First Amendment no big deal, students say
The way many high school students see it, government censorship of newspapers may not be a bad thing, and flag burning is hardly protected free speech.
It turns out the First Amendment is a second-rate issue to many of those nearing their own adult independence, according to a study of high school attitudes released Monday.
The original amendment to the Constitution is the cornerstone of the way of life in the United States, promising citizens the freedoms of religion, speech, press and assembly.
Yet, when told of the exact text of the First Amendment, more than one in three high school students said it goes ?too far? in the rights it guarantees. Only half of the students said newspapers should be allowed to publish freely without government approval of stories. [read the whole sad article]
[via The Daily Aneurysm at jabartlett.com]
Good citizens trust their government and yield authority to it. We are rearing double-plus good citizens! No Child Left Behind. Liberty is on the march.
And, yet, lest we despair for their future, youth still equals rebellion (see below). mjh
Norwood High bans book; students plan protest
One published letter, written by Norwood High junior Christian Skyler Kelley, said: “This was the same feeling of the communists: Keep them dumb and we will stay in control. I never knew books were dangerous. You cannot educate if you censor.”
Norwood High junior Christian Skyler Kelley has written a letter to the editor critical of what he calls censorship.
“I never knew this book existed,” Kelley said. “Now, I feel it is my obligation to read it and see what our superintendent … found so dangerous that it must be destroyed.”
Students plan sit-in over book ban
NORWOOD, Colo. — Several students say they’ll have a sit-in this morning to protest the banning of “Bless Me, Ultima” at Norwood High School in Colorado.