The freedom of speech guaranteed in the First Amendment does not ‘entitle’ anyone to their opinion. It simply prevents people from being legally prosecuted for expressing them. I can openly and viciously mock people who hold ignorant opinions under the same premise–and believe me, I do.

The phrase “I’m entitled to my opinion” is a sad cop-out for people who choose to remain ignorant on an issue but still want to flap their gums about it.

Instead, opinions are a responsibility. Specifically, a responsibility to become informed/educated before shooting one’s mouth off, combined with a judicious willingness to admit when we don’t know enough about a topic to offer an opinion or apologize when we discover our information to be inaccurate or ill-considered.

People like Glenn Beck have strengthened my views by spouting malicious nonsense and retreating behind the “it’s just my opinion” non-defense.

I have a great deal of respect for someone who, when posed a question, demonstrates the intellectual fortitude to say “I don’t know” with confidence. There’d be so much less garbage in the world if people could just admit when they’re out of their depth.