I don't think this has anything to do with free speech. He said something that wasn't inline with his employer, so they terminated him. The same thing would happen to me if I spoke ill-will, or discredit to my organization. We just had to sign off on a policy for it last week. This includes social media, like OR and Facebook. He stated his opinion based on his beliefs. No one can fault him for that. Unfortunalely A&E, aka his emplyer, found fault that his statements weren't in line with the company value. That is also their right. I don't believe he said anything derogatory in his statement. I don't believe A&E was out of line for terminating him either. It sucks, but it is what it is. What did A&E expect was going to happen with a redneck God loving southerner when they signed the contract?