FIRST vs Free Speech

[JamalBendkowski]

Originally Posted by wajirock

I mean absolutely no disrespect towards the OP or her/his political beliefs, but I personally believe that what her/his button said goes against what FIRST stands for. I believe that FIRST strives for breaking down barriers and uniting people despite their differences, and wanting to build walls goes against that. Perhaps the volunteer that the OP mentioned felt the same way about what the OP was wearing.

I also mean no disrespect towards you, but I find it quite the opposite: Gracious professionalism is a hallmark of FIRST, and "respecting the community" is a big part of gracious professionalism. Illegally intruding upon a country is a big disrespect towards whatever community you illegally trek into.

[Lireal]

Originally Posted by JamalBendkowski

It's just kind of ironic that on a thread specifically about open discussion and freedom of speech, you try to shut down a discussion before it's even begun.

We should discuss the idea of free speech and having your own opinion, but I do not believe this is the correct place to debate about the ideals of the presidential candidates.

[messer5740]

I think it best to keep political opinions to ourselves because then instances like this happen when people have conflicting views.

[JamalBendkowski]

Originally Posted by messer5740

I think it best to keep political opinions to ourselves because then instances like this happen when people have conflicting views.

Instances like what? There has been no disrespect over this entire thread between anybody, it's just a healthy discussion. Everyone is using proper manners, even when they disagree. Why do you think an 'instance like this' is undesirable?

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by JamalBendkowski

Instances like what? There has been no disrespect over this entire thread between anybody, it's just a healthy discussion. Everyone is using proper manners, even when they disagree. Why do you think an 'instance like this' is undesirable?

Chiefdelphi is a Robotics forum. In fact to quote the site directly "This is a discussion forum used to discuss the FIRST Robotics Competition."

Talking about political views is a TERRIBLE idea here and frankly inappropriate. You are either a newly created Anon account or a first time CD user. If this is your first time here trust me in telling you a political discussion will turn sour very quickly.

[Basel A]

Hang on, how did this volunteer even see the political message on the flip-flops if you were wearing them?

[messer5740]

Originally Posted by JamalBendkowski

Instances like what? There has been no disrespect over this entire thread between anybody, it's just a healthy discussion. Everyone is using proper manners, even when they disagree. Why do you think an 'instance like this' is undesirable?

What I mean by that is at competitions. It's FRC not a political rally hahaha! People will naturally have different opinions when you are in public so to avoid conflict I think it is best to not to publicly promote a political figure. At competition I just wear my uniform.

[asid61]

Originally Posted by JamalBendkowski

That's not an exact quote, obviously... Are you saying I'm lying?

Well, you could have just been sarcastic...
In all seriousness though, that sounds like a volunteer problem and not a FIRST problem, as others above have said.
That being said, wearing political clothing at comps is a little sketchy in general IMO, because competitions are a professional setting where you represent your team. But if your team is ok with it, as long as it's not blatantly offensive there's no point in making it an issue.

Originally Posted by wajirock

I mean absolutely no disrespect towards the OP or her/his political beliefs, but I personally believe that what her/his button said goes against what FIRST stands for. I believe that FIRST strives for breaking down barriers and uniting people despite their differences, and wanting to build walls goes against that. Perhaps the volunteer that the OP mentioned felt the same way about what the OP was wearing.

[JamalBendkowski]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Chiefdelphi is a Robotics forum. In fact to quote the site directly "This is a discussion forum used to discuss the FIRST Robotics Competition."

Talking about political views is a TERRIBLE idea here and frankly inappropriate. You are either a newly created Anon account or a first time CD user. If this is your first time here trust me in telling you a political discussion will turn sour very quickly.

OK, I won't bring up any current politics but I will bring the thread back to what it was originally about: FIRST vs Free Speech. I was told that the actions of one person should not represent all of FIRST, which I agree with.

But now everybody on here is telling me to hush-hush with how I believe this volunteer was behaving inappropriately, and surely everyone on here is part of the FIRST community. So now a group of people representative of the FIRST community are also trying to squash free speech. Doesn't this just prove exactly what I was claiming in the original post?

[JamalBendkowski]

Originally Posted by Basel A

Hang on, how did this volunteer even see the political message on the flip-flops if you were wearing them?

I was sitting on the table that's on the back wall of each pit, swinging my feet kicking them off and putting them back on again while waiting for our next match.

[messer5740]

Originally Posted by JamalBendkowski

OK, I won't bring up any current politics but I will bring the thread back to what it was originally about: FIRST vs Free Speech. I was told that the actions of one person should not represent all of FIRST, which I agree with.

But now everybody on here is telling me to hush-hush with how I believe this volunteer was behaving inappropriately, and surely everyone on here is part of the FIRST community. So now a group of people representative of the FIRST community are also trying to squash free speech. Doesn't this just prove exactly what I was claiming in the original post?

No because he was commenting on having non-closed toe shoes on and had a differing opinion. That how I see it but others may see it differently.

[Munchskull]

Originally Posted by JamalBendkowski

But now everybody on here is telling me to hush-hush with how I believe this volunteer was behaving inappropriately, and surely everyone on here is part of the FIRST community. So now a group of people representative of the FIRST community are also trying to squash free speech. Doesn't this just prove exactly what I was claiming in the original post?

I don't think you understand what free speech is. They are not squashing your free speech they are requesting that we keep it civil and away from politics. If your free speech was being squashed then your posts would be gone. You by all means have free speech, does not mean that we have to listen to it or that you are free of repercussions due to your speech.

[JamalBendkowski]

Originally Posted by Munchskull

I don't think you understand what free speech is. They are not squashing your free speech they are requesting that we keep it civil and away from politics. If your free speech was being squashed then your posts would be gone. You by all means have free speech, does not mean that we have to listen to it or that you are free of repercussions due to your speech.

I don't you think you understand what I'm talking about.

For one to be against free-speech, they don't have to be deleting posts and censoring information. The minimum criteria is that they express that they are against it. For example, if you were to say "I don't support free speech, and I don't think you should bring certain discussion here," you wouldn't be censoring me, but you would certainly be against free speech. After all, you would've said it.

[smitikshah]

I got two questions for you:

1. Are you secretly affiliated with bad lard (some secret Bad Lard Coalition or something)?

and

2. What do you think about free speech in FRC China?

Warm Regards,
Smiti

[JamalBendkowski]

Originally Posted by smitikshah

I got two questions for you:

1. Are you secretly affiliated with bad lard (some secret Bad Lard Coalition or something)?

and

2. What do you think about free speech in FRC China?

Warm Regards,
Smiti

I'm no expert in Chinese affairs, but I think it's a shame that the Chinese government censors so much information, especially online. I don't know how that affects the FRC sphere.