Duck Dynasty

[ASTalumna06]

I keep wondering why everyone wasn't yelling "Free speech!" when the whole Paula Deen thing went down. Is Robertson more likeable, and therefore, he should get a pass?

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

I keep wondering why everyone wasn't yelling "Free speech!" when the whole Paula Deen thing went down. Is Robertson more likeable, and therefore, he should get a pass?

Some of her supporters did try the Freedom of Speech thing just as with Chik-Fil-A. I think the Chik-Fil-A thing is more similar to the Duck Dynasty situation. Paula Deen's supporters said she was being unfairly persecuted and presumed guilty. They also said that some of the things she believes are just part of her upbringing.

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

As for the show itself, I would be shocked if the family does not stick together along the lines of, 'ban one of us and you ban us all" or something like that. The show is so enormously popular despite what was said, that I think other networks would be in line to pick them up should things not work out with A&E. Will it be popular on another network? Again, let the market/viewers decide.

On a different note, it bothers me a bit that this is such big news. No one would give a flip what he said if he wasn't on TV. I'd rather see more newsworthy stories--like the grossly under-reported issues of human trafficking (sex & labor) going on in the U.S., or how the government abuses its power every day and has been for decades, unnecessary excessive force from police, military benefits going down the toilet, etc.--a.k.a. real problems/issues. Or, maybe report on some feel good stories for this time of year of people helping other people/putting others first before themselves.

Just my opinion.

There was talk of the entire family no longer doing the show. We shall see

Of course we are hearing so much about this because of fame just as he was interviewed for GQ because of fame. That goes without saying. But it isn't true that no one would care if it wasn't for fame. Fewer people knowing about something doesn't mean those who do know will not respond. Non-famous people get responded to or punished everyday when they can't keep certain words and actions to themselves.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

But it isn't true that no one would care if it wasn't for fame. Fewer people knowing about something doesn't mean those who do know will not respond. Non-famous people get responded to or punished everyday when they can't keep certain words and actions to themselves.

Point taken, but I still don't find this story being as newsworthy as it has become in light of other issues out there.

[DrPhil]

I understand what you're saying but it is easier for members of the power majority to say a topic has expired and there's more important news. This topic has only been discussed for a few days. If we had a GC thread to rank news stories based on perceived relevance and time that should be spent discussing them, I'm positive opinions would vary and it would spark a good GC debate. For goodness sake, CNN keeps showing me Dennis Rodman's ugly ass making himself into a diplomat. LOL. But they are showing it for a larger issue beyond Rodman's ugly ass. Likewise, there is a larger point being made beyond Duck Dynasty.

[DubaiSis]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

...there is a larger point being made beyond Duck Dynasty.

And I think that larger point is hypocricisy is alive and well. When the right persecutes someone for not saying Merry Christmas it's the right thing to do. When the left persecutes someone for saying black people were better off during Jim Crow, it's merely opinion and should be protected.

But free speech =/= right to have a job even if you're a douchebag. People get fired all the time for saying/doing things that while not illegal are against company policy. And with A&E's primary demographic, they're doing the right thing. Whether some more right-leaning network picks them up is free market. My guess is the show has run its course and this is a good way to go out with a bang.

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

But free speech =/= right to have a job even if you're a douchebag. People get fired all the time for saying/doing things that while not illegal are against company policy. And with A&E's primary demographic, they're doing the right thing. Whether some more right-leaning network picks them up is free market. My guess is the show has run its course and this is a good way to go out with a bang.

This is what I've been saying. If I say something inappropriate to a client or or go on the record saying something that goes against my company's principles and business suffers, what would happen? I'd be fired, fined, severely reprimanded, have to issue an apology or any odd mix of those.

[ChioLu]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

There was talk of the entire family no longer doing the show. We shall see

One can only hope, Dr. Phil.

The Bible also preaches Love.
Maybe the Duck Dynasty folks forgot about that part.

It is ironic that people use the Bible to uphold prejudice.