It's been said that liberals have two sets of standards; one they apply to themselves and one they apply to everyone else.

This has been blatantly apparent the past few days in the criticisms that have been aimed at the protesters over Mike Ramsey's editorial cartoon on the Opinion Page.

Why is it that when protesters go out in support of a liberal cause they are seen as bold First Amendment warriors exercising their rights to free speech, but when conservatives wish to have their voice heard, they are accused of being flag wavers, forcing their opinions on others, spreading propaganda, and threatening free speech?

The right to free speech means the government cannot censor anyone's right to express their views. It does not guarantee anyone the right to say whatever they want without being held accountable by their peers.

It's almost as if the left doesn't know how to stand up for itself without playing the victim card. I've lost count of the number of times liberal interest groups have demanded the termination or resignation of various radio and television personalities because they deemed their remarks offensive.

Where is the left's decrying of the attacks on free speech in these instances? The double standard applied here is appalling.

Joel Tripp
English senior