About what I expected for a thread on here. Someone incorrectly assuming that the first amendment was violated and lvstephanie contributing a nice post that will go over everyone's head because it contains more than buzz words and talking points.
Unfortunately, here, Facebook, and other blogs that I've read on this issue always seems to revert to saying it's his "right" to say what he did as though Phil is now locked up in prison for voicing his opinion. But until the
Government actually makes Phil leave the show, imprison him, or somehow punishes him for his statements, this is not a 1st Amendment issue! If the 1st Amendment pertained to private interactions, then my non-disclosure agreement that I had to sign to be employed would be null and void. Otherwise it'd sound like, "What?! I can tell the company's secrets to the competitor... I'm free to say whatever I want to! It's my right!"
It's the same issue that I have with people when they get upset when some company decides to be politically correct by making their employees wish the customers a "Happy Holiday" instead of "Merry Christmas". The company itself (esp. for those big retail places) could care less what you celebrate (if you even celebrate any holiday during this time of year), but are basing their policies so as not to offend any of their customers, even if it might offend some of their employees in the process. A Christian's rights aren't being violated by being forced to say "Happy Holidays" since the employer is in no position to truly take those rights away.
BTW, I meant to do this, but posted it before I included this link.... Here is the GQ article that interviewed Phil Robertson that led to this controversy:
http://www.gq.com/entertainment/television/201401/duck-dynasty-phil-robertson?printable=true