Think the Duck Dynasty scandal would die out over the weekend? Think again!
To recap: Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson was suspended from the show after he made homophobic and all-around offensive remarks to GQ magazine.
Over the weekend, Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne defended the state’s top reality show and said it was important for tourism.
“Regardless of one’s views on Phil Robertson’s statements, ‘Duck Dynasty’ has been an important representation of the state of Louisiana, inspiring prospective visitors and investors since its debut,” Dardenne said in an emailed statement, adding his name to the long list of political leaders on the right who have jumped to support Robertson, including Louisiana’s Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sarah Palin.
The family balked at Robertson’s suspension, releasing a statement that questioned the show’s future.
“We cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm,” they wrote on their website. “We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty.”
Chain restaurant Cracker Barrell initially pulled Duck Dynasty products from their shelves in response to the homophobic remarks, but were hit with a deluge of response from “Dynasty” fans.
Over the weekend, they put their Phil Robertson bobbleheads and other products back on the shelves.
The Westboro Baptists got involved, too.
“@Politics_PR: WBC to picket @AETV in support of Duck Dynasty Phil Robertson http://t.co/VYNEOCZkJ6”
Check our signs pic.twitter.com/E0Eqtxvn6S
— Westboro Baptist (@WBCSays) December 22, 2013Robertson himself released another statement this weekend.
“I myself am a product of the 60s; I centered my life around sex, drugs and rock and roll until I hit rock bottom and accepted Jesus as my Savior. My mission today is to go forth and tell people about why I follow Christ and also what the Bible teaches, and part of that teaching is that women and men are meant to be together,” the star said. “However, I would never treat anyone with disrespect just because they are different from me. We are all created by the Almighty and like Him, I love all of humanity. We would all be better off if we loved God and loved each other.”
Jane Timm