The thing about freedom of speech is that it requires people to take responsibility for themselves. If someone is saying something I don't like, I walk away from them. If someone wrote something I disagree with, I don't read it. If something in a movie or TV annoys me, I don't watch it. I don't have the right to demand that others change their beliefs, opinions or speech because I don't agree with it. This idea seems to escape people which is why we see all the whining.
There are 7 billion people in the world, most of whom I don't agree with on many topics. I have no need to engage them in discussion. If I want to I will, but I"m not required to do so. I don't need to speak with a pro-lifer to understand their position, I know what the basic position is. I don't need to hear their personal anecdotes as they're all very predictable if you really think about it. At the same time, I respect that they don't have to listen to me nor listen to my stories. Do you remember that thing Starbucks did a while back about trying to get people to engage in discussions about race in their stores? If that wasn't one of the stupidest things I've ever seen I don't know what is. Why would I want to have a discussion with someone making me a coffee? Especially considering most are very young and have very little life experience or knowledge of the world. I seriously doubt not one of them could tell me something I don't already know. If I want to discuss things, I chose those who have something of value to offer. Life is to short to listen to everyone's opinion, and that's all it is, opinions.
As far as Steve goes, he's just who he is. Who among us hasn't encountered people like him irl? These forums are not a safe space for anyone and that's why so many like it here.
As far as caveats to freedom of speech, they are very few and all based on the idea that a speech action can cause actual physical harm to others as a result. The most cited, as all Americans should know, is yelling fire in a movie theater. It will most likely result in someone being hurt. However, calling someone an asshole creates emotional harm. That harm is internal, it comes from within the insulted person. It is not external like being trampled in a theater. If someone can't control their own thoughts and allow others to make them feel bad, that's on them. There is an entire field called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that helps people to own and take control of their thoughts. As I said before, when a person allows someone to upset them, they've given their power to that person. Why would anyone want to give up their power?
Just as no rational person would believe that the way a woman dresses is a justification for raping her (which by the way is true in many, many countries), me calling someone an asshole is no justification for violence. This is what the political process in the US devolved to in the last presidential election. People attacking each other over their thoughts and beliefs. It's true that humans have been doing this since we acquired speech, but it doesn't make it right.
Anyway, enough of this shit. Steve is sometimes a jerk, but I find him amusing at times, as I do with most people. I also have yet to know a single person that hasn't annoyed me at some time or another, family, friends, wives and children included.