Duck Dynasty is not only under fire from gay activists, but the Robertson family’s patriarch has been suspended from the smash hit show that has brought A&E plenty of publicity and profits.
The network has suspended Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty because he expressed disagreement with gays in a GQ interview. In the January issue, he called homosexuality a sin and used the words bestiality and promiscuity in the same breath.
“It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus,” he told GQ. “That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”
Asked he if thought homosexuality was sinful, he said, “Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men.”
Of course, Robertson didn’t single out gays. He also stressed, “Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right.”
But A&E is not standing behind the Duck Dynasty star.
“We are extremely disappointed to have read Phil Robertson’s comments in GQ, which are based on his own personal beliefs and are not reflected in the series Duck Dynasty,” the network said in a statement. “His personal views in no way reflect those of A&E Networks, who have always been strong supporters and champions of the LGBT community. The network has placed Phil under hiatus from filming indefinitely.”
Gov. Sarah Palin defended Robertson, saying, “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.”
Is this the end of Duck Dynasty? Or, more importantly, does this mark the end of free speech in America?
