Schools and Freedom Of Speech; Summer Car Preps
HARRIS: And this just in to CNN. The U.S. Supreme Court -- Heidi, you mentioned a moment ago we were expecting a number of decisions today. Here's the second one so far today. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling that schools can sensor students. This is a case over this banner, you may recall, "bong hits 4 Jesus." The school in question here in Juneau, Alaska, had raised an outing to watch the Olympic torch make its way through Juneau in route to the 2002 winter Olympic games in Salt Lake City. And the student in question here said he was asserting his right to free speech and to speak out. The principal interpreted the banner, "bong hits 4 Jesus," as advocating drug use. Gary Nurenberg has more on the case.</s>GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT, (voice over): As the symbolic torch was carried through Juneau, Alaska, on its way to the 2002 Olympics, Douglas Public High School let students stands on city streets to watch it pass by. When it did, Douglas student Joe Frederick unfurled this banner, "bong hits 4 Jesus."</s>JOSEPH FREDERICK: I find it absurdly and funny. I was not promoting drugs. I assumed most people would take it as a joke.</s>NURENBERG: His school principal didn't. She tore down the banner and suspended him. Frederick sued, arguing his constitutional rights were violated.</s>DOUGLAS MERTZ, ATTORNEY FOR STUDENT: He was a citizen exercising free speech in a public place, at a public event.</s>NURENBERG: But the school argues . . . KENNETH STAR (ph),</s>SCHOOL'S ATTORNEY: It was a field trip where the school was able and did exercise its authority.</s>NURENBERG: In this case, to prevent kids from being exposed to arguably pro-drug messages, according to its attorney Kenneth Star.</s>STARR: The school should be able to put a stop to these kinds of pro-drug culture messages.</s>NURENBERG: They disagree. As members of students for a sensible drug policy, they traveled to Washington to demonstrate for students speech rights.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: If they are learning at such a young age that, you know, freedom of speech is more a myth than a fact, then that is sort of a dangerous president to set for our country.</s>NURENBERG: The court has long ruled schools do have rights to limit students' speech, but Frederick's lawyer, Douglas Mertz, says they don't apply in this case.</s>MERTZ: The test is whether the exercise of free speech creates a substantial disruption of the educational process.</s>NURENBERG: But what's disruptive enough to limit free speech? These California kids demonstrated against immigration policy last year. Others oppose the war in Iraq. Can school muzzle those views. Some Christian groups have filed briefs here saying that too much school power could prevent kids from espousing religious views.</s>EDWARD LAZARUS, SUPREME COURT LEGAL ANALYST: The legal rule that's established is going to cover a lot of different kinds of protests that may involve student messages that are much more profound and are really aimed at some of the most important disputes in society.</s>NURENBERG: Making "bong hits 4 Jesus" an important addition to first amendment law. Gary Nurenberg, CNN, Washington.</s>HARRIS: And once again, the Supreme Court has ruled against that high school student in the "bong hits 4 Jesus" banner case. A decision that is said to have some broad implications for students' rights. We will continue to follow this in the NEWSROOM. And we are just getting word of another decision. All right. Now they're coming in fast and furiously now here in the NEWSROOM. Tell me again what the most recent decision is on?</s>COLLINS: I believe we are hearing a five to four ruling on the campaign finance reform. We're just getting this as it comes in. So we want to make sure we get it to you as fast as possible. This is in favor of the abortion group. A five to four ruling. Let me tell you a little bit more what it's about. This is whether issue ads that are aired mainly on television and then funded in house by businesses, labor unions, so forth, can actually be banned. It's usually about 60 days before a general election, 30 days before a primary, as the free speech dispute comes about seven months before the primaries. It's being closely watched, as I'm sure you know, by advocacy groups and political parties. Again, ruling in favor of the abortion group, five to four, the Supreme Court ruling today. We have several of these coming in. So we're just getting them out to you as soon as possible. That one on the issue ads. Five to four. We will continue to follow these and bring them to you just as we get them. Temps are rising, gas prices are falling, and many of us are looking down the road to summer vacation. Mine starts Friday. But before packing, make sure your car is ready for the journey. Here to explain, CNN personal finance editor Gerri Willis. So, Gerri, the gas prices are going down a little bit. People still planning to drive for their summer vacation?</s>WILLIS: Yes, but you've got to get your car ready. You know, you can't just like, you know, do no preparation. Tip number one, check the tires before you load up the car. Use a tire gauge to check your tire pressure. Tires that aren't properly inflated will waste gas. And, well, they don't perform well on the road. Check your tire pressure when it's cooler out, since hot air causes tires to swell and you get an inaccurate reading. Set the tire pressure to the manufacturer's recommendations. And you can find that on a sticker inside the door or the glove box. Heidi.</s>COLLINS: It's like buying a new pair of shoes at the end of the day. You don't want to do that. You got to do that in the morning.</s>WILLIS: That's -- it's got to fit, right?</s>COLLINS: That's right. That's right. Also number two, keep your car hydrated. What do you mean by that?</s>WILLIS: That's right. Well, you know, check the level of all your vehicle's vital fluids. So I'm talking about engine oil, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid. If the engine oil is below the hash mark on the dip stick, you know this, you'll want to add more oil. Your brake fluid should be at least two-thirds full. Check out the color of the fluid. It should be clear or light amber. If it's dark and cloudy, the fluid should be replaced and the brake system flushed. And your windshield washer fluid, well, you fill that up all the way. Heidi.</s>COLLINS: You know, I hear you saying all these tips and people, yeah, yeah, you know, I've heard this before. But then, do they really do it? And all of a sudden they're found, you know, broken down by the side of the highway in boiling, boiling hot conditions.</s>WILLIS: And you don't want to be there with the kids in the back seat. It's a nightmare, right?</s>COLLINS: I can only imagine. So, avoid overheating. Make sure you have enough of that coolant.</s>WILLIS: Yes. You have to make sure you've got the coolant. If you're hauling a heavy load or your idling in traffic, your car is in danger of overheating. Check the composition of a radiator's mixture by using an antifreeze tester. These are cheap at auto parts stores. They only cost a couple of bucks. The ideal mixture of coolant and water inside your vehicle's radiator is 50/50. Heidi.</s>COLLINS: OK. And then run the AC, which I really never go anywhere without my AC running. I'm big on Freon.</s>WILLIS: All right. Well, there's nothing worse than being stuck without air conditioning on a hot day, right?</s>COLLINS: Yes.</s>WILLIS: So to make sure your AC system is working right, turn it on and feel just how long it takes to get cold. If it seems like it takes a really long time or, you know, sometimes the air just never gets cold enough. You go and get what they call a recharge. And if you smell a musty, mildewy odor, that usually means the drain vents may have some mold and may need a cleaning. Just little details to make you more comfortable as you travel. And as always, if you have any tips you'd like to share with your fellow viewers or any questions you'd like us to answer, send us an e- mail to toptips@cnn. We answer them right here every Friday morning. We'd love to hear from you. And I'm going on vacation, too, next week. I'm very excited.</s>COLLINS: Where you going?</s>WILLIS: West coast. California, baby.</s>COLLINS: OK. I'm going east. All right. Well, we'll come back and compare notes.</s>WILLIS: Absolutely.</s>COLLINS: Gerri, thank you.</s>WILLIS: You're welcome.