From "road rage" to television's Springer show, rowdiness and bad conduct seem to be accepted as the norm - or at least that is the way it appears to me. That brings me to the rudeness displayed by Rosie O'Donnell in an alleged "interview" with actor Tom Selleck. Selleck was on Rosie's show to plug his new movie. That was clearly not where Rosie was headed. She wanted blood. Was it for ratings?

In a display of shocking rudeness - call it extreme verbal blows - Rosie took on Tom Selleck for being an NRA spokesman. Before any readers get carried away, I am not defending the positions of the NRA. But, if you really look behind the seething debate over gun control, you will find that few NRA members have ever abused the ownership of guns. What concerns me is the rudeness displayed by Rosie O'Donnell in pursuing Selleck. Her conduct was outrageous and just as bad as the physical abuse displayed on the Springer show. Is that really the right tone for society?

Some people argue that she has the right of free speech. True, she does. But, free speech should not give way to crude and offensive questioning - even on a talk show. And free speech for one person is not always free speech for someone else.

Take a look at two people who have been spokespersons for K-Mart. Fuzzy Zeller, the golfer, was out of line in comments about Tiger Woods, a fellow pro. As a result, his relationship with K-Mart was terminated. On the other hand, Rosie O'Donnell, also a spokesperson for K-Mart appears to be safe in her position in spite of her attacks on the NRA. By the way, K-Mart is one of the largest retailers of firearms in the country. Depending on the issue, free speech is not so free. And Rosie is not above limiting free speech herself. She ordered the cast of Annie Get Your Gun not to sing one song on her show which referred to the shooting of a partridge. Is that censorship? I guess not in Rosie's case.

For the life of me, I cannot understand why Rosie O'Donnell attacked Tom Selleck so ferociously. True, she has the right of free speech on her show, but so does Selleck in speaking up for any issue he cares about. Being a co-host on Face-Off with Larry Levy, the debate does get heated at times. But our guests expect the controversy, because that is what the show stands for - two sides of a current issue. No matter how much heat, we try to provide some enlightenment and keep a decent level of decorum. We, also, always shake hands at the end of each show.

Television has to take some of the blame for violence in our schools. Rosie O'Donnell needs to apologize, not only to Tom Selleck, but also to her audience for boorish behavior.