An Alabama lawmaker is preparing to introduce a resolution supporting Duck Dynasty's Phil Robertson and pushing back against A&E's to suspend him from the show.
An Alabama lawmaker is preparing to formally honor Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson and push back against a decision by A&E to suspend the patriarch from the popular reality show after he made what’s widely criticized as homophobic and racially insensitive comments in an interview with , according to a report from Alabama paper, .
State Sen. Jerry Fielding plans to introduce a resolution next month supporting Robertson, joining a series of Republicans who have spoken out in support of Robertson’s commentary – including Sarah Palin, who recently admitted that she hasn’t actually read the comments – arguing that he believes the values espoused by Robertson in the interview are common, and that A&E unfairly bowed to pressure from “liberals” rather than respect his right to express his biblical views.
A&E decided to place Robertson on hiatus on a temporary basis after the interview published. Nearly a quarter of a million people have signed a petition criticizing A&E’s position hosted at istandwithphil.com, which states that “the notion that a free-thinking American should be discriminated against simply for expressing a perspective that is in conflict with another is patently un-American and flies in the face of true tolerance and civility.”
Fielding’s take is similar.
“Phil Robertson’s family values are shared by the vast majority of Alabamians, who are rightfully concerned by the vitriol aimed at his Christian stance,” Fielding told . “There’s a clear double standard in the media favoring a liberal worldview. When it’s used to silence and punish Christians for stating their beliefs, that’s when we must defend the rights of individuals to exercise their free speech without fear of politically-motivated repercussion. I join thousands across Alabama and our country by standing with Phil Robertson, and urge A&E to reverse their action against him.”
The resolution will include the following, according to :