Can someone help me to understand why Google employees think they have some sort of first amendment rights there? Is it the culture / history of “do no evil” or the employees there feel especially privileged? Just seems like such a basic misunderstanding that you can say what you want without repercussions, being vocal isn’t a protected class.

Companies are in the business of making money for shareholders. Employees trade their labour for income. As long as the company is acting within the law, if you don't like their strategic direction, don't work for them.

What's worse, I bet these same people complaining would be protesting against pharmacists who morally didn't want to dispense birth control, or bakers who didn't want to make cakes for gay weddings. But now, want their "progressive" thoughts protected.

We used to have this concept of professionalism. Where you could separate yourself from work, and while you may not always agree with the decisions at work you still did what you were told (as long as it wasn't against the law). People used to be more than just their work, and didn't depend on it for their identity.

In recent years, this has all gone out the window, and now employees act like spoilt children.

Sounds like a classic case of F.A.F.O.

Damn, its almost like this is what Google workers wanted. To be able to expel anyone immediately if they caused "distress" and not be questioned for it.

I didn't realize Google was a democracy of the employees. Oh wait, it's not.