Kenneth Starr Returns To The Legal Stage

On Monday, Kenneth Starr returned to the stage by arguing an antifree speech position for a Juneau, Alaska high school that suspended a student for 10 days for a prank involving a banner with the absurd slogan, "Bong Hits For Jesus" on it.

How such a silly case even makes it to the Supreme Court is a good question. But it does raise important questions about what level of free speech should be tolerated by educational instutions. Does serious political or religious speech deserve protection, but not pranks? Was a prodrug message, or a controversial topic one entitled to free speech rights, the same as mainstream opinions or politics?

The student in question was once reportedly arrested for attempting to sell marijuana on a college campus. Did his banner promote illegal conduct near school property, but not actually on it? Does the state and school district in question have a stake in preventing certain activity such as drug use, where even public endorsement by students can be punished with suspensions, etc?

Kenneth Starr was right back on the side of the fense that you'd expect him to be. But how much of the educational and learning experience is enhanced when students develop an interest in politics when so few young people even know enough about politics to bother to vote is a worthwhile concept to ponder. The Supreme Court will likely hand down their decision in June.