Scott Adams’s First Amendment rights weren’t violated

In a March 5 letter to the editor, Allen Willyard expressed his opinion that the cancellation of “Dilbert” is an abridgement of Mr. Adams’s right to free speech. Mr. Willyard and likeminded individuals should take the time to familiarize themselves with the actual, rather than their perceived, protections afforded by the First Amendment. That amendment clearly states that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.” That protection was made applicable to the states under the Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment.

Neither the federal government nor any state government has passed a law or taken any action to abridge Mr. Adams’s freedom of speech. Conversely, the Reporter-herald and other media outlets are not obligated by the First Amendment to grant Mr. Adams a forum to express his views. The cancellation of “Dilbert” by non-governmental agencies does not raise a First Amendment issue.

Mr. Willyard also claimed, without any evidence, “that the far left does not tolerate any views that are at variance with their own.” I would remind him that it is Gov. Desantis (R-fla.) and other political actors in the GOP that seek to ban educators from teaching critical race theory; to ban books from school libraries and restrict AP courses that conflict with or challenge their ideology; to restrict initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion; to limit academic freedom; and generally to prohibit expressing any views that are at variance with their own. Gov. Desantis and the Florida Legislature that enables him are governmental functionaries who are actively engaged in abridging the freedom of speech of citizens who do not subscribe to their views. Unlike the cancellation of “Dilbert” by private businesses, the actions of GOP politicians raise some serious First Amendment issues.

— Jerry Wilson, Loveland