Many years ago, Laura Ingraham politely advised Barbra Streisand, "Shut Up And Sing!"  No one, not a soul, accused Laura of being anti-Semitic or anti-songbird. 

She also opined that The Dixie Chicks should do the very same thing and was not maligned for being anti-Texan or anti-overrated band. 

When Laura instructed Robert De Niro to "shut up and act," no one claimed she was anti-Italian or anti-prep school dropout. 

But, as you know, Ingraham crossed some strange line of demarcation last week when she suggested that LeBron James should "shut up and dribble." 

This all started when King James, as he is rightfully known, declared that President Trump "don't give a f*** about the people."  Last year he also referred to the President of the United States as a "bum."  Perhaps he thought his comments were protected under the "divine right of the King" doctrine.

But in fact, profanely denouncing the president is offensive to about half the population, including Laura Ingraham, who has never been keen on celebrities' spouting off on subjects about which they know little. 

Let's stipulate that LeBron James is more than merely the greatest basketball player on Planet Earth.  He is generous with his time and money, an intelligent guy with an engaging personality, and seems to be an all-around good person. 

But LBJ has lately become more political, and never let it be said that he can't go to his left.  Beyond Trump-hatred, he has lent his tacit support to the Black Lives Matter movement, even though it has been plagued by anti-cop rhetoric. 

On the plus side, James has also decried the wanton violence that has killed so many young black men.  No one should ever conflate LeBron James with Colin Kaepernick; James will never be seen in clothing adorned with cops portrayed as pigs. 

Of course LeBron James and other athletes are free to say whatever they wish, but they can't spew vitriol and then hide beneath the bench.  If you denounce President Trump, don't expect to go unchallenged simply because you are a star or because you are black. 

Laura Ingraham was well within her rights to criticize LeBron James.  But when she did, the well-oiled anti-Trump and anti-Fox machine immediately went into action. 

Democratic strategist Antjuan Seawright appeared on the No Spin News this week and implied that Laura Ingraham singled out LeBron James because of his skin color.  Seawright, usually a very reasonable and moderate man, described her words as "red-meat, right-wing racial rhetoric." 

The New York Daily News condemned Ingraham's "racist comments," while ESPN's Michael Wilbon said "she comes off like a bigot."  Someone named Tiffany Cross actually went back in time on MSNBC, saying "the descendent of colonizers does not get to tell the descendent of slaves what they can talk about."  According to Ms. Cross's illogic, a black person can never, ever be criticized by a white person. 

Do you think that applies to a white liberal mocking Justice Clarence Thomas or Senator Tim Scott?  When it comes to standing up for black men and women, the left in America is very selective.  Black conservatives are fair game for any and all criticism, no matter how demeaning or profane. 

No one can doubt we are in a dangerous time in America.  The far left and the media, which frequently overlap, truly wish to destroy conservatives and President Trump.  If they can't do that by making cogent arguments or by putting forth great candidates, they resort to name-calling and ad hominem attacks. 

One of the most useful implements in their tool box is the "R-word."  Oppose unfettered immigration and open borders?  Racist!  Didn't like President Obama?  Racist! 

Right now, that vile epithet is being hurled at a woman who has never exhibited the slightest trace of racism, and who has adopted children from Guatemala and Russia.  It's not fair and it's not right, but that is the political hothouse in which we find ourselves in 2018. 

The word "racist" is actually meant to end any debate or conversation, and it's extremely effective in that regard. 

You might think of it as another way of saying … Shut Up!