Court rulings in 2 well known cases today

[jennym]

Why is that total bullshit?? It's not like it was his own personal time. Had he been, I would scream bullshit too.
The article stated that

Frederick was part of a school-sanctioned event, because students were let out of classes and accompanied by their teachers.

THAT is why the court ruled the way it did. I see no problem with it.

[virgohippy]

Originally Posted by jennym

Why is that total bullshit?? It's not like it was his own personal time. Had he been, I would scream bullshit too.

If the sign read "Legalize Bong Hits for Jesus" would you feel the same?

Personally, I have a problem with making distinctions between harmless types of speech, especially from students. Students eventually grow up and inherit the world. Seems to me it's more dangerous to teach students to be complacent with government endorsed censorship and punishment for speech then to give them experience with being ignored/ridiculed/criticized/etc for making a public statement.

[jennym]

First of all, the kid said this

he told reporters in March that he displayed the banner in a deliberate attempt to provoke a response from principal Morse, by whom he had been disciplined previously.

Be careful what you wish for.......

Secondly, I am not sure if it was across the street or not, as the article doesn't say. BUT, the Olympic torch relay was running right past the school. So, the kids were let out of class and accompanied by their teachers to watch the relay. How is that not a school sanctioned event.

Third, the kid was not suspended for holding up the sign. He was suspended because he did not put the sign away when the principle asked him to.

Free speech does not apply to EVERY statement in EVERY situation.