That brings up a good point I think. Free speech is not just a legal concept. It is something we ought to respect in public life. If someone has a legitimate political viewpoint, I don't think it's right to boycott them or treat them like a pariah.
So Duckhomophob Idiot's rights outweigh my right to pick which TV shows I watch? This guy has a right to say whatever moronic stuff he wants. A&E or AMC has a right to pick who they have on their PRIVATE network and I have a right to pick which network I watch and who's products I buy. We all have rights. I respect his right to be an idiot and he by law must respect my right to call him an idiot.
Well, no because if you read on in what I said, I made it clear that what he said is not legitimate political discourse. And, obviously, if you find someone distasteful, you can refuse to watch their TV show. I didn't argue against that. Don't put words in my mouth.
But, I do think respecting other people's legitimate political opinions in the workplace is a part of free speech and respect for an open discourse. Just like if you're an employee of Walmart, you should be able to talk about union organizing in your private life. If you're an employee of CNBC, you should be able to advocate a higher minimum wage and breaking up the big banks. You shouldn't be fired or disciplined for political beliefs, even if your employer does have the legal right to fire you at will. And, in general as citizens, we shouldn't try to chill or censor speech that we dislike or disagree with. Again, except if that speech is racist, homophobic, advocating violence or otherwise beyond the pale. That's the line I would draw.
