Should The Atheist Be Allowed To Voice Her Opinions?

A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT in Tennessee had her story in the school newspaper killed by school administrators who thought her views on atheism were potentially disruptive.

The student, who is the editor of the paper, an honors student and an atheist, wrote, "Why does atheism have such a bad reputation? Why do we not have the same rights as Christians?"

The school, which is predominantly Christian, has prayers offered at the start of many sporting events, and during graduation services. The student argues that these actions are in violation of the First Amendment, which argues for freedom of religion.

Is the school allowed to deny publication of the student's story?

Should the student be allowed to voice her opinions?

Read her original story here.

(Image from the Knoxville News Sentinel)

Did the Police Have the Right to Evict the Press?

Around 1:00 am this morning, police gave final warning to the Occupy Philly protesters to evacuate Dilworth Plaza, next to City Hall.

Before the police issued their final warning to the protesters, however, the police told journalists that they had to vacate the area and watch the events unfold from across the five lane street, probably 150 feet away from the entrance to the Occupy Philly encampment. From the press vantage point, it was almost impossible to see the actual protest site.

Did the police have the right to evict the press?

Were the police simply ensuring that journalists did not interfere with the police work?

Or were the police trying avoid a situation like that at the University of California, Davis, where video of a campus police officer pepper-spraying a group of protesters became a viral phenomena?