A&E has caved and Phil Robertson will remain on Duck Dynasty:
Go here to read the rest. If I may translate the above from the corporatese into English:
“We sort of miscalculated here. Duck Dynasty is our biggest cash cow, but like most people in the entertainment industry we always genuflect to the gay activists. If we don’t, they will make life a living hell for us, especially among our money men. We expected Phil to make a craven apology and after a few months re-education we could bring him back. Instead the dumb hick redneck stood up to us! That surprised us, but we had two worse shocks in store. First, his family backed him to the hilt and said they would walk. Rednecks really believe in family and don’t understand that family is only for photo-ops. Second, the reaction of the country. Fly over country has always been a mystery to us, but we thought they were onboard now with the gay agenda. What a shock, they were backing Phil, and not the gays! Even people who didn’t agree with Phil on homosexuality thought he had a right to say what he said, and they are getting pretty tired of being pushed around by the gay activists. Who knew! So we had the prospect of sticking to our guns, and losing Duck Dynasty, or eating crow. So naturally, we ate crow and caved. We are talking after all about a property with merchandising that is worth half a billion dollars. Oh we tried to negotiate a face saving device with the Robertsons, but they wouldn’t budge. So we are doing a complete cave and putting as many pretty words on it we can. It isn’t as if we believe in anything but cash anyway. The funny thing about those rednecks and their fans, apparently they do take that God talk seriously. Unbelievable.”
On a scale of 1 to 10 of insincere press statements, that registered about a 20.
“On a scale of 1 to 10 of insincere press statements, that registered about a 20.”
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall of the A & E boardroom where those execs have been meeting for the past week and a half. Actually, I think Donald’s summation is probably quite accurate. When the Robertsons didn’t fold – oh, imagine the panicked conference calls and frenzied emails that ensued.
I wonder if other prominent conservatives will begin to demonstrate they have a backbone. I always enjoyed Bob Newhart and was sorry to see him cave in to pressure from the gay Mafia. Yes, I know it’s easy to talk when it’s not your career on the line, but Newhart is 82 now. What exactly can GLAAD do to his career?
Michael Richards, shut down by the Racial Thought Police
OK so it’s not the best analogy but you’re not exactly refuting anyone here, just doing childish name-calling. Plenty of democratic societies have certain things you _can_ say but are generally thought of as unacceptable. If you don’t think this is one of those, you have to explain why instead of whining about the “thought police.” Unless there’s absolutely zero comments someone could make that would justify a company firing them.
So with A&E. its all about “SHOW ME THE MONEY”
“OK so it’s not the best analogy but you’re not exactly refuting anyone here, just doing childish name-calling.”
No, Gay Thought Police is quite an accurate title, because that is precisely what almost all the gay activists aim for. They wish to uproot the Christian condemnation of homosexual conduct as sinful by attacking anyone who dares to uphold that teaching in the public square, traditional concepts of freedom of speech be damned. I never have a problem with those I oppose having a perfect freedom to express themselves because I am confident that I can refute them in argument. Would that the gay activists had a similar confidence. Of course, the left in general seems to have a problem with robust debate currently. Reddit on its hilariously named “science” forums banning global warming critics is a recent manifestation of the leftist compulsion to “win” debates by screaming “Shut up!”
What Don said, but Don was being charitable.
[…] The Gay Thought Police Lose One – Donald R. McClarey JD, TACatholic […]
Any chance A&E is ready to promote tolerance of Christians?
Yeah, sure. (A&E has lost this viewer permanently.)
This comment is from JI. For some reason unknown to me it did not show up in the combox to this thread:
“Well that’s very open-minded of you but all this is is a disagreement about what counts as beyond the pale or not. If global warming denial has been banned maybe it’s because the people representing that viewpoint have done a bad job of bringing up legit evidence for it.”
My reply to JI’s comment:
Actually I suspect that Global Warming critics were making rather too effective arguments for the comfort of the ideologues who obviously run the “science” forums at Reddit.
In a free society no ideas, as opposed to actions, are ever “beyond the pale”.
“So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups”…..
The “advocacy groups” see that they’re losing this battle, and no doubt seek a tactical retreat. Let’s hope this is the beginning of standing up to the bullies who shout people down with language of hate, phobias and bigots. The bully now wants this “stand” to just go away, for all to go back to fear or apathy, and will seek to destroy this family. Pray, be watchful, simple and shrewd… heck Phil knows that perfectly! (And he doesn’t even have what we have -the Magisterium and the Eucharist.) God Bless him.
In 1989 the lone Tiananmen Square man takes a stand….remember the scene?
Tanks stopping in their tracks.
My hope is that Christians are energized to kindly and without shame speak Gods truth in the face of an Gay Agenda Army marching through main street.
Wake up oh quiet silent majority.
As regards the global warming debate, the irrepressible Michel Foucault once observed, “The objective features of a phenomenon so little constrain the ways it is classified and theorized that these features can be disregarded in trying to understand why a particular classification system or scientific theory has been adopted.”
When a paradigm shift occurs, one side seldom or never convinces the other; the rising young people tend to support the new model and its opponents, eventually die out.
This tendency is not confined to the field of science.
“In 1989 the lone Tienanmen Square man takes a stand….remember the scene? Tanks stopping in their tracks.”
Tankman as he is now known, like the boy’s finger in the dyke, stopped the army but only because the world was watching. The tyrants thought that no one would learn of this monstrosity, but thanks to the internet, eight minutes after it began, the world saw and knew, and the world rejected such evil. Divine Providence may be in the form of the internet. I know that Divine Providence is in the First Amendment and especially with the freedom of speech. Only truth has freedom of speech.Thank God. Only the goodness that reverberates from what is, saves us from what ought not to be.
“My hope is that Christians are energized to kindly and without shame speak Gods truth in the face of an Gay Agenda Army marching through main street.”
Atheism removes from the atheist belief in the human soul, with its rationality, immortality, unalienable rights and the testimony the human soul and its creation, who bears witness to the existence of and the ongoing creation of man by God, “their Creator” The free will and the conscience of man, alone, must be acknowledged and recognized by rational people as the magnificence of mankind as opposed to animals and beasts of burden.
The homosexual’s homosexual behavior is not endowed by God but a free will choice of the person who then demands that civil society sanction his behavior “because God created him that way” HUH? Nonsense, and perjury in a court of law. Who ever heard of a male wife? being recognized as legitimate and the whole truth of a so-called gay marriage? Justice demands virtue and innocence, so lying about a male wife is not innocent.
To lie about a male wife and the practice of sodomy require the rejection of the rational soul. Loving a same sex person requires admitting of his immortal soul and caring for his eternity with God or in hell, whichever the homosexual chooses, but to deny the human soul and impose this opinion on the rest of society is injustice.
Mary De Voe.
Amen.
You have it. The beauty of your explanation, truth, is also known as poetry. Thanks for your poem.
May I share it with others?
So many of us can identify with the feeling of being cornered, back to the wall and expected to give an immediate and at the same time a well-thought out reaction/personal statement of belief. If we are caught a bit off balance and don’t make the response that is politically correct with the right nor politically correct with the left we are incorrect with both opposing sides and demonized either way Like the Catholic school allowing gay man to teach until he made public provocation and “married” partner. The school administration decried by both sides
It becomes damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I am sick of it. Tolerance – hold your nose and tolerate something that stinks. This goofy unhinged culture stinks. The four cardinal virtues are the hinges on which morality pends and we can’t agree on what those words even mean (justice prudence fortitude Maybe we can agree on temperance
Maybe not
“When a paradigm shift occurs, one side seldom or never convinces the other; the rising young people tend to support the new model and its opponents, eventually die out. This tendency is not confined to the field of science.”
God renews the face of the earth through our constitutional posterity, the young people rising through innocence and virginity see the old sinners’ faults. Our constitutional posterity’s human soul with his will to live is our states’ right to life. Freedom is endowed at the beginning of life and the soul’s will to live. Abortionists want to believe that the human soul does not know that it is being scraped from the womb, in the same way that homosexual practitioners force all people to believe that the innocence and virginity of their soul does not know that it is being violated.
More Eucharistic processions on Main Street, please.
“You have it. The beauty of your explanation, truth, is also known as poetry. Thanks for your poem.
May I share it with others?”
And now you have it, Philip, and I am glad.
Let us rejoice and be glad for unto us a Savior, Jesus Christ is born.
One Hail Mary.
Phil Robertson’s comments and A & E’s reaction to them and him, and the timing of it so close to Christmas were gifts to the nation. I was on the road a lot before Christmas and when I drive I listen to talk radio. Not only were the calls from listeners supportive of Phil Robertson speaking about his beliefs, the show hosts began to speak of their own Christian beliefs and tying it to the Nativity – their wonder at the love for all humanity that God showed us when His only Son was born to the Virgin Mary; Christ’s sacrifice for us by dying on the Cross and His Resurrection for mankind’s salvation. I found it amazing that these men would be so open on national secular shows. The Holy Spirit at work perhaps?
Yes to Main Street and to Wall Street
The neat thing about Eucharistic processions ( and rosaries in front of planned parenthood and the Supreme Court) is that those are peaceful and kind reminiscent of God’s love not calling names, not impugning motives. Not fai g to speak up but doing so without being acrid
The warfare is spiritgal
“Any chance A&E is ready to promote tolerance of Christians?
Yeah, sure. (A&E has lost this viewer permanently.)”
Bumper sticker: I am Catholic and I vote.
“More Eucharistic processions on main street please.”
He Is THE answer. Your last remark is HUGE. In agreement completely!
Jesus in public processions is not a form of wishful thinking but a tried and true point of humility. In troubled times this final acknowledgment of our failure to get a toe hold “on our own,” was paramount to the complete awareness that Christ is the Victor.
He Changes Hearts!
This comment for more processions should not be taken lightly.
“The Holy Spirit at work perhaps?”
To disenfranchise a person of his citizenship because of his Catholicism is unconstitutional. The HHS Mandate, abortion, gay entitlements, by taking our tax money and disregarding our conscience, is disenfranchisement of our citizenship and unconstitutional. The dismemberment and disenfranchisement of our innocent constitutional posterity is a crime against humanity.
Philip: What a joyful heart you have. May God bless.
Anzlyne: The Rosary, always the rosary.
What the homosexual activists want is not tolerance, but acceptance of their behaviors by the masses and that will never happen despite what TV and government mouthpieces pronounce.
Standby for those promised PSAs from A & E….bet they will be double speak. I do not watch A & E, but if I did they will probably remind me of taking the SAT in the last century, wherein I was directed to write an essay on “Being so open minded that your brains fall out”.
Indeed the rosary and the prayer to St. Michael, the Archangel with public and private recitations. Powerful weapons in spiritual warfare.
“Being so open minded that your brains fall out”. Reminds me of being so ecumenical that your doctrines fall out.
One more…..
While in processions each adorer shall have numerous cards to hand to anyone that asks or remarks as to the “weekly” procession.
The card; Body of Christ, make me Holy. Fill my weak soul with an overflowing of Grace so you and I are one. You have created me for yourself. What an act of ingratitude to keep any part of me for myself. My weakness and pride make me forget You but your humble Presence in the Eucharist stirs my soul to repentance. Let us be hidden together in love and union.
This prayer is from a little holy Nun who remained faithful to her calling. She and her sisters made fishing lures to seed what has become known as EWTN.
Mother Angelica would be honored if we used her prayer in this fashion.
Does EWTN have cards like that for sale?
Anzylne-
Yes!
On the front of the card is a photo of Mother A. On the reverse is the prayer with a small monstrance as the header.
I do not see a id # on the card.
Hope this helps. 🙂
I know I said…..one more, forgive me;
If we could gain our KofC Legion of Mary, Third order of Carmel, Knights of the Immaculata, third order of Franciscans and other faithful lay Catholics with Bishops endorsing this weekly Eucharistic processions appeal the possibility of conversions and increase of vocations to the religious life could be phenomenal.
Ideas anyone?
Oh You have all brought back such beautiful memories of my youth and these beautiful processions! I still participate in them in the small towns of Southern Colorado every chance I get. In August in the little town of LaJara Co for their Church’s Fiesta Celebration the parishoners march in procession with a statue of Our Lady and the Sacred Heart and pray the rosary all through the town and pass out beautiful prayer cards. They also do this in San Luis Co for their fiesta in July. I remember how shocked I was to see a real honest to gosh float with a life size statue of the Blessed Mother, with little children surrounded by Mariachi singers and musicians as part of THE MAIN focus of their town’s parade! Oh should we get back to that it would be wonderful. Out here in the country we always had the procession for “rogation” days with a beautiful acknowledgement of thanksgiving for the crops and the rain. But then again, we don’t really need redneck, agrarian types and people who wear their heart’s and faith on their sleeves. I believe the term now is “progressive”. Wonderful truthful banter back and forth on here. I love it!
Jeanne Rohl.
Correct me if I’m wrong.
Wasn’t it the progressives who said “enough of the old statues in the chapel and do away with public adoration / processions.” The communion rails were pulled up and out. The pews started to go half circle and the focus was more “man” & less God.
Seems the outcome of the progressives is 55million “in the RED” so to speak.
Our poor innocents.
I don’t think A&E had any intention to not hire him back. This is just some big PR stunt by A&E to rake it more money.
There still remains the custom of the “Feste” in various Italian and Spanish quarters of certain cities. Generational assimilation with the current culture takes its toll. What a wonderful idea it would be to propagate something on that order in a broader context. Perhaps beyond defending the faith, we need to go on the attack. Dear Pope Francis, I’ve been thinking……………………………………….:-)
A&E’s campaign will actually be yet another attempt to shove homosexuality down the majority of people’s throats. The biggest lie is that if you don’t agree and accept other people’s lifestyle/values than you must hate them. What a load of rubbish! I’ve worked for years with many people whose beliefs/lifestyle I don’t agree with and yet we have always found a way to work respectfully and with humor. America, don’t believe the lie. Stay true and stand firm.
A great victory! WE all need to stick to our guns and let the gaystapo know that they are wrong!
[…] The Gay Thought Police Lose One LES FEMMES – THE TRUTH […]
Here in the West of Scotland, processions tend to be confined to the Protestant community. They are well-supported, as witness the ABOD march in Glasgow last December.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XyU0BxpYLo
and the Orange Walk last July
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJpJRudr5rs
At any time, it is not uncommon to hear drunken revellers in the streets, bawling out songs like “No Pope of Rome” (to the tune of “Home on the Range”) with its refrain:
“No, no Pope of Rome
No chapels to sadden my eyes
No nuns and no priests
No Rosary beads
Every day is the 12th of July.”
Other favourites are “We are the Billy Boys” (“We’re up to our knees in fenian blood) and, of course, “The Sash” (“For those brave men who crossed the Boyne have not fought or died in vain/ Our Unity, Religion, Laws, and Freedom to maintain.”)
One of the last serious riots in the City was in 1981, when Catholics tried to stage a Rosary Walk for Bobby Sands and the Maze Hunger Strikers.
“the left in general seems to have a problem with robust debate currently”
Yep. I attempted to ask the author on “FreeThinker” blog why he didn’t ask Stacey Trasancos permission to post a picture of her pregnant on his article when blogging about her book. He replied that anyone is welcome to repost ridiculous images of him from his Facebook page. Whilst another of his commenters told me to “f@&$ off”.
I thought to myself, “eye roll”, “sigh”….aint no “thinking” happening on “FreeThinker”.
I loved your translation of the “apology” Donald. Gave me a good chuckle.
Michael Paterson-Seymour: Here in America we have a First Amendment civil right to peaceably assemble for processions, for prayer meetings, for birthday parties for Jesus Christ, because Jesus, the Son of Man and His Father in heaven are Persons. The public square is owned in joint and common tenancy by each and every citizen, people of all faiths and beliefs. Of course every public place without a Nativity scene at Christmas is a tribute to atheism, since the Supreme Court gave atheism into the realm of religion by attribution to penumbras, even though atheism still remains a belief, such as the world is flat, and not a Faith, even as Faith is a gift from God. If Atheism is a gift from God, the house of God would be divided against itself, as Jesus said. As man is only one species: homo sapiens, angels and fallen angels are each a species unto themselves. The devils are a legion of species. Atheism has no God and therefore cannot be judged “religion” because religion is man’s response to God, and man’s relationship with God. Atheism is a denial of man’s response and relationship with God; the annihilation and obliteration of God and the annihilation and obliteration of man. God is a trinity of Persons and therefore, God has civil rights in the public square. The Person of God is a citizen of the world and the universe created by God, and may not be denied civil rights. All civil rights are for Persons. A person is an individual substance of a rational nature. Man is a created person. God is infinite Persons.
“I loved your translation of the “apology” Donald. Gave me a good chuckle.” Your translation of the “apology”, Donald, brought some light to bear on reality for all concerned.
Yes Mary De Voe- I hope when I said it gave me a chuckle, it was understood, that Donald striped the “apology” or excuse, rather, that A&E gave, of all of its BS. And of course, with it came the clarity of exactly what A&E were trying to say, getting themselves tangled like a pretzel trying to say it.
PR companies are such a waste of money.
Beautiful article!
Mary de Voe
The right to hold processions is one thing; the good or bad effects of doing so is another.
Pascal was very perceptive, when he said, “People despise religion; they hate it, because it might be true.” [Les hommes ont mépris pour la religion; ils en ont haine, et pour qu’elle soit vraie]
Nor should this surprise us, for, as Pascal reminds us, Scripture says that God is a hidden God [“Verily, thou art a God that hidest thyself” Is 45:15], and that, since the corruption of nature, He has left men in a blindness [un aveuglement] from which they can escape only through Jesus Christ, without whom all communion with God is cut off. [“Neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him” Matt 11:27]
MP-Seymour.
Jesus wishes to reveal himself for the glory of His Father and the increase of souls saved. Our Holy Church has a rich history of Eucharistic Miracles, some like that of St. Tarcissus ended in what some would say was disastrous. Yet the fruit of the martyrdom of this one holy soul cannot be undervalued. I dare say neither public processions of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. What risk is taken for the conversions of sinners always seems to be well worth it, even at the martyrdom of the faithful.
Yes we are to spread the good news . Eucharistic Processions are for the glory to God and they are efficacious, taking Christ to the streets or to the fields. The drum banging Protestant parades of a more triumphalistic nature( maybe a warning we can read in our popes comments about divisive issues).
Our Eucharistic processions are humble and hopeful, weapons of spiritual war nor because they are “in the face” of opponents but because they bring the transforming power of God to bear.
Jesus Christ is the revelation of God.
Mary de Voe wrote, “Jesus Christ is the revelation of God.”
This is what led Pascal to say, “Not only do we know God by Jesus Christ alone, but we know ourselves only by Jesus Christ. We know life and death only through Jesus Christ. Apart from Jesus Christ, we do not know what is our life, nor our death, nor God, nor ourselves. Thus, without Scripture, which has only Jesus Christ for its object, we know nothing and see only obscurity and confusion in God’s nature and ours.”