
Any employer can suspend an employee for cause.
Freedom of speech is a protection against government abuse. That's it. All of the Bill of Rights for that matter restrains government, not a private endeavor. You, me, Uncle Phil, etc do not have freedom of speech protection from our employer.
You don't and never had freedom of speech elsewhere. In all cases, freedom of speech does not mean freedom from criticism or consequences.
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
Fair enough. You are right that the First Amendment just protects individuals from interference from the government and this is strictly an employer employee situation.
Additionally, after doing a little bit of research it would appear that their contract actually does stipulate no disparaging comments or offensive language toward gender race or anything of that nature. So in that regard that TV station has every right to suspend or fire Phil altogether for breach of contract.
I think what bothers me the most about this whole situation is that the TV station knew what kind of people they are and they knew how devout they are yet they didn't see this coming? As I said earlier I'm pretty sure that Phil nor any of them really honestly care if a TV network cancels the show not. They've made a ton of money off of their other stuff and quite honestly it doesn't really seem like any of them were really really really all about the show, especially Phil.
Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkDisclaimer: The content posted is of my own opinion.
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12-19-2013, 04:37 PM #7Legendary RSR Poster
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
You said it yourself. They had clauses in their contracts prohibiting this type of talk so A&E had the proper protections in place, showing they saw the potential of something like this occurring.
But I doubt anyone at A&E thought these guys would ever be in the position to discuss the pro and cons of gay marriage. It's a dumb show about duck calls. No way A&E knew it would become popular to the point they'd ever start discussing world affairs.
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12-20-2013, 12:18 AM #8
Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
This is what happens when a good ol' boy talks to city folks.
You have to take culture into account when talking to someone. For a deep South Christian, Phil comes off as positively liberal. He says it's not for him to judge.
Hell, you ask most 60 year old guys from the backwoods of Louisiana about gay sex and you're lucky you don't get shot."A moron, a rapist, and a Pittsburgh Steeler walk into a bar. He sits down and says, “Hi I’m Ben may I have a drink please?”
ProFootballMock
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
The Duck Guy is back. The ducks have spoken.
Quack, quack.
What time does a duck wake up in the morning?
At the quack of dawn.
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12-21-2013, 01:52 PM #10
Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
Equal Opportunity Employment does not protect Independent Contractors. Otherwise he "MAY" have a case. IF he were a direct employee of A&E, I think it is safe to say that he was canned for his religious beliefs, despite the company using the language that he was suspended for "his opinion". His opinion was very non-confrontational and inoffensive, beyond his relating his religious beliefs. The worst thing he said was that it was a sin, and that he didn't understand it, But he went further to say that it's not his place to judge, but the lord's only, but that he is commanded to love the sinner just the same.
I think A&E very clearly showed that they are the intolerant ones here, as is often the case with Liberals.
It appears HR, that you don't watch the show. It's not really about duck calls, per se... well, it obviously is, but its more a statement about family values in a christian family in the bayou. Much more of the show is related to the grandparents watching the grandchildren, and every episode ends with a family meal. Their faith is worn plainly on their sleeve. Being anti-organized religion, I don't find their portrayal of faith to be in any way offensive. They truly appear to be welcoming, salt of the earth individuals that I think I would enjoy greatly spending time with.
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12-23-2013, 01:27 PM #11Legendary RSR Poster
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
That's not accurate.
Bigotry wrapped in "religious belief" is still bigotry. So were the Dixiecrats of the 50's and 60's simply displaying their religious beliefs when they used the Bible as a reason to promote segregation (i.e. mongrel races) or speak out against interracial marriage? Because that was precisely the same argument and they used the exact same Bible verses that people like Uncle Phil used.
Totally odd statement. So A&E is simply a collection of Liberals? Care to back that up? Because when I look at their show lineup, I see a lot of shows that cater to anyone but Liberals.
"Salt of the Earth" individuals can be bigots too, as the case with the Robertson clan.
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12-20-2013, 08:22 PM #12Legendary RSR Poster
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Re: A&E Suspends Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty
The GOP is going to lose this fight if they keep pushing this issue.
They're coming across as hypocrites by making this a free speech issue. It's the GOP that's always quick to point out that the first amendment is a restraint on the government. Now they're backing these boycotts of A&E?
Also, attitudes towards gay couples have been changing rapidly. They'd be well advised to at least drop the issue.
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