OK...Potential lawsuits like this really upset me?

Question

LINK: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299148,00.html

Sure we have free speech, sure we have a right to sue for any reason. School boards also have a right to set up a certain standard when it comes to what is allowed in school and what could potentially be distracting to the learning environment.

So, the parents who now want to sue yet another underfunded school system are screaming free speech. Does this mean that anything on a tshirt should be allowed as not to infringe on the free speech of anyone for anything. Under this premise a KKK shirt should be allowed. A tshirt that depicts aborted fetus' should be allowed. A tshirt that supports pedophilia should be allowed, etc. The list is huge as to what should be allowed under this logic.

So what are your thoughts on this and do you believe this students free speech is being stunted in that environment?

Keep answering my questions, Labrat and Ill tell you if your labrat is the definition of mine ;)

Labrat-I woudlnt say rigged at all. Is it not true the parents said his free speech was hindered? Who and/or what decides what free speech is allowed to be free? Free is free

Answer 1

It seems reasonable that schools can set a dress policy however they like, parents can decide where to send their kids, but when the parents chose this school, they implicitly agreed to the rules the school has set.

Provided the terms agreed to are themselves legal, I see no problem with schools doing pretty much as they please, although I would think long and hard about sending my child to a school which prevents something as innocuous as a campaign t-shirt being worn.

I also feel the parents choice to sue is highly opportunistic. If no child can wear political t-shirts then really what is the issue? I could understand it if some t-shirts are allowed when others are banned.

Answer 2

This most likely won't answer your question, but here goes. . .

I feel that the parents have a good chance of winning their suit, on the grounds of free speech. The dress code is a local law/ ordinance at the school, whereas free-speech is protected by the Constitution and a part of Federal Laws. A good example of this case being made in the parents' favour would easily be the medical marijuana fiasco in California a few years back. Medical marijuana is allowed by state law, yet the federal government seized the crops and arrested the individuals involved in maintaining the crops on the grounds that Federal Law applies to all states, districts and precincts in the United States regardless of what local lawmakers dictate.

Now, I am wrong on many occasions, and the parents may very well lose their suit, but they still have a good case, regardless. If they lose I feel it could possibly be yet another blow to the ever shrinking "freedom" allowed to us by the Constitution.

As far as aborted fetuses and KKK shirts, overtly offensive images, language or behavior are in no way protected by the first amendment. Ask any member of law enforcement.

Answer 3

At first I thought the kid got booted just for wearing a political shirt and that it was complete bullshit. Then when I read on I saw that it wasn't for what the shirt stood for, it was because it was a violation of the schools rules. The boy broke the dress code, he got what was coming to him. Violation of free speech my ***.

I think that it's great that people are wearing clothing that expresses who they are, where their from, and where they stand in this world today. But if the school your in has a dress code ya' need to follow it, wear your propaganda shirts on you own time and be glad that you even have the right to an education. Don't go slapping the school with a lawsuit just because you feel like like your freedoms are being swindled (when they clearly are not).

He needs to own up to the fact that he is overreacting and needs to stop hiding behind his parents (he's in high school for Christs sake) and his freedoms that were supposedly violated.

Answer 4

I think the kid should be allowed to wear the shirt. Mostly, I agree that certain things that are too distracting should be banned but I think those things should fall under the 'graphic' category. Any graphic depictions of any political topics (aborted fetus shirts, etc..) should not be allowed but a simple 'Pro-Life' or 'Pro-Choice' shirt should be acceptable. I don't think shirts with political slogans should be banned unless they use graphic photos or language. BUT, I do see the point that the school is trying to make. No one needs fist fights in hallways over who's voting for who. Ultimately, it should be up to the school. If you don't like the rules of the school, then change schools.

Answer 5

In the Army (US 67-71) we were taught that even if we disagreed with an order we were to carry it out and then ask about it.
The same applies here. This family knew there was a dress code, rules already in place, the place to change them is in front of the school board , not on a whim to try to get past the rule.
If they were unaware of the rule , once informed that should have ended it on school grounds.
Change the system through the system not by tearing it down.
It's still the best system in this old world.
Thank you God.

Answer 6

Hyperbole much? First of all, wearing a t-shirt to support a presidential candidate is hardly akin to wearing a KKK t-shirt or a t-shirt with graphic pictures of aborted fetuses or a t-shirt supporting pedophilia.

And yes, his free speech is being "stunted". If he were boosted for wearing a "Jesus" t-shirt, the Evil-gelicals of the world would have their panties in a twist screaming about how they are being targeted, and they would be right. Let the kid alone. They are teachers, not censors.

Answer 7

hi, a million) Roman Catholics are actually not asked to tithe; purely supply what you may. 2) each and each church and diocese works as somebody entity so residing right here in Alberta, Canada, not one of the money I supply is going to settle those courtroom cases interior the states. in addition to in Canada, economic awards in courtroom cases are actually not everywhere as severe as interior the states. 3) From I criminal attitude i think of it grow to be crass stupidity to settle those claims and do the payouts. however many thoughts have been real, the clergymen could have been became over right this moment for prosecution. This different answer purely opened a funds cow and that i will guess there can be multiple fake claims besides. Cheers, Michael Kelly

Answer 8

Free speech comes linked with tolerance for other opinions.

You are making some sense. I gave you a star for this insightful question. Don't lose you "blessing" over these things.

Could you use a hug? Receive a big hug from your brother in Christ...m-m-m-m-mm-mm-mm-mmm!

Answer 9

You are quite right....school isn't a place for political slogans....no one is stropping him from SPEAKING about his views....a case like this will not stand up in court....in the UK free speech and rights to EVERY single group has resulted in racist political parties being allowed to campaign in public...I wont mention their name as it's just free publicity.

Answer 10

the school systems provide written copies of the schools' policies to the parents...which the parents read and sign...if it's in the policy, then don't whine and stamp your little feet when you find yourself in trouble for breaking the policy...it's that simple. don't like the policy? that's what school board meetings are for-guess how many people ever show up for those...
people, democracy takes work!