Social media wrap: Sarah Palin backs Dr. Laura on 1st Amendment -- but is it a constitutional issue?

Another day, another 1st Amendment flap involving socially conservative broadcasters.

Onetime vice presidential candidate and former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin on Wednesday tweeted her support for Dr. Laura Schlessinger after the advice guru said she was leaving radio broadcasting over 1st Amendment issues following racially charged comments she made last week.

Schlessinger repeatedly used the “N word” on her show Aug. 10 while discussing with a caller black comedians’ use of the word. She has since apologized twice and made the decision to quit her radio show (but to continue broadcasting on her website and on YouTube, among others).

Palin, who faced her own freedom-of-speech dilemma recently after Facebook inadvertently removed one of her posts criticizing the decision to  build a mosque near the site of the World Trade Center attacks in 2001, used a pet phrase of hers to advise Schlessinger: “Don’t retreat … reload.” 

Palin tweeted:

Dr.Laura: don't retreat...reload! (Steps aside bc her 1st Amend.rights ceased 2exist thx 2activists trying 2silence"isn't American,not fair")

And also:

Dr.Laura=even more powerful & effective w/out the shackles, so watch out Constitutional obstructionists. And b thankful 4 her voice,America!

Palin famously used the phrase “Don’t retreat … reload” to urge Americans to continue their protests ...

 

... over President Obama’s  healthcare plan, and it fits her image as a huntin’ and shootin’ Alaskan grizzly-mama-type of politician. Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin has also voiced her support for Schlessinger, while a cavalcade of liberal organizations have demanded a boycott of her broadcasts (GM and Motel 6 obliged in dropping their sponsorship).

Schlessinger, whose show attracts some 9 million listeners each week, announced her departure from the airwaves at year’s end on CNN’s “Larry King Live” on Tuesday with the words: "I want my 1st Amendment rights back, which I can't have on radio without the threat of attack on my advertisers and stations."

She later told the L.A. Times: "I was just sitting here, looking over the ocean [at her Santa Barbara home]. It was sort of a peaceful wave of awareness — an inner voice just said, 'We're done with this.' The second it came over me, I felt very energized."

A Facebook fan page for Schlessinger, which describes her as an American talk radio host and socially conservative commentator, has more than 2,000 fans.  

But amid the 1st Amendment outcry from both Palin and Schlessinger, there’s really not much of a constitutional issue here (as there wasn’t for Palin when her Facebook post was removed after an orchestrated campaign in the liberal blogosphere to have it taken down).

Both Schlessinger and Palin were broadcasting their views via commercial organizations that have their own guidelines on what is permissible –- and their remarks did not enter the arena of hate speech that can attract the government’s attention. (Schlessinger’s talk radio station KFWB-AM is subject to a government-granted license  but the "N word" does not fall into any category of offensive words that could result in said license being pulled.)

Schlessinger had previously intimated her desire to quit talk radio, possibly as a result of a long-term trend of falling ratings –- which may be closer to the truth about her decision to halt her show. Palin, meanwhile, continues to broadcast on Fox News and to more than 2 million followers on her Facebook page.

The 1st Amendment, it seems, is not so much an issue for these two as a handy diversion amid criticism of their choice of words. Which, of course, they are freely at liberty to express.

-- Craig Howie

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Photos: European Press Agency (left); The Associated Press

Comments

[MARTY L. GRAY]

When was the last time sarah palin had an original thought; besides, having the foresight that her persona and good looks can make bank (off the hardworking, low-information, voting, faux newz adherants) for her family and herself? This is not a trick question.

MARTY L. GRAY
Washington, D.C.

[jonjonesmeister]

It's President Barack Obama. I remember a time of civility and respect for even the least in society. We have an accomplished 44th president who was a Harvard trained Professor and he is competently steering our country out of a one-sided, lobbyist laden, redneck inspired, Hannity and Palin infused and vitriolic sect of Republicans.

[jonjonesmeister]

Don't you call all the other FORMER Presidents.... Mr. President ? it is shameful the way Pat Robertson, Sunday morning news programs and even some elected officials blatantly disrespect the president of the United States. JJones , US Veteran, (Air Force and Army).

[RealTalkCook]

Sarah Palin was sceaming about being sensitive about the people at 911/Ground Zero spot. But the Muslims can't express there freedom in America with their Freedom of Religion and Speech. But she (palin) tramples on the sensitivities of Black America on the use of the "N" Word. Hmm, if thats her (palin) stance then I say to the Muslims "don't retreat...reload". Sarah Palin, I am so glad you are not our Vice President! Please Retreat and Never Reload save us the agony!

[Ron Gallop]

Wow...what blatant hypocrisy!!! Sarah Palin said Rahm Emanuel should resign because he used the term "retarded" as an epithet, but Dr. Laura uses a word equally as offensive and that's okay.

This woman's hypocrisy knows no bounds, and her followers see no wrong in her.

[Dave Saunders]

The 1st Amendment prevents the government from passing laws to restrict freedom of speech. That has nothing to do with Dr Laura's inappropriate use of the language. If the public has decided that it's time for her to leave the air, that has nothing to do with the Federal government. The people decide what they want to hear over commercial radio, which is funded by advertising. If the people are sick of hearing her shrill voice then it is a businesses decision for her to go.

[Brett]

Did any governmental entity step in to censor Dr. Laura? No. Therefore, it is not a First Amendment issue. What Dr. Laura said on her program was inflammatory and upset a lot of people. But if she claims that her First Amendment rights were somehow violated, then she has the same fundamental misunderstanding of the Constitution that Sarah Palin has. Unfortunately, Dr. Laura probably panders to the same crowd that Palin does. What makes Dr. Laura more reprehensible is that she's better educated and (one would think) more intelligent than Palin.

[Kara Underwood]

...the Right(wrong) continue to be the party with NO character, unless you are talking cartoon characters. Dr. Laura can shout the N word all she wants if that makes her feel so empowered by her constitutional rights. To me, it just makes her a woman with no responsibility to society, and a woman with no character. And Palin, the ultimate hypocrite, wrote this herself in February:

"Just as we’d be appalled if any public figure of Rahm’s stature ever used the “N-word” or other such inappropriate language, Rahm’s slur on all God’s children with cognitive and developmental disabilities – and the people who love them – is unacceptable, and it’s heartbreaking"

Again, Palin proves herself to be a compulsive liar.

[Eric]

Ok, please clarify something for me: On one hand, you say she's got 9 million listeners, but on the other hand, you suggest she's really leaving radio due to low ratings?

Is 9 million really considered low ratings on talk radio?
Isn't that about 8.999 million more than MSNBC ratings?

[M. Bouffant]

"But amid the 1st Amendment outcry from both Palin and Schlessinger, there’s really not much of a constitutional issue here (as there wasn’t for Palin when her Facebook post was removed after an orchestrated campaign in the liberal blogosphere to have it taken down). "

Try to express the whole truth. There is NO Constitutional issue here at all. Just sad, ignorant people making victims of themselves, after someone called them on their statements.

[What's the pot calling the Kettle now?]

It certainly seems as though Sarah "I can see Russia from my back porch" Palin loves the "n" word. Just don't get that confused with her being a "n" word lover. Sarah and her ilk are most definetly not "n" word lovers, merely lovers of the "n" word.

[Dave]

Hey Califorina - land of fruits and nuts - you are all heading for bankruptcy and the rest of us are NOT going to bail you out. Dr. laura was using the word as an example of how only certain people are allowed to say the word, not using the word against any person or group of persons. If you can't understand the difference, then you probably voted for Obama, who is on the way to being the worst president in US history - hope he resigns before he does anymore damage to all of us!

[tfagan]

I love that girl!! I honestly believe if she is elected President we will finally stop importing foreign oil. We will no longer have to worry about taxing the air we breathe. We will discard the redistribution policy. We will really try to create jobs instead of just pretending to create jobs. We will no longer be talking about jobs saved and pretending they are same as jobs recently created. We will no longer wonder if the president is telling the truth as we do with Obama. We will be able to see Sarah’s birth certificate if desired. We will not have to guess in what country she was born. As I look at the people likely to run for president in 2012, Sarah is the only one that can be trusted to tell the truth all the time.
The hateful comments come from Democrats, Progressives, Socialists, Marxists, Communists, Homosexuals, Evolutionists, Globalists and Atheists. Not all comments from the above are hateful but they are the source for most of the hateful comments. I guess that explains why the more hateful comments I see the more I like Sarah.
I love that girl!!

[Jane]

How about debating Sarah Palin on the specific reasons for her defense of Dr. Laura.

Sarah Palin: Defending the Fight to Cast off a Conservative’s “Shackles”

That's what I thought. It is easier to call her names.

[David]

2 points:

1.) Conservatives, such as Ms. Schlessenger and Ms. Palin, are once again showing they don't know the Constitution that they claim to love. The first amendment is in regards to the government infringing upon your free speech, NOT the general public listening to your hate speech! So Ms. Schlessenger's first amendment rights have NOT been infringed upon!

2.) How does Ms. Palin explain her criticism of Seth McFarlane giving a job to a Down's Syndrome woman to voice a character in his Family Guy show (who, by the way, thought humor was a great way to deal with the discomfort many Americans have with disabled people); yet she supports Ms. Schlessenger, who slammed the Ms. Palin herself for having a child at her age, resulting in a Down's Syndrome child and then returning to work after just a few days. Ms. Schlessenger has also told a caller with an autistic child, that she should put the child in an institution because the child will never fit into society. Yet, somehow Ms. Palin supports Ms. Schlessenger????

The half-governor is a hypocrite supporting all conservatives, no matter how offensive their opinions; yet, getting irate at jokes intended to reduce the discomfort Americans have with disabled people. I never liked her, but I just don't understand how conservatives can continue to support her and give her a spotlight? She has proven time and again that she is just seeking fame and fortune at any expense.

[Noelene]

Seems to me that somebody is doing a bit of spinning.
Saying
"I want my 1st Amendment rights back, which I can't have on radio"is different to saying
"I want my 1st Amendment rights back, which I can't have on radio without the threat of attack on my advertisers and stations."
I don't see any claim that she does not have 1st Amendment rights on radio.
Can I be a journalist?It is so easy to fool people.

[Kris K.]

I actually took the time to listen to the entire Dr. Laura conversation. At no time did she attack anyone in her use of the "N" word. Her point was more about why Af Ams can use the word when the rest of us can't. They can call me a "Cracker" and that's alright but I can't even utter the "N" word without media and knee-jerk liberals calling me a bigot. Where is the equality in that? I would agree that she used bad taste in saying the word as many times as she did but it was NEVER in a context which belittled or slurred anyone. And frankly, Af Ams DO need to be a bit less sensitive. We have an Af Am pres, governors, executives, Senators, Representatives...etc. And I don't care if a person is purple with 3 eyes, if they do a good job, I'm for them. I think it is sad that Dr Laura is quitting over this. I don't always agree with her but she presents many interesting points. I listen to NPR, Fox, CNN (when I can stomach it) and local news. I even read the newspaper! That way I can weigh all sides of an issue and make my own educated well thought out decisions instead of joining the latest dimwitted mob. Some of you should try it!

[Rebecca]

SARAH PALIN WANTS TO MAKE MONEY AND HAVE A INCH OF HOPE OF WINNING THE PRESEDENTIAL ELECTION BY ESTABLISHING A PLATFORM OF FEAR AND HATE...SHE IS SUCH A IDIOT WITH NO SUBSTANCE...SLAVERY IS OVER! THIS IS A AMERICA OF ALL PEOPLE NOT SLAVE MINDED RIGHT WING HATE MONGERS AND THEY CANT BARE IT!!LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE WHITE HOUSE!

[Sylvester Perone]

What has Sarah Palin done to you journolists that you seem to be obsessed with her? Is it her fault that she looks gorgeous? Does her Facebook arouse your green-eyed nature because it counts two million followers? Here is Sarah Palin, an American who cherishes the values of the Founding Fathers. What's wrong with that? California is the epicenter of U.S. recession, and its journolists are unrepentant. You are your own punishment. Crime does not pay. When Sarah Palin runs for President, we will vote for her. That will be poetic justice for you.

[Jon Weiss, 1SG, U.S. Army, Ret.]

RealTalkCook - "But she (palin) tramples on the sensitivities of Black America on the use of the "N" Word."
------------------------------------------------------------

Once again it appears that a Palin Basher does not wish to be troubled with those pesky little things called "FACTS". Palin has not been trampling on anything by use of the ""N" Word". I for one have never heard her utter that word. On the other hand, listening to Black Males (I refuse to use the title "African American" since few Black people in the U.S. have ever actually been on that Continent in their lives) routinely use that word in reference to themselves and others of that same race. I do find it somewhat comical, even if tragic, that the U.S. has seen fit to enforce a double standard of making it allowable for a race of people to insult themsleves with this term, but deem it "hate speech" when the same word, which is apparently reserved only for the special class of people, is uttered by anyone outside that protected racial class.

[Jon Weiss, 1SG, U.S. Army, Ret.]

Dave Saunders,
"The 1st Amendment prevents the government from passing laws to restrict freedom of speech. That has nothing to do with Dr Laura's inappropriate use of the language."
------------------------------------------------------------

While I agree completely with your poiting out that the public has the absolute right to object to "Dr. Laura"'s comments. I fail to see your point, of how her use of the language was "inappropriate". I am not a listener of hers, but I have heard several replays of the broadcast in question, she was using the word in the context of quoting statements of the word which she has heard from others. So now is it inapproriate to quote others? If that is the case, then the news media should refrain from ever telling the public what politicians say, since their idiocy is often offensive. What Dr. Schlessinger said was completely appropriate when viewed in context. But what has happened here is that a special interest minority got offended and decided to attack a radio personality, nothing more, nothing less. I guess the next time Al Franken says anything, since nearly everything he says is offensive to some, we need to call for impeachment, the same goes for Obama and nearly every member of Congress at one time or another.

[Jon Weiss, 1SG, U.S. Army, Ret.]

MARTY L. GRAY,

"When was the last time sarah palin had an original thought; besides, having the foresight that her persona and good looks can make bank (off the hardworking, low-information, voting, faux newz adherants) for her family and herself?"

When was the last time a liberal Palin basher had a thought that was not filled with a prejudicial thought? One that was not filled with hatred of the right, bigotry and poor spelling? (faux newz) I suppose you meant "Fox News" but education eluded you.

[Jon Weiss, 1SG, U.S. Army, Ret.]

Kris K.

"I actually took the time to listen to the entire Dr. Laura conversation."

It is always refreshing to see a voice of reason in response to the mud pit of left wing hypocrisy.

[Steve Sanchez]

Why is Palin still relevant? Even her own party is saying that she is not even that high on the list to be nominated in the next President election. The media should stop covering her and may be she will just go away?

[Montana]

I am so happy that the ugly (inside and out) crazy old gym teacher reaped what she had sowed. She could have gotten her argument across by saying “N word” and not using the word and by not saying "don't NAACP me" but like Michael Richards AKA “Cosmo Kramer”,she ends up the the trash heap of history, a history of her own making. I am so happy that the free market AKA sponsors started to pull their ads (I guess they were exercising their free speach) and she finally realized that she was just another “run of the mill gabby” and her days were numbered. She realized that she was not as smart as she thought she was, finally!

The problem with Palin is the same when she mistakenly referred to Ronald Reagan Eureka College, being in California and we all know its in Illinois, same thing, she does not fact check anything she is going to say. She is soooo Palin!

[A TRUE CONSCIENCE]

To those who are defending Dr. Laura let me say this.

I am a proud African American who DOES NOT use the N-word and I celebrate the black entertainers who condemn the word and its use by anyone.

However, that is not why Jade/Nita Hanson called Dr. Laura. She called to get help with a situation Dr. Laura has handled on previous occassions--a spouse who is too weak or uncaring to defend their partner against unruly in-laws and friends. Dr. Laura always gave support to the isolated spouse and she should have done the same in this case.

To respond to Jade/Nita by using black comics and HBO entertainers she most likely does not know is ridiculous.

And, anyway, why is Dr. Laura defending these in-laws? She is a Jew!!! And if they are using the N-word to describe black people you know they are using the K-word to describe Jews. Hello!

It is no secret that white racists (not all whites are racists) who hate blacks also hate Jews!! Huh? How laughable!!

[A TRUE CONSCIENCE]

Also, Kris K.,

The use of the N-word preceded the use of racial ephithets for whites, of which Dr. Laura IS NOT one.

Dr. Laura did not handle the true nature of the call. That was her main offense. It has been suggested that many of her comments are parallel to issues she has about her own life.

[A TRUE CONSCIENCE]

To John Weiss,

Dr. Laura's comments were inappropriate because they did not answer the callers concerns.

I don't use the N-word and it is ignorant to ask me or anyone else to answer for the black comics who do use it. Especially, if you're going to ignore the fact that many black entertainers and activist have publicly condemned the use of the word. The NAACP held a funeral to bury the word.

Also, (not to you, you are a jew and not considered completely white). The term 'white trash' has become very popular to use in movies and sitcoms by whites written by white writers. I have also heard this term used by everyday whites so, is it okay for me to use it, too?

[Sarah]

Realtalkcook- Rahm Emanuel Called a group of people f***ing retards. Dr. Laura simply pointed out how ridiculous it is for a word to only be able to be used by one race. She never called anyone the n word.