Considering that her t-shirt is actually challenging the authority of the principal and is directly targeted at his DUI, I'd say that the t-shirts are more than just individual expression of the girl's philosophy.
If she wore a t-shirt that said, "Our principal in a convicted drunk driver" there would actually be no difference.
Now....the issue isn't whether the message is true. The issue is that the courts HAVE upheld a school's right to prevent disruption.
Does that message, and that type of attack on the administration of the school, constitute a disruption.
I would say that it does.
The girl should lose this suit. The school should win.
"The girl should lose this suit. The school should win. "
And then the principal should be fired.
I can see wearing that t-shirt regardless of the principal's beveraged driving history. Here in the wine country of Sonoma County drunk drivers kill their fair share of people. If someone in my family were killed by a drunk driver are you saying that my children couldn't wear a shirt that said "don't drink and drive"?
I say the school is going to lose this one....
Wher does it say that?
Personally, I'm all for school uniforms. That solves the issue pretty quick.
I agree completely. When I as in high school back in the 1980s, we all understood that the school's first responsibility was to provide an orderly and safe learning environment. The school regulations clearly stated that "protests" would not be tolerated and would result in disciplinary measures. No one went around playing the gadfly.
Regarding Duck's refusal to comment, that is exactly what he should have done. Unlike Miss Smith, he didn't fire off with some smarmy comment on her background. Duck took his punishment for the DUI, so what exactly is her beef anyway? And speaking of being smarmy, Miss Smith needs this little lesson in manners and tact, because one day she'll run across someone who'll do more, perhaps a lot more, than decline to comment. Her actions are immature.
Using your logic all programs in school that advocate "Don't Drink and Drive" should be banned becaus someone might relate it to the Principal and make the Principal feel embarrassed.
The truth is that the Principal should have been standing next to that girl in the hallways between classes pointing to the shirt and saying "She's right! Look at all the trouble I got into making that kind of mistake!"
The problem is that it sounds like the Principal is more concerned about his reputation than he is about the truth and sending a good message.
The truth should never be stepped on just because it disrupts things a little.
I don't agree.
*Disruptive* is an ambiguous term. Racial epithets, vulgar language, etc are disruptive.
'Don't drink and drive' is a national slogan printed on everything from shirts to bumperstickes.
It's his own guilt over his own actions (and getting caught for it) that's the problem
The girl is just a convenient whipping post.