Sure, Google has and always has had the option of deciding that engineers should shut up about their opinions and just work and not ask questions. I suspect Google management realizes that isn't going to work. They've been able to hire and retain good people with the "bring your whole self to work," "don't be evil," etc. policies. If they want to try "We're no different from Oracle, but with brighter colors and maybe better pay," they shouldn't expect to continue being more successful than Oracle. They can fire their best people and hire some mediocre replacements.
