Letters to the WCP Editor 8-26-10

Dear Editor,
Free Speech or Free Market? Jeremy Thayer’s recent article “Free speech...” ranged far and wide, which perhaps accounts for its missing a couple of major points and misrepresenting numerous others.
I’ll keep my response contained to the major issue at play. Thayer hits close to the point that defuses his own, but he appears so eager to move on to straw men and imagined enemies (he imagines the caller having the right to insult Schlesinger’s Jewish heritage “if she wanted to” despite the fact that the caller said nothing even approaching this line of thought) that he gives it short shrift.
Dr. Laura Schlesinger was not censored by the government. Let’s say that again. Nobody was censored. Congress did not convene and prevent her from spreading her words. Neither law enforcement nor lawyers stepped in to stop her.
The First Amendment / law at large does not have anything to do with a private organization agreeing or refusing to broadcast an individual, unless that individual chooses to delve into libel or direct threats of violence.
This was the free market in action. Schlesinger’s show is supported by sponsors. These sponsors are economically tied to consumers (this is the whole “the market” part).
If consumers are upset by a talk show host not only using the N-word aggressively (if not pointed directly at a black person) but actively cutting off a caller in order to force her own point down that caller’s throat, they have no obligation to support the show.
It’s actually conservatism at its best - family values (proper language, respect for another person), economics following a moral choice, and the market unimpeded by government.
There was no slippery slope for Free Speech here, despite Thayer’s attempt to tie those issues together. There was no Orwellian conspiracy.
There was just the voice of the people telling the pocketbooks of the sponsors that Schlesinger had crossed a line. America is not going to cease to exist over this. Not even close.
Jeff Stumpo
Martin

Dear Editor,
I think that it is just terrible what is happening to the Dustin Laird memorial.
I would like to offer a simple solution to this problem. The next time we replace the statue, set up a trail cam, similar to what hunters use to spot game.
If need be, set up a trail cam on the trail cam.
Let’s catch this “varmint,” that is responsible for this unacceptable behavior together!!
They make these things now that will send the picture to your email and you can put that picture in this fine newspaper and “we the people” will collectively put a stop to this nonsense.
Joe Konkel
Midway

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