Starting Point

When the Olympic torch passed through Juneau, Alaska, in 2002, 18-year-old Joseph Frederick saw a chance at TV airtime. His tactic: a banner reading BONG HITS 4 JESUS. Not amused, Frederick‘s principal confiscated the banner and suspended him for five days. He shot back something about Thomas Jefferson. She tacked on another five.

Fever Pitch
Frederick took his free-speech argument to court, with backing from the ACLU. Five years later it was before the U.S. Supreme Court, with Kenneth Starr representing the school. The court ruled that since Frederick was holding the banner at a “school-supervised” (though not on school grounds) event, the principal had a right to restrict what he said about illegal drugs—even if his message was rather nonsensical.

Now 25, Frederick is learning Mandarin and teaching English in China. Although he is proud that he stood up for his rights, he regrets “the bad precedent set by the ruling.” His case was finally settled at the state level in November, winning him $45,000 and forcing the school to hold a forum on free speech.

Mary Beth Tinker, plaintiff in the 1969 Supreme Court free speech case Tinker v. Des Moines, discusses First Amendment rights with Joseph Frederick.

“Leslie Stein, aka larrybear, spends most of her time drawing comics, listening to old time radio shows and playing records. Leslie started her first comic series, called simply Leslie, back in high school. It revolved around her wacky adventures with her magical bunny and bird that helped her out in gym class and other misadventures.”

WILLIAM McKEEN, Professor and Chair
University of Florida Department of Journalism
P.O. Box 118400, Gainesville, Fla. 32611
http://williammckeen.com

Dear friends,

After hearing a rumor about Odetta’s health, I phoned her manager this
evening and he confirmed for me that Ms. Odetta is receiving treatment
in a New York hospital, where she will be for at least another week.

It’s Odetta’s goal to recover and be in good health so she can perform
as planned at Obama’s inauguration, Doug told me.

Odetta would appreciate cards and letters–please drop her a note if you
have the time. Please also forward this information to anyone you know
who appreciates Odetta. One note or card is a small joy… perhaps a
steady stream of them is something stronger. It sure would be amazing
for Odetta to perform at the inauguration, and a shame for her to have
to miss such an event.

Here’s the address:

ODETTA GORDON
Lenox Hill Hospital
Room 720
100 East 77th St.
New York, NY 10021

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odetta

courtesy Mike Watt

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http://echoparktimebank.com/echoparktimebank/Welcome.html

“The Echo Park Time Bank is a collective whose purpose is to facilitate the cooperative exchange of goods and services among its members. It is a pay it forward system that connects unmet needs with untapped resources.

“For every hour you help another member, you earn a Time Dollar. Then you can use that Time Dollar to have a neighbor help you: getting a ride, learning the computer, getting a haircut, gardening, etc. Time Dollars value everyone’s contributions equally. One hour equals one time dollar.

“Time banking can help people to save money, create new friendships and develop new habits as consumers. We can empower each other by sharing the wealth of resources in our community, and by creating a network based on trust.”

How to start a time bank in your neighborhood…

link courtesy Dave Tompkins!