Is liking something protected speech?

[Jks9199]

From the Washington Post:

Daniel Ray Carter Jr. logged on to Facebook and did what millions do each day: He “liked” a page by clicking the site’s thumbs up icon. The problem was that the page was for a candidate who was challenging his boss, the sheriff of Hampton, Va. That simple mouse click, Carter says, caused the sheriff to fire him from his job as a deputy and put him at the center of an emerging First Amendment debate over the ubiquitous digital seal of approval: Is liking something on Facebook protected free speech?

A Facebook court battle: Is ‘liking’ something protected free speech? - The Washington Post

Granted -- this sort of thing is one reason I wouldn't want to work for a sheriff's office here in Virginia... but should the deputy be allowed to express support for the candidate's opponent?

[Odd]

The guy was on FaceBook, so I'm ok with him being fired for that offense.

Back when the First Amendment was still in use I would have been against this. Times change so I'm adapting.

[lewisipso]

The guy was on FaceBook, so I'm ok with him being fired for that offense.

Back when the First Amendment was still in use I would have been against this. Times change so I'm adapting.

Ok. That's a sad true statement but funny anyway. In a perfect world politicians would just run for office and we could support and say what we feel in relation to that run for office. Thicker skin and all. However, in the real world, shut your mouth, be a good solider and be scared for your job.

[jmur5074]

Could the sheriff have fired him if he told his family/friends that he supported the candidate he "Liked?"

Could the Sheriff have fired him if he helped the other candidate campaign?

Could the Sheriff have fired him if he wrote a letter to the editor supporting the other candidate?

As far as I'm concerned, the answer is "no." If anyone says otherwise, you're either crazy or you have my sympathy.

[bayern]

Could the sheriff have fired him if he told his family/friends that he supported the candidate he "Liked?"

Could the Sheriff have fired him if he helped the other candidate campaign?

Could the Sheriff have fired him if he wrote a letter to the editor supporting the other candidate?

As far as I'm concerned, the answer is "no." If anyone says otherwise, you're either crazy or you have my sympathy.

In South Carolina, the Sheriff can fire you for any reason without an explanation. You work for HIM, not the County. And, you can't fight it. One of our Local Sheriffs was on vacation and had Deputy checking his house. While doing so, the Sheriffs dog attacked him and the Deputy shot him (the dog). When the Sheriff returned home, he fired the Deputy and even tried to have the Criminal Justice Academy bar him for further employment in the state as an LEO. The academy told the sheriff to stuff it (in more polite words).

[Jks9199]

Could the sheriff have fired him if he told his family/friends that he supported the candidate he "Liked?"

Could the Sheriff have fired him if he helped the other candidate campaign?

Could the Sheriff have fired him if he wrote a letter to the editor supporting the other candidate?

As far as I'm concerned, the answer is "no." If anyone says otherwise, you're either crazy or you have my sympathy.

Unfortunately -- in Virginia, the answer to all three is YES. And it happens. Or they can make your job so craptastic that you quit... like requiring a road deputy to work the jail exclusively "due to staffing demands" or moving someone out of a desired specialty or other assignment into something less pleasant...

[jmur5074]

That's horseshit.

[Trojan 42]

The guy deserves sacking. Only for the simple reason that he is stupid! What sort of idiot would publicly show support for the other guy? Man's a fool.

[Odd]

Back when the First Amendment was still in use I would have been against this. Times change so I'm adapting.

The guy deserves sacking. Only for the simple reason that he is stupid! What sort of idiot would publicly show support for the other guy? Man's a fool.

Turns out I'm not adaptable enough to be British in this century. Prefer their telly though.

What sort of idiot? An American, based on our culture until quite recently. The English are peerless in engaging in arguments among equals; the House of Commons makes Congress look like a trumped up bridge club. Arguing outside your class was very much the basis of citizenship, which worked very well for America in its best eras. I won't argue that current Americans aren't idiots though. First hand up here.

I stand with the guy supporting the challenger to his boss. Right or wrong, if that's what he thought was best that's how he should choose. If just he wasn't on Facebook...

[IndianaFuzz]

He shouldn't be able to be fired for it. BUT... even with such protection, it's not too smart to get involved in politics. And professing your support for a political candidate is being involved. If your guy wins, then its a good gamble. But if your guy loses, you should be able to keep your job, but you'll not get anything from the guy you opposed. Liking something political on Facebook isn't much different than campaigning. It should not be a reason to fire. But it's a gamble at best. But in theory, supporting a particular political candidate should be something where one is protected from being able to be fired or disciplined. It should be the same as employment protections for race, gender, religion, etc.