OMG. This is why we can't have nice things.

[Initech]

I know this is an online poll but these numbers are absolutely frightening. This was on the front page of MSN.



66%. 66 fucking percent agree with the new NFL rules. That should a resounding 100% NO. The second question should also be a resounding 100% NO. They have essentially stomped on freedom of speech rights and this should go all the way to SCOTUS. The fact that that many people agree with this is absolute horseshit and the reason why we can't have nice things. This is flat out insane.

[Glorfindel]

1. I'd be willing to bet that the same percentage would

say that this: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." is too radical to be included in the US Constitution if they were polled on the question.

Nobody knows anything anymore.

[Initech]

2. If Fox News told their viewer base that liberals were against kicking puppies...

They'd start kicking puppies. This is madness.

[meow2u3]

5. Fox News would kill live kittens on the air

if they were told liberals love itty bitty kitties. This isn't so much madness as it is evil spite!

[cyclonefence]

3. And nowhere in the poll

is the question "Do you know what the athletes are protesting?"

[TheBlackAdder]

4. Those MSN Polls are heavily skewed RW, and have been for a couple of years. Check the comments!

.

You would swear you were on Yahoo or FOX by the amount of vitriol posted there.

It's almost as though they have a script that keeps the Conservative counters higher.

.

[Initech]

9. MSN got rid of the comments a few years ago didn't they?

I think it was because of all the hate and vitriol being spewed forth in them and they couldn't keep up with it. If so I definitely say that is a good thing.

[Hugin]

6. This, from the same folks who think they are or soon will be in the top %1.

I simply can't use this enough today.

[rainin]

7. Propaganda works. People turn off their brains and believe what they are told.

Corporations and politicians spend a fortune to shift public opinion because it is effective. We are really losing when we try to fight with the better message -- this demonstrates that even a bad message will get traction when the forces of propaganda get behind it.

The one who owns the media, wins the war.

[mythology]

8. On what basis is it a free speech issue?

The 1st amendment:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Congress didn't pass a law. If you think free speech has no consequences, go tell your boss he or she is stupid. Firing you wouldn't be a violation of free speech.

You don't get to just invent what free speech is because you don't like something.

The NFL decision is dumb, but there's no constitutional ban on stupidity.

[wonkwest]

11. I'm pretty with you on this

The NFL is a business and the players are employees.

If I staged a political protest at my job that caused problems for my employer, I'd be fired. The NFL has been hemorrhaging ratings. The owners are responding.

And I'm just a little bit eye-rolling when both our side and the Right are constantly calling for people to be fired for what gets posted on social media. "Someone somewhere has a political opinion I dislike. They aren't allowed to have a career now!" But some rich people are told to knock it off, and it's the worst crime of the century. Not so much.

I think the protests are admirable. I think it's great the cause is being highlighted.

But they're at their place of employment. If they feel so strongly about what they're doing, take the fine. Most of them can afford it. People used to get arrested for disobedience in service to a cause. These players can easily afford these little slaps on the wrist.

[NCTraveler]

13. The concept of free speech is bastardized on this board almost daily.

If so many here don't understand it I expect even fewer in society to understand it.

[Grammy23]

10. Doncha know? THEY are the real patriots.

Gonna show the rest of us who think Freedom of Speech might be a good idea a thing or two. At some point they will have an issue they want to speak out about and might find themselves shut down. It will be a different matter to them then. Aaarrggghhh....

I am getting really weary of trying to get these morons to think about what Free Speech is about. Do they not get that if one group gets silenced or forced to give up Their Free Speech Rights (guaranteed under the US Constitution that they say they hold so dear) it might as well happen to all of us?

[NCTraveler]

12. I'm always amazed at how little the populace understands free speech.

As asked, the poll question is even senseless.

Just fucking stupid.

[smirkymonkey]

14. Sad, just really sad.

I am beginning to hate this country.

[Initech]

15. If I could immigrate somewhere, I would in half a heart beat.

This country is growing more and more insane by the day. I would love to experience life in another country and see how the rest of the world works.

[EffieBlack]

16. Probably similar to numbers of people in the 1960s who thought Dr. King was a Communist

Muhammad Ali was a traitor and the civil rights movement was anti-American.

Give it a few years. By 2030, they'll be calling these players heroes, insisting they staunchly opposed the owners and asking why the new generation can't protest more respectfully like Colin Kaepernack did back in the day.