"Pro-choice" advocates stress a woman's right to choose whether and when to terminate her pregnancy. In their view, a woman should have absolute control over her own body and, by extension, over survival of fetus within her. The "pro-life" camp argues that life begins at conception and any termination of pregnancy after formation of embryo is equivalent to murder.

When Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector exercised his right to free speech last week, he prompted a quick response from Robert Bork. Known for being first Supreme Court Justice nominee to be, well, “borked,” judge was in no mood for Spector’s silliness. “I know Specter,” he retorted, “and truth is not in him.”

What prompted Bork’s remark was Senator’s suggestion — make that accusation — that judge “had original intent, and if his original intent stood, we’d still be segregating United States Senate with African Americans on one side and Caucasians on other side.”

Both remarks were made Sunday on CNN’s Late Edition.

While Spector’s right to free speech is a highly valued freedom is without question. But right to speak freely falls short of excusing some of asinine excesses and down right abuses that often accompany that right.

It’s one of of living in a free society. People have right to say — and do — dumb things. And they exercise that freedom liberally.

Columnist Morton Marcus, for example, may have out-trumped Spector. While musing in aftermath of Supreme Court’s recent eminent domain decision, he wrote that private property is “a privilege conferred by government.” That, of course, would have come as a shock to founders of nation whose sacrifices provided framework for private ownership. It also irked Ross Bell, a Wayne County Libertarian. In response to Marcus opinion, Bell quipped, “Welcome to USSA.”

Then there was incident at University of Georgia’s School of Journalism, reported in Athens Banner-Herald.

John Soloski’s expressed concern for a co-worker’s safety — coupled with a compliment for her appearance — got him in hot water for sexual harassment. The compliment on his part turned to a complaint on her part and Soloski was found guilty. At time, she didn’t act offended, he claimed. The event took place at a fundraiser for school where “offender” is dean.

Another recent abuse of free speech occurred in Victorville, California.