by William Wandersee Jr.

Created on: June 03, 2008

The First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..."
Those are some simple yet powerful words direct and to the point. There are no qualifiers, and no exceptions for speech that is offensive, "dirty" or hateful.
Talk radio has drawn its share of criticism for propagating a hateful or divisive message. But is censorship the answer? Censoring speech requires someone to be the censor. And do we really want Uncle Sam wagging a stern finger under our noses and washing our collective mouths out with soap?

Who gets to decide what is offensive, or what is unacceptable? Offensive is subjective. It calls to mind Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart's statement on pornography "I know it when I see it".
Words are just words. They're neither good nor bad. It's the intent of the person using those words that matters. Once we begin shutting out voices that we disagree with, where does it stop? With more than six billion people in the world, everyone is going to disagree with someone.
Much of the controversial rhetoric spewed by radio talk show hosts is designed for one purpose - to garner attention. As the saying goes, there's no such thing as bad publicity.
But what options does that leave for your average citizen? Fortunately, freedom of speech extends to everyone. You are free to disagree, and free to voice your own opinion. Call that obnoxious radio show host, or send an e-mail.
Better yet, hit them where it really hurts - the wallet. Talk shows are like any other show - they are on the air to make money. Call or send a letter to the show's sponsors expressing your displeasure with what is being said. Announce your intention to stop buying whatever they are selling. Shows that don't make money don't stay on the air.
The right to be an obnoxious jerk is what makes America unique, and that right was in fact incorporated into the Bill of Rights by our Founding Fathers, whose attitude can best be expressed by a quote from the French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire, "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it ".
And the next time you find yourself disagreeing with that radio blowhard or the talking head on the 24-hour cable news, take a deep breath and exercise your own inalienable rights - and reach for the off switch.

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