It seems like whenever the right is criticized for exercising their First Amendment rights, they claim their First Amendment rights are being violated. Just more twisted rightwing logic.
From the LA Times:
The 1st Amendment is just fine: Schlessinger exercised her right to use a racial slur; offended listeners exercised their right to criticize her for it.
Who knew that Laura Schlessinger was so thin-skinned? After all, this is a woman who has relished her perch as a radio shock jock. In her 30 years on the air she has offended many, blaming women for their husbands' affairs and referring to gay people as "biological errors." Even friendly callers often get a piece of her mind. So it's a bit surprising that a fairly predictable reaction to her enthusiastic use of a racial slur has sent her scurrying out of the kitchen, so to speak.
Schlessinger, better known as Dr. Laura, announced Tuesday that she was leaving her show because she wants her 1st Amendment rights back. If only Dr. Laura could give Dr. Laura one of her famous tongue-lashings. Since she's moping, we'll try: The 1st Amendment is just fine. Schlessinger exercised her right to use a racial slur when criticizing her caller, and offended listeners exercised their right to criticize her for it. That's America.
Or perhaps Schlessinger honestly does not understand the nature of the protections she says are being denied her. Here is the pertinent text: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." It does not guarantee that the world will agree with radio hosts, only that the government will not censor them. The government didn't demand Schlessinger's ouster; listeners did. She may not like it, but she doesn't have a constitutional right to be free from criticism.
Sarah Palin, apparently, also is confused. She tweeted: "Dr. Laura: don't retreat…reload. (Steps aside bc her 1st amend. rights ceased 2exist thx 2activists trying 2silence isn't American, not fair.)" It's frightening that a former governor and candidate for the vice presidency thinks that public dissent is either un-American or unconstitutional.
The new Laura and Sarah union can be called "Quitters United".
Schlessinger isn't quitting because she can't say what's on her mind; she just couldn't take the heat after she did it. To paraphrase her advice to the caller whose questions launched her racial tirade, she should just stop being so sensitive.
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Oh man, I remember listening to Dr. Laura when I was a kid and thinking she was such a b*tch to her callers... even if you have a strong opinion can't you say it with a tsp of compassion? I guess that's part of her appeal, but she leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
ReplyDeletePeople seem to enjoy the hard nasty edge (like Rush saying Michael J. Fox was faking his medical problem) that conservatives use to describe liberals, instead of addressing the issues.
ReplyDeleteoooh yea that's exactly right, the conservatives love that hard nasty edge, anything to bash liberals the nastier the better!
ReplyDeleteDr. Laura surprises me too giving up her show like that. Something bigger must be brewing with the witch. Quiting so she can exercise her 1st amendment rights is such a stupid remark.
Seems Palin is in alot of trouble too for defending Laura, GOOD!!
Conservatives take the hard nasty tactic because they can't discuss facts.
ReplyDeleteHere's Sarah Palin defending someone's repeated use of the N- word. And she has 2,158, 829 followers on Facebook. God help us.
ReplyDelete...it was just announced Palin's daughter will be on Dancing with the Stars..
ReplyDeleteWhy??? Why is she a Star (not that I'm into Stars)...because her mom lost the VP elections?
It would be nicer if more was focus on improving this country than someone daughters being on a dance show because of her mom. This is how Americans think...