> I just explicitly affirmed at least two of four "racist, misogynistic, bigoted" statements of fact.
Well, that's how you're characterizing your actions, okay. But just so you know. Your employer is free to retain you, or fire you, on the basis of opinions that you express in public or private. Wicked tyranny, that freedom of association.
> Presumably now you'd like to...
Well, that's certainly a chain of assumptions you've made. Why would you, say, "respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize" when you're out in public? Oh right, that's a quote from HN guidelines. In any case, you're not changing minds by acting this way.
> because this is how you tyrants prefer we genuflect to avoid guilt by association.
Oh, no, the tyranny of public criticism! Hey did you know something? You're free to disagree with me. And criticize me. In public! And others are free to agree with me, or you, or even both of us, even if that makes zero sense!
> This is profoundly idiotic, but I again refrain from arguing because my audience has proven itself very unthinking and vicious
A personal attack, how droll.
> I hope you're not an American,
I am! And as an American I've got the freedom of association -- that means that I'm not legally obligated to verbally support or denounce anybody; nor is it unlawful for me to verbally support or denounce anybody! Funny thing about freedoms; we've all got 'em and it doesn't mean we need to agree on a damned thing.
> because you don't understand what "free speech" is or why we have it,
Well you're wrong there, but IANAL so here's first amendment attorney, Ken White.
>> Public utterances are actions which can have consequences
Well, that's how you're characterizing your actions, okay. But just so you know. Your employer is free to retain you, or fire you, on the basis of opinions that you express in public or private. Wicked tyranny, that freedom of association.
> Presumably now you'd like to...
Well, that's certainly a chain of assumptions you've made. Why would you, say, "respond to the strongest plausible interpretation of what someone says, not a weaker one that's easier to criticize" when you're out in public? Oh right, that's a quote from HN guidelines. In any case, you're not changing minds by acting this way.
> because this is how you tyrants prefer we genuflect to avoid guilt by association.
Oh, no, the tyranny of public criticism! Hey did you know something? You're free to disagree with me. And criticize me. In public! And others are free to agree with me, or you, or even both of us, even if that makes zero sense!
> This is profoundly idiotic, but I again refrain from arguing because my audience has proven itself very unthinking and vicious
A personal attack, how droll.
> I hope you're not an American,
I am! And as an American I've got the freedom of association -- that means that I'm not legally obligated to verbally support or denounce anybody; nor is it unlawful for me to verbally support or denounce anybody! Funny thing about freedoms; we've all got 'em and it doesn't mean we need to agree on a damned thing.
> because you don't understand what "free speech" is or why we have it,
Well you're wrong there, but IANAL so here's first amendment attorney, Ken White.
>> Public utterances are actions which can have consequences
https://www.popehat.com/2013/09/10/speech-and-consequences/
>> buckle up because criticism of public figures is protected speech.
https://www.popehat.com/2012/07/31/the-right-not-to-be-criti...
> my friend
That's taking things too far. No thank you.