Dolphins Don Jones suspended for tweeting about Michael Sam

[NAHSTE]

I am absolutely a progressive where these things are concerned, but I can't deny that I worry about the shutdown on free speech where homosexuality is concerned.

Maybe you should brush up on the US Bill of Rights. What's good for America is good for Canada, after all.

[Youk]

There wasn't really a rant in this situation either. Dude could have, and probably should have, gotten a talking to about how to use social media properly. The fine and suspension are a pure overreaction to the Sam scenario the league has been walking on pins and needles about since the guy came out.

His tweets are protected now. The fine is an overreaction. The suspension? We all know it's bullshit, he's just suspended from team meetings in MAY. All for show. If teams do not have social media policies with players, they are making a mistake.

[Youk]

I love the amount of people here screwing idiocy about free speech and then forgetting that they work for the same overall employer. Big difference between bitching about that fuckhead down the street and a guy that your employer is trying to hype up.

People thinking the law applies here.

[SethMode]

But isn't it in a sense oppression, using financial pressure to stifle one opinion and support another? As much as I think Rams opinion is retarded, I support his right to have a retarded opinion. It just seems to me, punishing someone for having an opinion that others disagree with is really fighting oppression with oppression.

Beliefs/opinions aren't wrong. It's when a person takes their opinion/belief outside of it's ethical boundaries and crosses over into oppressing others that it becomes wrong. I don't think fighting oppression with oppression is really a good answer.

My argument has nothing to do with right or wrong. Most employers now will force you to sign something that basically says "if you say shit on social media that will make us look bad, we can fire you immediately". I imagine that the NFL does too. If I want to keep my job, I do what they ask me to do, and above all, I use common sense and try not to say anything that's going to make them look bad, despite how "oppressed" that makes me feel. Right or wrong, it's the employer's choice. You can stand up as an unoppressed person that says whatever they want, whenever they want, and not collect a paycheck.

[Youk]

I forgot that you're legally entitled to your own opinion at a private company.

[bucky]

I love the amount of people here screwing idiocy about free speech and then forgetting that they work for the same overall employer. Big difference between bitching about that fuckhead down the street and a guy that your employer is trying to hype up.

People thinking the law applies here.

I never mentioned law. Just the ethicality of suppressing one opinion over another. Isn't financially suppressing an opinion a classic definition of oppression? Are you only against oppression when it's a cause you believe in? And don't care about it otherwise?

[Youk]

I never mentioned law. Just the ethicality of suppressing one opinion over another. Isn't financially suppressing an opinion a classic definition of oppression? Are you only against oppression when it's a cause you believe in? And don't care about it otherwise?

I believe in the fact that a private company you work for can punish you for your opinions and comments when they aren't in line with their vision. Nothing new here, and nothing wrong here.

[bucky]

My argument has nothing to do with right or wrong. Most employers now will force you to sign something that basically says "if you say shit on social media that will make us look bad, we can fire you immediately". I imagine that the NFL does too. If I want to keep my job, I do what they ask me to do, and above all, I use common sense and try not to say anything that's going to make them look bad, despite how "oppressed" that makes me feel. Right or wrong, it's the employer's choice. You can stand up as an unoppressed person that says whatever they want, whenever they want, and not collect a paycheck.

I already know employers are doing this. Well, I am asking you whether you think it is right or wrong. Shouldn't we be supporting what's right and condemning what's wrong no matter what side of an issue we stand on?

[buckeye]

I believe in the fact that a private company you work for can punish you for your opinions and comments when they aren't in line with their vision. Nothing new here, and nothing wrong here.

Agreed... it is in nearly every company hiring packet these days. I had to sign one as well. Many other them have amendments for social media as well and companies have fired people for their comments through social media avenues.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

[Youk]

I already know employers are doing this. Well, I am asking you whether you think it is right or wrong. Shouldn't we be supporting what's right and condemning what's wrong no matter what side of an issue we stand on?

A company needs to have control of what is being put out there. Any good marketing/PR department will tell you that a company needs to have a unified message, no matter the topic. There is no room to hear dissenting opinions, as it makes the company look weak in the business world. If you have an opinion that is different, you do not share it with the public.

[bucky]

I believe in the fact that a private company you work for can punish you for your opinions and comments when they aren't in line with their vision. Nothing new here, and nothing wrong here.

We disagree. I do think it is wrong. That's 1984 stuff you're talking about. If someone doesn't say something obscene or criminal, and says it in a setting outside the workforce, then a company shouldn't have the power to oppress someones opinion. That company is then taking it's own opinion outside of it's beliefs ethical boundaries and is then being oppressive. I don't think we have the right to pick and choose when oppression is ok and not ok.

[Youk]

Agreed... it is in nearly every company hiring packet these days. I had to sign one as well. Many other them have amendments for social media as well and companies have fired people for their comments through social media avenues.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk

Exactly, I had to make a work twitter account where I was told to not discuss controversial topics, or really anything that isn't related to the industry. I have a personal and private account where I can say my opinions, and that is allowed as long as I make it known that I'm not a part of the company with that twitter.

[Youk]

We disagree. I do think it is wrong. That's 1984 stuff you're talking about. If someone doesn't say something obscene or criminal, and says it in a setting outside the workforce, then a company shouldn't have the power to oppress someones opinion. That company is then taking it's own opinion outside of it's beliefs ethical boundaries and is then being oppressive. I don't think we have the right to pick and choose when oppression is ok and not ok.

You realize he said it about a fellow employee?

[NAHSTE]

I already know employers are doing this. Well, I am asking you whether you think it is right or wrong. Shouldn't we be supporting what's right and condemning what's wrong no matter what side of an issue we stand on?

So we're clear, you are asking if it right or wrong that employers ask employees not to reflect poorly upon the company in public forums? You srs?

[bucky]

A company needs to have control of what is being put out there.

A company doesn't need to have control over opinions and shouldn't.

Any good marketing/PR department will tell you that a company needs to have a unified message, no matter the topic. There is no room to hear dissenting opinions, as it makes the company look weak in the business world. If you have an opinion that is different, you do not share it with the public.

A company's unified message should be about what the quality of what the company produces and the quality of service it provides to the customers. Peoples personal opinions on opinion based social issues should have no place in a company's mission statement. If it does, then that company is taking it's personal beliefs outside of it's beliefs ethical boundaries and therefore being oppressive. And have we not learned by now that oppression is bad/wrong?