https://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2013/02/21/shut-up-or-ill-kill-you/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 01:40:42 -0400<![CDATA[We&#8217;re a fractious people, always have been, and our politics have been especially colorful. I&#8217;m a nearly lifelong fan of John C. Calhoun&#8217;s line about Henry Clay: &#8220;Like a mackerel by moonlight, he shines and stinks …&#8221;. Our political candidates have been mocked for their love affairs, their wooden legs, their false teeth, and their drinking habits. It&#8217;s not elegant, but rude, insulting talk is one of the products of free speech.]]>Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:10:38 -0500<![CDATA[Michael Ledeen]]>https://pjmedia.com/michael-ledeen/2013/02/21/shut-up-or-ill-kill-you-n187767