Posted on 08/07/2008 5:43:48 AM PDT by ozark hilljilly
Folks, I'm so mad I can't see straight and I hope the smarter(than me) people here at FR can advise us on this.
At school registration we got a handout informing us about a change to school policy. Starting this school year, any student who wishes to participate in any extra curricular or co-curricular activities must consent to random drug testing! Needless to say I was 'stuned' and speechless. We're not a big metropolitan school district, we're a very small, rural school. This was apparently done during a closed session of the school board's meeting over the summer. As far as I know NO INPUT from the parents was asked for, no open meeting was held on the matter. They just up and decided to enact this!
The cite a 2003 Supreme Court ruling as to the legality doing this. I am livid, as are my kids. This new policy would include Band, we think, and both my kids are in those classes. My youngest was in tears at the thought of a total stranger observing her urinate-even if it was "just listening for normal sounds". She has a hard enough time as it is in public bathrooms. (She's at that age when any bodily function discussion makes her squeamish.) My oldest (who had the priviledge of having a real American History teacher last year) immediately brought up the 4th amendment.
If I don't consent, then my children cannot be in Band. Heartbreaking. (and I just got the instruments paid off!) My children aren't giving up their bodily fluids to the state! To me this is guilt before innocence. I haven't calmed down enough to speak to the principal about this, yet. So to help me when I do finally confront her about this, what advice can y'all give me? (links, legalities, etc.)
/sarc
//you watch, someone will say it and mean it
It’s a voluntary extra curricular activity.
I have zero problems with it.
Does the new plan require teachers to submit to drug testing?
Ha! Yes, that was already brought up by our pastor! She warned us about that. Heck, search me all you want-just keep your hands off my kids!!
If the entire football team told the coach to stuff it and walk out, the policy would be changed within 10 minutes.
It’s a racist policy. It will never stand.
Drug test the teachers, administrators and the school board.
Yes, it’s “voluntary”,but it doesn’t stipulate what they would have to give up if they refused. For my kids, it means giving up being in Band. We don’t have much to offer kids here and Band is actually a cool class to be in.
Your school doesn't seem to be kicking kids out for drugs, but it does seem to be making an effort to identify kids with a problem, so that the problem can be dealt with. Parents will have to confront their children's behavior. Children will see that behavior has consequences, "I'd like to be on the team, but I failed my drug test."
I think this is a small step in the direct that schools should be going in. I applaud your school.
We haven't used it in years. Scalia - the so-called originalist - honors federal jack booted thugs and stare decisis over the literal words of the original constitution. I don't understand his love of authoritarianism. For all of his supposed intellect, itt is why I will never be able to respect his opinions.
Damn right. This ought to offend the puredee-hell out of anyone who loves freedom, and honors the idea that these characters above us actually work for us, and aren't little tinhorn dictators.
It looks like while you were posting someone else was already saying it.
I have greater than zero problem with it. Much greater than zero.
My tax dollars are being used to bring this sort of crap about.
It is amazing to me how many people in this country have “zero problems” with the rights of OTHERS being violated by agents of our government. If someone required YOU to take a drug test before engaging in your favorite “voluntary extra curricular activity” you’d probably change your tune.
The fact that you have zero problems with a government agency requiring children to pee on demand, disturbs me.
THANK YOU! That’s exactly the point!
Guilt before innocence.
I gave the only political donation that I have ever given to one man - Fred Thompson - and I am really angry that he didn’t take McCain down in the debates.
He had a Reaganesque quality to all the zingers he delivered as well.
I don’t have a problem with it either. My daughter was on the soccer and cross country teams in high school and was tested. When she graduated, she went to the Air Force Academy and was tested there, too. I was in the military and was tested periodically. The sensitive nature of my job now makes me subject to periodic testing as well.
In many schools and other situations, the authorities don’t actually watch them urinate. The temperature of the urine is measured within 4 minutes and if not above 95, it is discarded and a specimen collected under direct observation.
I’ll say it. What are you worried about?
I miss Fred!, too. :(
When it comes to drug testing, don't expect much from our conservative brothers and sisters except ridicule. For some, the constitution can is a pick and choose item. :(
For the record, both my girls have had no problem with their pre-employment drug screening and still disagree with the school's drug screening. The 'druggies' don't participate and bum rides.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.