Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jun 2007
Source: Muskogee Daily Phoenix (OK)
Copyright: 2007 Muskogee Daily Phoenix
Contact:  http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3319
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Bong+Hits+4+Jesus (Bong Hits 4 Jesus)

STUDENT SURPASSED FREE SPEECH RIGHT

The Supreme Court made the right call in the highly publicized "Bong
Hits 4 Jesus" case.

The court, in a 5-4 ruling Monday, said that schools can punish a
student for promoting illegal drug use without violating that
student's First Amendment rights.

Given the difficulties schools face today, especially from illegal
drugs and violence, administrators should be able to deter students
who disrupt the school day and who promote disruptive and illegal behavior.

The case had bizarre origins - an Alaskan student and friends raised a
banner in 2002 at a community event that the school attended. The
student created the sign with little thought to the content, in
defiance of school policy and to test the limits of free speech
rights. All rights have limits, and he surpassed them when he chose
his message and where to display 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake