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Comment by fred_is_fred | Hacker News Reader

If you have rent to pay or a visa then the reality of the world is that you should think twice before you cause a disruption and deface the property of your own employer. This does not make you a robot, but rather a pragmatic person. We have freedom of speech here but it does not mean free from consequences - something the right has been struggling with as of late and it seems now the left also.

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If freedom of speech is not free from consequences then what is freedom of speech?

It's fairly easy to google. "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."

So is free from government consequences not people that can form a mob, not other entity that has power over an individual. To me it just sounds like you privatize social credit score from authoritarian government. "You are free to speak and the government can't knock on your door but by god the rest of the people will dox you and make sure that you can't find a job ever and be a homeless for the rest of your life(short one I hope).". There is no freedom of speech in america or any were. Freedom of speech is dead.

Are you that daft that you truly believe you can say anything you want with no social or other consequences? You can't walk down the street insulting people and not expect society to disapprove of that - and the consequences that come with it. Being ostracized, losing your job, etc.

Yes, that would be freedom. Losing your job is a little to harsh for insulting people on the street. If you didn't do it on the job or job related then you should not lose your job. If you insult me now and I find out who you are and call your company they should not fire you for insulting me.

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