Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty has been under fire for a few days over comments he made about gays and adulterers. I have also seen one report that accuses him of questionable comments about race. As of this morning, he was still indefinitely suspended from his show on A&E, a Disney network.
Regardless of one's stance with respect to gay rights or adultery, we also have a constitution that guarantees free speech. Mr. Robertson's views are not my own but they do coincide with a lot of fundamentalist Christians in this country. While those people and views should not be allowed to make public policy with respect to gays, etc, they are and should be allowed to express those views.
I am not defending Mr. Robertson's views, only his right to express them. With respect to his indefinite suspension, that is a business and contract matter that can be settled by the courts. While I am surprised about the degree and volume of venom from the left, the suspension itself remains a business matter and will work itself out, one way or another.
When the Robertson Family entered into an agreement with this television network they would not compromise on three things. One being no family betrayal, Two being Faith, and Three being no forfeiture of duck hunting. These are the three things they are famous for and are shown in almost every episode. Not matter what he has said off the air his family makes the network 885 million dollars a year. The network suspended him for nine days in which none of those nine days interfered with shooting. They showed momentary support to those he spoke out against; showing slight compassion. They inflicted the maximum consequence with the minimum risk for their network. I as well do not agree with his opinions but i have also not been through his experiences. I do agree that when people express their freedom of speech they are expressing through experiences and beliefs. These two things can never be shared in the same way as another human thus it can not be regulated. In the end it did come down to the agreement, like you mentioned, and the network was not willing to lose that money or already established loyal viewership in my opinion. "The show must go on."
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