Alabama State Senator Says ‘Duck Dynasty’ Star Should be “Considered a Hero”

Alabama state Sen. Jerry Fielding (R-Sylacauga) feels that Duck Commander Phil Robertson has been wronged by the media for his anti-gay and racist remarks that were published in a GQ magazine interview. The Senator plans to introduce legislation in support of the Duck Dynasty reality star, according to the Daily Home.

Robertson has been temporarily removed from the highly popular reality A&E show after his anti-gay remarks and suggesting that African Americans were happier hoeing cotton during, you know, the “pre-welfare” days.

“I never, with my eyes, saw the mistreatment of any black person. Not once. Where we lived was all farmers. The blacks worked for the farmers. I hoed cotton with them. I’m with the blacks, because we’re white trash. We’re going across the field…. They’re singing and happy. I never heard one of them, one black person, say, ‘I tell you what: These doggone white people’—not a word!… Pre-entitlement, pre-welfare, you say: Were they happy? They were godly; they were happy; no one was singing the blues.”

The GOP lawmaker says Robertson’s views are on par with the “Christian beliefs” that a majority of the citizens of Alabama share. The GOP lawmaker says Robertson should be “celebrated as a hero.” Here’s Fielding’s resolution thanks to the Daily Home:

“Whereas, renown entrepreneur, Louisiana outdoorsman, and reality television star Phil Robertson has positively impacted countless lives through the powerful testimony of his steadfast faith in Jesus Christ and how it has transformed his life; and Whereas Phil Robertson, along with his family, who are featured on the reality television show, Duck Dynasty, have served as ambassadors of the love and grace of the Heavenly Father through their exemplary lives on and off the camera; they have used their fame as a platform to promote wholesome ideals involving family and home life and worship of the Lord; and Whereas recently, Phil has received backlash for expressing his personal views on homosexuality that were based on scripture in the Bible in an interview with GQ Magazine; ultimately, the Arts and Entertainment Network (A&E) punished him for his beliefs and suspended him indefinitely from the reality television show, Duck Dynasty, even though he did not address his views in correlation with the program; and Whereas a portion of the politically correct populous, which strongly encourages tolerance and open-mindedness, is now contradicting themselves with extreme intolerance and close-mindedness towards Phil and his personal beliefs, which stem from his rock-solid Christian faith; and Whereas while Phil does not condone certain lifestyles or behaviors, he issued the following profound statement abounding with love and tolerance: ‘I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me; we are all created by the Almighty, and like Him, I love all of humanity’; and Whereas Phil should not be penalized in any way for practicing freedom of speech, but should be celebrated as a hero for courageously revealing his self-truth and Christian ideals in a world that can be unkind towards those with a conservative mind-set; and Whereas Phil Robertson and his family’s admirable stance on marriage, family, and faith reflects the meritorious ideals of the fine citizens of the entire State of Alabama, and it is a tremendous privilege to express our utmost solidarity for them; now therefore, Be it resolved by the Legislature of Alabama, both houses thereof concurring, that this chamber of persons stand united in support of Phil Robertson and his family, and in opposition to the A&E Network’s deplorable action of suspending Phil indefinitely from Duck Dynasty for relaying his Christian beliefs.”

This isn’t news. Robertson has been saying these kinds of things before the GQ interview went viral. I wonder if anyone at A&E considered attending any of Robertson’s sermons before giving him a reality show. Here’s a video surfaced by Heavy:

(via: HuffPo, Daily Mail and <a href=”http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson#ixzz2od6AJH5a
“>GQ)

This article appears in Dec 26, 2013 – Jan 1, 2014.