Jeffrey Lord: CNN Caved On The First Amendment

The Associated Press reports:

CNN fired conservative commentator Jeffrey Lord on Thursday after he tweeted a Nazi salute at a critic. A network spokesperson confirmed that Lord was no longer with the network and said “Nazi salutes are indefensible.”

The statement came hours after Lord tweeted the Nazi slogan “Sieg Heil!” at the head of a liberal advocacy group, Media Matters for America.

“I want to make something very clear. I have nothing but respect, affection and love for CNN. I think the world of CNN,” Lord told The Associated Press. “I think they’re terrific people and serious people.”

He called himself a “First Amendment fundamentalist” and called CNN’s decision disappointing. “From my perspective CNN caved on the First Amendment of all things. I disagree. I respectfully disagree.”

I am endlessly fascinated that so many right wingers fail to grok the meaning and application of the First Amendment.