cannabisnews.com: ACLJ Urges Supreme Court to Protect Free Speech 





ACLJ Urges Supreme Court to Protect Free Speech 
Posted by CN Staff on February 20, 2007 at 12:55:54 PT
For Immediate Release
Source: Business Wire 
Washington, DC -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), specializing in constitutional law, today asked the Supreme Court of the United States to protect the free speech rights of students to express their views on controversial topics that may be deemed unacceptable to a school district. “This is an extremely poor test case that should not even be considered by the Supreme Court,” said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.
“We strongly disagree with the student’s message in the case but believe there is a much broader constitutional principle at stake here – protecting the First Amendment rights of students to express themselves – especially if the school district considers the message offensive. Even though the Supreme Court has decided to hear this case, we argue it should revisit that decision and reject this case. But if it does not, then the high court should let the lower court decision stand which protects the constitutional rights of students to exercise their free speech rights. A decision to ban the student’s controversial speech would set a dangerous precedent and open the door for school districts to prohibit student speech that it considers offensive – speech in the future that could advocate a pro-family or pro-life message.” In December, the Supreme Court decided to take a case out of Alaska where a school district suspended a student for displaying a banner that read “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” – which the school contends advocates marijuana use. The student admits the banner was displayed for one reason – to attract media attention during a parade when the Olympic torch passed through Juneau in 2002 on its way to Salt Lake City. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in favor of the student and the school district asked the Supreme Court to take the appeal. In its friend-of-the-court brief filed today at the high court, the ACLJ makes several arguments. First, the high court should change its mind and reject this case by dismissing the Writ of Certiorari it granted in December when it decided to take the case. “This is a poor test case for student free speech,” the brief argues. “Given the ready availability of other vehicles to address the important issues at stake, this Court should dismiss the present writ as improvidently granted.” Second, if the high court does decide to hear arguments in this case, it should protect the free speech rights of students. The brief asserts: “The school district has engaged in blatant viewpoint-based censorship of student speech . . . A school’s basic educational mission does not confer blanket authorization for viewpoint suppression of student speech.” In addition, the brief argues: “It would be regrettable if the Court were to resolve the important questions of constitutional law at issue here in the context of a jokester’s prank, rather than a student’s bearing of a serious message.” “While we strongly disagree with the message displayed in this case, it would be wrong to permit school districts to arbitrarily decide what’s offensive and off limits,” said Sekulow. “In the future, that could put all student speech at risk – including speech that advocates Christian beliefs on any issue – including abortion or marriage.” The case is Morse v. Frederick and is No. 06-278. Oral arguments in this case have been scheduled for February 28, 2007. Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice specializes in constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C. Complete Title: ACLJ Urges Supreme Court to Protect Free Speech Rights of Students The ACLJ is online at: http://www.aclj.org/Source: Business Wire (NY)Published: February 20, 2007 Copyright: 2007 Business Wire Contact: http://tinyurl.com/3bk5u3Website: http://www.businesswire.com/Related Articles:Bong Hits Saga Enters Year Five http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22570.shtmlJustices To Hear Case of 'Bong Hits 4 Jesus' http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread22427.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by mayan on February 20, 2007 at 18:17:26 PT
Irrelevant Withdrawal
Sorry, unrelated...Blair to announce Iraq troop withdrawal: 
http://tinyurl.com/35upfqDon't be surprised if there is soon a "terror attack" in Britain. Phony Tony knows his withdrawal announcement is irrelevant since the whole Middle East will soon be in flames! US 'Iran attack plans' revealed: 
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6376639.stmIran - Ready to attack, American preparations for invading Iran are complete:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=PLE20070219&articleId=4844THE WAY OUT IS THE WAY IN...Producer Struggles to Defend Flaws & Bias of BBC Hit Piece:
http://infowars.com/articles/sept11/bbc_hit_piece_producer_struggles_defend_flaws_bias.htmdc911truth Holds Saturday Rally in front of the White House:
http://911blogger.com/node/6355How You Can Help Prisonplanet & Infowars Spread 9/11 Truth Via Digg.com:
http://prisonplanet.com/articles/february2007/200207Digg.htmThis Is What I Get For Listening to the Herald? By Kevin Barrett:
http://mujca.com/BadgerHerald.htm9/11 Accountability: Strategies and Solutions Conference - 
Chandler, Arizona - February 23-25:
http://911accountability.org/accountability/9/11 WAS AN INSIDE JOB - OUR NATION IS IN PERIL:
http://www.911sharethetruth.com/
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Comment #5 posted by whig on February 20, 2007 at 16:53:42 PT
money quote
"We're not trying to lock to up -- as much as I would like to -- somebody for smoking a doobie in front of their kids," Heck said.
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Comment #4 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 20, 2007 at 15:33:27 PT
But It's A O K
For parents to get sloppy drunk and "medicated" on pharmaceuticals in front of their kids. 
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Comment #3 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 20, 2007 at 15:31:15 PT
Source
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070220/NEWS11/702200353/1002/NEWS
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 20, 2007 at 15:29:44 PT
Help! We're going backwards in Nevada
Has anyone seen this? Pure desperation. Please help, anyone.Nevada parents who grow a single marijuana plant in their home where children live could be subject to a prison term of up to 15 years, according to a bill that was debated Monday at the Nevada Legislature.Senate Bill 5, sponsored by state Sen. Joe Heck, R-Las Vegas, would subject parents who grow or sell marijuana in the presence of children to the same penalties as adults who operate methamphetamine labs in front of children.Source: 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on February 20, 2007 at 14:07:29 PT
Ole Miss Marijuana Project Focus of TV Program
February 20, 2007The medical marijuana research project at the University of Mississippi will be the focus of tonight’s episode of “Dan Rather Reports,” an HDNet television program.According to an Ole Miss news release, the show will offer a glimpse into the Marijuana Project, an Ole Miss research effort the National Institute on Drug Abuse began funding in 1968.Rather visited the University in December when footage was shot for the story.Chemist Mahmoud ElSohly, who has been director since 1980, is an expert on more than 400 chemicals found in the plant, the university said.ElSohly and his staff used the plant to create a marijuana suppository. On the market in five years, it could be used to treat neuropathic pain, nausea and vomiting experienced by chemotherapy patients.ElSohly also developed a Cannabis fingerprinting system used to identify the geographic origins of marijuana samples.“Medical Marijuana” premiers at 7 p.m. today on HDNet It airs again at 10 p.m. The show also airs at 1 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday, as well as 10:30 a.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.Copyright: 2007 The Clarion-Ledgerhttp://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070220/NEWS/70220022
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