Have Dress Codes Gone Too Far?

Last week, I ran across an article about a teenager in Florida that was made to change her t-shirt after school officials determined it violated the dress code.  Summer Schreiner, 15 wore a t-shirt to school which said, “Don’t drink and park.  Accidents cause kids”.  Schreiner received the shirt when she attended “Silver Ring Thing” a Christian conference that asks teenagers to take celibacy vows until they’re married.  Schreiner wore her t-shirt through lunch, until she was made by school officials to change into a shirt given to her which read, “Tomorrow, I will dress for success”.

The school’s dress code prohibits clothing which contains sexually explicit or oriented wording.  Schreiner said her shirt promoted a positive message, and that sex is discussed in school as part of the curriculum for sex education.  She says her abstinence vow is important to her, and that she felt humiliated by school officials.  Michelle Irwin, Director of Communications for the school district stated, “This is not a situation of whether or not the district agrees or disagrees with abstinence among teens.  It’s about the fact the she violated the dress code.”

This isn’t the first time I’ve read about students violating school dress codes for what seems like pretty innocuous things.  Check out this student who was told her unnatural hair color violated the school’s dress code: http://www.inquisitr.com/520379/student-banned-from-school-for-unnatural-hair-color-is-allowed-back/   In October, 17 year old Zachary Aufderheide was made to serve a two day in-school suspension because his hair length violated the school’s dress code.  Aufderheide was growing out his hair to donate to the charity Locks of Love.

I’m torn on the issue of dress codes for students.  I generally detest censorship of any form, and I am generally suspicious of authority.  That being said, I grew up poor and my parents didn’t always have the money to buy me the latest fashions.  What made it worse was that I often received the knock off version of the latest fashion, which in my mind just made me stand out more.  Perhaps had my school had a stricter dress code, or required uniforms this wouldn’t have been such an issue for me.

So my question to you this week is, “Do you think Schreiner’s shirt violated what the school states as its dress code policy?  Do you think students should have stricter dress codes and/or uniforms?”  Answers are due no later than Sunday, March 3^rd, 2013.

What Is The State Of Our Union?

Last week, President Obama gave the first State of the Union address of his second term.  The State of the Union address is a time for the President to inform Congress and the American people about….well, the State of the Union.  As expected, President Obama touched on many different priorities for his second term including immigration, gun control, job creation and raising the minimum wage.  In case you missed it, you can watch the full address here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/state-of-the-union-2013

We’ve spent time in class talking about how Presidents spend a lot of time crafting their political image and message, and how they help set the agenda for what the American people see as their top priorities.  So my question to you this week is, “What was one thing President Obama said that you could support?  What was something he left out, that you wish he would’ve mentioned?”  You must answer both questions to earn full credit.  Answers are due no later than Sunday, February 24^th, 2013.  To read the full transcript of President Obama’s speech, go here: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-12/politics/37059380_1_applause-task-free-enterprise

Ode To Presidents

This week in class we will talk about the Presidency.  Next Monday, the nation celebrates George Washington's birthday, commonly known as President's Day. So, in honor of our first President, I decided to blog this week about the men who have served our nation as "Commander in Chief".

Some of our Presidents have had great courage. George Washington and Dwight D. Eisenhower commanded troops in battle in two of the most important wars in our nation's history. Without their courage, it is hard to say if America as nation would be where it is today.

Some of our Presidents have been great scholars. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, which remains a model of democratic thought and is studied in political science classes around the world to this day. Woodrow Wilson was the only President to earn a doctorate degree, which he earned in political science.

Some of our Presidents have been great orators. John Adams was considered the "voice" of the revolution. John Kennedy's inauguration address inspired a new generation of Americans to serve their communities. Ronald Reagan was known as "The Great Communicator" and is credited with helping to end the Cold War.

My question to you this week is "Throughout history, who do you think would've made a great President that never held the office?" My answer is Benjamin Franklin. We all know of Benjamin Franklin's famous lightening rod experiment, but did you know he invented many other things including the Franklin stove, bifocals, batteries and the glass 'armonica'? He also formed our nation's first library and fire departments, and founded the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin was a great statesmen, diplomat and politician. He is credited with developing the ideals of the American character. Had he not been so advanced in age, it is possible he would've added 'President' to his long list of accomplishments. So, "Who do you think would've made a great President that never held the office?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, February 17th, 2013.

G.I. Jane Reporting For Duty

Last week, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that he was lifting the military’s official ban on women in combat.  This decision overturns a 1994 rule restricting women from artillery, armor, infantry and other combat roles.  As of last year, 800 women have been wounded in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, and an additional 130 have died.  The Pentagon is allowing three years for the military to implement the changes.  Congress doesn’t need to approve the new rule, but if they disagree, they could pass legislation prohibiting the change.

Supporters say this new rule change will open hundreds of thousands of additional front line jobs to women, and that more women will be able to seek higher ranks within the military, which are usually only open to those with combat experience.  Public opinion polls show 3 out of 4 Americans favor placing women in combat. 

Opponents say combat conditions are no place for women.  Retired, three star General William “Jerry” Boykin criticized placing women into Special Forces where “living conditions are primal without privacy for personal hygiene or nor mal functions”.

In a few weeks, we will discuss the Supreme Court, and how historically, they have allowed gender discrimination against women in some cases related to combat duty.  So my question to you this week is, “Do you think women should be allowed in combat zones?  Why or why not?  What changes will they military need to make to accommodate women?”  Answers are due no later than Sunday, February 10^th, 2013.