Perhaps think before opening up your bill!

In the midst of DuckGate, or what I like to call the Duck that roared and got axed, there is a tremendous debate in the media, and social networks of those who support or oppose the suspension of Duck Dynasty patriarch, Phil Robertson. In fact, there are those who are passionately opposing this move, by issuing death threats and sending suspicious packages to the offices of A&E. If you ask me, am I surprised by his views...No. Do I believe in the right to free speech? Yes, as long as it doesn't cause harm or threatens a person's safety.. Do I believe that the network had every right to suspend, fire, or possibly cancel his show. Yes.

Since this story is over 24 hours old and been recycled more than a car battery, I'm not going into specifics of the details, his background, or the the show. I'm actually going to substitute some of the words and connotations he said, and replace it with some of the things that not only our community hears and deals with from television, movies, and other media outlets, but what the disabled community hears and deals with as well.  What would have happened if Phil would have stated that those in wheelchairs should not be granted accessibility to public places? What would have happened if Phil would have stated those with autism or Downs Syndrome need to be kept in Mental Health Centers and sheltered away from the public? What would have happened if Phil would have said that all little people(probably would have used the infamous M-word) should only work in circuses or as leprechauns and elves? I can't answer what would have happened to Phil, but unfortunately, many celebrities and public officials have made ignorant remarks like this and have not faced any repercussions. When Rosie O' Donnell announced her fears of LP's on the Chelsea Handler show, she faced an onslaught of emails and tweets denouncing her comments, but unfortunately, she was not reprimanded by the OWN Network. When Chelsea Handler made  jokes towards LP's or comments about their personal lives, she faced repercussions from the LP community, but there wasn't a reprimand from the E Network. Just recently, Lindsay Lohan said she was afraid of little people,  The response? People shaking their heads, as poor Lindsay has enough issues. And last but not least, when Paramount and the filmmakers of "The Wolf of Wall Street" were asked to remove the Dwarf Tossing scene from the movie, they only responded by removing it from some of the trailers.(As of now, it isn't sure if this was removed from the movie) As we have seen from prime time, cable television, movies, and even the 24 hour news cycle, politically correctness and sensitivity unfortunately doesn't cover everyone in their eyes.

When Phil Robertson made his comments, he was expressing his free speech, but as he was representing his show and A&E, he offended the network's employees who are African-American, and those who lead alternative lifestyles. Phil didn't understand that his "co-workers" have every right to be in a workplace where they do not have to tolerate any hate or discrimination because they are a different race, sex, national origin, disability, or sexual orientations. At the end of the day, this is why he was suspended. If it had to do with money, then he would still be filming, as the viewers (both fans and haters) might tune in to see what he says next. But I would hope that companies such as Comcast, Time Warner, Viacom, Disney, and the other media conglomerates would follow suit and protect the rights and respects of their employees who are disabled.

As we have seen in the last twenty years, saying what's on your mind can be very destructive. Just ask Jimmy the Greek, Marge Schott, Al Campanis, Fuzzy Zoeller, Sergio Garcia, and now we can add Phil Robertson to this list, but unfortunately, there are many names that aren't listed. I think it's time that everyone adheres to the standards of being respectable to all differences. With it being 2013, people should know better, but it's obvious a lot of work has to be done.