Sunday, June 12, 2022

Just Another Random Vent

"Imagine, if you will", an American school where:   

- There is no First Amendment right to freedom of speech or expression.  Even a free and unmoderated student press is forbidden; the only opinions allowed are those that are permitted by school administrators.  

(Disagree? You're suspended or otherwise disciplined, even to the effect of not being allowed to graduate)  


- Walkouts in protest of "gun violence" and "racism" are officially sponsored events, requiring mandatory student attendance at them.  

(Yet unofficial events, such as an off-campus Halloween party, are strictly forbidden.) (1)


- There is no Fourth Amendment right to "be secure in (your) persons...papers, and effects".  If school officials suspect that there is "evidence that (a) student has violated...either the law or the rules of the school", they are entitled to search anything that may belong to that student.  A lack of "reasonable suspicion" does not preclude such a search; nor is it permitted for a student to object to such (2).      


- There is no right to due process, or assumption that one is "innocent until proven guilty".  If administrators say that you are guilty of violating a school rule, then you are guilty of it.  No appeal may be made, no evidence to the contrary may be presented, and no confrontation/questioning of witnesses is permitted.     


- Rather than preaching equality of race, the school routinely tells its students that certain races and nationalities deserve to have more rights than others.      


- If someone from the school witnesses you criticizing the coaching or performance of a school team, it's perfectly acceptable for that person to physically confront you over such, even to the point of putting others in danger.  This applies even to those employed with the school in an official capacity.  

(However, attempt to defend yourself, and you will be politely escorted off school property) (3)    



The above plot sounds like it could have come from a "Twilight Zone" script; Rod Serling might call it one of his best works.  Yet such a scenario is not the stuff of science-fiction shows, but a sad reality of life at Fairfield Warde High School (as well as, I infer, Fairfield Ludlowe High).  

The rights mentioned are not simply imaginary privileges; they are the rights that make up the cornerstone of the United States Constitution, and civil society in general.  Nevertheless, my alma mater seems to regard these as nothing more than figments of an overactive mind.  

In this, they apparently disagree with the Supreme Court, who has held that the public does not lose constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression "at the schoolhouse gate" (4).  


In past articles and publications, I have pleaded for school administrators to change this narrative. 

I have taken my concerns to meetings of the Fairfield RTM; this only to have elected officials interrupt me, and forbid me to speak about the issue.  

I have submitted relevant letters to the Fairfield Citizen-News, only to have the paper decline to publish them.  

And when attempting to address the subject via e-mail to Superintendent of Schools Mike Cummings, I have been totally ignored; the multiple letters that I have sent to him have all gone unanswered.  Did I mention that Mr. Cummings is now resigning his position (5)?  


So let me ask an important question of Fairfield town officials, including those employed with the Board of Education...

...why?


Why is it that whenever I try to bring up this issue, you run "like scalded dogs" (6)?  

Now, to some extent, I understand your hesitation.  The issue of rights in schools is controversial, and not necessarily politically expedient (see definition).  People don't move up on the political "totem pole" by mentioning them in frequent discussion.  


Nevertheless, do you not have a responsibility to the community at large to address these concerns? Is there no duty for you to help develop strong and forthright citizens, or to safeguard the very foundation of American life?

And if there is such a duty, isn't that part of your job description, and the task that Fairfielders have elected you to do?    

Why is the idea of the protection of freedom (rather than the abandonment of it) so antithetical to you that you refuse any consideration of it? 


It is indeed part of your job to review the community's concerns regarding this issue.  If you are unwilling or incapable of doing such, I suggest that you should resign your positions, and find another line of work.  


By the way, don't hate me because I say what's on my mind....heh.  


Definition - 

Expedient: Adjective, suitable for achieving a particular end in a given circumstance (7).  


Sources:

1. Cavanna, Paul A. “Warde Family Communication_6/10/22.” Google Docs, 10 June 2022, docs.google.com/document/d/1e2XwghUzVOubL2oaw76zGMK9AQ81-6dKMj6SfH4lp_Y/edit. Accessed 12 June 2022.

2. “2021–2022 Student Parent Handbook.” Fairfield Warde High School, resources.finalsite.net/images/v1651162962/fairfieldschoolsorg/chhexe2advtkweffltkz/StudentParentHandbook2021-22Updated32222.pdf. Accessed 12 June 2022.

3. Personal experience at 2021 Thanksgiving Day Football Game.  

4. Supreme Court of the United States. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, decided 24 February 1969.  

5. Cummings, Mike. “Superintendent’s Message March 24, 2022.” News Details, 24 Mar. 2022, www.fairfieldschools.org/district-information/news/news-details/%7Eboard/district-news/post/superintendents-message-february-27-2022-mask-update-1648212293495. Accessed 12 June 2022.

6. Quote courtesy of pro wrestling personality Jim Ross.  

7. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. “Expedient.” The Merriam-Webster.Com Dictionary, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expedient. Accessed 12 June 2022.
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2 comments:

  1. UnknownJune 13, 2022 at 9:46 PM

    Let me tell you all of the ways you are wrong.

    First, there are first amendment rights in public schools. However, the school reserves the right to limit speech that negatively affects the function of the school. Students can be punished for the disruption but no further based on their point of view.

    So you're wrong there.

    You are also wrong about the fourth amendment. School officials need to have a reasonable suspicion. Unlike the police there not be a warrant or probable cause. Even then the scope of searches must be within the realm of the suspicion.

    There is due process and an appeals process when you get into trouble. The school board holds a hearing and determines the best course to continue your education.

    I was at the Thanksgiving game. You made a total asshole of yourself. You were screaming at children playing a game. What makes you think you can do that and not be asked to leave? That coach lost his cool but you were instigating it.

    So let me tell you this. I have known you for quite a few years. People don't like you. They pity you because you have a learning disability. That's why people even tolerate you. You either live off of disability checks or your family foots the bill because you clearly don't work. Your "radio show" is not real work.

    You're 40 years old and you have never had a real job. Yet you seem to believe you can sit up on your throne and judge others while having accomplished nothing with your life. I saw you bitch and moan about how no company would hire you in radio. Why would they? You have no learned skills and no real experience.

    You have very little understanding of government, the law, and just about every topic you delve into. That doesn't seem to stop you from running your mouth. A few weeks ago you were ranting about abortion. You wonder why your secret crush wants nothing to do with you? You basically announced that she shouldn't have control over her own body.

    And when someone has the audacity to disagree with the great Matt Boland, what do you do? You block them like a little bitch. Because your ego is so small and fragile, you can't stand someone disagreeing with you.

    So that's the reason why no one responds to your bullshit. Because you're no one and no one gives a shit about what you have to say. No one wants to hear your rants. No one thinks you are clever or funny. You're a no one who will never amount to anything.

    It's amazing that someone who is so arrogant, so condescending, can also be so wildly oblivious to the fact that no one likes you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Matty BJuly 9, 2022 at 3:14 PM

      It is interesting that you say these things in response. Who are you again? You're talking all tough, yet you hide behind an "unknown" name. If you're going to go there, at least have the...guts...to identify yourself.

      You say I have no skills, and no experience in "real job(s)". I don't fault you for missing this, but I've had multiple gigs on actual terrestrial radio stations (one in Florida, and another that used to be in Bridgeport). In both of these instances, my show had the most listeners of any show on that station for that day.

      I've been well trained in both radio and TV broadcasting, having received certification in that respect. What have you ever done in broadcasting, or in the public eye at all?

      And you say I block people that disagree with me? Wrong again. I'll eat my hat if you can show me one person who I've blocked for such a reason.

      When I do block people, it's because they seem to have trouble with the voluntary ending of a conversation, not because I'm a "little bitch" ("nice language! Do you teach your children the same talk?" - Pro wrestling personality Shawn Michaels).

      One more point...you say you know me, but do you really? Unless you've been in my shoes, and have gone through what I've had to go through, you have no room to lecture me on careers, friendship, intelligence, or anything at all.

      No, you don't know the first thing about me, or my life. Before you criticize me, take a good look at yourself in the mirror....and perhaps, mind your own business. I don't tell you how to live your life; kindly don't tell me how to live mine.

      Delete

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