Alaska News

Local woman troubled by reality show development

Upset by the news that one of her favorite television reality stars had been benched by his network after making controversial remarks about homosexuality, a Matanuska Valley woman took to Facebook to express her disapproval.

The woman, whose Facebook profile lists her politics as "Conservative" but offers little other detail about her interests, is presumably a "Duck Dynasty" fan, as she voiced outrage at the A&E network's suspension of Phil Robertson, a cast member on the unscripted program. Robertson made controversial remarks about homosexuality in an interview with GQ.

"Free speech is an endangered species," wrote the woman, who was at one time active in local politics, even serving a stint as governor of Alaska, but has since scaled back her community involvement to focus on family and professional obligations. While her Facebook profile identifies her hometown as Wasilla, neighbors say she's been traveling frequently and may be maintaining homes outside the state. They added that she mostly keeps in touch these days via social media.

"Those 'intolerants' hatin' and taking on the Duck Dynasty patriarch for voicing his personal opinion are taking on all of us," wrote the mother of five and grandmother.

Other recent posts to her Facebook timeline include photos from a family visit to the Billy Graham Library, inspirational Christmas quotes, and a cute video of a polar bear.

Craig Medred

Craig Medred is a former writer for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch and Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2015.

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