Principal Bans Marine Uniform at Graduation

[Clandestino]

friend of mine just told me that in his high school they told everyone, "any hand gesture above the waist will get you escorted out by security."

a guy who had been accepted in the usaf academy gave a salute when he got his diploma and security escorted him out! that is bull !

[FromWayDowntown]

I think he should be able to wear the uniform in lieu of a gown since the school is a public ins ution. I'd say the same if he was on his way to becoming a cop or a fireman. Those seem like sensible exceptions.

So, where do you draw the line? What about a kid who is on his way to becoming a district attorney (much like the cop or the fireman) and wants to address that publicly. A DA is a public servant in the same way as a cop or a fireman, so why can't that kid sport his professional choice?

And what about a kid who earns a scholarship to, say, play football at a prestigious ins ution. Much as one earns a marine uniform through hard work and dedication to a goal, earning that scholarship and the right to wear that uniform is an effort in hard work and dedication, too. Just as the Marine is proud of his accomplishment and his family wishes him to be noted for that accomplishment, doesn't the family of a prized football recruit have the same argument?

As others have offered before, and as the son of an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, I have a great deal of respect for the effort our military men and women put forth and the sacrifices they make. But I'm also not sure why this is a "heartbreaking" story. There's no "heartbreak" in a kid being denied the chance to be different -- it might piss some people off and it might enrage others, but it's not heartbreaking even in the hyperbolic ways that words are used these days.

[SPARKY]

How about we make some sensible exceptions for those who put their lives at risk to defend this nation and maintain a decent society? The military, police, and fire department are all public ins utions.

[SPARKY]

So, where do you draw the line? What about a kid who is on his way to becoming a district attorney (much like the cop or the fireman) and wants to address that publicly. A DA is a public servant in the same way as a cop or a fireman, so why can't that kid sport his professional choice?

That kid hasn't joined the DA's office yet.

And what about a kid who earns a scholarship to, say, play football at a prestigious ins ution. Much as one earns a marine uniform through hard work and dedication to a goal, earning that scholarship and the right to wear that uniform is an effort in hard work and dedication, too. Just as the Marine is proud of his accomplishment and his family wishes him to be noted for that accomplishment, doesn't the family of a prized football recruit have the same argument?

The football team doesn't defend this country nor protect and serve the public. , some college football teams can't even defend their own end zone.

As others have offered before, and as the son of an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, I have a great deal of respect for the effort our military men and women put forth and the sacrifices they make. But I'm also not sure why this is a "heartbreaking" story. There's no "heartbreak" in a kid being denied the chance to be different -- it might piss some people off and it might enrage others, but it's not heartbreaking even in the hyperbolic ways that words are used these days.

Not a heartbreaking story, but a revealing story about where this country is at today.

[FromWayDowntown]

How about we make some sensible exceptions for those who put their lives at risk to defend this nation and maintain a decent society? The military, police, and fire department are all public ins utions.

How about we make a rule and stick by it without exceptions for anyone, since that is the fairest course of all.

And here's a novel compromise -- if it's all important that this kid be permitted to share his military accomplishments with the rest of his class, why not have the person who calls names mention that the kid has completed his basic training requirements in the same way that they announce that particular students have won scholarships. That way, the kid who has entered the military doesn't have to upstage his classmates by wearing something different, while still getting the accolades his accomplishment warrants.

Is there some reason that that wouldn't be enough?

[SPARKY]

The young man is a member of a military service and he's attending a formal event at a public ins ution. No compromise necessary.

[Spurminator]

More proof that the ACLU aren't the only ones who champion irrelevant causes.

[FromWayDowntown]

The young man is a member of a military service and he's attending a formal event at a public ins ution. No compromise necessary.

And the Marine Corps official position, as I understand it, is that he can permissibly wear a cap and gown over his uniform. If the Marine Corps are, in essence, telling this kid to just wear the stupid cap and gown, I don't really see what the argument is.

And I do think that the kid is worthy of having his accomplishment announced and shared with those in attendance. But that is conforming to the school's rule and the means by which other, laudable accomplishments are made public.

Again, I ask: why isn't that enough?

[SPARKY]

Why must the uniform be hidden? Why is it not an appropriate subs ute for formal attire at this event? Are public servants not allowed to appear in formal attire on the grounds of a public ins ution if a school official so declares?

[FromWayDowntown]

Why must the uniform be hidden? Why is it not an appropriate subs ute for formal attire at this event? Are public servants not allowed to appear in formal attire on the grounds of a public ins ution if a school official so declares?

It must be hidden, in this case, because the Marine Corps have said that a cap and gown are appropriately worn over the uniform where the school district compels that attire. The school district's dilemma here is that permitting this graduate to differ from the rest creates a problem with other graduates who've managed equally-laudable accomplishments, wanting to display those accomplishments in some formal fashion. If you make an exception for this kid, you're hard-pressed to deny exceptions for others. Further, if you make an exception here and you deny exceptions for others who believe their accomplishments equally worthy of public display, the school district will face forms of protest and civil disobedience from those who've been denied the opportunity to dress as they wish.

It's pretty simple: there's a rule and the school district wants the rule applied strictly. This is what I don't get -- even the Marine Corps has said the School's practice is permissible and has advised the kid to just wear the cap and gown. Where's the problem?

[SPARKY]

It must be hidden, in this case, because the Marine Corps have said that a cap and gown are appropriately worn over the uniform where the school district compels that attire. The school district's dilemma here is that permitting this graduate to differ from the rest creates a problem with other graduates who've managed equally-laudable accomplishments, wanting to display those accomplishments in some formal fashion. If you make an exception for this kid, you're hard-pressed to deny exceptions for others. Further, if you make an exception here and you deny exceptions for others who believe their accomplishments equally worthy of public display, the school district will face forms of protest and civil disobedience from those who've been denied the opportunity to dress as they wish.

What dilemma is there in a member of the United States military wearing a formal dress uniform on public grounds at a formal ceremony? Those other kids are not members of a public service.

Are we are to allow public school administrators to thumb their noses at other public ins utions?

It's pretty simple: there's a rule and the school district wants the rule applied strictly. This is what I don't get -- even the Marine Corps has said the School's practice is permissible and has advised the kid to just wear the cap and gown. Where's the problem?

The problem lies in the assumption that even if the Corps did not have a different policy that the school official could choose not to respect the uniform.

[Clandestino]

It must be hidden, in this case, because the Marine Corps have said that a cap and gown are appropriately worn over the uniform where the school district compels that attire. The school district's dilemma here is that permitting this graduate to differ from the rest creates a problem with other graduates who've managed equally-laudable accomplishments, wanting to display those accomplishments in some formal fashion. If you make an exception for this kid, you're hard-pressed to deny exceptions for others. Further, if you make an exception here and you deny exceptions for others who believe their accomplishments equally worthy of public display, the school district will face forms of protest and civil disobedience from those who've been denied the opportunity to dress as they wish.

It's pretty simple: there's a rule and the school district wants the rule applied strictly. This is what I don't get -- even the Marine Corps has said the School's practice is permissible and has advised the kid to just wear the cap and gown. Where's the problem?

yeah, you'd have mookie's everywhere wanting to wear chicken suits!

[FromWayDowntown]

What dilemma is there in a member of the United States military wearing a formal dress uniform on public grounds at a formal ceremony? Those other kids are not members of a public service.

The dilemma is that this is not a military ceremony. It is a public school ceremony, where the school and not the military, sets the rules. As soon as the military takes over the administration of public schools, its dress requirements can supersede those imposed by the school. Until then, it's the school's forum and the school sets the rules.

Are we are to allow public school administrators to thumb their noses at other public ins utions?

This isn't a school thumbing it's nose at anything -- nobody is stopping this young man from wearing his uniform. The school is just telling him that he must appear as all others do during the graduation ceremony, which, again, is governed by school and not military rules. He can wear his uniform to the ceremony; he just has to wear a gown over it.

The problem lies in the assumption that even if the Corps did not have a different policy that the school official could choose not to respect the uniform.

Why is it a disrespect to the uniform to require a young man to play by the same rules that apply to all other graduates in his class? Even the Marine Corps agrees that it's not a disrespect to the uniform, otherwise, I'd think the Corps would have strenuously argued that this young man should be permitted to eschew the cap and gown. It did not.

[SPARKY]

The dilemma is that this is not a military ceremony. It is a public school ceremony, where the school and not the military, sets the rules. As soon as the military takes over the administration of public schools, its dress requirements can supersede those imposed by the school. Until then, it's the school's forum and the school sets the rules.

It is a formal ceremony at a public ins ution. Since when is a formal uniform of the United States military unacceptable in a formal setting on public property?

This isn't a school thumbing it's nose at anything -- nobody is stopping this young man from wearing his uniform. The school is just telling him that he must appear as all others do during the graduation ceremony, which, again, is governed by school and not military rules. He can wear his uniform to the ceremony; he just has to wear a gown over it.

Why is the uniform not acceptable in place of the dress gown? This is not a standard business suit or a tshirt, shorts, and sandals.

Why is it a disrespect to the uniform to require a young man to play by the same rules that apply to all other graduates in his class? Even the Marine Corps agrees that it's not a disrespect to the uniform, otherwise, I'd think the Corps would have strenuously argued that this young man should be permitted to eschew the cap and gown. It did not.

The young man is a member of a public service entrusted with defending this nation. I'd think that the formal dress of that ins ution would be an acceptable replacement for the formal dress of this public ceremony.

If we want school administrators to thumb their noses at other public ins utions where is that line drawn?

[ChumpDumper]

It's not disrespect.

It's not nose-thumbing.

Get over that.

It's a rule -- a rule they have every right to make and enforce. Go pass a law if you're panties are that bunched.

[SPARKY]

It's a disrespectful rule. Why are your panties in such a bunch? Oh wait, it's ChumpHumper. Nevermind...

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Note to the Marine graduate:

Put your dress on like the rest of us, and be the bigger man!!!

[MannyIsGod]

appropriate headgear for this thread:

[ChumpDumper]

It's your opinion that it's disrespectful because your panties are bunched over it. You admitted it was the school officials discretion, so no other argument matters.

[SPARKY]

Nope. Didn't.

[Bandit2981]

are the people who are arguing against the principals decision the same ones who were siding with the employer who fired people if they were smokers, even outside of work? rules are rules.

[SPARKY]

Nope.

[ChumpDumper]

Are public servants not allowed to appear in formal attire on the grounds of a public ins ution if a school official so declares?

I assumed that was rhetoical. If you really didn't know, the answer in this case is yes -- under the gown for the length of one ceremony anyway. Exceptions have been made elsewhere, but not here. So what? Write your congressman if you are so bothered. Chances are you won't.

[SPARKY]

It was also the discretion of school administrators to keep "coloreds" out I guess that would be fine in your book as well.

[Spurminator]

Did you guys hear about the comatose man who wants to wear the Ten Commandments on his gown at graduation with his gay life partner?