Letter to the editor: Kirk, Kimmel and free speech

Until very recently I would not have been able to identify late-night TV comedian Jimmy Kimmel from Adam. Well, maybe not Adam, given the loin-covering fig leaf he is reported to have worn. Certainly not after 10:30 p.m., which is late night for me.

Charlie Kirk was a name I knew as being identified with conservative political views but not someone I could have picked out of a crowd … until his assassination.

I find it interesting that these two men have made news headlines while in both cases the issue of free speech is a focus of national conversation as it applied to both, free speech advocates having differing political views and exercising the same.

I love free speech no matter when or where it is spoken. I’m a financial contributor to the ACLU, one who hates flag-burners but will argue their right to do so. I love the truth even more. It is a primary reason I have an intense dislike for the current White House occupant, who I think is a pathological, serial liar. Lying is also free speech.

Those who have expressed happiness over the death of husband and father Kirk are disgusting. Those who cheered on and wished for more than Kimmel’s suspension by ABC executives aren’t much better.

One man is dead, and the other has become a target of ridicule and hate. Free speech and truth are on life support.

Glenn R. Plummer

Unity