shanek
22nd March 2003, 01:55 PM
http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0303/20/d01-113850.htm
For those who missed the story or need a recap:
Barber, an honor student who describes himself as a Libertarian, was scheduled to present a "compare and contrast" essay in English class Feb. 18. He chose to compare Bush with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and wore the T-shirt, purchased over the Internet, to illustrate his anti-war viewpoint.
Administrators, alarmed at the potentially incendiary nature of the shirt, told Barber to turn it inside out, take it off or go home.
But last year, as a 10th-grader, Barber had learned about the case of Tinker vs. Des Moines, the 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case considered the landmark on issues related to freedom of speech in schools.
In that case, John Tinker, now a 52-year-old software analyst living in Fayette, Mo., was expelled from school for wearing a black armband to protest the Vietnam War. Justices ruled that constitutional protections "are not shed at the school house gate."
Thus inspired, Barber chose to leave school rather than surrender his freedom of speech.
Good for him. But:
"He's been stopped more than once by people that recognize him," his father said. The Barbers, who are both Democrats, have been been labeled anti-American, called pot-smoking hippies and accused of irresponsible parenting.
[...]
For Bretton, the hardest part has been enduring unkind remarks against his parents.
"These accusations are not true," said Bretton, who said his parents aren't hippies, don't use drugs and are as patriotic as any.
"If my parents have influenced me in any way, it's been by their willingness to talk about political issues and debate my opinions with me," he said. "People should find out a little bit more about me and my family before they make a judgment call. Don't bring it down to a personal attack."
Sounds like he's being raised right to me. We need more parents like the Barbers, on every area of the political landscape.
For those who missed the story or need a recap:
Barber, an honor student who describes himself as a Libertarian, was scheduled to present a "compare and contrast" essay in English class Feb. 18. He chose to compare Bush with Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and wore the T-shirt, purchased over the Internet, to illustrate his anti-war viewpoint.
Administrators, alarmed at the potentially incendiary nature of the shirt, told Barber to turn it inside out, take it off or go home.
But last year, as a 10th-grader, Barber had learned about the case of Tinker vs. Des Moines, the 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case considered the landmark on issues related to freedom of speech in schools.
In that case, John Tinker, now a 52-year-old software analyst living in Fayette, Mo., was expelled from school for wearing a black armband to protest the Vietnam War. Justices ruled that constitutional protections "are not shed at the school house gate."
Thus inspired, Barber chose to leave school rather than surrender his freedom of speech.
Good for him. But:
"He's been stopped more than once by people that recognize him," his father said. The Barbers, who are both Democrats, have been been labeled anti-American, called pot-smoking hippies and accused of irresponsible parenting.
[...]
For Bretton, the hardest part has been enduring unkind remarks against his parents.
"These accusations are not true," said Bretton, who said his parents aren't hippies, don't use drugs and are as patriotic as any.
"If my parents have influenced me in any way, it's been by their willingness to talk about political issues and debate my opinions with me," he said. "People should find out a little bit more about me and my family before they make a judgment call. Don't bring it down to a personal attack."
Sounds like he's being raised right to me. We need more parents like the Barbers, on every area of the political landscape.