I understand some people get offended by certain words and how they are used, and I respect that “Clean USO shows preferred” (letter, Dec. 24-25). I also respect that people have the right to their own opinion. That is one thing that is great about being an American — freedom of speech, a constitutional right that we soldiers defend.

We also have the right to walk away from things we are not required to go to. It would be different if we were ordered to go to United Service Organizations shows and then were subjected to something that went against what we believed in.

We defend freedom of speech, as this soldier did when he wrote his opinion. Now that the speech being used to entertain soldiers is not to his liking, he wants to censor it?

The USO should not stop bringing entertainers like this over here for the soldiers. It is as much a right for me to be entertained by these people. I enjoyed this performer’s (Dave Attell’s) entertainment.

As a possible compromise to shows like this, they could start by saying the show has material that may offend some, and those not wanting to be entertained in this manner can exercise their right to leave.

Staff Sgt. Tatanisha HurstCamp Victory, Iraq

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