Do We Have a Freedom of Unpopular Opinion?

A&E's reality show "Duck Dynasty" has recently gotten some unwanted publicity. For those who don't know the show, it's about a Louisiana family who owns a duck-hunting business and consists of quite unique characters. I have never watched a whole episode myself, to be perfectly honest, because I don't feel that it would be the best way I could spend my time.

What has drawn my attention to this show is the recent controversy about Phil Robertson, one of the stars of the show. He was suspended by A&E after making anti-gay comments in an interview. Read for yourself:

"It seems like, to me, a vagina—as a man—would be more desirable than a man’s anus. That’s just me. I’m just thinking: There’s more there! She’s got more to offer. I mean, come on, dudes! You know what I’m saying? But hey, sin: It’s not logical, my man. It’s just not logical.”  -Phil Robertson


First off: I, personally, totally think that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry, to have children, and to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. But that's just my opinion and I respect the fact that there are people who don't share it.

The United States is a free country in which each and every one should have the right to express their opinions freely and without fear of consequences, however unpopular those opinions may be. For A&E to punish somebody for making use of their constitutional right of freedom of speech, is just plain wrong. Even worse, it's an act of pure hypocrisy. After all, they gave a show to a family that is "known for [...] their religious views" according to Wikipedia, and he didn't even make his comments on the show, but in a separate interview with GQ Magazine. Were they seriously surprised that a redneck duck-hunter living in the Louisiana swamps might not have an all too favorable view of gays???

Dear A&E executives: If remarks like the ones made by Mr. Robertson are against your station's policy, then don't freaking hire people who are highly likely to make them!

Were the above remarks offensive? Hell, yeah. But they were less so than some made by certain politicians. Robertson stressed that he was just stating his personal opinion and he also expressed incomprehension of the subject on his part, which - if you ask me - further weakens his statements.

Although I strongly disagree with Mr. Robertson's views on homosexuals, I disagree even more strongly with any infringement of the freedom of speech, and I'm glad that the suspension of Phil Robertson has been lifted after a few days.

Culture Presentations

Last week we had our Culture Presentation Days and everyone of us gave their presentation on a specific topic of American or Irish culture. My presentation was called "Two More for Mount Rushmore" and was about two American presidents - Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson - that should also have a place on Mount Rushmore because of their achievements and their impacts on American culture and society.

The other presentations I watched were:

• Things You Might Not Know About San Francisco and the Bay Area - Marina Margeta
• Danger of Society Threat Groups in American Prisons - Livia Perschy
• Southern Hospitality - The Southern Way of Life - Julia Rauch
• Monty Roberts: an Extraordinary Communicator - Melanie Wimmer
• America as a Nation of Narcissm - Maria Dorner
• Does Race Still Matter in the US? - Lisa Ziermann
• Ellen DeGeneres - A Modern Women and Her Influence in America - Johanna Schreilechner
• Sacagawea - Bianca Stadler
• The Navajo Code Talkers - Using Language as a Weapon - Laura Rossberg
  
• Newgrange - A Treasure of Art - Anita Bhatti
• Psychiatry in Ireland in the 1950s and 1960s - Diana Skof
• Beyond Riverdance - A Glimpse into the World of Irish Dance - Katharina Luttenberger

And here are the five presentations I want to be tested on in the KGP:

Things You Might Not Know About San Francisco and the Bay Area
I've been to San Francisco myself and I absolutely loved this beautiful city. That's why I want to know more about it!

Danger of Society Threat Groups in American Prisons
Before Livia's presentation I was only vaguely familiar with the name "Aryan Brotherhood", but she has totally woken my interest in this topic.

Southern Hospitality - The Southern Way of Life
I've already been to some of the western US states and next time I'd really like to go to the South. Therefore I want to know a little more about the customs and habits there.

Does Race Still Matter in the US?
Although the situation has improved a lot over the past decade racism is - unfortunately- still a big issue in the  US and also in many other countries.

The Navajo Code Talkers - Using Language as a Weapon
I'm very interested in everything that has something to do with languages, so Laura's presentation was one of my favorites and I'd like to learn more about this topic.

Elisabeth

Last week, on May 1st, I went to Vienna to see the Musical "Elisabeth".
Now, some people might wonder why I would have done that. Let's just say it wasn't an entirely voluntary decision. My boyfriend "gifted" me the ticket and the fact that he had paid some 90 euros for it made it hard for me to reject.

My expectation was that I would have to waste three hours of my precious life watching a hopelessly historically incorrect kitsch piece about some anorexic bitch that died more than a century ago.
Luckily, it didn't turn out to be that bad. I was positively surprised that historical facts weren't completely ignored and that the picture painted of the empress wasn't all too positive and sweet, like in those horrible movies. The Musical is about Elisabeth's relationship with death that is portrayed as a male human being.

I really liked the scenery on stage and the costumes that had lots of nice details. Also the actors (are they called actors in Musicals?) were great and most of the songs were good. The part I liked best was when Elisabeth's assassin, who acts as the narrator, sings about how people prefer legends and pretty illusions over the truth. But I still can't relate to the topic and that's the reason why I probably wouldn't watch the Musical again. I am not a fan of royalty or monarchies altogether, but I can recommend "Elisabeth" to anyone who is.