Texas Student Booted From School for Wearing John Edwards T-Shirt

There are a couple problems with this article "Texas Student Booted From School for Wearing John Edwards T-Shirt." First, the headline does not match the facts. The student was booted from school for wearing a political shirt period. Whether the child was supporting Edwards, Clinton, Giuliani or a conservative candidate was not the problem the issue was any shirt with a political theme is prohibited as potentially disruptive to the learning environment. The next problem is the article is it quotes the kid's dad demonstrating a lack of reading comprehension.

“It’s a First Amendment constitutional right that people have fought and died for and I don’t know why he should give it up just because Waxahachie thinks it would be okay or neat for him to do so,” Paul Palmer said.

Sorry, Mr. Palmer, but the First Amendment does not say what you imagine it does. For future reference, here is what it does say:

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Huh, what do you know, nothing in the Constitution prohibiting schools from having dress codes.

Lastly, the article says the parents are considering a lawsuit, demonstrating that Ambulance Chasing John is definitely the candidate for them. I wonder if they are even aware of the irony.