Libertarian Duck Hunting

     With so much media attention and public outcry over the ramblings of a member of A&E's hit television show "Duck Dynasty"
I wanted to take a minute and talk about why as Libertarians this is a great exercise in property rights and natural rights.

Property rights.

     A&E is an entertainment channel, and as such spends a lot of time and resources creating new and exciting shows. Their biggest in recent history undoubtedly is "Duck Dynasty". Now having never watched the show I can only go by its description by my satellite provider. The news of Phil Robertson's GQ interview spread like wildfire and drew quite a bit of attention to the company as well as the family. Under fire for something that was said in that interview, A&E suspended Mr. Robertson indefinitely. This is of course their right of association, they have the right to be associated with whoever they wish and can choose at any time to completely drop the show or to remove persons from it as the show is the property of A&E not the Robertson's. This is standard operating procedure and in no way infringes on Robertson's Right to free speech, A&E simply disassociated themselves from the situation and removed the stage to which Mr. Robertson was accustomed.

Natural rights.

     Mr. Robertson said a great many things that are controversial, and a great many people have either defended his ideology or have denounced it. But in all truthfulness, it doesn't matter if you like what he said, or how he sees the world or those living in it. It is his natural right to say these things and think the way he does. The natural right to speak or even think about things society have deemed unsavory or unpopular is one of the greatest tests of tolerance and real protection of rights there is.

     So while the media spins this as their entertainment piece taking us out of this year and as millions of people either come to his defense or come to protest A&E or any other sponsors or mercantilists peddling the show or the family's wares, we must keep in mind the rights of not only Mr. Robertson but also A&E, it's parent company, sponsors and merchandise sellers. As I said in a previous post the right to free speech cannot be restricted to that which is only positive to everyone and that everyone can agree upon. It has its repercussions, as Mr. Robertson and A&E are feeling now. As Libertarians this is a wonderful exercise in the natural rights of speech as well as the right of association. Do not let either the right or the left attack your stance, this has nothing to do with A&E and as well has nothing to do with the Robertson's family or their beliefs, this is solely an issue of Natural Rights.