News this week that Phil Robertson, star of Duck Dynasty, is being sanctioned by A&E for homophobic and racist comments made in a GQ interview has been poorly received by many of the show’s fans — and a lot of them seem to think this development is exhibit one in our loss of rights, most namely, the one enshrined as the First Amendment.
Phil Robertson is being jettisoned for comments he made, causing many to cry “what about the First Amendment?” And it’s true, Americans are entitled to “free speech,” or as our framers noted:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Okay, Phil Robertson fans, let’s unpack that — Congress shall “make no law.” We have a right to “peaceably assemble,” and we can even “petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
So where is the part where we are guaranteed a spot on A&E? I can’t find it. However, that has not stopped many Twitter users and Facebook fans from complaining about the loss of Phil Robertson’s constitutional liberties under the Duck Dynasty guarantee clause, mandating that a for-profit network continue to pay you even though your presence on air would harm their moneymaking.
Capitalism. It works, bro.
Here are 11 tweets from people who do not grasp that Robertson is not entitled to keep his job if his views threaten his value to A&E:
I am sure that Phil Robertson doesn’t give a duck what A&E thinks. Nor should he. Americans used to have free speech #tcot #p2
— Rock (@RockTheGoodAg) December 19, 2013
Time to support Phil Robertson! Dump A&E from your cable if you can or at least send an email! Free Speech is in danger. #tcot — imissgwb43 (@imissgeorge43) December 19, 2013
The assault on free speech grows with the suspension of Phil Robertson, but patriots are fighting back. #tcot… https://t.co/pb9Bx4WJtl — Joe Newby (@jnewby1956) December 19, 2013
RT @AETV @DuckDynastyAE @glaad Phil Robertson has a RIGHT to FREE SPEECH his RELIGIOUS BELIEFS whether you agree with him or not! #tcot
— Michelle Lambert (@michelledlamber) December 19, 2013
We MUST stand up 4 Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty. GLAAD got A&E to suspend him. If we let GLAAD censor free speech we will lose it. #tcot
— Michael Greer (@thetalentscout) December 19, 2013
Sarah Palin Blasts A&E: Free Speech Is ‘Endangered Species’ https://t.co/yms5CzBkY2 @AETV #StandWithPhilRobertson #tcot — Peyton James (@peytonjames) December 19, 2013
Welcome to OMERIKA! RT @BenHowe So we’re done with the whole free speech thing then. #tcot #tlot — slone (@slone) December 19, 2013
Mark Levin: I Have ‘First Amendment Concerns’ About A&E Suspending Phil Robertson (Audio) https://t.co/urU9WNMfJr (h/t @trscoop)
— Jeff Poor (@jeff_poor) December 19, 2013
A&E execs aren’t too “happy” about a little thing called the First #Amendment https://t.co/H1cZHaIpiI #1A #tcot #ccot #freedomOFspeech
— Conservative Woman (@miaconserv2) December 19, 2013
Bobby Jindal Backs Phil Robertson: I Remember When #TV networks believed in the First #Amendment https://t.co/jMdlMM06f3 #1A #tcot #ccot
— Conservative Woman (@miaconserv2) December 19, 2013
Apparently A&E Forgot About This Thing Called ‘The First Amendment’ #tcot #gop #StandWithPhilRobertson https://t.co/YbuOorMRAF
— PatriotFix (@PatriotFix) December 19, 2013
While you may have a point in disagreeing with Phil Robertson’s Duck Dynasty suspension, there’s no constitutional protection against being fired or suspended for saying things people don’t like — and the same conservatives moaning about this issue on the social web today tend to oppose labor law, so …
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