Tenn. school confiscates student newspapers

[Eugene]

Sunday, November 27, 2005 · Last updated 12:15 p.m. PT

Tenn. school confiscates student newspapers

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. -- Copies of a high school's student newspaper were
seized by administrators because the edition contained stories about
birth control and tattoos, stirring a First Amendment debate.

Administrators at Oak Ridge High School went into teachers' classrooms,
desks and mailboxes to retrieve all 1,800 copies of the newspaper
Tuesday, said teacher Wanda Grooms, who advises the staff, and Brittany
Thomas, the student editor.

The Oak Leaf's birth control article listed success rates for different
methods and said contraceptives were available from doctors and the
local health department. Superintendent Tom Bailey said the article
needed to be edited so it would be acceptable for the entire school.

<snip>

(Superindentant Bailey) "We have a responsibility to the public to do
the right thing," he said. "We've got 14-year-olds that read the
newspaper."

<snip>

Full article: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1110AP_Student_Newspaper_Seized.html

[ProudToBeLiberal]

1. Be prepared for a lawsuit from the ACLU

God these freaking people trying to take away our right to free speech.

[MnFats]

2. 14-year-olds reading newspapers? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!

What are they thinking of>?!?!?!
I hope they stamp out this trend of youth being informed before it's too late!

[yngliberal]

3. Contact Information

Superintendent:

Dr.Thomas Bailey
[e-mail]

School Board Members:

Mr. John Smith, Jr.
Chairman

[e-mail]

-----------------

Ms. Jennifer Richter
Vice-Chair

[e-mail]

------------------

Mr. Keys Fillauer
Parliamentarian

[e-mail]

----------------

Ms. Angi Agle
Treasurer

[e-mail]

-----------------

Dan DiGregorio
[e-mail]

[rodeodance]

4. gee, to think they might get some info about contraceptions. gee whiz!

[baldguy]

5. The right thing to do would be to uphold the First Amendment.

Even 14-yr olds need to learn how to live in a free society.

That's assuming, of course, that's what Mr Bailey wants to teach them.

[tx_dem41]

6. SCOTUS has ruled that this does not violate First Amendment rights...

of the newspaper staff.

http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&navby=case&vol=484&invol=260

[Journeyman]

8. Thank you, tx_dem41. . .

not that it will accomplish much in the sure to arise DU echo chamber for this issue, but it's always nice to see case law and facts posted.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

7. Heaven forbid that 14 year olds should receive actual information.

[asjr]

9. Par for the course. This is Magenta Red E. Tn.

[TNDemo]

10. Nope, not Oak Ridge.

It is typically blue and is very well educated. The rest of Anderson County may be red but usually Oak Ridge is blue.

[ladjf]

11. Hmm. That's good education. Disallow important information.