Patriarch off 'Duck Dynasty' after gay comments

[Reverenddel]

Patriarch off 'Duck Dynasty' after gay comments
Associated Press
By LYNN ELBER 53 minutes ago

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Duck Dynasty" patriarch Phil Robertson is off the hit A&E reality series indefinitely after disparaging gays as sinners akin to adulterers and swindlers, the network said.

A&E announced Wednesday what it called a "hiatus" for Robertson, 67, after he disparaged gays in the January edition of GQ magazine. He also said that, growing up in Louisiana before the Civil Rights movement, he never saw mistreatment of blacks.

In a statement, A&E said it was extremely disappointed to see Robertson's anti-gay remarks, which it said were based on his personal beliefs and do not reflect those of A&E Networks or the show. A&E called itself a supporter of the lesbian and gay community.

The channel's move was lauded by the gay civil rights group GLAAD, which had quickly condemned Robertson's comments.

"What's clear is that such hateful anti-gay comments are unacceptable to fans, viewers, and networks alike," said GLAAD spokesman Wilson Cruz. Robertson's removal "has sent a strong message that discrimination is neither a Christian nor an American value."

Robertson and his extended family became wealthy manufacturing duck calls and were turned into TV and pop culture stars by "Duck Dynasty," which has set cable ratings records for a non-fiction series. Several family members appeared in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving parade.

In his GQ interview, Robertson was asked his definition of sinful behavior.

"Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there," such as bestiality, he said.

"Don't be deceived," he was quoted in GQ. "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."

Robertson and his family had no comment on his hiatus, A&E said on their behalf. He may be in some already taped scenes when the show returns Jan. 15 for its fifth season, a network spokesman said.

Robertson did respond after criticism of his GQ remarks.

"I myself am a product of the '60s" who indulged in sex and drugs until hitting bottom and accepting Jesus as his savior, he said in a statement. Although his mission is to teach people that men and women are meant to be together, Robertson said he "would never treat anyone with disrespect" because they are different.

In the interview, he also said that in his Louisiana youth he picked cotton with African-Americans and never saw "the mistreatment of any black person. Not once."

"We're going across the field.... 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!" Robertson told CQ.

A&E said it had received no complaints about those remarks.

********************************************************************
That's gonna come back to haunt A&E. A&E is not producing much, and these guys are already MULTI-MILLIONAIRES! Never get into a pissin' contest against someone with nothing to lose, and no pants on.

[SHMIV]

I never watched the show. But, it seems to me that the family warned A&E that they were Christian and would talk about the Bible.

He quoted the Bible. What he said was a warning from the Apostle Paul.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[WRW]

Sounds to me like "hateful" is being substituted for "hurtful". I find it hard to believe A&E doesn't know the difference.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[SHMIV]

I do hope that the rest of the family threatens to pull out from the show. It would be interesting to see the result of that.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[MarcSpaz]

That is just ridiculous. He was asked about what he felt was sinful behavior. What the heck was he supposed to say? Homosexuality and prostitution may be the two more frequently documented sins of any version of the bible ever collected.

Good for him. I say if you get offended by being called by some category name, then you know what you are doing is wrong. I would never be offended by someone calling me a straight, married, Christian.

And persecution (even on a social level) for being a Christian and voicing those points after being asked is hypocritical.

[Remek]

I think he was being a man. He knew it was going to be unpopular in the media, but he stood up for what he thinks right.

The hateful vs hurtful comment above is dead on.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Swampman]

Outdoor channel needs to pick up the show. Send A&E back to the cellar with Bravo where it belongs.

[mamabearCali]

I was never loyal to A&E. I watched duck dynasty a few times....I liked it well enough, certainly better than the other trash that is on. A&E better figure out what side of the bread their butter is on.

What is disturbing is how quickly we are running towards a " no Christian thoughts allowed society".

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[FiremanBob]

Agreed. The family should very publicly end its relationship with A&E. Whichever network picks them up will score a financial bonanza.

[Snakester]

I guess Walmart will be pulling all the "Duck Dynasty" items off the shelves now !

[Kreutz]

Agreed. The family should very publicly end its relationship with A&E. Whichever network picks them up will score a financial bonanza.

May not be contractually possible. Their best bet should they wish to go that route would be to loudly and publicly support their family member so A&E initiates a contract break.

Don't have cable so I never saw the show, but I like these kind of anti-PC statements on principle.

[VACoastie]

"If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything.'" - Alexander Hamilton, 1798.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[dorminWS]

OK, he basically said anal sex between two men was not for him and that homosexual activity was a sin. I happen to agree with him, but don't see, whether you agree with him or not, where that opinion is grounds for opprobrium. He might have sugar-coated it and wrapped it in politically-correct(er) euphemisms, but they asked him a question and he gave them an answer that was honest and not even outside of the mainstream of American opinion (except for California, New York City, and about a half-dozen other urban cesspools). So upon WHAT is all this outcry and disapproval based? Is it that we are no longer allowed to be straight and Christian, or just that we are no longer allowed to say so without apologizing for it? If they didn't want to hear what he thought about the subject, they shouldn't have asked him. Seems pretty obvious to me that the interviewer intended to generate controversy, and they got their wish. You might even be justified in wondering if it wasn’t a hit job on a red-state/flyover country redneck that was doing too well and getting access to too big an audience for the comfort of the liberal/pluralist elite that control the MSM.

I can't boycott A&E because as far as I know, I don't watch them anyway. I don't care for any of those so-called "reality" shows. Anybody who can watch any one I ever saw and think that stuff is what happens and the way it happens in the real world is a damned moron, IMO. They are thinly veiled, vastly exaggerated and fantasized caricatures of the people they purport to portray. But I think right-thinking folks everywhere should boycott A&E en mass and let them go ahead and cater to the gay community.

As for the Robertsons, I agree. They should do all they can to get A&E to cancel their contract so they can take it elsewhere. But they need to do it without getting sued by A&E. Might be hard to do. Might even be impossible, depending upon the contract and the applicable law.

[FiremanBob]

It's time to take a page from the Alinsky playbook: "By any means necessary." It would be a great thing if the family would capitalize on this opportunity to create some memorable political theater.

[dorminWS]

Pretty much the same thing I said in my post above, but the guy that wrote this has got a bully pulpit.

http://dailycaller.com/2013/12/18/duck- ... -americas/

[thekinetic]

I find it hard sometimes to balance my support of freedom when others who do are such fools!

[SHMIV]

The man quoted the Bible. I see no foolishness in that.

Besides, it should have been obvious to everyone how he felt on the topic. I can't fathom that anyone is truly shocked.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[OakRidgeStars]

This was no accident on Phil's part. It was a smart move to get out of a contractual agreement and end the show. No doubt the fans will miss them.

[dorminWS]

This was no accident on Phil's part. It was a smart move to get out of a contractual agreement and end the show. No doubt the fans will miss them.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Are you just speculating, or do you have some basis for that assertion?


Might just as well speculate it was a cover story for getting Phil out of the picture to get rid of the "Christian talk" (Assuming the show continues, I mean. But if it does, I think they boys will lose a lot of respect and support.

[OakRidgeStars]

My speculation is based on the graphic nature in which he made his point. There are many ways he could have gotten his point across without that much detail. It's almost like he knew this would blow up and force A&E into a knee-jerk reaction.

Which it did.