# A&E suspends Phil Robertson over anti-gay remarks **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 19, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747 "2013-12-19T18:37:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/1 "2013-12-19T18:37:29Z")
I don’t see a thread on this yet. Phil Robertson, Patriarch of the Robertson Family of “Duck Dynasty” fame has been suspended by A&E. The [Drudge Report](http://www.drudgereport.com/) is having a field day with no less than a dozen stories about this right now. There’s so much traffic hitting [the story on GQ’s web site](http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson#ixzz2nqO5xi1S) that I can’t get the second page to load right now. From this story, [Duck Storm](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-indefinite-666808): > [@](#): > > “It seems like, to me, a vagina – as a man – would be more desirable than a man’s anus,” Robertson says in the January issue of the men’s magazine. “That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.” He goes on: > [@](#): > > “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there,” he says. “Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.” > He goes on to paraphrase Corinthians: “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.” [Sarah Palin](http://www.politico.com/story/2013/12/sarah-palin-duck-dynasty-defense-101319.html?hp=r11) and [Bobby Jindal](http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/jindal-messed-situation-when-miley-cyrus-gets-laugh-and-phil-robertson-gets-suspended_771478.html) have jumped in to defend him. A [Boycott A&E](http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2013/12/19/Boycott-AE-page) page has half a million likes already. Was this suspension deserved? Will A&E stand by this decision, even if it means the end of the highest rated show on cable? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/2 "2013-12-19T18:41:56Z")
Probably not. RNATB pointed out in the SRIOTD thread that they brought back Dog the Bounty Hunter after the outrage over his racist girlfriend died down. I can’t help but believe that A&E’s actions are guided almost entirely by what they think will net them the most money and the chunk of their target demographic that would be turned off by those comments is far larger than the brain-dead chunk repped by Palin and Co. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/3 "2013-12-19T18:45:44Z")
Jindal, I read elsewhere, referenced the 1st Amendment, of course. I went back and looked, can’t find “the right to be on TV” _anywhere_. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/4 "2013-12-19T18:48:22Z")
A&E is trying to move the Overton window. Good. It _shouldn’t_ be acceptable to spew homosexual crap like that. People who say things like that _should_ get shunned by popular media. Unfortunately, this has about as much chance of sticking as, I dunno, Dr. Oz finally admitting that backing pseudoscientific claptrap is hurting people and not worth the boon it is to his career. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/5 "2013-12-19T19:23:26Z")
I don’t find those comments to be particularly surprising. The entire Robertson family is devoutly religious, and apparently belong to a denomination that believes homosexuality is sinful. Phil said essentially that gay people can’t go to Heaven. He does not call for violence or discrimination against gay people…he just says he believes it to be sinful. He also made some comments about racial relations in the Jim Crow era, based on his experiences growing up in Louisiana. I happen to disagree with his opinions on both issues, but he has every right to express those opinions. And A&E has every right to decide whether they wish to have him appear on their network. Perhaps both sides would be happier if the show were to move to another network. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/6 "2013-12-19T19:26:54Z")
Good for A&E suspending this homophobic douchebag. I’m completely for private companies removing scum and hateful bigots from employment ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/7 "2013-12-19T19:29:15Z")
Thread [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=702036). ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/8 "2013-12-19T19:42:00Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I don’t find those comments to be particularly surprising. The entire Robertson family is devoutly religious, and apparently belong to a denomination that believes homosexuality is sinful. Phil said essentially that gay people can’t go to Heaven. He does not call for violence or discrimination against gay people…he just says he believes it to be sinful. I’m in agreement with this. I recall reading earlier stories the Phil Robertson in particular has been at odds with A&E over how religious the show should be. He had fought for the inclusion of the dinner prayer at the end of the episode and gun shooting that occurs frequently. I’m not gay, but I’m not religious either. As an atheist his attitude about religion doesn’t come off as overly judgmental to me. He is witnessing, basically. He isn’t saying anything that the Pope doesn’t believe. The Pope isn’t shunned by society, nor should he be. I do find the show great to watch, especially as a family. It’s nice to have a good role model family that enjoys the outdoors and hunting for my daughter to watch. It’s lead to some good conversations about gutting deer and shooting turkeys for instance. It would be a shame to lose this show just because of some comments. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/9 "2013-12-19T19:48:34Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I don’t find those comments to be particularly surprising. The entire Robertson family is devoutly religious, and apparently belong to a denomination that believes homosexuality is sinful. Phil said essentially that gay people can’t go to Heaven. He does not call for violence or discrimination against gay people…he just says he believes it to be sinful. Well, he also then compared homosexuality to bestiality. And then lumped non-Christians in with Nazis. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/10 "2013-12-19T20:20:18Z")
Yeah, he’s kind of a dumbass. I’d bet A&E is waiting to see how it plays out. If the controversy builds - or if Robertson doubles down - then he’ll be gone for good. If not, he’ll do a bit of an apology tour and be back on the air. ---
**Author:** ![Truman\_Burbank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@Truman\_Burbank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Truman_Burbank)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/11 "2013-12-19T20:33:44Z")
Historically, I’m pretty bad at predicting these things, but he doesn’t seem the sort to apologize. (I don’t watch the show). He’s already made a shitload of money and I’m pretty sure the show could feasibly be moved to another network. Standing firm would just make him more popular with his fans. ---
**Author:** ![Ibn\_Warraq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e19b73/32.png) [@Ibn\_Warraq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibn_Warraq)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/12 "2013-12-19T20:47:43Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > Yeah, he’s kind of a dumbass. > > I’d bet A&E is waiting to see how it plays out. If the controversy builds - or if Robertson doubles down - then he’ll be gone for good. If not, he’ll do a bit of an apology tour and be back on the air. My guess is like Dog the Bounty Hunter, he’ll be forced off the air for a year or two, then allowed to come back, probably after making a public donation or show of support for the right charity. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/13 "2013-12-19T20:47:51Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Well, he also then compared homosexuality to bestiality. I don’t think he did. He was asked what in his mind was sinful. This was his answer: > [@](#): > > What, in your mind, is sinful? > > “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,” he says. Then he paraphrases Corinthians: “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.” That’s not comparing bestiality with homosexuality. Unless you think it’s comparing bestiality to drunkenness and the greedy. It’s a list, not an equivalency. > [@](#): > > And then lumped non-Christians in with Nazis. I missed this. What did he say about Nazis? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/14 "2013-12-19T20:49:34Z")
I, for one, am shocked that a religiously conservative redneck, appearing in a show about a family of religiously conservative rednecks, would say exactly the kind of thing you’d expect a religiously conservative redneck to say. A&E can’t have not expected this to happen at some point. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/15 "2013-12-19T20:50:01Z")
> [@Debaser](#): > > That’s not comparing bestiality with homosexuality. Unless you think it’s comparing bestiality to drunkenness and the greedy. It’s a list, not an equivalency. I’m slightly amused that you apparently think this mitigates the offensiveness of his comments. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/16 "2013-12-19T20:52:12Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Well, he also then compared homosexuality to bestiality. And then lumped non-Christians in with Nazis. > [@Debaser](#): > > I missed this. What did he say about Nazis? Some more of his thoughts, such as they are: > [@](#): > > All you have to do is look at any society where there is no Jesus. I’ll give you four: Nazis, no Jesus. Look at their record. Uh, Shintos? They started this thing in Pearl Harbor. Any Jesus among them? None. Communists? None. Islamists? Zero. That’s 80 years of ideologies that have popped up where no Jesus was allowed among those four groups. Just look at the records as far as murder goes among those four groups. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/17 "2013-12-19T20:57:39Z")
As I have posted in many places; Phil has every right to speak his mind. Each of us has every right to have our own opinion on what he has said and to act (with the bounds of the law) as we see fit on that opinion. A&E has every right to act as they see fit in regards to the show, which they own and is aired on their privately owned network. Just the same as you or I have the right to ask someone to leave if they offend us in our own living room. This is not a “Freedom of Speech” issue. It is, however, a “Freedom of Association” issue. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/18 "2013-12-19T20:59:50Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > A&E can’t have not expected this to happen at some point. A&E and Phil have been at odds for a while. Which seems like the likely explanation of their quick decision here. It’s rare for someone to be fired so quickly after making the comments. This is just a WAG on my part, but I bet they had a “don’t go there” rule with him since he was already on thin ice. ---
**Author:** ![Debaser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/3da27b/32.png) [@Debaser](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Debaser)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/19 "2013-12-19T21:18:43Z")
Some more background on what Phil calls [spiritual warfare](http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/10/duck-dynasty-fake-phil-robertson-reality-tv/) between the Robertson family and the producers of the show. > [@](#): > > “You gotta remember, it’s spiritual warfare,” he says of filming the show. “I mean, you’ve got people with no moral compass. It ain’t there. So what I tell people is be patient.” He’s irked that they edited out “in Jesus’ name” during their prayers closing the episodes and added bleeps to imply people were swearing when they weren’t. I’m finding it hard to predict how this will sort itself out. I don’t see Phil apologizing anytime soon. This wasn’t a slip. This is him wanting to shout from the rooftops what he believes and I don’t think he’ll back down. Perhaps they’ll end up running the show on another network and get into a situation where the family has more creative control. That’ll be interesting to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2013, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/20 "2013-12-19T21:19:21Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Some more of his thoughts, such as they are: > > All you have to do is look at any society where there is no Jesus… > > …Islamists? Zero. Comparative religion fail :). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747.md?page=2)