This is NOT a sarcastic question, nor is it rhetorical.
But, the question does become philosophical. Do you "have" first amendment rights if no one will defend them?
What does it mean to "have" something, if it is valueless and does not protect you from loss?
Do you "have" something IF YOU CANNOT EXERCISE IT!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Hmm....
Mind explosion moment.
Need to start a new blog moment:
http://www.wesh.com/news/20692249/detail.html
Please vote and/or comment:
Do teachers have First Amendment rights? yes or no?
***
Addendum- I'm sorry, this is just too big--we MUST start another blog devoted ONLY to this topic:
Friday, September 4, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
You do not have first amendment rights if you cannot even express your views on your own time (ie--not at work).
ReplyDeleteI read the article mentioned above, and my heart goes out to Mr Wolfe. If he had a different profession (doctor, lawyer, IT guy) he may have offended some of his coworkers/clients/etc. by his comments...but he would not have been fired!!!
I believe teachers SHOULD have 1st amendment rights, but, unfortunately we don't...parents and administrators seem to forget that we are human beings. Heaven forbid that we should have THOUGHTS and OPINIONS...especially ones that are deemed "inappropriate."
It is true that teachers are held to a higher moral standard than most other professions because we are "molding young minds." I, for one, am not being paid enough to be held to a higher moral standard!!!
How about holding the PARENTS to a higher moral standard???!!! Or the kids, for that matter? Perhaps that is exactly what the American educational system needs!!