Fallen Dynasty? If one of our leaders made the same comments, what consequences would they face?

I would hope our leaders would face dire consequences. If a leader spoke against a minority group, or women, but tried to justify it with scripture, would you be ok with excusing it? You can't have two standards based off of personal preference.

So let me get this strait, Phil Robertson was asked what HIS OPINION was on what he thought was sinful with homosexuality right?  Then he proceeded to give his honest OPINION? Then A&E suspended him from his own show (that by the way, is based off his family's work ethic and values and BELIEF)?  Makes no sense to me. Why ask for an opinion if you only want to hear what you accept.  The Robertsons make over $400,000,000 a year in product sales and had over 9mil viewers on thier Christmas episode.  If you ask me A&E needs the Robertsons more than the Robertsons need A&E.  What was A&E before Duck Dynasty anyway? I don't think anything surprising would happen if one of our senior leaders said something similar.  I think it would be the same type of knee jerk reaction but on a military style scale.

What’s the point of freedom of speech if we seek to punish all those whose views are different from our own?

How is this different then firing someone because they supported gay marriage?

There is always the fine line between your professional and personal life. Mr. Robertson voiced his personal and religious views in an interview. Although he is famous for his show on A&E, I don't think the station should have suspended him for voicing his personal/religious views. I understand that they felt a need to express that his views did not represent the views of A&E, but I think the suspension is a knee-jerk reaction to attempt to appease the LBGT community. They are afraid of the possibility of these groups and sympathetic groups protesting the show or the company, because one of their biggest stars doesn't agree with the lifestyle of these groups.
From a military standpoint, I think our leaders would definitely receive harsh criticism and reprimand, due to the fact that if they were being interviewed, it would most likely be due to their position within the military. Granted, Robertson's interview was most likely granted because of his starring role in Duck Dynasty, but the show itself is based around that family and their work ethic and beliefs. I don't see how the network could not foresee something like this happening, especially since the family espouses their religious background throughout the show.
A&E needs to get off their high-horse and realize that if they want to keep the show going, they are going to have to deal with every aspect of that family's llife, not just the parts they wish to show on TV.

I don't think he should be fired.  I think if people are offended then don't watch their show and don't buy their stuff.

So Phil is back.  Was all this just a big marketing ploy by A&E?

I love it when the media only talks about one portion of an interview and leaves out the other relevant context of the article.  Anything for shock and ratings.

This country of ours is going through numerous changes. There are certain groups in our society that have tremendous power because various laws have been passed regarding their status or choice of lifestyle. As Christians, we need to bathe this country in prayer and not be ashamed of the One we follow and place our faith in. I believe this was an unjust decision and would occur again if someone in authority spoke out against homosexuality.