I also have to say I didn’t like Rush’s free speech defense yesterday. Of course I think this country has a very restrictive attitude towards discussion of race. However, being criticized for what you say — even fired — is not a violation of free speech. Rush — and most conservatives — understood that when people were boycotting the Dixie Chicks. It will be funny to see if, say, Paul Krugman believes the free speech argument, which was so compelling for the Dixie Chicks and other anti-war types, also applies to Rush. Or, do these people think its fine for rightwingers to face the music for what they say, but leftwingers should have free license to say whatever they want?