I was just reading an excerpt of a book by Tammy Bruce in which she was talking about the ALCU and their selective defense of people whose �free speech� had been impinged. It fired me up and I feel the need to remind people about their right to �free speech� under the U.S. Constitution. I�m no lawyer but:

If Time-Warner refuses to release your record; your �free speech� has NOT been violated.

If a radio station refuses to play your record, or carry your talk show; your �free speech� has NOT been violated.

If a newspaper doesn�t publish your letter to the editor; your �free speech� has NOT been violated.

If you say something, and someone calls you a name because of it; your �free speech� has NOT been violated.

If someone tells you to �shut up�; your �free speech� has NOT been violated.

Some people seem to believe that if I don�t fund, listen to, and agree with everything that they say (and they�ll say everything that crosses their mind), that I�m violating their free speech.

So here it is: Your right to �free speech� keeps the government from silencing opposing political expression. It does not guarantee you an audience. It does not protect you from criticism or opposition. It doesn�t stop others from saying things in response to you, nor does it guarantee that those responses be intelligent or binding. If somebody tells you to �Shut up, traitor,� that doesn�t mean that you ARE a traitor and you don�t have to shut up.

If, however, you are afraid of the consequences of your unpopular views to your career and you don�t have the conviction to stand by what you say� �Shut up� may just be good advice.