"Freedom of Speech" Down South

2015-01-17T14:09:33-05:00

From the "World Net Daily"

http://www.wnd.com/2015/01/axed-for-his-christianity-fire-chief-fights-back/

Axed for his Christianity, fire chief fights back

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed erupted on Facebook against his fire chief’s personally published book several weeks ago, declaring Kelvin Cochran’s writings “deeply disturbed” him. Reed threatened he would not “tolerate discrimination of any kind” and suspended Cochran.

An investigation cleared Cochran of the discrimination charges, but when his suspension was over, Reed fired him.

Now, one of the nation’s most influential teams of attorneys defending individual and religious rights, the Alliance Defending Freedom, says it is taking up Reed’s case.

“The city fired him for nothing other than his faith, and that’s not constitutional,” said Kevin Theriot, a senior counsel for ADF. “We are currently assessing the legal options available to vindicate his rights to free speech and freedom of religion.”

[EDITORIAL COMMENT:- The existence of a law suit is not in question, the only question is how large the judgment is going to be. Of course neither the Mayor nor anyone in the city government is going to have to pay much more than 0.0002% (assuming that I did the math right) of that judgment personally so they really don't care.]

Axed for his Christianity, fire chief fights back

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed erupted on Facebook against his fire chief’s personally published book several weeks ago, declaring Kelvin Cochran’s writings “deeply disturbed” him. Reed threatened he would not “tolerate discrimination of any kind” and suspended Cochran.An investigation cleared Cochran of the discrimination charges, but when his suspension was over, Reed fired him.Now, one of [...]

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2015 2:12 PM

2015-01-17T14:12:50-05:00

Yes, sir, I heard about this story before reading your post. It "deeply disturbs" me that people can be fired for voicing Christian beliefs. I guess that's the new "in" in our great country. I count it as part of the moral decline in our great country. Anything goes ... except for being a Christian. (And I'm obviously exaggerating for effect, but not exaggerating a whole lot, as I see it anyhow.)

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Jan 18 at 2015 3:44 AM

2015-01-18T03:44:04-05:00

Georgia is an at-will employment state, and does not recognize the public policy exception, nor the implied contract in fact exception.

It's not as clear cut as Cochran is making it out to be.

The mayor stated that Cochran violated the Atlanta Code of Ethics, noting that to refer to himself as the Atlanta Fire Chief is a book he wrote requires pre-approval from the Board of Ethics. Second, he distributed the book to his subordinates, which the mayor said could infer that homosexuals would be discriminated against. This included personnel who were up for promotion and had asked Cochran what they should do to prepare. Third, he embarrassed the city in that his stated views towards homosexuality compared gays with pederasty and bestiality and described it as "vile, vulgar an inappropriate." Fourth, he misled the investigators, stating that he only gave the book to employees who asked for it, while 1/3 of the same employees said that they never asked for it.

He can have whatever beliefs he wants. But he has gay employees, and by explaining his vile views and bigotry, it creates a hostile work environment for those employees.

Now he is using the same argument to support his bigotry as George Wallace and Nathan Bedford Forrest. It's his religious belief. He has freedom of religion. Would we accept that as a reason if he were to discriminate against blacks (and yes, I know he is black).

Yes, he does. That doesn't have anything to do with his being fired.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 1:08 AM

2015-01-19T01:08:33-05:00

Sir,
They didn't fire him because he was Christian, they fired him because he was a bigot. He says he has the right to express his belief without hate or discrimination, but he views an arbitrary aspect of someone else as a perversion of nature. I'm pretty sure that's the same justification the Nazi's and the KKK use. And, I'm pretty sure if a person had someone working for them that was a part of the aforementioned groups, they'd seek to fire them as well. He views the LGBT as less than human. And, because he has publicly come out with these views, he can no longer be viewed as impartial.
Why are Christians so upset when their religious doctrine cannot be a part of law? Neither can the doctrine of Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, ect. I usually see Christians complaining about a supposed "moral" decline happening in today's country. I view it as society moving on from archaic rules and principles. The Bible was written 2000 years ago. Society and humans have change since then; thus, so do the rules which govern us. Just because something is tradition does not mean it is right or useful.
The bottom line is, their rights are not being attacked, they're just not allowed to force their opinions on others. But it seems there are many out there who cannot wrap their heads around this idea. So, they continue to proselytize using anti-homosexual propaganda, and, in this man's case, using his position to do so. Then, they turn around and claim their freedom of speech is being violated when they get reprimanded for violating others' freedom of thought.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Jan 19 at 2015 2:46 PM

2015-01-19T14:46:03-05:00

The right to free speech does not include an imperative to be employed. Speech that an employer considers disruptive has long been reasonable grounds for dismissal.

Response by CPT Arch Nissel made Jan 20 at 2015 3:27 PM

2015-01-20T15:27:35-05:00

I may not agree with what you say, but I shall defend to the death your right to say it – Voltaire.

All should have the right to speak what they believe. If you don't want to hear it grow up and continue your life.

Response by SP6 Peter Murphy made Jul 27 at 2022 10:22 PM

2022-07-27T22:22:46-04:00

Ah, so frustrating these abuses of power are, along with all the consequential ramifications.

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Dec 30 at 2022 11:16 AM

2022-12-30T11:16:28-05:00

It all depends on the mindset of the individual making the statement and the mindset of the individual interpreting it. Many of us go into a situation with a predetermined mindset without truly understanding what we are about to encounter or experience.