In announcing her departure from radio following her now-infamous “N” word rant, Dr. Laura Schlessinger told CNN’s Larry King “I’ve made the decision not to do radio anymore. The reason is I want to regain
my First Amendment rights.”

Though, while she did apologize for repeatedly assaulting her caller with a word she (the caller) made clear was offensive to her, Dr. Laura apparently now plans to become a free speech crusader fighting for everyone’s right to use a word she apologized for using.

Flash forward to last Thursday when, while appearing on Live with Regis and Kelly, Jennifer Aniston, in an unfortunate attempt at self-effacing humor, blurted about her Harper’s Bazaar  photo shoot “I’ play dress up. I do it for a living, like a retard.”

Now, to be sure, I think Aniston’s remark is in a completely different category than Schlessinger’s. It was inadvertent and, obviously, not intended as a thumb in anyone’s eye (in fact, the barb was aimed at herself).  It was just a bit insensitive and we’ve all been guilty of that in our lives in one way or another.

But the two incidents do share a connection to the issue of free speech versus sensitivity to the feelings of others.

The truth is Dr. Laura has every right to say the “N” word (though no radio station or media company has the obligation to be used as her vehicle to broadcast it). And, while the use of the word “retard” is insulting to mentally-challenged people (even when not actually directed at them), I wouldn’t want to live in a country where the government actually banned the words from being spoken.

That said, there is a difference between the government stepping in and banning something and an individual or group choosing to exercise restraint.

Free speech is an inalienable right that comes from God and is, thank God, asserted in the U.S. Constitution — but that right does not negate the need for wisdom and respect toward others. In fact, it makes developing those attributes all the more important.

In the end if, as individuals and organization (particularly media organizations), we fail to self-restrain we will find ourselves living in a nation that is less civil and runs the risk of tearing itself apart from within.