Guys…First off in the AP story it says NO choice was given, the school offered to let the kids deviate from their dress code IF they wore saints jerseys. So while the young man didn’t follow that requirement (he wore a colts jersey), the problem at hand is that the school DOES NOT have the discretion to limit the type of jersey…that is why the ACLU has come in. As far as the comment about being told to go home in your work place, you are very wrongly associateing private business with public schools. You are willfully employed and your employer can set the dress code as he sees fit because you are being compensated for your work. The same does not hold true in school. Schools ARE allowed to limit free speech by instituting dress codes as long as those dress codes are viewpoint neutral and apply to everyone. Had the student showed up wearing something in violation of the dress code he WOULD be subject do discipline, however because the school promoted a deviatoin from the dress code they are NOT allowed to limit the type of jersey worn because then their dress code does not conform to the viewpoint-neutral standard. This is honestly a very simple legal issue and the bottom line is that if the school promotes a deviation from the dress code for a jersey, they have to expect and RESPECT the fact that by opening the door to the viewpoint to support one nfl team, they have to allow people with differing views to be allowed the same respect and priviliges of those granted to the people supporting the saints. Having been a long time colts fan I sympathize with New Orleans making it to their first super bowl, I remember how it felt in 06 to finally make it to the big game after years of disappointment and I support the fact that they are trying to pump up local support for the team, but they really should have checked with legal counsel before making any sort of disciplinarian action in this situation.

As a colts fan I can honestly say 90% of the saints fans I’ve spoken with have been good natured, supportive of their team, and well versed in general football knowledge. This is the type of fan you should respect AS a fan no matter who you cheer for. Every team has obnoxious and unknowledgable fans but they are GENERALLY the minority and should not reflect on the fan base as a whole. The saints have a great team and for the most part they have stand up guys throughout the organization. If anyone can sympathize with them it should be us colts fans! C’mon! don’t we all remember what it was like to finally make it to the top in 2006 after YEARS of disappointment??? Of course I’m pulling for the colts tooth and nail but I wish nothing but luck to the saints fans and definitely congratulate them on a great season.

in America.

Just a further argument that civics should be taught from grades six through twelve.

Schools have a right to limit free speech to the extent that the limitation shows a specific goal of furthering education and promoting safety AND as long as said limitation is viewpoint neutral and it’s applied equally to all students.