Mongoose, you are misunderstanding the Constitution. It is the government (federal, state or local, or any agency, etc.) which is constitutionally obligated to refrain from restricting free speech. There is nothing illegal or unconstitutional about an organization taking action against a member for something that person says. That may not seem right or fair, but that is what the constitutional right to free speech means- freedom from governmental interference with free speech. And that is all that it means.

Kelly told the Sun-Times his life has been ruined. He said he's worried about the effect on his business and his kids being taunted. He claims he's not a racist and said he didn't realize he'd used the word in the post.

What a moron. What did he think the response would be? Maybe he should proofread before hitting "SEND".

.. didn't realize he'd used the word in the post

So he was typing in his sleep? Puleeeze! As a coach, not only must he be accountable for his actions, he's supposed to be teaching team play and accountability!

It's not that he posted something negative about Ms Houston. It's that word. Or should I say one of THOSE words. The ones used to convey contempt and more.

He should sue the school for a few million for violating his right to free speech . There is just too much political correctness crap used today. She was a great singer who through it all away for a crack pipe

The guy acted like an idiot ... South Park just reran an episode of "Apologies to Jesse Jackson" ... deals with it in a totally different way of course - it's South Park.

I hear the "N" word every single day as I live in a mixed, predominately black neighborhood. It is almost as if black people seem to be incapable of verbally communicating without using the "N" word repeatedly, along with the word MF'er especially when they are relaxed and in their own element. I wonder how many of the readers will now also label me as racist for simply making factual statements? It doesn't surprise me in the least that all you left leaning Obama loving, socialistic fools have completely lost sight of what "freedom of speech" is all about.

This is why we continue to have these problems. Why do white people continue to lump all black people together. You live in (1) black neighborhood in one state. You don't know all black people. I don't use the N word. The use of the N word is unfortunately used by mostly a young generation who have no direct know ledge of the prejudice, hate and and intolerance attached to the word.

What I was more disturbed about was the resentment towards Whitney Houston. No, she was not perfect but she was still a human being. I don't remember seeing the same hate and resentment towards Elvis Presley when he was found dead in the bathroom of his home.

"the attending physicians deliberately omitted the fact that what had apparently caused Elvis' heart to beat irregularly and then stop was an overdose of prescription drugs. These drugs included codeine, Valium, morphine, and Demorol, to name a few. After this information was revealed, Vernon Presley, Elvis' father, had the complete autopsy report sealed. It will remain sealed until 2027, fifty years after The King's death.''

I guess we should also label Elvis "a dumb stupid N""""! Freedom of speech and all

It may be said way too much ink is being wasted on this story, but here's my rant: the man cetainly is a racist by his "premium" choice of words; "stupid @!$%#". In the Black community we don't call women @!$%#s. this word is considered ,for better or for worse, a term of endearment among males,a term used in anger towards other males, or a term used to describe a male of any race ie: " them Chinese niggas(note the spelling;herein lies the dissimilarity) got it goin' on". The individual in question could have reffered to her as a "b-tch", a "broad", a "chick", or a Woman. To reffer to a Black Woman as "@!$%#" doesn't even make sense. It's grammaticaly incorrect. Er.go this individual is a qualified standard white American racist of the worst kind, and had no concern as to whom saw his posting. To him I would say be proud of what you are & never apologize. Miscreant anti-human scum thrive in this atmost-fear. Be all U can b........ pt.II Miss Houston was beautiful, talented, and giving. She was human, far from perfect. She took some missteps along the walk of life. Who hasn't? You wanna cast stones while residing in a glasshouse? I'll refrain from naming names about several white entertainers who have succumbed to that demon known as "drugs&alcohol". It is unfortunate that such a beautiful soul was misled and not steered in the proper direction by those who could have tried harder and been more adamant, and intolerant of her self-destructive programming. To those who wax philosophical about "way too much media coverage"; get over yourselves. if ya 2 young 2 remember or was not yet concieved; she was a media darling during better days.She was as big as Michael Jackson with less years on the scene. Give props where props are due. May her soul rest in peace till the next time she blesses a future generation with her presence. Hotep...

Mr. John Kelly. your problem is that you are so damn intelligent with no common sense. FOOL, you are a person of position not only in your community, but in and around various other communities, on Front-Street as to speak, setting an example on how to interact with people who may not fit your scope of life. Its not so much you thought the word, but to go on social media and to as much speak the word, how dumb can you be??????????????? YOU deserve to be slammed.

It's funny when people get caught using racial slurs. They always claim to have friends of the race who they offended.

Seriously? What the F*ck happened to FREEDOM OF SPEECH in this country? Why are we allowing ourselves to have all of our constitutionally guaranteed rights taken away from us? This is sick! More sick than calling another person a racial, homophobic, religious slur! I guarantee you NO ONE was fired, suspended or even verbally chastised for calling Amy Winehouse a derogatory term when she died! WTF???

What a slimebag! Good riddance! I hope he stays suspended!

firstly the word is not @!$%#..its nigga and 2ndly its just another crackhead drowning in bathtub......she got more ink than soldiers tht are still dieing..........soooo sad.

JK1963 , this is the interesting part, A black person would never say a rude comment about a dead white singer because we have been taught better than to make such rude comments, at least not in public or on facebook. In what case have you ever seen this happen? It doesnt. We dont get on fb or internet and make succh comments. Unlike most white people, we know better.

The ONLY excuse for the level of vitrol spewed about tributes to Whitney Houston is racism and the belief by white supremists that blacks have no control over their sexuality nor their use of booze and other chemicals. It is shameful that the atmosphere in the United States has back slid over the past 12+ years to the attitudes of the 1930s - from Elfangel

I agree with your post except for what I have copied here. I have a problem with the amount of time given to her. But that's because I am frustrated with the network media, and how they ignore real stories for 6 days of stuff about a celebrity. I am sorry about her passing, but I don't care enough to have it be the lead story for a week and push other stories, important happenings around the world, completely off the broadcast. I think the 12 Americans killed in Egypt the same week deserved to be reported. So I was trying to change the channel, but they all seemed to be covering Whitney's death. So my level of complaints are not being spewed, and I certainly didn't care that she was black, just that it was non-stop.

David in SF

"I guess those 6 characters just typed themselves. Dude, you're a racist. Deal with it, change it, and put your "ruined" life back together. You could use this for good if you wanted to."

Most useful comment. Thanks.

Kinjiru

"Dear former coach John Kelly: The "n" word is not an adjective. It's a noun. An adjective is a descriptive word than modifies a noun, such as how "racist" modifies "moron" or how "ruined" modifies "life". Now go forth and enjoy your ruined life, you racist moron."

Most clever comment. Thank you, too.

"I have some amazing friends who are black."- We dont believe you.... You need more people!!!

I will not allow any blacks near me do not want them near me and wish we could not have any blacks on earth, as a white I see nothing positive from them and see no need for them.

I was not raised like that I learned it because they are nothing but trouble and Whitney is just proof of it.

So it's ok for blacks to say it every day to each other, but OMG if a white man says it while ranting about the ridiculous amount of media coverage, he's labelled a racist?!

How about all those who call whites by the same token, cracker? Are they not racist?

Guess you're only racist in this country if you're white these days, with all these hypocritical double standards that only apply to blacks.

This bozo is only the latest person to demonstrate that many parents are not doing their job of teaching their children respect for others and good manners. He can say what he wishes, even if he is rude, stupid, and ignorant, as a matter of constitutional principle, but his racial comments, particularly at a time of death and mourning, reflect very poorly on his upbringing and background. I am white, and I can assure you, that many white people are appalled by this sort of behavior. Many of us are raised to have manners and dignity. Kelly is entirely responsible for what comes out of his own mouth (or fingers), and it's good to know that he has been removed from working with children because he obviously cannot be a good role model.

People of every race have fallen prey to problems with alcohol and drugs, particularly when their talents in entertainment or sports bring them sudden wealth and fame that they perhaps can't handle emotionally. Ms. Houston's death is only the latest of these tragedies. Her ethnic background had nothing to do with it.

I am 71 years old and black. I have heard this idiot's excuse most of my life. He is a racist and its possible the friends that he posted to share racist jokes and comments often. You would think that after 300 plus years and the billions of English words, that this idiot and his peers would lose the N word. Being black, it sort of pleases me to see how consuming that word is for a racist. It lowers that individual to his lowest status no matter how educated he or she is. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The young, interracial marriage, and attrition of the racists.

This dumb stupid guy doesn't even know that the "N" word is a noun, not an adjective!

Why we Glorify the Hollywood crowd as some sort of gods and godesses is beyond me! A bunch of spoiled brats that are held to a higher Moral standard and they have proven that they have no Morals! When will we stop being so stupid and Gullable ! We watch and buy their crap so we can be in dreamland for an hour or so. How dumb is that! If this guy used some other word describing her would he still have been suspended for a year? We Glorify Druggies and Adultorers and sell lots of Enquire magazines for what ? We are the Loosers.

its only racist when its said by a white person, does anyone listen to the lyrics of rap,, but it really comes down ,he just shouldnt have used it ,specially around the kids , or even on facebook

We are all racist in one form or another but most of are not so hateful that we can't contain it and if we do slip-up most of us would have the humility to apologize and move on not whine and look for pity. I have some amazing "black" friends also though I would rather think of them as amazing friends who just happen to be black, Hispanic, Asian or whatever!

What people refer to themselves is their own perogative. The tem in this case was used in a negative context. After using it negatively to refer to a person you then state "some of my friends are black". I have read negative thoughts posted about Ms Houston and what really gets me is how people that say nasty things about her go out of their way to find the stories and then post how they feel. This was racist. Its one thing to not like the person, but when you explain the real reason is because of her color, shame on you...... Facebook has a lot of idiots that are cowards who ordinarily would not say anything to your face. Go to the hood Black or White and see if you would say that and get away with. No facebook is safer. Hater and a sucker....