How to train future members of a free society

[David Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

Reminds me of one of my sons. he was suspended from the school bus for
"making noise". We protested that. The school rules said (paraphased)


A student so accussed will have the right to a hearing with the
adminstration at which time the bus driver will tell the story and then the
student will be suspended.


Yes that is what it said (no if guilty etc). Worse yet no one in the school
seemed to find that that violated any notion of justice.


Wonder why our youth dont trust our government and institutions


Dave






[A repost - Carl]


[From the Computer Underground Digest (comp.society.cu-digest) -cmk]


Date: Sat, 23 Oct 93 16:26:51 PDT
From: ug384@FREENET.VICTORIA.BC.CA(Jeff Kosiorek)
Subject:  File 6--Students Suspended For Electronic Documents


Two Mount Olive (N.J.) High School freshmen have been given three days
of in school suspension for possession of documents protected under
the First Amendment.  School administrators have decided that they
have the right to censor any document or material they feel is
inappropriate. Two students in the high school were caught in
possession of computer disks containing copies of the "Jolly Roger
Cookbook" which is widely available, and completely legal, on computer
bulletin boards everywhere. The disks were confiscated, parents were
notified, and police were involved in the investigation into materials
which are protected under the Constitution.


Where do school officials get the right to censor any type of
publication a student may have in his or her possession? Furthermore,
how can they punish these youths when even the investigating officer,
Detective Joseph Kluska said, "It's not illegal to know how to do
these things." The students were not in anyway using the information
found in the cookbook for illegal activities yet they are being
punished only because the vice principal, John DiColo, deems them
"inappropriate".


In a school where they profess the merits of the American Constitution
and the rights protected therein, the hypocrisy is absurd.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


I just thought everyone might like to know what was going on in my
neck of the woods. I find it absolutely ridiculous that these students
are being punished for something that is completely legal. I feel the
only reason it is made an issue is because of the fact it was found on
computer disks. Who would have stood for the seizing of a paperback
book and punishment of the student who possessed it? It would be
really nice if the EFF could pick up on this and put some pressure on
the school to exonerate these students. Any individual interested in
making their opinion heard, please write to the school at: Mount Olive
HS
           Flanders, NJ 07836
           USA
The telephone number for the school is: (201) 927-2200.
The local paper that first carried an article on the topic was:
           The Mount Olive Chronicle
           336 Route 46
           PO Box 174
           Budd Lake, NJ 07828


Feel free to copy and distribute this article.

--
Jeff Kosiorek
ug384@freenet.victoria.bc.ca

--
Carl Kadie -- I do not represent any organization; this is just me.
 = kadie@cs.uiuc.edu =