Crossposted from MY LEFT WING

As a passionate (arguably extremist) left-wing ideologist, I have an admittedly reflexive tendency to regard askance anything that right-wing ideologists have to say about anything. If I open a newspaper or magazine to an editorial and see the byline of a well-known right-winger, the chances that writer will receive even a shred of benefit of the doubt from me are slim indeed. It is for that reason that I try very hard not to see the author's name when perusing editorial articles or essays.

(I've often mused that society as a whole might benefit from a measure of source anonymity when it comes to editorial writing. Imagine how much more would be demanded of our intellectual resources and imagination if we were denied the opportunity to judge first and consider second -- if at all.)

Now, for the most part, it's fairly easy to discern in the first few paragraphs the political bent of any given editorialist; easier still if one's own political beliefs and opinions contrast or coincide strongly with those of the author. Occasionally -- often enough to make it unremarkable -- I disagree with a writer whose political attitudes I share. Far less often, and thus more jarringly, every once in a while I find myself in agreement with someone whose opinions usually drive me to enraged distraction.

Such was the case on June 17th, 2008...

The topic below was originally posted in my blog, the Intrepid Liberal Journal as well as the Independent Bloggers Alliance, the Peace Tree and Worldwide Sawdust.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

So reads the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights. However, the Constitution does not prevent employers from encroaching upon the free speech of their employees. Even so, most Americans assume their right to free speech is protected in all aspects of their life - including their jobs. The reality is quite different.

Some 1,800 copies of a high school paper at a Tennessee school were confiscated a few days ago.  The reason: the students wrote about birth control and tattoos.

I got my first taste of student freedom of speech--or lack thereof--while I was in high school.  I went to an private school, so I understand how my rights may be a bit different. But the notion of silencing student voices is the same.

I wrote an article. On school computers, in the library.  It was entitled "GC Pride: We're Not On Your Side" (yeah, clever, wasn't it?) and it discussed not just the lack of financial support for students, but about the general disconnect between students and the administration.  I pressed "print", ran by the printer, picked up my copy, and went off to Calculus.