FREE SPEECH

A Supreme Case of Pettiness

For those who think South Florida condo battles are petty and go on
forever -- they are and they do -- consider the case of "Bong Hits 4
Jesus."

Quick summary: Hoping to get on TV, Alaska high school student Joseph
Frederick unfurls a "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner, across from his school
as the Olympic torch relay passes through Juneau. The principal sees
the banner, says it violates the school's anti-drug mission, and
Frederick is suspended. He sues, and wins an appeal in Circuit Court,
which said, correctly, that Frederick's free speech rights were
violated. The incident wasn't on school property, and it didn't
disrupt students. A basic prank. Case closed, back to geometry class.

Not exactly. The Bush administration backed the school as it went to
the Supreme Court this week, five years after the case started. Even
former special prosecutor Kenneth Starr had a role, representing the
school. For free.

No word on when the Supremes will rule. They are probably trying to
figure out what "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" means.