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Pro-Life T-Shirt Is Not Profane or Obscene, Student Says
CNSNEWS.com ^
| 3/12/04
| Susan Jones
Posted on 03/12/2004 3:01:05 AM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - A Virginia high school says a student's pro-life T-shirt violates the school's ban on using profane or obscene language.
The shirt says, "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."
An assistant vice principal at Denbigh High School in Newport News told the student to stop wearing the shirt, but with the help of a public interest law firm, the student is now fighting that order.
The Thomas More Law Center says it has sent a four-page letter to school officials, defending the student's constitutional right to wear his pro-life shirt. The Law Center noted that other students are allowed to display messages on their clothing -- including, in one case, the display of a marijuana leaf.
By no stretch of the imagination could the student's pro-life message be considered lewd, vulgar, profane, or obscene, the Law Center said in its letter to school officials.
The Law Center said it has requested a response from school officials by March 19. It wants the school to provide written assurance that the student will be allowed to wear his pro-life T-shirt to school.
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TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: nhs; prolife; tshirt
1
posted on
03/12/2004 3:01:06 AM PST
by
kattracks
To: kattracks
"Pollution is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock Gaia. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life." How does it read now?
I think the school will be OK with the message toned down like this.
To: steve in DC
When I was in 8th grade I wore a Jesus T-Shirt and often a button that said "The ten commandments are note multiple choice". This was back in the day (1979-80). Our bus driver was a cool hippie guy, teachers actually smoked in the building in the smoking lounge, and no one seemed to care about any of it.
I don't know how I survived it all :)
3
posted on
03/12/2004 4:39:16 AM PST
by
chance33_98
(Check out profile page for banners, if you need one freepmail me and I will make one for you)
To: steve in DC
You are exactly right. A t-shirt like that would not bring the thought-police down on the kid - how sad to see the censors of "tolerance" run amok.
To: kattracks
A Virginia high school says a student's pro-life T-shirt violates the school's ban on using profane or obscene language. The shirt says, "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life."
For those of you who are cheering yesterday's "decency" legislation - guess who's next on the list.
5
posted on
03/12/2004 5:00:55 AM PST
by
garbanzo
(Free people will set the course of history)
To: kattracks
Where's the profane or obscene language? This just proves that some school officials will make the "offense" match the rule if it serves their purpose. It makes them look duplicitous, as well as idiotic, but it enables them to progess with their agenda.
These people are contemptible.
6
posted on
03/12/2004 7:32:25 AM PST
by
ladylib
To: kattracks
INTREP - EDUCATION - PC POLICE - FREEDOM ATTACK
To: kattracks
The shirt says, "Abortion is Homicide. You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. Rock for Life." No, there's nothing vulgar or obscene about it, but I always thought the most effective message was "As a former fetus, I oppose abortion". Cuts to the heart of the matter, which is, "aren't you glad your mother didn't abort you?"
To: kattracks
The only problem I see is that if they allow some messages they should allow all. Including messages that most on this site would disagree with.
When I was in school, no messages of any kind were allowed. The only printing allowed on any garment was the school logo. It didn't make sense to me then, it does now.
9
posted on
03/12/2004 7:52:53 AM PST
by
Protagoras
(When they asked me what I thought of freedom in America,,, I said I thought it would be a good idea.)
To: *Pro_Life; Mr. Silverback; MeekOneGOP
Ping
10
posted on
03/12/2004 1:24:35 PM PST
by
EdReform
(Support Free Republic - All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!)
To: EdReform
11
posted on
03/12/2004 2:58:19 PM PST
by
MeekOneGOP
(The Democrats say they believe in CHOICE. I have chosen to vote STRAIGHT TICKET GOP for years !!)
To: ladylib
I'd like to see if the school applys the same standard when other students and/or teachers push the Gay and Planned Parenthood agenda in the classroom.
12
posted on
03/12/2004 5:55:07 PM PST
by
Kuksool
To: kattracks
The truth hurts.
13
posted on
03/12/2004 6:00:15 PM PST
by
Trillian
To: kattracks
Well, I see the problem!
The slogan included a reference to God!
"God" is not allowed in public schools.
If the student had redacted the line that referenced God, the t-shirt would have been unchallenged, or if challenged,easily defeated.
Actually, the "do not mock God" line kind of detracts from the impact of the message, if an anti-abortion message was meant to be sent.
IMHO.
14
posted on
03/12/2004 6:28:17 PM PST
by
sarasmom
("I'm a redneck and Charles Bronson was a sissy".(Permission to use as tag granted by The Toll)
To: kattracks
I've seen this shirt. I don't like the wording. "Homicide" is too clean a word. Too Latin. Nobody ever yelled "homicide!"
It should say "murder". A nice ruthless word that doesn't leave room for doubt. If it said "murder", I might wear it. Until then I'll stick to the baby-feet pins.
15
posted on
03/12/2004 6:30:14 PM PST
by
JenB
To: 2nd amendment mama; A2J; Agitate; Alouette; Annie03; aposiopetic; attagirl; axel f; Balto_Boy; ...
ProLife Ping! If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.
16
posted on
03/13/2004 7:00:23 PM PST
by
Mr. Silverback
(Pre-empt the third murder attempt-- Pray for Terry Schiavo!)
To: Mr. Silverback
Come now, this is so silly... of course he shouldn't be able to wear such a blatantly offensive shirt, especially not so close to the school's opening performance of "The Vagina Monologues".
17
posted on
03/13/2004 7:02:54 PM PST
by
thoughtomator
(All I ever wanted to know about Islam I learned on 9/11)
To: kattracks
I wonder what the "school is for learning", anti-distraction-in-the-classroom crowd will have to say about this one.
Should be interesting.
18
posted on
03/13/2004 7:11:28 PM PST
by
timm22
To: timm22
I wonder what the "school is for learning", anti-distraction-in-the-classroom crowd will have to say about this one. One word: uniforms.
19
posted on
03/13/2004 8:03:28 PM PST
by
Alouette
(Proudly overpopulating the planet since 1972)
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