Banning Myspace- Poll Results

Every single action we take has an impact. Even if Anna's high school doesn't "care," the mere fact that someone has taken the time and effort to do something will sway them, if only slightly. I have been to enough demonstrations and written enough political letters to know that change happens, and it happens because people like us contact officials. It happens because people like us show officials that WE care regarding issues. Maybe Anna's letter won't have any impact, but it is better to save the world or die trying, than to do nothing at all. Act not solely for the future, but for the act itself.

Glamourous

"To do something that will sway them."

This isn't even a valid poll - she probably went to Guild and voted yes on every machine there. You might say she probably didn't do that - I say PROVE IT.

Aimless whining and random complaining DOES NOTHING. What she did was USELESS. Maybe if she had written a coherent essay or a letter someone could have taken her seriously. Instead, she has said that 26 people presumebly at Bryn Mawr College think her high school is wrong. No reasoning, no analysis, just a poll.

Secondly, you do not have rights at school. If you are under 18, you do not have the right to free speach on school grounds. Find ONE court case that says you have rights. You can't - one does not exist.

I must admit, I'm dissapointed that Bryn Mawr College students cannot prove themselves better than ordinary citizens. You want to change the world - good luck! You can't do it through poll numbers. You need analysis, you need reasoning...not whatever all of this is. I don't care that you've been to protests. I don't care that you've written letters. What changed as a result of your whining? Probably nothing. There's an art to persuasion and a fine line between lobbying and whining.

While you may be disappointed that we "ordinary citizens" at Bryn Mawr are at least trying to effect change on a local level, I am disappointed in your baseless arguments against Annushka's efforts. Your argument that no court case that promotes a student's right to free speech on campus exists is completely false. I am surprised that someone who is so adament about making a strong case for one's point with analysis and reasoning was so quick to make inaccurate statements.

In the landmark case Tinker vs. Des Moines (1969), the Supreme Court made the decision seven to two in favor of student's rights to self-expression. They noted in their decision: "They [students] may not be confined to the expression of those sentiments that are officially approved. In the absence of a specific showing of constitutionally valid reasons to regulate their speech, students are entitled to freedom of expression of their views."

In October 2003, Judge Duggan ruled in favor of a Michigan Student's Right to wear an anti-war t-shirt to school. As Kary Moss, the executive director of the ACLU of Michigan stated: "The court's decision reaffirms the principle that students don't give up their right to express opinions on matters of public importance once they enter school. Schools are not speech-free zones."

These cases are not specific to the subject of whether blogging or any kind of expression related to blogging should be allowed by schools- but that isn't my point. I suggest that the next time you try to trash someone's well-intended efforts you spend a few minutes on google checking your facts.

In your words, Aimless whining and random complaining DOES NOTHING.

In public school, courts ruled in favor of free speech and expression... but I know that Miss Annushka attended private school, where very few state and federal laws have jurisdiction. Tinker and Des Moines is not relevant here. It is entirely her school's decision; but just because the students are underage does not mean that they shouldn't make a petition or make an effort for change. It is how I got a lot of things changed in my private high school.

Whether or not this poll will do much is debatable. Chances are it will not have a great impact; however, it is a start. And I would encourage this and any action a motivated individual should take simply because without action, NOTHING would get done.

Banning myspace on school property is not a big deal. It is taken for granted where I come from in Missouri that school computers (or laptops in school) are for school work alone. It is when the administration digs deeping into students' lives and bans these sites more completely that I begin to worry.

I think that Annushka should start a grassroots movement in her school, if she really wants something done.

Old Margaret Mead quote: "I don't doubt that a group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Think twice before you discourage action.

Glam

If the little neandrathols would use this stuff when they have free time(study hall, lunch, before or after class, before and after school..or how bout home..think their parents would mind some of the subject matter?) and not during times when they are supposed to be paying attention to a teacher who is attempting to prepare you for your future(business ed, math, science, english, art, architecture, CAD, music)..it wouldnt be blocked...if they didnt use vulgar language (not just profanity, or bold and lively sexuality, but real nasty filthy stuff that would never even happen if you were married to a porn star with a spanish fly addiction)it wouldnt be blocked. If they didnt take embarassing pics of their friends in compromising positions and post them..it wouldnt be blocked...if we didnt get kids caught using it during class, and then instead of quietly closing the window and going to work, interupting a whole class full of kids to tell a teacher what "rights" they have to free speech..IT WOULDNT BE BLOCKED

As an IT pro in a k-12 public school I am disgusted by the abuse of our computing environment, the lack of respect for working adults provoked by the inapropriate use of what could be an awesome resource. We dont spend 100's of thousands of dollars on nice tech and better conectivity so these kids can tell each other how ugly thier moms are...we want to help them learn and grow to be adults that contribute to society...not into little snively, whining, pervers, closet blogging freaks with no morals.

We, in the 2 small school districts I take care of, left all of that stuff (myspace and the like) open in the name of allowing our students free speech, open discussion and a place to vocalize and vent feelings..and we were rewarded with class disruption, student abuse by peers, insubordination, and parents who are rightfully angry about the use of vulgarity and pictures of their kids in locker rooms....

If these kids would act as the adults they want to be treated like, this wouldnt even be a point of discussion right now.

Well said! I just had to give a pat on the back to the anonymous genious who wrote this comment.

If you didnt want the pages you wrote made public...MAYBE YOU SHOULDNT HAVE PUT THEM ON THE INTERNET ????
You are a bright one huh? good argument...