NFL - No Freedom of Speech

Disrespecting our flag and/or anthem is a slap in the face to those that have fought for our 1st amendment rights. Sure, we can't stop them from doing it but we can exercise our right to boycott their platform, which is what happened. Ratings dropped, revenue dropped, and Goodell gave in. That is democracy. The people spoke. I have no issues with any of them raising awareness in any other way but don't disrespect our country and don't do it 'on the job'.
 
Ponty said:
Nice clip!
It’s amazing how people so staunchly will defend the second amendment, but want to throw out Americans for exercising their 1st amendment right.
We may not like flag burners and people taking a knee, but that is exactly what our great soldiers defend when they go to war time and time again.
We have to live with ALL our bill of rights as they were written. Alter just one amendment and our way of life that we fight for and defend becomes meaningless.
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I must have missed the part where the government is involved in punishing players for exercising their free speech rights. How exactly is their 1st amendment right being violated? What law has been made to prohibit the players from protesting?

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
 
BlueYonder said:
I must have missed the part where the government is involved in punishing players for exercising their free speech rights. How exactly is their 1st amendment right being violated? What law has been made to prohibit the players from protesting?

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
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I don't recall anyone on here suggesting that any laws were broken. Please point me at it if I missed it. The sentiment I get, and one which I agree with, is that they have every right to be idiots, we have every right to boycott them, and the NFL has every right to can their silly butts.
 
bobeast said:
I don't recall anyone on here suggesting that any laws were broken. Please point me at it if I missed it. The sentiment I get, and one which I agree with, is that they have every right to be idiots, we have every right to boycott them, and the NFL has every right to can their silly butts.
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I wouldn’t have used the same phrasing, but in a nutshell, yes.
 
bobeast said:
Just to be clear, a private organization is free to impose rules of conduct involving speech as a condition of employment. The First Amendment deals with the governments right (or lack thereof) to restrict speech.

Unfortunately, this distinction is getting lost (or ignored) in the public debate.
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Exactly. Despite the NFL being broadcast it's a private business made up of 32 teams owned by individuals who are in it for profit. I am a business owner. I can dictate what my employees wear, what they say in my workplace and where they sit. There is no First Amendment right to free speech in my workplace. You do it my way or you can do it someplace else.
 
Some don’t realize that the constitution protects you from the government, not private employers or private persons.
They don’t teach basic civics in schools around here anymore. That’s a real shame.
Employers have the right to establish reasonable conditions of employment.
 
Ponty said:
Nice clip!
It’s amazing how people so staunchly will defend the second amendment, but want to throw out Americans for exercising their 1st amendment right.
We may not like flag burners and people taking a knee, but that is exactly what our great soldiers defend when they go to war time and time again.
We have to live with ALL our bill of rights as they were written. Alter just one amendment and our way of life that we fight for and defend becomes meaningless.
Click to expand...

You do realize that the NFL is not a government agency don’t you?
 
JVM225 said:
Some don’t realize that the constitution protects you from the government, not private employers or private persons.
They don’t teach basic civics in schools around here anymore. That’s a real shame.
Employers have the right to establish reasonable conditions of employment.
Click to expand...

Of course private employers have the right to limit free speech while on the clock. I think most will agree with that.

There were no rules in place at the time of the protests, so the players exploited an avenue to get their messsge out. Rules now exist, the protest has been curtailed.

My question is this...why are people so upset that these players exercised their rights? Why are our soldiers dying for rights that people don’t respect or exercise? Rights unexercised are rights lost.

Can’t we as a nation, hear the message, weight it’s merits on our own, and simply move on without all the punitive measures?
 
Boater420 said:
Can’t we as a nation, hear the message, weight it’s merits on our own, and simply move on without all the punitive measures?
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Can’t answer for anyone else, but I heard their message, weighed it’s merits from my point of view as a veteran and a retired LEO, and then chose to exercise my freedom of choice and moved on from watching NFL games in peaceful protest.
 
Boater420 said:
Of course private employers have the right to limit free speech while on the clock. I think most will agree with that.

There were no rules in place at the time of the protests, so the players exploited an avenue to get their messsge out. Rules now exist, the protest has been curtailed.

My question is this...why are people so upset that these players exercised their rights? Why are our soldiers dying for rights that people don’t respect or exercise? Rights unexercised are rights lost.

Can’t we as a nation, hear the message, weight it’s merits on our own, and simply move on without all the punitive measures?
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There are many things that people have a right to do than can upset other people. Someone may have a right to act like an idiot, while I have a co-equal right to be upset and to call them out on it. We as a nation should not just turn a blind eye to such idiocy and "move on". As someone smarter than I put it, The answer to free speech that you disagree with is more free speech.
 
A - They are "at work" so their freedom of speech is not being suppressed.
B - I do not agree with their perceived grievance ( simply comply with police instructions and everybody goes home).
C - Goodby NFL, I have plenty of other interests.
 
Everyone does get that the First Amendment protects you from reprisals from the government right?

I can exercise my free speech all over the place but if it ever negatively impacts my company, the owner gets to invoke his terms of what is referred to as 'at will' employment. That means he can let let me go at any time for any reason and I can leave at any time for any reason. Contract law is a bit different, but the owners can enact just about anything they wish and all the players union can do is strike or renegotiate the rules at the next contract. They are always free to find employment elsewhere.
 
How about mandatory 2 year front line military service regardless of age for those who dont like living in the USA. You want to stand up and use the First Amendment ,then fight for it
 
I think that one big problem is that people are learning about the Constitution and civics from the talking heads on their TV screens.
Had a discussion similar to this with a 50 year old school teacher recently and she couldn’t grasp that the right to free speech protects citizens from the government not private individuals, corporations, groups or companies.
Pretty scary!
 
JVM225 said:
I think that one big problem is that people are learning about the Constitution and civics from the talking heads on their TV screens.
Had a discussion similar to this with a 50 year old school teacher recently and she couldn’t grasp that the right to free speech protects citizens from the government not private individuals, corporations, groups or companies.
Pretty scary!
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That is scary that a teacher doesn't grasp that concept. This was like 6th grade stuff
 
JVM225 said:
I think that one big problem is that people are learning about the Constitution and civics from the talking heads on their TV screens.
Had a discussion similar to this with a 50 year old school teacher recently and she couldn’t grasp that the right to free speech protects citizens from the government not private individuals, corporations, groups or companies.
Pretty scary!
Click to expand...
I hear you. When this started I participated in a few discussions, my point to those fretting about free speech was that athletes kneeling during the anthem was really not a 1st Amendment issue to start with. They couldn't understand.
 
The 1st Amendment wasn't created because everyone agreed with one another.

Respectfully,
Ollie
 
One of my issues with taking a knee during the Anthem is that kids who look at these way overpaid Athletes as heroes will mimic what they see them do, without understanding why, or how it affects the people around them. The NFL is a business, if they say you gotta stand, you stand, or get fired, fined, or sent to the locker room, period. I don't wear shorts to work. I have a dress code. I don't discuss company private information with people outside the company. Why? because, 1. It's wrong and 2. I was told not to. It's a condition of employment. Playing any sport for a living is a privilege, they should act like it.
All that being said, I was in the Air Force. My view of the flag and the Anthem is probably different from most. If I see you talking or sitting, or generally not paying attention, and you're not pregnant, a small child, or in a wheelchair, I will "Square you away" and explain why it's important to show a little respect. The Flag and the Anthem and the respect we show represents us, as a Nation and as a people. Ever seen the beginning of a Soccer Game in the UK? When they play God Save the Queen (their "Anthem") everyone in the stands sings. Little kids, moms, dads, drunk people, Everyone. They don't need a special guest to sing, Everyone does. It's one of the coolest things I have ever seen. You think everyone in that crowd agrees with everything their government is doing? No way. But everyone of them is proud to be who they are as a people, and they show the respect they all deserve.

Okay. Rant over. Sorry....
 
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