High Schoolers and Free Speech

Interesting (and disturbing) article at CNN today: bq. Freedom of what? First Amendment no big deal, students say bq. The way many high school students see it, government censorship of newspapers may not be a bad thing, and flag burning is hardly protected free speech. bq. It turns out the First Amendment is a second-rate issue to many of those nearing their own adult independence, according to a study of high school attitudes released Monday. bq. The original amendment to the Constitution is the cornerstone of the way of life in the United States, promising citizens the freedoms of religion, speech, press and assembly. bq. Yet, when told of the exact text of the First Amendment, more than one in three high school students said it goes "too far" in the rights it guarantees. Only half of the students said newspapers should be allowed to publish freely without government approval of stories. bq. "These results are not only disturbing; they are dangerous," said Hodding Carter III, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which sponsored the $1 million study. "Ignorance about the basics of this free society is a danger to our nation's future." And what were these kids taught in Civics Class? I know that college students generally have to take remedial classes in Math and English but to not know the basic fundamental mechanisms of the Government they live under is inconceivable. I had this drilled into me when I was ten. It is no wonder that the academics in College these days are such neo-Marxist nutcases. I take a look at some of the things coming out of Evergreen State College and thank my lucky stars that it is MY tax dollars that are underwriting that venerable institute... Criminey!