[TankerKC]

I looked at the shirts, and I pictured the protest that morning, and I saw a situation that could turn ugly or dangerous," said Principal Ron Briggs. "So I asked them, for safety reasons, to turn the shirts inside out."

Interesting that Mr. Briggs didn't consider canceling the protest. Apparently free speech only goes in one direction.

[Rick.Donaldson]

You GO Derik!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[steve in DC]

After conferring with their attorneys, district officials decided Derik was right. They called him at home and asked him to return to school, Oceanside Unified School District Associate Superintendent Joe Graybeal said.

"We talked to our legal counsel and decided that we'd acted too quickly, that the boy hadn't caused any disturbances, and that we should undo what we'd done," said Graybeal. "In future cases, we will not be so hasty."

Will Mr Briggs have to serve a suspension for having acted too hastily?

[ChemistCat]

So, had the peaceniks misbehaved, Derik's punishment would have been justified.

In other words, Derik's free speech stops if someone objects to it.

Try again, lawyers.

[Rubber_Duckie_27]

Interesting that Mr. Briggs didn't consider canceling the protest. Apparently free speech only goes in one direction.

Indeed it does. My brother is a high school junior, and his high school now includes anti-war protests as a valid EXCUSED absence from school, along with illness (you need a doctor's note), or a death in the family (need to prove that, too). He asked the vice principal if he would be excused to attend a pro-war rally, and was told "no."

They've also formed a "peace club" that taunts students who don't agree with them. As an official school club, they can basically get away with anything, while my brother and his friends are branded as troublemakers or worse for speaking publicly about their patriotic views.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

The other boys complied. Derik refused.

Bravo Zulu Derik.

It wasn't about the message,

Bravo Sierra.

[ladylib]

This whole thing is crazy. If a kid exercises his free speech rights and someone decides to become violent over it, shouldn't the person who became violent be punished, not the kid who wore the t-shirt?

Why should someone be held accountable for someone else's criminal actions if he is exercising his right to free speech?

[Dr.Deth]

"It wasn't about the message, it was about what might happen if someone threw a rock at that kid and a fight broke out,"

Some hippie would get their ass beat.

[TankerKC]

P.S. This is my hometown...my how things have changed in the 22 years since I left...and, it was bad enough then.

[Jeff Head]

Derik, undoubtedky raised well by his Marine mother, is the only clear-headed and patriotic person in this equation.

Good for you young man, I pray there are many more just like you.

As to the principle and all of the lawyers and the fifth-column "activists" ... what a bunch of weak-kneed, mealy-mouthed, belly-dragging, yellow-backed, scared-of-their-own-shadow and anti-American putrified slime-balls these people are.

Derik, just remember the words of Samuel Adams and recite them to these useful idiots:

"If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom...go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels nor arms. May your chains set lightly upon you and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen."- Samuel Adams

Best Fregards.

Jeff

[EdReform]

Bump & Ping

[MissBaby]

Interesting that Mr. Briggs didn't consider canceling the protest. Apparently free speech only goes in one direction.

Quite correct. And what the heck are they doing having an anti-war protest at school anyhow. Aint them sposed to be teching the kids to reed and wright?