Facebook Likes and the First Amendment

[meatspin]

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/081012-facebook-lawsuit-261545.html?fsrc=netflash-rss

I ran across this issue a long time ago on Slashdot and thought I'd share it with you folks to make the forums more interesting. Share your thoughts on the issue of free speech and the eponymous Like button that is popular throughout social media.

[Carmichal]

... Facebook is gay.

[Chikun]

... Facebook is gay.

You Like This. :wtg:

[Erdenay]

That's exactly the reason why I don't have Facebook.

[meatspin]

A U.S. District Court Judge initially ruled against Carter and in favor of the sheriff, explaining in a summary judgment that "liking" something on Facebook is not free speech because there is no actual statement of speech for the record.

Here is the crux of the argument.

[Chikun]

Here is the crux of the argument.

I think the real crux is proving that what he liked on Tardbook was a direct result of being fired. That is basically impossible to prove, but seeing as how the police force have a fairly strong union I wonder how this happened and if there are details being hidden.