ORHS censorship

I have tried to stay away from my political opinions on my blog. The recent events at ORHS (my alma mater) has made this impossible.

Tonight, my daughter brought home the censored issue. I have attached, below my letter to the school superintendant:

I am sure you have been overwhelmed with emails, phone calls, etc regarding the infamous recent Oak Leaf censorship. As many others, I have some questions/comments.

As a parent and former graduate of ORHS (class of '89), your comment regarding "not hiding things from parents" has me troubled and slightly confused...Why is it that the newspaper is only given to students, and not sent in the mail to all parents of students, like the PTA information?

Student newspapers contain the information necessary to assist parents in keeping communication open between parent and child. It gives the parent a window into the child's social activities and provides topics for interesting discussion.

PTA news letters do nothing more than reiterate to the snob parents of ORHS students where thier money has been spent and where to donate more.

If the newspapers were sent to the home, the parents would then have the opportunity to place censorship upon their child. In the end, isn't it the parent that possesses this right in the first place?

I am a young mother of a 15-year old daughter. I would much rather have her informed on her birth control choices, rather than her options for tacky tattoo locations. Please don't misunderstand me, I have a tattoo, and have taken my daughter to a tattoo parlor. By allowing the tattoo article, you have now glamorized body art. What are you thinking? I promise you, there are more ORHS students having sex than getting tattoos.

These students are our future, your future. Protect them by allowing their peers to educating them on important subjects. Yes, a tattoo will remain on a body forever, it can impose challenges in the work field and sometimes cause infections, but an unwanted pregnancy does much greater damage.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I don't expect a response, as I am one of "those" parents that doesn't quite meet the social standard so important to the ORHS staff.

Oak Ridge never ceases to amaze me. The city and it's officials have now claimed position as second to the whitest town in America. The southern baptist intellect, coupled with the ignorance that occurs when those without children, teach children, scares me and infuriates me at the same time. Maybe "No child left behind," should be changed to "School officials left behind."

Quote for the day: "My opinion is, if you're going to have sex, then be safe. There are so many things out there that can keep you safe." - Krystal Meyers, Oak Leaf Reporter

Crash & Burn

Another one bites the dust. I hate cheap dates. I'm not too fond of cheap people, in general, but cheap dates really piss me off.

Don't misunderstand me, a dutch date is cool with friends, or after you have been with someone for a significant period of time. But what amount of time is significant? For that matter, when does a relationship upgrade from "we went on a date," to "we're dating." One month, two months, WTF?

It all goes back to that whole label thing that I dispise more than cheap dates. It's like, "What's that, something sticky, damn it's a label." Time to run off yet another one.

I have always preferred to date younger guys. Legal, but still younger. I have never put much thought into exactly why until recently. Two dates with two different guys my age, and I have found out why. Guys my age want to get married. Once again, WTF? I love being single. I am the poster child of the runaway bride. Let me quote the precious little Stewart, "I don't wanna!" Dali - Bora Bora just keeps looking better. No fat M, no single middle-aged goofballs, just the sand, surf and a pretty little umbrella drink. And of course, we'll go dutch.