‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Phil Roberston Got Suspended for his Beliefs and Why it Makes Me Angry [OPINION]

So Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the "Duck Dynasty" clan, is in hot water and has been suspended from A&E for sharing his opinion on homosexuality with a writer for GQ magazine. This has spun me up to a level of pissed-off that I have never seen. Let me tell you why.

For fans of the hugely popular television show, 14 million people a week according to Nielson, the way Phil Robertson feels about most things in the sinful world around us is no secret. He preaches the bible, he's not out slamming people upside the head with a bible, but as much as he loves to hunt ducks, he is also a fisher of men. He is down home, real people, old-school gospel... He won't even let his teenage grandson take a girlfriend fishing without being chaperoned. The Robertsons have had their share of problems, and just like everybody else they have at times fallen short in the eyes of God, but they continue to study the bible and work to be better.  It's on television so it should be common knowledge for anybody interested in knowing anything about the family.

A big draw to the show, and the family members themselves is their faith. They have a great love of family, the outdoors, but God always comes first in their lives just like a lot of us "country cultured" fans, especially those here down south in Phil's neck of the woods. (He grew up down the road in Vivian, LA. or as the writer of the article in the middle of all of this describes it "Phil Robertson grew up bone poor in the northwest corner of this state—a place where Cajun redneck culture and Ozark redneck culture intersect".)

Now, in this post I am going to share some of MY opinions and thoughts on the topic... ALL of it... the GQ Interview, Why I think A&E suspended the man, and what I think should be done about it.

First, the GQ interview... I am not as well spoken and polite as Phil on this. I say the interview is bullshit. From the beginning, it started out as a smear. Let's talk about this Drew Magary character that wrote it. All thru the thing he is using all sorts of foul language that you will NOT hear on Duck Dynasty. This idiot started out wanting to make the show, the lifestyle, the people themselves sound bad. In the first paragraph of his visit with Phil he wrote this...

There are seat belts in this ATV, but it doesn’t look like they’ve ever been used. Phil is not wearing one. I am not wearing one, because I don’t want Phil to think I’m a pussy. (Too late!) The crossbow—a Barnett model equipped with a steel-tipped four-blade broadhead arrow—is perched on the dash between us. It looks like you could shoot through a goddamn mountain with it.

People KNOW that Phil would not allow that type of language around him or any of his people. This douche wrote it after the fact so in MY opinion that proves that he really IS a "P**** no matter what he wanted people to think. Then, in the first paragraph he dropped a GD... Come on! This guy was out to make Phil and the show look bad from the get go, and I get the feeling from reading the article that it's mostly because of Robertson's religious beliefs. I am going to come right out and say it so even Drew understands, I think he was being targeted for his CHRISTIAN beliefs. Why did GQ want to do an interview anyway... are full beards fashionable now.

As for A&E, once the LGBT community decided to pitch a fit about it, the network freaked out! For those that don't know, LGBT stand for Lesbian/Gay/Bi-sexual/Transgendered. I think that in itself is sexist. Why can't heterosexuals be in there? It could be the LGBTH Community, but then you wouldn't have the silliness that all of this has become. This is where I want you to know that I know a lot of gay people, and I am happy to have them as friends. I know Lesbians, that may also be gay (not sure why they have a separate initial). I'm not sure if I know any bi-sexual people, and I don't think I know any transgender people. Anyway... I don't care! I am not judging anybody, do whatever, or whoever you want, good or bad... I DON'T CARE.

A&E freaked out because ever since people quit caring that other people were gay, nobody will throw a protest or parade faster than a bunch of angry gay folks. I have asked a few of my gay friends what they think about this, and most don't watch the show. In fairness, they don't duck hunt, fish or catch frogs either. 14 MILLION PEOPLE  watch the show every week. They don't watch "Storage Wars", or "Shipping Wars" or the many other variations of the same show on that network. Though I did have a lesbian friend that was excited for the show "Rodeo Girls", but now that the bikini barrel race is over, she is done with it. If it was the Bravo Network maybe I could understand a little better.

Never the less, A&E has decided to suspend Phil for "his comments in the GQ interview". I want to know... WHICH COMMENTS? Was it his thoughts about homosexuality? Was it because he thinks sleeping around with a bunch of women is sinful? Was it because he thinks that Bestiality is a sin, or being a drunkard? Was it his comments about non-Christian societies? The comment that the Nazis didn't have Jesus, or the Muslims don't have Jesus? The man said to another man in the woods on a hunt, that he prefers a vagina to an anus. Is that the reason he was suspended? I believe it is because they are Christian bashing. The producers at A&E have been trying to play down the Religious beliefs of the Robertson's since the beginning. They didn't want a prayer in the show... Phil fought that and won. A&E released this statement...

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. 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.

Robertson released this statement...

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.”

As for what to do about Phil Robertson... I love him, I've never met him but I think he's great. He really is the coolest cat in the alley, but he ain't as fast as he may have been back in the day. Interviews have not been easy for the man. He did give out his home address on Jimmy Kimmel Live before Willie could shut him down. So, I think it would be a good idea to not let him do another interview without Ms. Korie being with him... she's sharp.

So, tell us in our poll here... How do you feel about it?

This is a good place and time to share some of our favorite "PHILosophies".