Freedom of Speech - Blogging

Students sometimes complain about their teachers. I know this may come as a shock, but it is true.

Avery Doninger used her blog to express her frustration with school administration at Lewis S. Mills High School in Burlington, Connecticut for canceling Jamfest 2007 - an annual battle of the school bands. She was [angry] and called them [a derogatory term] on the internet, and they banned her from serving on student government.

A new bill introduced into the Connecticut legislature by Gary D. LeBeau (a teacher for 35 years) would ban "punishing students for the content of electronic correspondence transmitted outside of school facilities or with school equipment, provided such content is not a threat to students, personnel or the school."

In other words, you have the right to an opinion, and the right to express that opinion, and according to a 1969 Supreme Court decision, Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, "Students do not shed their rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.''

The Supreme Court ruled in 2007 that a school principal can restrict the speech of a student who isn't even on school grounds. In Morse v. Frederick -- the so-called "Bong Hits for Jesus" case -- involved a student hanging an off-color banner across the street from his school during a school event.

It is the Internet age, folks, and this behavior is not new. Try a Google search for "George Bush is [a derogatory term]" and you will get a million hits. These people and companies insulted the President of the United States and did not get punished, but a 16 year old girl insulted her school Principal and did.

Freedom of Speech is what it is. Much of what people say is disagreeable, but they have a right to say it. Personally, I think Ms. Doninger's choice of words was vulgar, and even she admits it was "not her finest moment," and her mother wishes should would have"used more sophisticated language." but she has a right to say what she said.

The only problem I have with the proposed Connecticut legislation is the phrase "or with school equipment." You may have to allow people to express their opinion, but I don't think the school should be forced to let hem use school computers to do so. This part seems misguided and needs to be removed.

Be very cautious when they try to put limits on your rights....

FoxNews
The Torrington Register Citizen editorial
Hartford Courant
Journal-Inquirer