CNN iReport

As Americans we hold the freedom of speech sacred- or at least we should. Freedom of speech allows (especially) thoughts and ideas that are not popular or mainstream, without fear of reprisal. Freedom of speech, however, does not condone it’s misuse. Like yelling fire in a crowded theatre when there isn’t one, or calling the leader of the free world and the duly elected President of the United States a liar on the floor of Congress.

Or threatening to bury a forearm with tennis ball in hand down someone’s throat, or bounding into someone else’s spotlight because you think the accolade is misplaced.

Free Speech requires intelligent and diligent forethought, and shouldn’t confuse loudness with correctness.

And the apologies that follow these verbal sins s are all-in-all useless, because forgotten is the substance of a true apology- working to make amends, deeding that apology with some hard work.

Joe Wilson apologized? No he didn’t. He mouthed the words, but wasn’t committed enough to man-up and say he was sorry in front of his peers, in the chamber where he transgressed in the first place. And before the echo of the words, “I’m sorry” left his lips he was on the attack, trying to rationalize his offence. Serena Williams and Kanye West have both uttered those two words of apology (Mr. West through tears) but what are they going to do to truly make amends?

On a more serious note, the leader of the fractious Tea Party movement leader Mark Williams called President Obama “an Indonesian Muslim turned welfare thug and racist in chief,” all the while condoning the unapologetic behavior of his minions, prone to carrying placards decorated with swastikas and images of Obama as a witch doctor with a bone through his nose.

Freedom of speech or thuggish idiocy? Try the latter.