Exactly, Section Eight.
JeffJoe, I disagree with your statement about its bad for society if political speech isn't punished. That philsophy breeds a mass of people that want to say whatever they want but don't want to suffer the social concequences. In a scenario like that, everyone's voice is drained, and no one's message gets across. Or, even worse, the few in power will dominate the stage. Many of the most influencial people arose out of social reprimand for their political speech. This is why people respected them and listened to what they have to say.
I'm sorry if I'm defensive, but I think our culture breeds people that want the freedom to do whatever they want but don't want their to be any concequences. You can't prevent the concequences of political speech without trampling on the rights of others. Either you will prevent others from publicly disagreeing, or you will punish the companies that lose profit because of the statements. Loss of profits equal loss of jobs. More people will be hurt if Whoopi was not punished.
Like I said before, the constitution protects the government from government prosecution of political speech. Social and financial concequences of political speech will simply act as a conduit for those to really need to get their message across to do so, without being drained out by the countless other people that just want to be heard. Our capitalist structure is the foundation for this fact. The strong survive, and will make a difference.
Thanks and Gig 'Em,
Jason
I don’t believe she was fired for political speech. In fact, if she had presented her political opinion in a non-vulgar, non sexually-orientated, non-offensive manner I believe she would still be employed through Slimfast and she would have received no chastising comments.
Whoopi Goldberg was the spokesman for Slimfast; therefore, comments and actions made by her reflect upon the company whether she wants them to or not. If she makes comments that reflect badly upon herself and in the long run Slimfast, then by all means she put her own job in jeopardy. Slimfast wants their spokesmen to reflect positively upon them.