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Sen. Graham responds to criticism of free speech comments
Posted: 04.05.2011 at 11:00 AM
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U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)  / File
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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- One day after Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) sparked national attention with controversial comments seemingly calling on Congress to impose limits on free speech, the Senator explained his position in more detail Monday in an interview with Washington D.C. organization National Review.

In that interview Graham expanded on his comments to CBS Face the Nation Sunday, where he said the need to protect U.S. servicemembers overseas may justify limiting of political speech at home.

"I wish we could find some way to hold people accountable," said Graham on Sunday. "Free speech is a great idea, but we're in a war. During World War II you had limits on what you could do if it inspired the enemy."

Graham's comments about limiting free speech to discourage violent protests followed the burning of a Quran by Florida pastor Terry Jones, who said he organized the burning to "stir the pot." The burning of the Islam holy book sparked rioting in Afghanistan, where at least seven people had been killed over the weekend as protests erupted again Monday for the fourth straight day.

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During his interview with National Review on Monday, Graham said he did not want to criminalize the burning of the Quran but went on to say he does not think the First Amendment protects the burning of the U.S. flag or the picketing of military funerals; the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that both activities are protected under the Constitution.

Read Sen.Graham's full interview with National Review.

Sen.Graham's office did not respond to a request for comment from WACH Fox News Monday. Although his comments generated a great deal of buzz online. More than 490 people have voted in our web poll as of Tuesday morning; 96 percent thus far disagree with Sen. Graham's position regarding free speech.

Agree or disagree -- what do you think about Sen.Graham's explanation of his comments? Please leave your reaction below.

Watch Sen. Graham's comments on CBS Face the Nation.

 

Free Speech Poll
What is your reaction to Sen. Graham's comments seeming to call for free speech restrictions?
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