For those stuck at work like me Does anyone think the Majority of Americans and people in the media even understand the first amendment anymore?
I think the real discrepency is that the 1st amendment is to protect one from the government. Everybody has the freedom to say what they choose. However, it doesn't prevent one from dealing with consequences from excercising those rights in the court of public opinion, or from an employer, who incidentally has a right to protect themselves from speech THEY feel reflects poorly on them, or their product. Don't get me wrong.... if the point of your topic is the Phil Robertson deal.... I 100% support Phil. From what I have seen, he seems like a great American to me. However, A&E hasn't violated his rights. I think they got their panties in a bunge but, they havn't broken the law. In the long run...... it'll probably make em even more money than they are already making. Im sure the attention this is getting has sold unbelievable amounts of DD gear. All of which A&E gets a cut of. Maybe they'll take a lesson from Cracker Barrel & reinstate Phil, & move forward. Hard to say. Like everything.... money rules. I love the fact that......it appears A&E thought they were making a spoof, or comedy show making fun of rednecks. I seriously doubt they or anyone thought it would be the HUGE success this show has. That ol Phil is a wise man. Not caving on his morals, & beliefs is something that many wouldn't do. Especially with huge dollars riding on it. The world needs more Robertsons, & less sensitive, panties in a bunge types. It's real simple...... if you don't like it....don't watch it. Ive never seen Brokeback Mountain, nor will I.
I think, there's no way in the world I would have a twitter account, because I know I say a lot of unpopular and controversial things. Twitter has gotten way too many people into trouble, and they aren't smart enough to know how powerful a tool it is.
It gets a little more dicey when The Civil Rights Act and EEOC come into play, which goes for both public and private companies. But that's the problem, everyone thinks the First Amendment is all there is, when in fact there is much much more in terms of regulations. The first amendment protects us from government while the Civil Rights Act and EEOC protects you from other entities. The only things not protected by these regulatory entities are: Federally recognized Native American tribes Religious groups Nonprofit private organizations Also, just because someone gets fired or suspended "for no reason" doesn't mean it is legally sound. Companies break the law all the time, but that's why they usually don't fire/suspend someone right away. They have to compile other reasons to cover themselves.
