fear of the opinionated

In an election year, of all times, it should be okay to speak out about the President and political issues. Sure, there's always going to be some jokes, some tasteful, some not so much, to deflate the huge egos of Washington. They should be used to this. As far as Michael Moore is concerned, they should know that he is relentless and liberal, and has very little compunction about speaking out and delineating a politician's faults to their face and on camera. And they should also know by now that a lot of people support him in his causes. Like Linda Ronstadt, for example, who recommended his film "Farenheit 9/11" to her audience at her Vegas show.

For simply recommending Moore and his film, pandemonium ensued- cocktails flew, people booed and walked out, and Ronstadt was summarily fired, not even allowed to return to her luxury dressing room after the show. Um, what was that little right of all US citizens... I think it was the first one, something about free speech? It is utterly ridiculous that such behavior should be tolerated-- we all, every last one of us, has the right to speak their mind, even if you're a Neo-Nazi. Whoopi Goldberg makes a joke and she's also recently unemployed (comediannes telling off-color jokes, what is the world coming to??).

People, exercise your right to speak out, and all you who don't like it, grow a thicker skin and speak out too. You don't have to like what's being said, but people should be allowed to speak their minds without fear of a disproportionate response, like losing their livelihood or their lives.

Recall Sorkin's "American President" and his big, end of movie, dramatic moment speech:

You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who is standing center stage advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours.