The US loses academic freedom?

Since we’re talking about law, here’s an interesting piece at Crooked Timber on the chilling effect on academic free speech a couple of recent court decisions, Garcetti v. Ceballos and Hong v. Grant may end up having. Although the courts did not intend for these decisions about whistleblowing to affect academic speech, it seems that it already has. Don’t criticise your university administration in the US, folks, or you’ll lose your job. A letter sent to the UC Davis Senate said:

According to recent court rulings, your speech and behavior in job-related duties as a public employee rather than a private citizen have no First Amendment protection. This means that disciplinary action may be taken against you (including dismissal) for statements you make in the course of your employment.

Read the comments too.