Internet mobs is a horrible phenomenon. Internet was supposed to enable sharing of culture and better the understanding of each other. Instead we get these groups of people who spit bile at a target and just make things worse overall. How ironic that one of the people who helped create this system now gets pushed aside.<p>The thing is that it works. I read some hate-inducing title and start to get worked up. My judgement is clouded and I might post some more inflammatory content. What is it that makes me react that way ? Every time I do it I don't even feel good after that. This primal instinct has come up and I feel stupid, angry and ashamed. Where did the noble sentiments like compassion and tolerance go ? I wish there was an antidote, peace-inducing titles to balance this out.
He had the right to free speech. He exercised his right to free speech. He had to deal with the consequences. There is no right to free speech without consequences. Each and every person who has the right to free speech (because remember, many don't) can say whatever they like, but cannot possibly expect it to never affect them further down the road. Particularly when you're in the position of CEO where you're expected to represent the company's ideals in your every public action.
Just so people are clear here, America has never had a right to free speech in the sense that a lot of people seem to be thinking. America has only ever had a <i>legal</i> right to free speech (and even then with many exceptions [1]); only government is bound by this. People tend to forget that the Constitution (and First Amendment) only applies to government.<p>I haven't made up my mind whether Mozilla should have fired Brendan.<p>[1] One of those is hate crimes against certain classes of people.
What world is this? When did everyone lose their minds and decide it was ok for some people to be Homophobes, but not for others?<p>Can I be a racist if I'm a CEO? Am I free from criticism for my horrible beliefs just because I run an organisation that people like? Does donating $1000 to a movement that campaigns to take rights away form black people have any reflection on me? Can I be trusted to not let my world view have any effect on my work?<p>Can a cop be a homophobe, or a racist, and still be trusted to do their job without letting their world view interfere with the application of the law?<p>I'm genuinely sickened by the people here on HN clamouring to pardon Eich and blame those with a strong moral compass for the downfall he inflicted on himself.
This whole story is disgusting. I'm still waiting to understand exactly where does a personal opinion on gay rights interfere with the ability to manage a company that basically develops a web browser.<p>Just another witch hunt.
I don't see how this is a free speech issue. If anything, it escalated to this point because the people who called for his resignation were exercising their right to free speech.
> The last few days were horrible. Not like my house burned down and I lost a limb horrible or people put me in prison and violating me horrible, but a lot of pressure, a barrage of anger and a feeling of helplessness. Also a feeling of betrayal and a feeling of being powerless.<p>Seriously? A rich old white guy has a lot of newfound free time. Who cares?<p>Life must be <i>so rough</i> for Brendan Eich right now. Wow, maybe he feels like a transgender person does <i>every day</i>!
Why on earth is anyone defending Brenden? I am gay in a third world country and if I come out, at best I will be socially ostracized, get fired and lose my whole family or at worst, suffer life imprisonment. He actively supported a legislation which treats gays as subhumans. His justification is absolutely abhorring. Does Brenden know how many homosexual men and women live constantly in fear for their lives? Does he know how much pain people like me suffer through everyday in their life?<p>What is wrong with people? We should respect his political opinion? Bull-fucking-shit. His political opinion just adds suffering to already shitty lives. The first thing I ever did after getting a credit card was donate to Mozilla. That's how much I like that organization. I can never digest the fact that he became a CEO.<p>I waited to see if he had changed his opinion. All I wanted to hear from his mouth was, "I am sorry that I have hurt many LGBT people by donating to prop 8. I made a mistake." He never said that. Deep down he still considers us as subhumans. I am very sure that he would be a great CEO. But If he were the CEO, Mozilla as an organization has let me down.<p>Sorry for bad English