Help Me Convice Someone D&D Isn't Evil

[Tom Cashel]

Thanks, Eric...I was wondering when someone would invoke the No Politics or Religion rule!

Point of fact: the Supreme Court ruled in 1988 that the 1st Amendment does not apply to high school newspapers--see Hazelwood school district v. Kuhlmeier. High school principals have the right to review and censor student-written materials. I should know; a column I wrote as assistant editor of my paper was censored. (I had the gall to write about racism.)

See here for the full text of the decision.

Also, Trevalon, be sure your AP never finds out about this thread. Libel on an internet messageboard is still libel, and as it stands now you could certainly be convicted of it. Not saying your AP isn't a wretched person; just saying you might not want to be so vocal about it.

Good luck!

 

[jasper]

Okay check my pts
1. Small town high school in Illinois
2. A.P. reject game club strictly due D&D
3. A.P. has religious views against D&D


First why is when some whiner or upstanding kid (choose what you are) does not get his way he gets told the follow:
1. Suck it up and learn the life lesson. Sometimes your opinion and wants will not be met.
1. LAWSUIT LAWSUIT !
1. Go around her back.

Second give me more detail about the school and A.P.
Did she change the dress code of the prom? Or clarify it?
What other clubs are there?
What other clubs have been shot down?


Third my advice, which will cost you $100 email for address and name.
1. Try again with the principal involved. (in military words use the chain of command).
2. Ask your parents and the other gamers will they help.
3. Decide how much time your want to give this battle.
4. Decide how much money you want to give this battle.
5. Decide how much outside help you want to give this battle. (Aclu, lawyers, press, city/county school board, etc)

Remember the A.P. is always walking a tightrope she has to protect the school’s interest, the board’s interest, the communities etc.
Remember until you are 18 and out of house most the courts have ruled kids do NOT have full rights. Hey I couldn’t drink until I was 21. Was that a violation of my rights?


Please keep us updated with a weekly or daily post.

 

[bolen]

Again, why should one be allowed to play games at school? What is the big issue here?

 

[Emiricol]

First why is when some whiner or upstanding kid (choose what you are) does not get his way he gets told the follow:
1. Suck it up and learn the life lesson. Sometimes your opinion and wants will not be met.
1. LAWSUIT LAWSUIT !
1. Go around her back.

Probably because, as with any situation, his options are to accept it, fight it, or ignore it. No big mystery.

I would also like to hear the conclusion of this

 

[Roland Delacroix]

Also, Trevalon, be sure your AP never finds out about this thread. Libel on an internet messageboard is still libel, and as it stands now you could certainly be convicted of it. Not saying your AP isn't a wretched person; just saying you might not want to be so vocal about it.

Good luck!

I believe she would then have to prove in court how this thread has affected her earning potential. I don't see that happening since we don't know her and don't give a damn anyway.

 

[Dareoon Dalandrove]

I found this article and thought it had some good stuff in it. check it out it might have something you can use in your battle against your princepal
http://members.aol.com/MarkJYoung/confess.html

 

[Dinkeldog]

Again, why should one be allowed to play games at school? What is the big issue here?

Why should one be allowed to play football at school? Because it teaches teamwork and builds camaraderie and perhaps allows some building of physical skills.

The difference is that D&D is going to build mental skills.

 

[Utrecht]

Having just read through the entire thread, I am not entirely sure whether the AP is wrong or right - of if that even matters and I am going to disagree with the majority of my fellow posters (who are getting a little to reactionary for your good)

The facts as I understand them right now are:

1) You formed a gaming club with D&D as one of the potential named Games

2) She accepted the club, but rejected D&D citing "research"

3) You have repeately used offensive language to describe her and her beliefs

Now, being the spouse of an School Administrator and having grown up disliking them - Rarely do Administrators make rulings just to keep kids down or enforce their political agendas - the reason that they took the job is because they LIKE KIDS.

so here is what I recommend.

a) Take a breath and NEVER disparage your adversary - it only strenghtens their argument and lessens yours.

b) Schedule a face to face meeting with her and TALK about her concerns. You will find that the vast majority of people and especially Adminsitrators that when presented with a discussions will respond positively. She may agree to let you play the game with some appropriate restrictions - but most important get to understand where she is coming from - as opposed to blindly labeling her an extremist - this pretty much forces her hand.

c) After this discussion - and only after this discussion should you consider anything like a legal challenge or ACLU - as soon as you make it confrontational - it will stay that way.

so as I said about, schedule the meeting and be mature and civil about the entire affair.

Finally, one question, is this a public or private High School?

 

[DanMcS]

3) You have repeately used offensive language to describe her and her beliefs

When a person and their beliefs are offensive, offensive language is the most accurate description for them.

Now, being the spouse of an School Administrator and having grown up disliking them - Rarely do Administrators make rulings just to keep kids down or enforce their political agendas - the reason that they took the job is because they LIKE KIDS.

That may be generally true, but this lady appears to have taken the job because she enjoys being a petty dictator.

'Trevalon': Meet with her, be reasonable, explain your case. If, after that, she won't act like a reasonable human being, there's no reason to treat her like one any longer. Turn your parents loose on her, your friends' parents, and finally the ACLU if you need to. The federal equal access law is a great thing for them to bring up. She's completely wrong, so don't compromise.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

Also, Trevalon, be sure your AP never finds out about this thread. Libel on an internet messageboard is still libel, and as it stands now you could certainly be convicted of it.

Not saying your AP isn't a wretched person; just saying you might not want to be so vocal about it.

Good luck!

Someone help me out and get me a definition of libel...

originally posted by Utrecht

Having just read through the entire thread, I am not entirely sure whether the AP is wrong or right - of if that even matters and I am going to disagree with the majority of my fellow posters(who are getting a little to reactionary for your good) The facts as I understand them right now are:

1) You formed a gaming club with D&D as one of the potential named Games

2) She accepted the club, but rejected D&D citing "research"

3) You have repeately used offensive language to describe her and her beliefs

Now, being the spouse of an School Administrator and having grown up disliking them - Rarely do Administrators make rulings just to keep kids down or enforce their political agendas -
the reason that they took the job is because they LIKE KIDS. So here is what I recommend.

a) Take a breath and NEVER disparage your adversary - it only strenghtens their argument and lessens yours.

b) Schedule a face to face meeting with her and TALK about her concerns. You will find that the vast majority of people and especially Adminsitrators that when presented with a discussions will respond positively. She may agree to let you play the game with some appropriate restrictions - but most important get to understand where she is coming from - as opposed to blindly labeling her an extremist - this pretty much forces her hand.

c) After this discussion - and only after this discussion should you consider anything like a legal challenge or ACLU - as soon as you make it confrontational - it will stay that way. so as I said about, schedule the meeting and be mature and civil about the entire affair.

Finally, one question, is this a public or private High School?

The facts:
1. Yes
2. Yes
3. On the boards here, yes I have. Understand that it is out of pure frustration and nothing more. I don't wish ill upon her, and I certainly would not be rude to her in person. Politeness and civility are going to be my keys to the kingdom.

That brings me to your advice:
a. I'd never walk up to her, slap her, and call her a bitch. What i've said here... well that's just me being extremely frustrated with all of her nonsense.

b. After we get our letter to her delivered--still need to confer with Ed to see when we'll get a chance to do this--we definately plan on talking to her. We may just skip the letter entirely.

c. I fully intend to fight this, but I probably am not going to go so far as to contact the ACLU, it's just too much... I'm a senior and I'm getting out of the hellhole fairly soon. I'll definately get parents involved, and I'll definately talk to the principal.

To answer your final question, Utrecht, this is a public high school.

To everyone who has posted here: Thank you for your valuable advice. Please keep it coming...but PLEASE... Don't get my thread closed because you're breaking the cardinal rules of this great place. This thread is NOT for religion bashing, this thread is not for politics. Just suggestions to a problem...


Thank you,

Jason