Posted on March 19, 2007 in Articles

Today the Supreme Court will hear the case of “Juneau, Alaska public schools” v. “Bong Hits 4 Jesus”. That’s not the real name, but it’s close enough so that no-one is confused about the litigants.

The essence of the case is that in 2002, Joseph Frederick, a high school student, brought a large fold-out sign to an Olympic torch rally held across from his high school as it crossed the US on the way to the Salt Lake City Games. The sign was not, in fact, supportive of the great Olympic spirit, a particular athlete, or one of town pride… It simply said: “Bong Hits 4 Jesus”. Simple, yet effective.

Anyway, his principal spotted the sign, ran across the road, and tore it down and crumpled it up. Not completely satisfied, he then suspended Joseph for 5 days… and doubled the penalty when Joe came to school and used the words of Thomas Jefferson as defense. Chaos ensued… and today the High Court will hear this case. Go Joseph.

Now, I’ll save the legal analysis here for one of the more “intellectual” or “political”-minded PBH-ers… What I’ve come to do today is to recreate this event in a digital manner. My principal will certainly not be tearing down my sign or crumpling it, but I have a fear we may end up in a firestorm or causing political protests. But… I have faith in my legal system and that the court will rule in Joseph’s and our favor today. And… so in good faith I present:

Bong Hits 4 Muhammad