Ok, I'll argue. Take away the 2nd and the 1st will die a short death.
Posted on 03/11/2006 5:33:36 PM PST by texassizednightcrawler
The First Amendment to the Constitution is arguably the most important. This amendment, packaged with the nine following it as the Bill of Rights, grants citizens the freedoms of press, speech, religion, peaceful assembly and a right to "petition the government for a redress of grievances."
Freedom of speech cases are often some of the most hotly contested in the country. Recently, a case involving a high school social studies teacher has been given national media attention.
The case involves Denver teacher Jay Bennish, who was put on paid leave from Overland High School after comparing President George W. Bush's State of the Union address to some of Adolph Hitler's speeches.
Defending the allegations, Bennish said, "My job as a social studies teacher is to argue alternative perspectives and viewpoints so that students are aware of those points of view. They are simply thrown out there to encourage critical thought."
We at the Parthenon agree with this sentiment. Whether Bush or Hitler's speeches and policies are similar is not the issue. The issue is American citizens having the right to voice their opinions. We, the politically mixed staff of the Parthenon (contrary to popular belief) always agree unanimously to an open dialogue. After all, it is the First Amendment that gives us the opportunity to print a newspaper four days a week to inform students, faculty, staff, alumni and anyone else who reads the Parthenon of campus events.
Free speech means free speech. One of the bedrocks of our democracy is the right of all citizens to say what they want. Similarly, the foundation of education is for students to be able to think critically about their fields of study. A high school teacher's job is to plant the seeds of critical thought. College is about honing in on that thought and figuring out a place in the world, with beliefs and philosophies in tow, and expanded as much as possible. How can a person pinpoint a set of ideals without trying on a few for size?
Like all presidents, Bush's policies and procedures are up for public debate. At least we hope so. It is up to the people to to challenge all parties' views to determine what is best for the country.
Response: However, it does not mean license i.e. filth, blasphemy, sedition, treason etc.
His freedom of speech ends when he clocks in to work on my tax dollar.
Ok, I'll argue. Take away the 2nd and the 1st will die a short death.
The teacher said that he liked to introduce different perspectives into the classroom discussion and that they did not necessarily repreent his views (that he was forcing on the students, a trapped audience listening to an authority figure).
If his convenient lie to the press were true, he would be able to offer up incidents where HE presented the argument from the right (without condensation) rather than leaving it up to his audience to provide that perspective.
As any bored student will ask, "is this going to be on the test?". I doubt that this whole discussion was relevant to the class and was not going to be addressed in any homework assignment or test. Why leave a paper trail of the sedition he preached?
Odd, they left out the right to keep and bear, or maybe not.
Damn straight, he can say what he wants, but not from a taxpayer provided pulpit.
If he wants to spew anti-American socialist clap trap, he can walk to the public square and preach away. While on the job, do the job, which is teach geography, not social studies anyways.
I seriously doubt that this teacher dissected the Nazi like Wellstone Nuremberg Memorial Rally (covered on the networks) where the Zeig Heils were replaced with "WE WILL WIN! WE WILL WIN! WE WILL WIN!".
Did this same author rebuke X42, the impeached former president, who is on record as saying that the people who drew the "12 cartoons" should be prosecuted?
I'm pretty much in agreement with that.
Besides, if you send your kid to a public school you get what you pay for.
Sorry, I fail to see how this comment (or most of his that has been aired last week) have any connection to teaching GEOGRAPHY! It is propaganda under a different name, that is what is so revolting about this story. If he were teaching political science, I might not think twice about him comparing Bush to Hitler, but com'on Geography? No way. Our public schools are in terrible shape and are being used by the Left to indoctrinate an entire generation.
I agree but even private employers have the right to control emploee speech.
So you're telling me he was spitting while presenting that argument? Gross.
I agree but even private employers have the right to control employee speech.
Exactly!
Let one of them threaten the President's life and they'll soon learn.
The left is very selective in how they define "free speech".
It certainly doesn't apply to Christians or conservatives on most college campuses.
There are so many holes in this dimwit's argument, that..(choose your own metaphor here).
The left's so called concern for free speech is so transparently partisan, it would be funny if they weren't so pervasive in academia. And embarrasing (for them) if they were rational enough to feel embarassment.
It is also wrong about the number of the Bill of Rights. There are eleven Amendments in the Bill of Rights. The 27th Amendment is now ratified, and it was written by Congressman James Madison as part of the 17 Amendments which passed the House. 12 of those passed the Senate. And ultimately 11 of those Amendments were ratified as part of the Constitution.
Congressman Billybob
Latest column: "Daniel in the Lion's Den -- A Red Candidate in a Blue Meeting"
Don't say fag.
Don't bad mouth hitlery.
Don't advertise English as a first language.
Don't fly the Confederate Flag.
Don't call teddy 'the swimmer'.
Don't ever wear a Cross to a public school.
Don't ever question a baggage inspector.
Don't ever question the left's patriotism.
And whatever you do, don't ever say Merry Christmas!!
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