Posted on 03/19/2007 6:24:09 AM PDT by nancyvideo
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear argument in a Juneau, Alaska, case that might further define the free-speech rights of high school students.
In a 1969 case, the high court ruled that students had the right to wear black armbands during the Vietnam War, but in two others in the 1980s, the court said schools had the right to ban offensive speech, as opposed to political speech, and control the content of student newspapers.
The case scheduled for argument Monday involves Joseph Frederick, a student at Juneau-Douglas High School and his principal, Deborah Morse.
(Excerpt) Read more at rightbias.com ...
What are "bong hits"?
I have heard that the student sign was actually not on school property.
I haven't heard if it was on school time...the time to and from school and the time of school.
If it was not on school property and not on school time, then I believe there is no prosecutable crime here.
If it was on school time or on school property, then the issue might be "drugs" and/or "religion." If other religious sentiments can freely be expressed, then the religious nature of this should not prevent it from being expressed.
If other pro-drug sentiments are permitted, then so should this one. However, I believe the principal in this case will be vindicated on the basis of the pro-drug message. It is unimaginable that pro-drug messages and the advocacy of illegal drug activity are permitted.
She was within her authority to act against a pro-drug message, assuming it was on school property or school time.
---Five years ago, as the Olympic torch was carried through Juneau on its way to the 2002 games in Salt Lake City, students were allowed to leave class in order to watch. In front of television cameras, Frederick and some of his friends unveiled a 14-foot banner reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus." When Morse ordered Frederick to remove the banner, he refused and Morse gave him a 10-day suspension. The student then went to court.---
Are we just completely nuts?
We all know he meant this as "hate speech" directed at undocumented workers. /s
"What are "bong hits"?"
A bong is a water-pipe-like device pople use to smoke pot. Often the bowl is just big enough for one pinch -- also called a hit.
See, I learned something in college all those years ago.
Perhaps, they shold say "Marijuana smoke inhalations via a water filled tube for Jesus.".........
That kid needed a spanking. What he did was legal, tho.
Hehehe, "the high court", hehehe.
I think it depends on the school time, school property, school policy facts.
Talk about some strange befellows. How often to the ACLU and ACLJ find themselves on the same side of a case?
What are "bong hits"?
It's nice to know that some people don't know what bong hits are.
It was on school time, but not on school property. They let the kids out to watch the Olympic torch pass by.
Not on school property (across the street from the school) but during school time, tho' all the kids were let out of school to watch the torch pass. They went back to school after. Bit of a complication in that the student of interest here had not been in school yet that day as his car got stuck in the snow on his way in and he was running late. Got there when the other kids had already temporarily been let out.
I'm leaning free speech, but I can see both sides of the issue. Regardless, I definitely think the principal overreacted.
Why? If we take free speech seriously, why shouldn't we allow this message?
Let's be clear: this is a real important case that will have a significant impact on the ability of students to deliver uncensored messages in schools. The Bush Administration is on the wrong side of this one.
Since it was on school time, then the principal's in her rights to apply school rules. (Driving to school IS school time.)
I believe the principal, if her intent was based on rejection of the pro-drug message, is on decent footing.
The lower courts ruled against the school but Starr is taking this to the SC. Lemme guess, he's bummed he's not in the headlines anymore?
The kid wasn't even on school property and the Olympic event wasn't even school sponsored. I really don't see how the school has any say in the matter.
No it isn't. If that's the case then he could have the school pay to get his car pulled out of the snow. I don't see that happening. If he was riding the school bus to school, then they might have a case.
School time and school rules do cover the time to and from school. The school no more has to pay for his broke car than they have to pay for his broke calculator, if he drops it on the floor in math class.
However, he is subject to school rules during that math class. (And during the time to and from school.)
"What are "bong hits"?"
Marijuana smoked through a water pipe called a bong
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.