I Support Your Stupid Speech
She's an idiot, but I support free speech for idiots, assholes, haters, and scumbags, as well as for geniuses who think exactly as I do.
Link above from the NYT's Liam Stack, who writes:
A New Jersey high school student found herself in a social media storm on Wednesday after she live-tweeted and apparently secretly recorded a trip to her principal's office.She said administrators warned her that her comments about Israel and a fellow student on Twitter might have violated a state law against bullying.
The student, Bethany Koval, a 16-year-old Israeli Jew, said she had been reprimanded by administrators at Fair Lawn High School in Bergen County for a tweet that contained a string of expletives directed at Israel and expressed happiness that a pro-Israel classmate had unfollowed her Twitter account.
...Administrators took particular interest in a tweet that Ms. Koval posted on Dec. 27 after a classmate who had taken offense at her political views unfollowed her, she said. She said they also reprimanded her for a second tweet in which she told a friend she would name the student in a private message. They also searched her phone, suspecting that she was recording the meeting and warned that she could face legal action, she said. They were right to be suspicious. She later posted audio clips on Twitter.
Ms. Koval said she believed neither statement constituted an act of bullying.
The only bullying here was done by the administrators.
Love how NYT leaves finding out what she tweeted to the reader and Google. What's with that?
Another example of laws putting school administrators into a legal situation where they get into trouble no matter what.
(Although, telling someone NOT to film/record is an indication of weakness/bullying so they are getting what they deserve.)
On the other hand there is so much latitude w/what type of charges that can be filed that she might be better off w/clueless adults.
(I mean regardless of how dumb those guys are in Oregon how can back burning a fire to protect grazing land in the middle of nowhere(anyone from Oklahoma?) be considered a 'terrorist' activity?)
Bob in Texas at January 8, 2016 4:10 AM
Any one else fin it disturbing that educators spend their time looking to punish private thought/action that occurs off campus where they have no jurisdiction?
lujlp at January 8, 2016 6:18 AM
Bob,
As for the Oregon guys, it is clear the government want their land. So they are throwing any and all charges they can come up with to force them off of it. It isn't stupidity but corruption.
Lujlp,
I'm with you there. Take it to the cops if it happens off of school property. The school shouldn't be involved.
Ben at January 8, 2016 6:51 AM
Bethany Koval, a 16-year-old Israeli Jew
You forgot "self-hating". I'm going to go out on a small limb and say she's also played a role in one or more of a howling twitter rage mob that tried to get someone fired, so...sympathy, I don't haz much.
Of course, this is what schools get when they try to police student behaviour outside the school yard. Let them tweet what they want, it has nothing to do with us.
If it rises to the level were the local constabulary might actually do something, let them do something.
I R A Darth Aggie at January 8, 2016 6:51 AM
Any one else fin it disturbing that educators spend their time looking to punish private thought/action that occurs off campus where they have no jurisdiction?
Take a look at the student handbook at a institution of higher learning near you. You'll be shocked to your core the privilege that said institution grants itself to police off campus behaviour.
I work for such an institution, and they put similar language in my employee handbook. I usually read that section and laugh a lot.
I R A Darth Aggie at January 8, 2016 6:55 AM
luflp,
New Jersey "passed the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, a far-reaching law with stiff penalties for educators who do not sufficiently respond to complaints of harassment or intimidation."
A "claim" of bullying creates at least 2 LEO situations.
First, the person "bullying" will be investigated. The perp will probably get probation because it's a first offense, age, etc..
Second, the school administrator will be found guilty of not "sufficiently" responding to the complaint because the incident happened. Obviously if they had "responded" correctly the incident would have been prevented. There is no defense acceptable (private conversation, off-campus, etc.)
It's easy to write this stuff when there is no accountability (like w/your point as in "Hey! This is not the school's business.").
Bob in Texas at January 8, 2016 6:55 AM
Good for her. Who knew government schools could be turned into political education camps? No wonder I have to teach some guys how to read a tape measure.
Canvasback at January 8, 2016 8:28 AM
I am really tempted to say "Alinsky rules, baby!" at this point. Is that too cynical?
Cousin Dave at January 8, 2016 8:34 AM
Why shouldn't they? We've insisted the government interfere in the inner lives of people who don't publicly toe the PC line. Shouldn't academics do the same? All in the name of protecting everyone.
The idea that anyone can harbor feelings or thoughts not approved by the elites is anathema to the politically correct progressives, as it was to the NKVD, the Stassi, and the Gestapo.
Yes, totalitarianism is the correct analogy to draw here as totalitarian movements police inner thoughts as stringently as they police outer actions; even while vehemently denying that they're totalitarian movements.
Conan the Grammarian at January 8, 2016 9:09 AM
She is one smart chickie! This has all the hallmarks of a winning college essay to it. Very smart to turn a bad law on its head and make hay with it. I see acceptance letters from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton in her future. She is their favorite kind of victim.
That said, this law is bs. I oppose all restrictions on free speech.
Sheep Mom at January 8, 2016 9:56 AM
actually, the bullying statutes in new jersey are clear and very strict
she referred to one specific student and then dm'd a 3rd party who claimed they would fight that person and others, the names
according to statute, the incident must be investigated and reported
she turned this into an issue over her political speech, but its not
cyber bullying is very serious
walt kovacs at January 8, 2016 10:28 AM
Walt, under that theory the girl who unfreinded her engaged in cyber bullying. And again, since when are teachers LEOs charged with enforcing state criminal statues?
lujlp at January 8, 2016 11:55 AM
"And again, since when are teachers LEOs charged with enforcing state criminal statues?"
This is the natural progression from making the citizens responsible for implementing the Bill of Rights on a personal level (such as Fair Housing and the ADA) - even though the Constitution is clearly direction for the conduct of government.
The public wants to call the police on every neighbor? Indulge them. It's the fastest way to get all of them under police surveillance.
Radwaste at January 8, 2016 1:43 PM
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