The evils of blogging

First, to correct the outlandish rumors that have been circulating in the Diamond area.
It is not true that a priest was called in to perform exorcisms on five Diamond High School students, even though apparently the administration in the R-4 School District must believe that anyone who blogs has been possessed by the devil (and considering the fun I have had at their expense, that belief might be understandable).
Last week, five students were called into the principal's office and charged with violating the district's technology policy. And, in fact, they did. Thank God, Superintendent Mark Mayo and the other school officials don't have lethal injection as one of the punishments at their disposal or it might be curtains for my former students, including Michelle Nickolaisen. They weren't looking at pornography; they weren't playing ultra-violent games; they weren't even indulging in on-line gambling (though from what I hear, gambling is not considered to be a sin by some of those in the administration).
Apparently, they were reading blogs, getting around the blocks set up by the district's technology coordinator. I doubt if The Turner Report was one of those blogs, though I am sure it was one of the reasons why the blocks were put in place.
Even worse, Michelle actually did some blogging.
On her blog, Victim of Reality, she detailed her conversation with the high school principal:

"Have you done anything that violates the technology user agreement?"
"Yeah, I used a website to go around the school blocks and look at some blogs, that in my opinion didn't contain any inappropriate for school material."
"Did you make any posts on your blog?"
*thought - oops, maybe this isn't all that simple*
"Yes, I did."
"Did you say anything bad about the school or its teachers?"
"Yeah."
"How would you like it if someone said things like that about you?"
"I don't care."
"Well, Michelle, if you have a problem with this school or a teacher here, you should tell me about it rather than posting it on a website. You know that's defamation of character, right?"
"Saying bad things about someone?"
"Yes, that teacher - and I haven't told her - could sue if you she wanted. I'm not threatening to sue you, but in the real world[how I love it when they use that phrase] you could get hauled off in handcuffs for something like that. Does your mother know that you say things like this, and use profanity in your blog?"
"My mom reads my blog."
"Do you really think the class is that bad?"
"Yes, I do."
"Is it so bad as to be 'killing brain cells'?"
"Yes."
"Then you need to tell me about it instead of posting it behind her back. How would you feel if someone did that to you?"
"I don't care."
"Well someday you will! This isn't a bad school..."


When I read Michelle's account, I thought, "Wow, she must have said something really bad." So I read that post. I will admit what she said would probably not make the teacher happy, but opinion is protected by the First Amendment, something that the administration at Diamond seems to forget about. Also, while I am not thrilled with the word, I was unaware that "crap" is considered to be profanity. If she violated their rules, then she will have to take the punishment, no matter how asinine the rules are, but attempting to browbeat and threaten students by stretching the truth about their rights is unforgivable.

It also appears, though the principal denied it when she talked with Michelle's mother, according to the blog, that Michelle was warned about further critical blogging...even if she does it from home.

I do not know this principal; I do not want to know this principal. However, I do know Michelle Nickolaisen. She will not suffer fools or bullies and she tells the truth.