It's been repeatedly shown that the First Amendment does not apply in schools with regards to clothing. Schools have the right - and have for quite a while - to limit clothing with messages on it when they deem those messages to be disruptive to the learning process. If the shirt was cusing controversy within his classes wherein other students were constantly challenging him on his political views then the school had every right to do what they did.

People like to take the First amendment in the wrong context. It is freedom of speech, yes. But it's not blanket freedom of speech. It is a right that bears responsibility with it. If we had blanket freedom of speech without fear of retailiation, then we could yell "Fire" in a crowded theater. We would not have laws of libel and slander if we had blanket freedom of speech.

In this case, wearing of his shirt is irresponsible if it disrupts the learning process, and so the school's actions can be upheld.

--*Rob

Studio 60 exudes the same kind of "too hip for the room" vibe that Love Monkey did during its short run. Sorkin's political views show through, and that's not always a good thing. Yes, the character of Harriet Hayes in completely unbelieveable - but there's more there.

The problem is that there aren't enough funny parts with the "big 4" characters. They're too busy taking themselves seriously. All the funny stuff is left to the supporting players. They need to bring the funny to the big 4.

--*Rob

If one of the partners is snoring, they should be checked for sleep apnea. Usually an ENT can do an exam, and may recommend a sleep study. If it turns out the person has sleep apnea, they can have surgery (there is a new outpatient procedure that can help some peope that is minimally invasive) or they can also get a CPAP machine that helps keep their airway open and is a lot less noisy then snoring. Anyone who snores should be checked for sleep apnea - it could add 10 years to your life if you have it and get treated for it.

--*Rob

The message those shows send to kids is the message they send to the adults who watch the decorating shows - trendy and kitschy is good. Those shows cause people to redecorate their homes every 5 years which keeps the decorating business in business.

Resist the urge to have a bedroom that follows a particular theme. The theme will likely go out of style in a year or two and then you'll have to redecorate again.

For kids rooms - you should choose simple and engaging colors and furniture that can grow with them for a while. You can still make them interesting. Let the theme come out in less permanent things like pictures on the wall, that can be changed and don't cost an arm and a leg.

--*Rob

As far as me doing the work for the store - bring it on!

In my regular grocery store about 10% of the time they have some kid bagging. The kid usually doesn't care if he puts a canteloupe on top of a loaf of bread or a bottle of apple juice on top of the eggs.

When I go to the grocery store - I have a system. I load the belt with like items together, so that when I bag my self - 90% of the time - I get everything bagged quickly and like items together. Frozens are always together - I can go for that bag first when unpacking right away. Dairy and fridge stuff together. Fruits and vegetables together. Light items always last and together - loaf of bread on top of the eggs in a separate bag.

I WANT to do the work - maybe I'm a control freak, but I'd rather not have a kid mess with my groceries.

And to that end - I'm always super considerate when I load the belt too. Always put things on as tightly as possible -stacking two and three high when possible - so that the person behind me has room, and can start loading even before I have even gotten my order started with the cashier. I despise people who lay everything out on the belt single item by single item, leaving me no room to get started.

Sorry for the rant. I love the self checkout, and I love bagging on my own.

--*Rob

I like the self-checkout as well. I'm not sure how it is "Toddler Unfriendly"? Is it because it made you wait an extra few seconds for help when it messed up? How many people had progressed forward in the checkout line that was five deep that you didn't use? Less than five? You still came out ahead, using less time with your toddler in tow.

Yeah - you are being cantankerous. Nostalgic? Maybe. Sometimes it's nice to have a human and personal service. But the days of the general store are well gone too.

--*Rob

If you haven't seen the video, some of the songs might not make sense. "Can you Find It" and "Rolling O" make perfect sense on the video version of the album, but wihout the visuals, are hard to understand.

Hence - I recommend you get the video - it's pure joy to have something that doesn't have any corporately licensed characters - and it's darn educational too!

--*Rob

Look at the other side of having school uniforms. First of all - it makes back to school shopping easier for parents. Second - In a middle school and high school it eliminates the "fashion show" atmosphere that often pervades those grades - and hopefully enables students to concentrate somewhat better on their education.

I don't think all schools enact uniforms to "groom kids for the working world." I think their motivations are often much more base as I state above.

--*Rob

Edit to my sentence above:

"The first amendment does NOT blanket guarantee free speech"

--*Rob

To Joseph Dobrian above:

The first amendment does blanket guarantee free speech. Free speech is a right, but with rights also come responsibilities. In this case - the responsibility is not to disrupt the education process. If they wear these buttons, and a Jewish student is constantly yelling "take that off, it's Hitler youth" then it could very well be doing that. Schools have the responsibility to ensure the education of all students. If that is interrupted by a button, a shirt, etc... then the right of free speech is overridden. Students cannot wear shirts with foul language on them - is that a violation of free speech? No.

You need to go back and look at what the first amendment is there for. I hate people who say "The first amendment gives us free speech" and ends it at that. There IS a lot more to it then just that. Don't over simplify the issue.

--*Rob