Chicago Tribune – December 4, 2007:
Bloggers and free speech advocates are calling on prosecutors not to file charges against a teacher arrested for allegedly posting an anonymous comment online praising the Columbine shooters.
Some were disturbed by the post police say James Buss left on a conservative blog, but other observers said it was a sarcastic attempt to discredit critics of education spending.
Buss, a former president of the teacher’s union, allegedly wrote that teacher salaries made him sick because they are lazy and work only five hours a day. He praised the teen gunmen who killed 12 students and a teacher before committing suicide in the April 1999 attack at Columbine High School.
“They knew how to deal with the overpaid teacher union thugs. One shot at a time!” he wrote, adding they should be remembered as heroes.
“If you look at all the factors in this case, it’s pretty clear it would be a mistake to charge,” said Larry Dupuis, legal director of The American Civil Liberties Union of Wisconsin.
Heck, even if it was not sarcasm, which it clearly was, since when it illegal to praise a murderer?
Li, you have joined Angel in posting about your sexual proclitivities?
Deja Vu. Didn’t I just post yesterday that the teacher’s union was the cause of all our education problems? This guy shouldn’t be in jail because of what he said, he should be in jail because he is a lazy teacher and was the head of that criminal organization. Okay, so it’s sort of sarcasm but not really.
#9 The only tears I’m shedding are of laughter. How many of you would be defending the poster if he had actually been a conservative?
All of us who are liberals would be. Liberals believe in civil liberties.
#22 – Didn’t I just post yesterday that the teacher’s union was the cause of all our education problems?
I don’t know if you did, but if you did you would be demonstrating a remarkable ignorance about teachers, schools, unions, and our myriad of complex problems that face educational systems.
23 OFTLO Except when you don’t, as in the case of fundamental Christians.
RBG
#25 – I can’t speak for everyone, but not matter how idiotic the rhetoric of of some far right wingnut Xian is, I would never advocate they be silenced. On the other hand, I absolutely advocate they be engaged directly if they are trying to move public policy.
If marginalization is the result, then their idea simply didn’t stand the scrutiny in the marketplace of ideas… but their voice isn’t silenced.
Well I have to give you credit. I would have thought liberals would surely feel the need to supress any and all healthy scrutiny, debate and writings of religious issues in schools. But it is clear to me now that you really do hold dear the hallowed principles of freedom of speech far above petty dogma and politics.
RBG
#27, Mister RBG,
I would have thought liberals would surely feel the need to supress [sic] any and all healthy scrutiny, debate and writings of religious issues in schools.
There is a big difference between the discussion of ideas among adults and the teaching of religious doctrine to children under the guise of science or as part of their curriculum.
Speaking personally, I have no problem and love to read contrary positions that are well presented. Usually that includes a brief explanation for the opinion. Someone who just screams “I hateX” or “Y is stupid” annoy me. If you hate X because he wants Universal Health Care or supports the elderly evicted from their homes then at least that is a reason.
Someone who just screams “I hateX” (sic) or “Y is stupid” annoy me.
I know what you mean.
RBG
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