Posted on 09/23/2008 7:14:07 AM PDT by beaversmom
An 11-year-old boy in Colorado was suspended from school after he refused to take off a shirt that read, “Obama is a terrorist’s best friend.” His father says that the school is violating his son’s First Amendment rights.
Daxx Dalton, a fifth grader at Aurora Frontier K-8 School in Aurora, Colo., wore the homemade shirt on a day when students were asked to show their patriotism by wearing red, white and blue, according to MyFOXColorado.com.
When he was given the choice of turning the shirt inside out or being suspended, Dalton chose suspension.
“They’re taking away my right of freedom of speech,” he said. “If I have the right to wear this shirt I’m going to use it. And if the only way to use it is get suspended, then I’m going to get suspended.”
Dann Dalton, the boy’s father — a “proud conservative” who has taken part in anti-abortion protests — told MyFOXColorado.com that the school is making a mistake by suspending his son.
“It’s the public school system,” he said. “Let’s be honest, it’s full of liberal loons.”
The school district would not discuss the case, but said the district “respects a student’s right to free speech, such as the right to wear specific clothing,” but they reserve the right to review any situation that interrupts the learning environment, MyFOXColorado.com reported.
(Excerpt) Read more at elections.foxnews.com ...
I believe he has the right to wear it, but the father is a jerk for using his kid as a pawn like this IMHO.
I gotta go with the school on this one. The shirt was meant to get a reaction. As long as the school enforces the standard equitably (and I realize that’s a big if), the kid should comply.
Just my $0.02.
I don’t think school is the place for political statements on kids’ shirts—left or right. This freedom of speech on shirts or other can apply to any foul thing a kid wants to put on his shirt. My sons go to a school where a simple uniform is required.
Yet the girl that wore the Dumb and Dumber tshirt with Bush and Cheney’s photos on it to my kid’s school gets a thumbs up from the teacher?
Schools have long had the right to regulate clothing a student wears. Dad loses this fight.
“They’re taking away my right of freedom of speech,” he said. “If I have the right to wear this shirt I’m going to use it. And if the only way to use it is get suspended, then I’m going to get suspended.”
Big point here - this kid understands what conscientious objection means. Defy authority and willingly accept the punishment that that authority will impose.
Remember the Clinton Impeachment? Kids wore ‘I had sex with Clinton’ tee-shirts. Real popular back then.
I agree with the school. They gave him the option of turning it inside out, which would still disrupt normality in the classroom imo.
This has no place in the classroom, especially for a 5th grade kid. If his father wants him to wear it elsewhere fine, then it wouldn’t be a disruption for the other kids that are there to learn. Just my opinion, although I do agree with the sentiment on the shirt! :-)
Double standard.
This is the correct answer. A school is NOT considered a “public” place, so there really is no Freedom of Speech there, so to speak. Believe me, many a Liberal has had to learn this over the past many years.
I agree with your post.
I’m not so certain his kid was ‘used’ by his father.
Yep. This kid could go places.
reason #67853 to homeschool
yeah that sounds like the State is a better parent than the actual parent
Good point!
School wins. IMHO, public schools should go back to uniforms, teaching grammar and mathematics, and leave “diversity” and “religious” training to the parents.
But had the kid worn a shirt of Bush with “International Terrorist” underneath, they’d give the kid a medal. Go figure.
Why not? Aren't they called "Public Schools" after all? Aren't they paid for by public tax dollars? Wasn't the info on the kid's T shirt factually correct?
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