Drudge reports that Playgirl's editor has been fired following a backlash to her announcement that she voted for Shrub.

I'm sure we'll hear all the normal GOP talking heads blather on about the Left's censorship of conservative voices. However, how is this any different than the backlash directed at the Dixie Chicks, Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and others for opposing the Iraq War?

People definitely have First Amendment rights, but the public gets to react to such exercise of the rights, correct?

What's good for the goose . . .

I don't read "Playgirl," but I have read some law. I thought you did too, until I heard you speaking of the I Amdt. in the same context with being fired from a private position. No state action there. First and ten: Con Law I.

Both "Playgirl" and the public are free to exercise not just their own rights of free speech and association but their freedom not to approve what they don't like just as well. The examples you cited sound like just that and nothing more. Molehill =/= mountain.

Sean Penn, Susan Sarandon and the Dixie Chicks all lost their jobs? They're not acting or singing anymore? How sad for them. I did not know that. Thought I saw Sean Penn in a movie this past winter, but perhaps I'm mistaken. Wasn't Susan Sarandon in Alfie? Perhaps these were before the two were fired.

I think a more accurate comparison would be that, just as individuals who disagree with Penn/Sarandon/Chicks' views are well within their rights to not buy their records/see their movies, Playgirl readers who disagree with the editors' political views have every right to not read or purchase Playgirl.

That said - yes, Playgirl has every right to hire or fire its own editor based on political views.

Why is Drudge concerned with Playgirl? Hmmmmm....

Yes, gm, I do understand the concept of state action; and I don't feel the need to cite caselaw in a feeble attempt to appear intelligent.

That's my point exactly--the private marketplace makes its judgment on individuals' actions which are only protected from government interference. (If I were insecure about my legal knowledge, here is where I'd insert a footnote or cite a case or maybe both.) The "conservatives" don't have a monopoly on marketplace retribution. Gosh I hope France survived the O'Reilly boycott.

P.S. to JIP: Hmmm, I have no idea.

You did say you're admitted to practice, somewhere, ANYwhere, didn't you KWG? So I assume you took Con Law, and I never cited any cases in this thread now, did I? My mistake; I tend to give people more credit than they deserve. You've obviously got your head in a horn(y)book.

As far as your "point" goes, which isn't very far, I'm afraid it's lost on me. So go back to tending your ant hill, it's starting to look pretty awesome!

Who in the \"world\" said they did?

[ March 21, 2005, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: William1865 ]

William, After linking to (good) Buy Blue, now I'm really confused. What's the difference between ANSWER, ANWR and a pint-sized anthill? :confused:

According to Editor & Publisher, during Zipp's tenure as editor, Playgirl's circulation dropped 14% and ad revenue dropped 6%. Gee, you think that have something to do with her firing?? Funny how Drudge overlooked that possibility.

~Adam

I really love a thread where everyone agrees with each other and use that as an excuse to bash each other over the head.

Everyone who's posted here agrees that private organizations have the right to censure, or fire, members for expressing political opinions. Probably everyone agrees that it is wise not to do so excessively. We have so many arguments on this forum, Playgirl editors aren't worth our rancor.

And they just now happened to figure this out? Interesting...

Let's face it folks, gay men aren't buying Playgirl anymore. And straight women are watching gay porn, so Playgirl loses on that account too.

Dumb action if they fired her for voting for Shrub, and I say this as a liberal. If her job performance was poor, then she should have been disciplined and/or fired. In business it happens all the time, for far less--unless you're Kenny Boy Lay, this is.

Maybe she violated the "no compete" clause of a deal Playgirl had with Ken Starr.

[ March 21, 2005, 02:13 PM: Message edited by: twin58 ]

I think she was probably fired because the mag has become boring.

O.K., something is seriously wrong here when I agree with everything William 1865 has said. Next thing you know, I'll be a card-carrying member of the NRA.