# 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:** 14
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/261 "2013-12-22T18:58:23Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > Let me ask more directly - are you claiming that businesses that do not openly support discrimination will suffer monetary loss? I’m not denying this, by the way - I think it’s true. I think A&E, if it persists, is going to lose a boatload of money. That’s why it will eventually bring Phil back into the show and continue as if nothing happened. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/262 "2013-12-22T19:13:43Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > Well, you told _us_ to watch and learn, and not A&E. Yes, I told you to watch and learn when you see how the A&E will ask Phil back on the show. ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/263 "2013-12-22T19:25:56Z")
So it’s only A&E, specifically, that has to learn to pander to bigots, and we will learn that A&E, specifically, has to pander to bigots when we watch and learn. The lesson is completely useless for everyone else, because it doesn’t matter to society as a whole, just A&E. Gotcha. That makes perfect sense. ---
**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 22, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/264 "2013-12-22T19:26:05Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Of course they should. The should also bear the consequences of it. As in losing a lot of money. Do you think they will be willing to do that? I think it bears noting that at this point, it’s turning out that pandering to homophobic bigots is apparently _really big business_. A TV network is getting severe backlash for letting someone go not just because people enjoyed the show but _because_ he was fired for saying offensive, homophobic, racist things. And it seems like pandering to bigots is a good way to improve your bottom line. This really makes me want to cry. Where the hell did the USA go so goddamn wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Raygun99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Raygun99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raygun99)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/265 "2013-12-22T19:47:16Z")
Eh. No need to tear your hair out. It isn’t that long ago that Robertson’s remarks would have been wholly uncontroversial. This is what winning feels like. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/266 "2013-12-22T19:53:39Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > he was fired for saying offensive, homophobic, racist things. I disagree with his comments, but they were neither homophobic nor racist. He said he believes homosexuality is a sin. That’s not homophobic. He said what he experienced in the Jim Crow era is different than what many others experienced. That’s not racist. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/267 "2013-12-22T19:55:44Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > I think A&E, if it persists, is going to lose a boatload of money. That’s why it will eventually bring Phil back into the show and continue as if nothing happened. Evidence: Cracker Barrel, in a kneejerk reaction, pulled merchandise with Phil Robertson’s face on it. That lasted all of two days. They got feedback from their customers. The merchandise is back on the shelves - with a Cracker Barrel’s apology. [As in](https://www.facebook.com/CrackerBarrel): Dear Cracker Barrel Customer: When we made the decision to remove and evaluate certain Duck Dynasty items, we offended many of our loyal customers. Our intent was to avoid offending, but that’s just what we’ve done. You told us we made a mistake. And, you weren’t shy about it. You wrote, you called and you took to social media to express your thoughts and feelings. You flat out told us we were wrong. We listened. Today, we are putting all our Duck Dynasty products back in our stores. And, we apologize for offending you. We respect all individuals right to express their beliefs. We certainly did not mean to have anyone think different. We sincerely hope you will continue to be part of our Cracker Barrel family. ---
**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 22, 2013, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/268 "2013-12-22T20:02:39Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Evidence: Cracker Barrel, in a kneejerk reaction, pulled merchandise with Phil Robertson’s face on it. That lasted all of two days. They got feedback from their customers. The merchandise is back on the shelves - with a Cracker Barrel’s apology. [As in](https://www.facebook.com/CrackerBarrel): > > Dear Cracker Barrel Customer: > > When we made the decision to remove and evaluate certain Duck Dynasty items, we offended many of our loyal customers. Our intent was to avoid offending, but that’s just what we’ve done. > > You told us we made a mistake. And, you weren’t shy about it. You wrote, you called and you took to social media to express your thoughts and feelings. You flat out told us we were wrong. > > We listened. > > Today, we are putting all our Duck Dynasty products back in our stores. > > And, we apologize for offending you. > > We respect all individuals right to express their beliefs. We certainly did not mean to have anyone think different. > > We sincerely hope you will continue to be part of our Cracker Barrel family. And this doesn’t seem fucked up to you? ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/269 "2013-12-22T20:04:21Z")
> [@](#): > > I disagree with his comments, but they were neither homophobic nor racist. He said he believes homosexuality is a sin. That’s not homophobic. He said what he experienced in the Jim Crow era is different than what many others experienced. That’s not racist. You don’t think it’s racist to claim that other cultures are full of murderers because they have inferior religions? You don’t think that when asked what’s sinful, the very first thing he mentioned is homosexuality is homophobic? > [@](#): > > Evidence: Cracker Barrel, in a kneejerk reaction, pulled merchandise with Phil Robertson’s face on it. That lasted all of two days. They got feedback from their customers. The merchandise is back on the shelves - with a Cracker Barrel’s apology. As in: Yes, we get it. The free market cannot solve social ills, and thus heavy civil rights legislation is required. I am glad you support that. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/270 "2013-12-22T20:05:56Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > And this doesn’t seem fucked up to you? Not at all. Why should it? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/271 "2013-12-22T20:07:25Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > Yes, we get it. The free market cannot solve social ills, and thus heavy civil rights legislation is required. I am glad you support that. Do explain exactly how “heavy civil rights legislation” would prevent Phil Robertson from expressing his views. Or Cracker Barrel from selling his products. ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/272 "2013-12-22T20:09:41Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Do explain exactly how “heavy civil rights legislation” would prevent Phil Robertson from expressing his views. Or Cracker Barrel from selling his products. Oh, it wouldn’t, at all. I don’t claim it will. But on one hand, if you believe the free market supports bigotry, it goes without saying you think rules that force people to open their businesses to others even if they don’t like them, punish people for firings those in discriminated against classes, etc, are good, right? We’ve learned the free market will not bite back against homophobia, therefor we should make it illegal to fire someone for being gay. ---
**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 22, 2013, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/273 "2013-12-22T20:17:27Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > I disagree with his comments, but they were neither homophobic nor racist. He said he believes homosexuality is a sin. That’s not homophobic. He said what he experienced in the Jim Crow era is different than what many others experienced. That’s not racist. Agreed, there’s absolutely nothing anti-Semitic in saying Jews in the Middle East were happy and content and never complained about being mistreated before the Zionists claim. Go to Israel and tell a few Moroccan or Iraqi Jews that to their face. I’ll bring the bandages and the first aid kit. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/274 "2013-12-22T20:24:27Z")
They can’t keep that guy. It would be terrible for the ducks to get their heads blown off by someone that is so insensitive. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/275 "2013-12-22T20:38:52Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > We’ve learned the free market will not bite back against homophobia, therefor we should make it illegal to fire someone for being gay. It’s not illegal (and shouldn’t be illegal) to fire someone for being a homophobe. Why should it be illegal for someone to be fired for being gay? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/276 "2013-12-22T20:40:09Z")
> [@Ibn\_Warraq](#): > > Go to Israel and tell a few Moroccan or Iraqi Jews that to their face. I’ll bring the bandages and the first aid kit. You overestimate the reaction. He’d just be told he’s wrong. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/277 "2013-12-22T20:49:07Z")
There really is no ethical or moral conversation going on over this topic across the country. It is not a “free speech” issue, since the Robertsons are free to take their show to a different network with more a Fundamentalist audience. It is not an “attack” on the Religious Right–unless we want to acknowledge that it is simply other people using the RR’s actions against them, (_E.g._, the RR’s successful effort to get General Motors to drop sponsorship of Zeffirelli’s Jesus of Nazareth and similar actions). It is nothing more than business as usual. A&E “suspended” Robertson when he made homophobic and racist comments on the fear that A&E would lose business if they ignored his comments. A&E will restore Robertson if it looks as though they will lose advertising revenue because they guessed wrong on the overall public reaction. Idiot claims about the “new Rosa Parks” and similar statements are nothing more than homophobic appeals to the part of the electorate that supports such views. In a couple of months, this whole brouhaha will have been forgotten, A&E will still be in business, the Robertsons will still be on the air somewhere, and we can move on to a different event about which to express Recreational Outrage. The Robertsons’ ratings, (which are not really 15 million–11.8 million for this season’s premiere, 8.4 million for the finale, and 8.9 million for the Christmas Special), will determine the outcome and nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/278 "2013-12-22T20:56:45Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > The Robertsons’ ratings, (which are not really 15 million–11.8 million for this season’s premiere, 8.4 million for the finale, and 8.9 million for the Christmas Special), will determine the outcome and nothing else. > **[‘Duck Dynasty’: What the Reality Hit (and Phil Robertson) Mean to A&E](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/duck-dynasty-what-reality-hit-667316/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20thr%2Fnews%20%28The%20Hollywood%20Reporter%20-%20Top%20Stories%29)** > > Insiders expect the series will resume production with the suspended patriarch, but the cable darling remains subject to the typically brief shelf life and underwhelming international sales of niche reality. “averaging 13.4 million viewers and 7.6 million adults 18-49 in live-plus-7 ratings” ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/279 "2013-12-22T20:57:32Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Evidence: Cracker Barrel, in a kneejerk reaction, pulled merchandise with Phil Robertson’s face on it. That lasted all of two days. They got feedback from their customers. The merchandise is back on the shelves - with a Cracker Barrel’s apology. [As in](https://www.facebook.com/CrackerBarrel): > > Dear Cracker Barrel Customer: > > When we made the decision to remove and evaluate certain Duck Dynasty items, we offended many of our loyal customers. Our intent was to avoid offending, but that’s just what we’ve done. > > You told us we made a mistake. And, you weren’t shy about it. You wrote, you called and you took to social media to express your thoughts and feelings. You flat out told us we were wrong. > > We listened. > > Today, we are putting all our Duck Dynasty products back in our stores. > > And, we apologize for offending you. > > We respect all individuals right to express their beliefs. We certainly did not mean to have anyone think different. > > We sincerely hope you will continue to be part of our Cracker Barrel family. Seems to me they were just trying to get their name out there, rehab their own homophobic and racist image a little, then go right back to pandering to the sort of people that love them anyway. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2013, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/280 "2013-12-22T21:14:57Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > [‘Duck Dynasty’: What the Reality Hit (and Phil Robertson) Mean to A&E](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/duck-dynasty-what-reality-hit-667316?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+thr%2Fnews+%28The+Hollywood+Reporter+-+Top+Stories%29) > > “averaging 13.4 million viewers and 7.6 million adults 18-49 in live-plus-7 ratings” Whoopee! So various news outlets are reporting the numbers differently, (although still short of 15 million). _::: shrug :::_ It remains a business decision with no serious moral or ethical component. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747.md?page=15)