NationStates Jolt Archive

WASHINGTON - 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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

http://www.peakentertainment.no/images/Fox%20Kids%20Logo%20liten_381616959490741.jpg

People say the same stupid thing about the 2nd Amendment, including a lot of people on this forum.

I bet you could take away most of the rights under the Constitution, and most of the people on this forum would be too glad to get rid of them.

hmm. I admire your ability to be surprised by the government propoganda machine.

Secondly, it's spelled Hasta la vista (baby :P). Maybe a better question is when will American education seriously start to stress foreign language in its curriculum.

Sounds like just another symptom of the sense of political apathy found so commonly in that age group. Doesn't concern me at all, as you could get the same idea by simply reading the numbers of youth voting in the last election (18-21).

When they get older, and after the ones who go down that path do go to college the opinions will change, and I think the same could have been said for the previous generations. Why should high school students care?

People say the same stupid thing about the 2nd Amendment, including a lot of people on this forum.

I bet you could take away most of the rights under the Constitution, and most of the people on this forum would be too glad to get rid of them.

EXCUSE ME??? I strongly differ with you on this, and with the substance of the article as well. A poll of teenagers is hardly indicative of what they will be like as adults. And to say that "most of the people on this forum would be too glad to get rid" of Constitutional rights seems to me exaggeration in the extreme. :headbang:

Statistics are very inaccurate. Why not think it is Bush propaganda to eliminate all anti-Bush stories?

I like the part where they talk about how schools aren't teaching about the 1st Amendment and that students aren't given enough chances to understand it. Considering the rampant censorship at my high school, it doesn't surprise me in the least that many students think the government is allowed to suppress unpopular views.

I like the part where they talk about how schools aren't teaching about the 1st Amendment and that students aren't given enough chances to understand it. Considering the rampant censorship at my high school, it doesn't surprise me in the least that many students think the government is allowed to suppress unpopular views.

What is so wrong with Catcher in the Rye? It is a great book yet is banned in schools everywhere...

WASHINGTON - 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.

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.
Good God - are this many of my peers this stupid?????

What is so wrong with Catcher in the Rye? It is a great book yet is banned in schools everywhere...

I meant more along the lines of censorship of students, but ok, censorship of literature as well.

Meanwhile, I can't answer your question.

and people dare call me a fascist

I like the part where they talk about how schools aren't teaching about the 1st Amendment and that students aren't given enough chances to understand it. Considering the rampant censorship at my high school, it doesn't surprise me in the least that many students think the government is allowed to suppress unpopular views.

You are aware that it is legal for the school to censor, right?

You are aware that it is legal for the school to censor, right?

...which has nothing whatsoever to do with what I said.

And to say that "most of the people on this forum would be too glad to get rid" of Constitutional rights seems to me exaggeration in the extreme. :headbang:
Yeah, the few I can think of would be some of the Nazi supporters and ultraconservatives.

I meant more along the lines of censorship of students, but ok, censorship of literature as well.

Meanwhile, I can't answer your question.

The effing soccar moms, thats who.

I watched on TV some idiot talk about not wanting her kid to read that book. It is understandable to want to control how you teach your child, but he was in 8th grade I think. People need to grow up

The school doesn't want to offend anyone.

Catcher is a timeless classic, identifying clearly the confusion of pre-adulthood.
I don't understand people sometimes...

one more reason that i hate ppl.
almost makes me want to burn a flag just to show ppl i can.

thank god we dont have an constitution

Quoting The Who:
"It´s only teenage wasteland"

hmm. I admire your ability to be surprised by the government propoganda machine.
Im not surprised...