[dependenttypes]

What does the US constitution has to do with this and why should I care?

> I should be able to say whatever I want with no consequences

This is kind of the point of free speech. You are not free to do something if you are threatened with jail-time or murder or getting beaten or ... .

[fomojola]

The article talks about "constitutional rights": hence the US constitution link. You may not be in the US: in which case, you're right, you shouldn't care.

The usual counter example to statements of the form "You are not free to do something if you are threatened with jail-time or murder or getting beaten or ... ." is "if you yell fire in a crowded theater, expect to get in trouble". You're free to yell, but there WILL be consequences.

[dependenttypes]

> The article talks about "constitutional rights"

No, it does not.

> You're free to yell

In the same sense that I am free to murder someone or free to modify and distribute proprietary software - free in the sense that nature won't stop me, unlike flying for example, but not free in any useful sense of the word, otherwise everyone would have free speech at all times and no matter where they are and at what era they lived in as long as they are not mute.