A STUDENT'S RIGHT TO BE WRONG

The First Amendment Has to Protect the Absurd to Safeguard the Profound

Drugs and religion are volatile topics.

No wonder a sign proclaiming "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" has made it up the
steps of the U.S. Supreme Court. It is another test of First Amendment
rights, and how far one can push the envelope in the name of free speech.

A Juneau, Alaska, high-school student was well within those rights
when he displayed that banner during an Olympic torch relay in 2002
and should not have been punished by school officials. The Supreme
Court should echo those sentiments when it rules on the case brought
by the boy's parents.

Joseph Frederick was in a public place and did not disrupt a school
activity with what he says was a free-speech experiment. The message
was so absurd that it could hardly be considered promoting drug use --
yet that's the reason his principal gave for suspending him.

You can disagree with Mr. Frederick's interpretation of the message,
but there is no doubt about its constitutional clarity. Students away
from campus have constitutional protections, just like adults.

What's more disturbing is that the Bush administration wants the court
to adopt a broad rule allowing public schools more rights to silence
speech.

Free speech means exactly that, even if the message is disturbing.
That's why those silly Klansmen in their white robes are allowed to
stage parades across America.

Being free to speak out is what this country is all about. Otherwise,
all our First Amendment rights could go up in smoke.