Even as she leaves her radio show in disgrace, Dr. Laura still doesn't get it

[Political Tiger]

Even after slinging the n-word nearly a dozen times at a black caller, an avalanche of condemnation and a decision to finally spare listeners her tone-deaf advice by leaving the syndicated radio game at year's end, Dr. Laura still doesn't get it.

Announcing her intention not to renew her contract after this year on Larry King Live Tuesday, Dr. Laura Schlessinger made herself out to be the victim. "I want to regain my First Amendment rights," she told King......After so many years advising callers to take responsibility for their lives, it is curious to hear Schlessinger accept none for herself now. The First Amendment prevents government from limiting free speech; it does not not guarantee speech without consequence. And for Schlessinger, the consequence of releasing such ugly racial rhetoric on the radio has been a heartening deluge of criticism and advertisers reconsidering their sponsorships.

.....

The biggest tragedy here: Schlessinger is too busy feeling persecuted to learn the right lesson.

......

Now Schlessinger insists that she is the victim; that those pointing out her own prejudice are "NAACP-ing" her. It's a disturbing glimpse into a bizarro world where racism is rationalized and those who aren't willing to tolerate her backward ideas are the ones with a problem.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media/content/even-she-leaves-her-radio-show-disgrace-dr-laura-still-doesnt-get-it

[dkf]

1. What lesson is there other than exercising ones first amendment rights is paramount?

Don't tell me we expect her to be sensitive? That is just un-American.

[whathehell]

6. Racisim has consequences...She may have the "right" to say what she wants

but she doesn't necessarily have a "right" to a job that pays her for doing that.

The point is, you can do or say anything you want, as long as you realize that there will be consequences -- some you may not like.

[mike r]

2. Her notoriety is well deserved

Such a nasty woman.

[AnneD]

3. I am waiting for Rush....

to put his foot in it. You just know that he thinks that way.

[MadMaddie]

7. If I were to guess he will go on a similar rant and dare his

bosses to do anything to him.

Waiting....

[cutlassmama]

4. she should go work for Faux, there's plenty of racists there

[midnight]

5. I wonder why it took so long for this abuse to be ended?

Next on the list should be Limbaugh for his outrages response to those dealing with medical issues.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. I wonder if this just happened, or if she's pushing someone else's agenda?

A right-winger I once had lunch with watches Glen Beck and told me that he was worried that they were going to take him off the air because of the things he was saying. She said it was getting like you had to watch what you said! She believed that she should be able to express death threats, because it was an expression of anger, not of intent.

They've enjoyed a double standard for so long, that they're not going to give away these "extreme" rights freely. I think Dr. Laura is just pushing the envelope of this white privilege. Another hot button issue.

[Recursion]

9. When conservatives say "free speech" what they want is "consequence-free speech"

Which is a different thing. I (and I assume most of the board) would defend her right to drop the N-bomb free of legal consequences*. The social, political, and professional consequences, however, are all hers.

* Though since the FCC governs her show I could see there being some administrative sanction; that's not really what I mean by "legal consequences".