Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Freedom of Speech 🗣🔊

It appears that some people missed the memo on basic human decency and are stuck in a perpetual cycle of spewing hate. It truly baffles me why people can't just keep their negative comments to themselves. Bless their hearts.   

Freedom of speech is a fundamental right, an inherent liberty, that should be valued and defended. However, freedom of speech doesn't mean freedom from criticism or accountability. The reality is that our words have power and with that power can come great influence or extreme consequences, sometimes both.

Folks apparently aren’t thinking clearly when they feel the urge to type a nasty comment. They should really take a moment to consider whether it reflects more on the recipient or their own character. By all means, exercise your right to free speech, just remember dear, “Peter Parker” that "with great power comes great responsibility".

Why do people find it so unfair that people might not agree with their offensive or ill-informed opinions and choose to express their disagreement? They exercised their right to freedom of speech in a post but get all bent out of shape when someone else responds in opposition, exercising theirs. Oh, and NEWS FLASH, you can disagree without being cruel or demeaning. But, why do people even argue on social media? If someone continues to comment in response to you, you are not required to maintain the conversation. Just as easily as you decided to comment, you can decide to just stop responding. Two individuals on opposite ends of an issue will never convince one another to change their position so your point and theirs is futile. Put down the spoon, stop stirring the pot and leave the kitchen.

No one is granted immunity from the impact of their words. Hate speech, spreading false information, or inciting violence are NOT protected under freedom of speech and can lead to legal action, justifiable consequences and/or social backlash. 

The majority of companies now have a social media policy incorporated in their handbook. Just because you're on your personal time living your best life, doesn't give you a free pass to ignore or violate company policies. It's important to remember that when you accepted your employer's job offer, you agreed to abide by their rules and regulations at all times, not just during working hours. Any behavior or activities outside of work that go against these policies can still have serious consequences, including disciplinary action or even termination. There are multiple people across the US who were recently fired for what they said was “expressing their opinion”. There are a few more currently at risk of losing their job while awaiting their employers to finish their investigation into the allegations of their actions. Your actions reflect not only on yourself but your employer’s reputation and integrity, especially when you have so proudly entered your place of employment on your social media profiles.

If you are even remotely concerned with potentially jeopardizing your job or your family-owned business, again, put down the spoon and stop stirring the pot.

"Cooks" on one side of the political divide who recently got burned from their social media posts:

• Elementary School Guidance Counselor in NC – resigned before being fired
• Motorcycle dealership employee in OH - fired
• Teacher/Behavioral Specialist in SD - fired
• Clinical Social Worker in OH - employment decision pending
• Hospital Operations Manager in NC - employment status unknown
• Realtor and Small Business Owner in MI - fired by the real estate company and has removed their FB business page and taken down the company website after receiving hundreds of negative ratings on Google and Yelp
• Small Business Owner in FL - didn't seem bothered by all of the negative feedback and poor ratings given on FB and Google but it is rumored that their business was already permanently closed
• University Medical School Professor in Canada - University is investigating to determine what action to take
• University Researcher in Canada - University is investigating to determine what action to take
• Special Education Teacher, CO - rumored to have been fired but there is no official statement from the school system.\