PFAW to Boehner: Disinvite Nugent from the State of the Union

As if things weren't controversial enough in this country's gun debate, Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX) announced yesterday that musician and gun nut Ted Nugent would be his guest for tonight's State of the Union address.

In response, Michael Keegan, president of People for the American Way, issued an open letter to House Speaker John Boehner asking that Nugent be disinvited.

Some excerpts:

"In the wake of a year teeming with incidents of heartbreaking gun violence, it came as quite a shock to see Congressman Steve Stockman (R-TX) announce yesterday that he is 'excited to have a patriot like Ted Nugent joining me in the House Chamber' for President Obama’s State of the Union address.

"This so-called 'patriot' has repeatedly threatened the life of the president.

[...]

"The First Amendment protects Ted Nugent’s rights to say offensive things, but that right does not extend to making threats of violence against public officials. And it certainly does not give Nugent a 'right' to be granted a privileged position of honor as a guest of the House of Representatives at the President's State of the Union address.

[...]

Keegan makes a good point. Nugent's presence there tonight will seem disrespectful at best. However, I doubt that Boehner will pay it any attention.

>> Read the complete letter.