First Amendment Friday
Should panhandling by the homeless be protected by the First Amendment?
What about Texas high school cheerleaders putting Bible verses on banners at football games?
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posted by Mr. Carlisle at 6:16 PM
17 Comments:
Panhandling laws ultimately don't solve the problem of homelessness in the first place. I think there can be rules for panhandling that would prevent businesses from being hurt significantly from panhandling. This would still give panhandlers public space to panhandle and get money to feed themselves.
Even though the cheerleaders are making the banners by themselves, there is still an expectation that the school has a say in these things. When these banners are being displayed at school sponsored football games, spectators might think the school promotes these messages, as the cheerleading program is still part of the school. My question is, what would be the reaction if the banner had some political statement (don't know how they would tie that into victory and school spirit, but someone could)? Ultimately, this incident is far too benign to be such a serious matter. What would you rather have, “And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us," or, "Scalp the Indians," which would get them in far more trouble than the former.
8:23 PM
Panhandeling is rather annoying, half the time you see signs that say they have absolutely no money, and yet they're smoking cigarettes, and have dogs that look well fed and groomed. Something tells me that if panhandlers would stop smoking and not own a dog then maybe they would have money to eat, and find some decent clothes. That being said I don't think panhandling should be protected by the first amendment. I agree with Austin in that there should be rules for panhandling to make it less of an issue.
The cheerleading issue I think has been blown out of proportion. The cheerleaders wrote bible verses on their posters, which personally I would be fine with, but I understand schools don't want people of other religions to think they are being bias to one religion and not the other. The school simply told them to stop, and what to they do? They take the school to court. That is ridiculous, people sue everybody for no reason. Those kids should have more respect for the staff, and never should have challenged them. If they can't follow school rules, then they shouldn't be allowed to go there anymore.
9:52 AM
i have no problem with panhandling unless they get aggressive about it. if they just have a sign then that is something that can be ignored.
the cheerleaders should not be allowed to have religious messages on their banners because the public school is not allowed to hold religious meeting or promote religious behavior. the cheerleaders are representing the school so they have to follow the same rules that school has to follow. whether they do or do not use school money is irrelevant because they are a part of this school and are representative for the school at the game.
10:05 AM
I personally do not have a problem with a person panhandling unless it becomes out of hand. If they have a sign at a free way exit and just sit there, I have no problem with that. But once it becomes an issue of the homeless coming up to people on the streets begging for money that is when the privilege should be monitored and if necessary, taken away.
1:48 PM
Well, when it comes to panhandling, it's a case by case basis. I feel like people may take advantage of saying things like "Vietnam Vet" or "Veteran" because they may have been a vet, but if they haven't, then that is just terrible. If people don't work hard to find work then I don't like the idea of panhandling. But, if someone is that down on their luck, then I think it is ok.
I am not a fan of people being overly religious. I think if football players wanted to write verses on their tape or arms then that is ok, but forcing others to see your religious beliefs is over the top for me...
4:14 PM
I don’t believe that panhandling should be covered under the first amendment. I don’t have a problem with it but holding up a sign and begging for money is not an expression of views or ideas. I think there should be set rules for panhandling because a lot of times by doing so they can block your view of traffic at intersections and could cause accidents and be killed because many of their begging spots can only be reached by breaking the law and crossing areas of highway with no cross walks.
We must maintain a separation of church and government. With so many beliefs in this country we can’t cater to one without infringing on the rights of all others. If the school were a private Christian school and the only people viewing the game were Christians that would be their own business.
6:37 PM
i think that cheerleaders should be able to cause its the same situation how football players put bible verses on their eyeblack and atheltic tape or they write it on some gear. If football players can do that than why couldn't the cheer leaders do the same?
7:15 PM
I agree with Hannah, I don't have a problem with panhandling if someone is just standing with a sign asking for help. However I have a problem when they come up to you, begging for money! In fact this weekend I was parked outside of Panda Express waiting for my friend when a homeless man walked up to my window asking me for money and food. That being said, when panhandling gets that out of control I believe the first amendment should not protect them.
7:36 PM
Placing limitations on freedom of speech minimizes the freedom of the people. Panhandling should not have enforced laws because it the homeless are not hurting anyone by holding a sign. If people don't want to provide for those who ask, there is no harm done. The people can express their own freedom of speech if they don't want to give things to the asking homeless. Unless a homeless person is assaulting someone to give them something, then I understand why there's an obvious issue.
As for the cheerleaders, their signs aren't pressuring anyone into following their religion or anything, and they aren't excluding anyone, or hurting anyone in anyway. I don't see why its reasonable to limit someone from their freedom of speech when they are not wronging anyone. People should be allowed to express their opinions.
7:45 PM
I think placing a law on Panhandling is crazy. I agree that it's a freedom of speech. If it's the only way for people to make money what else are they supposed to do? Unless the person panhandling is being aggressive then I see no problem with them doing it in a public place. However, I don't think they should be allowed to do it in front of a business because that can have an effect on the business.
8:05 PM
As long as panhandling doesn't turn into harassing, i don't see why it should be illegal. It won't fix homelessness but it can help homeless people get money for basic needs. The homeless people need to seek permission from the businesses though because it could cause people to go someplace else. I know that I don't like walking passed homeless people because they can be scary.
Cheerleaders writing bible versus on signs could make people believe the school supports those religious views which is not supposed to be allowed at school. It is also kind of forcing people in the stands to be a part of that religion which could make people who don't follow it to be uncomfortable or not go to games.
8:36 PM
I don't like panhandling but I don't have a problem with it. The only thing that bothers me about it is the fact that I do not know if they need the money or if they are going to use it in a way that wont help them. A guy asked my dad for money because he was hungry and in turn my dad said he would buy him a burger. When my dad was driving off he saw the guy throw the burger away, it makes me wonder if panhandlers are genuine when they are asking for money or if they just want it so they buy a drink or something.
About the cheerleaders, I don't think they should be able to do this because other people may not want to see your personal religious beliefs like EJ said.
9:06 PM
I disagree with Cameron. When a player puts a bible verse on a piece of his own equipment it is personal and it provides motivation and strength for himself. By putting bible verses on posters the cheerleaders were putting it out there for the whole school and for people who may not support or believe in God.
9:11 PM
The homeless I most often see are those who have lost all money due to things like drugs, alcohol, or even gambling. Those are the ones that do not deserve the money; they have wasted their own on stupid things. But then there are those that have lost their jobs, their families, and their homes and have wound up on the streets. Those are the ones who should be allowed to panhandle, because they feel like that is their only option. Panhandling should be allowed, unless it becomes a dangerous matter. Although, people must monitor who they give money to, and make sure to give it to someone who truly needs it.
I think the cheerleading issue has definitely been blown out of proportion. If they believe in the bible, that's their deal. It's not like they are going out and trying to shove their religion down others' throats. I understand the school's reaction, as they don't want those with other religions feeling uncomfortable or cast out. After being asked to stop, the girls should have understood why this was asked of them. During the game, they most likely made someone feel cast out, because they had a different religion. This incident has definitely been blown out of proportion.
11:23 PM
Panhandling laws would be incredibly hard to enforce and a waste of taxpayer money. The vast majority of time, though I find that panhandling is not a profitable way to make money. At most you probably make less than $50 a day.If you are desperate, it will not help you change your conditions. I don't think it should be illegal, though.
Those cheerleaders are supposed to be representing their school which is a public institution and should be made to follow the rules just like anyone in the school.
7:27 AM
As long as panhandling doesn't turn violent or harm anyone, I don't have a problem with it. Granted, you never know if the homeless person is genuinely in need for money to buy food, or will just blow it on alcohol or something. I think it's better to give a homeless person a giftcard to a fast food place instead of cash, since at least that way you know they'll use it for food. I agree with Alan, that panhandling laws would be a waste of money and difficult to enforce.
As for the cheerleader thing, I don't think it's a big deal. All they're doing is holding up a poster that gets shredded by the football players anyway. I understand that they represent a public school, but I don't think a poster with a bible verse negatively affects anyone, and should be allowed. It's the same as Christian clubs-- those are allowed in public schools, so why shouldn't the cheerleaders be able to do the same?
6:00 PM
The cheerleaders should be able write Bible verses on the posters. They have freedom of speech and religion. Separation of church and state is when the government doesn't charge taxes to sponsor one religion and does not force one religion on the people. It is to keep other religions from being persecuted. This event was led by the students and was not persecuting other religions. The girls are expressing their faith, much like a football player writing verses under their eyes or praying before a game.
9:23 PM
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