Free Speech for the Dumb

First of all, let me say that I am usually not one to go on a rant about the First Amendment, but due to recent events, I feel I must throw in my two cents. I'll mainly focus on the magnificent shit storm surrounding the Jerry Lewis. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past week or so, Jerry Lewis blurted a homophobic slur on national television while doing a 21-hour telethon for the MDA. GLAAD was all too happy to jump all over this one, not only denouncing Lewis' speech but demanding an apology. This is not the first time a prominent Hollywood figure has shown his politically incorrect colors (think Isiah Washington), and it probably won't be the last. But, that's not the point. The point is that every time some special interest group gets offended by someone's speech, they demand an apology. From the Christian Coalition to the ACLU, there is always a group lurking, just waiting to bust someone's balls. And every time, the offender plays along and offers a *cough* completely sincere and heartfelt apology on Oprah, Jessie Jackson's radio show and Letterman. I would LOVE it if for once the offender was to say, "You know what, I'm not going to apologize. I refuse to recant my statements. I can say whatever the hell I want." The major exception to this scenario is Marine General Peter Pace refusing to apologize for claiming that homosexuals are immoral (big props to him for standing his ground).

Prior restraint has been roundly rejected by the Supreme Court, yet everywhere we turn, people are trying to put a limit what American citizens can and can not say. Obviously I don't condone Lewis' actions, but he can say what he wants when he wants. I don't demand an apology from Kirk Herbstreit every time he says that the University of Oklahoma won't make it to the BCS Championship, however offensive and blasphemous his comments may be.

In closing, The freedom of speech is one of the most important tenants of modern society. To put constraints on what people can say is downright Un-American, and people everywhere should be doing everything within their power to keep it, even if it means standing up to the big bad GLAAD (no rhyme intended). In the words of Metallica frontman James Hetfield (pictured uppper left), "Free speech for the dumb, free f@*!ing speech." Goodnight.