Negative consequences

Phil, the lead of the TV show Duck Dynasty said some nasty things about us and there is quite the media storm. I haven't seen the show and it doesn't sound appealing. I was intentionally not saying anything about it (marriage equality in Utah is much more interesting) so if you want salacious details go elsewhere. You are right to wonder why I'm bringing it up now. Because there are some interesting ideas related to the incident.

Essayist Terrence Heath was prompted to write a primer on the free speech aspects of the First Amendment. Heath notes that lots of people in the public eye get scolded or fired from a job for saying something offensive. Then these people grouse that their free speech rights were taken away. Heath says that if you are able to complain about your loss of free speech you haven't lost your free speech. You have only lost the ability to use someone else's platform. With the internet it is easy to create your own platform (such as this blog). Heath also reminds us that free speech does not mean we are protected from challenge, scrutiny, or criticism as so many on the Right are quick to claim. Heath concludes:

So, to review: You have freedom of speech, but so do others. That means your freedom of speech may have negative consequences if others use their freedom of speech to express their outrage. Those consequences might include the loss of your radio show, your television show, or a public appearance.

It might be inconvenient, and even upsetting. But it’s not a violation of your first amendment rights. That you’re still free to complain about it is proof of that. If you think about it.

In a second essay Heath looks at the way various conservatives, especially members of the GOP, are responding to the mess. They blather on about free speech and how it is being denied. And they're careful to avoid saying whether they actually agree with Phil of Duck Dynasty. That allows them to look to other conservatives like they agree with Phil while appearing neutral to everyone else -- gosh, I'm protecting free speech, I don't actually like what he said. These speakers are trying to walk a very narrow path because the majority in the country now disagree with Phil.