Why is it that our freedom of speech gets shot down when people like Michael Savage or Rush Limbaugh make inflammatory comments like Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" comment and Savage's repeated slams of illegal aliens?

Do we all need to review stuff we should have learned in 8th grade government class?

I may not agree with Mike Savage on some things, or the manner in which he expresses his opinion, but I would not deny him his constitutional right to say it. Oh, and to the set the record straight, he is in no way "anti-Hispanic" or a Latino hater--he's just vehemently anti-illegal immigrant, and I don't blame him (although, once again, I'm not a big fan of his obnoxious ways)--illegal immigrants are a threat to our economy; they don't put the money they earn illegally back into our economy, it goes back home to their families.

And, like usual, Rush Limbaugh's "phony soldiers" comments were taken completely out of context. Read the transcript yourself. Limbaugh wasn't even expressing an opinion; he was referring to the fact of the "phony soldier", Jesse MacBeth, who lied about atrocities he supposedly committed as an Army Ranger (he actually never even finished boot camp).

But no, the Right gets badgered for speaking out against anything the Left loves to praise or defend, such as illegal immigrants and the anti-war agenda: San Francisco Board of Supervisors condemn Michael Savage, and Senate Democrats condemn Rush Limbaugh.

"Our troops are fighting and dying to bring to others the freedoms that many take for granted," the Democratic leaders wrote to Mays. "It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the fundamentally American right to free speech. Mr. Limbaugh has made outrageous remarks before, but this affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale."

"Our troops our fighting and dying..." Mmmhmm, except for people like Jesse MacBeth, who never even went to war. "It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the ... right to free speech." And it's unconscionable for the Senate Democrats to criticize Limbaugh for his fundamental "American right to free speech"? Ahar. "[T]his affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale..." Wait, did he criticize actual soldiers? Nah, I just thought he was hounding on the phony ones, like MacBeth.

-Cydney

Cross-posted on The Celebrity.