[scintill76]

Maybe it doesn't make sense for there to be one "other way" for the winds to blow. But I think it's a fair point, that not standing up for free speech, could come back to bite us when one day our speech is an unpopular one and the internet hordes are screaming for our heads.

Of course there are the old debates about whether money is speech, and lots of people around here that don't think this speech deserves to be protected.

If you want a future as any sort of public figure, I guess you'd best not take any stand at all on any issue. At least that will work until the crowd decides that inaction is just as distasteful as taking an action they disagree with.

[marshray]

... and what does it mean for our organizations that we select for leadership only from those who have never held a now-controversial opinion?

[scintill76]

That they are led by either: above-average forward thinkers who always form opinions on the "correct side of history", liars who cover the tracks of having incorrect opinions, spineless people who never take stands on issues, or thoughtless people who can't be bothered to form opinions on issues. Well, at least the first one is a positive attribute.

[scintill76]

To be fair, it's occurred to me that part of the issue is that Brendan will not retract his support or change his mind on this issue. So, you can take a position now, and retract it later, for less blowback. You may still be judged for ever taking it, or if your apology isn't "sincere enough", etc.