Today’s editorial cartoon was inspired by national radio host, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, who announced on Larry King last week that she was going to quit her show at the end of her contract (in four months) because she felt her free speech was being limited. Seems few would accept her apology on the air for not only dropping the n-bomb multiple times during a call but actually told a black female caller that maybe she shouldn’t have married outside her race if she was “hypersensitive about color and don’t have a sense of humor.”
Now one thing I agree with Dr. Laura in her announcement to Larry King was when she used the phrase, “Debate don’t Eradicate” when it comes to speech you don’t believe in. I think people tend to focus too much on what everyone else is doing and not enough on dealing with their own racist beliefs. So if I can call you out as a racist before you can do it to me, I win because no one wants to defend themselves after being called a racist.
HOWEVER,
A. Read the transcript of the call. Not once did the caller ever get to finish any point because Dr. L constantly cut her off and didn’t listen to her entire example or point. I get that radio hosts have to move things quickly but don’t complain about having your speech limited when you are in the power position.
B. READ the TRANSCRIPT. The arrogance that some people have that they assume with the power the hold. Oh my.
C. She was planning on not extending her contract prior to this incident. So this just looks like grandstanding to me.
D. She mentioned to Larry that even without radio she still has her website, podcasts, YouTube, books (and not mentioned were her speaking engagements) so is her speech really being limited?
E. Just because you have a 1st Amendment right to Free Speech in the United States, do NOT mean I can’t have an opposing opinion. Yet people only think Free Speech applies to themselves and not the other guy.