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| 'Bong Hits' To Supreme Court? |
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Posted by CN Staff on May 03, 2006 at 08:12:54 PT By Eric Morrison, Juneau Empire Source: Juneau Empire 
Alaska -- The Juneau School Board is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a court ruling that supported a former student's right to display a banner that read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus."The Juneau School District has enlisted some big-name help in hopes of overturning the ruling that could potentially cost it money. Los Angeles attorney Kenneth Starr, who served as the independent counsel investigating former president Bill Clinton, has agreed to represent the School Board and former Juneau-Douglas High School Principal Deb Morse on a pro bono basis to appeal an April decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The San Francisco-based court reversed a lower federal court decision when it ruled Morse and the School Board violated JDHS student Joseph Frederick's First Amendment rights in January 2002. "The 9th Circuit's decision has left the Board and school administrators with no guidance as to where and when we can enforce our policy against messages promoting illegal drug use," said Phyllis Carlson, president of the School Board. "Federal law requires us to maintain a consistent message that use of drugs like marijuana is harmful and illegal. Yet, when we try to enforce our policies, our administrators are sued and exposed to damage awards." Frederick was suspended after he was observed with a sign that read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" during the visit of the 2002 Winter Olympic Torch to Juneau. Frederick was off school grounds but it was during school hours. "How foolish," said Juneau-based lawyer Douglas Mertz, who has been representing Frederick. "How much money are they going to waste trying to deprive someone of their Constitutional rights?" Mertz, who has argued before the U.S. Supreme Court before, said it is very unlikely the nation's highest court will hear the case. "Number one, they take very few cases anyway," he said. "And the cases they usually take are issues where there is some issue of national importance and significant disagreement between lower courts, and this case fits neither category." Carlson said Starr, whose investigation led to the impeachment of President Clinton by the U.S. House of Representatives, has the reputation and qualifications to take the case. "He is absolutely the best attorney we could have for this case," she said. "The fact that he is willing to waive his fee confirms our belief in the importance of this case to school districts throughout the country." Mertz said he is not intimidated by Starr's star-power. "In the Supreme Court, it's the merit of the cases that count," he said. Note: School Board secures former Clinton investigator Kenneth Starr as pro bono attorney in attempt to reverse ruling in First Amendment banner case. Source: Juneau Empire (AK) Related Articles: Protecting The Right To Dissent Banner Suit Filed in Court Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 03, 2006 at 09:55:02 PT |
| You can listen to Looking For a Leader on this link from NPR if anyone wants too. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5377060 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 03, 2006 at 09:51:53 PT |
| The Republicans are upset because soon they won't have the power they have had for a long time. I have no idea how anyone involved in reforming laws surrounding Cannabis could be a Republican. The values of the Republicans seem the total opposite of any liberty for the average person in our country. I mind people who look down their noses at common folks. Common folks are the backbone of America. Like Neil Young says in his one new song We Are Looking For a Leader. I know some don't think that way but I do. I am not political but I know I personally want a strong and compassionate leader to be our next president. I don't care who he or she is but they must really care. I wonder why anyone would be a Republican anymore. They sure know how to waste our money. There I feel better. Looking For a Leader Lyrics: http://www.human-highway.org/lyrics/lyrics-47.html#008 [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #6 posted by lombar on May 03, 2006 at 09:42:14 PT |
| It is amazing how intransigent people are about the nature of power. One should be questioning the need for mental midgets to be depriving people of their natural rights. No 'greater good' is being served. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #5 posted by whig on May 03, 2006 at 09:13:33 PT |
| Okay, I tried to fix up some of the context in the spiritual use article. I had some difficulty keeping it before, because some anon kept reverting and it was too annoying to keep fixing it. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #4 posted by observer on May 03, 2006 at 09:05:35 PT |
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see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannabis_(spiritual_use) [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by Max Flowers on May 03, 2006 at 08:59:42 PT |
| Acid tabs 4 Buddha Magic mushrooms 4 Allah Ecstasy 4 Shiva There, I posted those for all the world to see I'm such a rebel. Come get me hee hee hee This case is beyond ridiculous! [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by unkat27 on May 03, 2006 at 08:23:21 PT |
| "I think they know that Cannabis allows a person to think outside the box and they don't like it. " Agreed. This is obviously just another big waste of tax-payer's money and judicial time. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 03, 2006 at 08:15:35 PT |
| Kenneth Starr oh my goodness! Are the Republicans afraid of anything related to Cannabis? I think they know that Cannabis allows a person to think outside the box and they don't like it. [ Post Comment ] |
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