Limbaugh, Maher Don't Know Free Speech from Slander

COMMENTARY | If I hear one more reference to "freedom of speech" as a defense for Rush Limbaugh or Bill Maher, I'll paste a copy of the Constitution over that person's mouth. For the past week, Limbaugh has been trying to salvage pride and sponsors over his debacle with Sandra Fluke, the Georgetown University woman who spoke up for mandatory birth control coverage, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Maher used a slur against Sarah Palin and in the spirit of camaraderie, he now defends Limbaugh. Maher says his nemesis is exercising his rights and everyone needs to chill and have a group hug, CBS News reports. Maher says he's glad he lives in a country where people can insult each other and get away with it, The Blaze reports.

I agree it's a "false equivalency" to liken a political pundit's actions to a satirist's. Limbaugh's job is to provide commentary, not verbal beatings. It's a fine line, but it's there. Maher gets paid to trash talk; his job is to play the motley fool. Since they acted foolishly, I'm not clear why Maher resents the comparison.

I'll agree Maher name-calling of Palin shouldn't ally all women to her. Theoretically, I agree. But my knee-jerk response is to come unglued at sex references to women. Too many years of oppression have made it kind of a raw spot for us. I don't like men being referred to as a gender-specific body part either. How tacky is it to take below-the-belt pot shots? Doesn't say much for the person who does it.

Where Maher and I part company is this notion that verbal harassment, character assassination and name-calling constitute freedom of speech. Maher says ad sponsors dropping Limbaugh is intimidation.

No, targeting people with obnoxious jibes is the intimidation. Making general derogatory comments about beliefs or ideals is one thing; it's not very effective but it's acceptable. Insulting people by group isn't even kosher. Calling individuals out is the coup de grace. It's slanderous, libelous bullying. Being protected from this kind of persecution is just as important a constitutional right as the ability to say what you want.

With rights come responsibilities; "can do" doesn't always mean "should do." Limbaugh and Maher need an attitude-of-entitlement adjustment.

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Limbaugh, Maher Don't Know Free Speech from Slander