| 9/23/2008 11:08:46 AM From: BCAR My thought, if he files a lawsuit then he's no better than those liberal dick heads who sue over having to say the pledge of allegiance. |  |
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| 9/23/2008 11:11:43 AM From: mercury I wonder how big of a fuss he'd have made about his kid's freedoms being violated if he had called his teacher a bitch? |  |
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| 9/23/2008 11:23:47 AM From: eddo I just can't buy into "Freedom of Speech" in school, when it comes to clothing. You aren't at school to make a political statement, you are there to learn. This is exactly why I think school uniforms are a great idea. I also think the dad is protesting vicariously through his son... |  |
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| 9/23/2008 11:32:02 AM From: Ali Extremists of any kind are bad news. |  |
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| 9/23/2008 11:43:53 AM From: BCAR I think censorship is a tool of the insecure. | |
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| 9/23/2008 12:10:39 PM From: hugo The Bill of Rights ends at the schoolhouse doors. | |
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| 9/23/2008 1:22:47 PM From: Rani I agree, the boy's rights were violated. |  |
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| 9/23/2008 2:05:36 PM From: MrsK I don't think that his freedom of speech was violated in that the shirt was designed to provoke. If you are going to wear something of that nature then you should be mature enough to be prepared for the consequnces. I am not syaing this because it is an anti-Obama shirt, but because I am an elementary education student. Children that age do not have the maturity to handle the reprecuations of wearing an article that makes such a bold statement. I would feel the same way if it were an anti-Bush or McCain shirt. I think the parent who allowed his child to wear this was using his kid as a tool. And that isn't fair to the child, or the school. |  |
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9/23/2008 2:08:41 PM From: MrsK And I would LOVE to stick around for the fireworks but I have class until about 8. So see you all around 8:30ish for the blood bath?  | |
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| 9/23/2008 2:11:04 PM From: eddo Honestly MK, I would expect this to cause fireworks elsewhere, but I think the majority of us can see this for what it is- a sad attempt to make a mountain out of a molehill. | |
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| 9/23/2008 2:11:47 PM From: BCAR I have nothing to add. | |
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| 9/23/2008 3:50:55 PM From: Ali At least it wasn't him mom's Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt. | |
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| 9/23/2008 5:04:49 PM From: beags I'm fine with the decision to suspend (well, or give him a choice to be suspended or change) as long as they would have made the same fuss over a similar shirt with McCain's name on it. And honestly, I'd like to know who is dumb enough to think "Daxx" came up with the shirt idea on his own.. I can just picture "Dann" standing over him saying, "APOSTROPHE S, son.. you don't want to make us look like uneducated assholes..." | |
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| 9/23/2008 5:10:23 PM From: MrsK that's why I winked at ya Eddo. And LMAO@beags! | |
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| 9/23/2008 7:21:24 PM From: timesjoke I see no problem with a school creating a "no political" zone in the school. Political discussion do have a place in an educational setting but not as a loud (in vision) attack. I also like the idea of required dress in schools, maybe not an actual uniform but a strict dress code that removes the distractions of fashion shows. I love belts and tucked in shirts myself. I agree that the parent is an influence for these actions and is most likely setting his son up for a bad road ahead. |  |
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| 9/23/2008 10:04:49 PM From: PapaBryant Sorry, but while the kid is clearly being used by his father here, no GOVERNMENT AGENCY can be allowed to censor political, religious or social speech at any time. Remember that the whole dressup day was an expression of patriotic expression, and what could be more patriotic than expression of political beliefs? While I think uniforms are a great idea, bottom line is the school cannot stop any expression of political speech short of a call to violence. The kid wasn't doing that. |  |
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| 9/24/2008 4:09:34 AM From: timesjoke You do not think the shirt was divisive? That is where I support the school, there are enough challenges for the school staff to deal with each day without adding in this level of divisive commentary in the school. We all know school staff members are 99.999% hard core liberals, I have worked in the system for a very long time as the only man in many cases doing volunteer work so I can tell you it is very tempting to have political challenges with them but I always remember that a school is not the place for that kind of drama to be played out. | |
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| 9/24/2008 5:50:43 AM From: MrsK Every school that I attended as a child and into my teens had a student code of ethics, or rule book etc. I can't recall ever reading one of thse that did not include a line or two or more stating that offensive and revealing clothing was not permitted. If the shirt was designed to provoke strong feelings and possibly animosity then the school had the right to tell the child to remove the article of clothing. If the shirt read "Put the Black Man In Charge! NO MORE White Power!" it would have been equally offensive. | |
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| 9/24/2008 6:16:56 AM From: Jez i saw a funny shirt in a catalog. it read "save the trees, wipe your ass with an owl." |  |
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| 9/24/2008 6:25:32 AM From: MrsK lmao!!! ^ | |
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| 9/24/2008 6:27:00 AM From: MrsK Let me ask you a question PB - would you have these same feelings if the kid were wearing a shirt depicting a flag burning? | |
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| 9/24/2008 6:59:10 AM From: emkay64 The kid shouldn't have worn the shirt and Papa is a fukking loon looking to cash in. Maroons I say! That's my professional opinion. All hail Emkay! |  |
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| 9/24/2008 7:29:30 AM From: MrsK *hails Emkay* | |
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| 9/24/2008 8:12:33 AM From: Ash Of Pompeii Wow. The shirt was a little overkill. |  |
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| 9/24/2008 10:47:31 AM From: Rani I agree with PB, bottom line, the school made to much out of the issue, so the boy created 5 minutes of fame, had the school downplayed it, chances are, everyone would have settled down and got down to school business. If the shirt resulted in fights breaking out, that is a different story. The article does not state any fights broke out, does anyone know? If not, then the boy was expressing his freedom of speech, and just because others may be offended and complain...well...according to most folks, we do not have a right to stop them. | |
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| 9/24/2008 12:24:05 PM From: MrsK Why should the school wait for fights to break out? I believe an once of prevention.... Well, you know the rest. | |
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| 9/24/2008 1:09:04 PM From: BCAR I think a noose would have made a much bolder statement. | |
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| 9/24/2008 3:45:00 PM From: timesjoke I see nothing wrong with teaching kids about the concept of "A time and place for everything". Blurting out anything you want to say without consideration of where you are and what is happening, or even who is around is simply irresponsible and I hate that so many kids have parents who refuse to teach their kids about being responsible. | |
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| 9/24/2008 10:21:23 PM From: Rani Yeah, "A time and place for everything". We got nutjobs all over the United States utilizing the "A time and place for everything" challenge. What it all boils down to, did or did the boy not have an expectation to freedom of speech? Yes, schools do have a dress code students and teachers must follow. As long as the boy was not in violation of the school's dress code, which he was given a copy of and his parent signed agreeing to the terms of the school had no business strong arming him. | |
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| 9/24/2008 10:22:50 PM From: Rani This is the dress code for Roanoke City... This dress code applies to all elementary students in Roanoke City Schools. Outerwear (jackets, coats) should be worn outdoors only. Baggy pants or shorts (falling off the hips) are not allowed. Skirts and dresses should be approximately knee length. Clothing that exposes the chest, belly button, stomach, waist, lower back, or midriff is not allowed. Clothing that is imprinted with obscene or inappropriate pictures or words is not permitted. Strapless or spaghetti strap tops or dresses are not permitted. Please be sure tank tops fit well with no exposure. Appropriate footwear should be worn for daily outdoor activities and P.E. If jewelry is worn to school, it must not be dangerous or distracting to the learning environment. Students are not to wear head covering without prior approval. Book bags are appropriate for school; therefore, pocketbooks are not allowed. | |
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| 9/24/2008 10:24:03 PM From: Rani I suppose the school could have a loop hole with the "Clothing that is imprinted with obscene or inappropriate pictures or words is not permitted" clause. | |
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| 9/25/2008 12:21:43 AM From: MrsK That is exactly where it comes into play Rani. Because the school reserves the right to protect the student, other students, and faculty from potential hazards. | |
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| 9/25/2008 4:12:50 AM From: timesjoke Exactly, that is the part where the school is permitted to restrict things of a divisive nature. Rani, what if the shirt said that Obama should be hung or shot? You don't see where any limits where divisive things should not be allowed, especially in the 5th grade? | |
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9/25/2008 4:41:13 AM From: mercury this is ours: In order to promote an orderly learning environment in our schools while preparing all students for later success in the world of work, the District School Board of Pasco County has established the following guidelines for elementary student dress:
Students shall keep their clothes, bodies, and hair clean.
Students shall wear shoes or sandals held securely on the feet for protection and safety while on the school grounds or aboard school transportation.
Students shall not wear hats or head coverings inside school buildings unless previously approved for medical or religious reasons or special school activities by the principal.
Students shall not wear decorations, symbols, mottoes, or designs on the body or clothing showing unacceptable products (tobacco, alcohol, drugs), inappropriate clubs or groups, or inappropriate pictures or words.
Students shall not wear spandex and/or beach-type clothing to school.
Students shall not wear very short shorts or miniskirts, see-through clothing, or tops that leave the stomach showing.
Students should wear clothing that lets them move and play safely (examples: tennis shoes, shorts, t-shirts) when physical education is scheduled.
Students' clothing shall be worn appropriately as designed. For example, pants are to be worn securely at the waist.
Jewelry shall be worn in a way that does not present a safety or health hazard or cause a major distraction to the educational process.
Wallet chains shall not be permitted.
The principal, or designee, will make the decision if a student's appearance meets school and community standards. The principal's decision on the appropriateness of dress is final.
Special Note: A student in violation of the dress code will be required to change into appropriate clothing before returning to class. If necessary, the student will contact parents to provide the appropriate clothing. Failure to do so will result in a discipline referral. Repeated violations of the dress code will result in being assigned a Level II or III intervention. | |
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| 9/25/2008 8:30:02 AM From: Rani Would someone please tell him about me and the "limits where divisive things should not be allowed" postition I have. lol..oh poor guy, he just doesn't know does he. Personally when it comes to shool attire, I believe uniforms is the best way to go, it would eliminate a bunch of problems. My point exactly is the only way the school had any right to do what they did is because the boy violated the dress code at his school and he knew he was violating it when he did it. Chances are, he did. | |
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| 9/25/2008 1:33:43 PM From: timesjoke So you agree there should be limits, all I was trying to say, good to agree with you once in awile | |
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| 9/25/2008 1:41:19 PM From: Rani TJ, you will soon learn that just because I may argue a point on here, may or may not be my opinion personally. What I find interesting and worth debating about this situation is in just how far should a 5th grader expect to be able to go under the disquise of Free Speech? Do the schools really have a legal right to even impose dress codes? Etc. and so forth. It is a wonderful debate topic, has many angles to discuss. | |
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| 9/25/2008 1:41:44 PM From: Rani Any most everyone knows my stand on Freedom of Speech. | |
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| 9/25/2008 5:55:28 PM From: Rani Giggles, I got Tracy and his brother debating hot and heavy over this. I feel kinds wicked, and I like it. | |
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