Court Takes 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Case

AP via SFGate ^ | 12/1/6 | MARK SHERMAN

[SmithL]

The Supreme Court stepped into a dispute over free speech Friday involving a suspended high school student and his banner that proclaimed "Bong Hits 4 Jesus."

The justices agreed to hear the appeal by the Juneau, Alaska, school board and principal Deborah Morse of a lower court ruling that allowed the student's civil rights lawsuit to proceed. The school board hired former Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr to argue its case to the high court.

Morse suspended Frederick after he displayed the banner, with its reference to marijuana use, when the Olympic torch passed through Juneau in 2002 on its way to the Winter Games in Salt Lake City.

Frederick, then a senior, was off school property when he hoisted the banner but was suspended for violating the school's policy of promoting illegal substances at a school-sanctioned event.

The school board upheld the suspension, and a federal judge initially dismissed Frederick's lawsuit. The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals said the banner was vague and nonsensical and Frederick's civil rights had been violated.

[SmithL]

Of course it was a 9th Circus ruling.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

It is just a silly sign, I have no idea what it is suppose to mean. Promoting drug use? Uh, I can't connect the dots.

[ozzymandus]

What do you think a bong hit is?

[Sunshine Sister]

I hope the kid wins.

But since the supreme court has had no problems with taking away my free speech, I won't be holding my breath.

[Wormwood]

Frederick, then a senior, was off school property when he hoisted the banner but was suspended for violating the school's policy of promoting illegal substances at a school-sanctioned event.

This is my main area of interest in this case.

I look forward to hearing some of the arguments for and against.

[PeterFinn]

The school board was off-base on this. It's a silly sign and they over-reached and over-reacted.

[I see my hands]

"I won't be holding my breath."

That would be wasteful.

[the_devils_advocate_666]

I certainly know the meaning of "bong hit". But his sign didn't say "Take Bong Hits"? If he said "Guns 4 Jesus" could that be construed as promoting gun violence?

[EveningStar]

"Bong Hits 4 Jesus" - ROFL!

[Lunatic Fringe]

The school had no business suspending the kid for something done off campus.

[Niteranger68]

I think he meant "Bong Hits 4 He-soos"

[Jaysun]

This is absurd. Besides, "It is not what enters one's mouth that defiles that person; but what comes out of the mouth is what defiles one." So said Jesus.

[Phlap]

Which makes you as inane as the ninth circuit.

[tumblindice]

But, but--no one ever hit Bong. Richard Ira Bong, who would become America's "Ace of Aces," was born on September 24, 1920, the son of a Swedish immigrant. He grew up on a farm near the small town of Poplar, Wisconsin.
http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_bong.html

[Neidermeyer]

Stupid sign ,, but a "bong" could be used to smoke perfectly legal tobacco just as a "hookah" is a "dual use" piece of equipment, implied drug use? coming from a high schooler YES but I see this as just another bit of WOD silliness ... and as the WOD actually perpetuates drug importation by keeping prices up I'm against this...

[BJClinton]

If he said "Guns 4 Jesus" could that be construed as promoting gun violence?

No. "Shoot a Cop for Jesus" would, however. But you knew that. Clearly the kid is supporting the use of marijuana. Period. While I think it should be legalized he broke school policy and the school was within their rights.

[diverteach]

What an appropriate place to discuss bonghits, the HIGH court itself. LOL

[evets]

What's that kid's problem?

[EveningStar]