Ah, yes. The American schools system. Teaching about free speech on the one hand, punishing it on the other. OK, class, was it the Greeks or the Romans or… Something about killing the messenger…
Free-Speech Case Divides Bush and Religious Right
A Supreme Court case about the free-speech rights of high school students, to be argued on Monday, has opened an unexpected fissure between the Bush administration and its usual allies on the religious right.
As a result, an appeal that asks the justices to decide whether school officials can squelch or punish student advocacy of illegal drugs has taken on an added dimension as a window on an active front in the culture wars, one that has escaped the notice of most people outside the fray. And as the stakes have grown higher, a case that once looked like an easy victory for the government side may prove to be a much closer call.
The Bush administration entered the case on the side of the principal and the Juneau School Board, which are both represented by Kenneth W. Starr, the former solicitor general and independent counsel.
[...]
[I]t is the array of briefs from organizations that litigate and speak on behalf of the religious right that has lifted Morse v. Frederick out of the realm of the ordinary.
[...]
The [Liberty Legal Institute], based in Plano, Tex., told the justices in its brief that it was “gravely concerned that the religious freedom of students in public schools will be damaged” if the court rules for the school board.
…but what happened to the decency and respect that were so integrated into our nation’s beliefs years ago?
Decency and respect are only afforded to those who agree with you. It has always been practiced by the establishment that way.
#20 – Max(?)
“t’s okay for others to mock me…”
Mock you? I went back and took another look at the banner, and for the life of me, I can’t see your name anywhere on it!
Or is your name actually Jesus, and ‘Max’ is just a nick…?
So what you’re saying is – you’re offended. Well, bad news, chum.
Just as those Muslims who are objected to the depictions of the Prophet were told, you need to get a grip. You see, you may, depending on where you live, have the right to say what you like – but neither you nor anyone else has any right to be free from things that offend you.
Grow up and learn to live with the fact that there are other people on this planet with the same rights as you, and some of them are bound to be offended by you, what you look like, what you say, and/or what you believe. So should they be able to silence you? No?
Then shut up and worry about the words that come out of your mouth, not anybody else’s.
…but neither you nor anyone else has any right to be free from things that offend you.
Damn right. Geeze, I was at this guy’s place tonight and he cut some cheese. You know, passed wind. Uuhh, he let the ole toothless wonder spake. He Ripped One, HE FARTED for Christ’s sake. And it was bad. I was offended. Oh boy was it bad. Those effen Irish with their damned cabbage and corned beef.
But you know, he was a white guy and it looked like he was Catholic, so I just let it ride.
Who cares if someone gets offended. Thats not what freedom of speech is. It’s the right to say what you believe. Guess what I don’t like the KKK, but if they want to they have every right to say what they believe. Just because some people get offended doesn’t mean it should be considered wrong. Everyone is different and believes different things. You can’t spend your whole life trying to please everyone. Who cares what the banner said thats besides the point. What matters is the fact we have the right (or I guess we don’t anymore) to say what we want. People need to just lighten up. FUCK JESUS LOVE HITLER. See that’s going to piss a lot of people off but I have every right to say it without going to court.