“Jesus Christ was nailed to a cross because he refused to keep his mouth shut,” the former publisher of The Union newspaper, now at a sister paper in Roseburg, Ore., wrote in a column this weekend.
“It seems the Roman soldiers have been replaced by the P.C. Cops, and they are waiting to nail anyone who utters an offensive word.
“Phil Robertson is just the latest casualty in the war on speech.
“Robertson is one of the stars of the popular reality television show ‘Duck Dynasty.’
“He was suspended by A&E indefinitely because he offered an opinion. In a magazine interview, Phil was asked to clarify his Christian values and he pretty much called homosexuals sinners.”
The rest of the article is here.
Jeff Pelline's Sierra Foothills Report 
Pathetic.
Tack on another question to that 10-question list from Nader via Ben a few days back:
How can you defend Duck Dude while attacking A&E, while both are simply expressing themselves in a fully legal manner?
Ooh, even better:
How can you compare Duck Dude to Jesus Christ?
Maybe I’m way off base – I confess to not having followed it… maybe I can get the Clif Notes from Sarah Palin.
Silliness doesn’t take time off for the holidays!
Here’s what Todd thinks:
http://sierradragonsbreathe.blogspot.com/2013/12/duck-you-sucka.html
I guess I don’t have much to say to Todd/Jeff or Jeff/Todd except that:
•In 2008, Nevada County voters supported Proposition 8 by just three votes, according to the final results. That means “many” people are OK with same-sex marriage in our county.
•The “Laramie Project,” which was shown in our community and many others, is a reminder of how elected, civic and business leaders can help us appreciate tolerance and other Christian values that I presume we want to uphold (regardless of our personal opinions):
http://www.matthewshepard.org/home/have-you-seen-the-laramie-project
•The First Amendment never gives people the right to show poor judgment, as Phil Robertson did in his highly public comments. All too often, we show poor judgment and then hold up the First Amendment shield. It’s a cop out.
This episode with Phil is a good example of how our politics become polarized:
https://sierrafoothillsreport.com/2013/12/28/how-our-local-politics-have-become-so-polarized/
And being a Christian and a patriot (words that have spiritual and cultural meaning to me and others but have become the lexicon of our high-charged political rhetoric), I don’t think it supports either concept.
Here’s a little preaching from Brother Phil telling the congregation to marry 15 year old girls. Don’t wait till they’re 20 because they’ll pick your pockets.
Our local hard right is now picking on Obama’s religion:
http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2013/12/shoring-up-obamas-religion.html
We have an ongoing conversation with our son about “practicing what you preach,” because he is getting old enough to see some ironies too. The operating word (or not) seems to be tolerance.
When I was growing up, my father used to joke about all the churchgoers at our family parish who almost ran each other over as they exited the parking lot on the way home — “with vigor,” as the hymnal puts it.
It’s dangerous when you’re sure you’re right because God is on your side. We have a surge in that mindset nowadays, with our ever polarized politics.
I don’t agree with all of this, but it’s something any Christian, including myself, should consider:
http://www.alternet.org/belief/10-things-traditional-christians-got-terribly-wrong
If you like your Republican Congress Folks….you can keep them.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2011/06/god_caught_backing_multiple_go.html
The “rights” God seems to have a great sense of humor. Bachmann, Santorum, and Cain all got the “call” for them to run for President. The other GOP candidates got a call from Sheldon Adelson.
Ackerman really misses an important point in his reactionary editorial: the Constitution protects his speech from government intrusion, not from the approbation of his community, just as it protects Robertson’s speech from government intrusion not the legitimate disdain of A & E viewers (well at least some of them). Ackerman also falls into the trap of defining Robertson’s speech as an individual expression of opinion while defining protest against it as ‘special interest’ speech. By his own logic ‘special interests’ are nothing more than collections of individuals, as Ackerman himself opined in his defense of Citizen’s United several years ago, thus he is applying a double standard.
But what Ackerman’s editorial really represents, as demonstrated by his juxtaposition of the urban and the rural, is a stubborn insistence to holding on to the past which is regularly demonstrated on many of our local blogs. Ackerman’s motivation is fear, loss of position in society, loss of special status for those previously considered the ‘moral’ ones, and a growing sense of disempowerment for people living in ‘rural’ or conservative regions of our country, and ultimately a profound insecurity about the future.
Consider this comment over at Rebane’s blog in response to a Ben Emery comment as the ultimate expression of insecurity, which went unchallenged by almost all of Rebane’s regular readers, including Rebane (the poster was using what I suspect is a culture war a nom de guerre):
“Mr. Brother Ben: Women have made great strides in politics and business. I remember when HBO first had a woman at the helm and they cut way back on the frontal nude shots. Bummer. I like women and I like boobs. Oh well, at least Showtime and Cine-Max stepped up to fill the gap.
Women are the biggest majority in our country. Think it is 50.46% of the population and they will outlive us dastardly white fascists of the male gender.
My point is to give credit where credit is due. The people of The Golden State have elected Maxine Waters, Boxer, Nancy and Iron Man Competition Winner Diane. That is an estrogen overload in my humble opinion. And look at our Native American squaw from Massachusetts and the homely Patty from WA State. Shows you don’t have to be part of the Beautiful People to get elected.
We have Carly and Meg and the richest person in Australia is another homely dame. Most of the top brass in my organization are Afro-American obese chicks in the HR Department and they make a heck of a lot more money that most. They have come a long way baby and they ain’t turning back.
So, give credit where credit is due. Heck, we might even have a gash as the next President of these here United States. We even have homely women on the US Supreme Court, one of which lost every single case she brought forth as US Solicitor General. I often masturbate to my pin up gal, the esteemed cripple Ruthie Bader G, but I digress. I did like that bird Sara O from Arizona who retired from the court. Nice rancher with nice jugs. Love a cowgirl when she takes that black robe off.
In the Cabinet we have had Dr. Rice (two!) and Hillary (before she bonked her head after Benghazi and came down with amnesia) and who can forget my favorite gash, the Honorable Discharge Former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders and her self gratification theory of trickle down rugged individualism safe sex.
Just saying change takes time and give credit when credit is due. We are still evolving until the day our fairer sex will take over the world and we will all be watching the sequel to The Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman. Gives new meaning to Amazon.com.”
What an idiot!
Of course Justice “O”s name is Sandra.
Sheesh!
Yep,
Robertson is entitled to his opinions and has the right to speak them without government censorship, as he did. He was not arrested for doing so, FBI did not shut him up, and the consuming population of the the US is entitled to their opinions and the right to express it.
Personally I think this is the epitome of Bread Circuses and how low the level our culture and society. We have been raised to think we are this advanced culture while at the same time millions want to watch people tear themselves apart and promote consumerism.
List of reality shows (Only the letter A shows)
http://www.realitytvworld.com/realitytvworld/allshows.shtml
• Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition [Abby’s Ultimate Dance Competition RSS feed]
• Ace of Cakes [Ace of Cakes RSS feed]
• Addicted [Addicted RSS feed]
• Adventures in Hollyhood [Adventures in Hollyhood RSS feed]
• Age of Love [Age of Love RSS feed]
• The Agency [The Agency RSS feed]
• Airline [Airline RSS feed]
• Airplane Repo [Airplane Repo RSS feed]
• All American Girl [All American Girl RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race [The Amazing Race RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 1 [The Amazing Race 1 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 2 [The Amazing Race 2 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 3 [The Amazing Race 3 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 4 [The Amazing Race 4 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 5 [The Amazing Race 5 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 6 [The Amazing Race 6 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 7 [The Amazing Race 7 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 8 [The Amazing Race 8 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 9 [The Amazing Race 9 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 10 [The Amazing Race 10 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race: All-Stars [The Amazing Race: All-Stars RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 12 [The Amazing Race 12 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 13 [The Amazing Race 13 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 14 [The Amazing Race 14 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 15 [The Amazing Race 15 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 16 [The Amazing Race 16 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 17 [The Amazing Race 17 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business [The Amazing Race: Unfinished Business RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 19 [The Amazing Race 19 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 20 [The Amazing Race 20 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 21 [The Amazing Race 21 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 22 [The Amazing Race 22 RSS feed]
• The Amazing Race 23 [The Amazing Race 23 RSS feed]
• Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew [Randy Jackson Presents: America’s Best Dance Crew RSS feed]
• America’s Best Dance Crew 1 [America’s Best Dance Crew 1 RSS feed]
• America’s Best Dance Crew 2 [America’s Best Dance Crew 2 RSS feed]
• America’s Best Dance Crew 3 [America’s Best Dance Crew 3 RSS feed]
• America’s Best Dance Crew 4 [America’s Best Dance Crew 4 RSS feed]
• America’s Best Dance Crew 5 [America’s Best Dance Crew 5 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent [America’s Got Talent RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 1 [America’s Got Talent 1 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 2 [America’s Got Talent 2 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 3 [America’s Got Talent 3 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 4 [America’s Got Talent 4 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 5 [America’s Got Talent 5 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 6 [America’s Got Talent 6 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 7 [America’s Got Talent 7 RSS feed]
• America’s Got Talent 8 [America’s Got Talent 8 RSS feed]
• America’s Most Smartest Model [America’s Most Smartest Model RSS feed]
• America’s Next Great Restaurant [America’s Next Great Restaurant RSS feed]
• America’s Next Muppet [America’s Next Muppet RSS feed]
• America’s Next Producer [America’s Next Producer RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model [America’s Next Top Model RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 1 [America’s Next Top Model 1 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 2 [America’s Next Top Model 2 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 3 [America’s Next Top Model 3 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 4 [America’s Next Top Model 4 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 5 [America’s Next Top Model 5 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 6 [America’s Next Top Model 6 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 7 [America’s Next Top Model 7 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 8 [America’s Next Top Model 8 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 9 [America’s Next Top Model 9 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 10 [America’s Next Top Model 10 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 11 [America’s Next Top Model 11 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 12 [America’s Next Top Model 12 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 13 [America’s Next Top Model 13 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 14 [America’s Next Top Model 14 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 15 [America’s Next Top Model 15 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 16 [America’s Next Top Model 16 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 17 [America’s Next Top Model 17 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model 18 [America’s Next Top Model 18 RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model: College Edition [America’s Next Top Model: College Edition RSS feed]
• America’s Next Top Model: Guys & Girls [America’s Next Top Model: Guys & Girls RSS feed]
• America’s Toughest Jobs [America’s Toughest Jobs RSS feed]
• American Chopper [American Chopper RSS feed]
• American Gladiators [American Gladiators RSS feed]
• American Hot Rod [American Hot Rod RSS feed]
• American Idol [American Idol RSS feed]
• American Idol 1 [American Idol 1 RSS feed]
• American Idol 2 [American Idol 2 RSS feed]
• American Idol 3 [American Idol 3 RSS feed]
• American Idol 4 [American Idol 4 RSS feed]
• American Idol 5 [American Idol 5 RSS feed]
• American Idol 6 [American Idol 6 RSS feed]
• American Idol 7 [American Idol 7 RSS feed]
• American Idol 8 [American Idol 8 RSS feed]
• American Idol 9 [American Idol 9 RSS feed]
• American Idol 10 [American Idol 10 RSS feed]
• American Idol 11 [American Idol 11 RSS feed]
• American Idol 12 [American Idol 12 RSS feed]
• American Idol 13 [American Idol 13 RSS feed]
• American Inventor [American Inventor RSS feed]
• American Inventor 1 [American Inventor 1 RSS feed]
• American Inventor 2 [American Inventor 2 RSS feed]
• American Loggers [American Loggers RSS feed]
• American Pickers [American Pickers RSS feed]
• American Dream Derby [American Dream Derby RSS feed]
• American Juniors [American Juniors RSS feed]
• Amish Mafia [Amish Mafia RSS feed]
• Amish In The City [Amish In The City RSS feed]
• Amne$ia [Amne$ia RSS feed]
• Anchorwoman [Anchorwoman RSS feed]
• The Anna Nicole Show [The Anna Nicole Show RSS feed]
• Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations [Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations RSS feed]
• The Antonio Treatment [The Antonio Treatment RSS feed]
• Anything For Love [Anything For Love RSS feed]
• The Apprentice [The Apprentice RSS feed]
• The Apprentice 1 [The Apprentice 1 RSS feed]
• The Apprentice 2 [The Apprentice 2 RSS feed]
• The Apprentice 3 [The Apprentice 3 RSS feed]
• The Apprentice 4 [The Apprentice 4 RSS feed]
• The Apprentice 5 [The Apprentice 5 RSS feed]
• The Apprentice: Los Angeles [The Apprentice: Los Angeles RSS feed]
• The Apprentice 7 [The Apprentice 7 RSS feed]
• The Celebrity Apprentice 1 [The Celebrity Apprentice 1 RSS feed]
• The Celebrity Apprentice 2 [The Celebrity Apprentice 2 RSS feed]
• The Celebrity Apprentice 3 [The Celebrity Apprentice 3 RSS feed]
• The Celebrity Apprentice 4 [The Celebrity Apprentice 4 RSS feed]
• The Celebrity Apprentice 5 [The Celebrity Apprentice 5 RSS feed]
• All-Star Celebrity Apprentice [All-Star Celebrity Apprentice RSS feed]
• The Apprentice: Martha Stewart [The Apprentice: Martha Stewart RSS feed]
• Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? [Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? RSS feed]
• Are You Hot? [Are You Hot? RSS feed]
• Armed & Famous [Armed & Famous RSS feed]
• Around the World in 80 Ways [Around the World in 80 Ways RSS feed]
• Arranged Marriage [Arranged Marriage RSS feed]
• The Ashlee Simpson Show [The Ashlee Simpson Show RSS feed]
• Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust [Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust RSS feed]
• The Assistant [The Assistant RSS feed]
• Average Joe [Average Joe RSS feed]
• Average Joe 1 [Average Joe 1 RSS feed]
• Average Joe 2: Hawaii [Average Joe 2: Hawaii RSS feed]
• Average Joe 3: Adam Returns [Average Joe 3: Adam Returns RSS feed]
• Average Joe 4 [Average Joe 4 RSS feed]
• Ax Men [Ax Men RSS feed]