To the editor:

Jimmy Kimmel made a joke about the right’s politicization of Charlie Kirk’s death. He accurately said that the president mourned Charlie Kirk’s murder the way a 4-year-old mourns the death of a goldfish. He said some other things, none of which seemed hateful, but the thin-skinned crybaby occupying the White House can’t stand for any satirical criticism, which has been a staple in our country for decades.

Remember the right’s “F— Joe Biden,” which was misinterpreted as “Let’s go, Brandon!” And what did President Biden do at the ensuing White House Correspondents’ Dinner? He donned a pair of dark glasses and said, “I’m going to be fine with your jokes, but I’m not sure about Dark Brandon.” It was a joke. He’d endured numerous jokes directed toward him, and he was up to a good-natured response after being the butt of so many jokes. The current president has refused to attend any of these events. I’m thinking an executive order to cancel the gala is not too far off. I’m thinking his head might explode if he had to sit through such a laugh-fest…or he could just nod off to sleep as is his habit.

Some people can deliver a punchline. Some people can counterpunch in the face of ridicule. The president would probably struggle to come up with a single alliterative nickname that is his trademark.

To repeat, Jimmy Kimmel did exactly what comedians have done for decades, but none of these jokesters has had to deliver their quips under the threat of a revocation of the First Amendment by the White House.

Meanwhile at the Fox News Network, Brian Kilmeade stated recently, “There should be involuntary lethal injections for mentally ill homeless people. Just kill them.” (Many of these people are veterans.) Of course, after some flak he apologized, but I think you’ll agree his heartless suggestion is far more deplorable than anything Kimmel has ever said.

Free speech is free speech.

Keith R. Klawitter

Morgan