Lip service

That's what the principal of Aurora Frontier K-8 School in Colorado is paying to freedom of speech and expression, after suspending a fifth-grader for wearing a T-shirt that had "Obama is a terrorist's best friend" written on it.

Here's what the district's PR flack had to say about the situation:

"Aurora Public Schools respects a student's right to free speech, such as the right to wear specific clothing. In fairness to all students, we would review a situation that is distracting or that interrupts the environment where students are learning,"

I fail to see how that T-shirt could possibly interrupt math class. It's neither obscene nor threatening, and merely expresses a strongly held personal political opinion. Oh, and lest you think I'm sympathetic to the message, I would defend the kid just as strongly if his shirt had said "Impeach Bush" or "McCain will restrict your right to choose".

Those statements are just ideas and opinions, the debating of which has historically been done with much success in schools, as it teaches critical thinking skills. If fact, some of my core beliefs were formed in just such discussions in my 6th grade class (Thank you, Mr. Sedberry and Ms. Mitchell). This would have been a perfect "teachable moment" for that class.

Not anymore, it seems. They've got to get back to getting ready for the standardized tests.