Kansas Governor vs 18 year old for Tweeting a "joke"?
By EvanHunter
@EvanHunter (4026)
United States
November 28, 2011 9:13am CST
http://www.npr.org/2011/11/28/142843649/teen-tweeter-wont-apologize-to-kansas-governor?ps=cprs
The 18 year old, Emma Sullivan, was part of a school program "Youth in Government" through her school when she was attending a speech by the governor and decided to make a "joke" in her words by tweeting to her friends "Just made mean comments at gov. brownback and told him he sucked, in person @heblowsalot." At the time she only had 65 friends following her tweets now of course since the media has gotten involved she has over 3000.
"But Brownback's office, which monitors social media for postings containing the governor's name, saw Sullivan's post and contacted the Youth in Government program." - She than was lectured by her principle and told she should write an apology letter. As of today she said she isn't sorry and doesn't think any letter she would write would be sincere. Apparently she feels the governor really does suck because he cut out all arts programs within the state.
This brings up multiple ethical questions:
Should a governor's office (or any form of government) be using their time to search online what is being said about them even in twitter?
Should students who are involved in school activities be able to voice their opinion without fear of repercussion or should they withdraw first?
Is this a reflection of the lack of respect of all politicians today?
Can we really ask the youth to be respectful if the adults don't show any towards politicians either?
Was the principle correct in calling the student in and asking for her to write a letter of apology and suggesting talking points?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@Taskr36 (13963)
• United States
29 Nov 11
I think it's really pathetic that he felt the need to make a stink over something a teenager wrote on her twitter page. Of course we have a president right now who has been assembling his own enemies list through flag@whitehouse.gov and, more recently, ATTACKWATCH.com. The only difference is that Obama was never stupid enough to publicly go after a teenager as a result.
I just don't know what moron decided it would be a good idea to contact the school and demand she apologize. That really is the dumbest attack on 1st amendment rights I've seen in a while.
@irishidid (8688)
• United States
29 Nov 11
Supposedly it was his staff that made the stink. Brownback has dealt with worse than this so I don't see where some Johnson County privileged kid would even make him flinch.
And I'd STILL vote for him again because he's better than what we had before!
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
29 Nov 11
"The only difference is that Obama was never stupid enough to publicly go after a teenager as a result." - Agreed, after all Obama did renew a lot of those un-patriot-ic act provisions that were due to expire. I am sure this goes on all the time but in this case his office was dumb enough to call the school. Without a doubt our government is keeping tabs on us, look at the lawsuit that got thrown out when Bush signed an executive order over the splitters that were put in copying everyone's emails and phone calls. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-05-10-nsa_x.htm
It's become an all too common thing that we have just sit back and let our rights be eroded. The government (or anyone else) has no right to listen to our phone calls unless they have a search warrant signed by a judge. It irks me when people say "I don't care I'm not doing anything illegal" would they still feel the same way if it was their creepy neighbor listening to their phone calls? Just because its someone in the government doesn't mean they aren't twisted or crazy either.
OK I am getting off subject and going on a rant...time to end it.
@Robswife2006 (1208)
• United States
28 Nov 11
His being a politician has nothing to do with it, his being older then her however does. I was always taught to respect anyone that was older then me, most of the youth of today unfortunately are not taught being the same thing. As for her words being monitored that should be expected. He is a politician after all and I'm sure security is always an issue that's why they monitor such things.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
28 Nov 11
"his being older then her however does."- Does this mean that you being 38 don't ever speak your mind about the way you feel the president or congress (majority of which are older than you) are doing?
At what age should you be allowed to express your opinion if 18 is not old enough to? After all at age 18 you are allowed to fight and die for your country.
"most of the youth of today unfortunately are not taught being the same thing."- look at any news cast to do with politics on the left or right and you can clearly see a disdain and lack of respect so can you really expect the youth to be any different?
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
30 Nov 11
I think there is the issue that people have the right to say what they feel..especially where politics is concerned
I think I would have to assess the situation based on a couple of factors...is this an isolated incident or is it a student that is widely disrespectful. Was she at the event based on choice or requirement and was the school clear in their expectations of her representation of them. If I say I think someone sucks per say on my profile page...if they see it fine...I'm certainly not going to write an apology letter for posting something on my page where my friends frequent. If she had told a lie...slandered someone...then sure...there are repercussions for that..but just feeling like someone "sucks"..not really punishable. Sounds like she is learning quickly about having attention brought to her cause too....she is getting alot more attention out of her comment on the internet than she would have with a letter about her "points." Right or wrong..well I don't know. Not judging that part I guess...politicians don't either though unless it effects their chances.
I think I would have to assess the situation based on a couple of factors...is this an isolated incident or is it a student that is widely disrespectful. Was she at the event based on choice or requirement and was the school clear in their expectations of her representation of them. If I say I think someone sucks per say on my profile page...if they see it fine...I'm certainly not going to write an apology letter for posting something on my page where my friends frequent. If she had told a lie...slandered someone...then sure...there are repercussions for that..but just feeling like someone "sucks"..not really punishable. Sounds like she is learning quickly about having attention brought to her cause too....she is getting alot more attention out of her comment on the internet than she would have with a letter about her "points." Right or wrong..well I don't know. Not judging that part I guess...politicians don't either though unless it effects their chances. @Tiaridakdyl (114)
• United States
30 Nov 11
From your post, what the girl said was childish and didn't address any issues but that's not a crime. Eighteen may not legally be a child but fully adult maturity in an 18 year old? And it WAS from a school function, it's probably expected to a degree. It's good to hear that she had the nerve to speak up even if she didn't do it well. That's what Americans of voting age are supposed to do. It doesn't reflect well on the school's program so I can see why the principal called her in to ask for an apology - though I don't see that she should or can be forced to make one. As long as she can explain what her concerns with the governor are, she's fine. If she can't, she just needs a bit of help to learn how to do a better job of it. Besides, way too many adults behave llike this.
And yes, politicians should definitely keep track of what's being said to and about them, they'd better be keeping in touch with the voters!
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
29 Nov 11
It may have been rude and disrespectful but she has a right to freedom of speech. If anyone has a problem with kids being so disrespectful, maybe they should write their congressman, or woman. After all look at all the nonsense are politicians have been doing lately. Look at how many people disrespect the President. From Donald Trump questioning his birth certificate, to the "you lie comment" in front of the whole nation. If people have disrespectful kids maybe they need to look in the mirror.
