Dr. Laura Ending Her Radio Show to "Regain First Amendment Rights"

In light of controversy drummed up by her use of the N-word, longtime host says she'll step down at the end of this year

By Natalie Finn Aug 18, 2010 1:12 AMTags

Dr. Laura Schlessinger chose her words more carefully this time.

The longtime AM radio fixture says that she will pull the plug on The Dr. Laura Program at the end of the year, a week after repeatedly using the N-word while taking a call on the air from a black woman who wanted to discuss her interracial marriage.

She made the announcement during an appearance on Larry King Live.

Here's her rationale:

"My contract is up for my radio show at the end of the year and I've made the decision not to do radio anymore," Schlessinger told King, who also happens to be on his way out this year (for less incendiary reasons).

"The reason is I want to regain my First Amendment rights. I want to be able to say what's on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry, some special interest group deciding this is the time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates, attack sponsors. I'm sort of done with that."

She's not retiring or quitting, she added, but rather, hopes to be "stronger and freer to say the things that I believe need to be said for people in this country."

Schlessinger apologized for her verbal gaffe the day after it happened, admitting that she did "the wrong thing."

"I didn't intend to hurt people, but I did. And that makes it the wrong thing to have done...I was attempting to make a philosophical point, and I articulated the N-word all the way out—more than one time. And that was wrong. I'll say it again—that was wrong."

Follow @eonline on Twitter!

________

Maybe Dr. Laura should take a step back and pay more attention to the Big Picture.