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But this is not a free speech issue. I don't think there is anywhere this would not be protected speech.

There's a difference between Free Speech - which is a power relation wrt the legislative branch, and freedom of consequences of your speech - which is a power relation wrt the executive.

But what does that have to do with your comment? "a sure fire way to wind them up and get your collar felt" is more about being hassled by police, not really what power relation you have to the executive branch of the government.

Also it is not really true that "free speech" and "freedom from consequences of your speech" are separate. Protecting free speech literally means protection from consequences, if there are no consequences then there's nothing to protect you from.

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