Backwoods Hillbilly Removed From Show About Backwoods Hillbillies For Being A Backwoods Hillbilly.

[MrFun]

Again, you're saying that an employer could bar an employee from attending mass because he believed that the Catholic church was the whore of Babylon? This has been established as religious discrimination long ago. The first amendment provides for freedom of religion and that includes the ability to speak one's mind about their religion.

The way you're interpreting this - any and all Christians could be fired from their job for quoting the bible in public. Do you not see how that's a breach of the first? Or maybe you don't care because it's the evil conservatives getting their ass beat.

I forgot. You are fine with employers firing anyone for any non-work related reason, except for a person's religious belief.

[Ban Kenobi]

Duh. Catholic school fires teacher for disagreeing with the Catholic church on something? Ben supports it. Employer tries to fire someone for going to mass? Unacceptable. All that matters to him is promoting Catholicism.

[Ben Kenobi]

I forgot. You are fine with employers firing anyone for any non-work related reason, except for a person's religious belief.

I support right to work because it means that more jobs are available (no closed union shops), and I don't have to pay union dues to teach. Yes, it means that I could be fired, but job security is worth trading off for more work opportunities. It's a good deal for younger folks and younger men especially. I wouldn't be hired and working here if Texas were a slave union state.

I'm not quite sure how Phil broke his contract with A+E. They hired him because of who he is - and they are making money with him being who he is. They wanted a strong Christian father-figure who runs his louisiana clan. That's exactly what they got. If A+E wishes to breach their contract, that is their right, but they will have to pay penalties to the Robertsons.

[Ben Kenobi]

Catholic school fires teacher for disagreeing with the Catholic church on something? Ben supports it. Employer tries to fire someone for going to mass? Unacceptable. All that matters to him is promoting Catholicism.

Catholic schools have a contract which states that the teacher must be willing to follow the catechism. Public endorsement of gay marriage is breach of contract. If you, as a teacher, are uncomfortable with that clause, then you shouldn't sign that contract in the first place.

Is it legal that a Catholic school requires these contracts? Yes. Why do they do so? Because they want a Catholic teacher to represent (and teach), Catholicism. This is part and parcel of their job description and their duties.

I could argue in this instance here - that the Robertsons are doing exactly what they were hired to do.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

They wanted a strong Christian father-figure who runs his louisiana clan.

I could argue in this instance here - that the Robertsons are doing exactly what they were hired to do.

I don't think so.

My suspicion is that A&E wanted a buffoonish train wreck to point and laugh at like every other honey boo-boo, kardashian style reality TV show. When the Robertson family actually became beloved instead of belittled, A&E had no idea how to deal with it. For instance when Phil told them to stuff it when they told him tone down his Christian overtones they had no choice but to accept it. Don't think for a second though that A&E was doing this a benevolent overture to the Robertsons, the intent (I suspect) always was a mindless cookie cutter patented put on the freak show and point and laugh approach that blew up in A&E's face due in large part to the inherent likability of the Robertsons.

[Ben Kenobi]

My suspicion is that A&E wanted a buffoonish train wreck to point and laugh at like every other honey boo-boo, kardashian style reality TV show. When the Robertson family actually became beloved instead of belitiled, A&E had no idea how to deal with it. For instance when Phil told them to stuff it when they told him tone down his Christian overtones they had no choice but to accept it. Don't think for a second though that A&E was doing this a benevolent overture to the Robertsons, the intent (I suspect) always was a mindless cookie cutter patented put on the freak show and point and laugh approach that blew up in A&E's face due in large part to the inherent likability of the Robertsons.

God turns evil intent into good. In any case, this doesn't change the core of the argument. If A+E wanted a 'buffoon who makes offensive statements that denigrate Christianity in the eyes of many', again, Robertson has done only exactly what was asked of him. Be himself. If A+E wants to go on the record that they actually despise their audience then they are doing far more damage to their own brand and bottom line than the Robertsons ever did.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Point is A&E wanted no discussion about Christianity buffoonish or otherwise. They initially wanted a family of cultural slack jawed yokel honey boo-boos that utlimately proved lovable, much to A&E's chagrin. When Phil said there was no way he was going to be phony and deny the large part of his life that is Christiainty, A&E had no choice but to accept it. They weren't trying to make Chrisitianity look foolish (No they preferred to think that Christianity doesn't exist or impact the family at all).

Phil if anything was on a collision course with A&E from the beginning as they wanted no parts of Christianity whatsoever.

[Ben Kenobi]

Phil if anything was on a collision course with A&E from the beginning as they wanted no parts of Christianity whatsoever.

It'll be a terrible business decision on their part if so. Perhaps the execs can spin it that way, but I doubt the shareholders will be so sanguine. Last I checked shareholders like making money hand over fist.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

Of course it was a bad business decision. Television is very predictable. The show was meant to be just like every other piece of crap reality offering. Despite the poor decision and poor premise, it was a success. The reason for its success probably still eludes the A&E execs to this date.

[Ben Kenobi]

I don't get it. I remember when I first got to Texas, I was shocked. It's a kind and decent place. I loved it. Why is there so much hate directed at the South? There are so many amazing folks here.

[MrFun]

Point is A&E wanted no discussion about Christianity buffoonish or otherwise. They initially wanted a family of cultural slack jawed yokel honey boo-boos that utlimately proved lovable, much to A&E's chagrin. When Phil said there was no way he was going to be phony and deny the large part of his life that is Christiainty, A&E had no choice but to accept it. They weren't trying to make Chrisitianity look foolish (No they preferred to think that Christianity doesn't exist or impact the family at all).

Phil if anything was on a collision course with A&E from the beginning as they wanted no parts of Christianity whatsoever.

Let's talk about phony.

How about for instance, that the fact that this "Duck Dynasty" family is nothing but a farce or a parody? That the people playing the "Duck Dynasty" family are, outside the show, actually more like golfing preppies. I just came across what appears to be a photo of some of the "Duck Dynasty" guys dressed in khakis, cleanly shaved, and ready to go golfing.

I'm still not able to post pictures on Apolyton though, so if someone else can find it and post it here, that'd be great.

[Ben Kenobi]

What would a yankee from Iowa know about 'phoney southerners'?

[MrFun]

I thought Yankee refers only to Northeastern Americans.

But anyway Ben, how does it feel to be played for a schmuck or a sucker?

[Ben Kenobi]

I thought Yankee refers only to Northeastern Americans.

Folks, we have a masters in history here. Yes, Iowans are considered to be Yankees.

But anyway Ben, how does it feel to be played for a schmuck or a sucker?

And here I thought you were goyim. Hidden depths indeed.

[self biased]

this whole thing reeks of a manufactured outrage.