Feherty under fire for joke...

[PEZGolf]

But I've never heard anybody try to speak for what "any US soldier" might do, publicly or privately. That's dumb enough, but to take it a step further and assert that they would probably let their politics drive them to kill an elected official is just stupid whether you're joking or not. I'm in the military, and while I and most service people I know really don't like Pelosi, Feherty is completely wrong to paint with such a broad brush and I think it's sad that he has to pretend everybody in the service so completely agrees with him. To me, it's self-serving and just plain old pathetic.

Good post. I agree with you.

[PEZGolf]

I thought the US had freedom of speech?

There is freedom of speech, and it works both ways. Feherty is free to write or say almost anything he wants (barring libel, or yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater). Critics are free to find fault with what he writes or says, especially when it involves assassination, murder, rape, etc. Some subjects are not joking matters.

Most states have freedom to fire statutes---unless protected by a contract with certain stipulations, a company can fire an employee for any reason, and an employee can quit the employer without notice (a two week notice is a courtesy, and not a requirement). If CBS decides to fire Feherty, and they are waiting to see what the public reaction is, I will bet that his contract will be of no use in contesting the termination.

[Surefire]

First off, I hope you didn't think I was being deadly serious, my remark was tongue in cheek about how over the top all this is.

There is freedom of speech, and it works both ways. Feherty is free to write or say almost anything he wants (barring libel, or yelling "Fire" in a crowded theater). Critics are free to find fault with what he writes or says, especially when it involves assassination, murder, rape, etc. Some subjects are not joking matters.

That makes perfect sense, and is what I would expect.

Most states have freedom to fire statutes---unless protected by a contract with certain stipulations, a company can fire an employee for any reason, and an employee can quit the employer without notice (a two week notice is a courtesy, and not a requirement). If CBS decides to fire Feherty, and they are waiting to see what the public reaction is, I will bet that his contract will be of no use in contesting the termination.

This is the bit I don't get, why would you call for someone to be fired for something completely unrelated to work and not a civil or criminal offence?

Doesn't really make sense to me. You might say that Feherty called for murder, but however you look at it, he didn't seriously mean it. The people calling for him to be fired are not 'joking' in anyway. I'm glad I work in a country where employees have rights, and can't just be fired for no reason.

[cwo2lt]

To: Liberal Americans
From: Me

Lighten up Francis.

[Leftygolfer]

I still think it is just funny and a joke. A joke that doesn't offend someone isn't a very good joke.

[PEZGolf]

First off, I hope you didn't think I was being deadly serious, my remark was tongue in cheek about how over the top all this is.

David Feherty is a "public personality". What he says and does is subject to public scrutiny. NO employer wants an employee who brings bad publicity to the company. That kind of action shows immaturity, and more importantly, total disregard to the best interests of the company. I own and run a business. If any employee did what Feherty did, he or she would be called in and fired on the spot, and escorted by security out of the building. If he or she wants to embarrass the company, he or she deserves to be totally disgraced.

[Surefire]

David Feherty is a "public personality". What he says and does is subject to public scrutiny. NO employer wants an employee who brings bad publicity to the company. That kind of action shows immaturity, and more importantly, total disregard to the best interests of the company. I own and run a business. If any employee did what Feherty did, he or she would be called in and fired on the spot, and escorted by security out of the building. If he or she wants to embarrass the company, he or she deserves to be totally disgraced.

I also own and run a business.

If one of my employees did what Feherty did and I fired them on the spot, I would be up in front of a tribunal. If they had commited a crime or mentioned the company it would be different.

[Leftygolfer]

Why is he popular??? Because of his humor. That is what he is paid to do. BE FUNNY. And it was funny.

[iacas]

If he or she wants to embarrass the company, he or she deserves to be totally disgraced.

Feherty wasn't acting on behalf of CBS. Duh.

Why is he popular??? Because of his humor. That is what he is paid to do. BE FUNNY. And it was funny.

Having finally read the joke, it's painfully obvious to me that it was a joke. End of story. Maybe a slightly inappropriate one, but fer crissakes, the media had eight years of Bush-bashing (much of it, even to my Republican/Libertarian mindset, warranted), and now they want to get their panties in a twist over this kind of crap?

Freedom of speech doesn't mean you have to agree with whatever anyone says. Goodness, people. Do you not recognize an old joke when you see it? The "two bullets" joke has been recycled several times. It's a JOKE.

[Bauer]

I rarely make statements like this but here goes... Anyone who thinks his comments are disrespectful to American Soldiers is an idiot. You have to be immensely dense to believe so. He isn't hiding behind Military Forces... how can you honestly believe that? The over-sensitivity in this country has become disgusting and it is even taking over our sports especially the NFL and NBA. PEZ, you are almost speechless? Seriously? I want to ****ing puke.

[zeg]

While I think I've made it clear I think this story is mostly a bunch of idiots getting their panties twisted because they lack a functional sense of humor, I do think CBS would be within its rights to drop Feherty if they chose to. I don't think it would be reasonable for most employers to do this, but he is specifically employed as a public face for the company. They aren't just hiring him to do a job, they're renting his personality to sell to the public. As such, they have a special interest in ensuring that his is a persona they wish to be associated with. For most employees, this is not the case, and I don't think it's at all reasonable to fire someone simply because you disagree with their politics.

[DES NUTTZ]

Best Feherty joke was when Tiger Woods made a good shot years ago and he said, "he's got a touch like a gay florist"

[rckwd]

PLEASE..DON'T UPSET THE LIBERALS!!!! PLEASE DON'T SPEAK YOUR MIND!!! PLEASE DONT SAY YOUR MIND AGAINST GAYS, ABORTION, OR SCIENTOLOGY...or anything that Hollywood deems as uncool...

Its OK for queers to speak their mind...but let a conservative speak his and all hell breaks loose.

I wish Feherty well and I hope his collar from CBS doesn't deter him.

[Fat Slice]

Hollywood liberals = Scientology? You learn something new every day here at TST!

[Bauer]

Hollywood liberals = Scientology? You learn something new every day here at TST!

LOL nice fallacy.

[rckwd]

I think telling a joke about a US Serviceman killing a US politician is in poor taste, but many jokes are. Soldiers are under a lot of stress as it is (if you read the news today...)

Let me guess....Liberal? Let me guess...not former military? Oh wait California...figures

[rckwd]

Best Feherty joke was when Tiger Woods made a good shot years ago and he said, "he's got a touch like a gay florist"

Ooooh watch out...you might be voted out of TN!

The best, IMO, was when he called Tiger a LOSER!!!..LOL

[Fat Slice]

Let me guess....Liberal? Let me guess...not former military? Oh wait California...figures

OK, audience, let's see how our contestant has done!

Liberal: ** WRONG ** Not Former Military: Right! Just like 99% of the population, though, so no points there! California (figures): Yes, just like Ronald Reagan, and proud of it! Why are you getting all personal about this?