Smoking Principal Retaliates

This is a picture of a school principal in the USA smoking outside the school. A student, Eliazar Velasquez, took this picture and was quickly suspended when he put it on the Internet. I will have more detail about this later but here is a copy of part of the student's website.

I woke up that morning, with my goal set in mind: to photograph Ms.Almagno taking a smoke on school property. We all know that it is illegal to smoke within 50 feet of any public buildings, thanks to the new law passed on March 2nd, 2005, I caught her smoking on March 7th, 2005 between 4:00 and 4:30 pm. Looks like our dear principal doesn't really care much for following the law, eh? What kind of example is she setting for the students of Central High? Besides, even if I had taken these pictures before the law was passed, it was still illegal to smoke within 25 feet of a public school. She was right next to the door! And it was open! The law specifically states the smoke must not be allowed to enter a public building.

I got information from a certain individual that Ms.Almagno had a small spot behind the school where she liked to smoke at almost every day after school. I checked out the spot before school started and spent the rest of the school day looking for the best view to commit my deed. I wasn't able to get any good spots from inside the school, so I would have to risk coming out into the open to get the shot, but it was well worth it. I sneaked around after school until she finally came out with another teacher(who wasn't smoking) to have a friendly chat, and a smoke. I had to be real careful, since there were still people walking about. I hid behind a wall and took as many pictures as I could(I even got one where she was looking straight down at the camera!), and took off with my goodies.

This is a principal we're talking about. She is a leader; one who should lead by example. And here we caught her smoking on school grounds; breaking the law. Now, I understand that people smoke. That is their business. It's a free country. But the law should be followed as well. Especially by a principal. We feel that Ms. Almagno is not suited to be principal of Central High School. Just look at the facts so far. Don't take my word for it. I have pictures! A picture is worth a thousand words, correct? What does these have to say about our principal? Check out pic6. Smile for the camera!

While I can understand your teenage-angst ridden rant about your principal smoking on school property, I can't understand your lack of decency and integrity. It seems that our nation has come to a stage where all civil liberties are being taken away. From your principal being criticized for enjoying a smoke after a hard day at school, to poor Terry Schiavo in Florida being forced to suffer pain and anguish, our "laws to protect" are causing more more erosion of freedom than ever before. This type of thinking, prying in on personal choices, is what lead Germany to the awful state it became in the late 1930's and early 1940's. I know you didn't make the law about smoking on school property yourself, but you support it. It seems to me that in true American Spirit you would have applauded your principal, perhaps even stood up and smoked with her. Your principal demonstrates the type of character that founded this country and allowed us to be free from the world of oppression. Your accusatory, gestoppo, picture taken tactics demonstrate the type of character that will help usher in the fall of our great land. Thank you for being brainwashed.

For one thing Mr. Durrett, my(Eliazar) being suspended is an example of our civil liberties being taken away. This just shows how corrupt our society really is. A clear example of authority figures abusing their power. "...a hard day a school.." you say? You are just assuming that all principals work hard. It is the teachers that work hard in this school. As for Terry Schiavo, we have no comment. It is irrelavant. You're comparing our thinking towards those of Nazi Germany? This type of thinking was what made our country what it is today. How is her going out and having a smoke an example of her "being free from oppression"? Cravings for cigarettes is not an example of freedom from oppression. It's actually the opposite since cigarettes contain nicotine(which is an addictive substance). Freedom to take pictures in a public place, to speak our opinions, and to publish our thoughts are examples of true freedoms. Hey, maybe you're right. Maybe we should all stay quiet whenever we find injustice. You know what? Let's just go out for a smoke.

3/24/2005 Note: Mr Durrett's e-mail has demanded that his e-mail be removed. If you know it, please do not flame him. He has an oppinion and while we do not agree with it, we respect his rights to voice it out. We publicly apologize for any disruption Mr. Durrett.

Thanks for all the praise and support. Yes, you have our permission to copy our
article(s). Files also, but please, name the source.

I am sorry that you decide to leave the US. I love this country. Sometimes, I am
also embarrassed. Especially with our leaders. Anyways, you're right. We are
bombarded with e-mails. 200+ in 2 days! Sorry if I have to cut this reply short
but I promise to visit the links you've given. I will write more articles. I'm very
busy with legal issues right now. The site is going strong and I'm getting alot
of support.