Source: Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 1/20/2009 5:40:00 AM

January 26^th, 2009 by Jason T

An Ohio school district may be violating the constitutional rights of its students.

Mason, Ohio, school officials sent an email to parents in advance of the presidential inauguration saying, "Inappropriate comments that may make other students, staff or families feel unwelcome or uncomfortable in school or on the bus will not be tolerated." The story by DaytonDailyNews.com featured examples of negative comments and actions made about the Obama administration after he was elected.
 
The school's superintendent Kevin Bright added that even in a competitive election process, "our nation's greatness is displayed when all sides come together for a united country." However, Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel believes there is more behind the correspondence.
 
Staver tells OneNewsNow the Supreme Court decided the Tinker v. Des Moines case in 1969, which was designed to stop anti-Vietnam war activism. "They said we live in a robust society and the First Amendment means what it says," he notes, "and that means that it can allow people to speak and have their viewpoints -- even if you disagree."
 
School officials need to become more aware of the Constitution, says the attorney. "This school is clearly violating the First Amendment and the intent of the founders with regards to trying to force these school students into a particular pro-Obama mold," he contends.
 
Staver suggests that any student who is disciplined for having a different view should contact Liberty Counsel. "We should not allow these school administrators to force their particular left[ist] agenda onto these students who have different viewpoints and have conservative values," he adds.

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