The debate over just what constitutes free speech has been ongoing since the crafting of the U.S. Constitution, but even a liberal U.S. Supreme Court ruled that one does not have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater.

That is just what Don Imus did with his racist and derogatory remarks about the Rutgers University girls' basketball team, using words such as "nappy headed" and "Ho" in describing the ladies who played their hearts out on the court. Some may say this topic is "old news," but I waited a month to write about it because I did not want the issue to drop off the radar screen of America's psyche.

Imus is not the first public figure in recent times to show his true colors. There have been a plethora of incidents where actors, politicians, business leaders and others in positions deep within the public eye have made remarks that current culture and decency now deem inappropriate at best. In this latest tirade, he trampled these individuals self esteem, disparaged women's athletics, and dissed females in general, regardless of their skin color.

Imus was eventually fired after initially only being banned for two weeks. He did indeed apologize, but like those that paraded before him, the apologies seem to be more a regret that such a fuss was made rather than a sincere heartfelt remorse for actually blurting out the words. Omar Khayyam, author of "The Rubaiyat," said it best in the 11th century: "The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ moves on: nor all your Piety nor Wit shall lure it back to cancel half a Line, nor all your Tears wash out a Word of it."

All of us who pen for the public have at one time or another written something that we regret once the words hit print. Something scribbled in the heat of the moment, or without a careful scrutiny of all facts, or without giving both sides equal consideration stabs us in the heart the moment the words appear. However, just as journalists should be held accountable for using their position to sprout outright bigotry, those who have set themselves up as public spokesmen must be held to higher standards as well. Imus has earned millions in his role as radio jockey, but his fame and popularity should not protect him from all behaviors.

When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the right to free speech did not stretch so far as to causing a stampede, the ruling took a great deal of heat. Even today a check of the Internet will show posting debating the issue, with some feeling that they do indeed have the right to yell "fire" as a joke. But a joke is only truly worthy if those hearing it can laugh along with the one telling it. That is not the case with prejudicial rantings that endanger society as a whole.

The words broadcast by Imus or screamed on a stage by comedian Michael Richards endanger the very advancement in equality, racial harmony, and social advancement made in the last three decades. There is a difference as big as the Grand Canyon between an individual using profanity or derogatory words as he goes about his daily life, even if those words wound, and those of a person broadcasting equally disgusting verbiage. Everyone does indeed have the right to be a jerk, insensitive, or downright rude until it reaches a point where he is figuratively crying "fire" in a crowded theater. Schools and most parents work very hard to teach tolerance, acceptance, harmony, appropriate communications, and other character qualities, but these efforts are often in vain when impressionable children and teens see and hear popular figures throw out remarks and words that were unthinkable within most of our lifetimes.

Where is the line drawn? First, society has to agree that a line needs to be drawn, and given the backlash against Imus from all segments of the population, it seems that this agreement has been reached. Anyone using the airways, the Internet, or print media to sprout such filth must be held accountable.

(Editor's Note: Scott has been with the Nogales Unified School District No.1 for 29 years and is an English teacher and freelance writer. She may be contacted at kathys@theriver.com.)