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♪ ♪
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(no voice)
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♪ I bet we've been together
for a million years ♪
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♪ And I bet we'll be together
for a million more ♪
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♪ Oh, it's like
I started breathing ♪
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♪ On the night we kissed ♪
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♪ And I can't remember
what I ever did before ♪
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♪ What would we do, baby,
without us? ♪
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♪ What would we do, baby,
without us? ♪
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♪ And there ain't no nothing we
can't love each other through ♪
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♪ What would we do, baby,
without us? ♪
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Ripped By mstoll
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What are you reading, Andy?
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The Little Engine that Could.
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Do you think it'll be banned?
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I don't know, but if I were you,
I'd read fast.
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What does "banned" mean?
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It means that a certain
authority decides
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that a certain piece of material
can't be used
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at a certain place or time.
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What does "banned" mean?
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Hey! How you doing, Andy?
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What's all that?
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This, Jen, is your defense.
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Now, when you
and Mom and Dad walk
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into Dr. Hewitt's office
tomorrow,
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I want you to have
every legal fact,
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argument and precedent
at your disposal.
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Now, you can either use
these books
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to brilliantly articulate
your position or, failing that,
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you can simply drop them
on Dr. Hewitt's head.
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What does "banned" mean?
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He keeps saying that.
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Can you please explain it
to him?
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Yeah, yeah.
Well, Andy, "banned,"
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or "banning," or "to ban,"
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comes from the Germanic root
"bannan..."
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...meaning to command.
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But you can simply think of it
as a... as a...
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as a legal prohibition,
a censure, a condemnation.
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Now I don't know
what "banned" means.
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How do you think I feel?
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I'll never know!
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You know, Jen,
I got to tell you,
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I really admire the way
you've handled yourself.
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I mean, your-your sensitivity,
your intelligence,
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your strength of character
over the last few days.
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- Thank you, Alex.
- I mean, when I look at you,
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I see someone who has got
a great future.
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Someone who could do anything
they set out to do.
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Jen, I guess what I'm trying
to say is this:
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Someday, you could
even work for me.
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Oh, joy.
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Of course, you'd have to start
in the mailroom,
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you know, minimum wage,
but, uh, you'd have Sundays
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and-and-and legal holidays off.
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And, uh, Christmastime,
you come to my house for eggnog.
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Thank you, Alex.
It makes it all worthwhile.
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But I've got to admit
I'm still a little nervous
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about going to see
Dr. Hewitt tomorrow.
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What if she suspends me?
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Suspend her right back.
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- I'm serious, Alex.
- I know, I know, I know.
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Look, hey, you know,
even if you get suspended,
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you've still got the job
with me, right?
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Of course, with the suspension,
you're going to have
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to start on the loading dock.
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I understand.
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"But I reckon I got to light out
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"for the territory ahead
of the rest,
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"because Aunt Sally, she's gonna
adopt me and civilize me,
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"and I can't stand it.
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I've been there before."
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Mal, is that you?
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What are you doing?
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I'm reading.
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When did you learn how?
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When I found out
that Cosmopolitan magazine
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was banned in certain places,
I became enraged.
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Then I saw Huckleberry Finn
sitting on the coffee table,
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and I said to myself,
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"What better way
to show Jennifer my support?"
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So I picked it up,
and I started reading.
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And you know what?
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I love it.
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I love reading.
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I'm going to teach Nick
how to read.
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Oh, Jen,
I'm really looking forward
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to that meeting
with your principal.
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We've got some very persuasive
arguments we want her to hear.
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I'm really glad you guys
are coming with me tomorrow.
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Well, we wouldn't have it
any other way.
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We're all in this together.
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You know, maybe you should get
to bed early tonight, honey.
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You got a big day tomorrow.
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I'm too nervous to sleep.
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Want me to read to you?
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Principal's office.
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What a scary place
this used to be.
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It still is for me, Dad.
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When did you ever get
in trouble, Steven?
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Elyse, I spent
a lot of time on a bench
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outside the principal's office.
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You were hall monitor.
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And I had to keep my eye
on a lot of really bad kids.
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Sometimes they'd try
to make a break for it,
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and, uh, if I couldn't
catch them, it was, uh,
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back to milk monitor
for little Stevie Keaton.
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You're a real bad seed, Steven.
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Actually, I really was
big trouble in high school.
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You, Mom?
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Mm-hmm. Oh, yeah, I used
to question everything.
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I remember when the
administration said
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that girls couldn't take
woodworking shop.
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Well, I organized a protest.
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And all the freshman girls
took over the shop
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and started sawing chairs apart
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until the administration
gave in.
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Elyse, I'm-I'm afraid,
as your hall monitor,
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I would have had
to apprehend you
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and escort you directly
to Miss Dougherty's office.
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Ooh, I'm really scared.
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Well, I don't know
what your principal was like,
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but I hope you're ready
for Hewitt the Hun.
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She takes no prisoners.
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Oh, don't worry, Jen.
I'm not afraid.
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Good morning,
Mr. And Mrs. Keaton.
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Jennifer.
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This is Mr. Carter,
the superintendent of schools.
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Hello there.
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I believe you know
Mr. Flaherty.
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- Yes, Mr. Flaherty.
- Good morning.
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- Dr. Hewitt, good to see you.
- Morning.
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Would anyone like anything
to drink?
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BOTH:
No, thank you.
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Jennifer?
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Whiskey, please.
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Jen, please, let...
let me handle this, huh?
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Uh, Dr. Hewitt...
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Sit down, Mr. Keaton.
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Yes, right away.
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Now, this is the situation
as I see it.
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There is a policy
in this district,
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passed by our board
of education,
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which states that certain books
are unacceptable
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for our children
of high school age.
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Huckleberry Finn is among them.
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Therefore, Jennifer's
book report is unacceptable.
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Dr. Hewitt,
have you ever read the book?
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Whether I've read Huckleberry
Finn is not the issue.
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The question is whether it's
appropriate for Jennifer.
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What right do you have to decide
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what's appropriate reading
material for our daughter?
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I mean, personally, I find that
tremendously offensive.
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It's not Dr. Hewitt's decision,
Mrs. Keaton.
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It's a decision
of the school board.
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Then I am offended by
the school board.
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Where's that whiskey?
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Uh, Mrs. Keaton, uh,
the state requires us to teach
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certain specifics
in the basic curriculum.
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But how those subjects
are taught
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and what textbooks are used
are all left up
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to the individual school boards,
and with good reason.
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Because the school boards
represent the values
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of the people in the community.
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What you have to understand
is that it is our job
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to nurture, guide
and protect these children.
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But just what is it that
you're protecting them from?
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I mean, it seems to me
that the best thing
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that a school can do is...
is teach children that...
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that moral questions
are complex,
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that in a democratic society,
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different people
have different views.
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As a teacher, I've always felt
that freedom of speech,
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free expression, is an essential
part of a good education.
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Of course,
that's just my opinion.
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I could be wrong.
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But that goes against everything
you've ever taught me.
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You're not wrong.
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But he is a teacher
in this school district.
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Mr. Flaherty...
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I'm sorry, Jen.
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Well, we're certainly not going
to let this go unchallenged.
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We're talking about
the First Amendment here.
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Oh, then I suggest you contact
a lawyer, Mr. Keaton.
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Believe me, we intend to.
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We intend to, as well.
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Yeah, well, uh, we intend to
more than you intend to.
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"Well, I got a good going-over
in the morning
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"from old Miss Watson
on account of my clothes;
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"but the widow,
she didn't scold,
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"but only cleaned off the grease
and clay, and looked so sorry
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that I thought I would behave
a while if I could."
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Your turn, Nick.
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(Nick clears throat)
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"Then Miss Watson,
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"she took me in the closet
and prayed,
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but nothing come of it."
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Hey, I'm lucky.
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I got a short one.
(chuckles)
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Back to you, Mal.
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"She told me to pray every day
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"and whatever I asked for,
I would get.
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But it warn't so."
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Hey, uh, that's, uh,
my sentence.
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Oh, I'm sorry, honey. Here.
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"But it warn't so."
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(Mallory chuckles)
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Just back from Evelyn Wood?
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Oh, hey, hey, hey, come on,
Alex. Want to help us out?
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We got plenty of sentences
in this book.
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No, Nick, no. Come on.
Thanks. Thanks anyway.
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No, no, I'm funny that way.
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I like to read two, sometimes
three sentences in a row.
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Alex, give us a break.
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You're always criticizing me
and Nick for not being cultured.
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Well, hey, can't do that
anymore, huh?
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No, you can't, 'cause we're
reading the classics.
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You guys should read
War and Peace next.
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I'll never see
either of you again.
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(phone rings)
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(chuckles) Hello.
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Uh, yeah, sure.
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00:10:02,034 --> 00:10:03,524
Yeah, just a minute, please.
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00:10:03,669 --> 00:10:05,500
Hey, Jen!
Jen, it's, uh...
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00:10:05,638 --> 00:10:07,731
it's Bill Godfried
from the Lei and Herald.
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00:10:07,873 --> 00:10:09,602
JENNIFER:
Tell him I'm not in.
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00:10:09,742 --> 00:10:11,175
You got it.
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00:10:11,310 --> 00:10:13,073
Hello?
Hi. Yeah, I'm sorry.
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She says she's not in.
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Hey, Jen.
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He sounded real anxious
to talk to you.
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00:10:20,152 --> 00:10:21,414
No, thanks, Alex.
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In the past week,
I've done interviews
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with every newspaper in Ohio.
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They don't know when to stop.
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I didn't realize
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book banning was everybody's
favorite subject.
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(phone rings)
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There you go.
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Hello.
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Look, I'm-I'm kind of tired
of talking about this, okay?
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Can't you understand that?
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We've been over this
a thousand times.
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Okay.
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00:10:48,981 --> 00:10:51,609
Uh, we'll see you Saturday,
Grandma.
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Well, she won't be
bothering us anymore.
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I don't know what's going on.
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Suddenly my life
has turned upside down.
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Mr. Flaherty didn't turn out
to be who I believed he was.
251
00:11:08,000 --> 00:11:09,627
I thought he was on my side,
252
00:11:09,769 --> 00:11:11,737
but the minute we stepped
into Dr. Hewitt's office,
253
00:11:11,871 --> 00:11:12,803
he just wimped out.
254
00:11:12,938 --> 00:11:14,701
That's too bad.
255
00:11:14,840 --> 00:11:16,637
All my friends want
to talk to me about
256
00:11:16,776 --> 00:11:18,710
is failing in English,
book banning
257
00:11:18,844 --> 00:11:21,244
and what I'm going to do
when I'm suspended.
258
00:11:21,380 --> 00:11:23,541
Well, I've always found
that a picnic lunch
259
00:11:23,683 --> 00:11:26,151
followed by an afternoon
of bowling... an excellent way
260
00:11:26,285 --> 00:11:28,753
to spend the first day
of suspension.
261
00:11:30,222 --> 00:11:31,621
Oh, Jen! Jen!
262
00:11:31,757 --> 00:11:33,987
I'd like you to meet
your lawyer, Susan White.
263
00:11:34,126 --> 00:11:35,252
Susan, our daughter,
Jennifer Keaton.
264
00:11:35,394 --> 00:11:36,656
- Hi.
- Hello.
265
00:11:36,796 --> 00:11:38,991
Susan's mother was at Berkeley
with your father and me.
266
00:11:39,131 --> 00:11:40,496
Actually, she was born
in the commune
267
00:11:40,633 --> 00:11:41,895
that we all lived on together.
268
00:11:42,034 --> 00:11:43,467
We used to call her Raindrop.
269
00:11:46,572 --> 00:11:48,403
(mouthing)
270
00:11:48,541 --> 00:11:50,975
Now she's at the law firm
of Hughes, Frank and MacGregor,
271
00:11:51,110 --> 00:11:52,634
and she's offered
to give us some advice
272
00:11:52,778 --> 00:11:54,268
on how to deal
with the school board.
273
00:11:54,413 --> 00:11:56,540
Jennifer, I am so pleased
to meet you.
274
00:11:56,682 --> 00:11:59,549
You know, I'm truly impressed
by the stand you've taken.
275
00:11:59,685 --> 00:12:02,848
It's a real thrill to meet
someone of your generation
276
00:12:02,988 --> 00:12:05,889
who's interested in something
other than just...
277
00:12:06,025 --> 00:12:10,587
maintaining the status quo
so they can make a fast buck.
278
00:12:13,332 --> 00:12:16,563
You don't even know me.
279
00:12:16,702 --> 00:12:20,001
I've got a sixth sense
about these things.
280
00:12:20,139 --> 00:12:22,972
I guess you're working for free
at Hughes, Frank and McGregor.
281
00:12:23,109 --> 00:12:26,101
Yeah, Raindrop?
282
00:12:26,245 --> 00:12:28,304
Susan White,
our son, Alex Keaton.
283
00:12:28,447 --> 00:12:29,345
Mmm.
284
00:12:29,482 --> 00:12:32,610
Aren't genetics wild?
285
00:12:34,887 --> 00:12:38,254
And this is our daughter Mallory
and her, uh, well, Nick.
286
00:12:39,792 --> 00:12:41,851
Oh, please,
have a seat, uh, Susan.
287
00:12:41,994 --> 00:12:43,188
You, too, uh, Jen.
288
00:12:43,329 --> 00:12:45,957
Now, basically, what Susan
is planning to do is, uh,
289
00:12:46,098 --> 00:12:49,329
let us know what our rights are,
tell us how to handle ourselves
290
00:12:49,468 --> 00:12:51,333
at the school board
meeting tomorrow
291
00:12:51,470 --> 00:12:53,768
and, if necessary, help us out
292
00:12:53,906 --> 00:12:55,339
if this comes
to a court challenge.
293
00:12:55,474 --> 00:12:57,806
Now, the way I see it, Jennifer,
294
00:12:57,943 --> 00:13:00,036
we have a couple
of court cases working for us.
295
00:13:00,179 --> 00:13:01,703
Of course,
there's the Supreme Court's
296
00:13:01,847 --> 00:13:04,509
Island Trees decision from 1982.
297
00:13:04,650 --> 00:13:06,015
Well, yeah, I briefed her
on that already.
298
00:13:06,152 --> 00:13:08,245
And, uh, before that,
299
00:13:08,387 --> 00:13:11,584
Tinker v. Des Moines
School District from 1968.
300
00:13:11,724 --> 00:13:13,658
Tinker was... was '69.
301
00:13:13,793 --> 00:13:17,058
I could sue the pants off you.
302
00:13:17,196 --> 00:13:20,256
Let's go, come on. Pull out
your briefs, R.D. Let's go.
303
00:13:20,399 --> 00:13:21,923
Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey!
304
00:13:22,067 --> 00:13:24,331
Order in the living room,
for goodness.
305
00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:26,768
This is very, very exciting.
306
00:13:26,906 --> 00:13:29,568
It's just like People's Court.
307
00:13:31,076 --> 00:13:33,442
Now, Jennifer, I know you've
been through a lot,
308
00:13:33,579 --> 00:13:35,069
but it would really help
to go over
309
00:13:35,214 --> 00:13:36,943
what your role is going to be
at the meeting.
310
00:13:37,082 --> 00:13:38,811
You've become the symbol
311
00:13:38,951 --> 00:13:41,283
for this fight,
and there are going to be a lot
312
00:13:41,420 --> 00:13:43,081
of people there looking
for you and waiting
313
00:13:43,222 --> 00:13:44,621
to hear what you have to say.
314
00:13:44,757 --> 00:13:47,225
Really? I was hoping
my part was over.
315
00:13:47,359 --> 00:13:50,123
Oh, no, I'm afraid
it's just beginning.
316
00:13:54,600 --> 00:13:56,591
- (gavel bangs)
- CARTER: May I remind you
317
00:13:56,735 --> 00:13:59,704
to try to keep your remarks
short and to the point?
318
00:13:59,839 --> 00:14:03,172
Uh, Mrs., uh, Hummler,
I believe you're next.
319
00:14:03,309 --> 00:14:04,799
Thank you.
320
00:14:04,944 --> 00:14:08,107
My son is a student in
Mrs. Mitchell's English class,
321
00:14:08,247 --> 00:14:10,579
and I personally read
the textbook they use.
322
00:14:10,716 --> 00:14:13,150
I-I couldn't believe
some of the language.
323
00:14:13,285 --> 00:14:15,082
It-it's-it's gutter language.
324
00:14:15,221 --> 00:14:17,485
And no one can tell me
325
00:14:17,623 --> 00:14:19,181
that our children can't get
a good education
326
00:14:19,325 --> 00:14:21,293
without reading words like...
327
00:14:21,427 --> 00:14:23,622
Well, I can't even
say those words.
328
00:14:23,762 --> 00:14:26,697
But my son sure can
now that he's read that book.
329
00:14:26,832 --> 00:14:28,163
Now, that's not the point.
330
00:14:28,300 --> 00:14:29,665
Your son probably knew
those words
331
00:14:29,802 --> 00:14:31,201
before he read the book.
332
00:14:31,337 --> 00:14:32,531
Now, listen, mister,
333
00:14:32,671 --> 00:14:34,195
I don't know
what goes on in your house,
334
00:14:34,340 --> 00:14:35,637
but no son of mine
uses language...
335
00:14:35,774 --> 00:14:37,639
MAN: Don't you tell me
what goes on in my house!
336
00:14:37,776 --> 00:14:39,539
(indistinct arguing)
337
00:14:39,678 --> 00:14:41,441
Order!
338
00:14:41,580 --> 00:14:44,447
Everybody will get a chance,
but we need order.
339
00:14:44,583 --> 00:14:47,051
We won't tolerate
this cross talk.
340
00:14:48,754 --> 00:14:51,848
This is going to be
a long night.
341
00:14:51,991 --> 00:14:53,720
ELYSE: I'd like to think
that we were sending
342
00:14:53,859 --> 00:14:55,724
our daughter to a school
that would allow her
343
00:14:55,861 --> 00:14:57,692
to read any book
that's in the public library.
344
00:14:57,830 --> 00:14:59,229
I mean, otherwise,
what kind of message
345
00:14:59,365 --> 00:15:00,764
are we sending to our kids?
346
00:15:00,900 --> 00:15:03,334
Are we saying that they can't be
as open-minded in the school
347
00:15:03,469 --> 00:15:05,164
as they can outside
the schoolhouse doors?
348
00:15:05,304 --> 00:15:08,967
Elyse, I-I was going
to make that point.
349
00:15:09,108 --> 00:15:11,542
- Oh, Steven, come on.
- N-Never mind. Never mind.
350
00:15:11,677 --> 00:15:13,406
The point is,
I have personally reviewed
351
00:15:13,545 --> 00:15:15,035
all of the books in question.
352
00:15:15,180 --> 00:15:17,740
Obviously, many of them have
passed muster with the board.
353
00:15:17,883 --> 00:15:21,182
Where do you come off deciding
what passes muster?
354
00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:23,618
Well, excuse me,
but I have a PhD
355
00:15:23,756 --> 00:15:25,280
in education;
and furthermore,
356
00:15:25,424 --> 00:15:27,255
the people of this community
voted for me
357
00:15:27,393 --> 00:15:28,724
because they thought
I was qualified
358
00:15:28,861 --> 00:15:30,226
to make these decisions.
359
00:15:30,362 --> 00:15:31,920
Hey. I voted for you.
360
00:15:32,064 --> 00:15:34,999
- But I also voted
for Richard Nixon. - (laughter)
361
00:15:36,635 --> 00:15:40,628
Is... Uh, wait, is that funny?
I-I don't think that's funny.
362
00:15:42,841 --> 00:15:44,968
When a certain girl in my class,
363
00:15:45,110 --> 00:15:47,237
who shall remain nameless...
364
00:15:47,379 --> 00:15:50,075
Jennifer Keaton...
365
00:15:50,215 --> 00:15:52,581
did her book report
on Huckleberry Finn,
366
00:15:52,718 --> 00:15:54,083
I was really behind her.
367
00:15:54,219 --> 00:15:56,312
I mean, I want
to be a writer one day,
368
00:15:56,455 --> 00:15:59,322
and I may not be the best writer
in the world, but I try.
369
00:15:59,458 --> 00:16:01,722
And I'd like to think that
people in my own high school
370
00:16:01,860 --> 00:16:02,986
could read what I write.
371
00:16:03,128 --> 00:16:04,459
The book I'm writing now
372
00:16:04,596 --> 00:16:06,860
is called Smart Women,
Foolish Outfits.
373
00:16:06,999 --> 00:16:10,992
Um, uh, I'd like to read that
after Huckleberry Finn.
374
00:16:13,372 --> 00:16:16,136
SUSAN: There are so many
communities across this country
375
00:16:16,275 --> 00:16:18,573
that have been torn asunder
by this issue.
376
00:16:18,711 --> 00:16:21,475
And as a lawyer, I've seen
friends and neighbors
377
00:16:21,613 --> 00:16:23,581
get involved
in legal mudslinging
378
00:16:23,716 --> 00:16:26,583
that completely obliterates
the real issues at hand,
379
00:16:26,719 --> 00:16:29,313
which are freedom of thought
and freedom of speech.
380
00:16:29,455 --> 00:16:32,481
Damn. Everyone's saying
what I was going to say.
381
00:16:32,624 --> 00:16:36,424
Let's take a look at one of
the seminal cases in this area,
382
00:16:36,562 --> 00:16:38,894
Tarrington v. Thomas Jefferson
High School.
383
00:16:39,031 --> 00:16:41,397
Now, in this case, Justice
Turner wrote that if the...
384
00:16:41,533 --> 00:16:43,501
(whispers): No, wait,
hey, hey, hey. No. No.
385
00:16:43,635 --> 00:16:46,502
Justice MacNamara wrote the
majority opinion in that case.
386
00:16:46,638 --> 00:16:49,072
Justice Turner...
merely concurring.
387
00:16:49,208 --> 00:16:52,075
Um... (chuckles)
Excuse me just for a second.
388
00:16:52,211 --> 00:16:55,738
I have a big... bug
crawling on me.
389
00:16:55,881 --> 00:16:57,348
Do you want to take over?
390
00:16:57,483 --> 00:16:59,178
(sighs)
391
00:16:59,318 --> 00:17:01,343
And so,
392
00:17:01,487 --> 00:17:04,581
in Harrison v. The Lake Erie
School District,
393
00:17:04,723 --> 00:17:05,917
the court affirmed,
394
00:17:06,058 --> 00:17:07,787
albeit with serious
reservations,
395
00:17:07,926 --> 00:17:10,827
the doctrine stated
in the Kramer case.
396
00:17:12,664 --> 00:17:14,825
So, any questions?
397
00:17:17,369 --> 00:17:19,360
Is your head getting bigger?
398
00:17:21,373 --> 00:17:23,864
MALLORY: "Other places do seem
so cramped up and smothery,
399
00:17:24,009 --> 00:17:25,306
"but a raft don't.
400
00:17:25,444 --> 00:17:28,936
You feel mighty free and easy
and comfortable on a raft."
401
00:17:29,081 --> 00:17:31,777
This book is just
too beautiful to ban.
402
00:17:31,917 --> 00:17:33,908
My own daughter.
403
00:17:35,854 --> 00:17:39,312
At least I've got, "Hello,
I'm Steven Keaton" left.
404
00:17:39,458 --> 00:17:42,427
Hello. I'm Steven Keaton.
405
00:17:42,561 --> 00:17:45,428
Perhaps a... a recap of
this evening's better points
406
00:17:45,564 --> 00:17:47,429
would be in order now.
407
00:17:47,566 --> 00:17:49,500
MAN: A school has rules
and regulations
408
00:17:49,635 --> 00:17:51,296
which might not
stand up elsewhere
409
00:17:51,437 --> 00:17:53,200
but are necessary to education
410
00:17:53,338 --> 00:17:55,568
as in the recent
Hazelwood decision
411
00:17:55,707 --> 00:17:58,335
where the, uh,
Supreme Court held up
412
00:17:58,477 --> 00:18:01,071
that a school administration
has the right
413
00:18:01,213 --> 00:18:03,738
to censor student newspapers.
414
00:18:03,882 --> 00:18:06,043
If we can require
our children to do homework,
415
00:18:06,185 --> 00:18:07,413
to dress in a certain manner,
416
00:18:07,553 --> 00:18:09,646
to be in class
for a certain period of time,
417
00:18:09,788 --> 00:18:12,814
then we can certainly
advise them on what to read.
418
00:18:12,958 --> 00:18:14,949
We always hear in school
that we young people
419
00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:16,527
are the future of America.
420
00:18:16,662 --> 00:18:18,687
Well, if we're going to be
the future of America,
421
00:18:18,831 --> 00:18:20,628
we're going to have to know
about our past.
422
00:18:20,766 --> 00:18:23,064
And not just the glory stuff
we see in movies
423
00:18:23,202 --> 00:18:26,228
or read in some history books,
but the true story.
424
00:18:26,371 --> 00:18:28,931
What people thought,
what they felt,
425
00:18:29,074 --> 00:18:30,302
why they liked each other
426
00:18:30,442 --> 00:18:32,239
and even why
they hated each other.
427
00:18:32,377 --> 00:18:33,901
And there's no better way
to learn that
428
00:18:34,046 --> 00:18:35,604
than through great literature.
429
00:18:35,747 --> 00:18:38,682
If you take that away,
what are we left with?
430
00:18:38,817 --> 00:18:41,809
- Hear, hear.
- (applause)
431
00:18:47,092 --> 00:18:51,085
Well, uh, I'd like
to thank you all for coming.
432
00:18:51,230 --> 00:18:53,289
Be assured that all opinions
433
00:18:53,432 --> 00:18:55,525
will be taken
into consideration.
434
00:18:55,667 --> 00:18:57,601
If there are no
further comments, uh...
435
00:18:57,736 --> 00:19:00,398
Mr. Carter,
I have something to say.
436
00:19:00,539 --> 00:19:02,564
Mr. Flaherty.
437
00:19:02,708 --> 00:19:07,577
I've been a teacher now for six
years at Harding High School.
438
00:19:07,713 --> 00:19:11,012
When this book banning rule
went into effect,
439
00:19:11,150 --> 00:19:15,109
I upheld it because it was
in my job contract to do so,
440
00:19:15,254 --> 00:19:17,119
although...
441
00:19:17,256 --> 00:19:20,748
philosophically, it goes
against everything I stand for.
442
00:19:22,528 --> 00:19:25,895
But when I saw
one of my students stand up
443
00:19:26,031 --> 00:19:27,862
for what she believed
was right...
444
00:19:29,067 --> 00:19:30,261
...I thought to myself,
445
00:19:30,402 --> 00:19:31,994
"What the hell is wrong
with you, Flaherty?
446
00:19:32,137 --> 00:19:34,071
"You're an English teacher.
You love books.
447
00:19:34,206 --> 00:19:36,731
And you are not just
going to let this happen!"
448
00:19:36,875 --> 00:19:39,901
I want the board to know...
I want Dr. Hewitt to know...
449
00:19:40,045 --> 00:19:42,172
that I am willing to risk my job
450
00:19:42,314 --> 00:19:44,475
to fight for what
I believe is right.
451
00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:49,383
And I have to thank
one of my students,
452
00:19:49,521 --> 00:19:51,580
who shall remain nameless...
453
00:19:51,723 --> 00:19:54,123
Jennifer Keaton...
454
00:19:54,259 --> 00:19:56,159
for giving me the courage
455
00:19:56,295 --> 00:19:59,128
to stand up and do
what I should have done
456
00:19:59,264 --> 00:20:01,926
as soon as this
whole thing started.
457
00:20:02,067 --> 00:20:03,659
Thank you, Jennifer.
458
00:20:05,671 --> 00:20:07,798
I'm a teacher,
459
00:20:07,940 --> 00:20:10,238
and that should mean something.
460
00:20:10,375 --> 00:20:11,535
(applause)
461
00:20:21,753 --> 00:20:23,880
ANDREW: "And the little engine
looked at the hill and said,
462
00:20:24,022 --> 00:20:26,013
'I think I can."
463
00:20:30,195 --> 00:20:34,063
"I... think I can."
464
00:20:34,199 --> 00:20:35,894
"I think I can."
465
00:20:36,034 --> 00:20:37,296
This is getting pretty exciting.
466
00:20:37,436 --> 00:20:39,427
Uh, I wonder what happens next.
467
00:20:40,472 --> 00:20:42,963
He gets up the hill, Nick.
468
00:20:44,443 --> 00:20:46,877
Great. Thanks a lot, Andy.
You ruined it for me.
469
00:20:47,012 --> 00:20:48,536
(door opens)
470
00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:51,808
Hi! So, how did it go, Andy?
471
00:20:51,950 --> 00:20:54,077
Did you have a good time
with Nick?
472
00:20:54,219 --> 00:20:55,345
Yeah.
473
00:20:55,487 --> 00:20:57,512
Nick's reading much better, Dad.
474
00:20:57,656 --> 00:21:02,025
When he gets to a word he
doesn't know, he sounds it out.
475
00:21:02,160 --> 00:21:04,151
Yeah. That was a good tip.
476
00:21:06,531 --> 00:21:08,465
Honey, why don't you go on up
and get ready for bed?
477
00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:10,363
We'll be up to tuck you in
in a minute. Okay?
478
00:21:10,502 --> 00:21:13,232
- Here, Uncle Nick.
- Hey, thanks.
479
00:21:13,372 --> 00:21:15,363
Night, buddy.
480
00:21:16,375 --> 00:21:18,434
So, uh, how was your meeting?
481
00:21:18,577 --> 00:21:20,135
Oh, great. You should
have heard Jennifer!
482
00:21:20,279 --> 00:21:22,975
She was eloquent and inspiring.
483
00:21:23,115 --> 00:21:25,413
Ooh, Jen, I didn't know
you were such a rebel, huh?
484
00:21:25,550 --> 00:21:28,542
You're just like James Dean
but a girl.
485
00:21:28,687 --> 00:21:29,711
(Mallory gasps)
486
00:21:29,855 --> 00:21:31,152
Oh, God!
(gasps)
487
00:21:31,290 --> 00:21:33,656
I haven't read Huckleberry Finn
in two hours.
488
00:21:33,792 --> 00:21:35,282
Shame on me. Come on, Nick.
489
00:21:35,427 --> 00:21:36,724
Do you remember
where we left off?
490
00:21:36,862 --> 00:21:37,851
Oh, I-I don't know, babe.
491
00:21:37,996 --> 00:21:40,487
Now I'm reading
two books at once.
492
00:21:44,803 --> 00:21:48,000
Well, Jen, you're off to a great
start as an activist, huh?
493
00:21:48,140 --> 00:21:49,869
No, I think I'm
going to retire, Dad.
494
00:21:50,008 --> 00:21:51,168
I can't do this again.
495
00:21:51,310 --> 00:21:53,369
I can't believe
I even did what I did.
496
00:21:53,512 --> 00:21:55,844
I had no idea
it would be so hard.
497
00:21:55,981 --> 00:21:57,846
That's what making
a commitment's all about.
498
00:21:57,983 --> 00:22:00,178
No matter how difficult it is
or how tough it gets,
499
00:22:00,319 --> 00:22:02,344
you got to stand there and stand
up for what you believe in.
500
00:22:02,487 --> 00:22:03,351
You know that.
501
00:22:03,488 --> 00:22:04,955
(door opens)
502
00:22:05,090 --> 00:22:06,557
Good news!
503
00:22:06,692 --> 00:22:09,422
The school board decided
there was enough opposition
504
00:22:09,561 --> 00:22:11,426
to further scrutinize
the banning issue
505
00:22:11,563 --> 00:22:13,190
and put it to a referendum!
506
00:22:13,332 --> 00:22:14,629
That's great news, Susan.
507
00:22:15,967 --> 00:22:18,333
Good news!
508
00:22:18,470 --> 00:22:20,335
The school board decided
there's enough opposition
509
00:22:20,472 --> 00:22:22,531
to further scrutinize
the banning issue and put...
510
00:22:22,674 --> 00:22:24,301
put it to a referendum.
511
00:22:26,111 --> 00:22:28,477
(clears throat)
512
00:22:28,613 --> 00:22:30,604
I told them first.
513
00:22:33,018 --> 00:22:36,954
Sure. Sure. You ran
two red lights to get here.
514
00:22:37,089 --> 00:22:38,989
Why do I scare you, Alex?
515
00:22:39,124 --> 00:22:41,615
You don't scare me, Raindrop.
516
00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:43,557
- I have had it.
- ALEX: All right...
517
00:22:43,695 --> 00:22:46,129
You get over here.
518
00:22:46,264 --> 00:22:47,788
- STEVEN: Alex! Raindrop!
- ALEX: She started it!
519
00:22:47,933 --> 00:22:48,957
- STEVEN: Raindrop!
- She started it!
520
00:22:49,101 --> 00:22:51,092
Please!
521
00:22:52,537 --> 00:22:53,834
Good news!
522
00:22:53,972 --> 00:22:55,735
ALL:
We heard!
523
00:22:55,874 --> 00:22:56,863
What did you hear?
524
00:22:57,008 --> 00:22:57,997
The school board's
reconsidering,
525
00:22:58,143 --> 00:22:59,576
and there's going to be
a referendum.
526
00:22:59,711 --> 00:23:02,407
Really? I didn't hear that.
That is good news.
527
00:23:02,547 --> 00:23:04,981
What I came to say is that
a good number of my colleagues
528
00:23:05,117 --> 00:23:07,278
on the faculty at Harding
have decided to band together
529
00:23:07,419 --> 00:23:08,818
and buck the administration.
530
00:23:08,954 --> 00:23:12,617
We're walking out until
your suspension is revoked.
531
00:23:12,758 --> 00:23:14,953
STEVEN:
Oh, Flaherty, all right!
532
00:23:15,093 --> 00:23:17,118
That's great.
533
00:23:17,262 --> 00:23:18,627
Thank you, Mr. Flaherty.
534
00:23:18,764 --> 00:23:22,097
- You've always been
my favorite teacher. - Oh.
535
00:23:22,234 --> 00:23:24,498
We're a good team.
We made a great first step,
536
00:23:24,636 --> 00:23:26,627
- but there's a long fight
ahead of us. - Yeah.
537
00:23:26,772 --> 00:23:29,002
So we have to make sure
we stick together.
538
00:23:30,208 --> 00:23:32,005
"And we could hear them
yelling and barking
539
00:23:32,144 --> 00:23:34,169
"at each other
all up and down the bank
540
00:23:34,312 --> 00:23:38,305
till we were so far away the
sounds got dim and died out."
541
00:23:39,484 --> 00:23:42,351
"And when we stepped
onto the raft, I says,
542
00:23:42,487 --> 00:23:44,978
"Now, old Jim,
you're a free man again,
543
00:23:45,123 --> 00:23:48,615
and I bet you won't ever
be a slave no more."
544
00:23:48,760 --> 00:23:50,751
"Chug, chug, chug.
545
00:23:52,831 --> 00:23:56,358
"Puff, puff, puff.
546
00:23:56,501 --> 00:23:59,368
"Ding-dong, ding-dong,
ding-dong.
547
00:23:59,504 --> 00:24:01,768
"The little train
rumbled over the tracks.
548
00:24:01,907 --> 00:24:04,137
She was a happy train."
549
00:24:35,407 --> 00:24:37,102
MAN:
Sit, Ubu, sit. Good dog.
550
00:24:37,242 --> 00:24:38,368
(Ubu barks)
551
00:24:40,500 --> 00:24:48,500
Ripped By mstoll