Bong Hits 4 Jesus

On January 24, 2002, a Juneau-Douglas High School senior held up a 14-foot banner that read “BONG HiTS 4 JESUS” as the Olympic Torch Relay passed through the town of Juneau, Alaska. The student was immediately approached by the principal of the high school and asked to take the banner down. When Joseph Frederick did not comply, the banner was confiscated and Frederick was suspended from school for 10 days. The student appealed his suspension, but it was upheld by the Superintendent, as well as the Board of Education. Seeking to prove a point, the student then took his case to the District Court. Here, it was also upheld that the principal had the right to suspend the student and that it did not infringe on his First Amendment rights. The Ninth Circuit reversed this decision and stated that Frederick’s First Amendment rights were being violated because he was punished without the school demonstrating that his speech gave rise to a "risk of substantial disruption." Now, five years later, the Supreme Court upholds the high school’s decision to suspend Frederick and does not hold the principal financially liable. At the age of 24, Frederick says that he displayed the banner to try and provoke a response from the principal. He also says that this ordeal was set about in order to test his rights to freedom of speech and that he was not promoting drugs.

“I find it absurdly funny,” he said. “I was not promoting drugs….I assumed most people would take it as a joke.”

He asserts that the banner represents something completely different than drug paraphernalia or religion.

"What the banner said was, 'Look here, I have the right to free speech and I'm asserting it.' I wasn't trying to say anything religious, anything about drugs," Frederick said in a telephone news conference from China, where he now teaches English and studies Mandarin.

This is a case that causes one to question their true rights. The banner was displayed on a public street, not on school grounds. However, since it was an event that was sanctioned by the school, the school had the right to suspend the student for a banner that referenced drugs. The ruling from the 1969 case of Tinker v. Des Moines states that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Yet this is exactly what occurred. A student was at a school-promoted event and held up a banner that had a drug reference.

While this might be considered offensive by some people, I think it is ridiculous that it is considered a probable reason to suspend a student. While there should be some limitations to what is said or read in a classroom, these limitations should be lifted once off school grounds. But, I, obviously, being an American citizen, am in no place to make this sort of judgment.

IS THERE SUCH A THING AS TOO MUCH BAD PUBLICITY?

For those of us who hold the sexy, sizzling television show ‘Sex and the City’ near and dear to our hearts, we know that Samantha Jones always taught us that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Is this, indeed, true?
With one glance at the magazine rack in your local grocery store, you can find the tabloids to be ripping apart one of three very ‘in’ celebrities. Unless you have been in hibernation for the past year, then you should know that I am talking about Britney, Lindsay, and Paris. Juicy stories of hook-up’s and all night partying have been splashed across television and magazines simply for our entertainment. But, in the midst of all of the chaos I have to wonder where is the public relations?
I know at one point or another, we have all been thankful that we were not the ones in charge of having to clean up a celebrity’s dirty mess and restore their image. I know that they have a public relations representative because every once in awhile when they mess up really bad there is a very vague, generic statement released. And how is it that these celebrities go from one bad tumble to the next within the matter of 24 hours?
From one drug bust to the next, these panty-less celebrities aren’t favored to quit any time soon. The public relations representatives need to come in and take charge of their client’s image. But then again, going to rehab is now a trend so maybe there is a brilliant public relations rep out there somewhere.

www.tmz.com

www.enews.com

www.extra.com

www.mtv.com

www.perezhilton.com

Corporations Support Recycling Campaigns

By Lesha Boggess
Lately, with new and more threatening environmental issues surfacing everyday it seems that recycling has gained a great deal of notice and popularity in the media. Local and nationwide recycling programs have really come to the forefront recently and people are aware that it is an important issue that needs to be dealt with.
Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, issued a statement today stating that they plan to invest more than $60 million dollars to build the world’s largest plastic bottle recycling plant in the US according to the Environment News Service. They are even going as far to make an entire line of merchandise produced solely from recycled bottles. It seems evident that the Coca-Cola Corporation is really putting forth an effort to encourage families and other corporations to follow in their footsteps. Apple has been known to take an “environmentally friendly” stance on the distribution and construction of their products but recently they took it a step further by instituting a Take Back plan that helps cut back on the amount of improper waste disposal each year.
Wal-Mart is another prime example of a multibillion dollar corporation that has instituted recycling programs in order to lead others to do the same. With their Wal-Mart Kids Recycling Challenge they are hoping to instill in kids at a young age that recycling is easy and fun. Wal-Mart recently created an incentive plan so that kids who participate can earn money for their elementary schools from their recycled goods. Sony Electronics has also issued a statement recently concerning recycling issues. They are implementing the Sony Take Back Recycling program that will give consumers the opportunity to take their used Sony products to be recycled at no charge. They hope that this program will help to end the problem of improper disposal of electric devices.
All major companies nowadays are dealing with recycling issues, hopefully what we’ll see happen is that every corporation will institute programs like Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, and Sony to set an example as leaders. However, it takes more than a simple company recycling policy statement to really make a change. If corporations want to make a difference they are going to have to spend a considerable amount of time and money for their cause.

How Does This Happen?

Michael Hoffman of the Military Times as well as the Associated Press reported that six nuclear-armed Advanced Cruise Missiles were mistakenly flown on a B-52H bomber from Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana on August 30.
How does a United States Air Force pilot trained in nuclear warfare take off armed with six nuclear warheads? It is unclear as to why the warheads had not been removed but I find it hard to believe that the pilot did not notice a weight difference when flying the plane. The warheads alone weigh 150 kilotons each and I would think the weight alone should have told everyone this plane was much heavier than the other planes.
More importantly, of course, is the issue of the safety of the United States and harm that could have come from such an inexcusable mistake.
Hans M. Kristensen, in his own blog, makes note of several ways in which the Department of Defense and Department of Energy manage the thousands of nuclear weapons in the U.S. Nuclear Stockpile.
Missiles are designed to only detonate if purposely detonated and are hopefully encased appropriately. Regardless, if this plane had crashed, I am weary of the fact that the missiles would not detonate and it is not something that should never be put to the test, even by mistake. Mistakes often happen and fortunately nothing came of it but it is the responsibility of commanders and officials to make sure mistakes like this never happen again.
I felt that Pentagon officials handled the situation rapidly and appropriately with the firing of the munitions squadron commander as well as the temporary decertification of crews involved with the mistaken load.
Officials cannot prevent every mistake from happening and protect the United States completely, but when mistakes such as these happen they can act accordingly for the interest of our country.

Celebrities for Promoting Projects- by John Donat

Friday, August 31, 2007

Celebrities for promoting projects
Celebrities for promoting projectsJohn Donat8/31/2007With the world continuously updating and finding new ways to promote objects attracted by popularity and looks, people are one of the most successful ways of getting the publics attention. All of us have heard the rumors about celebrities like Paris Hilton and Rosie O’Donnell; these are examples of negative celebrity images. How about people such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Al Gore, Cameron Diaz, and Bono? They have been successful and are pro-environment. Having celebrity faces that are well known would help a companies cause simply because of the impulses of fans and the actions of actors/actresses, sports athletes, and singers could entice the fans to follow or at least change their lifestyles for beneficial purposes. Granted sometimes when the celebrities are speaking out it is for a good purpose such as they are promoting environmental benefits.If a company had a celebrity it would be a great asset because celebrities have fans on their side and because of that the company could get fans behind their cause. One disadvantage is that the face/reputation could be on the line because of the celebrity promoting the events. What I mean is if the celebrity was to get into some legal trouble or be found to be doing something other than what they say they are doing then the organization could be held partially responsible for falsifying claims. Having a good background check on the celebrity would prevent an organization from being embarrassed. This would work for all of the clients in our PR Campaigns class because if a celebrity can relate or be sympathetic towards a good cause they could change the outcome of the representing company for the best. Possibly, the celebrity could do a little pro bono work and the companies cause would be even stronger because the celebrities work would be for free.

http://liveearth.msn.com/green/causecelebs

http://www.ecorazzi.com/?p=2489.

http://www.ecorazzi.com/

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-ca-eco2sep02,0,2453891.story?coll=la-home-entertainment

http://www.actgreen.com/

Hearing Bush's optimism, just plain rhetoric or promise?

By Matthew Wall

Like me, many American’s are harboring some sense of war fatigue, as President Bush so eloquently stated back in July. The question that people are getting restless and tired of this droning war in Iraq is really an understatement. But trying to push politics aside for the time being, is there ever going to be positive morale in the United States again? Well look no further, because the self-proclaimed “Decider” is looking through his optimistic eyes, as he usually does considering all things Iraq. But for real this time, I may have seen a slight budge in our stubborn leader’s waltz this past weekend.

President Bush made an unannounced visit to the Al-Asad Air Base in Iraq this past weekend. This was Bush’s third secret trip to Iraq in four years falling directly in the middle of Congress’s recess. So what was all the talk about this past weekend? Well during a speech in front of U.S. Marines and Soldiers on Sunday Bush sounded hopeful about the possibility of a troop withdrawal given the recent status of the troop surge that commenced back in January.

Bush stated, “They tell me if the kind of success we are now seeing continues, it will be possible to maintain the same level of security with fewer American forces.” This comes one week from General David Patraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s meeting with lawmakers to testify about Iraq’s current situation. This also comes two weeks before White House Spokesman Tony Snow resigns. Soon to follow, Snow’s successor will be the start of a fresh face at the front of the administration’s PR controls. Bush also said, “In other words when we begin to draw down troops from Iraq, it will be from a position of strength and success, not from a position of fear and failure.” The withdrawal of troops, depending on Iraq’s progress, could start as early as next spring.

Could this be just plain rhetoric from a severely criticized administration? Or could this be a sign of change in Bush’s foreign policy? I’m praying and hoping for the latter. So I’m staying optimistic.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070903/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush

Can We Forgive A Star?

8/3/2007

Can We Forgive A Star?
By Dusty Lockhart

A week ago today Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons former quarterback, delivered one of the most apologetic public addresses I’ve ever heard by a professional athlete. He has accepted all responsibility for his actions and asked forgiveness from everyone, including God. He apologized to all the young kids and said his actions were immature and admitted that he even has some growing up to do [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com].

I am one of the biggest dog lovers out there and believe me when I say, no one was more disgusted with these actions than me. With that being said, I have to admit Vick has been my quarterback for fantasy football the past two years and I am a fan, until recently. If this were an average P.O.S. guy off the street I would pray for the judge to throw the book at him, but it’s Michael Vick. Let’s be real folks, we should be getting used to misconduct and federal offenses by the professional sports stars.

Vick pleaded guilty and could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines [www.washingtonpost.com].

“So I got a lot of down time, a lot of time to think about my actions and what I’ve done and how to make Michael Vick a better person.” Vick said in his apology on Monday [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com].

Vick will receive his sentencing from U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson December 10 [www.deadspin.com].

A man that has already lost everything, including a $130 million contract and been suspended indefinitely by Rodger Goodell NFL commissioner, I feel Michael Vick is truly sorry for what he has done [www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007.html]. The Falcons franchise is also seeking the $22 million signing bonus they released to Vick in 2004 [http://with-malice.com]. I know the timing is convenient, but after hearing his press conference I hope the guy serves his time and gets on with his life.

So I ask, can we forgive a guy like Michael Vick for these horrific events that have transpired? I personally wish the guy the best of luck in the near future and hope he can return to the NFL because I enjoy watching him doing what he loves. As for the forgiveness, I leave that to the dogs.

Helping to Raise Awareness on Child Abuse

Whenever the subject of child abuse is mentioned, the first thing that usually pops into our heads is physical child abuse, where the parents beat and/or sexually abuse their child. However, what we do not think about are the other types of abuse endured by children, such as: emotional, spiritual and verbal. While the physical abuse is visually noticeable, all forms of abuse have the same negative affects.

Carnival Against Child Abuse is just one of many blogs who raise awareness on child abuse. They discuss all elements of child abuse as well as highlight stories of child abuse survivors. And Safe Child, Child Abuse goes more into depth over each element of child abuse.

The Community Coalition Against Family Violence is a site that gives different tips on how to prevent abuse and has a list services for victims. They report that one in three girls is sexually abused by the age of eighteen, and one in six boys.

What’s great about these blogs and websites, like Child Welfare Information Gateway is that they not only have links pertaining to defining and identifying child abuse; they also have links dedicating to preventing and responding to abuse.

Sites such as Kids First accept donations to help educate professionals on child abuse issues and to provide direct assistance to the abused children. Organizations such as these rely heavily on public donations to meet operating costs.

Before doing this research, I was not aware of the alarming statistics about child abuse. It’s amazing to me that parents are even capable of doing such things. Parents are supposed to love and nurture their children, not harm and abuse them.