QUACKS LIKE A DUCK

''If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck. Its a duck''. Little more should need to be said about this statement. Unfortunately this is not the case especially if your Phil Robertson of  "Duck Dynasty". In a recent GQ magazine interview Mr. Robertson decided to share his rather conservative and some might say bigoted views.

This Blog is not so much about what he said but about the way certain elements of our society reacted to it. More importantly about what has now become a society which claims to value freedom of speech and expression yet acts in a completely contrary manner. We have become overly politicized. Overly sensitive and overtly aggressive. We advocate freedoms; yet we demand actions be taken on those who utilize those freedoms, especially if what they preach is not what we believe. There is no doubt that what Phil Robertson said was insulting, degrading, and narrow minded to some. He might even be a bigot. Mr. Robertson is a devout christian from the back woods of Louisiana (West Monroe to be exact). If you need a clearer picture of where he comes from and the foundations of his beliefs you need only understand the following. It is the birth place of white supremacy. In 1860 almost 50% (47%) of the population where slaves. It was a place instrumental in developing the policies and practices of the KKK. This is a place that kept, right up until 1965, most African Americans from voting using a state provision. Now none of this is an excuse for excessive ramblings or statements which promote hate but here is the problem. Did anything Robertson said in the GQ article actually promote hate? Have a read, "Start with homosexual behavior and just morph out from there. Bestiality, sleeping around with this woman and that woman and that woman and those men." He also paraphrased a Biblical passage from First Corinthians saying, "Don’t be deceived. Neither the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the greedy, the drunkards, the slanderers, the swindlers—they won’t inherit the kingdom of God. Don’t deceive yourself. It’s not right." Robertson also questioned the appeal of same-sex relationships saying that a vagina is more appealing to a man. However, Robertson also said that he does not judge anyone, but leaves that up to God saying,"We just love ’em, give ’em the good news about Jesus—whether they’re homosexuals, drunks, terrorists. We let God sort ’em out later, you see what I’m saying?" Now you might justifiably see his views as narrow- minded, old, outdated, passe and perhaps offensive. What you cannot do however is claim that his statements advocates hate or violence. Also it is important to note that he did not express these views at any time during the shows episodes or broadcast.

There in lies the issue concerning free speech and what it exactly means. Especially those who use their free speech the loudest to condemn others rights to the very same privilege. '' One of the problems with defending free speech is you often have to defend people that you find to be outrageous and unpleasant and disgusting''. Salman Rushdie. There is a reality in our society and it is this. Those who advocate free speech often mean they advocate only speech that they agree with. They are not protectors of this right or gate keepers of the principle of free speech. Those who demand firings, and banishment or censoring are often the very same people who have come into the public eye as a result of their own right to have benefited from free speech. In particular the organization GLAAD who has been the most vocal in demanding A&E (the broadcasters of the show) fire Roberstson and have pressured the shows sponsors to pull out their advertising. You see GLAAD and many other organizations came into existence and have grown and prospered as a result of the right to free speech. Had they been limited in their ability to vehicle their message, had their spokespersons been silenced then the current status of homosexual and gay rights would be no where near where they are in our society. It is in leveraging this exact same free speech rights that they have been able to secure the legislation and rights which they now deserve to enjoy. The idea that demanding that someone be fired or removed, or banished or censored coming from any of these organizations is outright hypocrisy. They more then anyone should welcome the statements made by Robertson. Why? Simple. The struggle and fight the LGBT community has waged to achieve the rights they deserve were achieved as a result of free speech. It was in these battles against those who share views such as Robertson that the public debate occurred. That this public debate resulted in our leaders understanding that the majority of the people were in favor of equal rights for everyone regardless of ones sexual orientation. It was this fight, held in the ring of public opinion, on the back of free speech that the battles were won.

''You should protest about the views of people you disagree with over major moral issues, and argue them down, but you should not try to silence them, however repugnant you find them. That is the bitter pill free speech requires us to swallow''. Julian Baggini. Anyone who calls for the firing, dismissal, banishment or censoring of Robertson is not a true patriot of the First Amendment. Those organizations or individuals have risen to a position of power as a result of free speech but now seek to control and censor the content of messages they disagree with through threat. If you ask them they will tell you that they are in favor of free speech. That they vehemently support it. In reality however, what they are saying through their conduct is, beware everyone! For if you say something we feel is an affront to our beliefs, our values, our way of life then we will come at you and demand action against you. You are not entitled to express your beliefs. We will not tolerate you or consider your beliefs. So in essence they are saying, '' you are not entitled to believe in your convictions, your convictions and beliefs are the only ones that count''. We will simply leverage our power and use economic threat to silence you. These people or organizations are not defenders of free speech. They are enemies of it.

''Ignorant free speech often works against the speaker. That is one of several reasons why it must be given rein instead of suppressed'' Anna Quindlan.Something is going dramatically wrong with the way our society sees and interprets the right to free speech. Somewhere along the way as we have appropriately adapted our beliefs to accommodate the rights of others; we have began to believe that anyone who speaks out about their own beliefs are to be segregated, diminished and banished. Its as if the gaining of rights by one group justifies the removal of rights from another.The right to express your beliefs does not and should not belong uniquely to those who believe they have been wronged or held back. They must equally apply to everyone. There is plenty of vial, hatred and racism to go around. You do not need to look far to see it, experience it or hear it. This is exactly why those who advocate free speech should push for it even more without fear of reprisal or retribution. The only way to move our society forward is to welcome those debates. Allow those who have beliefs, ideas and principles about these issues to make them public. To allow all of society to measure them against their own convictions and values. Those who promote hatred want only for society to push them to the dark rooms of secrecy where they can propagate their messages and incite those to hatred. Only when we welcome these messages into the open forum can we advance the cause of all human beings. It will only be achieved when the principles of those beliefs are debated on their merit.

I have always had faith in humanities ability to eventually see the right path. While at times it takes too long we do ultimately move forward. Society does not need to hear the calls for firings, dismissal, censorship or banishment from organizations or individuals who have achieved a voice through the very same means which they now criticize. Leave it to Society to determine what to do with those individuals. History has taught us that they will simply fade into obscurity to be remembered only for having motivated humanity to be better and to do the right thing.