1. Adaora wrote:

I wish you would have reminded Bill about his views on Sotomayor’s ruling in the case of the CT firefighters during your discussion of what judges should/could/must do.

2. Abby Reikow wrote:

I’m surprised Dr Hill… “Sometimes words, in moments of grace, attain the quality of deeds.” – Eli Weisel

I actually believe words can always attain the “quality of deeds,” without the grace. I am guessing your need to protect free speech has to do with our nation’s obsession, sometimes, with censorship. However, you drew the line and said “As long as they don’t put their hands on anyone..” and I have to say, words can do just as much damage.

I’m still conflicted about the issue but I think words are too powerful for us to allow them to be spoken and used without consequence.

3. liam wrote:

Where the hell was this idiot Bill Oreichy when the Phelps Clan were hating and spitting vitriol at gay funerals? NOWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is a hypocrite. He is a racist. He wants to use you ,Marc Lamont, as a pawn. You serve some twisted image in his mind of his own open mindedness. He is one sick priviledged little troll living in a bubble. Having said that, you are so correct, in my opinion , about words vs. actions. I can always walk away from people who are mouthing off. That is the real argument here for me. Can this family or any mourners at any funeral walk away from the grotesque Phelps mutants as they shout their vile and uneducated verbal weapons amidst a funeral? NO. And is a civil suit the furthest one can go to address them? I guess so. I say that the Phelps are psychiatrically unfit and that may be the way to rid us of them. It is done in courtrooms by judges daily throughout this country. I still have trouble figuring out why you grace O’reichy with your presence. It baffles me. He is not worth it.

4. Ann Marie McDaniel wrote:

Prof. Hill, I sympathise with the soldiers family in Westboro Baptist Church controversy. I want free speech protected as much, if not more, than other citizens. However I believe in this instance the courts had the responsibility to hold the Hate Spewing Clan outside the funeral in some sort of violation. But then again, I also want judges to make judgements based with in the parameters of the Constitution. I don’t know…I just don’t know.

You were consistant in your argument with O’Reilly, despite him using you and/or African American congressmen and the N-word experience as examples. Great point, once you go after the free speech rights of others, then your free speech rights are next.