Oh, you think A&E is violating Phil Robertson's right to free speech?

[Playinghardball]

[MADem]

1. The idiot probably had a "morals clause" in his contract.

Some sort of paragraph, slapped up in there, that says "If you act like a fool, we can fire you."

He was free to act like a fool. They're free to fire his ass!

Maybe the Dixie Chicks can sing him off ....! That "Goodbye Earl" song would work...

[El_Johns]

2. No, I think it's a publicity stunt. It was announced he was planning to leave the show long before

this happened.

Just ginning up the faux outrage.

[11 Bravo]

8. Is that true? I hadn't heard that. If you have a link or source, I would purely love ...

to shove them squarely up the ass of a few wingnut acquaintances.

[El_Johns]

9. Your wish, etc. And note the family's "cleaned up" photos. Off for tennis!

On Edit: Thanks to a friend who found this article from earlier this year, in which Phil announced his likely departure from the show: http://m.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-i-wont-do-the-show-much-longer-2013267

[Go Vols]

3. From July

Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson: I Won't Do the Show Much Longer

http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/duck-dynastys-phil-robertson-i-wont-do-the-show-much-longer-2013267


I don't think A&E violated this mans rights.

[Glassunion]

4. DAMNIT!!! Something happened today. Something I never thought would.

I am trashing the word "Duck" in GD. Yes. The word "Duck". Who the hell would have ever thought, just a few days ago, that the word "Duck" would be trash worthy?

[Gothmog]

5. The First Amendment only applies to State Actors

Unless a governmental entity is doing the censorship, the First Amendment does not apply. Here the TV network is free to take whatever steps they want and there is no violation of the First Amendment. This is basic constitutional law. Here is a brief explanation of this requirement from Cornell Law School http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/state_action_requirement

The state action requirement stems from the fact that the constitutional amendments which protect individual rights (especially the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment) are mostly phrased as prohibitions against government action. For example, the First Amendment states that “[c]ongress shall make no law” infringing upon the freedoms of speech and religion. Because of this requirement, it is impossible for private parties (citizens or corporations) to violate these amendments, and all lawsuits alleging constitutional violations of this type must show how the government (state or federal) was responsible for the violation of their rights. This is referred to as the state action requirement.

[napkinz]

6. some more graphics ...

https://www.facebook.com/beingliberal.org

[napkinz]

7. and ...

https://www.facebook.com/Republicansareidiots1

[cherokeeprogressive]

10. Nnnnnnope.

I think this is a stupid question though.

[bvar22]

11. A&E is a Corporation that sells their merchandise over the Cable Network

A&E (an initialism for its former name, the Arts & Entertainment Network), is an American cable and satellite television channel that serves as the flagship television property of A+E Networks, a joint venture between the Hearst Corporation and Disney–ABC Television Group (both of which maintain a 50% ownership interest).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A&E_%28TV_channel%29

Corporations have the right to control their marketing and messaging.
If a Corporation feels that a particular salesman, or anybody interfacing with the public, does NOT uphold the standards and the Image of their company,
they are well within their rights to discharge that salesman,
of assign him to another less public position.

What about Private Enterprise do the fuckwits NOT understand?

The 1st Amendment forbids our government from obstructing Free Speech.

First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States

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.

Since A&E is NOT an agency of the US Government,
the 1st Amendment does NOT apply.

It also does NOT apply to my home.
If Sarah Palin, or any of these other fuckwits, comes into my home and starts spouting this nonsense,
they will be shown to the door with a copy of the First Amendment indelicately jammed into their front pocket.

[pepperbear]

12. it could aslso read...

"Oh, you think A&E is violating Phil Robertson's right to free speech?"

"You should really take a look at the 1st amendment again."