I usually try not to blog things that have already been blogged a thousand times over, but I think this is worth an entry.

There has been a lot of recent media coverage on the Bong Hits 4 Jesus (Morse vs. Frederick) case that the Supreme Court recently ruled (in favor of the school) on.

While it's true that the student did something that could be considered abrasive, it wasn't illegal, and wasn't on school property. The student, a senior, thought it would be funny to put "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" on a banner and hold it up while he and the other students watched the Olympic Torch pass by. The student was suspended for promoting drug use at a school sanctioned event. The student ended up petitioning local courts concerning this, stating a violation of free speech. The local court ruled in his favor, prompting the school board to take the case to the Supreme Court. The student lost the case, which isn't really surprising, but I think it's sad nonetheless. I can understand the school's point of view, they have to uphold the regulations. I just take issue with the society that is so backward and inflexible in it's thinking. 

I personally feel that the ruling for the school is yet another example of government officials enforcing taboos on those who do not necessarily share those views. They tip toe around real issues, and sink their claws into anything that offends their delicate bible-belt bred sensibilities. The government is supposed to be there to help protect our rights and keep the bad guys off the streets. It’s sad to see that the main function of the government these days is to shove whatever the Dogma of the Day is down our collective throats.

It's not limited to just the US Government either.

Officials in a Canadian school recently threatened a 15 year old student with legal action, because he wrote a school paper that stated that marijuana is less physically harmful that alcohol. He did independant research, dug up scientific studies concerning it and wrote without any indication that he was a drug user. School officials still took it upon themselves to threaten the student, and verbally accuse him of using and selling drugs on the school campus. Feeling that he was being treated unfairly, he organized a walkout in the school, but was thwarted and suspended for three days for violating a school lock-down. The school refused to speak to the press concerning the punishment of the student. 

I think that the powers that be should frankly get their heads out of their fat asses and stop being so fucking politically correct and easily offended about everything. We would be much better off.

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