Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jul 2007
Source: Independent  Florida Alligator, The (FL Edu)
Copyright: 2007 Campus Communications, Inc
Contact:  http://www.alligator.org/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/760
Bookmark: 
http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Bong+Hits+4+Jesus 
(Bong Hits 4 Jesus)

A SEASON OF CHANGING LAWS

Everyone loves waffles. Recently, "waffling" appears to be a popular 
activity among public figures and officials. Thankfully, this wave of 
ambivalence has drifted in favor of UF.

Gov. Charlie Crist dropped his dreaded threat to veto a bill allowing 
UF to charge a higher tuition.

Crist's change of heart came in light of two developments - his 
realization that 11 presidents unanimously supported the bill and the 
fact that the bill won't be taking effect until the fall of 2008. 
Also, the bill only affects UF, Florida State University and the 
University of South Florida.

We should be happy that Bernie Machen won't have to resort to 
panhandling in order to support our beloved school.

According to an Associated Press article on Wednesday, the tuition 
differential bill would initially increase the tuition of incoming 
freshmen by 15 percent. However, over the next few years, this 
tuition hike could reach up to 40 percent for UF and FSU, with USF 
reaching almost 30 percent.

We're sure this future tuition raise may cause the unfortunate side 
effect of a panic attack for those who do pay for tuition.

Crist asserts that he previously intended to veto the bill in order 
to support the families burdened by such a fee on top of their rising 
cost of living expenses. He also believes that the delay of the bill 
taking effect will allow the state time to find an alternative, more 
beneficial solution.

Crist not only felt pressure from the presidents of the universities 
but also business leaders arguing that Florida universities needed to 
keep up with the Jones'.

Normally we view the corporate world as soulless money-hoarders, but 
we applaud their support.

Ultimately, we should give thanks that classes located in Ben Hill 
Griffin Stadium are not imminent.

On a more ominous note, students beware - no longer can you loosely 
mention the word "bong" anywhere near a school campus. Be cautious 
when doodling on papers that you don't inadvertently draw anything 
resembling a pill, a cigarette or a joint.

The Supreme Court has deemed actions that usually elicit laughs or 
shoulder shrugs as harmful and promotional of drug use.

In the landmark case Morse v. Frederick, a student in Juneau, Alaska, 
held a banner reading "Bong Hits 4 Jesus" in a public area across 
from the school. The prominently displayed banner was an attempt to 
test the boundaries of free speech at the school where the student 
had previously been disciplined by the principal. The principal 
suspended the student for refusing to take down his sign.

Though the ruling was in favor of the principal and awarded her 
immunity from any lawsuits, the court was split on this controversial decision.

Members of the court believed they were protecting student interests 
because clearly, all those special anti-drug campaigns are 
irrelevant. It's not like students have access to televisions, radios 
and other forms of influential media. And they never utter any words 
regarding drug use throughout the school day.

The student asserts that he meant his banner as joke. Whether this is 
true really doesn't matter because he wasn't even on the school's 
campus. If he were, we can't assume that students live in a bubble.

Above all, since when did a sign jokingly mentioning bong hits almost 
equate to taking a bong hit? Ever seen the movie "Minority Report"? 
It didn't end well. 
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman