It does seem like a pretext. My guess is that the execs realized that they have a bigger sh*tstorm--both internally and externally--than they realized on their hands, and want some more time to think and to let things die down. Probably smart, actually.

Yes, it is a pretext.

And one in which the SJWs at Google paint other people as "the ones preventing them from being able to speak".

Meanwhile, Google leadership & SJWs are the ones creating an environment hostile to other's opinions - as evidenced by the smear campaign and the firing.

Probably to keep employees who ask live questions from being harassed.

Were they...unaware this could happen? Was James Damore not harassed over his internal memo?

Angry mobs are something that cannot be controlled. There's been a lot of talk about emboldening but it seems many believe that it's ok to normalize mobs since it will be their mob that wins. That... is not guaranteed.

Its a nice excuse. 50% of googlers disagree with the firing of damore.

This will be a shitstorm for google internally and out.

yeah funny how the ceo's response was like "most of you agreed and the rest said we didnt go far enough" or something to that effect. suuure....

completely delusional and/or disingenuous.