By Susan Duclos
The news that broke yesterday was that Phil Robertson, the patriarch of the incredibly popular A&E show, expressed his opinion on homosexuality, then A&E suspended him from the show that averages over 14 million viewers, for said opinion.
Below the commentary will be the A&
E company information, along with a page where you can leave a comment, and contact information as well as information on their parent company Hearst.
When did having a belief, based in one's religion and using the constitutional right of free speech to give that opinion become a punishable offense?
His GQ quotes:
"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.""Don't be deceived. 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."
"It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man's anus. 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."
Robertson also said and this is what most people are ignoring:
We never, ever judge someone on who's going to heaven, hell. That's the Almighty's job. We just love 'em, give 'em the good news about Jesus—whether they're homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort 'em out later, you see what I'm saying?"Whether you agree with his beliefs or not, everyone should be standing up for his right to express them... it is a basic constitutional right!
Many didn't agree with him, many do not share his belief, but how does their right not to have their feelings hurt become more important than his free speech rights and freedom of religion?
I see nowhere in the constitution where a person has the right not to have their feelings hrut or where because someone's words offended them they have the right to punish them.
NOWHERE.
A&E's statement shown below:
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.”Well, I can tell A&E that they have 14 million viewers and countless free speech proponents, along with an untold number of people who believe in freedom of religion, "extremely disappointed" in their stance all in the name of political correctness.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR A&
E, HEARST AND DISNEY
Customer Service page where you can add a comment (many already are) found HERE.Key Executives For A&
E Television Networks, LLC
Ms. Nancy Dubuc Chief Executive Officer and President Mr. Robert DeBitetto President of A&E and BIO Channel Mr. Dan Davids President of the History Channel Ms. Nancy Alpert Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Mr. Paul Jelinek Senior Vice President of Digital MediaAddress:
235 East 45th Street
New York, NY 10017
United States
Phone: 212-210-1400
Fax: 212-907-9497
Hearst is the parent company behind the network, so you can give them a call with a problem, concern or compliment about A&E customer service.
- Hearst Television: 1-212-887-6800
[UPDATE] Hearst Corporation's number is (212) 649-2000.
Hearst also claims on a phone call that Disney owns half of A&E Television, so the Disney contact number is 818-460-7477
The Walt Disney Company contact form to leave message on is found HERE.
When calling Hearst, it seems they deny involvement with A&E, but go to the Hearst website at the bottom and click the "more Hearst sites," the A&E website is listed clearly. Also Hearst's own contact page gives the same number and also, BONUS, offers a contact form.
Cross posted at Before It's News