> HOWEVER, I’d also challenge this decision simply on the merits of Free Speech.
I wouldn’t, because it would send the wrong message to my child. I am not willing to fight my child’s battles when my child has done the wrong thing. When that happens, there are consequences that shall be experienced. In this case, no running for school government
> Reprisal is not in any School Board’s charter last time I checked. When they can regulate and punish kids for things they say out of school and off campus — that’s going too far.
I disagree. School Government is a school function which they are perfectly entitled to regulate. The daughter, in this case, showed Disrespect and very poor judgment, and could be counted upon to be a bad example for other students. Therefore the school was right to nip that in the bud and disallow her candidacy.
It is immaterial whether it happened out of school and off campus. Had this brat, say, committed arson and burned down the local newspaper stand, or been a bully and beaten up kids after school, or sold drugs for the local street gang, the school would have been equally justified in acting as they did.
You may say that there is a degree of difference between those offenses and calling the school officials “Douche Bags”, and you’d be right. Nevertheless, the degree of offense has no bearing on the principle: the school has the right to bar unsuitable role models from school government. Arsonists, bullies, and drug dealers are unsuitable role models.
Rude, disrespectful brats are also unsuitable role models. She was a rude and disrespectful brat. She was barred and it was right that it was so.
Well said and I think you covered every point perfectly.
Arsonists, bullies, and drug dealers harm people and destroy property. She did not — she used words. Should they regulate her words in a public place? In the privacy of her home to her friends? Her thoughts?
Free speech is free speech.
Authority can be abused by a parent, school board or government. They are elected officials — criticism comes with the job. If they don’t like it, perhaps they should return to the public sector.
Out of a sense of respect, perhaps we should not criticize Obama. I have respect for the office. I’d salute him were I in uniform. But I have nothing but loathing and disdain for him as a person, politician and leader.
It’s a good thing the government is not punishing those who express a disliking for Obama — or that might seem an abuse of power too...
Was this an isolated incident? If not, and this was some sort of accumulated punishment, I might see a gray area where this was justified. But it still leaves more questions to be answered....
What if she had used another word besides d-bag? Like moron. or idiot. Is there a line that was crossed?
What if someone overhears conversations at school where someone calls the principal a dbag?
What if the same conversation took place at someone’s home?
You get no argument there DieHard; but the point IS that she has a right to be rude and disrespectful under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution.