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Republican engineer fired by Google hits back

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31–35 of 35 posts

Re: Republican engineer fired by Google hits back

#31
post #6

> “I very much regret joining Google,” he says. “I figured it would be a good place to see intelligent arguments through." Um, here I thought it was a place to get some work done, not have political arguments? I don't see why so many people bring politics into the workplace unnecessarily. I have very strong political feelings, and I just try to keep them to myself at work, and talk about them outside of work. Especia…

I think the point is that leftists at Google freely bring politics into the workplace as much as they like. But when a conservative tries to participate in the conversation he gets bullied and fired.

This is a bit disingenuous when you consider that most controversial/onerous topics are not injected into the workplace by most of these 'leftist' startups. If they let you bring your dog into work, what is controversial about animal welfare? If they make you sort your waste 2 or 3 ways, what is so onerous about enabling recycling? If you're threatened by the sight of solar cells on rooftops, is that anyone's fault?

You won't find pro-immigration, abortion rights or even gun control topics displayed openly in workplaces (in most cases).

While conservatism isn't much about sensitivity, today's conservatives are quite sensitive and intolerant to progressive policies (wherever they may encounter it). While I am not strongly positioned either way, I find it quite sad that the Right has to simply deny even the very science of global warming despite the handwriting on the wall being what it is. This intolerance and sensitivity is often the root of their desire to be heard, and loudly. As a result, they don't mind being particularly expressive and indignant about 'proclaiming' their beliefs, which can includes posts on internal forums.

If you're (actually) fired for your beliefs and you're able to prove it, then you're more than welcome to access the various tort statutory laws that Liberals have provided you (by the way) and sue for 'wrongful termination'.

What shocks me about conservatives is how they don't see the hypocrisy of demanding the same 'tolerance' from liberals when it is intolerance that underlies the majority of their own beliefs. Conservatives claim the very bedrocks of civilization regardless of country: the military & patriotism, religion, and business. Yet, they spend these resources only for their own political advantage instead of that of the country as a whole. Witness tax cuts for the rich.

Re: Republican engineer fired by Google hits back

#32
post #20
post #13

“I figured it would be a good place to see intelligent arguments through. It didn’t really turn out how I expected.” When the urge gets irresistible, I post my "intelligent arguments" about politics to reddit, anonymously. Strangely, no one ever seems to change their mind! Odd, that. I'm under no illusion that this is healthy or productive, even less so that it will win me friends and accolades. It's hard to imagine…

I mean, I think the underlying issue this person has (and others, most likely) is the perception that it is "OK" to be very vocal about left-leaning views in the workplace but it is not okay to be the same about right-leaning ones. The whole point is that it's unfair to those workers to have to "hide" in anonymous forums to express views that are held by half the country, especially if the workplace has made it clear…

We don't know what he means by "right leaning views".

The one near example we had was that he told someone that she needed to be more resilient. This is obviously a bad idea.

Re: Republican engineer fired by Google hits back

#33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the point is that leftists at Google freely bring politics into the workplace as much as they like. But when a conservative tries to participate in the conversation he gets bullied and fired.

This is a bit disingenuous when you consider that most controversial/onerous topics are not injected into the workplace by most of these 'leftist' startups. If they let you bring your dog into work, what is controversial about animal welfare? If they make you sort your waste 2 or 3 ways, what is so onerous about enabling recycling? If you're threatened by the sight of solar cells on rooftops, is that anyone's fault?…

> topics are not injected into the workplace by most of these 'leftist' startups

You might be in the wrong thread. I was talking about Google.

Re: Republican engineer fired by Google hits back

#34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does closing the message boards make work more alienating? Or does their existence make work more alienating (for most of the workers)?

Just look up the definition of alienation. Parent poster suggested to not bring your whole self to work.

Upthread, georgewfraser said:

> What I’ve heard from friends at google is that discussion is dominated by a tiny, vocal minority with extreme views, much like a college campus.

If I'm not part of the tiny, vocal minority with extreme views, then I feel like I can't bring my whole self to work. That's alienating, even by your definition. And it's alienating to far more people than it would be to make the tiny, vocal minority find some non-work forum on which to post their stuff.

Re: Republican engineer fired by Google hits back

#35
post #32
post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, I think the underlying issue this person has (and others, most likely) is the perception that it is "OK" to be very vocal about left-leaning views in the workplace but it is not okay to be the same about right-leaning ones. The whole point is that it's unfair to those workers to have to "hide" in anonymous forums to express views that are held by half the country, especially if the workplace has made it clear…

We don't know what he means by "right leaning views". The one near example we had was that he told someone that she needed to be more resilient. This is obviously a bad idea.

Is resiliency not considered a virtue? Is an addition of resiliency not a net benefit, all other things being equal? Coming from a work/lifestyle culture where "Harden the F-- Up" is uttered almost daily, I'm not seeing how urging a coworker to upgrade their fortitude is a problem.
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