The Bill of Rights, in part inculcated this form of Jefferson's thought via James Madison and others. While the Bill of Rights can, or at least should chain the government from interfering with basic freedoms of action and thought. It can't limit individuals attempts to limit another's freedom of thought and expression.

The market place, being what it is, Metcalf is paying the price for speaking what was on his mind, when it ran over the lines of 2nd. Amendment orthodoxy. The public pressures the advertisers and they call the shots. Guns and Ammo was stupid for allowing that stuff into print and I really don't have much sympathy for them.

Jefferson was not in favor of a state religion for the reasons above stated. He was content to let ideas of all kinds compete and had confidence that the best ideas would prevail. So should ideas and notions about how this country ought to be run and what the laws ought to be.

I don't condemn those who asked for Metcalf's firing. Neither do I condemn Metcalf for expressing his views on the subject at hand. In America the competition of ideas is the basis of our freedom.

Look closely, real tears! The sidewinder...