http://www.kansas.com/2011/11/24/2114760/disparaging-tweet-about-gov-sam.html
Disparaging tweet about Gov. Sam Brownback lands Kansas teen in principal’s office
By Suzanne Perez Tobias The Wichita Eagle
Published Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at 6:06 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Nov. 24, 2011, at 7:22 a.m.
*** begin quote ***
A Kansas teenager is in trouble after mocking Gov. Sam Brownback during a mock legislative assembly for high school students.
Emma Sullivan, a senior at Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, was in Topeka on Monday as part of Kansas Youth in Government, a program for students interested in politics and government.
During the session, in which Brownback addressed the group, Sullivan posted on her personal Twitter page:
“Just made mean comments at gov brownback and told him he sucked, in person #heblowsalot”
*** and ***
Sullivan said the principal ordered her to write letters of apology to Brownback, the school’s Youth in Government sponsor, the district’s social studies coordinator and others.
Karl Krawitz, the school principal, did not return calls or e-mails Wednesday.
*** and ***
“We monitor social media so we can see what Kansans are thinking and saying about the governor and his policies,” Jones-Sontag said.
“We just felt it was appropriate for the organizers to be aware … because of what was said in the tweet.”
Sullivan, 18, said she posted the comment because she doesn’t agree with Brownback’s policies, particularly recent cuts in state aid to schools. She is a registered Democrat.
*** and ***
“In general,” she wrote, “students on school-sponsored field trips, in which they are representing the school, would be expected to conduct themselves in accordance with school district policies, including use of electronic devices. Students may express their personal beliefs, views, and opinions, as long as they do so appropriately and in accordance with school policies.”
Sullivan’s older sister, Olivia, a sophomore majoring in political science at Wichita State University, said she thinks the controversy amounts to Brownback “censoring the opinion of a student.”
*** end quote ***
Reach Suzanne Perez Tobias at 316-268-6567 or stobias@wichitaeagle.com.
# – # – # – # – #
Gooferment Skrules have to “protect” the politicians and bureaucrats. Heaven forbid that a “student” say something snarky about a politician.
Certainly seems like a First Amendment issue here.
And, apologize to bureaucrats.
I’d have written “I’m sorry you shmucks don’t understand the First Amendment. Get a lawyer to explain it in little words to you.”
Argh!
(Note: this is another good argument why the Gooferment shouldn’t be involved in “education”. I’d call it propagandizing future voters. And, for the “student”, why use proper names? Good lesson in everything on the net is public.)
# – # – # – # – #
HAD A DIALOG ON FACEBOOK
Like this:
Like Loading...