A Lesson in Free Speech

posted by The Vidiot @ 7:20 PM Permalink

Stuart Middle School teacher burns U.S. flags in class

A Stuart Middle School teacher has been removed from the classroom after he burned two American flags in class during a lesson on freedom of speech, Jefferson County Public Schools officials said.

Dan Holden, who teaches seventh-grade social studies, burned small flags in two different classes Friday and asked students to write an opinion paper about it, district spokeswoman Lauren Roberts said.
[...]
Roberts said the flag burning did not appear to be politically motivated, based on an interview with Holden.
[...]
Regardless, school board member Pat O'Leary said the flag burning was unnecessary and could have offended some students, including those in military families.

I'm waiting on a response to the email I sent the reporter on this story, but in the mean time I'd like to point out:
He made a demonstration about free speech.
He had his speech curtailed.

The school's main question seemed to be whether it was politically motivated.
Political motivation is the reason we have free speech.

The school board said his demonstration might have offended some folks.
I have news for them ... if it offends you, that's how you know it is an example of free speech.