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Opinion
 

Staff Editorial

                        Robyn Morrow             Chris Elliott                        
                                               John Arterbury       Caitlin Cuppernull

Fake profile crosses the line

MySpace seems to be at the heart of an unusually high number of scandals lately. In the latest lawsuit involving the popular social networking Web site, a high school principal is suing four of his former students for creating MySpace profiles claiming he smoked marijuana, kept beer at school and enjoyed having sex with students, the Student Press Law Center reported.

Hermitage High School Principal Eric Trosch said the three profiles created in December 2005 have and damaged his reputation, SPLC reported. Justin Layshock, a former student at the Pennsylvania school, was handed a 10-day out-of-school suspension for creating one profile. He also had to finish high school in an alternative program and was not allowed at his graduation.

It's one thing to make fun of an aging principal's bad comb-over or protruding gut, but to create a MySpace profile accusing the principal of drug use and having sex with students isn't the smartest move. Layshock's family told SPLC the profile was protected under the First Amendment, but that doesn't make its creation appropriate.

Layshock's blatant disregard for social decency could also be considered libelous. If Trosch's earning capacity was limited, according to The Associated Press, Layshock should be punished through litigation for his actions. 

Condemning him to an alternative school and not allowing Layshock to graduate was not the solution to Trosch's problem. Trosch should just stick to the lawsuit. Although Layshock made a serious misjudgment, his education should not have to suffer.

When dealing with parody, people should be careful of what they say. Libel is an issue that should not be taken lightly. Unfortunately, Layshock wasn't aware that his actions could be considered unlawful. Perhaps he should have paid more attention in government class.