Spring+2011+Debate+Topics

**Spring 2011 Debate Topics **

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Julian Assange and his organization WikiLeaks have provoked controversy over U.S. foreign and security policies in recent months with the disclosure of classified intelligence reports and secret diplomatic cables. Is WikiLeaks protected by the first amendment? Do they have the constitutional right to distribute classified information even if it is harmful to a person or nation's security? =====

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On March 2, 2011, the Supreme Court decided that the Free Speech clause of the First Amendment protects picketing on public property of military funerals by members of a church. =====

3. Cyber Bullying Statutes If a student is bullying someone do they have the right to claim they have freedom of speech to say what they wanted?

4. Posting Videos Online Does anyone have the right and freedom to post videos online even if the person taking the video does not have permission and the videos are of people in personal or compromising actions - a school fight, personal encounter, parent teacher conference? Is posting videos you create a right and fall under the first amendment?

5. Controversial T-Shirts & School Dress Code Policies Every year public school boards across the country debate the issue of dress code regulations and the enforcement of dress code rules. If a student wears a T-shirt that other students or teacher find offensive (Hooters t-shits, anti or pro -abortion, inappropriate images or other wording) does the school board or administrators have the right to ban offensive and controversial clothing or does the student have the right to wear it under the first amendment?