Nice Planet 2011

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

While I personally think that she should be allowed, I can see why the school officials are saying no. There is a blanket mentality out there that if you let one person do something, you have to let everyone else do it as well. You let one girl wear something different, the next thing you know you have everyone else petitioning to wear something different, and they'd have to say yes because they let this happen before and "fair is fair." Asinine? Absolutely, but more or less there for a reason.

Perhaps. But as adults they should be able to allow some exceptions and disallow others. "Yes" to the young lady in her Marine uniform, "no" to the young lady who's completed her training at Hooters. I'm guessing this particular request for an exception is a first. You're right. It's certainly easier to "just say no." To me, this is first cousin to those zero tolerance weapons policies that can't or won't differentiate between fingernail clippers and AK47s. This might be a good time to let the students know that one size does not fit all. Personal note: I had a very good friend graduate from Northern Illinois University in his uniform as a Marine 2nd lieutenant. The graduates posed for a picture on the football field and the only guy you could clearly see was my buddy, in his dress whites, looking like a Good Humor man.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Perhaps. But as adults they should be able to allow some exceptions and disallow others. "Yes" to the young lady in her Marine uniform, "no" to the young lady who's completed her training at Hooters.

In theory you're 100% absolutely correct. The problem is the chick from Hooters will sue the district (or whatever body her lawyers can get their hands on) and now they have to spend money to defend their position. I might be overlooking an obvious rebuttal to that concept but that's the first thought that came to mind.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

In theory you're 100% absolutely correct. The problem is the chick from Hooters will sue the district (or whatever body her lawyers can get their hands on) and now they have to spend money to defend their position. I might be overlooking an obvious rebuttal to that concept but that's the first thought that came to mind.

The one thing that might keep this issue from whirling off into Neverland is the fact that the ACLU is not likely to represent Miss Hooters. No anti-religion aspect here. The ACLU threatens legal action which school districts can't afford, so you're right, they cave in to avoid the expense. It's just much easier to deny the young jar head. Pity. I've been wondering how she managed to go to basic and complete her hs requirements, apparantly at the same time. She's evidently a good kid and deserves better.

 

[UncleRay]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

She finished her studies early, graduated, went to basic training, and now wants to go through the graduation proceedings. I'm with 'diva. A rule is a rule. And I don't believe that there is anything stopping her from wearing the uniform under the cap and gown during the ceremony, and go without the cap and gown whenever possible.

 

[leswp1]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

She finished her studies early, graduated, went to basic training, and now wants to go through the graduation proceedings. I'm with 'diva. A rule is a rule. And I don't believe that there is anything stopping her from wearing the uniform under the cap and gown during the ceremony, and go without the cap and gown whenever possible.

I thought the same thing. This is about graduating and being part of the school. There is no reason to stick out by not wearing your cap and gown.

 

[Foxton]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Why are you people interrupting Old POS's whine-a-thon?

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

She finished her studies early, graduated, went to basic training, and now wants to go through the graduation proceedings. I'm with 'diva. A rule is a rule. And I don't believe that there is anything stopping her from wearing the uniform under the cap and gown during the ceremony, and go without the cap and gown whenever possible.

I imagine it would violate some kind of terms of the dress uniform.

Also, knowing most schools these days, there are probably requirements for what students must wear under the gown, too*.

*At my 2003 HS graduation and my sister's 2005 HS graduation, our school had no dress requirements for graduation outside of the cap and gown. By my brother's 2010 graduation, there were pretty strict requirements and several inspections before the graduates went on stage to make sure the requirements were met and maintained.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Why are you people interrupting Old POS's whine-a-thon?

Because they don't want to embarrass you about your "special relationship" with Anthony Weiner?

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

She finished her studies early, graduated, went to basic training, and now wants to go through the graduation proceedings. I'm with 'diva. A rule is a rule. And I don't believe that there is anything stopping her from wearing the uniform under the cap and gown during the ceremony, and go without the cap and gown whenever possible.

No offense intended, but that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. What possible point would there be for her to do that? It's like being on "double secret probation." The stupid people who run this school should be delighted that they've produced a young lady who can meet the graduation requirements and the rigors of Marine basic training and who wants to show her pride in her country and her school by "walking" in her uniform. Barney Fife is alive and well.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

I thought the same thing. This is about graduating and being part of the school. There is no reason to stick out by not wearing your cap and gown.

Yeah, to h*ll with her wanting to show her patriotism and pride. Right on. She should be just like all the other loser drones at this high school, reading several grades below where they should be and fit only for a life time of entry level work. Uh, except for the jocks. Some of whom will undoubtedly be heading to Ohio State.

There's no reason for her to "stand out" unless she's outstanding, which she clearly is.

 

[The Rube]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Yeah, to h*ll with her wanting to show her patriotism and pride. Right on. She should be just like all the other loser drones at this high school, reading several grades below where they should be and fit only for a life time of entry level work. Uh, except for the jocks.

A rule is a rule. Agree with 'diva, where I personally would make "military" a specific exemption, but unfortunately the threat of lawsuits by others looms large.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

A rule is a rule. Agree with 'diva, where I personally would make "military" a specific exemption, but unfortunately the threat of lawsuits by others looms large.

You may be right, but lawsuits or the threats thereof, are generally filed by the ACLU in their remorseless efforts to drive religion from the public square (except for Islam, of course). She may be a diva, but there's no evidence either way. I just think it's interesting the anti-military wimps (charter members of the Bradley Manning fan club) who are always arguing for a loosening of standards in every possible way, are in this case demanding absolute obediance to "the rules." Who is hurt by allowing her to "walk" in her uni?

 

[The Rube]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

You may be right, but lawsuits or the threats thereof, are generally filed by the ACLU in their remorseless efforts to drive religion from the public square (except for Islam, of course). She may be a diva, but there's no evidence either way. I just think it's interesting the anti-military wimps who are always arguing for a loosening of standards in every possible way, are in this case demanding absolute obediance to "the rules."

Well, you would have jocks wearing uniforms: civic/school pride, no clothes: nudist (yeah, right, but how do you prove it wrong?), rather stereotypical flamboyant clothing: Gay Pride, anything deemed "obscene" by general societal guidelines: free speech, etc etc etc.

It's a possibly slippery slope that the school wants no part of. Controversy/bad publicity (the latter of which they got anyways) and money both factor into these things. Welcome to America.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Well, you would have jocks wearing uniforms: civic/school pride, no clothes: nudist (yeah, right, but how do you prove it wrong?), rather stereotypical flamboyant clothing: Gay Pride, anything deemed "obscene" by general societal guidelines: free speech, etc etc etc.

It's a possibly slippery slope that the school wants no part of. Controversy/bad publicity (the latter of which they got anyways) and money both factor into these things. Welcome to America.

Well, I'll agree that people who run and teach in big city high schools these days are generally no talent union goons. And the avoidance of any potential disagreement is right up there among their primary concerns. But don't you think school administrators should be able to say "no" to nudists without fear of reprisal? And shouldn't we be able to differentiate between the threat of a lawsuit and the filing of a lawsuit? Most high school parents have neither the means nor the inclination to file such a suit. As I say, the legal bullies at the ACLU do, but they're primarily concerned about mangers and Christmas decorations and other "outrages." Like I say, it's the same brain dead thinking that leads to zero tolerance drug policies that can't differential between midol and ten keys of black tar herion.

It's not exactly like the "rules" of this high school are on a par with the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. These little rules can be broken or ignored on occasion. Let's take a hypothetical from the other side: she left school, joined the marines, served in Iraq, won a Medal of Honor, returned to school, completed the graduation requirements and wants to "walk" in her uniform wearing her medal. Would the pecksniffs at this high school say "no." Would you?

 

[The Rube]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Well, I'll agree that people who run and teach in big city high schools these days are generally no talent union goons. And the avoidance of any potential disagreement is right up there among their primary concerns. But don't you think school administrators should be able to say "no" to nudists without fear of reprisal? Like I say, it's the same brain dead thinking that leads to zero tolerance drug policies that can't differential between midol and ten keys of black tar herion.

It's not exactly like the "rules" of this high school are on a par with the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church. These little rules can be broken or ignored on occasion. Let's take a hypothetical from the other side: she left school, joined the marines, served in Iraq, won a Medal of Honor, returned to school, completed the graduation requirements and wants to "walk" in her uniform wearing her medal. Would the pecksniffs at this high school say "no." Would you?

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I think anyone should be able to wear what they please under the gown. Why does it affect me? However, if I'm a school official, and it comes down to a possible lawsuit/my job/reputation/whatever, nowadays I'm kind of cornered. It's sad, but it's true. I (or a committee) have to make a rule, and however strict it may be, either word it very very carefully, or make it a blanket "zero-tolerance" rule.

Do I, as in me/myself, think it's ridiculous? Yes. Is it necessary nowadays? Sadly, yes. Since it has come to this, I prefer the "worded very very carefully" option, but that costs money. Money for lawyers and such to word it correctly. Money for lawyers to defend any lawsuits. Money that schools don't have.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Whoa, whoa, whoa. I think anyone should be able to wear what they please under the gown. Why does it affect me? However, if I'm a school official, and it comes down to a possible lawsuit/my job/reputation/whatever, nowadays I'm kind of cornered. It's sad, but it's true. I (or a committee) have to make a rule, and however strict it may be, either word it very very carefully, or make it a blanket "zero-tolerance" rule.

Do I, as in me/myself, think it's ridiculous? Yes. Is it necessary nowadays? Sadly, yes. Since it has come to this, I prefer the "worded very very carefully" option, but that costs money. Money for lawyers and such to word it correctly. Money for lawyers to defend any lawsuits. Money that schools don't have.

Too many of us are thinking too much about what's "under the gown." The point is not to cover up her uniform, the point is to walk proudly wearing it so people can see. I suppose you could put an asterisk by her name in the program, identifying what she's wearing underneath the gown, but that wouldn't be quite the same, would it? We're just going to have to disagree that this blizzard of lawsuits you're predicting is likely to occur. And even if you're right, it's no way to run a railroad or a high school. I would guess that she's probably the first person to have accomplished what she accomplished. And IMO the school should be proud of her and welcome her "walking" in her uniform. And, under the circumstances, the school and it's limp wristed officials should be easily able to fend off any complaints from "parents."

 

[The Rube]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Too many of us are thinking too much about what's "under the gown." The point is not to cover up her uniform, the point is to walk proudly wearing it so people can see. I suppose you could put an asterisk by her name in the program, identifying what she's wearing underneath the gown, but that wouldn't be quite the same, would it? We're just going to have to disagree that this blizzard of lawsuits you're predicting is likely to occur. And even if you're right, it's no way to run a railroad or a high school. I would guess that she's probably the first person to have accomplished what she accomplished. And IMO the school should be proud of her and welcome her "walking" in her uniform. And, under the circumstances, the school and it's limp wristed officials should be easily able to fend off any complaints from "parents."

I'm not predicting a blizzard of lawsuits. I'm predicting the THREAT of a blizzard of lawsuits. And with the multi-million dollar craptastic money-grubbing cases these days, even one case can cripple a school/establishment due to the lawyer/court costs alone. The threat is what is really causing all these inane rules.

And in case you haven't noticed, I also agree with you. There should be no question that she should be able to wear her uniform. "Should" is the key word. But there is a question, and it all falls under whatever you want to call it: P*yfication of America, PC, Zero-Tolerance, etc.

 

[Foxton]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

A rule is a rule. Agree with 'diva, where I personally would make "military" a specific exemption, but unfortunately the threat of lawsuits by others looms large.

Meh, optional ceremony she wants to take part in. It's not like the rule is purposely targeting her or a group. If she wants to be with her fellow classmates so badly she can wear the same thing as everyone else and when her name gets called they'll announce that she just got out of bootcamp, she's a marine, everyone will cheer, and the world will go on.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

I'm not predicting a blizzard of lawsuits. I'm predicting the THREAT of a blizzard of lawsuits. And with the multi-million dollar craptastic money-grubbing cases these days, even one case can cripple a school/establishment due to the lawyer/court costs alone. The threat is what is really causing all these inane rules.

And in case you haven't noticed, I also agree with you. There should be no question that she should be able to wear her uniform. "Should" is the key word. But there is a question, and it all falls under whatever you want to call it: P*yfication of America, PC, Zero-Tolerance, etc.

Yeah, I noticed. Just didn't want to interrupt the flow.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: Nice Planet 2011

Meh, optional ceremony she wants to take part in. It's not like the rule is purposely targeting her or a group. If she wants to be with her fellow classmates so badly she can wear the same thing as everyone else and when her name gets called they'll announce that she just got out of bootcamp, she's a marine, everyone will cheer, and the world will go on.

Please note, we have finally found a rule Foxton thinks is carved in stone and should be enforced at all costs.