Posted on 08/07/2008 5:43:48 AM PDT by ozark hilljilly
Even if your kids went to private school, your taxes would still fund this. My daughter is grown up, but I still get taxed for public schools.
Mandatory drug testing for extracurricular activities and sensitive jobs isn’t fascism, it’s good sense. It protects safety and teaches kids logical consequences for unacceptable behavioral choices.
Fascism is shooting or gassing drug users, or political dissidents, or people with different religious beliefs.
Sort of like the FR Religion Forum.
Small minded authoritarians who have no shame when they say something like that.
Don’t know if anyone’s posted to you yet: The reason the schools do this is two-fold: 1) so you won’t sue the school should your child take drugs, die, be harmed, etc. 2) the second reason has to do with the insurance conditions the schools must meet in order to keep their insurance.
Absolutely they are not conservatives They are just bleeding heart liberals without the bleeding heart.
Some conservatives lean in a Libertarian direction.
I don't.
This isn't unconstitutional.
No one is being forced to take a test.
No one is being directly punished.
The school is offering priviledges to students who meet certain qualifications.
That is all.
You are absolutely right that this the Supreme Court's holding, but it is super lame in terms of analysis. Just because I participate in some sort of activity that isn't a right doesn't (or, at least, shouldn't) mean that I forfeit all my other rights. The Court has taken us down a dangerous road, and they did so because of policy reasons. Lame.
Incidentally, your own state's constitution may provide more protection than the US Constitution in this regard. For instance, the State of Washington has held random drug testing of athletes to be unconstitutional. If you feel strongly enough about it (and your state supreme court hasn't already ruled on this subject) there's always that route.
Yes, I do pray for wisdom...daily.
And I have always taught my kids that drug abuse is an affront to God. He gave you a marvelous mind, why would anyone want to toss it in the trash? These are good, moral kids...they are my kids. Beautiful and brilliant. I love them with all my soul and being. They are all I have.
I meant to post this to you. Forgot to put your name on it.
Now you know that makes entirely TOO MUCH SENSE!
Three schools in our system just cut out the choir program, including the Top of the Bay choir which my daughter had auditioned for and was accepted to. The reason? Money. See, they just spent alot of money on an Arts building. Add that to hiring someone to enforce the uniform policy AND the costs of drug testing..well, no money left for a choir teacher.
This is the system we have educating our young.
>If the entire football team told the coach to stuff it and walk out, the policy would be changed within 10 minutes...
for the football team. Drug testing for the National Honor Society and the Science Club and Mathematics Team would be 100% mandatory daily testing. They’re really cracking down.
But will only be respected and enforced if taken to task...
(1) Spend an hour of attorney money -- ask the right questions -- get the answers... bang for the buck
(2) Write pre-emptive letters to the superintendent and school board on the front end of any incident or search -- advise that you deem their policy to be a challenge to your student's constitutional rights -- and you will take action if those rights are violated...
(3) Investigate the "sunshine" laws in your state -- If this policy was discussed and approved in a closed meeting -- and/or otherwise disallowing public debate and comment -- you may have the board members and staff on violation of those laws --- usually a felony.
Sounds like fun.... enjoy!
Was that the same court that said the constitution prevents states from prohibiting abortion? Yeah, OK, I’m sorry but for me that doesn’t quash further criticism. The Supreme Court was wrong on Roe V. Wade and they were wrong in regards to this. Anybody who can read plain english can see that.
The term "unreasonable" seems of great interest to you, while I'm wondering what "probable cause" exists. I know what the SCOTUS has ruled ... I'm simply reading the text and wondering where the school is going to find probably cause.
Yes, I have just found an article from last year online about the state of TN. scrapping their school drug test policy because of questionable legalities per their state constitution.
they call it co-curricular-whatever the heck that means. That’s a new one on me.
SURELY, now I say SURELY as a homeschooler you must have sympathy for a person who doesn't like the idea of other people making decisions on what is best for their child?
Some people have no problem with children being required to attend public school. I can see our supreme court finding that requirement in the constitutin somewhere. This is the crux of the issue.
How would you feel about that?
You need to be a pain in the rear to the district; find other parents to fight it with.
It is one more way for the state to act as a surrogate parent.
Who does the public school belong to? If anyone is willing to negotiate on this matter, I promise to never again complain about it if I can stop paying this property tax bill every year.
I think these decisions should be made by the people who pay property taxes. One dollar = one vote, somethng like that.
I love how everyone is gung-ho about spending my money and then telling me it's none of my business.
The 4th Amendment doesn't say that all searches need probable cause. It says that no warrants shall issue except on probable cause. Some searches are reasonable under a standard less than probable cause (reasonable suspicion) (See: New Jersey v. TLO and Terry v. Ohio).
Not to mention, technically this type of case involves consent. In order to participate in extra-curricular activities you must consent to random testing. If you refuse, then you forfeit the right to extra-curricular activities and no search takes place.
Just as if you want to work for a particular employer, you must consent to a drug test. If you don't want to test, you don't get the work.
Again, READ Vernonia and Earls.
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