Rush Limbaugh should be fired

My opponents entire case addresses the fact that because Rush Limbaugh has made some seemingly prejudiced (not racist, please clear this definition) comments, he deserves to be fired from the air. Now this case uses should, and it seems that the only point my opponent has is that Rush Limbaugh has made 3 bigoted or prejudiced comments. So let's examine that. As my opponents sole argument is that Rush has made racist claims, keep in mind if I show how this does not mean he should be fired, you must vote Con. First off, let's look at what moral implications Rush's statement have. I'd like to point out the first amendment of the bill of rights, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; _or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press_; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." So we see that Rush clearly has the RIGHT to say what he wants, and the right to broadcast his show. Also, Rush's comments put no moral strain upon anyone else. The strain of Rush's comments falls to Rush, so firing him would not redeem the immoral comments made. Furthermore, in the United States we accept that all men are equal. All men are equal regardless of opinion, and firing Rush would simply say, "Your opinion is not equal because we don't agree with it." Rush has right by the law, and he right by the premise of equality to continue on air. The only deciding factor which should determine whether Rush be fired or not is if he lacks support behind this issue, or if he lacks viewers. According to: http://www.mondostars.com... "By 2007 The Rush Limbaugh Show had amassed an audience of around 13.5 million listeners each week. He is received by more listeners than any other radio show nationwide. " Rush Limbaugh should be fired if his viewers reflect that, his viewers do not reflect that, as he's got over 13million listeners. Let's address the comments you've given: As a young broadcaster in the 1970s, Limbaugh once told a black caller: "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back." A decade ago, after becoming nationally syndicated, he mused on the air: "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson? Over a span of some 30 years in broadcasting he's made two racist comments. Don Imus on the other hand, has made scores of racist, bigoted comments, so I think we must examine the background. Rush has had some things slip, however look at the audience he's appealing to. Jeff Cohen has something to say on this, "That's not an unusual response for a talk radio host playing to an audience of "angry white males." You see, Rush Limbaugh is appealing to a specific audience by using these comments once every, 15-20 years? This is not grounds to be fired, people say things and let things slip all the time. This is grounds for a slap on the wrist and telling him to stop, which apparently he's kept himself fairly well in check. So, look at the reasons to fire a talk-show host. 1) Lack of people's support. Rush obviously has that. 2) A history of bigoted comments. Rush does NOT have that, he has only made 3 (allegedly, all I could find info one were the two) over a time span of some 30-40 years in broadcasting. 3) He breaks the law. Rush is perfectly within constitutional right to say what he wants, and is upholding the ideal of equality by expressing his own opinion. Telling him that his opinion is wrong would be contrary to the value of equality. *NOTE, I AM NOT SAYING HATE-CRIMES SHOULD BE LEGAL OR ANYTHING* What I'm saying is, in the United States we are free, and to be truly free you must be able to express your opinion. Rush Limbaugh can have his own opinion, he can be bigoted because that's his RIGHT. If he were to hang a man upon this opinion, that's when we can interject. Until then, he's perfectly fine. I urge a Con ballot.