Should free speech be allowed in public schools?

Take another look at this question. Isn't it absurd?

In the Westerner's last issue there was a letter saying that a student was forbidden to talk freely about a certain anti‑war group in school. However, in this same school, the army is allowed to recruit students to kill human beings.

Someone decided that this is good and patriotic while anti‑war groups are not. Shouldn't the student decide this for himself? How can he decide when one side is not allowed to speak?

Our conservative, suburban, isolated attitudes make us shy away from discussing anything which we think might cause trouble or ruin the image of

our school. If we are so concerned with images and fitting into the establishment, we ought to have classes in drinking cocktails, playing bridge, and counting money.

But if we are to be concerned with education, then we should encourage students to speak openly on all subjects, no matter how controversial. Education should teach a student to think, not merely know facts.

Part of the reason why apathy looms over Maine West is because students are afraid to speak freely about what they believe. If students can not express their thoughts openly in school, does this prepare them for life in our society?

Maybe it does.