When it comes to the Duck Dynasty , Phil Robertson controversy, the A&E TV network responded like “absolute quacks,” according to Sarah Palin. See embed above.
Unless you’ve been away duck hunting or somewhere else for an extended period of time, you probably are aware that the Duck Dynasty star has been suspended from the very popular A&E show for his published anti-gay remarks.
Ironically perhaps, this dispute has knocked the Megyn Kelly “white Santa” issue right off the headlines.
Previously in supporting Phil Robertson , Sarah Palin wrote on her Facebook page that “Free speech is an endangered species. Those ‘intolerants’ hatin’ and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us.” Palin recently met the Robertson family while on her book tour.
The former Alaska governor and 2008 GOP vice-presidential candidate spoke out again in defense of Phil Robertson on FNC’s Sean Hannity show last night.
In addition to referring to A&E suits as quacks, she noted that the TV network’s new marketing slogan is “be original.” But in her view, that instead translates into “be stupid” given A&E’s attempt to get rid of “the most popular patriarch on television today … A&E really screwed up on this one.”
Although A&E is a private company that is outside of the US Constitution (the First Amendment only applies to government intervention), Palin again raised the freedom of speech issue:
“This is all about freedom, free speech. You know, so many American families have spilled blood and treasure to guarantee Phil Robertson and everybody else’s right to voice their personal opinions and once that freedom is lost, everything is lost in our country.”
The Robertson family has floated the idea of switching networks, prompting Palin to suggest that they could find a home on the Sportsman Channel, where Palin’s new reality show will debut in spring.
Phil Robertson seems to be getting a lot of support on Facebook, including from the ex-governor’s daughter Bristol Palin , as well as an IStandWithPhil online petition drive.
In a response to the firestorm, Phil Robertson issued a statement that as a younger man, who partied all the time before he found God:
“I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together.However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
Do you agree or disagree that A&E acted like “quacks” when network executives decided to put Phil Robertson on indefinite hiatus? Given the massive popularity of Duck Dynasty , do you think he will be reinstated after the ducks, or the dust, settles a bit?