Duck Dynasty and Phil Robertson

[OceanAnnie]

Really, you're surprised that people would support his racist and anti-gay comments? You have more faith in people than I do.

Maybe I do. I don't know.

I don't think all those people that support Phil are anti-gay, racists, etc.. I think that bears investigation. I've read where people have supported him for different reasons. I know people have shot down the freedom of speech and religious freedom rationale. But that doesn't make it less so for those people. I don't know. I don't think people can be pigeon holed that easily.

I found it interesting that people that are gay, Paglia for example were for Phil's right to free speech. She had a lot of zeal about it.

There were a lot of issues tied to the national debate about it.

 

[chobie]

Maybe I do. I don't know.

I don't think all those people that support Phil are anti-gay, racists, etc.. I think that bears investigation. I've read where people have supported him for different reasons. I know people have shot down the freedom of speech and religious freedom rationale. But that doesn't make it less so for those people. I don't know. I don't think people can be pigeon holed that easily.

I found it interesting that people that are gay, Paglia for example were for Phil's right to free speech. She had a lot of zeal about it.

There were a lot of issues tied to the national debate about it.

Of course many people support his right to spew whatever comes out of his mouth. Doesn't mean they don't think he shouldn't be called out on it - that's free speech too.

But yes, sadly I do think many of those supporters also believe that homosexuality and bestiality are the same things and that black people disproportionally receive welfare.

 

[luvsJack]

Let's see the interview surfaces right before the Christmas special airs and now he is reinstated right before the premiere of the next season. Also it dove tails nicely with the outrage about the battle against Christmas and white Santa and all the other Fox News generated controversy. And just in time for them to sell a few more Christmas presents.
As to why money pure and simple greed. Why settle for five million dollars when by manufacturing some outrage you can make ten.

But, a huge number of those presents were NOT A&E products. A&E may not have gained at all in this. Add to that the hard core folks that will still stop watching anything else on A&E regardless of statements made by A&E or apologies made.

Take Cracker Barrel, they pulled all the dd merchandise with Phil or his sayings on it and made a statement as to why. They put all other dd merchandise on clearance. The outrage was amazing, with CB losing customers left and right. The next day, they apologized and returned the products. How many of those customers will still stay away because they don't realize the retraction or they are still mad about what CB did in the first place? CB, of course, will not go under or anything of that extreme but sometimes its a lot harder to get back those customers that you have driven away than it is to lose them in the first place.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Of course many people support his right to spew whatever comes out if his mouth. Doesn't mean they don't think he shouldn't be called out in it - that's free speech too.

But yes, sadly I do think many of those supporters also believe that homosexuality and bestiality are the same things and that black people disproportionally receive welfare.

Agreed. But in this case it appeared that people supported his right to free speech and not be called out on it. That was stunning to me. I have to think there is more to it than what meets the eye. That's just me. I don't know.

Peace.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

But the question would be why? DD is the biggest reality show ever. Why on earth would they want to take a chance of losing viewers by this publicity stunt? Those that support Phil, will continue to watch. Those that were shocked by what he said may leave. Why take a chance on losing viewers of any already successful show?

Over the holidays, it was very obvious that the Duck Commander items were selling like hotcakes. The Duck Dynasty ones were being put on clearance and not moving. So, A&E lost possible money while DC gained. And many people are still saying they will be very careful of which products they buy. How did it work?

Not even close. It's the largest reality show currently on cable (perhaps the largest reality show ever on cable; I don't know that for sure) but not even close to the biggest reality show ever. American Idol has had over 38 million viewers at its peak and even now, in it's swoon, has 14 million viewers. Survivor, in its heyday, had over 28 million viewers. Even The Amazing Race had over 13 million in a few seasons and America's Got Talent is drawing 12 million. As others have said, being watched by less than 4% of Americans doesn't make you particularly important in my mind.

 

[chobie]

Agreed. But in this case it appeared that people supported his right to free speech and not be called out on it. That was stunning to me. I have to think there is more to it than what meets the eye. That's just me. I don't know.

Peace.

Really, people think no one should comment on his opinions?

That seems like also quashing free speech. That's not something to feel good about IMO

 

[Burnedout]

As far as I know they still don't allow gay men to participate as scout leaders though. There is was a big broohaha about that people were claiming if their son had a gay scout leader he would molest their son on campouts and all sorts of ridiculous things like that.

I hate that. I hope that this attitude changes soon.

 

[OceanAnnie]

Really, people think no one should comment on his opinions?

That seems like also quashing free speech.

No. That wasn't my take away from the fiasco. It was people didn't want Phil to have consequences. Like I said. Stunning.

 

[Turn the Page]

Agreed. But in this case it appeared that people supported his right to free speech and not be called out on it. That was stunning to me. I have to think there is more to it than what meets the eye. That's just me. I don't know.

Peace.

I went to high school with a woman who became a lawyer and even she was saying A&E violated his first amendment rights. You would think that, as a lawyer, she would know that's not the case.

She never was all that bright.

 

[luvsJack]

Of course many people support his right to spew whatever comes out of his mouth. Doesn't mean they don't think he shouldn't be called out on it - that's free speech too.

But yes, sadly I do think many of those supporters also believe that homosexuality and bestiality are the same things and that black people disproportionally receive welfare.

I don't think so. I believe that most people support his right to tell his beliefs.

And, again, he never said they were the same thing. Read what the man said.

As for black people and welfare, I have had that same discussion with people irl. In this area (and maybe in his too) there are more blacks on welfare than whites. Its not racist, it just is. Now, when I look at that, I say because, sadly, more are poor and some simply do not have the same opportunities or perhaps they don't see themselves as having those opportunities. Other people do look at it in a different way and many in the wrong way.

 

[JanaDee]

Not even close. It's the largest reality show currently on cable (perhaps the largest reality show ever on cable; I don't know that for sure) but not even close to the biggest reality show ever. American Idol has had over 38 million viewers at its peak and even now, in it's swoon, has 14 million viewers. Survivor, in its heyday, had over 28 million viewers. Even The Amazing Race had over 13 million in a few seasons and America's Got Talent is drawing 12 million. As others have said, being watched by less than 4% of Americans doesn't make you particularly important in my mind.

So why all this faux outrage about someone you deem unimportant?

What Phil Robertson says has no bearing on my life. The only people that can hurt me are people I personally know and care about - friends and family.

Getting upset at every perceived slight must be exhausting. I choose not to live that way.

 

[Hrhpd]

Just remember, D.C., 18 states and still counting...

By the way, the Boy Scouts start admitting openly gay youth starting Jan 1, 2014.

I just read that Utah has set a marriage record this past week!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR

May that 18 double and triple!

 

[tajz90]

As far as I know they still don't allow gay men to participate as scout leaders though. There is was a big broohaha about that people were claiming if their son had a gay scout leader he would molest their son on campouts and all sorts of ridiculous things like that.

I hate that. I hope that this attitude changes soon.

I hope it changes soon too. Shame to think that a gay man will molest a child simply because he's "gay". So RIDICULOUS!!!! Being gay dos not equal pervert. Too bad people can't see that. Just this last month, a well respected youth pastor was revealed as a child molester. I bet he would have been accepted as a boy scout leader in a heart beat.

 

[chobie]

No. That wasn't my take away from the fiasco. It was people didn't want Phil to have consequences. Like I said. Stunning.

Yes, stunning. In a bad way, IMO. I think people who make racist and anti/gay comments should have some repercussions, like people taking their business to another place.

 

[Turn the Page]

I just read that Utah has set a marriage record this past week!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR

May that 18 double and triple!

Well....I don't think it will triple unless we add a few states to the union but I too hope it doubles.

 

[Hrhpd]

Not even close. It's the largest reality show currently on cable (perhaps the largest reality show ever on cable; I don't know that for sure) but not even close to the biggest reality show ever. American Idol has had over 38 million viewers at its peak and even now, in it's swoon, has 14 million viewers. Survivor, in its heyday, had over 28 million viewers. Even The Amazing Race had over 13 million in a few seasons and America's Got Talent is drawing 12 million. As others have said, being watched by less than 4% of Americans doesn't make you particularly important in my mind.

Monday night football averages 13.8 million viewers and the 2013 Superbowl had 118 million viewers.

DD is minor compared to other tv programming.

 

[Burnedout]

I hope it changes soon too. Shame to think that a gay man will molest a child simply because he's "gay". So RIDICULOUS!!!! Being gay dos not equal pervert. Too bad people can't see that. Just this last month, a well respected youth pastor was revealed as a child molester. I bet he would have been accepted as a boy scout leader in a heart beat.

Child molesting is an equal opportunity crime. Sadly there is no "safe" person of any gender, orientation or profession.

 

[Gracie09]

But, a huge number of those presents were NOT A&E products. A&E may not have gained at all in this. Add to that the hard core folks that will still stop watching anything else on A&E regardless of statements made by A&E or apologies made.

Take Cracker Barrel, they pulled all the dd merchandise with Phil or his sayings on it and made a statement as to why. They put all other dd merchandise on clearance. The outrage was amazing, with CB losing customers left and right. The next day, they apologized and returned the products. How many of those customers will still stay away because they don't realize the retraction or they are still mad about what CB did in the first place? CB, of course, will not go under or anything of that extreme but sometimes its a lot harder to get back those customers that you have driven away than it is to lose them in the first place.

Duck Dynasty is trademarked by A&E. So any duck dynasty merchandise sold they get profits. Duck Commander is owned by the Robinsons. Cracker Barrel never took the Duck Commander merch down. The stuff at walmart - duck dynasty. Guess who is taking a large deposit to the bank.

 

[luvsJack]

Not even close. It's the largest reality show currently on cable (perhaps the largest reality show ever on cable; I don't know that for sure) but not even close to the biggest reality show ever. American Idol has had over 38 million viewers at its peak and even now, in it's swoon, has 14 million viewers. Survivor, in its heyday, had over 28 million viewers. Even The Amazing Race had over 13 million in a few seasons and America's Got Talent is drawing 12 million. As others have said, being watched by less than 4% of Americans doesn't make you particularly important in my mind.

Ok, the biggest reality show on cable. And that has what to do with what I was asking?

And like Jane said, if he is so unimportant, why do you care what he did or didn't say?

 

[Hrhpd]

Well....I don't think it will triple unless we add a few states to the union but I too hope it doubles.

What? We can't have 64 states?