Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jun 2007 Source: Republican, The (Springfield, MA) Copyright: 2007 The Republican Contact: http://www.masslive.com/republican/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3075 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Bong+Hits+4+Jesus (Bong Hits 4 Jesus) STUDENT FREE SPEECH TAKES HIT IN BONG CASE It was not a banner day for the free speech rights of students. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that a high school principal in Juneau, Alaska, did not violate the free speech rights of a student when she suspended him for unfurling a 14-foot banner that read "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" as the Olympic torch parade passed by the school on its way to the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Whenever the nation's highest court hears a case that could ultimately restrict free speech, the nation should cross its fingers. Unfortunately, on the same day that it eased restrictions on free speech in political ads, the Supreme Court may have turned back the clock on student speech in public schools. This decision gives school officials broader authority to restrict student expression, and contradicts the landmark 1969 Tinker v. Des Moines ruling that recognized students have a constitutional right to express their opinions, even if the opinions are widely unpopular. In that case, the nation's highest court overturned the suspensions of two students who had worn black armbands to protest the Vietnam War. The court said then that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." Joseph Frederick was on a public sidewalk, across the street from Juneau-Douglas High School, when he unfurled his banner, "Bong Hits 4 Jesus." He insisted the banner was a stunt to get on television, but his principal, Deborah Morse, decided that the message promoted the use of illegal drugs. Frederick was not in a classroom when he unfurled his banner; he was not even on school property. It is a 14-foot stretch to say he was on a class trip. And, as Justice John Paul Stevens noted in his dissent, alcohol also poses a danger to students. Would the Supreme Court punish Frederick if he had unfurled a banner that read "Wine Sips 4 Jesus"? This was a story about a principal who lost her cool and a high school senior who pulled a stupid stunt to get attention - and possibly to get his principal's goat. What a shame it came to this. If this case sets precedent, we're pulling out our black armbands. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake