Several people fired after clampdown on speech over Charlie Kirk shooting

[peggysue2]

19. Private businesses can, in fact, fire employees for what's considered sensitivity infractions of speech

Had a friend recently fired because the manger didn't like the tone of her voice and content of her answer to a client. She was too blunt, the manager said. She had also just turned 50 and making a very nice salary as the company was trimming away what they delightfully referred to as 'dead wood.'

Yup, it happens. People are fired for a variety of reasons whether the offense is serious or not. Or just convenient.

However, I would still argue that these multiple firings over the same damn subject is part and parcel of shaping the MAGA narrative, a slow but inexorable turn away from free speech. Matthew Dowd, recently fired from MSNBC, said his dismissal was in reaction to the right-wing mob, grinned up by his comments repeated across multiple platforms. The network immediately terminated him.

Pete Hegseth has said he'll be reviewing comments made by military members and promised disciplinary action if the comments were/are unflattering to Charlie Kirk. Not sure how you sell that one since Kirk was never in anyone's chain of command.

Trump has announced foreign visas will be reviewed for Kirk criticism and/or making light of Kirk's death. If denigrating comments are reported, visas will be revoked.

It's this piling on that has such detrimental effects. You may not be able to snuff a candle out on a first swipe. But keep on keeping on and you'll get the darkness you wanted all along.

Ironically, MAGA in general and Kirk in particular have always made a point about revering 'free' speech.

This ain't it.