It is beyond my comprehension as to why a ninth grade student would feel compelled to ask such a question to begin with. I think we try to teach sensitivity at all levels to our children, yet freedom of speech always seems to come into play when someone gets in trouble for things that are not legally engraved in stone but yet the norms of society tighten down the reigns.

I mean...kids will be kids and do stupid and idiotic things, even say dumb stupid things that embarrass us to no end, but for fucks sake...YOU DON'T DEFEND IT. It's definitely time to give a wake up call to this sort of gross misconduct. Parents should embrace the movement and teach their kids some damn couth if they don't want to deal with the consequences that society will undoubtedly dole out.

"He asked a fair, hard-balled question," said Phil's dad, Jon Sannes. "I don't know why he's being punished."
WTF?? "Hard-balled question?" He sounds like he expects that his son's insensitivity should win him a fucking OSCAR nomination or something. Why should this sort of callousness be so glorified and why would a parent feel this is somewhat empowering to their kid...this whole bit about being able to ask "The hard questions"?