free speech takes a hit

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

don't see any problem with it at all really.

this guy is free to take his message to the people most anywhere really.
in this case there isn't even a message that he was trying to express, it was merely a stunt.

that someone at the school thought it was inappropriate for a school sponsored function seems rational.

I don't see the threat to free speech coming from this.

I suspect if the banner read, "Clap Hands For Jesus", it would have been fine...and therein lies the problem! I guess requesting Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit at the prom would be a no no as well?

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I suspect if the banner read, "Clap Hands For Jesus", it would have been fine...and therein lies the problem! I guess requesting Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit at the prom would be a no no as well?

I'm not sure if that is even allowed these days, I think that would also not be allowed because of possible insensitivity to other religious groups.

Just seems kinda silly that this issue took up the time of the supreme court.

[Downthestretch55]

Though I don't advocate drug use, it seems the issue was that this kid wasn't on "school property" but was at a "school sanctioned event".
I wonder what the ruling would have been if the banner read "waterboarding for Jesus".
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlates...734501,00.html

[Downthestretch55]

I'll add this. I find this decision today by the Supreme court to be of much greater concern, as it clearly is in violation of the "establishment clause" in the Constitution.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by Downthestretch55

I'll add this. I find this decision today by the Supreme court to be of much greater concern, as it clearly is in violation of the "establishment clause" in the Constitution.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...l?hpid=topnews

I agree DTS...I can just imagine how many federal dollars Bush will send to Wiccan food banks...lol! Seriously though, this is a blatant disregard of the Constitution and another step toward a right-wing Christian theocracy.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I agree DTS...I can just imagine how many federal dollars Bush will send to Wiccan food banks...lol! Seriously though, this is a blatant disregard of the Constitution and another step toward a right-wing Christian theocracy.

Somerfrost,
Sad but true.

[ArlJim78]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I agree DTS...I can just imagine how many federal dollars Bush will send to Wiccan food banks...lol! Seriously though, this is a blatant disregard of the Constitution and another step toward a right-wing Christian theocracy.

the executive order that set up this initiative forbids this kind of discrimination.

"(c) No organization should be discriminated against on the basis of religion or religious belief in the administration or distribution of Federal financial assistance under social service programs; "

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

the executive order that set up this initiative forbids this kind of discrimination.

"(c) No organization should be discriminated against on the basis of religion or religious belief in the administration or distribution of Federal financial assistance under social service programs; "

I'm sorry...I'll believe that when I see it! Wasn't it Bush who said Wiccan soldiers had no right to practice their beliefs while in the service?

Edit: I just looked it up...I was right! Bush is on record as stating that Wicca is NOT a religion in his view!

[ShadowRoll]

While I am a dyed-in-the-wool liberal, this decision isn't very surpising, nor is it very threatening. The Court was engaged in balancing the rights of a student versus the interests a school has in supervising students (such as dissuading drug use). No big deal, they've often limited the freedom of speech when balancing it against other legitimate competing interests. I don't see this particular development (though there are others which are more ominous) as being a sign that we're slipping into a totalitarian state.

What I absolutely can't agree with, ArlJim, is your suggestion that this issue was too silly to take up the Court's time. I can think of few things more proper for the Court to ponder than the First Amendment, which, among other things, is the reason that I, and you, can express our respective opinions on this web site. Plus, the fact that this was a 5-4 decision seems to weigh against your belief that this was a silly issue.

[Danzig]

Originally Posted by ArlJim78

I'm not sure if that is even allowed these days, I think that would also not be allowed because of possible insensitivity to other religious groups.

Just seems kinda silly that this issue took up the time of the supreme court.

the supreme court chooses which cases to hear, so they evidently felt it was worth their time.

no, it may not be the best example of rights being trampled--but it's one of several rulings lately that gives me and others pause. and of course many feel that any chipping away of rights weakens the constitution. i agree. altho most would say that what the boy did was silly, or inane, or somehow promoted drug use ( i wouldn't go that far, i think he did it to get attention, and it worked), and that they found it offensive (have to wonder, what if it had said bong hits for bozo the clown?) it is his right to express himself--whether his stance is popular or not. and the constitution is designed to protect the unpopular view.
it kills me whenever people say majority rules. it does NOT rule. the constitution was written to protect the minority, as majority rule can quickly become mob rule.