# 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:** 33
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/641 "2013-12-28T14:31:36Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > You have not made sufficient effort to distinguish between “assholes” and another poster. That is over the line and this is a Warning to refrain from doing it again. > > [/Moderating] That was a long list, and “and” is not a conjunction that indicates membership in a group. In no way did I intend to imply that the poster was an asshole. I apologize for being unclear. Aldi, I appreciate your eating crow on this one. It’s one thing to think that calling for Robertson’s firing is over the line–I disagree, but that’s a reasonable position. It’s quite another to suggest that liberals don’t support free speech. The narrower brush makes your post a lot more reasonable. ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/642 "2013-12-28T15:04:53Z")
A&E didn’t take my suggestion to just revise the credits and label him as “The Robertson Formerly Known As Phil.” ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/643 "2013-12-28T17:20:37Z")
> [@marshmallow](#): > > At least the Chick-fil-A protests made them stop giving millions of dollars to anti-gay political organizations. I don’t see what demonstrating against A&E or demanding this guy be fired is supposed to accomplish. Does A&E discriminate against gays? Do they give money to anti-gay organizations? Since the Chick-Fil-A restaurants weren’t giving money to anti-gay political organizations, that boy-cott was a failure also. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/644 "2013-12-28T17:32:45Z")
Got a little hyphen-happy there, DH. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/645 "2013-12-28T23:11:32Z")
Tis the season. I had been “stringing” lights for a week and that sentence just looked like it needed just a bit more “dash”. You know, for balance. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/646 "2013-12-29T02:14:05Z")
That’s okay, I just figured your pointless nitpick needed a pointless nitpick of its own. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/647 "2013-12-29T04:13:04Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > I’ve never thought of you as the sort of person to cheer ignorant bigotry. Why not? As much as conservatives pay lip service fighting the idea that current conservatives aren’t bigots and how Republicans aren’t racist etc, they always rush to defend bigots/racists/homophobes whenever they’re attacked. This is the most appalling aspect of this whole controversy. A racist redneck acting racist? Sure. A network forgiving their cash cow for their bigotry? Expected (and even understandable, if I had to answer to stockholders, I’d hope I’d do the right thing, but…). Conservatives and their leadership rushing to defend a bigot? Well, that’s expected too., but utterly reprehensible. And the glee when A&E does what everyone expected to do? When the bigot “wins”? Probably more comical than anything at this point. Do you guys really know how you look? In 20 year (assuming you’re alive in 20 years…I tend to assume people who defend this shit are probably not all that youthful), you might be a bit embarrassed. > [@Oakminster](#): > > Unlikely. A&E looks bad here. Blatant hypocrisy, and now potential backlash from the other side of the controversy. The LGBT community should be pissed about the flip flop, and they spend money, too. With a little organization, they can make this sting if they choose to do it. I somehow doubt the LGBT community has been spending a lot on this show via viewership and merchandise. And it’s pretty obvious that A&E expects to make up any LGBT business they lose with the increase of bigots dying to support them now. The LGBT community has economic power, but it’s not universal. ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/648 "2013-12-29T08:23:37Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > Since the Chick-Fil-A restaurants weren’t giving money to anti-gay political organizations, that boy-cott was a failure also. Yes, how dare people try to boycott restaurants owned by a guy who willingly donates to known hate groups that have their open, stated goals of murdering gay people. Clearly, because he only makes money from and owns those restaurants, it isn’t the restaurants themselves trying to kill anyone. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/649 "2013-12-29T15:55:13Z")
> [@Karrius](#): > > Yes, how dare people try to boycott restaurants owned by a guy who willingly donates to known hate groups that have their open, stated goals of murdering gay people. Clearly, because he only makes money from and owns those restaurants, it isn’t the restaurants themselves trying to kill anyone. You can boycott anyone or anything you wish. The possibility of having a successful boycott increases if you understand the facts AND can convince others that you know what you’re talking about. Claiming that C-F-A murders gay people? That’s not believable so you are alienating potential supporters. The general public won’t support hyperbole, obvious lies, or liars. Just because you chose to boycott a product or business doesn’t mean I should. I don’t know you. I never met you. I don’t trust you. Why should I waste my time becoming involved in your boycott? Convince me. Give me the facts and I’ll make my own decision. Of course, the C-F-A boycott wasn’t as redickuless as the failed “Just Cookies” boycott but it was close. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/650 "2013-12-29T16:49:35Z")
Oops. Now there’s video of Robertson advising people to marry 15-year old girls, because by the time they’re 20, they’re only after your money. The site also alleges that Robertson committed statutory rape with his own wife, whom he started dating while he was an adult and she was 14. [http://aattp.org/watch-phil-robertsons-tips-on-finding-the-perfect-underage-girl-to-marry-video/](http://aattp.org/watch-phil-robertsons-tips-on-finding-the-perfect-underage-girl-to-marry-video/) Can’t wait to see how his fans spin this one. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/651 "2013-12-29T16:52:16Z")
How can you legally marry someone at 16 if the age of consent is 17? I’m guessing there is some “parental consent” issue wrt to the marriage and that the age of consent law is then no applicable. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/652 "2013-12-29T17:00:28Z")
They are talking about two different states. They say the AoC is 16 in Georgia, but 17 in La. Either way, it would be a crime for an adult male to boink a 14- or 15-year-old girl. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/653 "2013-12-29T17:04:19Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > They are talking about two different states. They say the AoC is 16 in Georgia, but 17 in La. So, where were they when? Did they marry in GA, them move to LA? If so, does LA recognize the marriage? > [@](#): > > Either way, it would be a crime for an adult male to boink a 14- or 15-year-old girl. Right. And as noted in the article, there is no evidence they had sex prior to marriage, so it’s kind of a sleazy thing to even bring up. The guy is a train wreck; no need to make up stuff about him. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/654 "2013-12-29T17:20:26Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Right. And as noted in the article, there is no evidence they had sex prior to marriage, so it’s kind of a sleazy thing to even bring up. The guy is a train wreck; no need to make up stuff about him. They didn’t make stuff up; as you note, they explicitly said there’s no proof of premarital sex. At any rate, he’s certainly encouraging his listeners to break the law. ---
**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 29, 2013, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/655 "2013-12-29T17:23:16Z")
So he’s basically an all-around awful human being. How old was he when he married his wife? ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/656 "2013-12-29T17:34:15Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > So he’s basically an all-around awful human being. How old was he when he married his wife? He was 20, she was 16. And scanning several bios of both, I can’t find any indication that they lived anywhere but Louisiana, where the age of consent is 17, before they were married. ---
**Author:** ![bmoak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@bmoak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/657 "2013-12-29T17:38:54Z")
IIRC, the age of consent in Louisiana is 17 now, but Phil is no spring chicken, and I’m pretty sure the age of consent was younger back in the day, especially with parental consent. Remember Louisiana native Jerry Lee Lewis marrying his 13 year-old cousin? ---
**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 29, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/658 "2013-12-29T17:44:59Z")
Well, he’s neither a pedophile nor is the age gap _that_ creepy. But his statements sure as hell are. Reminds me of the Quivering movement. Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Karrius](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/71c47a/32.png) [@Karrius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karrius)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/659 "2013-12-29T19:14:51Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > You can boycott anyone or anything you wish. The possibility of having a successful boycott increases if you understand the facts AND can convince others that you know what you’re talking about. > > Claiming that C-F-A murders gay people? That’s not believable so you are alienating potential supporters. The general public won’t support hyperbole, obvious lies, or liars. > > Just because you chose to boycott a product or business doesn’t mean I should. I don’t know you. I never met you. I don’t trust you. Why should I waste my time becoming involved in your boycott? Convince me. Give me the facts and I’ll make my own decision. Sorry, but I don’t appreciate you calling me a liar when you are obviously wrong. The owners of CFA gave money to the family research council, which [supported murdering homosexuls in Uganda and then outright lied about it, apparently now knowing how this “internet” thing works.](http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/11/30/1262421/family-research-council-blatantly-lies-about-supporting-ugandas-kill-the-gays-bill/#) While they didn’t give much money, they did give _some_, and gave a hell of a lot more to other anti-gay groups. When you say that they didn’t give any money and call me a liar, however, you owe me an apology. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747/660 "2013-12-29T19:44:01Z")
FTR, before all this flap started I never even **heard** of _Duck Dynasty._ Am I the only one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747.md?page=32) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-e-suspends-phil-robertson-over-anti-gay-remarks/676747.md?page=34)