A First Amendment tempest in a tea cup

Recently, Phil Robertson, the star of the reality show Duck Dynasty raised quite a ruckus in an interview for the January issue of GQ magazine. His remarks created a stir among those who claim conservative political views. His viewpoints were also a major point of contention for many who support gay rights. The First Amendment was brought out, as well. Free speech was the reason. The A&E network and its reaction to his views by putting him on hiatus is also under quite a bit of discussion.

Here is my take on the matter. Robertson’s views on the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in general are plainly his own. Was it his right to say such things about gay people? Yes, it was. I support his right to free speech fully, even though I object to his views in the strongest of terms. I am 100 percent for gay rights and I support same sex marriage. Frankly, I found his remarks to be deeply offensive.

Think of the First Amendment as a two-edged sword. In order for it to work it must cut both ways. If a conservative person says something freely, then an atheist, Buddhist, Muslim — or person with any other set of beliefs — also has the right to freely express his or hers viewpoint. From the peace activist shouting from the street corner to the supremacist waving a Nazi flag, all have this fundamental right under the blanket of the First Amendment even if their ideals are abhorrent to many.

But is this latest incident a great test of the amendment?

Given that more than few politicians have attached themselves like leaches in a swamp on a victim’s legs, I would say no, it is nothing more than a tempest in a teacup. While I can see the Governor of Louisiana offering support to one its citizens, others who have attempted to jump in are plainly trolling for attention in a gluttonous political feeding frenzy.

Now as to A&E’s decision to put Robertson on hiatus for a time. Well, it is their show, their network and their contract with Robertson. They do have the right to run their business as they see fit. It could also be a calculated attempt to boost ratings for the show and their network with all the free publicity generated by those seeking to exaggerate a molehill into a mountain.

The First Amendment is special. Sometimes our reactions to what some people say, sing, or write have not been the best. Like the country band Dixie Chicks protesting the Iraq war in their songs and live performances. The public did not support their First Amendment rights. It nearly cost them their careers as musicians. Yet decades before groups like Peter, Paul and Mary and Crosby, Stills and Nash were writing and performing protest music about their opposition to the Vietnam War without the reaction the Dixie Chicks garnered years later. People react differently and that is the heart of entire issue. It is very clear a double standard exists.

The First Amendment does not favor the left. It does not favor the right. It is not exclusive to any group or cause. It is however a vital part of everyone living here in this country; thanks to the framers of the U.S. Constitution more than two centuries ago. What vision they had. What if it had been tried today? I highly doubt that such vision exists, or would be allowed to exist, with all the internal conflict going on in the halls of the do nothing U.S. Capitol.

Some blame this on the media on their coverage of it. They point to political bias within their ranks and in a couple of cases they could be right. But none of those doing the most of the complaining can offer a good, reliable alternative sites or news sources to counter the sources out there now. I’ll stick to the ones I trust. As for this attempt to make a mole hill into a major mountainous issue of freedom of speech? No, try again. This reality TV star’s opinions is far from it. Robertson is honest in his beliefs, extreme as they are. He was within his rights to his say. And A&E was within its rights to respond with a hiatus for Robertson. But trying to make this into a national debate is merely a distraction from issues that really matter.

We have much bigger fish to fry. Don’t we?

Wasilla resident Daniel D. Grota retired from the U.S. Army after more than 21 years of service.