Shhh don't talk, it's illegal

[Cygnus]

Wow... (http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/09/30/student.debate.ap/index.html)

It seems horrible when a school prevents you from debating on gay marriage, abortion or stem cell research just because you're not allowed to discuss the things in health class. Wait, doesn't that sound pretty wrong too? Aren't schools supposed to be places of learning, where we educate the next generation, or a place where we censor the youth in order for them to grow up the way we want them to?

Is this simply an overreaction or an attempt by the school staff to control what's being said?

What do you think?

[Demosthene5]

Is this simply an overreaction or an attempt by the school staff to control what's being said? probably to aviod things like loud arguments, fighting, hatred and exclusion and whatnot...

[Cygnus]

probably to aviod things like loud arguments, fighting, hatred and exclusion and whatnot... This is for a mock presidential debate, which at my school I'm a part of. Usually they're very well organized with each side getting an alloted time slot (usually from 30-90 seconds) do say their part. Then the other side rebuttles and the origional team counter-rebuttals. It's not some wild argument but a school sanctioned event with rules and on top of that it's a debate to raise the issues about the election that some people are supposed to be voting on.

Don't you want to discuss what people are voting on, especially in a high school where young adults are about to become or are already adult citizens of the United States?

[Scauthra]

Cygnus, be happy I am not in school anymore. Because I have become more of an open-minded loud mouth. I would be escourted out of the building a lot for speaking my mind on one of those topics, or others, probly often. Hehe.

[The_Maker]

Thats just wrong... 115% wrong, I agree with Cygnus you should be able to do LEARN about those types of things in a LEARNING enviorment.

[Whiteknight]

By doing this, they will just be teaching children that it is okay to dodge issues and not discuss them, just set them aside. That's not good...

[Valjean]

I should start my own school system...=P

Seriously, this kind of thing just pisses me off.

"No, you can't talk about that because we feel it's bad."

This just makes me want to go around Darwining people (sterilizing, not killing). :P

[gediminas]

Those stupid conservative assholes...
Man, that's just sooo wrong!
I think it's better to learn all about it at school than in South Park... Right?

[Darkslayer633]

If you can't learn about those things in school or some other controlled enviroment, then where are you meant to learn it? On the streets where someone may kill you for speaking your mind?

And yes I agree you should be allowed to take about any issues in school, not be sensored on taboo topics.

[Basan]

By doing this, they will just be teaching children that it is okay to dodge issues and not discuss them, just set them aside. That's not good...
Yeah... they would seem politicians. *Lol*

Now 4 real. We must be able 2 learn different points of view by an healthy debate, like here at WB's... *Stops 2 think it better* sometimes at least. (Afterall, we all have been/or flamed a little already, isn't it?) ;)
That not right, but goin' in2 the Darwin policy (I read up here), isn't the answer also. Get support from ur old folks (ur parents n' ur friends' too) in2 addressing the school n' ask 4 the reasons of killing the debate in the 1st place... that should be interesting! Maybe afterwards, they (school board of directors) won't be so conservative (another term comes 2 mind but not goin' t say it) and allow these debates on a more broad horizon.

[GiaDragoness]

Ha, sounds something like my town, only more nice. If anyone says something that goes against the religious doctrine the town clings to, damn your in TROUBLE. In my town things like homosexuality are forbidded from even being spoken about other than "its wrong". Man, if only you guys knew how often i got into trouble here for that kind of thing. You guys are lucky you can talk freely about sexuality. My parents constantly frown on me, so yeah it sucks :/

:smash: Smashy Smashy! :smash:

[TheGreatBrain]

Wow... (http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/09/30/student.debate.ap/index.html)

It seems horrible when a school prevents you from debating on gay marriage, abortion or stem cell research just because you're not allowed to discuss the things in health class. Wait, doesn't that sound pretty wrong too? Aren't schools supposed to be places of learning, where we educate the next generation, or a place where we censor the youth in order for them to grow up the way we want them to?

Is this simply an overreaction or an attempt by the school staff to control what's being said?

What do you think?Well hell Cyg, you of all people should realize school isn't a place to expand your mind or have intellectual discussions concerning the real world that we live in. Save that for puffing blunts with the homies.

[Frattimonde]

That´s so annoying.

In democracy, everyone should be free to speak their mind.

It would not suprize me if they would insert jail penalty for not voting, or for you having different political thoughts than most other people.

[Modred]

In democracy, everyone should be free to speak their mind.
Technically, minors have almost no rights whatsoever.

While I do not agree with the administration of that school, I do find some logic behind the decision. Let's look at the three issues highlighted in the article: gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research. Each of those issues are highly controversial, particularly the first two. Not that I doubt the maturity of other high school students, but the potential for offense of both the speakers and the audience is incredibly high with both gay marriage and abortion. As for stem cell research, I assume that the question at hand would be over embryotic stem cells. While this could spur a debate, it would no doubt boil down to nothing more than an expansion of the abortion debate.

[Night_Hunter]

They should show allow those issues in school. Stem Cell research is a very serious issue, and could change many peoples lives.
Down With Bush. Down With Kerry. Up with RALPH!

[GaiusMarius]

Unfortunately the reality is more simple. Schools are more concerned about getting sued by parents to the point where they will introduce boundaries within the school system. If you want a higher education, then change schools. They are out there, one must simply look.

Gaius Marius

A small footnote, try not to blame the President for your problems, he's only a man and he trying to do his best. Be creative and open your minds to the possibility that there might me other solutions to your issues.

Gaius Marius