Pubdate: Fri, 23 Mar 2007 Source: Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, FL) Copyright: 2007 Sun-Sentinel Company Contact: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/159 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Bong+Hits+4+Jesus (Bong Hits 4 Jesus) FREE SPEECH A Supreme Case of Pettiness For those who think South Florida condo battles are petty and go on forever -- they are and they do -- consider the case of "Bong Hits 4 Jesus." Quick summary: Hoping to get on TV, Alaska high school student Joseph Frederick unfurls a "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" banner, across from his school as the Olympic torch relay passes through Juneau. The principal sees the banner, says it violates the school's anti-drug mission, and Frederick is suspended. He sues, and wins an appeal in Circuit Court, which said, correctly, that Frederick's free speech rights were violated. The incident wasn't on school property, and it didn't disrupt students. A basic prank. Case closed, back to geometry class. Not exactly. The Bush administration backed the school as it went to the Supreme Court this week, five years after the case started. Even former special prosecutor Kenneth Starr had a role, representing the school. For free. No word on when the Supremes will rule. They are probably trying to figure out what "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" means. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake