Comments about ‘Larry King got it (almost) right with Dr. Laura’

Well, she has helped more people than she has hurt by far, and anyone who stands up on moral principles, will be under attack. Furthermore, what happened to apologizing and moving on? Now we lose career and income for making a statement that maybe we didn't have time to think about!

Keep Dr. Laura. I don't always agree with her, sometimes I yell at her through my radio! But, hey, she has been a voice of reason in most circumstances.

Nobody "MAKES" anyone call in either. You know what you're going to get when you dial the number for Dr. Laura. Don't pretend to be stupid and think otherwise.

@ CWEB: She is not losing her career or her income - and it is not a case of "keep[ing]" her - she quit.

Read her take on it and her plans for life after the radio.

Scott, I hear your point, but you're missing her point.
The entire basis of freedom of speech is so one can't be accused of committing a crime by stating one's opinion and or stating a belief or speech.
This remains in tact as far as a criminal act is concerned, though Prosecuters have won cases based on what the criminal said, not withstanding a lack of evidence.
Speech that is not protected is growing into an endless pitt of "say" and "say not's."
Dr. Laura was specifically making a philosophical point but using the "N" word. Her point, which has been completely lost in the media blitzkrieg of this openly Conservative female, is that while a person of color can use the "N" word freely, repeatedly, vulgarly as a verb or a noun, a caucasion is given a public flogging, even when using the word to make a philosophical point, which in Dr. Laura's case, was a case against the use of the"N" word.
And while a public flogging isn't exactly having a criminal record; it does harm her public reputation and reduce her chances of life, liberty, and pursuing happiness.

Furthermore, your assertion that her freedom of speech rights were not violated, while the law and/or a Judge would uphold your point in a lawsuit; the idea that a person can speak freely in a public forum without repercussions is naive at best and career-ending at worst.
The unalienable rights of a person to have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness isn't an entirely unabated path, given hard work, a little luck and niche or talent in the arena of one's pursuit.
In Dr. Laura's arena of a valued radio opinion, the freedom to speak one's mind is REGULATED, of all things, by the FCC. They have a laundry list of "say" and "say not's."
Its easy to say Dr. Laura dug her own grave.
But in reality, the grave is an endless and growing pit of Political Correctness, something the Founding Fathers wanted to avoid, so open and free conversation may take place. You have the right to criticize the government and/or public figure, just not threaten to harm said person.
What we now are witnessing is the minority voice is becoming the King--and the retaliation ends careers.

@ RaininTime: I think Scott heard her point, he just disagrees with it. Obviously reasonable people can disagree on this. But criticizing other people for violating her freedom of speech is essentially doing what she's accusing them of.

And just to repeat, no one made Dr. Laura step down--she didn't even lose any sponsors. I actually agree with her on most things, but not this.

Maybe she was tired (she's worked very hard for a many years and deserves a break from her busy schedule) or maybe liked the thought of going out a martyr. I don't know, but I think that if she'd wanted to her show could have survived this.

I really don't see how her rights were impacted at all. She has a show that is broadcast for entertainment purposes. The public decides if they like what they are hearing. If a radio station plays music, and its listeners don't like the programming they have chosen, and let the station know, the station changing their programming isn't denying these musicians their rights. They are simply saying our listeners don't like what you are producing. I don't see how this in any ways rises to any level constitutional rights being violated. It happens every day in the media, why can't it happen Dr. Laura.

As to the "political correct" statements, that is just pure silliness. It is and has been who ever has the loudest voice gets heard. The Tea Party does not represent the majority, yet they are currently the most vocal voice in the crowd today. Being politically correct simply means showing respecting to each and every person - something some people evidently have a problem with. It is amazing to me how good christian people can take issue with a request to be respectful to all people.... go figure.

"If the government tried to silence Schlessinger, that would be a violation of her rights. That didn't happen."

Too funny, Scott.

It was not the government trying to silence Schlessinger. It was her program's sponsors.

She likely hit the ceiling when she was told she can't use the n word on her program or they would have to cancel her. She should-a called their bluff and used it anyway, asserting her 1st Amendment rights. Then the problem would be in their hands. Laura is quite popular. She gets alotta calls from whiny females who can't seem to get their lives together with out help.

Peirce got it Wrong.


Dr. lara is a professional and she was trying to make a PROFESSIONAL point with a "Patient".

Dr. Laura di use to call any a name.

CONTEXT IS EVERYTHING.


IF people are not ruly free to speak publically or profesially.

then is there really "free" speech?

trying to shut someone down, put them out a job, destroy thier means of living,

when you have people who want PUNISH speech,

that is NOT free speech,

being free to offer your views and opinions even in oppostion is,

I believe that was intent the first admendment.


Without freedom to publically give your speech, there is not REAL freedom,

HOw can free speech exist in and environment were speech is punsished?


Political correctness is just a way to enslave someones speech and conscience.



And as a MENTAL EALTH PROFESSIONAL, if Dr. Laroa is NOT free to do her Job in the way she see's fit,

there is a very real problem.