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| Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Free Speech Case |
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Posted by CN Staff on March 19, 2007 at 13:07:29 PT By David G. Savage, Times Staff Writer Source: Los Angeles Times 
Washington, DC -- High school students may have a right to free speech, but it does not go so far as to include the freedom to unfurl a banner promoting "bong hits" at a school event, former U.S. Solicitor General Kenneth Starr told the Supreme Court today. "This is disruptive of the educational mission and inconsistent with the school's message" against using drugs, Starr said. Starr, now dean of the Pepperdine Law School, represents a school principal from Juneau, Alaska, who was sued for ripping down the banner and suspending the student who unfurled it. The case forces the court to reconsider the line between a student's right to free expression and a principal's authority to limit what is said and done at school. During the hourlong argument, the justices struggled to draw such a line. Most of them sounded as though they leaned in favor of the school principal. At the same time, they were wary of saying officials have broad power to punish students whenever they think a student's message is offensive or inappropriate. Several religious-rights groups filed briefs supporting the student's free-speech right in this case. Their lawyers worry that school officials might, for example, say it was inappropriate for a student to wear a T-shirt that praised Jesus Christ. Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said it would be "disturbing" if principals had such broad authority to pass judgment on what students say at or near school. But Starr said the court could rule narrowly and give principals the power to forbid signs and banners promoting drugs, alcohol or tobacco. "This case is ultimately about drugs," he said. ACLU: Morse v. Frederick, 06-278: http://tinyurl.com/24j7db Complete Article: http://tinyurl.com/lnvm3 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Related Articles: Court Hears Bong Hits 4 Jesus Case Court To Hear 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Case Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help |
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| Comment #4 posted by FoM on March 19, 2007 at 14:35:34 PT |
| Just when you think that we won't have to hear anything about Anna Nicole Smith this comes along. *** Police: Smith Judge Caught Using Pot Judge Lawrence Korda Puffing In Park, Police Say March 19, 2007 HOLLYWOOD, Fla. -- A Broward County judge who was part of the Anna Nicole Smith proceedings was discovered smoking pot in a Hollywood park Sunday and will have to appear in court for his actions, according to police. Complete Article: http://www.wsoctv.com/news/11298348/detail.html [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #3 posted by FoM on March 19, 2007 at 14:26:31 PT |
| Could 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' Case Chill Free Speech In Schools? http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555058/20070319/index.jhtml [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on March 19, 2007 at 14:07:34 PT |
| The majority of their rulings are in favor of government and/or big business. The US Constitutional court system needs to be revamped with rules in place that will help the justices understand that their job is to protect the people in accordance with the constitution. As it is now they are just a rubber stamp, neither the legislative branch nor the executive branch nor the people respect the Justices of the Supreme Court. [ Post Comment ] |
| Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 19, 2007 at 13:33:24 PT |
| "This case is ultimately about drugs," he said. Why does Starr call Cannabis a drug? It's an herb not a drug. A drug is made by man and cannabis isn't made by man. [ Post Comment ] |
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