Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Leave Duck Dynasty’s Robertson Alone

Now that the initial story of Duck Dynasty’s patriarch, Phil Robertson, and his views on several social issues has begun to wane, in typical media fashion (ALL MEDIA, left, right, and center, as they all have their own breed of dog in this fight), as much dirt as can be found on Robertson is being dug up.  In the latest shocker (read: not so much), they found media of him from several years back saying something along the lines that he felt that men should marry girls when they are 15 or 16.   So what?  Does that really come as a surprise to anyone?  What is the point of crucifying him in the court of public opinion?  Do you really think that Phil Robertson’s views are going to turn tolerant people into bigots?  Atheists into theists?  The people who share Robertson’s views are going to continue to share his views.  The people who don’t share his views will continue not to.  What about the children, you ask?  Their poor, innocent, little minds and viewpoints haven’t been fully formed yet, right?  Well, you know what?  It’s up to parents to raise their children how they want to raise them.  If they are letting some “reality” TV show do it, then shame on them.

What do the people think is going to happen here?  Do they think that if they dig up enough crap that Robertson is going to show up next week on an exclusive interview with Barbara Walters, tears in his eyes, and the heartfelt admission that he has seen the err of his ways?  Fat flippin’ chance.  Here’s another news flash, even if he DID, no one would believe him.  People can say whatever they want in public.  In private, they will always be who they are.

So you know what?  Leave him alone.  In the United States people are allowed to express their opinions. There are plenty of people who believe the world is flat, and the moon is made of cheese.  You can give them all the tools you want to help them prove otherwise, but they will never believe it.  That’s ok.  They don’t have to.