Thursday, March 23, 2006

Talk show host fired after on-air racial slur

This is a more complicated issue than it seems on the surface.
Yes, what this guy said is clearly wrong.
However, this is an interesting free speech issue.
It is my belief that anyone can say anything they want....they do have to deal with the consequences of their actions, however.

The black panthers can say what they want, and the KKK can say what they want. People have the right to protest them as well. But there in lies the conflict. A person has the right to free speech, but so do protesters who are against it.

I believe right now we do go to far in restricting speech. Anytime someone doesn't like what someone else says it gets labeled as "hate speech" or "racist." Sometimes it is labeled correctly, and most of the time it is an attempt at censoring speech that someone simply does not want to hear.

So, did this guy deserve to be fired?
In general, when do we say something goes beyond free speech into the realm of hate and inciting violence?

There really is not an easy answer.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Not post related, but in the spirit...

The Supreme court, yesterday, actually ruled IN FAVOR OF CIVIL LIBERTIES?!?!?!?

I was shocked, and awed. Hurray, on this count.

Post related - Anyway, with all the laws deciding what can or cant be said in this country, everyone is just becoming sissies and incapable of handling their own issues.

Jim said...

I've just read the article. I believe it was an honest slip of the tongue. The word does not make any sense in the context of what he was saying.

Fired, no. But a suspension and fine would be in order as a warning about the seriousness of some slips of the tongue.

The Game said...

that might be a good idea...over-all, I think anyone with some sense can agree that the PC world has taken over and anything that might offend ANYONE is restricted speech...now, that doesn't sound like a police state, does is?

Anonymous said...

Why are some comments being removed? Is this a police blog?