Where did all those First Amendment fanatics go?

'Veteran White House Correspondent Helen Thomas has provoked a storm in the US after saying the Jews must "get the hell out of Palestine" and "go home" to Germany or Poland.'

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3899361,00.html

Fair enough. It's a view. A pretty unpopular one outside of Neo-Naziism, but what the heck. We on the right are all about free speech. Aren't we? ... apparently not.

'Why Shouldn’t Helen Thomas Be Expelled from the White House Press Corps?
Jennifer Rubin'

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/307371

'Are these words of apology? Where is any indication that Thomas acknowledges her moral transgression? And to whom is she “apologizing?” There is no object of this so-called apology.'

http://neoneocon.com/2010/06/06/well-at-least-helen-thomas/

'Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director, issued the following statement:

Helen Thomas’s statement of regret does not go far enough. Her remarks were outrageous, offensive and inappropriate, especially since she uttered them on a day the White House had set aside to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of American Jews during Jewish America Heritage Month.'

http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/rubin/307781

I am a long-standing, extremely robust defender of Israel and its right to exist, defend itself, and protect its interests. But I don't think that that view should be enforced on other people. I don't think having the opposing view should get someone fired from their job. I can't imagine a conservative supporting either of those two things. Yet apparently, loads of 'conservatives' do.

Things may be considerably worse than I thought. The right to have your own opinions and not be punished for holding them is absolutely fundamental to a free society. Yet many so-called conservatives don't seem to agree. Very sad days indeed.