Scalia Calls "Duck Dynasty" Decision Unconstitutional

By Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

22 December 13

The article below is satire. Andy Borowitz is an American comedian and New York Times-bestselling author who satirizes the news for his column, "The Borowitz Report."

upreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia lashed out at the cable network A&E today, calling its decision to suspend Phil Robertson, the star of the TV series "Duck Dynasty," unconstitutional, and demanding that it be overturned at once.

Speaking at a press conference with fellow Justice Clarence Thomas, a visibly angry Scalia told reporters that Robertson was "exercising his First Amendment right to express an opinion-an opinion, I might add, that many other great Americans agree with."

He warned that the suspension of the "Duck" star would have a "chilling effect" on freedom of speech in America: "If Phil Robertson can be muzzled for expressing this perfectly legitimate view, what's to prevent the same thing from happening to, say, a Justice of the Supreme Court?"

He added that, while he was a huge "Duck Dynasty" fan who never misses an episode, his objection to Mr. Robertson's suspension was "purely on Constitutional grounds."

Declaring that A&E's decision "will not stand," Justice Scalia said he would ask the Supreme Court to meet in an emergency session to overturn it: "This offensive decision by A&E is a clear violation of the Constitution, and I'm not the only one on the Court who feels that way. Right, Clarence?"

Justice Thomas had no comment.