The discussion takes a particularly sharp turn into lunacy when Rosie invokes Nazism as an argument against Imus’ critics.

The controversy that erupts every time some famous person says something, well, controversial is always a bit...stupid.  The offended usually exaggerate their outrage (almost always because they don’t like the person’s politics and want to use the controversy as leverage against him/her), and the defenders of the person in question almost always seem to think that any criticism amounts to attempts to silence that person’s free speech.  Which is what Rosie is doing with her rather idiotic reference to Nazi Germany.  It’s the same thing many on the right did when Ann Coulter called John Edwards a faggot.  They equate criticism with attempts to silence.  But that’s not a fair comparison.

Unfortunately, it’s one we’ve been making since the Dixie Chicks fiasco.

What we all need to realize is this: With a great amount of freedom comes a great amount of personal responsibility.  If you say something provocative or controversial and you make a lot of people angry you had better be ready to face the consequences of that.  If you’re the Dixie Chicks and you tick off your fans with your personal politics you aren’t being “censored” when they don’t buy your albums any more.  You’re simply facing the consequences of your actions.

The same is true of Imus.  He made a comment that many found offensive.  He’s being criticized for it by those who were offended.  That’s how a free society works.  Should he be fired?  I don’t think he should be forced off the air or silenced in any way by the government, but if his employers (who are themselves private citizens engaged in private enterprise) decide that he’s no longer an asset to their business that’s their decision.  They have to make a business-based decision.  If they keep him they risk losing as listeners those who were offended.  If they fire Imus the risk him going to their competitors.  But either way, it isn’t fascism at work as Rosie suggests. 

Just free people making free choices in a free society.