Yeah, but the first amendment won't (and shouldn't) protect you from saying something that your employer doesn't like while in the process of working that job.
The problem with the employment environment argument is one of hypocrisy. Had the teacher/coach said that Laura Bush is a bitch or that all traditional Christians are murderers, we would not have heard anything about his statements.
So what happened to the teachers who indoctrinated children with the praises of Obama some in song? What happened to the teachers who preach two daddies to little kids?
It is called academic freedom when the left does it.
My high school niece tells me crap the teachers say all the time, putting down religion and the like.
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Whatever they "don't like" within the scope of an employee contract has to be spelled out in clear, published and unbiased school policy.
-- IOW it has to cut both ways.
The raw political correctness of the school administration is NOT a sufficient reason to suspend him...
Without an exhaustive scouring of Alabama case law...
I am relatively sure there are are significant precedents ....(ironically -- vigorously fought and won by our liberal education friends)...
--Concerning freedom of speech and expressions of personal opinions in the classroom and in the loose context of the academic subject.
The coach should at least....
Certainly ask his attorney to assess the financial penalty and damage to his professional reputation as a result of the knee-jerk response by the school system.
Again depending on state law -- he may have grounds to zap the person with wiretap /eavesdropping charges for recording without his knowledge.
Just say'n....
A demand letter on legal letterhead seems to put a stop to a lot of this PC gar-bahhhhj...
Thanks for your thoughts... & enjoy your day.