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Why Duck Dynasty Threatens The Left
The Federalist ^ | December 21, 2013 | Adrienne Royer

Posted on 12/22/2013 11:45:38 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet

It was only a matter of time before the left complained about Phil Robertson. His actual quotes in GQ are almost insignificant – at some point, someone was going to go after him for his views on guns, women, and even his much-hated “yuppie” comments.

The surprise should be how liberals dismissed the rise of Duck Dynasty until this fall, when it was too late to stem the show’s popularity. Once it became evident that this family held so much influence, the left suddenly realized they faced the first threat to their decades-long monopoly on popular culture.

Anyone familiar with the show knows Phil Robertson, the philosophical patriarch of the Monroe, La. family, always says exactly what he thinks. Due to the popularity of their Duck Commander duck-call whistles and his football prowess while a student at LA Tech, Robertson regularly speaks at hunting and fishing events, and videos of his on Creationism, American Exceptionalism and abortion are available on YouTube.

There is no way that A&E decision makers weren’t aware of his views, nor is it likely that these comments came as a surprise to groups like GLAAD and Human Rights Campaign.

Between their record-setting season 4 premiere in August, the success of their influence in the election of Vance McAllister in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District and their domination of popular culture, as seen by having a top Halloween costume for 2013, it’s clear the Robertsons won over America before the liberals were able to undermine their potential their success.

With an average of 13.3 million viewers per new episode, this was the year of beards and camo. While “redneck” culture is currently trendy on cable networks, Duck Dynasty grew even larger. In one year, A&E’s viewership is up 10%, and Duck Dynasty was the top 3 show on television among all categories according to Nielsen ratings released on Thursday.

For the first time in reality TV history, the Christian characters are cool – or at least worth watching. If the Robertsons broke the “Christian” ceiling in reality TV, will others follow?

Lessons in Entertainment

Before Duck Dynasty, attempts to infiltrate reality TV failed on the right because the focus was on “infiltrating” rather than producing good entertainment. With a grasp of pop culture and capitalism that puts Kris Kardashian to shame, the Robertsons are the first conservative family to understand how reality TV works.

The emphasis on family, faith, God and guns isn’t subtle, but in general, they don’t use an “in-your-face” attitude that reality TV has associated with most Evangelicals, such as the Duggar family on 20 Kids and Counting or the pointed political snark seen in Sarah Palin’s America.

At its core, Duck Dynasty is a show about family, faith and the American Dream. The show combines the nostalgia of Father Knows Best with the humor of Jackass. Each episode ends with the family gathering in Phil and Miss Kay’s double-wide as Willie, the CEO of Duck Commander, narrates in the same style as John Boy from The Waltons. Most shockingly, Phil ends each episode with prayer, which has been a known point of contention with A&E since the show debuted in 2012.

In just four years, the Robertsons have gone from hosting a hunting and fishing show on the Outdoor Channel to starring in the most popular reality TV show in history. This astonishing growth – and their ability to merchandise practically any product sold at Wal-Mart – demonstrates how the show’s primary focus on humor combined with their beards, camo, and frat boy antics can push messages supporting traditional marriage, church, masculinity, and gun rights.

The appeal of the show comes from the surprising normalcy and likability of the family. The men might dress like the cast of Easy Rider, hunt almost daily, and make millions in their business, but the show emphasizes the Real America part of their lives rather than only focusing on the cast as developing celebrities. The conflicts on the show emerge from issues average Americans face: helping your parents with their will, teaching your kids to drive, losing weight for your high school reunion, sibling rivalry among brothers, and struggling to find the right Christmas present for your wife. Ask any fan why they love the show, and you’re likely to hear, “The Robertsons remind me of my own family.”

This is the odd thing about current reactions to the show from those who don’t typically watch it. While the Duggars preach and Sarah Palin shoots in the wilds of Alaska, their actions seem calculated to make a political or religious point. By comparison, the Robertson’s Christian faith is just one component of the show. Like many Americans, the lives of the Robertsons revolve around their church, kids’ activities, work and family get-togethers. Because of their honesty about struggles with alcoholism, drugs and overcoming poverty, the Robertsons demonstrate that it is possible to have a close, traditional family unit in modern times without relying on government handouts.

The threat of the Robertsons isn’t in Phil’s politically incorrect comments. The threat is that this family has figured out how right-wing politics and Evangelical Christianity can influence pop culture without being the punch line or the bad guy. While the left has spent decades making conservatives look like idiots and Christians look like bigots, Duck Dynasty reminds average Americans that these views are mainstream. The left is alerted but will those on the right take advantage of what the Robertsons have created?


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Political Humor/Cartoons; US: Louisiana
KEYWORDS: culturewars; duckdynasty; hollywood; louisiana; television; vancemcallister
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1 posted on 12/22/2013 11:45:38 PM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
There is no way that A&E decision makers weren’t aware of his views, nor is it likely that these comments came as a surprise to groups like GLAAD and Human Rights Campaign.

Exactly. Like I said, the suits at A&E were gritting their teeth. So they had to have gotten the message from Disney/ABC: "Our plan trying to get people to mock them has backfired. Find a way to get rid of these clowns!"

2 posted on 12/22/2013 11:53:38 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Governor Sarah Heath Palin for President of the United States in 2016)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

BTW, is this entire show on DVD?


3 posted on 12/22/2013 11:54:55 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Governor Sarah Heath Palin for President of the United States in 2016)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Ya know ... while the left may definitely disagree with those views on guns, women and yuppies - it’s only the LGBT-types who are absolutely rabid in their own position.

Look at it this way ... you could have a Congressman speaking out on those issues, and it might make for political fodder — but if that Congressman speaks out against LGBT-types, he’s going to be attacked RABIDLY!

That’s because homosexuality is a UNIQUE SIN among all the sins listed in the Bible - and the LGBT-types actually reflect that in what they do and how they react.

Here’s what God says about it ...

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,

25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.

27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,

30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;

32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

THAT would certainly be “dynamite” to LGBT-types ... :-) ...

I’m sure they are “foaming at the mouth” at this part ...

For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness ...


4 posted on 12/22/2013 11:56:34 PM PST by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

Also, in reference to what someone else said about homosexuality being another sin - just like all the sins listed in the Bible ... I’ll have to point out that it’s QUITE UNIQUE in comparison to other sins. I said the following in another posting elsewhere ...

The unique thing about what God said in Romans 1 — is that this particular sin is actually a “judgement” from God in that He has them debasing themselves in such a way. THIS (what the LGBTs promote) is actually God’s judgement upon them in that they are to do these things to themselves. They, therefore, receive god’s judgement in the “here and now” for clearly rejecting what god has made clear to the,.

SO ... while these are all sins - fornication, adultery, thieving, drunkenness, slandering, swindling - and will not be allowed into Heaven ... none of these are, in and of themselves - a condition which God imposes upon people for their rejection of what God has made clear to them,

On the other hand — the LGBT lifestyle is a specific condition and judgement of God Himself - upon these people,

AND THEREFORE, God has put upon them the absolute worst of the worst sin possible in a human being - in order to thoroughly DEBASE them to the ultimate extent in THIS LIFE, in the HERE AND NOW and not upon “Judgement Day”.

LGBT-people are a “walking advertisement” of God thoroughly debasing someone to the maximum extent possible, in a human being. They are walking around with a “neon flashing sign” — saying — “Look at me! God has not even waited until Judgement Day to judge me!”


5 posted on 12/22/2013 11:57:52 PM PST by Star Traveler (Remember to keep the Messiah of Israel in the One-World Government that we look forward to coming)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

A&E really wanted to tell you a story ’bout a man named Jed
http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/12/ae-really-wanted-to-tell-you-a-story-bout-a-man-named-jed/


6 posted on 12/23/2013 12:00:41 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet (A courageous man finds a way, an ordinary man finds an excuse.)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet; All
We were at a extended family Christmas party last night and some who were watching TV were watching Duck Dynasty reruns. And they were the kind of yuppie types Phil talks about. Made me feel like we're winning this one.
7 posted on 12/23/2013 12:01:05 AM PST by McGruff (How's that Hopey Changey thingy workin out for ya?)
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To: 2ndDivisionVet

One reason I quit watching most modern movies and tv shows is that I noticed a distinct lack of what I consider normal Americans. Most males depicted in modern tv shows and movies are usually squishy lib types, think Pajama Boy, who either love the the leftist life or come around after being shown the error of their ways by a kindhearted lib female or homosexual character.


8 posted on 12/23/2013 1:09:46 AM PST by driftless2
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
or the pointed political snark seen in Sarah Palin’s America.

First, the show was Sarah Palin's Alaska. Second, I don't remember any "political snark" except maybe directed at the Palin hating writer who moved in next door to her.

9 posted on 12/23/2013 1:30:52 AM PST by Hugin
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To: 2ndDivisionVet
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
10 posted on 12/23/2013 1:57:41 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: driftless2
One reason I quit watching most modern movies and tv shows is that I noticed a distinct lack of what I consider normal Americans. Most males depicted in modern tv shows and movies are usually squishy lib types, think Pajama Boy,

I gave up on it decades ago. In so many ways American pop culture has sunk. Even the cartoons suck today, as of course does the music, especially in comparison to the great tunes of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

11 posted on 12/23/2013 2:08:18 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: ETL; driftless2

For me it was looking for something to watch on a Saturday morning and found an episode of DeGrassi High (sp?) where a gay student was being treated like a hero after he physically assaulted a member of the school’s bible club during an abstinence demonstration because their “hate” drove him over the edge. The show treated this as a logical conclusion and the assaulting fag as a misunderstood hero. And this is early Saturday morning programming, obviously targeted at children.

Pulled the plug, smashed the TV and threw it in the river.


12 posted on 12/23/2013 2:35:01 AM PST by Anton.Rutter
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To: Anton.Rutter
Pulled the plug, smashed the TV and threw it in the river.

Lol. There definitely are some good programs on tv today, assuming you like history and nature documentaries as I do. But outside of sports I have near zero use for it. Fortunately for me, I have just about everything I could ever possibly want to watch downloaded to my PC: movies, classic 50s-60s tv series, docs of various types, etc.

13 posted on 12/23/2013 2:47:32 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

WalMart has seasons 1-3 on DVD at $9.97 each.


14 posted on 12/23/2013 3:53:54 AM PST by BamaDi ("The definition of a racist today is anyone who is winning an argument with a liberal.")
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To: Extremely Extreme Extremist

Disney doesn’t want to kill the show, they want to have the Robertsons ‘correct’ their beliefs like many churches have done. They want them to lead the flock of viewers to the left.


15 posted on 12/23/2013 3:58:06 AM PST by bigtoona
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To: Hugin
First, the show was Sarah Palin's Alaska.

Thanks, I thought maybe I missed something.

16 posted on 12/23/2013 4:02:07 AM PST by mabarker1 (Please, Somebody Impeach the kenyan!!!!)
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To: ETL

Those pictures represent the great divide in this country. I never thought I’d see the day when the right to prance around and marry someone of the same sex would be considered a major civil rights issue. Most of them are insecure and pathetic and hate what they truly are.


17 posted on 12/23/2013 4:12:05 AM PST by jersey117
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To: jersey117

If I had and knew how to use photoshop, I would stick Obama’s head on PJ Boy. Then again, I’m sure someone else has already done it.


18 posted on 12/23/2013 4:24:53 AM PST by ETL (ALL (most?) of the Obama-commie connections at my FR Home page: http://www.freerepublic.com/~etl/)
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To: Star Traveler

You are so right. Homosexuality is the judgment of God. And that’s why even though I despise this sin, I can’t hate these people themselves. I pity them instead. Barring genuine repentance and turning from their sin they are in hell already. I’m scared for them because I fear The Lord and know He keeps His promises.


19 posted on 12/23/2013 4:41:31 AM PST by .45 Long Colt
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To: driftless2

You mean like casting a she-man like Tom Cruise in the role Jack Reacher? ...there is a movie I won’t pay to see.


20 posted on 12/23/2013 5:30:26 AM PST by ThePatriotsFlag (...and to the Republic for which it stood.)
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