Nampa Student Told Never To Wear T-shirt Again - Patriotic T-Shirt has soldier w/gun

kbci ^

[chance33_98]

Nampa Student Told Never To Wear T-shirt Again

By Jim Poston

NAMPA -

Is it patriotism or gun violence? It's the question at the heart of a flap at a Nampa elementary school.

Park Ridge elementary school officials told 11-year-old Ethan Jansen to stop wearing his military themed T-shirt to school.

The T-shirt depicts a monument at the Fort Lewis military base in Washington state. It shows "Iron mike" hoisting a rifle with a star in the background.

School officials say pictures showing gangs or guns are not allowed in school.

But Ethan's parents call the T-shirt an expression of patriotism.

"I feel offended that it somehow equates gun violence with military and patriotism. I think they're two different things and shouldn't be held at the same level," said Ethan's father, Ben Jansen.

Chief education officer Bill Deakins refused an on camera interview and told us the reason he didn't want to comment was because, "I don't trust the media they build up a controversy where there is none."

Deann and Ben Jansen see it differently. "I understand that they have to have their policies but it's patriotism as well right now we're in a time when patriotism is at one of it's strongest points," said Deann Jansen.

The Park Ridge elementary administrator Phil Cano also declined an on camera interview. But released a statement which says, "The district dress code prohibits any clothing that may be construed as being violence related," and adds, "we are proud of this student and in fact we support the patriotic theme of the T-shirt but we need to be consistent in providing a safe learning environment for all."

Ethan feels a special connection to the military. "It meant a lot to me because my dad fought at home from Fort Lewis because he's in the army and my family is real patriotic and my uncle and stuff is in the army too."

[chance33_98]

Ping

[Interesting Times]

The Park Ridge elementary administrator Phil Cano also declined an on camera interview. But released a statement which says, "The district dress code prohibits any clothing that may be construed as being violence related," and adds, "we are proud of this student and in fact we support the patriotic theme of the T-shirt but we need to be consistent in providing a safe learning environment for all."

Sorry, no sale.

Prepare to become an object of attention.

[chainsaw]

Tell that half baked liberal punk,that calls himself a school official, to shove it... Wear your patriotic T-shirt as much as you want, if he does anything sue the school district and become rich son.

[chance33_98]

Ping

[TankerKC]

Yeah, the military is JUST like a street gang.

[Bush2000]

I'm not a fan of censorship but look at it this way: If the district allows this kid to wear this shirt, they'd also have to let kids wear shirts promoting gang violence.

[Search4Truth]

Researching...

[Frapster]

Thanks for the ping. I'm torn - I see the things my kids face in school every day. My oldest sees at least one fight a week. My youngest have brought home at least 4 or 5 notes this past year about abduction attempts in our community. It's really disgusting...

I think the response by the second official was reasonable. Find a shirt that doesn't hoist a large weapon. Put a flag on it. Say 'In God We Trust' and fight that issue. In light of the number of school shootings in past years I think it's a reasonable policy.

[halfdome]

Would you say the same about a kid who wore a t-shirt that was derogatory to George Bush, or an anti-war shirt?

[breakem]

I guess these officials think violence against Hitler was a bad thing. Zero tolerence for violence would make us all victims.

[Search4Truth]

                            Bill Deakins

[Search4Truth]

Park Ridge Elementary
3313 Park Ridge Drive
Nampa, ID 83651

(voice) 465-7117
(fax) 465-2722

[Arkinsaw]

I'm not a fan of censorship but look at it this way: If the district allows this kid to wear this shirt, they'd also have to let kids wear shirts promoting gang violence.

The idea that there is no way to differentiate between a photo of a monument to US soldiers and one promoting gang violence is just stupid. The only way this is going to be a problem is if the administrators are so ignorant that they can't tell the difference or have an anti-gun agenda that leads them to ignore the difference.

[annyokie]

My 13 year old wears a shirt to school with Saddam inside a rifle sight and the slogan "Game Over." No one has said a word.

[Arkinsaw]

Find a shirt that doesn't hoist a large weapon.

Its a photo of a historical monument for crying out loud. Am I to assume that this school has cut out every photo of every such monument in every book in their school library? Is it safe to assume that they have removed every photo of a tank or artillery piece from every history book? Are they not allowed to take a field trip to the war memorials in Washington because of the.....gasp....guns depicted?

Does that seem reasonable to you also? Should the school preach against the violence of US soldiers in WWII or should they just censor any mention of that violence?

[Rodney King]

Thanks for the ping. I'm torn - I see the things my kids face in school every day. My oldest sees at least one fight a week. My youngest have brought home at least 4 or 5 notes this past year about abduction attempts in our community.

You have bought into the liberal argument that it is the guns and the objects that cause violence. That is the only way in which one could possibly see a link between gang violence and soldiers fighting for freedom.

If anything, respect for those who fight for freedom should be encouraged.

[Teacher317]

"we are proud of this student and in fact we support the patriotic theme of the T-shirt but we need to be consistent in providing a safe learning environment for all."

And how does this t-shirt prevent a safe environment?

[sdk7x7]

Um, no... a clearly identified US soldier hoisting a gun and a group of hoodlums are two different things. This is administrator is doing what many liberals do: avoiding the obvious in the name of political corectness. Everyone KNOWS this is not an expression of violence, but this guy wants to ignore that and classify it as such because it technically falls under his policy.

[gwmoore]

This is, and not really unexpected, one more case of the stupid "Zero Tolerance" BS that has run roughshod over legitimate Constitutional Rights, without anyone fighting it.

The T-Shirt not only depicts a historic moment, it is also an exercise in free speech.

What POSSIBLE "violence" does this depict? NONE. It's just the liberal school board, and Bill Deakins' attempt to pander to the anti-firearm crowd.

This propaganda war is going to be heating up now, we already hear the drumbeats of the anti-firearm cretins because of the pending "sunset" of the "AW" ban (quotes, because this stupid law was written by people who didn't even know the technical description of an "Assault Rifle").

I hope that there is a conservative, Constitution believing, lawyer out there who will take this kid's case. While it may seem like not a whole lot, this kind of stuff should be stopped, in the bud, whenever it starts.

My question for Mr. Deakins: Would you have told this student to get rid of the shirt if it depicted the "rainbow flag" or some other symbol of "diversity"? I think not!!

Keep the Faith for Freedom

Greg