A student at a local high school was threatened with suspension after wearing an anti-Bush T-Shirt. The student not wanting to cause any more trouble decided that he would not wear the T-shirt to school any more. A "chief" at the ACLU is looking into the matter and commented that she hoped that a lawsuit would not have to be filed in order for the student to be allowed to wear his shirt to class. Their complaint, a student in highschool is allowed to have his own political oppion and therefore not allowing him to wear the shirt is a violation of his constitutional rights as an american.

As far as i can see, as long as the shirt isnt hurting anyone, then it is fine. It is not vulgar, and therefore should be allowed in my oppion. I am a Bush supporter; but as a famous quote once went,

"I may not agree with what you say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."

- Voltaire -

Since BetaOne is so diverse, i would love to have an open discussion on this.. a stimulating mind exercise, if you will...

And just a little side note, here is a great place for quotes:
http://www.untorn.com/quotes.html..

OMFG that really pisses me off and not just because i'm personally anti-bush. I just belive that we as Americans have a right too express ourselves and a right too free speech. And this type of thing totally violates that right. I don't care what the t-shirt said.

what are we telling our kids when we do things like this? seems too me we're just telling them to not have opinions on things, don't think about things, just shut up and follow a long.

blah anyway enough of my mindless ranting lol

-RadBoy

Oh i totally agree, even though I am a bush supporter. Now isn't it ironic that two different people with two differnet political views can agree that the school is being anticonstitutional...amazing isnt it?

Am not an American, just a neighbour but what has to wonder if anyone at that school is familiar with the First Amendment of the US Constitution:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Having said that, what did the T-shirt actually say?

How do you know another student didn't claim the shirt was offensive to him or her and they didn't like looking at it? A school is a school not a place for anarchy, the school has rules and the rules must be followed. We had to follow the rules when I was in school if I didn't I suffered the consequences at home. Although we may not like certain rules there are proper ways to change them, Of course no one thinks of that. It's funny they say an anit-bush shirt, but don't say exactly what it did say. Maybe it was vulgar maybe it had unacceptable language and the again maybe it didn't who knows?

A nation which prides its self on collective thinking and community growth. That is truly appalling. This just insinuates hate and mass confusion. Allowing someone to wear a anti-president shirt is not bad. If it so bad get the creators of the shirt to stop making them. I bought a Clintanic shirt when they first came out, thought is was a funny joke on the daily politics, don't know where it is though... Don't hate someone for being different. I have an Learning Disablity, will the next thing be suspending me because I think different.

Schools in the Untied States can do what they want. Most of the time anyways. Supreme court said so.

My opinion is if a Public school or private school says you can not do something like wear an anti-Bush T-Shirt and if you do then you should be suspend for breaking the rules.

Simple as that. Nothing to do with the First Amendment of the US Constitution, in my opinion. School is different. Just remember you have freedoms or rights until theses freedoms or rights impeach on to anther person's rights or freedoms. Then your right end.

Anyways, it should be up to the state government to say what the schools can and can not do. And if anyone does not agree with it then you should be able to appeal it with the state, local, or even federal government if need be.

Well I do not know how it is for schools else where in the US, but here in Columbia SC we never ever have these types of problems. Because every one knows and follows the rules and if they don't then they are simply expelled. And of course you can appeal. Don't get the wrong idea, because expulsion hardly every happens. We don't have any rules that say what you can't wear for instance besides common sense things, for instance a shirt that says "I hate Niggers" or a stripper outfit.

Hope you know what I mean.

Some times it sounds like these instances that happen are for publicity. Getting sick of the news. That's why I hardly ever watch anymore.

Well a lot of people feel schools should have the same laws of the US. Meaning fee speech and everything. I think it should follow in line but not every-single thing like wearing any clothing u wish and carrying a weapon to protect ones self.

Yea see I guess some one could try and sue saying that the school invokes on ones right to protect ones self by not letting oneself carry a gun or a knife. lol Yea right.

Kinda stupid um.

I was about to say something like that. This 'Freedom of Speech' can only go so far, so in a sense its not really 'so free'. If someone did walk around with an 'I love Saddam' shirt on or something, he is expressing HIS freedom of speech. But would he be allowed to wear it? I don't think so.

Thus Freedom of Speech can only go so far, and therefore isn't really free! You can't please everyone all of the time.

Recently a Michigan high school student was sent home from school for wearing a shirt that had an image of Bush with the words "International Terrorist". That's right, this is happening America!
here is the link to the entire article. When I first saw this on the news I thought the student was from Colorado, it turns out that he is from Michigan..
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/s...416851,00.html

more info about this story at:

http://www.freep.com/news/locway/speech25_20030225.htm

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/0226-04.htm

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