The Truth Hurts


Articles Dante Alighieri Arthur Dent Jesus Jones Thomas Paine Other Authors Contact Us! Letter to the Editor Dante Alighieri Arthur Dent Jesus Jones Thomas Paine	The Truth Hurts Arthur Dent and Thomas Paine The following item appeared in Dr. Kazakoff's weekly staff bulletin on Friday, December 13, 2002, sent to all staff and posted in a public location. It was Item 10 of 10. "Item #10: ON A LESS THAN POSITIVE NOTE: I have heard from many students and faculty who are extremely upset about the scurrilous comments made about them in the "Subterranean". Many have asked the administration to quash this publication. Having checked with the district administration and consulted with county council, at this point it is a free speech issue. Though many rumors and comments to me abound on who is writing this so called "underground newspaper", at this time we do not have any documented proof of who the authors are. Once evidence is obtained and substantiated...(well, you can read between the lines). I have never had a problem with underground newspapers because sometime they bring up issues we should be concerned about, but I do not condone articles that slander teachers, staff and especially students and contain half-truths with no credence." Dr. Kazakoff raises some interesting issues. Let us take this opportunity to respond to and expunge any concerns regarding our journalistic integrity, our right to exist, and what might happen if proof of our identities becomes available. We wish to reaffirm our resolve to exist and let everyone know that we are not going anywhere. Knickers seem to twist over the so-called "scurrilous comments" published in The Subterranean, as if we have been fabricating horrible lies about the goings-on at this school. In reality, however, we only report and comment on things that happen. We didn't ask Administration to threaten to cancel a dance. We didn't give tenure to ineffectual teachers. We didn't take eight kids out during school hours for lunch and plan on expensing it to the senior class. We didn't shred 1500 copies of the school paper last year. All we did was report it and proceed to expose some of the cold, hard facts about Terra Nova, the primary of which is that the place isn't perfect. The Subterranean is not controver controversial or "scurrilous." The truth, however, is. Along the same lines, Dr. K refers to "slander" and "half-truths with no credence." Again, we beg to differ. Reporting someone's actions is not, in and of itself, libel (slander is spoken defamation of character). We did not expose anyone to public ridicule - they exposed themselves through their actions. We didn't shove the beer down Johnny's throat, tie up Josh Allen and force him into the senior picture, or stage the infamous Beanan/Welch shoplifting scene; they were responsible for their own actions. Furthermore, we do not report half-truths - quite the contrary. We are extremely careful to verify our facts before we put anything in print. Even a reputable journalist to whom we sent the above memo checked our facts and found no evidence of half-truths (See Letters to the Editor page 5). Further vindicating our journalistic integrity, The Tribune offered us our own column in their paper, but only if the pseudonyms were dropped. Unfortunately, for fear of retribution on campus, we must remain underground, bringing us to another issue: the fate of The Subterranean. Dr. K refers to us as a "so called underground newspaper" and says that "many have asked" that we be "quashed." We don't choose to be "underground"; we are forced to be by an Administration who was so afraid of the truth that it shredded 1500 student newspapers to conceal it. Had that act of blatant censorship not occurred, there would be no Underground Intelligencer because there would be no need. The Subterranean is not an action; it is a reaction to Administration. Additionally, how many have asked that we be shut down? Simply hiding behind nebulous verbiage is chickenshit. It allows one to give the illusion that there are Mongol hoards clamoring for our demise, when in reality it's probably 3 people. If so "many" are complaining, then they should be encouraged to email us directly rather than ranting to an uninvolved Administration. We have yet to receive even a single email stating that The Subterranean should be "quashed." In fact, we've received encouragement from staff, parents, and the community at large, including local columnists John Maybury and John Horgan. Most importantly, we've received accolades from you, the TerraNova Student Body. Even if the Administration wants to silence us, they can't. They can try, but there's this little thing called THE FIRST AMENDMENT, which guarantees our right to speak out about pretty much anything as long as it doesn't "materially and substantially disrupt the educational process" (Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School Dist). Furthermore, we are protected by California's own "Leonard Law" (California Ed. Code 48950), which entitles students to the same free speech rights inside of school as we have outside of school. See http://www.aclu-wi.org/youth/rights/rights_ugpaper.html for more information on just how Admin CAN'T "quash this publication." And even if they tried, they would be in clear violation of our free speech rights, and, according to State law, we'd be entitled to damages in civil court. Kazakoff said it himself: This is a "free speech issue," and, should anyone try to squelch our rights, our lawyer (yes, we have one) and the ACLU would surely have something to say about it. A few things, actually. We're not playing games. The only way Admin or anyone else could take action against us would be if we were using school time or property to create The Subterranean. Lest there be any doubt whatsoever, let us clear it up for everyone AGAIN: this paper is not composed or published on school property or during school time. Hence, there can be no "documented proof" of our identities without subpoenaing our home computers, which could never happen because we've committed no crime. Free speech, people. And if you still suspect libel, just go back and reread past issues to see for yourself. In no article did we do anything other than report people's actions. We seek only to hold up a mirror, so if you don't like what you see, then look no further than the title of Issue 3's cover article: "Don't Shoot the Messenger." That's all we really are, Terra Nova - a messenger. Our September advent was a direct response to the "scurrilous" actions of your administration, and our seven subsequent issues have done nothing more than continue the quest for truth. Not only is this quest fully backed by legal precedent, it is also here to stay. The Subterranean does not disrupt the educational process; rather, it is part of that process. You can work with us or you can work against us, but the one thing you cannot do is quash us. Email: TPaineTN@yahoo.com & ArthurDentTN@yahoo.com	Archive Back Issues Why? Cartoons Poetry Random Rants Disclaimers Losers and Kudos of the Week Letters to the Editor Editor's Notes Picture of the Week
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Arthur Dent and Thomas Paine

The following item appeared in Dr. Kazakoff's weekly staff bulletin on Friday, December 13, 2002, sent to all staff and posted in a public location. It was Item 10 of 10.

"Item #10: ON A LESS THAN POSITIVE NOTE: I have heard from many students and faculty who are extremely upset about the scurrilous comments made about them in the "Subterranean". Many have asked the administration to quash this publication. Having checked with the district administration and consulted with county council, at this point it is a free speech issue. Though many rumors and comments to me abound on who is writing this so called "underground newspaper", at this time we do not have any documented proof of who the authors are. Once evidence is obtained and substantiated...(well, you can read between the lines). I have never had a problem with underground newspapers because sometime they bring up issues we should be concerned about, but I do not condone articles that slander teachers, staff and especially students and contain half-truths with no credence."

Dr. Kazakoff raises some interesting issues. Let us take this opportunity to respond to and expunge any concerns regarding our journalistic integrity, our right to exist, and what might happen if proof of our identities becomes available. We wish to reaffirm our resolve to exist and let everyone know that we are not going anywhere.

Knickers seem to twist over the so-called "scurrilous comments" published in The Subterranean, as if we have been fabricating horrible lies about the goings-on at this school. In reality, however, we only report and comment on things that happen. We didn't ask Administration to threaten to cancel a dance. We didn't give tenure to ineffectual teachers. We didn't take eight kids out during school hours for lunch and plan on expensing it to the senior class. We didn't shred 1500 copies of the school paper last year. All we did was report it and proceed to expose some of the cold, hard facts about Terra Nova, the primary of which is that the place isn't perfect. The Subterranean is not controver controversial or "scurrilous." The truth, however, is.

Along the same lines, Dr. K refers to "slander" and "half-truths with no credence." Again, we beg to differ. Reporting someone's actions is not, in and of itself, libel (slander is spoken defamation of character). We did not expose anyone to public ridicule - they exposed themselves through their actions. We didn't shove the beer down Johnny's throat, tie up Josh Allen and force him into the senior picture, or stage the infamous Beanan/Welch shoplifting scene; they were responsible for their own actions. Furthermore, we do not report half-truths - quite the contrary. We are extremely careful to verify our facts before we put anything in print. Even a reputable journalist to whom we sent the above memo checked our facts and found no evidence of half-truths (See Letters to the Editor page 5). Further vindicating our journalistic integrity, The Tribune offered us our own column in their paper, but only if the pseudonyms were dropped. Unfortunately, for fear of retribution on campus, we must remain underground, bringing us to another issue: the fate of The Subterranean.

Dr. K refers to us as a "so called underground newspaper" and says that "many have asked" that we be "quashed." We don't choose to be "underground"; we are forced to be by an Administration who was so afraid of the truth that it shredded 1500 student newspapers to conceal it. Had that act of blatant censorship not occurred, there would be no Underground Intelligencer because there would be no need. The Subterranean is not an action; it is a reaction to Administration.

Additionally, how many have asked that we be shut down? Simply hiding behind nebulous verbiage is chickenshit. It allows one to give the illusion that there are Mongol hoards clamoring for our demise, when in reality it's probably 3 people. If so "many" are complaining, then they should be encouraged to email us directly rather than ranting to an uninvolved Administration. We have yet to receive even a single email stating that The Subterranean should be "quashed." In fact, we've received encouragement from staff, parents, and the community at large, including local columnists John Maybury and John Horgan. Most importantly, we've received accolades from you, the TerraNova Student Body.

Even if the Administration wants to silence us, they can't. They can try, but there's this little thing called THE FIRST AMENDMENT, which guarantees our right to speak out about pretty much anything as long as it doesn't "materially and substantially disrupt the educational process" (Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School Dist). Furthermore, we are protected by California's own "Leonard Law" (California Ed. Code 48950), which entitles students to the same free speech rights inside of school as we have outside of school. See http://www.aclu-wi.org/youth/rights/rights_ugpaper.html for more information on just how Admin CAN'T "quash this publication." And even if they tried, they would be in clear violation of our free speech rights, and, according to State law, we'd be entitled to damages in civil court. Kazakoff said it himself: This is a "free speech issue," and, should anyone try to squelch our rights, our lawyer (yes, we have one) and the ACLU would surely have something to say about it. A few things, actually. We're not playing games.

The only way Admin or anyone else could take action against us would be if we were using school time or property to create The Subterranean. Lest there be any doubt whatsoever, let us clear it up for everyone AGAIN: this paper is not composed or published on school property or during school time. Hence, there can be no "documented proof" of our identities without subpoenaing our home computers, which could never happen because we've committed no crime. Free speech, people. And if you still suspect libel, just go back and reread past issues to see for yourself. In no article did we do anything other than report people's actions. We seek only to hold up a mirror, so if you don't like what you see, then look no further than the title of Issue 3's cover article: "Don't Shoot the Messenger."

That's all we really are, Terra Nova - a messenger. Our September advent was a direct response to the "scurrilous" actions of your administration, and our seven subsequent issues have done nothing more than continue the quest for truth. Not only is this quest fully backed by legal precedent, it is also here to stay. The Subterranean does not disrupt the educational process; rather, it is part of that process. You can work with us or you can work against us, but the one thing you cannot do is quash us.

Email: TPaineTN@yahoo.com & ArthurDentTN@yahoo.com