An important issue presented

An issue that causes many heated discussions throughout the novel is the issue of limitations of the rights of free speech, particularly questioning the First and Fifth Amendments. The First Amendment of the United States Bill of Rights states that:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." (www.archives.gov)

Vice Principal Mautz attempts to control what goes on in Lemry's Contemporary American Thought class, stating that "some important Christian values are being trashed." However, the Bill of Rights states that there can be "no law respecting an establishment of religion." This means that a group of religion (or lack thereof) cannot be disestablished or threatened. It also notes that they have "the right of the people peaceably to assemble." As far as Lemry is concerned, there is nothing in her classroom that is not peaceful.

In previous years, Eric and Sarah Byrnes wrote an unofficial school paper called Crispy Pork Rinds that was their way to constitutionally attain revenge on anyone who wronged them by writing completely absurd, but still offensive, articles about them. Mautz is angered by the paper and demands that the two abandon the underground publication. However, they are completely in the walls of the Bill of Rights, because is technically "abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." When Mautz interrogates Eric about the newspaper, Calhoune refuses to answer any questions in an effort not to self-incriminate himself, stating that he stands on the Fifth Amendment. The Fifth Amendment states that:

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury.....nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..." (www.archives.gov)

This amendment makes it very clear that the many times Eric refuses to answer, he is completely and legally safe. The Fifth Amendment argument arises many times throughout the novel, and Mautz is angered every time.