Here we go again! My son in trouble at school for "disrespecting" Chimpy!

[liberalhistorian]

Many of you may remember my son's (he just started posting on here as Shrubhater) troubles with his school last fall for speaking out against Shrub in his classes and in the cafeteria, etc., which culminated in a meeting with me, the principal, and his teachers (where I managed to stand my ground). Things had finally died down and I thought that was the end of it.

But Chris has been getting more and more upset over the increasing lies and destruction of the Bushistas, and has been speaking out once again. Today, he brought home a "detention slip" that has my blood boiling and bubbling. Basically, in English class they're doing word blends (words made up of a blend of two words) and the other day they had to make up their own. Well, one of the words he made up was "Buvil", which he proudly told the teacher and the class was a combination of Bush and evil (ya gotta love the kid!).

Hoo boy, Katie bar the door, you'd have thought the entire school had come tumbling down! His language teacher, one of those silent freeper types, got all huffy and puffy, apparently, and sent him down to the principal; then Miss Tolerance of the American Way (this was the woman who asked, at the meeting, why I was even bothering to teach him politics and filling up his head, when I knew her hidden meaning was "why are you filling him up with this traitorous liberal crap?") wanted a detention slip filled out for a lunch detention. Well, he brought the slip home today and to say that I'm hitting the roof now is the world's greatest understatement.

It says, under the section for "reason for detention": "He wrote a disrespectful comment about President Bush. When I told him it was disrespectful and to take it off his sheet, he said "I'll think about it." Jesus H. Christ, he wrote Buvil, a "disrespectful comment about President (never mind that he's NOT the damned president!) Bush", call John Ashcroft, get the helicopters ready! Goddamn, I am so fucking mad right now I can hardly think! I wonder what that old freeper wingnut bitch's reaction, and that of the principal, would be if he'd written "Clevil", for Clinton and evil! And all he'd written on the sheet was "Buvil-evil and bush." GASP! SHOCK! HORROR! Oh, how un-American! How unpatriotic! How treasonous! How-how very AMERICAN.

Yes, that's right, how very AMERICAN. Last time I checked, we lived in the United States of America, where everyone, including kids and teenagers, are allowed to criticize their government and its leaders! Now, if he'd said something like "I want to shoot Bush", or "I wish Bush would blow up and die", or something like that, that's a different story, then they would have been justified. BUT HE DIDN'T! He wrote a SIMPLE CRITICAL WORD, that's ALL! And never mind that it happens to be absolutely, totally, completely true!

Well, tomorrow, the principal (who told him that "politics has no place in school, and you shouldn't be bothering with it at your age") the assistant principal, and the goddamned wingnut freeper teacher are all going to get a nice cheerful earful from me, both on the phone and in person.

I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS BULLSHIT! They are going to REMOVE THAT FROM HIS RECORD NOW! He may only be almost 13, but he is an American who has the right to express himself!! GODDAMN WINGNUTS IN SCHOOLS! If that had been "Clevil", she probably would have given him a fucking medal! Yeah, looks like Mr. Uniter-not-Divider has once again worked his magic!

[Mari333]

1. Drag the Constitution in there with you!! call your school board!!

Get it in the paper if you want! Go OVER their heads!
Gads I remember those days of fighting the school idiots.
I dont miss them.
(((hugs)))
what you do now to fight for your childs rights will be burned into his memory for all his life, believe me.
My sons say they never forgot it.

[liberalhistorian]

16. Oh, I certainly intend to, Mari,

I used to be intimidated by people like that and authority, but NO MORE! My son knows I'm totally on his side, and it really helps him.

[PaDUer]

109. True...

also don't be surprised if the other children in the class start ridiculing him, and you know the others WILL tell their parents about this. As we know, whenever anything is said, it's always twisted into something it wasn't. What was done was an embarrassment to your son, and I wouldn't let ANY of them get away w/ this.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

2. Huh? How old is your son...

"Well, tomorrow, the principal (who told him that "politics has no place in school, and you shouldn't be bothering with it at your age")

What grade is he in?

[liberalhistorian]

14. He'll be thirteen in a few

weeks, and he's in the sixth grade.

[July]

132. Would you ask him for me

if it's pronounced "Byu-vill" or "Boo-vill"?

Seriously, you're handling it well. Please tell your son we DUers are behind him. Best of luck to both of you.

[liberalhistorian]

139. He pronounces it

"Boo-vill." I think it's a perfect description of Bush's actions, and I'm gonna use it as much as I can!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

161. Hmmm..

...just thinking back...not too sure how politically aware I was during that grade. I know i was reading alot of history books back then..and was just starting to follow the news...I grew up in a famliy that followed politics so was always somewhat aware of things from early on.

I dont think Ive ever had a teacher who said I was too young for things like politics or current affairs.

[mike_c]

3. you go, LH....

That's utter Bushit. Don't let them get away with it!

[David Dunham]

8. I am a lawyer and the principal has violated the First Amendment

The principal is violating the First Amendment by punishing your son for the expression of his political beliefs, i.e., his criticizing Bush. The US Supreme Court has even held during the Vietnam War tht students had a First Amendment right to wear T-shirts saying "F*ck the Draft." You should tell the principal that she cannot punish you son for the expression of his political beliefs. If she does not back down, I think you should contact your state's branch of the ACLU and they will in no uncertain terms make clear to her that she must back down.

[liberalhistorian]

24. I"m a paralegal and you are,

indeed, very correct; you better believe they're going to be hearing that, among many other things, from me!

[scottxyz]

25. You're entirely correct

I'm not a lawyer like yourself, but from what I understand about the First Amendment, public/government institutions cannot discriminate against someone for expressing their political beliefs.

Whoever called for this student's detention because of his political opinions - that teacher or administrator should be sued. That teacher or administrator broke the law.

A private club might be able to keep people out for their beliefs, but a school is a public institution so they fall under the First Amendment. They have denied this student his civil rights. If I were you, I would hire the toughest civil-rights lawyer you can find and sue for BIG bucks. Kicking a kid out of school for POLITICAL reasons is illegal in America.

[liberalhistorian]

36. And the Supreme Court has also

specifically ruled that Americans under the age of eighteen have the same rights as those of adults. It seems that there are a lot of school districts that still aren't aware of that or, if they are, they think they can get away with it.

[Room101]

73. 1969 in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District

the Supreme Court held that students in public schools – which are run by the government – do not leave their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate. This means that you can express your opinions orally and in writing – in leaflets or on buttons, armbands or T-shirts.

http://archive.aclu.org/students/slfree.html


Give these crypto fascists their kryptonite (The Constitution). You will win this because the Constitution is on your side. I’m even pissed off about this sitting here in California.

"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must,
like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." Thomas Paine

[AP]

80. The schools can limit rights if it's to further the educational process

So, if you're exercising your constitutional rights, but it disrupts others from learning, the school can limit those rights.

However, nothing you've described suggests that any other students' experience is being disrupted.

It just sounds like the teacher disagrees with your son's political opinions, which, I highly doubt, is enough to punish your son.

[liberalhistorian]

85. Yes, I know she disagrees

politically with him, and that's okay, she's allowed to do that and to believe whatever she wants in this country. She is NOT, however, allowed to punish him just for that, and that's exactly what she and the principal did.

[AP]

112. The problem for the school is that your son, in and of himself, is NOT

interfering with the educational process.

What's happening is that the teacher is making a big deal out of it.

She shouldn't be allowed to have selective outrage and then claim that that mood SHE CREATS, which wouldn't exist but for her own personal response to your son, is disrupting the classroom.

If she would tolerate his opinions, there'd be no disruption AT ALL.

And the disruption that SHE'S CREATING probably still isn't even enough to trigger the school's legal right to limit your son's first amendment rights.

[Viking12]

121. Ummm, you're really a lawyer?

The fuck the draft case, Cohen v. California, had nothing to do with schools. I believe you're referring to Tinker v. DesMoines, where high school students were punished for wearing black arm bands in protest of the war. While deciding in favor of the students in that case, the Supreme Court's rationale that neither students nor teachers, "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the school house gate." However, the Court's ruling was qualified with the caveat, "But conduct by the student, in class or out of it, which for any reason - whether it stems from time place, or type of behavior -- materially disrupts classwork or involves substantial disorder or invades the rights of others is, of course, not immunized"

Clearly, the incident at hand is a vioaltion of rights. Assuming that any "disruption" was caused by the teacher's reaction and not the students word-play, the young man was well with in his Constituional rights.

[northernsoul]

130. law student, currently studying 1st Amend., totally agree

This is a pretty blatant, content-based infringement of your son's free speech rights. I think the currect judicial climate may find a compelling interest in upholding a rule banning the 'F*** the Draft' shirts that Mr. Dunham described, based on the obscene content rather than the political idea expressed. However, what your son did sounds completely innocuous, and should be thoroughly covered by the 1st Amendment.
Please contact your state's ACLU chapter, and please keep us updated.

[Wickerman]

4. Jeeebus

I have read several of your threads on this issue and you should take the culmination of all this crap to the school board. Comments such as made by the principal are inappropriate from an educator.

Any teacher worth their salt would know that the best way to deal with this would've been to ignore it or praise the kid for being clever.

Morans.

[Lisa]

59. or use the whole situation as a teaching opportunity!

I actually went through this with my landlord's preteen daughter a couple of months ago. She wants to be a lawyer or a politician someday.

She: "Bush is a bad, scary man!"

Me: "Well, that might indeed be true, Emma -- but if you want to convince other people, you have to give them some reasons why. Otherwise it's what lawyers call an 'ad hominem attack'."

She: "But I thought you didn't like him!"

Me: "Let's pretend that I'm trying to make up my mind about him. What has he done that you don't like?"

She: "He makes up lies."

Me: "There you go! That's an important one. Anything else?"

She: "He isn't cleaning up the environment, and he wasn't nice to our Prime Minister, and has lots of money but doesn't share. And he killed all those people in that war, and stuff. He's just like that boy in my class who beats people up if they don't like him."

* * *
Yup, you can't beat real life for teaching critical thinking!

[Broadslidin]

65. Another Potential White Rose Society Member.

For a bit of History, Chris,

http://www.spiritone.com/~gdy52150/wr.htm

http://www.whiterosesociety.org

[JohnLocke]

156. Misplaced response, sorry.

[liberalhistorian]

86. She's been teaching for over thirty years,

you'd think she'd have figured that out by now! My parents are both retired teachers, and they're shaking their heads and are furious over this, too.

[Reverend_Smitty]

5. Thats outrageous

I would fight this to the highest level, get the ALCU involved, write an Op Ed in your local paper. Do whatever you can to point out the madness of these people.

Your story made my blood boil and I was fortunate enough to never have a run-in with a "Freeper-ish" teacher when I was in school. Gawd I really don't know what I would have done if it happened to me but I sure as hell wouldn't take it laying down
:mad:

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

6. Good Lord, have either of these women

ever heard of the First Amendment to the Constitution.

Back in the late 60's when I was in high school, and a Catholic one on the South Side of Chicago as well, no one and I mean no one would have had the audacity to pull this sort of crap.

We were encouraged by many teachers in this school to freely express our opinions. They might not have agreed with them, but no one ever got detention for speaking out against LBJ, Vietnam, George Wallace, et al.

What is happening in this country? This is absolutely disgusting.

[liberalhistorian]

21. I don't know what the hell is happening,

but it is, indeed, absolutely disgusting! You can be sure they're going to hear all about it from me tomorrow, and not in a polite, civilized way either (I've had it with the "wimpy liberal" bullshit, no more!)

[fearnobush]

7. Gotta get him and yourself on TV for that one.

Detention! Unbefuckingleavable.

[name not needed]

9. Me and my friends

would be expelled. You can hear us in social studies badmouthing bush non stop.

[liberalhistorian]

18. Good for you and

your friends, and keep it up!

[NightTrain]

10. Congratulations, Chris! You're my idea of a patriot

Given the lousy news I got at work this morning, it's nice to be able to end my day by hearing about a good kid. :yourock:

[virgdem]

11. You might want to consider removing him from that school system...

and placing him elsewhere. Last I looked, there was still a Constitution and a Bill of Rights guaranteeing freedom of speech. This is nothing less than crass intimidation of the highest order. Fight this and if all else fails, remove him ASAP.

[liberalhistorian]

87. I'm beginning to wish I could, but

I can't afford a private school so I don't know where else he'd go. I'm a single parent, so I can't home school, and, though I live with my parents who are retired teachers, I can't ask them to take on any more of a burden than they already are with him.

[trogdor]

137. You shouldn't have to anyways.

You have just as much right to have your kids in that school as anyone else in the district. If it were me, and I had to sign off on something like that, I'd tell them I have no intention to do anything about it whatsoever. I used to do this with those inevitable schoolyard altercations where someone would provoke my kid, he'd respond as any normal boy would, and get in trouble for it. "What would you like me to tell him?" I would ask, "to just sit there and take it? You know the playground code as well as I do."

[NightTrain]

138. Connecticut's got a really good public school system.

You and Chris could live at the Hotel Night Train! ;)

[liberalhistorian]

140. LOL!

We'd have to get a bigger place, though!

[DoNotRefill]

12. Dimes to donuts....

they'll say they're censoring him not because of what he said, but because it was disruptive of the classroom environment.

[liberalhistorian]

23. BINGO!

You got it, pal! He not only got a detention for "disrespecting Bush", but another one for "not listening to the teacher." And they are going to REMOVE BOTH OF THOSE FROM HIS RECORD!

[Malikshah]

13. As they are teachers, they should know their US history

Throw this tried by true quote on their lame asses.

Teddy Roosevelt on Presidential Criticism

“The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.”



“Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star”, 149
May 7, 1918

Or better yet, have your son do a report on it for them. Send it in to the local paper and have folks come down on them like a ton of bricks.

I know this quote's been used a lot over this last year, but it's always good to trot out again. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

[liberalhistorian]

41. Ah, yes, my favorite

Teddy Roosevelt quote, and he said many, many memorable quotes. And he really meant it, too, I just finished the new biography of him and his presidency, and it just made me ache to think of the difference between him and what we have now in the WH! And believe me, he would have royally kicked Shrub's ass from here into next year. Actually, he'd be really disgusted with the republican party today, he wouldn't even recognize it, frankly.

[Malikshah]

42. To me, it's fighting fire w/ fire.

They're supposed to be the educators after all...OK, I'm petty, but as an educator myself, I'd love to have these folks called out on their ineptitude.


Funny story..I was giving a talk last year for a democratic club (retirees mainly) and used the quote--w/o Teddy's name. I then asked them if they recognized it or if they could guess who said it... the majority thought for sure that Clinton had said it.

Strange but true!

[liberalhistorian]

46. LOL!

It does sound rather like something Clinton would say, doesn't it? We live with my mom and stepdad, who are both retired teachers, and they're furious too. They saw shit like this happen all the time while they were teaching.

[Auntie Bush]

56. But, but, but they will say that is isn't the truth.

Good, then you can prove that it is. Bush IS EVIL!!!!
Man...do they ever look at the news and realize all the horror on TV is the Buvil's fault.

BUVIL! What a great word. Can I use it?

[liberalhistorian]

61. Absolutely you can use it,

I think we should all use it to describe Shrub's actions, because they are, indeed, "Buvil!"

[Auntie Bush]

126. the Bu in Buvil...also makes me think of Bull.

Thanks, I'll be using it!

[bluestateguy]

15. This is America

We just can't have people undermining the unity of our nation during the war on terror. It just energizes the enemy, and we can't have that. We need to be united, united in support of our president, and prepared to sacrifice for him and this country. If there's a draft, the boy must serve. You dissent, you go to jail.

[loftycity]

17. I can believe it ,the freepers want little robots never question never

self realize yourself.
Since you are a sensational writer LB you should put together a "BUVIL" piece for the news paper. Hey go for the NYTimes or Counterpunch.org.
Tell your son he is a braveheart and the courage of a true warrior!
What a great man!

[NightTrain]

19. Hope you don't mind, Lisa, but I just forwarded your original post...

...to Air America's e-mail address. Who knows? Perhaps someone'll mention it on the radio! :bounce:

[liberalhistorian]

34. No, Dean, I don't mind at all,

I think that's a great idea! The more people who know what's really going on in this country now, the better!

I'm so sorry about your work situation, babe! :hug: :hug: :loveya: Isn't it strange that we're both dealing with this at the same time now? Oh well, at least we can give each other some support now. Will you at least be able to get unemployment? Seems to me that that's the least they can do. Want me to check the job situation around here for you?:evilgrin: :bounce:

[NightTrain]

35. Heh-heh-heh! That teacher and principal have fucked with the wrong mom!

That's why I love ya, sweetie! :yourock:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

102. Why don't you suggest they create a daily segment called...

...the Daily Buvil? Or the Weekly Buvil, if they feel a longer segment would be better?

[liberalhistorian]

104. Now THAT is a great

idea! And God knows there'd be more than enough material.

[GordonOKC]

20. First of all

I would love to shake your son's hand and then your hand.

As far as this being on his record, I would suggest that a time may very well come to pass that his statements and punishment will be a badge of courage that he can wear proudly. Much to the dismay of the thought Nazis.

If at all possible please get something in writing or at least in front of a witness regarding the reason for the detention. Be sure this is detailed. Otherwise they may....how do I say this delicately...oh well.... They will LIE! and say all kinds of things that would make your son seem like Damien or worse.

A visit or call to the ACLU is excellent advise.

[illini]

22. He shouldn't have told the the teacher "I will think about it".

He should have said NO and left it at that. But where the hell does that teacher get off telling him who he needs to respect other than school staff and rules. Last time I checked the first amendment still holds for persons under the age of 18. I would encourage your son to practice some good old civil disobedience. In other words skip the detention(depending on his age). I would raise holy hell. Detentions are for bad behavior not expressing freedom of thought. As for crap the principle is pulling about him not being old enough to form a political thought that arrrrgggg. School is a supposed to where you learn to think for yourself. If all else fails I would call the ACLU.

[librechik]

44. call the media

but make sure your son is ready for what may follow: he will be held up as a kid who got detention, which is not good. The fact that it was all in a good cause will be secondary. There may also be hate attacks from other kids or parents. Can he handle it?

I would call the newspapers and local tv news about this. Your adversaries may have a different attitude once their activities are exposed to view. Have a lawyer handy too. We can't let these minor public officials turn into bigoted tyrants. They are our employees.

[liberalhistorian]

88. "I'll think about it"

is Chris's polite way of saying "no" to adults, as his teachers should know by now!

[Sparkly]

26. Something to consider doing (or at least threatening)

This is something your local media (newspapers, TV news) might like to cover. It's a nice, controversial "story." It wouldn't be possible to keep your son completely anonymous though, because your name would need to be out there. Just something to consider!

(And let us know if you'd like us to write letters to your principal. Would a mail campaign from around the country help? That could be a news story in itself!)

[liberalhistorian]

48. Yes, I plan on emailing some

well-known columnists in the Cleveland papers, as well as my local paper. My local rag is freeper heaven, though, so I don't know how much attention they'd actually pay, but the Cleveland columnists I'm emailing are really good and would likely be very interested.

[Bozita]

27. DEARBORN: Judge says student can wear anti-Bush T-shirt

Here's support for your son from a federal judge.


http://www.freep.com/news/mich/date2_20031002.htm

DEARBORN: Judge says student can wear anti-Bush T-shirt


October 2, 2003


A federal judge ruled this week that the student told to leave Dearborn High School for wearing an anti-George W. Bush T-shirt can wear the garment at the school.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Duggan said that students benefit in "an environment where they can openly express their diverging viewpoints."

In February, junior Bretton Barber wore a shirt to school that had a picture of Bush with the words "International Terrorist." Coming during the buildup to the Iraq war, the incident received international attention.

A school official told him to either turn the shirt inside out or go home. Barber went home and called the American Civil Liberties Union, which filed a suit against the school district.

The ACLU then asked the courts for a preliminary injunction, which Duggan granted on Tuesday.

School officials could not be reached but have said that the shirt disrupted the school's mission of educating students.

Barber, now a senior, said, "I haven't decided when I'll wear the shirt again, but I have the confidence of knowing that I have the right to wear it."

By Niraj Warikoo

more links on the same topic:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Dearborn+ACLU+shirt&btnG=Google+Search

[liberalhistorian]

49. Thank you for posting

this, I'm going to check it out in more detail. I'm sure there are other stories like this throughout the country.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

66. I've got one of those shirts.

but I don't really like wearing George Bush's face, no matter what it says underneath it...

[JohnOneillsMemory]

76. I wore it through GBushInt'l Airport and got an FBI background check. n/t

[liberalhistorian]

89. Well, to solve that problem,

let's design a t-shirt with a huge pile of shit right on the Chimp's face!

[Djinn]

28. ah school days

I barely made it through mine (despite being a straight A student) a certainly wouldn't have were it not for the fact that my parents stuck up for their kids and regularly argued with the more control-freak teachers. I grew up in a pretty liberal area in Australia too - I really don't think I would have handled a lot of US schools.

My parents (particularly my Dad) would have suggested taking the piss, maybe a note to the teacher/principal from "Osama" mentioning how much "aid & succour" he got from your son's words?

I just couldn't take this seriously, surely they can't enforce a detention if you don't agree? and if it stays on his record who cares? is there anyone out there that's never had a detention? and once you leave school does it matter? has it really got to the point in the states where a detention at 13 will effect your life...particularly if you don't actually go to it.

PS - I wish there were more guys like your son around when I was thirteen - I generally didn't hang out with girls too much and there's only so many times you can pretend to care which is better, a Mack or Peterbuilt truck...I think we could have had a ball baiting the freepy teachers :evilgrin:

[mmm]

29. Whaaa?

This is what my cat says when I am out of kitty feast.
Boy, I would fight this like you never saw.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

[2TDUS]

30. The Son Also Rises

The scary part is that this is no surprise. The surprise is they haven't gotten to the point where they ask the students to report their parents unpatriotic comments. That's next.

All power to the kid(s)!

Call "Air America." They'll love this story.

[liberalhistorian]

62. Oh, I wouldn't be surprised if

places exist that are doing just that, and it won't be long before it spreads far and wide!

[AgadorSparticus]

31. and they call themselves "educators".....grrrrrrrrr

you hang in there and don't give them an inch. Keep us posted if you are able to make any headway with this bush nazi group. we are here for you.

[FreakinDJ]

32. Post the name and mail address of this school

I want to write a letter on the subject of Free Speach and the meaning of patriotism

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[yardwork]

57. I thought it might be Ohio!

I grew up in Ohio during the 1960s and 70s, and your story sounds so familiar to me. I don't know what it is about education in some parts of that state, but they're as ignorant and backwards as they can possibly manage, I'm sorry to say. There are a lot of wonderful progressive people in Ohio - and I'm sure that there are some wonderful educators there as well. When it came to my school system, though, it was very similar to what you are experiencing.

Same stupid jingoism and petty kow-towing to authority.

[liberalhistorian]

63. Yep, that's definitely Ohio

for ya!

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

163. Ohio! Man, I was WONDERING about the schools here!

I live in Ohio, didnt go to school here, and was wondering if there was something about the education system as the people here seem to be particularly ignorant, conformist, and suck-uppy. I used to think that it must be really crappy to go to school here, just from dealing w. the adults.

My education was in Chicago, Louisville, KY, and the UofK, and I have to say your tale is pretty suprsing. It wouldnt be surprising for a parochial school, perhaps, but it sure is suprising for a public high school or Jr high, particularly the ones I attended in Louisville.

[hippiegranny]

144. just be sure to use spell check!

they probably won't take seriously a letter in which the word "speech" is spelled incorrectly.

[wicket]

33. This is so INFURIATING!

:grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr::grr:

[Catherine Vincent]

37. That's right sister! You tell 'em!

Your son shouldn't have gotten detention for what he did. The teacher can get upset all she wants but she overreacted. And you do need to ask her if Clinton (or Gore) was president, would she have treated him the same. She probably would say yes, I would still do it but you know the bitch would be lying.

[Bread and Circus]

38. Sue them and take it to the Supreme Court....or something like that...

I have no legal knowledge so don't ask me...:crazy:

[liberalhistorian]

40. LOL!

Sounds good to me!!! Although he'd probably be in college before the Supreme Court would get it, of course!:bounce: :bounce:

[I AM SPARTACUS]

47. here's your chance to discuss your issues with a "familydoctor"

[liberalhistorian]

52. LOL!

He's one of the good guys, though, judging from his DU posts!

[John_H]

43. Sounds to me like you need a court order preventing them from

further politically based discrimination and intimidation.

[Muddleoftheroad]

45. Good parenting

God bless you.

Kick them in the ass. If that doesn't work. Call the newspapers. Hell, call them anyhow.

[Frito]

50. Tinker v. Des Moines

Students and teachers retain the rights of expression and speech within the school. That is as long as the speech or expression does not cause disruption.

That would be where they get you. You have to hit them hard that it was not a disruption from the assignment, but rather a political statement made within the bounds of the assignment. As for the teacher, if she got into a debate, that would constitute more of a disruption.

I would first of all talk to the principal and then move up the ladder to the school board. Depending on your area it might end there... if not, take them to court. There is no reason to let them remove political speech within an assignment.

Hell during high school I ran a vocal oposition to the principal and superintendent and they never had the stones to try to stop me.

[anarchy1999]

51. Maybe you should try to contact the Daily Show -

Sounds like alot of great material for a special report. Stephen Colbert, Ed Helms or Robert C. could probably do a great job of bringing light to your situation.

[HFishbine]

100. Wooo! Yes! Yes! Yes!

This is right up their alley.

The contact info on their web site is limited, but the ticket number is: (212)-586-2477 (I've called before, they are incredibly nice and will probably route your call) and their fax number is: 212-468-1890.

[liberalhistorian]

106. Thanks for the contact info,

I'll see if they're at all interested!

[Lisa]

53. What a Buvil thing for the authorities to do!

My prediction: Shrubhater is going to be PROUD about those detentions in coming years. My supervising prof is always telling the story of how he stormed out of his high school history class when the teacher reprimanded him for criticizing the Vietnam war. He expected his dad, a WWII vet, to chew him out ... and was he ever shocked when his old man backed him up for "standing up for yourself".

Make sure you keep a photocopy of that sheet, with that quote on it. Something to show the grandkids someday.

"Politics has no place in school" -- well gee, I wonder if that's why so few young people vote or are involved in the political process. I suppose that particular school has dropped civics, history, economics, sociology, and the humanities from the curriculum too, because somebody might start inappropriately thinking about "politics"? Does this principal still teach? My guess is that teachers in any of the subjects I mentioned above would be thrilled to have students discussing contemporary issues.

[liberalhistorian]

54. Hey, there's a new word

we can use to describe Chimpy--Buvil!! And you're right, he is proud of himself and I'm very proud of him, because it takes guts to do that!

And, like you, I'm totally disgusted by the principal's "politics" comment. Like the purpose of school is to turn out little robots who'll do exactly what they're told whenever they're told. Oh, wait a minute now....................

[Lisa]

60. I guess they haven't studied the "Frindle" book yet!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0689806698/002-6180613-6467212?v=glance

It's about a kid who coins a new word. (After all this, the school will probably attempt to ban it, because we can't have children being empowered, can we!)


I love "buvil" -- something about it hints at the insidious kind of oppression that the school has fallen under. If "McCarthyism" is widely used, why not "buvil"?

[grasswire]

58. great idea....let's make it a household word

I pledge to use the word "buvil" in correspondence or internet use at least once daily from now on.

Pure buvil!

That's how we'll show "respect."

[Ishoutandscream]

113. That was a good dad. He knew what he was fighting for

The right to express yourself freely.

[Lisa]

136. it's funny -- he and his son end up in an argument almost every time ...

... but they do respect each other.

[eleny]

55. "Buvil" - I love it

Round two. You go, mom!

[liberalhistorian]

64. "Buvil" indeed, let's

all try to use it whenever we can because it actually perfectly describes him and his actions!

[GoldenOldie]

123. "Buvil"

Many years ago my nephew and friends who had just graduated high school and were preparing to enter college (Texas A&M and Harvard), became interested in how words evolved and qualified to be in the dictionary. They did their research and was told that if the word had a definition and appeared within numerous (can't remember how many publications) it could be eligible to be in the dictionary. Maybe someone on the board is better informed than I. Think "Buvil" would make the dictionary and the future History books....think of future generations learning the "Buvil Administration" kinda like the "Teapot Dome".

[liberalhistorian]

142. Maybe if we use it enough,

that's exactly what would happen!

Bush + Evil = Buvil!

[bywho4who]

67. And we thought the Black plague was bad

Please remind them that we are in a war just now (to deliver democracy to a reluctant people)!!! You would think they could see the blatant contradiction in this. Sounds to me like your son is exercising his democratic rights the same ones you and I are funding to sell to Baghdad.


:smoke: :hippie:

[Guaranteed]

68. They're totally wrong. Nail 'em.

Call the ACLU. This is right up their alley.

[Qanisqineq]

69. to quote Wes Clark

"Nothing is more American; nothing is more patriotic than speaking out, questioning authority and holding your leaders accountable"

[Auntie Bush]

127. That was one of my favorite Clark quotes and helped cement

my belief and admiration of him.

[Lorien]

70. Have you contacted the ACLU?

Trying to deal with these fascists on your own could be exhausting and somewhat fruitless. The ACLU could give you some much needed leverage and backup.

[Fight_n_back]

71. Would you mind posting the address of the school?

and the name of the principal?

I wouldn't mind writing a letter. this is really some sick shit.

[Name removed]

150. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[vetwife]

72. Bravo to you and your son..Uh wanna trade 13 year old stories and Freepers

I had to pull mine out and home school because she refused to say the pledge over the words Equal Justice for all. She said Some.
One teacher called democrats communists and I went and taught the whole class over this BS..Then she with juvenile Diabetes started getting picked on so bad, had to pull her out....I raised Hell and everybody here I guess if you don't know me then you don't listen to the Guy James Show or watch C-Span or CNN. I am the one who zapped Katherine Harris and got a letter back from Helen Thomas, Have a Take it Back CD...and friendly with Bart and Guy and was one of the winners at C-Span with the vets organization. Oh God...Georgia hates me.
I am under a Chapter 13 and the FEds are messing with that...Almost paid for and they want to cancel it. I am having a time. Been run off the road...assaulted at the post office for wearing a Kerry lapel and I too am a christian..So where's the problem. I guess I just ain't their kind of christian Iam a democratic person of faith that believes in Freedom and Bill of rights and a little thing litke the CONSTITUTION !

[liberalhistorian]

90. GOOD FOR YOU!

You deserve to feel very proud of yourself, I know we all are!! And you're right, I'm a Christian, also, just not the "right kind" for too many people.

[goclark]

74. Go Chris!

In addition to the 1st Amendment,you have a lot going on your side.

First of all, let me congratulate your son on his creative blend!

All the teacher really had to do is say,"Thanks Chris,you certainly followed the directions and put two words that are found in the dictionary, and made one word!"

Why she would be so stupid and not recognize his creativity is beyond me! Some teachers and administrators are lost in the 60's.

As some of the posters have recommended..
#1 - Contact the ACLU
#2 - Put the Board of Education and Superintendent on Notice ( I would bypass the Principal and go straight to the top.)
Demand to have a sit down meeting with the Superintendent and your ACLU lawyer asap.
#3 - Contact the State Supt. of Schools

I know how upset you must be, but this issue should be a learning experience for the educational system. They still don't get it!

Chris should not have to bare the pain of all this by name calling from the other kids etc. I would keep Chris out of school for a few days so that the kids and the teachers don't put him in a situation where he hits someone and then the original issue is clouded.

#4- Before I would go to the newspapers, I would go through all the channels first. If you don't, the Board of Education will say to the media, " Oh My, We are so sorry that Mr. and Mrs. ___ didn't come to talk with us about this issue before going to the press."

Good luck and keep us posted.

[dmr]

75. Reading this makes me wonder about the other students

in this school who share your son's beliefs. How many of them have parents with your fighting spirit? How many other students have been subjected by intolerant views and criminal punishments?

I remember the stunt this school pulled on Chris last fall after the Washington Peace protest. That post had me angry as all get out; I said then and I will say it again: this is child abuse.

They are abusing Chris. They are also most likely abusing other students for having views other than their own. They are abusing all the other children by teaching them intolerance, and they certainly are not teaching them the honest and true meaning of the United States Constitution.

They are intolerant, cruel, ignorant, abusive, exclusive, and unlawful. Please take this far and wide, LH. I applaud Chris, in fact, I think he's a pretty clever and imaginative young man.

A great big :loveya: to Chris! :)

[Bozita]

78. Intimidation is the game ...

... aimed at those most susceptible.

Kids.

Kids don't turn on to history classes? Look at the kid's history book.

Read at least a chapter.

How many kids turn into freepers because all of this shit numbs their minds?

[Shrubhater]

151. Go dmr! Go dmr! Go dmr.......

[proud patriot]

77. Give them Hell

:grr:

[sweetheart]

79. Here's an ideal gift for your son

http://funnytimes.com/cgi-bin/hazel/hazel.cgi?action=detail&item=200101

Heck, were i you, i'd arm my son to the teeth with T-shirts and
ideological ammunition to make him the hero of the school.

[neebob]

81. I'd be all over that

Never mind that it's stupid and wrong that he can't criticize El Presidente Pretendo; it's supressing creativity and originality and all the things the teacher would probably tell you she likes to encourage. I'd focus on that aspect of it and ask her if she's just pretending. Question her integrity.

I'll add that I think people should be able to wish, um, you know, karmic rewards on the president without fear of punishment. How come it's OK for someone to threaten me but not the president? If some guy says he's going to cut my head off, nothing happens to him. He can say it every day, in fact, and as long as my head remains attached to my body, I'm the only person who cares. But if that same guy offers to separate El Jerko from his peanut brain, the Secret Service descends upon him and he goes to the pokey. That's just wrong.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

103. Er... I don't think so.

"If some guy says he's going to cut my head off, nothing happens to him. He can say it every day, in fact, and as long as my head remains attached to my body, I'm the only person who cares."

That's a threat, and such a person would get the book thrown at him/her, with extreme prejudice. All you have to do is report to the authorities.

So no, saying in public you want to detach *'s body barts is NOT ok.

[liberalhistorian]

110. If he'd threatened

Shrub with physical harm, or said he wished physical harm on Shrub, then they would certainly have been justified. But all he did was make up a stupid little word critical of Our Great Fuhr-uh, Leader, THAT'S ALL!

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

114. When arguing with the morans, make sure to mention this

If yor son did say something like that, you would deal with him in a rather unpleasant fashion. Just to drive home the fact that you're not left-wing zealots. Just remember to say "the President" instead of Shrub. ;)

Hm...

Yeah, as if anything will make them not think that. My bad.

[neebob]

152. I didn't say it should be OK to make threats

but that it should be OK to wish karmic rewards. There's a difference. It shouldn't be OK to make threats against anyone, but the fact is it is OK in a lot of cases. Or if it's not OK, nothing is done about it. It depends on who's doing the threatening and who's being threatened. I seriously doubt if someone threatened my life and I called the police, I'd get much of a reaction the first time. And if it happened repeatedly, there's a better chance of my being treated like nutcase than of anything happening to the person threatening me. Perhaps I'm being too cynical.

More to the point, I don't think a kid should get in any more trouble for saying he wished the president would blow up or drop dead or whatever than for saying he's evil, which is essentially what he did.

[mulethree]

82. What they're teaching him

Is that he can cause an uproar, and get a lot of attention,
by pushing the political buttons of simpleminded people.

I'm not sure if that's good or not for a 13 year old. But he's probably learned a lot more from his teacher's reaction than he learned in that class all week long.

[revcarol]

107. Aren't you at the wrong site?

The student did what the teacher told him to do.

The teacher punished him for it.The only ruckus caused in the classroom was caused by the TEACHER!!

What's this about him causing a ruckus? He's supposed to stand still for this violation of his Constitutional rights?

"Don't make waves. Just stand in the back of the bus."

[Selwynn]

83. You need to contact the local ACLU to apprise them...

I'm not jumping to conclusions, saying this is going to a lawsuit or something, but the ACLU should be informed about these kinds of gross violations of Civil rights in the school, especially since this is not the first time it's happened.

[historian]

84. stupid buggars

have the aclu intervene -make this a headache they wont soon forget. Self centered morons

[MountainLaurel]

91. You go Lisa!

Be sure to keep us updated on what happens, and let your son know that he's got lots of supporters here.

[liberalhistorian]

92. I certainly will!

I'm going to try to go there this afternoon if I can arrange my work schedule. I have a lunch meeting, so I can't go at lunch. But if I can't go there in person today, you better believe I'm still going to call today and I'll go there on Monday.

[JNelson6563]

93. Rock on sister!!

Give them hell! I sure as hell would! I pity anyone who would do such a thing to either of my babies.!!

I'd sure like to be a fly on the wall when you have a chat with them.

Sending you lots of encouragement--stay cool & in command!

Julie

[HFishbine]

94. The simple question for the principal seems to be

"Where in the school rules or guidelines does it say that it is a punishable offense to be disrespectful of the president?"

Disregarding the ancillary issues (whether the comment was disrespectful, whether Bush is even the president), if there is no applicable rule that was violated, the principal's actions were arbitrary and capricious.

[LeahMira]

95. He did the assignment as instructed...

Basically, in English class they're doing word blends (words made up of a blend of two words) and the other day they had to make up their own.

There's nothing wrong with the way he did the assignment unless there were other parameters put on it in class that he hasn't mentioned (i.e. no obscenities).

I can't see that this was disruptive since I'd imagine the kids had any number of cute responses that might have made the group laugh out loud.

Apparently this teacher has it in for Chris. Can you ask that he be switched to another teacher for the rest of the year?

Well, tomorrow, the principal (who told him that "politics has no place in school, and you shouldn't be bothering with it at your age")

Hmmm. I wonder when the students are supposed to begin learning about their government and evaluating the actions of those who allegedly are representing them.

[liberalhistorian]

99. I was stunned at that comment

as well, I was into politics, government, and civics at an even younger age than Chris. I wonder when, exactly, she thinks kids should start learning and getting involved in it?

[Justpat]

96. Buvil - I'm having it made into a bumper sticker.

When people ask what it means, I'll happily tell them.

[liberalhistorian]

101. That is, indeed, a great

word, isn't it? Describes his actions perfectly!

[Justpat]

108. Your son souns like a great kid.

[HFishbine]

97. Could this be a job for...

Air America?

[liberalhistorian]

98. Dean (NightTrain) said

above that he'd forwarded my post to Air America, so maybe they'll have something to say about it!

[Walt Starr]

105. Give her a lesson in history

The first amendment was written precisely for the reason to protect political speech from the opression of the government. She is a representative of the government trying to stifle political speech.

Na, better thought is to sue them.

[deportivoI]

111. What State

are u in? My son goes to a Catholic HS and the Priests and brothers are very right-wing and pro-bush (what a suprise) My son wrote a paper about a movie he was assigned "The Best Man" with Henry Fonda, a script written by Gore Vidal in the 60's. The paper compared the dirty tricks of a fictional presidential with the 2000 U.S.Election. He received an A+ plus a special award for his paper. They did not agree with his point of view but it was respected it and I think made them think a little. I am very proud of my son.

[liberalhistorian]

118. I'm in Ohio

(big surprise there, huh, lol!), near Cleveland.

[CheshireCat]

115. LH, here's what I would do

I would get a lawyer (ALCU?) to go to the school with me. \

Not only would I get it off his record, I would have the lawyer insist that the teacher who did this take some kind of tolerance training.

I would get an organization such as the ACLU or a local liberal organization to back me up and take it to court if necessary.

Teach your son how to fight the system! Sounds like you have done a good job with him.

Good Luck.

[noonwitch]

116. I question the educational value of the assignment to begin with

Made up words are not allowed in essays, except as quotes. My english teachers always refused to allow such things in our papers and written assignments. The only purpose to have the assignment is to play word games. If that's the purpose, your son was following the intent of the assignment to the letter.

[liberalhistorian]

117. My parents are both retired

English teachers, and that's exactly what they said as well! And I thought the same thing.

[revcarol]

119. After the dust settles, take it up with the State Board of Education

and the State Superintendent of Education.

I thought all school administrators had to take something called School Law, a small part of which would cover EXACTLY this sort of thing.

IF the administrator in question has taken this course, THEN you must DEMAND that all adminstrators IN THE STATE be advised of students' Constitutional rights, and DEMAND PROOF THAT THIS WAS DONE. (ACLU can help you take corrective action.)

This is probably a long-term state-wide problem and must be addressed on that level. Otherwise, THE STATE IS OPEN TO LAWSUITS.

The administrator should have slapped down that teacher but good.There is no excuse for this happening TWICE!!On the part of EITHER, but the heaviest part of the responsibility goes on the ADMINISTRATOR.The administrator is responsible not only to the parents and community through the school board, but also to the STATE.

[Arkana]

120. Fight it until you have no strength left.

The Buvil campaign can't silence all dissent. The truth WILL be heard!

[calimary]

122. Hey, got a story that might perk you up!

My daughter was chatting online with one of the girls in her freshman class. They got around to discussing their mothers (uh-ohhhhhh...). My daughter gleefully hollered across the house to me to come read this. The other girl was talking about her mom. Apparently the mom had noticed that I still have my Howard Dean sticker in the back window of my car (waiting to add a Kerry to it, the sticker I sent for has yet to arrive in the mail). The mother's reaction? Pleasantly surprised. She told her daughter she thought I was awfully brave to be driving onto the high school grounds with that sticker (lots of republi-CON IGMFUs* there). She also said she was glad to see it, and suggested to her daughter "you ought to be friends with that girl!"

MOST interesting mindset revealed there. And more. I'd betcha there are more sympathizers in your school than you realize. They're probably just too afraid to speak up - ESPECIALLY if their kids come home with reports about what happens to your kid. I'd blaze right ahead if I were you. That condemning attitude of the "wrong-wingers" can ONLY continue as long as WE ALLOW IT TO. Because until recently they were just completely unaccustomed to being challenged on it - since one did so at the risk of being labeled "unpatriotic" or "unamerican." I say INYERFACE about it. Throws 'em off. Leaves them unsettled. I'd venture to say that every time you refuse to be silenced, it makes them a little edgier - and I'd BET they're wondering how many more of you there are out there... (HORRORS!!!) \

And remember another thing: There's gonna be a lot of BIGTIME denial out there, as Contradicta keeps unraveling, and we face more adversity in Iraq and the 9/11 commission keeps going and the books keep coming out and more people read the Clarke book (HEY, remember, they're flying off the shelves, and it doesn't appear to be for book-burning purposes, either), and the unpleasant realities start sinking in, "true believers" are going to get more and more antsy. SOME of them may see the light and convert, but the hardcores will give you trouble. More stridently as they feel their backs up closer to the wall...

But when I've driven into the grammar school - well populated with IGMFUs, too - with my "War is Not the Answer" and Howard Dean stickers in my car window, I do NOT get harassed. They know better. Their kids love me because they love my crazy art projects. Their kids love sleepovers at our house because they have GREAT fun at our place with all the art supplies and nutsy bohemian stuff we have (that they NEVER get exposed to at home). I had one dad walk up to my car window while waiting in the pick-up line and talk to me at length about how disgusted he was with bush, feeling comfortable to approach me because my stickers revealed me to be one of the Good Guys. And the second grade teacher poked her head in my window, whispered "I like your sticker" (the anti-war one - she had one in HER car's back window). Subsequently, I noticed that she had added ANOTHER sticker above it. It read "Let's not reelect him in 2004 either!" - with a "w" with a red circle and slash through it.

You keep standing your ground! You will give strength and comfort to the still-timid Good Guys around you. And as time goes on, more and more turns of events will buttress you.

* By the way - "IGMFU" stands for "I Got Mine, F-U."

[tom_paine]

124. Go get 'em, libhist!

You show 'em!

[liberalhistorian]

125. Thanks, I sure do

intend to do just that!

[adriennel]

128. so much for creative thought in education

This story is a sad commentary on our education system. I'm not surprised, but they should be encouraging your son's freedom of thought, not trying to squash it. Kudos to you for fighting this nonsense and encouraging your son to hold his ground. Kids and students have very few recognized rights in this country. Cheers!

[Kolesar]

129. Remind the teacher(s) that Buvil's Education Sec'y called them terrorists

The teachers' unions are quite politically active. I am always disenheartened to find Republicans within the ranks of the working people who have scant reasoning skills and cannot figure out that Buvil's goal is to screw them over. I would think that "the message" would have traveled through the social circles of the teaching profession.

His teachers would have fainted over the shit that the older kids said about LBJ and Nixon when I was young. Many of today's teachers were the older kids back in Nixon's day. Has the collective memory of the tyranny of the Nixon White House been lost in the intervening years? Can they not recognize tyranny when they see it?

[liberalhistorian]

143. My parents are both retired teachers,

and we are all very discouraged to find repukes and wingnuts among the ranks of teachers, and especially those who are (and believe me, they do, indeed, exist) anti-union.

There have been some letters in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, my local paper, from teachers who actually AGREED with Paige's calling the NEA a "terrorist" organization! Talk about being in 1984, if it weren't for the NEA, those teachers working lives would be HELL!

[JCMach1]

131. Time to call them on the mat... call the Supt.

if that doesn't work, threaten a lawsuit.

[9215]

133. Air America may want to

air this story.

Just a thought.

[BigMcLargehuge]

134. go get em Liberalhistorian!

petty little assholes like this need to get it up one side and down the other. So much the better when they bring it on by their idiotic actions.

Love to your son, tell the boy to stay strong and, to quote Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge "Don't give the pricks the satisfactions".

Rock on!

[Terran]

135. Complete and Utter B S !!!

Your son has every right to say that, and they have NO right to punish him like that. I hate to suggest it, but maybe you should get a lawyer and SUE the school district. They'd deserve it for employing such GD idiots!

Dirk

[ulysses]

141. go mom!

:thumbsup:

[Asteroid]

146. After reading your story

It makes me shudder to think how ignorant and intolerant some people in this world can be. Congratulations to your son for standing true to his beliefs, and f*ck the teacher and the school. I hope you file a huge lawsuit against the school board, and tell your son that he is not alone. There are many people that share his point of view, but wouldn't have the courage to buck the system like he did.

[hippiegranny]

145. what is really ironic

is that these administrators are all up in your son's face to defend a guy who'd rather see them out of a job. bush has no respect for public schools, he's all about the "voucher" system. pure inanity. yes, it is time to pull out the stops - the local media, the aclu, other like minded parents.

[tlewis]

147. BUTTHEAD!

My nephew is just turning eight years old and he has taken to exclaiming "Bush is a BUTTHEAD!"

He lives near Columbus, Ohio, but hasn't gotten in any trouble... yet.

Even at 8, he could out-think your typical freeper.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

148. No, CHENEY is Butthead. Bush is BEAVIS.

CORNHOLIO!!!!

[debateshow]

149. unbelievable

Try to get media coverage, that is ridiculous.

[JohnLocke]

153. The teacher’s actions are a violation of the Ohio constitution.

Section 1 (Bill of Rights), Article 11 (Freedom of speech; of the press; of libels)
Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of the right; and no law shall be passed to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech, or of the press. In all criminal prosecutions for libel, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury, and if it shall appear to the jury, that the matter charged as libelous is true, and was published with good motives, and for justifiable ends, the party shall be acquitted.

[JohnLocke]

154. Refuse to serve the detention.

[JohnLocke]

155. Get the school board involved.

[JohnLocke]

157. VERY interesting link

http://www.neola.com/painesville-oh/
----
5723 - STUDENT RIGHTS OF EXPRESSION

In accordance with Board of Education policies 5722 and 9700, students have the right, protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, to exercise freedom of speech. This includes the right to distribute or display, at reasonable times and places, written material, petitions, buttons, badges, or other insignia, except expression which:
A. is obscene to minors;
B. is libelous;
C. is pervasively indecent or vulgar;
D. advertises any product or service not permitted to minors by law;
E. constitutes insulting or fighting words, the very expression of which injures or harasses other people (e.g., threats of violence, defamation of character or of a person's race, religion, or ethnic origin);
F. presents a clear and present likelihood that, either because of its content or the manner of distribution or display, it will cause a material and substantial disruption of school or school activities, a violation of school regulations, or the commission of an unlawful act.
Distribution or display of material in any of the above categories is prohibited on school premises or at any school-related event.

Procedures
Any student wishing to distribute or display nonschool material must first submit for approval a copy of the material to the principal in advance of desired distribution/display time, together with the following information:
A. name of the student or organization
B. date(s) and time(s) of day of intended display or distribution
C. location where material will be displayed or distributed
D. the grade(s) of students to whom the display or distribution is intended
The principal should either approve the material or indicate how it violates the guidelines listed above or the time, place, and manner restrictions listed below. If permission to distribute or display the material is denied, the student shall have the opportunity to make necessary revisions and/or deletions.
Permission to distribute or display material does not imply approval of its contents by either the School, the administration of the School, or the Board.
If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the principal, s/he may submit a written request for appeal to the Superintendent.
The student submitting the request shall have the right to appear and present the reasons, supported by relevant witnesses and material, as to why distribution/display of the written material is appropriate.

Time, Place, and Manner of Distribution or Display
The distribution or display of written material shall be limited to a reasonable time, place, and manner as follows:
A. No material may be distributed or displayed during the time or at the place of a school activity if it is likely to cause a substantial disruption of that activity.
B No material may be distributed or displayed if it blocks the safe flow of traffic within corridors and entrance ways of the school.

Disciplinary Action
Distribution or display by any student of nonschool-sponsored material prohibited by these guidelines will be halted and disciplinary action will be taken in accordance with the procedures contained in administrative guidelines 5600/5610.
Any other party violating this guideline will be requested to leave the school property immediately and, if necessary, the police will be called.
A version of this administrative guideline is to be published in student handbooks at the secondary level.
----

5500A - STUDENT CONDUCT IN SCHOOL
The Student Code of Conduct defines in detail how the Board of Education expects students to conduct themselves when under the jurisdiction of the Board.
All professional staff members are requested to be on the alert for any student behavior which is in violation of school regulations. Students should behave in a manner that will be a credit to our schools.

Classroom Behavior
Generally, standards throughout the schools should be the same. However, each teacher is expected to specify particular rules and procedures suited to the specific needs of the class.
Disturbances which interrupt the learning process cannot be permitted by any teacher. When a student feels an issue is very important and a difference of opinion has come about, the student should wait until the end of the period or seek a mutually convenient time to discuss the problem with the teacher unless it pertains to the lesson.
The teacher has the responsibility and authority to maintain order anywhere in the school, particularly, of course, in the classroom. When a student repeatedly disrupts a class or refuses to accept the teacher's authority, that student should be referred to an administrator for appropriate action.
A rule of reason, restraint, and understanding applied to any difficult situation will go furthest in resolving existing differences.
If a teacher finds it necessary to send a student from a classroom for any reason, the student is to report immediately to the office.

[JohnLocke]

158. Kick (nt).

[WolverineDG]

159. check with the aclu

and a lawyer who specializes in education law (possibly through your local legal aid). if at some point the harrassment continues and your son is placed in suspension (in or at home), then perhaps the school could be considered to be denying your son an education based upon his political views. :grr:

casually mention to the principal & teacher that you've already contacted a lawyer (even if you haven't; they won't know). i used to be a teacher & once i had to do battle with the superintendent's wacko wife. those bureaucratic types are so cowardly the mere saying of the phrase "well, i spoke with a lawyer already and he/she says...."
will cause them to cave quicker than a souffle in an earthquake. :evilgrin:

if they bring up "libel," inform them that truth is a defense. (well it is in texas at least.) as to an attack on the pres' character, does he even have one??? ;)

on the bright side, your son will have some interesting things to put on his college essay.

dg

[Colin Ex]

160. My opinion, although I'm probably pretty sure that it's going to be

the minority here.

While I certainly understand and agree with your view on the problem here -- having that on your permanent record is bullshit -- I'd politely ask him to consider toning it down a little and save his opinions for a time when they're relevant. I know I get a little irked when someone starts slamming their politics down my throat, or when I am talking about, say, noise bands in mixed political company and someone won't STFU about how much they hate such and such politician.

There's a better time for it than English class, I think. Discretion is the better part of valor, after all.

-C

[philosophie_en_rose]

166. But shouldn't the teacher be the one to tone it down?

Liberalhistorian's son is just a kid that made up a word according to the rules of the assignment. He's interested in politics and stands up for his convictions.

The teacher didn't ask him to change the way that he expresses his opinion (if there was anything wrong with it in the first place). Instead, the teacher censored liberalhistorian's son's expression in a way that is demeaning and politically biased.

Frankly, the school system is a little BUVIL.

[Colin Ex]

168. No doubt that cooler heads probably should have prevailed here.

You do make good points, certainly. From a practical perspective, though, it makes him look better (and a little less obnoxious) if he keeps it to himself when appropriate.

The teacher, certainly, could stand to perhaps be a little less anal as well.

-C

[SarahB]

162. I don't envy you

Fortunately, I'm not. My daughter (who's 12) goes to a magnet school with very progressive teachers. She had an American politics class and did a very cool powerpoint on Howard Dean a few months ago. The parking lot is filled with teacher's cars with various progressive bumper stickers.

Keep fighting. :thumbsup: It's all going to in their hands someday. We need them strong and informed.

[pstokely]

164. does the school have a website?

?

[wyldwolf]

165. I hope you don't take this the wrong way - but this is funny as hell

I wish you could video-tape your confrontations with the school administrators and send the footage to Michael Moore or someone like that.

Would make for good viewing!

If you're ever inclined to document the whole ordeal, please post it and send it to the various blogs on the net. Compelling.

[chelsea0011]

167. "People better watch what they say"...Ari Fleisher