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The Supreme Court decides
Jun. 25th, 2007 10:20 amFrom NPR news online:
In another decision, the court tightened limits on student speech, ruling against a student who held a banner reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at an event in Juneau, Alaska. The 5-4 ruling sided with the school principal, who said the banner advocated drug use.
The student, now 23, sought damages, saying he dropped out of college after his father lost his job over the incident. A jury recently awarded Frank Frederick $200,000 in a lawsuit he filed over his firing.
Writing for the five member majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said, "Principal Morse thought the banner would be interpreted by those viewing it as promoting illegal drug use, and that interpretation is plainly a reasonable one."
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When I read the (I don't know the formal legal terminology) transcript from the court case before the Supreme Court I recognized that there was likely no good outcome for this case. Either you side with a smart ass of a student who uses free speech arguments for stupid shit like "bong hits 4 jesus" (and potentially disruptive displays in a learning environment) or you side with a anal retentive stickler of a high school administrator (and a diminishing of free speech within the confines of public school). Neither side satisfies.
I have not read the decision yet. Probably won't get around to it, as I'm busy at work and leaving for Alaska on Wednesday.
In another decision, the court tightened limits on student speech, ruling against a student who held a banner reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" at an event in Juneau, Alaska. The 5-4 ruling sided with the school principal, who said the banner advocated drug use.
The student, now 23, sought damages, saying he dropped out of college after his father lost his job over the incident. A jury recently awarded Frank Frederick $200,000 in a lawsuit he filed over his firing.
Writing for the five member majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said, "Principal Morse thought the banner would be interpreted by those viewing it as promoting illegal drug use, and that interpretation is plainly a reasonable one."
-----
When I read the (I don't know the formal legal terminology) transcript from the court case before the Supreme Court I recognized that there was likely no good outcome for this case. Either you side with a smart ass of a student who uses free speech arguments for stupid shit like "bong hits 4 jesus" (and potentially disruptive displays in a learning environment) or you side with a anal retentive stickler of a high school administrator (and a diminishing of free speech within the confines of public school). Neither side satisfies.
I have not read the decision yet. Probably won't get around to it, as I'm busy at work and leaving for Alaska on Wednesday.