As a global media content company, A+E Networks’ core values are centered around creativity, inclusion and mutual respect. We believe it is a privilege for our brands to be invited into people’s home and we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals.
That is why we reacted so quickly and strongly to a recent interview with Phil Robertson. While Phil’s comments made in the interview reflect his personal views based on his own beliefs, and his own personal journey, he and his family have publicly stated they regret the “coarse language” he used and the mis-interpretation of his core beliefs based only on the article. He also made it clear he would “never incite or encourage hate.” We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold.
But “Duck Dynasty” is not a show about one man’s views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family… a family that America has come to love. As you might have seen in many episodes, they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about.
So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming “Duck Dynasty” later this spring with the entire Robertson family.
We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in “Duck Dynasty.” These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio.
(Editor’s Note: The above communication does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of FITSNews.com. To submit your letter, news release, email blast, media advisory or issues statement for publication, click here).
23 comments
So does this mean homosexuality is ok again?
No. It just means that Phil wont talk about gays anymore. They will keep selling commercials and Jesse Jackson will go away!
I agree that they want Jesse to go away but I’m willing to give you odds that Phil will talk about whatever Phil wants, whenever Phil wants, wherever Phil wants.
I’m willing to give you odds that Phil will talk about whatever Phil wants
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7 to 2?
Keep your odds, why shouldn’t Phil talk about whatever Phil wants, most everybody does and those that don’t aren’t worth talking too.
Uh… this country is founded on denying healthcare to women and piss tests at the discretion of the employer.
Why can’t corporations deny the right to their employees to send porn to each other?
See, like I said most people do, even you.
For it to be apples and apples, I’d have to be employed by FITS.
Jesse will never go away, He lurks at every corner,
But only if he sees profit in it.
Quote: “So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming “Duck Dynasty” later
this spring with the entire Robertson family.”
Interpretation: So after realizing that not only were we going to kill the “duck that laid our golden egg”, but that we had also offended 99% of the 98% of the US population who is not gay and that none of the aforementioned 2% of “gays” watch our
network anyway, we capitulated.
Hey folks (people in general, including Will), I don’t care who you love or have sex with. If you don’t like what Phil Robertson said about your behavior either don’t watch the show or write Phil a letter, better yet, show us just how mainstream your lifestyle is, buy a network and go “all gay all the time”.
You could get Ellen for your morning show, Anderson Cooper and Rachel Maddow could anchor your news, Sara Gilbert and Rosanne could reprise their roles as “Darlene Connor” and “Rosanne” and join with Dougie Howser to star in the spin off “How I Found Out Your Mom Is A Lesbian”.
Typical latent.playing out his self loathing fantasies for all to see.
What is our military coming to?
That’s 10%,dude,and doesn’t include bisexuals.Why group ‘gay’ people into stereotypes;Ellen,Rachel,Anderson,etc? Gays are as diverse as straight people.
I’m part of the mainstream,not some marginalized whimpering fag,and still think,Hillbilly Handfishin’ is way better than Duck Dynasty,although none of them can touch,Larry The Cable Guy(happy new year):http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGbACzY1TK4
9″ I love your posts but you’re wrong – the best numbers being reported today are 3-5%. The best and most recent survey by the Williams Institute say 3.4% (2012). The 10% number comes from a poorly executed and understood surveys from the early ’90s – no recent, peer reviewed survey claims 10%.
You are also missing my point – is it any surprise that a show about a family that prays together at every family meal, lead by a father who confesses to have been a “sex, drugs, alcohol and rock and roll” type until he found religion would have a strong belief system? Not an “extreme belief system” as the “over the top” “in your face” “professional victim crowd” would have you believe but a fairly mainstream, cross religion belief that sex outside of marriage, any sex, gay or straight, is wrong. Roughly 42% of Americans say homosexuality is wrong period. A roughly equal percentage says sex outside of marriage is wrong period. Of the remaining 58% in both cases, the view ranges from acceptable when x circumstances are met to “let’s get in on” a la Marvin Gay.
When you consider that the “gay sex/premarital sex is okay crowd” includes a wide spectrum of views, 42% may in fact be the significant margin and not nearly as extreme as the “professional victim” LBGT crowd claims.
Let me repeat myself and say that I could care less who you love – what I don’t want to have to deal with is the screaming epithets every time someone espouses a position or disagrees with the truly extreme members of the “LBGT professional victim crowd” – you ain’t one of them by the way.
The original 10% survey came from Alfred Kinsey’s research,and is highly reliable,to this day.If you include bisexuals,it’s even larger,otherwise ,I wouldn’t be getting lucky so often;-)
I have three gay friends who are military.One’s divorced w/kids,one is married,but his wife doesn’t care,and the youngest is single,but you’d never think he was gay.All within a 5-mile radius.
I truly believe you’re wrong about the percentage of gays in the US and the world.Homosexuality is nothing new.It has always been,and will always be.It’s the number 1 reason teenage males commit suicide,and for that reason alone,it’s time for a broader acceptance of gay people,no matter your religious beliefs.Remember the golden rule.
Here are some stats for you:
http://www.psmag.com/culture/gay-population-lgbt-homosexual-sex-kinsey-68670/
Every attempt to replicate Kinsey’s much maligned work in the mid 90’s came up far short. The reason is simple – no respected researcher (without an agenda) would include the significant numbers of prisoners and prostitutes in his sample. Additionally, Kinsey interviewed people who wanted to be interviewed rather than using random selection. Fantasies about bisexual behavior doesn’t make a man or a woman gay anymore than a fantasy about homosexual behavior. Kinsey also included everyone who did not express “exclusive heterosexuality” in his percentages of homosexuals – again a fantasy or even a “homosexual act” doesn’t make one gay.
We could go back and forth w/statistics,all day,but it’s important to remember,there’s so much more to a person than their sexuality.It’s something you do,not who you are.Gay marriage will eventually be the law of the land.I can remember when,the DSM classified homosexuality as a mental illness,but things have changed rapidly,and that will continue,like it or not.
Although I believe in God,I think religion is insane,and one of the main reasons this country has gone downhill.The ‘religious right’,has poisoned politics in America…
I’m a teacher and a student of history, and I find myself examining every issues from that context. Your contention that “religion in insane and one of the main reasons this country has gone downhill” runs counter to the actual experience of the nation. You cannot separate “divine providence” from our history. A rabble army defeats the most powerful army and navy in the world through a series of mistakes and bizarre circumstances. The war to end slavery is fueled by the anti slavery sentiment of the ultra religious in the north. Any number of religious sects from many different religious backgrounds forms a “melting pot” that ultimately leads to the strongest and most productive nation in the world. The very land itself is blessed from one shore to the other with every conceivable natural resource needed to become a great nation.
It is only when religion and reverence for God begins to take a back seat to everything else that things begin to “go to hell in a hand basket” ( http://thegorget.blogspot.com/2010/05/to-hell-in-handbasket.html ). Are there some on the “religious right” who have contributed to the vehemence of our daily discourse? Certainly, but not in greater numbers and in no way to a greater degree than the equally vile “freedom from religion” crowd on the left.
In closing his letter to the Danbury Baptist Association, T. Jefferson had this to say: “…I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common father and creator of man, and tender you for yourselves and your religious association assurances of my high respect and esteem. That’s the same letter that we get the “wall of separation” idea from – it’s a damn shame we as a society have gotten away from the idea that there is a “creator of man” and that he is firmly in control even when you can’t quite see how.
I get lost when people start talking religion,and although I don’t share your beliefs,I respect them.My father was a minister,and he and his fellow minister friends were some of the most open minded people I’ve ever met.
Jefferson was more aligned with Unitarians than Baptists,but none of that matters to me.Like I said,I believe in God,but not religion.
There’s so much beyond our comprehension,it can only be a mystery.
Whether it’s a Christian or an atheist,anyone who claims to have all the answers,sounds self-righteous and condescending to me,but they’re entitled to their beliefs or disbelief..
Oddly, Unitarians and Baptist share a common Anabaptist’s heritage though they have since gone in very different directions.
The evidence that you’re not one of the “if you don’t agree with my position you hate me” types is your “live an let live attitude”. There are extremists on all sides – I for one am on the “right side” of the argument but would hardly be welcome on the fringe.
Oh,man,I know plenty of fringe types,who’d gladly welcome you.I’M KIDDING,sorta…
Sorry, according to Kinsey, I’d be a zero…
“Do you know what the queers are doing to the soil?”