Ward Churchill makes me sick, the more I hear him.

Not because of what he said about the 9/11 victims of the twin towers being "little Eichmanns". As appalling as that statement is to me, it is free speech, it is his opinion, and he has a right to it. Our commitment to the first amendment is only proven when we are willing to extend it to those with whom we disagree.

No, what appalls me about Churchill is his hypocrisy. He has used every public platform he can to decry the millions who have written him angry letters and pushed for his ouster from the University of Colorado (the University has not let him go, a move I support equally as 1) it is an internal decision; 2) no person should have to fear being removed from their position solely for their political views). He feels these people are persecuting him, as do select others who have hammered this point home.

Excuse me?

See, the way I see it, the Ward Churchill situation IS about free speech. But it's not just about Mr. Churchill's free speech; the fact that he hasn't been exiled to some Alaskan gulag shows that that remains intact. It is equally about the rights of the average American, talk show hosts, pundits, and what have you, to RESPOND to Mr. Churchill with equal freedom.

In short, Mr. Churchill, those howling voices of opposition you hear are the voices of millions of other Americans who choose to exercise their freedom of speech. Cherish them, Mr. Churchill, and relish them. For without their freedom of speech, yours is equally jeaopardized.