September 4, 2009
MA Bullying Bill (S233)
Sen. Galluccio of Cambridge MA filed a bill January 12, 2009, requiring MA schools to develop a bullying-prevention plan.
The bill defines Bullying as "any unwelcome written or verbal expressions, physical acts or gestures directed at a student or another member of the school community with the intent to intimidate, frighten, ridicule, humiliate, or cause physical or emotional harm to that person. Bullying may include, but shall not be limited to, repeated taunting, threats of harm, verbal or physical intimidation, cyber-bullying, pushing, kicking, hitting, spitting, or taking or damaging another person’s personal property."
Why is speech meant "to intimidate, frighten, ridicule, humiliate, or cause physical or emotional harm to" a person illegal only when "directed at a student or another member of the school community?" When psychiatrists tell a student he or she is mentally ill does that qualify? When teachers say a student will fail if he or she does or does not do an act, qualify? Police and journalists call suspects "dirt bags," and "scum bags. Why is that acceptable speech?
Later the bill says, "(f) Nothing in this section shall supersede or replace existing rights and remedies under state or federal law." The First Amendment protects offensive speech especially when directed at public officials. If students ridicule their teacher or principal will they violate this law? How can the state make speech illegal if it is protected by the Constitution?
Lead sponsor and Senate Education Committee Chairman Galluccio focuses on speech that "makes fun of you because of your sexual orientation, or your body weight, or your skin color." US District Court Judge Gertner said that calling a person homosexual is not actionable under defamation laws. Why is it an offense under this bill? Are there no organizations that will address offensive speech against homosexuals, African Americans and people with extreme body weight?
Hate speech against women, homosexuals and black Americans is tolerated less than homicides by FBI informants.
When people say a person is mentally ill or can't walk or talk normally whatever that is, why is that not an issue for Sen. Galluccio? Journalists and politicians openly ridicule and humiliate persons with disabilities every day in public discourse. They speak of homosexual rights, women's rights, rights of Black Americans, even illegal aliens' rights. But they speak of treatment for persons with disabilities. Why do journalists and politicians deny equal protection of laws to persons with disabilities?
Full text of the Bill S 233 at
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st00/st00233.htm
Story at
http://wbztv.com/local/bullying.cyber.bullying.2.1162565.html
Sep 3, 2009 11:03 pm US/Eastern
Experts Agree Bullying On The Rise Among Kids
WBZ-TV CBS Boston
By Joe Shortsleeve
Sen. Galluccio of Cambridge MA filed a bill January 12, 2009, requiring MA schools to develop a bullying-prevention plan.
The bill defines Bullying as "any unwelcome written or verbal expressions, physical acts or gestures directed at a student or another member of the school community with the intent to intimidate, frighten, ridicule, humiliate, or cause physical or emotional harm to that person. Bullying may include, but shall not be limited to, repeated taunting, threats of harm, verbal or physical intimidation, cyber-bullying, pushing, kicking, hitting, spitting, or taking or damaging another person’s personal property."
Why is speech meant "to intimidate, frighten, ridicule, humiliate, or cause physical or emotional harm to" a person illegal only when "directed at a student or another member of the school community?" When psychiatrists tell a student he or she is mentally ill does that qualify? When teachers say a student will fail if he or she does or does not do an act, qualify? Police and journalists call suspects "dirt bags," and "scum bags. Why is that acceptable speech?
Later the bill says, "(f) Nothing in this section shall supersede or replace existing rights and remedies under state or federal law." The First Amendment protects offensive speech especially when directed at public officials. If students ridicule their teacher or principal will they violate this law? How can the state make speech illegal if it is protected by the Constitution?
Lead sponsor and Senate Education Committee Chairman Galluccio focuses on speech that "makes fun of you because of your sexual orientation, or your body weight, or your skin color." US District Court Judge Gertner said that calling a person homosexual is not actionable under defamation laws. Why is it an offense under this bill? Are there no organizations that will address offensive speech against homosexuals, African Americans and people with extreme body weight?
Hate speech against women, homosexuals and black Americans is tolerated less than homicides by FBI informants.
When people say a person is mentally ill or can't walk or talk normally whatever that is, why is that not an issue for Sen. Galluccio? Journalists and politicians openly ridicule and humiliate persons with disabilities every day in public discourse. They speak of homosexual rights, women's rights, rights of Black Americans, even illegal aliens' rights. But they speak of treatment for persons with disabilities. Why do journalists and politicians deny equal protection of laws to persons with disabilities?
Full text of the Bill S 233 at
http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st00/st00233.htm
Story at
http://wbztv.com/local/bullying.cyber.bullying.2.1162565.html
Sep 3, 2009 11:03 pm US/Eastern
Experts Agree Bullying On The Rise Among Kids
WBZ-TV CBS Boston
By Joe Shortsleeve
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment