So, fine.

Here we have MSNBC’s Ed Schultz calling conservative talk radio’s Laura Ingraham a “right-wing slut” and a “talk show slut.”

The First Amendment guarantees a lot, including this kind of garbage. But coming from an MSNBC host? The network of Huntley and Brinkley, John Chancellor, Tom Brokaw, Tim Russert and now Brian Williams?

The network, as the world knows, has seen better days. Doubtless fixing this is at the top of the list of its new owners, Comcast. The cable television giant is headquartered here in Pennsylvania and run by the well-respected Roberts family, its CEO Brian Roberts.

Should Schultz be canned for such grossly inappropriate behavior? Can you imagine the reaction if something like this came from Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh or Mark Levin or a whole host of Ingraham’s fellow talkers?

No, is the answer. Schultz has the right to say what he wants. But a suspension? A public apology to Ms. Ingraham from Schultz?

Does anyone remember the absolute meltdown MSNBC had when Don Imus called a woman’s basketball team “nappy headed ho’s”? Said MSNBC at the time it stopped airing Imus:

This decision comes as a result of an ongoing review process, which initially included the announcement of a suspension. It also takes into account many conversations with our own employees.

Uh-huh.

So.

Not OK for the I-Man but just peachy for Ed Schultz? Where are those MSNBC employees now? Awfully quiet, I’d say.

This kind of garbage is so beneath the dignity of the Roberts family that the idea it would be tolerated is breathtaking.

Laura Ingraham is owed an apology. Big time. And pronto.

Let’s see how double the standard really is at MSNBC.