O'Reilly doesn't understand free speech

As many have probably already heard — because he's so good at getting his name and face in the headlines — Bill O'Reilly is angry about an atheistic message on display at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. The main target of his ire is Gov. Christine Gregoire, who has refused to order removal of the sign that religious groups across the country are protesting. Her office has reported being deluged with phone calls and e-mails in the days since this clip was aired on the Fox News Network.

I disagree entirely with the message conveyed by this sign. However, let's be clear on one point: The group responsible for the content of the sign can publicize its message for the exact same reason O'Reilly and his audience can protest that message. They can do so for the same reason I can give my own perspective right here on this blog. The constitutionally guaranteed right to free speech and expression is not limited to messages that are universally agreeable or appealing. In fact, speech widely regarded as offensive or even repugnant is exactly what the First Amendment was intended to protect. Would the Fox News commentator like to be subject to censorship just because his program leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of many Americans?

Keeping that in mind, O'Reilly's rants aren't even worth entertaining unless he can devise an argument more compelling than the notion that the atheist display is inappropriate or offensive or an alleged attack against national tradition. He calls Gregoire "cowardly" — but truly, the only cowardice observable in this scenario is someone who advocates stifling other perspectives while simultaneously expecting that the right to express his own remain intact. Suggesting that free speech of any kind be infringed upon is an extraordinarily dangerous road to travel.