Conservative musician Ted Nugent has been scratched from a summer concert at Fort Knox.
Good.
Nugent was way, way out of line during his recent speech at the National Rifle Association convention. In a rant against President Barack Obama, Nugent made extremely inflammatory remarks:
"If the coyote's in your living room (urinating) on your couch, it's not the coyote's fault. It's your fault for not shooting him."
"If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will either be dead or in jail by this time next year."
That prompted a meeting with the Secret Service, which said the matter is resolved. Nugent maintained he did not threaten anyone, and, indeed, the Secret Service agrees he was exercising his constitutional right to speak his mind - however vile his thoughts might be.
But although Nugent has a right to say despicable things, the Constitution does not protect him from facing the consequences of what he said.
Nugent was to play at Fort Knox in Kentucky with REO Speedwagon and Styx at a July 23 concert celebrating the U.S. military. Officials with the U.S. Army scratched him from the line-up, citing Nugent's public comments about the president of the United States.
In our view, no real American, of whatever political persuasion, should find Nugent's comments acceptable.
He ought to be ashamed of himself, and the NRA should disassociate itself from him.