You know, I like Frank Rich, and I understand that he's not throwing in with the rest of the Imus apologists too much (though there's still the whiff of insider supporting insider about today's column), but I never ever want to see the suggestion that criticism of and punishment for racist or sexist commentary has a (gasp) "chilling effect" on free speech.

"Chilling effect" refers to creating an environment where people are made to feel unsafe about expressing alternative views and challenging popular notions. People who express racist or sexist comments don't feel uncomfortable about expressing those comments; they feel resentful that they can't do it as easily as they used to, when most bigoted B.S. was considered "common knowledge."

Also, re: the "chilling effect" of free expression of racism and sexism... have there been great advancements in the technology of saying Jews are greedy, black people are "jigaboos," women should keep their mouths shut and their legs spread, and so on, or did I miss that issue of Popular Science? I mean, come on. How many ways can you express a neolithic P.O.V. on race, gender, sexual identity, and so forth? Do people really think that a reasonable way of being an ass will finally emerge after years of study and discussion?

I think bigotry will survive Don's fall, Frank.