Maher Response

Bill Maher was on O'Reilly tonight. I tend not to watch Fox news often, but happened to switch over when I got bored with CNN. In defense of his recent incindiary comments regarding the failed assassination attempt on Veep Cheney, he said (paraphrased)

Now Bill, you're a pro-life guy. Now, if an abortion doctor was killed, you'd probably say "Good, he's dead, that will save the lives of so many unborn". It's the same thing, people should be allowed to express their lament that Cheney was not killed

I consider Maher's original statement absurd and irresponsible. To that end, I would also consider anyone feeling good about the murder of an abortion doctor, despite my pro-life stance. Such support would like spur assassination attempts on other abortion doctors. Likewise, expressing support for the death of the vice president lends credibility to the assasination attempt, and supports any future attempts.

Much like the Dixie Chicks, Maher seems to want to have his cake and eat it too. Free speech does not come without resopnsibility, and without response. His statement was irresponsible, and it is unfortunate that he does not take responsibility for it and apologize.

And, for the sake of it, I would add that Ann Coulter's recent statement concerning Sen. Edwards were almost equally egregious. Untrue, useless, and distracting come to mind.