Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Fool for Thought - Fired for Facebook

who: Ashley Payne
why: was a high school teacher in Georgia before being fired for pictures she posted on Facebook the school's principal and superintendent deemed inappropriate. I don't really even know where to start - this whole thing is just ridiculously unnecessary, unconstitutional and people shouldn't have to put up with it.

Let me start by saying I realize you can have a social life without having social media accounts like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. I also realize that you can have these accounts without posting photos, crude comments, or just random information your bosses may not approve of... but why is any of this even a problem?

They're basically saying that you could be a pedophile as long as you keep it to yourself and nobody knows about it. You can be a drunk and teach six-year-olds as long as you're a good actor. You can sleep with your students as long as you don't get pregnant - but DON'T, under any circumstances, put photos of you casually drinking (which let's remember is a legal action for an adult) on YOUR OWN PERSONAL websites.

Let us now imagine the effects that could be felt because of this ridiculous firing. Ms. Payne is obviously going to file charges against the school - which is ultimately going to produce funds from the school district. Now, all because you fired a completely qualified, educated, dedicated employee for treacherously dumb reasons, the kids in your district are going to be put at a disadvantage. Presuming this district is like many of the ALREADY underfunded districts in our country, where are you going to get the money now to hire replacement faculty, supplies or whatever? I'll tell you for certain they'll start by cutting funding to extracurricular programs, and probably finish with teaching broken curriculum by less educated (and more desperate) applicants.

I can't assume this butterfly effect will happen for certain, but taking the risk of this firing given even the slightest probability is still ludicrous and people need to fight for their rights to whatever it is they want (all be it legal) when they're out of their workplace. It's becoming a joke, and I won't be unrightfully censored over a drink.

Listen to this CNN douchebag in the beginning.

Watch Out - Passion Pit

who: Passion Pit
why: have posted a video for "Little Secrets" off of this year's album 'Manners'. I prefer their live performances so you should check out their YouTube Channel here.