Free Speech and the First Amendment

[Danny Bateman]

This thread is a pretty good example of how stupid and wrong this entire arena has become. We can't pick and choose when to defend the 1A.

Looking to get people fired for old (1A protected) social media posts is not a good thing, IMO. But it seems more and more we've got a mob mentality with this kind of thing that is out for blood.

 

 

[Ulty]

This is interesting, and there are a lot of factors at play that go beyond the simple question of freedom of speech:

- Can this professor's comments be construed as inciting violence? If so, does that garner the same free speech protections as other controversial statements?

- How would it (and should it) be treated differently if he made these remarks in the classroom as opposed to on social media?

- Should his comments be considered under the scope of academic freedom as a professor?

- If not fired, what appropriate measures should the university take to address this situation?

 

Regardless of the answers to these questions, the university simply cannot make their decisions based on media reactions, protests, or political pressure. Universities have procedures for handling things like this, and they are not going to fire someone or take any other sort of disciplinary action without due process (following appropriate investigations). It is the knee-jerk reactions that threaten free speech and cause the greatest uproar. 

 

Here is the article linked in that tweet thread: https://theaggie.org/2019/02/25/a-uc-davis-professor-thinks-cops-need-to-be-killed/