Kid Suspended for Wearing Anti-Obama Shirt in School

[MASTERBAKER]

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An 11-year-old boy in Colorado was suspended from school after he refused to take off a shirt that read, “Obama is a terrorist’s best friend.” His father says that the school is violating his son’s First Amendment rights.

Daxx Dalton, a fifth grader at Aurora Frontier K-8 School in Aurora, Colo., wore the homemade shirt on a day when students were asked to show their patriotism by weari More..ng red, white and blue, according to MyFOXColorado.com.

When he was given the choice of turning the shirt inside out or being suspended, Dalton chose suspension.

“They’re taking away my right of freedom of speech,” he said. “If I have the right to wear this shirt I’m going to use it. And if the only way to use it is get suspended, then I’m going to get suspended.”

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/23/fifth-grader-suspended-for-wearing-anti-obama-shirt

 

[doublejizzle]

oh well, fuck his family and that shirt

 

[monsterman]

It was the boy's idea to wear the shirt.... Riiiight. GTFOH!

 

[Race Harley]

Dad pimping his son out for a buck and 15 minutes.

 

[gatorthaking]

what the fuck, they start the clan young dont they

 

[marcus]

Dad pimping his son out for a buck and 15 minutes.

that's all it is. they asked the little dumbshit why he wore the shirt, and his response was "because it's my right"

you can tell the dads been feeling his head up with bs

 

[QueEx]

`

Forget about the Dad and forget about their anti-Obama message.

Does the kid have a <u>right</u> to wear the message in school ???

If he has such a right, then wearing the shirt is his choice to make. End discussion.

If he does not have such a right, then off with the shirt.​

So, what do you think? Does he have a right; or does he not ???

QueEx


`

 

[Non-StopJFK2TAB]

`



So, what do you think? Does he have a right; or does he not ???

`

Communism isn't bad, it's just the paranoria that gets the best of us.

 

[n1pd]

`

Forget about the Dad and forget about their anti-Obama message.

Does the kid have a <u>right</u> to wear the message in school ???

If he has such a right, then wearing the shirt is his choice to make. End discussion.

If he does not have such a right, then off with the shirt.​

So, what do you think? Does he have a right; or does he not ???

QueEx


`

Im not sure if he does or not. I cannot remember ever being allowed to support any political figure when I was in school.

 

[Upgrade Dave]

`

Forget about the Dad and forget about their anti-Obama message.

Does the kid have a <u>right</u> to wear the message in school ???

If he has such a right, then wearing the shirt is his choice to make. End discussion.

If he does not have such a right, then off with the shirt.​

So, what do you think? Does he have a right; or does he not ???

QueEx


`

Generally, I would say he does. But I say this not knowing what that particular school/school system's rules on student clothing, some of which can be pretty draconian.

The point about his father pimping him out for a little attention is dead on. I expect to see this article on Fox News (if I watched Fox News, that is) any day now.

 

[monsterman]

`

Forget about the Dad and forget about their anti-Obama message.

Does the kid have a <u>right</u> to wear the message in school ???

If he has such a right, then wearing the shirt is his choice to make. End discussion.

If he does not have such a right, then off with the shirt.​

So, what do you think? Does he have a right; or does he not ???

QueEx


`

Freedom of speech obviously but he's an 11 y/o kid bringing that bold of a statement to an elementary school. That's what tells me that he was coached into doing it.
You can be anti Obama or McCain all you want, but there's gotta be a line drawn in the way that shit is expressed at a school. If that same kid went to school with a T-shirt saying "McCain is a white devil." He should get the same treatment.

By the way, I believe most people by now know that Obama isn't a muslim or a "terrorist's best friend" but a lot of these white folks say it anyway just to start something.

 

[ballscout1]

Most schools that don't require school uniforms do have policies in place that prohibit clothing that can disrupt the envoirnment of learning. those types of clothing tend to be of a political nature such as gay rights,racist content, anti religious topics, gang colors, drugs ect ect ect.

The kid in question was given the choice to change the shirt, turn it inside out or suspension and HE CHOSE suspension.

School is not the place for those types of statements and they do nothing to foster a safe learning envoirnment. They can even incite violence. The purpose of school is to be educated and not to promote your individual agendas.

They should have let him wear it and when he got his ass beat turn the other way when he seeks shelter of assistance.

There have been many cases that have gone to court over similar situations and they always lose. Last year there was a case when students wore shirts that said "be happy not gay" they weren't allowed to keep the shirts on ,went to court and lost.

There are limits to the freedom of speech.

 

[QueEx]

Freedom of speech obviously but he's an 11 y/o kid bringing that statement to a school. That's what tells me that he was coached to do it.

Should age matter?

Should adults have more freedom of expression, than children:

• What would be the cut-off age?

• What is important about that cut-off age that suddenly makes the young speaker "more entitled" at that cut-off age than, the day before?

• Does it matter whether an adult has on the same tee-shirt as the youth - when they both merely say: "McCain" or "Obama" ???

- Wouldn't some be offended; and others not ???​

- What would be the rule, since some are not offended ???​

Of course, I'm not asking you to answer these questions (you can though); just making food for thought.

You can be anti Obama or McCain all you want, but there's gotta be a line drawn in the way that shit is expressed at an elementary school. If that same kid went to school with a T-shirt saying "McCain is a white devil." He should get the same treatment.

You make a damn good point.

Now, where do you draw the line; and how will everyone know where that line is drawn ??? We need to know where that "line" is, so that we don't mistakenly cross it.


QueEx

 

[MASTERBAKER]

Freedom of speech obviously but he's an 11 y/o kid bringing that bold of a statement to an elementary school. That's what tells me that he was coached into doing it.
You can be anti Obama or McCain all you want, but there's gotta be a line drawn in the way that shit is expressed at a school. If that same kid went to school with a T-shirt saying "McCain is a white devil." He should get the same treatment.

By the way, I believe most people by now know that Obama isn't a muslim or a "terrorist's best friend" but a lot of these white folks say it anyway just to start something.

 

[QueEx]

Most schools that don't require school uniforms do have policies in place that prohibit clothing that can disrupt the envoirnment of learning. those types of clothing tend to be of a political nature such as gay rights,racist content, anti religious topics, gang colors, drugs ect ect ect.

You're right indeed. Schools do have such rules.

Question: Who determines what is in fact: political in nature; anti-religious; racists, etc. ???

• Might your idea of "political in nature" or "racist" or "disruptive" differ from mine ???

School is not the place for those types of statements and they do nothing to foster a safe learning envoirnment. They can even incite violence. The purpose of school is to be educated and not to promote your individual agendas.

You're actually very close to the U.S. Supreme Court's logic in all of this; but, what is learning if not the exposure to varying, different and, to some, radical ideas ???

There are limits to the freedom of speech.

Okay. But how would we know those limits ???

QueEx

 

[ballscout1]

You're right indeed. Schools do have such rules.

Question: Who determines what is in fact: political in nature; anti-religious; racists, etc. ???

* Might your idea of "political in nature" or "racist" or "disruptive" differ from mine ???

The types of inappropriate clothing is usually defined by the local school boards.If the parents want input or oversight then they should be a part of the PTA and the other boards that comprise local policy. If they have a problem then they can take it to court and dispute it there.By directing your child to challenge it in this manner not only was the clothing a potential disruption but so to is the media attention that follows

If my opinion differs then I participate the drafting of policy.

You're actually very close to the U.S. Supreme Court's logic in all of this; but, what is learning if not the exposure to varying, different and, to some, radical ideas ???

Thats what political science classes are for..Debate clubs. Term papers that are assigned. I doubt that an 11 year old will have those class options.You will not open discourse on topics by activities that can be viewed as offensive.If you want to talk about Race you won't start the convo by wearing KKK shirts or having slogans like Nigga's should be lynched..You wouldn't get an attentive ear by wearing a shirt that says Fags should die if you wanted to discuss your views on gay rights..

Okay. But how would we know those limits ???

The courts have already set the standard to some degree. Speech that is likely to cause harm,panic,violence among other things are not covered..The example most often sited is "You can't scream fire in a crowded theatre"


This particular child had options. After being told his attire was inappropriate and he could change it,turn it inside out or go home.He could have at that point changed it or turned it inside out and then involved his parents to challenge the rule all the way to court instead of being insubordinate...He was suspended for disobedience not the shirt while the shirt prompted the situation..

 

[QueEx]

Oh I agree with most of what you've said and I most certainly agree that there are limits upon free speech. I think, however, that healthy debate is necessary to keep the First Amendment <u>viable</u> and <u>pliable</u>, hence, my questions.

QueEx

 

[ballscout1]

I think, however, that healthy debate is necessary to keep the First Amendment viable and pliable, hence, my questions.

I agree totally. I don't think an 11 year old was interested in healthy debate and I tend to think that it was some manipulation from his father for the sake of BS.

I think there are ways to push agendas and that with every choice there is a consequence. Be prepared for that.

Remember the panthers openly carried firearms and even took them to the State capital in Sacramento because it was lawful to do so. They continued until the laws were changed.

There are ways to challenge laws and rules that have a chance to succeed even if the chance is slim and there are ways that that don't.

Confrontation is not debate and usually causes the original subject to be lost. The school was able to change the focus to insubordination and disobedience and away from a clothing rule that may or may not be just. If the parents and child felt the rule was unjust then after the school disallowed the right to wear the shirt,they should have taken it up the ladder instead of an 11 year old feeling incline to leave school.

As i said before,they should have locked his red neck ass in a room with some homies

 

[Miss Lead Luv]

NO. The shirt was racist...PERIOD. Obama being called a terrorist stems from the implication that he is not American enough (aka white or Christian enough), and that he is a threat (aka he is Black lolol). This shirt is offensive and quite frankly threatening to the other children, particularly those of color.

Freedom of speech is one thing, but what about the rights of a child to receive an education without feeling threatened and attacked? Furthermore (and this might be a stretch because well white supremacy is entrenched in the educational system) why should all our children's views and ideals be shaped by the bigoted parents of one kid (esp. at an age when they are so unsure of their views, their ideas of self etc.)?

The kid can wear his racist shirt outside of school but not when he is rubbing shoulders with my kid...I would be