The Charleston Gazette: Wrong!

[Sydnie]

http://wvgazettemail.com/section/Editorials/2004091716


What is it about high schools and the First Amendment? Far too often, schools are content to teach students about their precious right to freedom of thought and expression and then forget those principles once students take them seriously. Stories abound of school newspapers being censored or students being punished for protesting.

Now we find one of the state’s top high schools telling students in its Young Democrats club that they can’t engage in partisan politics by listening to the wife of a Democratic candidate. What else are they supposed to do?

George Washington High School Principal Jim Vickers kicked Natalie Tennant out of the school on Thursday because she was campaigning for her husband Erik Wells, who is challenging Rep. Shelley Moore Capito for the Third District Congressional seat.

If Tennant had been speaking to a captive audience in a classroom, Vickers might have had a point, although in our view this would still be acceptable if students had a chance to hear the Republican view as well. But Tennant was speaking to the school’s Young Democrats club. The club invited her to speak, and the students were there by choice.

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[BootinUp]

1. Down here in bible belt land

My daughter is subjected to an openly Republican History teacher everyday. He disdains democrats in class, except for Zell of course.

[DarthDem]

2. Sorry to Threadjack

. . . but I finally have to ask this, because I wonder about it every time I see your signature. Who is that absolutely gorgeous woman on the left in the picture of Wes Clark in your sig? Any idea? Just wondering. :D

[BootinUp]

3. Sorry

I didn't take the picture so I have no way of knowing. :)

[DarthDem]

4. Heh

Thanks. :) I figured you didn't take the picture - - just a shot in the dark, like if you happened to know she was the general's daughter who campaigned with him occasionally, or something. From the way she's standing in the pic it looks like she introduced him to the rally.

Again, no harm in asking. :D