The cable network A&E suspended Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty fame a few days ago after the reality television star made some disparaging remarks about homosexuality that were published in GQ magazine.

In my life I’ve heard people say some pretty ignorant things that have gotten them in trouble with the public, with their constituents, and with their employers. Believe it or not, I’ve said some pretty stupid things myself. I even worked for a few people who said ignorant things that landed them in hot water.

I hunted ducks as a kid, and I listened to my dad’s 33 1/3 rpm record about duck calling.  I practiced enough with my duck call that ducks actually came when I called them. I never knew someone could make millions from making duck calls. I think I missed out. It seems that Duck Dynasty stuff is everywhere these days.

The Duck Dynasty show is not on my regular schedule so I watch it when I think about it. It is funny – and their life story is remarkable. The first time I watched it I thought that down the road they would probably crash and burn because people probably won’t understand the Robertson family and their beliefs.

Several folks said that Phil Robertson suffered an attack on this freedom of speech rights. These people are wrong. I don’t think Robertson had his free speech rights attacked. Phil Robertson has a right to his opinion – and he has a right to express it. He did. His employer, A&E, did not like what he said, so they suspended him.

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