In a ideal world, the actions of one Dr. Laura would go unchecked and with no consequence. It's ironic that Ms. Schlessinger has been promoting this "tough love" ideology for decades and now that she has found herself in a tough spot by her actions, no less, she doesn't seem to like being treated by the method she has been promoting. It appears as if she is hinting at receiving a little more compassion that what she is able to give out in advice.
The First Amendment of the Constitution protects the Government from prosecuting individuals for their freedom of and from speaking. However, that same protection does not keep others from acting against you. If I mistakenly said some regretful words to a friend, does the Constitution legally keep my friend from breaking our friendship or expressing their disappointment? Although there is a vast difference between a Celebrity and a non-Celebrity when it comes to offensive language. If I say an offensive comment in this board, the most that will happen is others will flame me or the thread will be removed. However, when a influential individual that reaches a vast audience says something that is offensive there will be legal actions taken against that individual. This has been happening since the birth of broadcast.
Legally speaking, you have a right to speak whatever you wish to say be it empathetic or ignorant but don't be surprised with others also practice their legal rights and organize a petition or boycott of your broadcast and job. Yes, we as a country should be more forgiving and diverse, but most importantly, we have to practice respect and empathy. If you only say stuff because it's only how YOU feel or how YOU think and can't consider how it might make someone else feel or think then it's only a matter of time before your self-involvement becomes self-destruction.