Ken Schram: A sad lesson to learn
How do you teach Chehalis high school journalists a lesson?
Why you put a crimp in their freedom of the press, of course.
The big dust up is over an article in a newsmagazine published by the students of William F. West High School.
It was an opinion piece questioning President Obama's policies in Iraq, his plans for health care and his approach on the economy.
Accompanying the piece was an illustration that had the president sporting a Hitler-type moustache.
A local Democratic Party official joined the chorus of complaints about the caricature saying it was disrespectful to the office of the president.
I'd agree.
What I don't agree with is the response from the community saying school officials should never have allowed the illustration to be published.
Those officials admit they never even reviewed the article before it went to press but say from now on everything will be gone over with a fine-tooth comb, alluding to their being ready to quash any such antics in the future.
What a great lesson to teach kids: Those who have the power can smother opinions and ideas by ignoring protected freedoms if they're disruptive and considered by some to be in bad taste.
Great way to encourage the journalists of tomorrow.
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Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.
Why you put a crimp in their freedom of the press, of course.
The big dust up is over an article in a newsmagazine published by the students of William F. West High School.
It was an opinion piece questioning President Obama's policies in Iraq, his plans for health care and his approach on the economy.
Accompanying the piece was an illustration that had the president sporting a Hitler-type moustache.
A local Democratic Party official joined the chorus of complaints about the caricature saying it was disrespectful to the office of the president.
I'd agree.
What I don't agree with is the response from the community saying school officials should never have allowed the illustration to be published.
Those officials admit they never even reviewed the article before it went to press but say from now on everything will be gone over with a fine-tooth comb, alluding to their being ready to quash any such antics in the future.
What a great lesson to teach kids: Those who have the power can smother opinions and ideas by ignoring protected freedoms if they're disruptive and considered by some to be in bad taste.
Great way to encourage the journalists of tomorrow.
---
Have something to say to Ken? Login or signup below to post a comment. Just be sure to read the rules and keep things civil. You can also e-mail him at kenschram@komo4news.com.