Should Extremely Bad Taste Be A Form Of Protected Speech in Grade School?

[MobBoss]

edit I am curious though, how do you carry a backpack unnoticed?

Can you describe to me the image on the bottom of that backpack?

No?

A lot of kids carry backpacks to school....people recognize the backpacks but usually dont give images/patterns on them a second glance as there are so many of them. Noticing the backpack is different than noticing the image on it.

But like I said, it not being an issue for two years is besides the point, like the princicple pointed out. Now that it is, it needs to be addressed.

Says you.

Its an elementary school. Come on.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

If the image isn't visible because it's at the bottom of the pack, what's the big deal?

I wonder, would you be as accommodating to me when I as an atheist parent would object to subject my kid to a crucifix in the classroom, or morning prayer and therefor create an incident and want them removed?

 

[MobBoss]

If the image isn't visible because it's at the bottom of the pack, what's the big deal?

Your dodging my point. It may not be visible in that pic, but it will be visible at some time during the day.

Again, this isnt about the backpack being noticed....thats just a red herring on your part. Now that there has been an issue, it needs to be addressed.

The overall point is that is the image something appropriate for an elementary school to have in it? The obvious answer is simply 'no'.

I wonder, would you be as accommodating to me when I as an atheist parent would object to subject my kid to a crucifix in the classroom, or morning prayer and therefor create an incident and want them removed?

Ziggy, you do realize that something similar to that has occurred more than once in the USA with the religious item or issue being removed as a result? Not really a good point for you to try and make in this case.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Your dodging my point. It may not be visible in that pic, but it will be visible at some time during the day.

Again, this isnt about the backpack being noticed....thats just a red herring on your part. Now that there has been an issue, it needs to be addressed.

Sure it's a red herring. Since we both know that artwork on backpacks is mostly at the bottom.

Red herring on my part "Can you see the bottom Ziggy?"

The overall point is that is the image something appropriate for an elementary school to have in it? The obvious answer is simply 'no'.

Says you.

Ziggy, you do realize that something similar to that has occurred more than once in the USA with the religious item or issue being removed as a result? Not really a good point for you to try and make in this case.

I ask again, would you be as accommodating to me as you'd be to this parent?

 

[warpus]

Ok...
Then why exactly is it supposed to be sexual here?

Her top is sliding off, there's a bunch of cleavage, she's in an obviously sexually suggestive pose, etc.

Surely you can see this?

 

[MobBoss]

Says you.

Says me, says the teachers, principal, school board, and pretty much everyone else involved except for the kids dad.

Do you feel the image is appropriate for a 4th grader? Would you let your kid go to school with it on a backpack or t-shirt? I wouldnt.

 

[Yeekim]

A school definitely has the right to enact any sort of dresscode they deem fit, to the point of banning any and all images on clothes. So, if they were merely enforcing already existing and clear ruleset, I support them.

On the other hand, if that was not the case, I see absolutely no reason to single out that backpack for banning. The people who say that this image is "obviously unsuitable for elementary school" are just ridiculous.
EDIT:

Do you feel the image is appropriate for a 4th grader? Would you let your kid go to school with it on a backpack or t-shirt? I wouldnt.

When are you going to ban Barbie dolls (or any doll that can be undressed, for that matter!) or Ariel The Little Mermaid?

Moderator Action: Flaming.
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[civver_764]

Do you feel the image is appropriate for a 4th grader? Would you let your kid go to school with it on a backpack or t-shirt? I wouldnt.

I would. Why the hell not?

 

[MobBoss]

The people who say that this image is "obviously unsuitable for elementary school" are just ridiculous.

And I say people who think its fine for kids that age are in turn ridiculous.

When are you going to ban Barbie dolls (or any doll that can be undressed, for that matter!) or Ariel The Little Mermaid?

I never saw a barbie doll or image of the little mermaid that looked like that. Can you not really tell the difference? Seriously?

Wow.

I would. Why the hell not?

Because its not appropriate for kids that age. Lets hope you have a different opinion by the time you have kids. 'Cause thats just troubling to think about. Protip: dont get your ideas about parenting from South Park.

Moderator Action: Flaming.
Please read the forum rules: http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=422889

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Says me, says the teachers, principal, school board, and pretty much everyone else involved except for the kids dad.

Teachers? Care to quote a teacher from the article saying this is inappropriate?

School board? Allow me to quote the article:

Board chairman Allen Altman gave Ferrer much longer than the usual three minutes to present his case. But after listening, Altman told Ferrer that the board would not intervene.

"We give great responsibility to the principals, and we also give them great authority" when it comes to enforcing the district dress and appearance policy, Altman said.

The other board members agreed.

All they say is that they back up the principle in his decision making, nothing about appropriateness.

"And pretty much everyone else". Well, that's nice and specific. So: "Says you, says principal, and that's it"

I do understand a parent's concern for their kids, and I do understand the school's desire to keep the parent's happy, but that doesn't mean they're right.

Do you feel the image is appropriate for a 4th grader? Would you let your kid go to school with it on a backpack or t-shirt? I wouldnt.

Great, I'm glad you dropped the rest.

To answer your question I would. Kids from friends have been bought small size death metal t-shirts with similar graphics on them. Because this is what it boils down to, a difference of opinion on what is appropriate. You think it's inappropriate, I don't.

Because its not appropriate for kids that age.

Why not? What influence would it have in your opinion?

 

[Lone Wolf]

Shouldn't we celebrate the fact that MobBoss and Formaldehyde agree with each other on that issue?

 

[MobBoss]

Teachers? Care to quote a teacher from the article saying this is inappropriate?

As soon as you quote one saying the image was noticed for two years.

School board? Allow me to quote the article:
All they say is that they back up the principle in his decision making, nothing about appropriateness.

If they didnt agree with the principle, would they back him up?

To answer your question I would. Kids from friends have been bought small size death metal t-shirts with similar graphics on them. Because this is what it boils down to, a difference of opinion on what is appropriate. You think it's inappropriate, I don't.

And apparently the school agrees with me.

Why not? What influence would it have in your opinion?

Hey, man, if your ok with 4th graders being fed such sexual imagery, thats your business. Raise your kids how you want. Just dont 'share the wealth' by sending them to a public school with that crap on.

 

[ParadigmShifter]

Here in the UK you can see actual knockers when you open your morning newspaper (if you buy The Daily Star or The Sun).

Admittedly one of those newspapers is owned by a pornographer (Richard Desmond) and the other is owned by Satan's sole representative on Earth (Rupert Murdoch).

 

[civver_764]

Because its not appropriate for kids that age.

And why's that? Because you say so?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

As soon as you quote one saying the image was noticed for two years.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Twice Mobbie?

"The article didn't say it went unnoticed, it said it didn't create an incident.

It's a backpack, it gets carried around for 2 years, I think it's safe to say it was noticed."

If they didnt agree with the principle, would they back him up?

Yes. "We give great responsibility to the principals, and we also give them great authority"

And apparently the school agrees with me.

Well, the principle does.

Oh yeah ... and everyone else

Hey, man, if your ok with 4th graders being fed such sexual imagery, thats your business. Raise your kids how you want. Just dont 'share the wealth' by sending them to a public school with that crap on.

So ... you don't know?

 

[MobBoss]

And why's that? Because you say so?

Two can play that game. So its ok because you say so?

But yeah, as a parent that has raised three kids, I say so. What experience do you have to back your side up?

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Twice Mobbie?

"The article didn't say it went unnoticed, it said it didn't create an incident.

It's a backpack, it gets carried around for 2 years, I think it's safe to say it was noticed."

And again I point out that is just assumption. Circular logic much there Ziggy?

Yes. "We give great responsibility to the principals, and we also give them great authority"

So, your defense is to make light of the principle and his job. Got it. Nice defense.

So ... you don't know?

I will spare you the treatise from the DSM-IV on why exposure to sexual imagary isnt that great for young kids. But in turn, you are free to explain why you think its ok. Go right ahead.

 

[GenMarshall]

Who cares, children are going to see images of women's cleavages in there lifetime. It's not going to help if people are going to have a pent up puritan attitude.

OH MY GOD!!! A KID saw a woman in a bikini!!! Big deal. On the same coin, the same person would be staring AT the woman in a bikini!!!

Yay Hypocrisy.

 

[Yeekim]

I never saw a barbie doll or image of the little mermaid that looked like that. Can you not really tell the difference? Seriously?

Wow.

First page on Google Search. Behold!

EDIT: Or what about Jasmin? She is quite obviously going to take her top off right away!

 

[GenMarshall]

The Little Mermaid is showing cleavage, yet parents aren't outraged.

 

[MobBoss]

Wow, so disney art is the equivlant of whats on the backpack?

Seriously?

I am at a loss for words if you think that.