STUDENT FREE-SPEECH RIGHTS DEFINED: Supreme Court rules against "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" student

[DeepModem Mom]

AP: Student Free-Speech Rights Defined
Jun 25 10:42 AM US/Eastern
By MARK SHERMAN
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court tightened limits on student speech Monday, ruling against a high school student and his 14-foot-long "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner.

Schools may prohibit student expression that can be interpreted as advocating drug use, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the court in a 5-4 ruling.

Joseph Frederick unfurled his homemade sign on a winter morning in as the Olympic torch made its way through Juneau, Alaska, en route to the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

Frederick said the banner was a nonsensical message that he first saw on a snowboard. He intended the banner to proclaim his right to say anything at all.

His principal, Deborah Morse, said the phrase was a pro-drug message that had no place at a school-sanctioned event. Frederick denied that he was advocating for drug use....

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PVT9480&show_article=1

[LiberalFighter]

1. If he has graduated he could drive by the school every day with the banner

[Matsubara]

2. Here's the link to the original story (Breitbart is a Drudge RW site)

http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=bizarre&id=5419357

[DeepModem Mom]

5. It's the same AP story, word for word.

:shrug:

[Matsubara]

6. I know that. All the more reason not to give Drudge/Breitbart more hit$. NT

NT

[C_U_L8R]

3. You hear that students??

The Supreme Court just told you to STFU.

What are you gonna do about it ??
What are you gonna do ??

[Javaman]

13. skulk home and play my playstation. nt

[originalpckelly]

4. It sounds like the SCOTUS has been doing bong hits for tyranny.

[Goblinmonger]

7. This doesn't seem to be anything new.

Schools can limit students ability to wear clothing that advocate drugs, alcohol, or are sexual in nature. Tinker said that the kids can't be disruptive--it seems to me a 14-foot banner talking about bong hits would be a tad disruptive. And I don't buy Jr's statement that he didn't mean it to be a drug reference.

[Bandit]

8. The whole deal on this was it was off school grounds and not a school event

If it were a school sponsored event or on school grounds I would agree but this was public property out of school..

[Goblinmonger]

11. That does bother me

but the student was most likely still under the supervision of the school (again, I may be wrong on this). In that case they are still responsible and the student still needs to follow the rules. If he had been injured while watching the torch pass I imagine the school would still be held responsible for any negligence so he is still under their "umbrella."

[Canuckistanian]

9. Gee, another 5-4 decision

I knew that even before I opened the thread.

Now, who is it that libertarians support?

[txaslftist]

10. Burning marihuana smells suspiciously like ... freedom. Can't have that.

[Blue_In_AK]

12. Oh, that really sucks

We were really pulling for this kid.

[Javaman]

14. marginalizing the youth to become the new bush* youth brigade.

brown shirts just seems so WWII, they probably will wear something in the area of RED.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. I'm hoping to see gratuitous "Bong Hits for Jesus" banners, pins, T-shirts, &c ...

work their way into almost any photo-op, parade, etc. possible.

[C_U_L8R]

17. gratuitous posting

[KamaAina]

18. Excellent idea! Oh, look, I think I see one now...

(see below)

[edbermac]

16. I protest this ruling by the Supreme Court!

I'm so mad I'm gonna go smoke a joint...who's with me?

[WinkyDink]

19. How about "Frankincense for Jesus"?