Flag-burning editorial helps kill school paper in Redding, Calif.
We read:
"The adviser calls it sabotage, the principal finds it embarrassing and the superintendent is offended. The students see it all as a matter of freedom of speech. Shasta High School, in Redding, Calif., published its last issue of the Volcano, the student newspaper, before the end of classes last week with an image on the front page of a student burning the American flag and an editorial inside defending the practice.
"The paper's done," said Milan Woollard, Shasta High principal. "There is not going to be a school newspaper next year." Shasta had been looking at cutting the paper already -- funds are tight as the school anticipates receiving fewer state dollars from Sacramento this fall, Woollard said. "This cements that decision," he said.
Source
The First Amendment does not require that you PAY FOR speech you disagree with.
12 comments:
Hello Good Gentles All!
"The editorial, written by Connor Kennedy, who graduated Friday, explained that a person has the right to burn the flag, that it's protected speech under the first amendment. ..."
"Administrators at the school and district level said students have a right to run the photo and print the editorial under the first amendment, but all of them called it poor judgment."
If, indeed, it was poor judgement then the students were in august company as the Supreme Court itself has ruled on this exact issue and supported the position as expressed by the students in the editorial.
"Stuart said it showed the students' immaturity."
As opposed to Mr. Stuart's apparent ignorance of the first amendment and SCOTUS rulings affirming this exact editorial position.
"While flag burning may be a salient national issue, she said, nothing has happened recently in northern California to make it a current, local issue."
In other words, the local press is only allowed to comment on local issues. Her unfamiliarity with the function of the fourth estate is breathtaking.
"'I think that they misused (their freedom of speech),' Champagne said."
Spoken like a true administrator. Whenever someone says something with which this man disagrees it is a 'misuse' of speech.
One man's misuse of constitutionally protected speech is another man's appropriate use of constitutionally protected speech.
"'This cements that decision,' he said." (To disband the student paper. InFides)
In other words, they are shutting down the newspaper because of the students' exercise of a constitutional right which they themselves recognize the students have but which they do not want the students to exercise. Do these people even listen to what they are saying?
I will say this much in favor of the school administration; they have taught these students, through first hand experience (and probably quite contrary to their intent), about the disreputable attempts by those in authority to supress the right of free speech when confronted with ideas with which they disagree.
Pax,
InFides
The first amendment doesn't force the school, as the publisher, to print whatever the students want. Free speech is guaranteed, but not the right to force someone else to pay for it. The school administration has the right to control the content of the paper they publish. If the students disagree, then they have the right to pay for the paper, copying and distribution of whatever they want.
The kids do need to learn that just because something is protected by free speech doesn't mean that it's accepted by the norm of society. Attending a job interview at a law firm with a mohawk and purple hair is a lesson that 'some' have learned.
I'm still waiting to here the decisions from those that are being prosecuted for burning mexican flags...
Hello Good Gentles All!
I must say that I agree with those who have said that the school is under no obligation to print or support anything.
My concern is that instead of saying the reason was purely financial they included the excuse of an 'abuse' of free speech in an editorial which supported free speech as recognized by the Supreme Court.
I would be curious to know whether, if the students opt to pay for everything themselves, the administration would allow the newspaper to continue.
If yes, then I will retract everything I have said and apologize.
If no, then we have the real truth of why the newpaper was closed.
Pax,
InFides
American's are often forced to pay for "Free Speech" that they don't agree with. Take a look at the National Endowment for the Arts and see some of the "Free Speech" that tax money pays for...
While most of the artists supported by the National Endowment for the Arts produce fine artwork, there have been plenty of examples in the past 20 years of works that would be considered obscene by the "community standards" of most of the country. When confronted, the liberals always tend to rely on the Free Speech claus of the first amendment to explain why they shouldn't be censored.
And so our tax dollars pay for this "art" (that most citizens would label pornography) to be displayed in public forums under the banner of "free speech".
To Pax InFides,
Are you nuts!
In case your razor wit missed the fact, the paper was produced with taxpayer funds. I would be willing to bet you that most of those taxpayers did not like to see the symbol of our country being burned while they footed the bill.
If those little nose pickers want to produce a newspaper at their own expense, more power to them. Maybe once they learn that society in general has a few lines that you do not venture across they will be better suited to be good citizens.
Better yet, since you seem so concerned about the little darlings First Admendment rights, maybe you would like to pony up the necessary funds.
Clean water, like freedom, is essential to our way of life. Lest we forget what too much uncontrolled water can do!
Hello Good Gentles All!
Hello Anonymous!
"In case your razor wit missed the fact, the paper was produced with taxpayer funds."
Did you read my posts?
I hate to quote myself but...
"I must say that I agree with those who have said that the school is under no obligation to print or support anything."
Not only do I support your right of free speech I also support your right to read what I say.
You continue:
"Maybe once they learn that society in general has a few lines that you do not venture across they will be better suited to be good citizens."
If your idea of free speech means that people can only say things with which agree or only of which you approve then you are the one who is nuts.
(BTW, since when is agreeing with a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court crossing a line?)
"Better yet, since you seem so concerned about the little darlings First Admendment rights, ..."
I am concerned about EVERYONE'S first amendment rights.
Everyone wants to protect the rights of those with whom they agree. The true believer in free speech supports the right of speech for people with whom he does not agree.
"... maybe you would like to pony up the necessary funds."
I am always prepared to support free speech both monetarily and philosophically. I will attmept to see if the paper will be allowed to continue at student expense. If yes, I will send them a check.
I am no fair weather supporter of the rights of man.
Pax,
InFides
Infides,
Please explain to the above moron what Pax means & that it is not your username.
Hello Good Gentles All!
Hello McNasty!
You are correct. I should offer a clarification. I suppose he was not around when I set up my name. That was some time ago.
'Pax' is Latin for 'Peace.'
When I say 'Pax' that is my closing wish to you similar to 'I Bid You Peace.'
InFides is a mix of 'in' and 'fidelis.' My hope is to express my sentiment about being 'in faith' with all of you whom I regard highly and with whom I love to debate.
I freely admit that I am not always in agreement and sometimes I am sharp in my language. I learned to debate in a very rough and tumble way. If I have offended anyone by my aggressive style I apologize.
I am in faith that any issue can be discussed. That all people have an equal right to speak. That all opinions are worthy of consideration. I may not agree with someone's opinion but I will hear it and consider it fairly within my limits as a human being to do so. I think the world is a much better place when people talk about things.
Pax,
InFides
Infides,
Make sure you send us all a copy of your cancelled check as I think that you are pulling our leg on sending any money to anyone.
PS
Mcnasty,
Don't beat up on that poor moron. He is most likely only slightly more stupid than you are.
Hello Good Gentles All!
Hello Anonymous!
"Make sure you send us all a copy of your cancelled check as I think that you are pulling our leg on sending any money to anyone."
How interesting of you to make this post. I just called Shasta High School, 530-241-4161. The principal is away until Friday and they do not yet know who will be the school newspaper adviser for next year. I have left my name and telephone number with a request that someone call me to arrange a donation.
Now, will you match my contribution or do you merely talk the talk? Does free speech interest you enough to contribute?
"Don't beat up on that poor moron. He is most likely only slightly more stupid than you are."
Oh dear. Personal invective. Always the last refuge of a scoundrel who has no credible argument.
Pax,
InFides
Post a Comment