I am a graduating senior at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and have been reading The Daily Free Press for about a year. One may ask why. The answer: Brian Fudge. So after seeing all the letters to the editor urging the removal of his column, I wanted to write as well.

Coming from a very liberal campus (and myself as socially liberal as they come), I understand Mr. Fudge’s column is one of political humor that pushes the contemporary boundaries of what is considered political correctness. His column needs to be taken with a grain of salt and a laugh. It may be offensive to some, but in order to have free speech, one cannot censor speech one does not like and not censor other speech. This is the hypocritical path that people seem to be taking by writing letters urging the Free Press to remove his column.

I think John Stuart Mill said it best when he said, “If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.” I hate to break the bad news, but the First Amendment is a two-way street. Wanting to silence one person because you do not agree with him is not a justified position to hold. Is Fudge’s column offensive? Yes. Is it meant to be? You bet. Satire and speech on taboo subjects in our society is something we all need. The self-proclaimed-hick column of last week is the kind of self-deprecating humor designed to show the absurdity of attacking Fudge as a columnist. The First Amendment protects us all: liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, hicks and hippies. If you do not see some of the humor, if you do not appreciate the joke in the ultra-right viewpoints Fudge takes, then at least be grateful for the right of free speech that we are actually able to enjoy in this country.

Alex Scott

George Washington University ’08