I found his comments puerile and offensive myself. He has succeeded in what I believe was his goal – attention. That alone makes me grit my teeth in frustration.

But at one point in my life, I took oath and arms to defend his right to say horrible and offensive things. While I never had to actually kill anybody nor was I injured by my service, the same cannot be said for my brothers and sisters in arms. I was very lucky.

The problem with free speech is now and has always been that in order to defend the right for people with whom you agree, you have to defend those with whom you do not.

In a certain sense, the root is entitlement. People – because they have free speech – feel entitled to tell others what they should believe. They feel entitled to enforce those beliefs against any and all threats. They lose sight of the reality of freedom.

“Your right to swing your fist ends at the tip of my nose.”

And with the freedom of speech, we need to remember:

“Your right to say it does not obligate me to hear it.”

Howey has a bully pulpit of privilege. He used it in an offensive manner. He’s a product of the culture. These are not explanations or excuses but simple statements.

I would hope for better from an artist who comments on the human condition. I would wish that fathers raised their boys better. There’s really no defense for this kind of behavior but the reality is that he has a right to be an ass in public.

We need a better way to respond than pitch forks and torches. I kinda like the Quaker practice of “shunning” myself.

So thank you for your courage…and for Allie’s wisdom in helping you see it. I hope that others will hear it and understand what you’re saying.

I’ll stand with you.

Did you look to see if there was any apparent increase in sales of your other titles that coincided with the ad? If there was a noticeable bump in other titles, that would reduce costs further.

Doc
Doc Coleman recently posted..Projects for January