Is this the end of freedom of speech?

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

http://news.yahoo.com/public-school-teachers-hot-water-bashing-obama-facebook-092407363.html

Public school teachers in hot water after bashing Obama on Facebook

The Daily Caller – Tue, Nov 13, 2012

Two public school teachers have found themselves in hot water at work after posting messages critical of President Barack Obama to their personal Facebook pages.

After last Tuesday’s election, according to ABC affiliate WSOC-TV, South Carolina-based eighth-grade math teacher Sharon Aceta updated her status on Facebook with this sarcastic message: “Congrats Obama. As one of my students sang down the hallway, ‘We get to keep our food stamps’ …which I pay for because they can’t budget their money… and really, neither can you.”

A spokesperson for Rawlinson Road Middle School, Aceta’s employer, said that multiple people had contacted the school with complaints. (RELATED: Fourth-grade teacher says Obama’s re-election is America’s ‘funeral’)

“The teacher has admitted that poor judgment was used in this case, and she is very apologetic,” said the spokesperson, Elaine Baker, according to WSOC.

The school suspended Aceta for one day, on Friday. She reportedly spent that day apologizing for her actions. She also swiftly deleted the post from Facebook.

Aceta probably won’t face any additional disciplinary action, according to officials.

Meanwhile, in Ohio, a teacher at Linden McKinley High School posted an even more caustic message on her Facebook page, according to CBS affiliate WBNS-TV.

“Congrats to those dependent on government, homosexuals, potheads, JAY-Z fans, non Christians, non taxpayers, illegals, communists, Muslims, planned murder clinics, enemies of America, Satan You WON!”

The school, which received complaints about the post, has not yet issued an official reprimand of the teacher.

[Dakine10 5,452]

Is this the end of freedom of speech?

I don't see anything in the article that indicates the government has interfered with her right to free speech. Based on what she said, it does not appear she fears any repercussion from the government at all.

I will say, it would be an awesome thing if protected free speech applied to situations between an employer and employee. But since it never has, I would have to say no, nothing has changed. This is not the end of free speech.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

I don't see anything in the article that indicates the government has interfered with her right to free speech. Based on what she said, it does not appear she fears any repercussion from the government at all.

I will say, it would be an awesome thing if protected free speech applied to situations between an employer and employee. But since it never has, I would have to say no, nothing has changed. This is not the end of free speech.

Aw! Ruining a great thread with reason and thoughtful comments. I invested heavily in tinfoil following Obamas reelection. You're killing my investment!

[keysjangle 145]

The first post is offensive in a couple of ways:

1) She shouldn't be talking about some student's food stamps on Facebook when it's none of her business (even though she thinks it is because "her" money is supporting it.)

2) Insulting the student's family. She doesn't know anything about them. Maybe the kid's dad died and mom can't find work. Maybe they blow their money. Who knows? It's not her place to judge.

I don't think it was smart on her part to splutter such nonsense on Facebook as a teacher. She's supposed be a role model to her students, not use them as examples in her ignorant rants. She stooped to some seriously childish behaviour. Does she have her privacy settings set so that non-friends can still read her posts? Probably, because she's likely computer illiterate. This could allow any parent or student to see what she's up to.

And the second comment just reads like it was written by someone who has never had an original or informed thought in their entire existence.

Edited November 16, 2012 by Gervl

[sly_wolf 199]

Free speach yes but there are always consequences when you do and say stupid things.

[Niels Bohr 72]

She got suspended for being unprofessional. I would suspend the teacher as well if I were the school's principal or superintended. Her conduct was not decent as a teacher. Heck, if I hear a teacher were to say something about "John McCain is an idiot who only serves the rich" on facebook, I would suspend the teacher as well.

[Matttks 1]

She got suspended for being unprofessional. I would suspend the teacher as well if I were the school's principal or superintended. Her conduct was not decent as a teacher. Heck, if I hear a teacher were to say something about "John McCain is an idiot who only serves the rich" on facebook, I would suspend the teacher as well.

I think if she had made the comment while at school I would agree that she should be suspended, but since she was on her personal time I have to disagree. She was unprofessional and a jerk, and I do think she should be asked to apologize to the student and family. But it's election time and a lot of people say stupid things. Teachers have to go through a lot of ####### and if one says something stupid on her personal facebook page I think it should be overlooked occasionally, so something like this shouldn't be blown out of proportion. If she meant to hurt anyone she would have said it right then and not waited to get home to make her opinion.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

“Congrats to those dependent on government, homosexuals, potheads, JAY-Z fans, non Christians, non taxpayers, illegals, communists, Muslims, planned murder clinics, enemies of America, Satan You WON!”

Somebody get that person his or her meds.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

I don't see anything in the article that indicates the government has interfered with her right to free speech. Based on what she said, it does not appear she fears any repercussion from the government at all.

I will say, it would be an awesome thing if protected free speech applied to situations between an employer and employee. But since it never has, I would have to say no, nothing has changed. This is not the end of free speech.

Well there goes the fun of this thread. Someone brought logic to the party.

Listen, I may like Obama. I may depend on the government. I may be a homosexual, atheist pothead. I may not pay taxes and I may be an illegal immigrant. I'm a communist Muslim who enjoys planned murder clinics. I hate America and love Satan ... but you're insulting me by calling me a Jay-Z fan. Have some respect.

Edited November 16, 2012 by Evylin

[natty bumppo 297]

I think if she had made the comment while at school I would agree that she should be suspended, but since she was on her personal time I have to disagree. She was unprofessional and a jerk, and I do think she should be asked to apologize to the student and family. But it's election time and a lot of people say stupid things. Teachers have to go through a lot of ####### and if one says something stupid on her personal facebook page I think it should be overlooked occasionally, so something like this shouldn't be blown out of proportion. If she meant to hurt anyone she would have said it right then and not waited to get home to make her opinion.

since the article/ facebook page did not mention any names, to whom should the teacher have delivered the apology?

the student loudly broadcast the family financial situation in a public venue. this was not a confidential bit of information shared with the teacher. if the school/ family has an issue with someone repeating this public proclamation then the students household financial management team should either a ) teach the kid discretion about personal/ household issues or b ) keep it from the kid.

the teacher did show poor judgement in posting yet also did not mention the kid/ family by name per the article.

it should have been a simple post deletion and lesson to the kid and teacher and move on with life.

think of what may have happened if the other students started to ridicule or ostracize this loudmouthed student because of the broadcast proclamation. then who is to blame?

(of course it would be the other students who used this freely provided information ... )

[Ban Hammer 13,594]

After last Tuesday’s election, according to ABC affiliate WSOC-TV, South Carolina-based eighth-grade math teacher Sharon Aceta updated her status on Facebook with this sarcastic message: “Congrats Obama. As one of my students sang down the hallway, ‘We get to keep our food stamps’ …which I pay for because they can’t budget their money… and really, neither can you.”

i'd say the suspension was appropriate because the kid that was singing knows he/she was the target.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

We had a similar discussion about this same topic in law class a few years ago when discussing freedom of speech issues. It's a fine line. Since she works for a public school as a teacher she is a public figure. Her work email and all her content that she accesses on the computer while at work is subject to review. Who now days doesn't access their facebook while at work? If she signs up for facebook using her work email that is subject to school policy. Also all work email related content can be accessed by the public with a FOIA request. Students who use their school email to sign up for facebook with the school's email address supplied to them are also subject to similar consequences even though they are private citizens. The schools email address is the schools content and anything associated with it like say your shutterfly account or photobucket to store pictures with. If you registered for those accounts with the school's email address and emails from those sites go to your school email account that content can be reviewed by the school or higher government or even the public if need be. It doesn't seem fair but that's the way it stands for now unless ruled otherwise. So if you registered for something using government associated email addresses change it to a private email address. Even still you'll still be subject to those sites TOS and policies as well as your employers policy such as the schools or if you're a student you're subject to a student handbooks policy as an agreement for the school allowing you to attend within their system. That's just the way it is. There are laws governing lots of different things we do that aren't freedom of speech issues per say.

[Laveau 67]

Facebook is not worth the hassle. Permenantly deleting it was a wise choice, although I do miss Slim's comments.

Also, I do not discuss politics with students. I couldn't tell you how many of them asked: who are you going to vote for or who did you vote for? I politely replied: I do not discuss politics with students.

I, too, heard these things this year: Obama better win. We need our food stamps. AND Don't vote for Romney. He's racist!

I don't ever recall food stamps being terminated under a republican's presidency.

[JensJrny2Ray 367]

The teacher wasn't suspended for anti-Obama comments in the first incident, they were suspended for insulting students and their families, which is inappropriate. If you're a teacher or work in any capacity with the public, you should definitely keep your comments private and not broadcast them on facebook. My friend who is a high school teacher only has her facebook available to family and close friends only.

[natty bumppo 297]

We had a similar discussion about this same topic in law class a few years ago when discussing freedom of speech issues. It's a fine line. Since she works for a public school as a teacher she is a public figure. Her work email and all her content that she accesses on the computer while at work is subject to review. Who now days doesn't access their facebook while at work? ......

i don't have access from work

it's against corporate policy and if access is attempted through the corp servers you this big pop-up message stating that this site is in violation of corporate policy.

same with my wife's company. only they don't do the pop-up thing. the person attempting access to facebook gets to spend a few minutes with the boss and IT dude to receive a warning

so that's two companies ....