Nation Once Again Reminded What the 1st Amendment Actually Means
"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." ~The First Amendment
Harrison Butker - the Bond-villain-named Kansas City Chiefs kicker who's ignited the comments sections of numerous editorial and opinion pieces on the anarchy incarnate entity known as The Internet - has the constitutional right to say what he wants (barring the "fire in a theater clause"), and John and Jane Q. Public has the same right to agree or disagree with him. Welcome to another episode of Choad Rage!
Harrison Butker is a Turd
The gist of what he said about women at the Benedictine College commencement ceremony is steeped in his religious beliefs that are shared by the very college he spoke at. That's why he was there instead of the University of Minnesota.
The speech earned him a standing ovation from the vast majority of those in attendance. He properly "read the room". It'd be insulting if he said all of that at a liberal college; which is why he said it at a Catholic college.
Harrison Butker is a Turd
The fun part about opinion pieces is...the opinion.
He absolutely had the inalienable right to say what he said.
I have the inalienable right to say that Harrison Butker is a turd (three times, now).
You have the inalienable right to say that I'm a turd for believing that.
And round and round and round we go.
The First Amendment protects what you and I (and Harry) say, but NOT the verbal backlash from what you and I (and Harry) say. The ol' 1A is there to protect us from the gubmint restricting what we can say (plus religious and press stuffs thrown in there, too).
People speaking out against Harry's opinions are not "cancelling" him or taking away his First Amendment rights. It's responsively practicing our First Amendment rights.
Know the difference.
And if you're a religious person, pray that Harry survives all of the forthcoming Roughing the Kicker penalties next season. I'm not advocating; it's just football's version of a pitcher beaning a batter.
Dead & Company Sphere Opening Night Photos
Gallery Credit: Matthew Wilkening