I believe the girls were wronged. Before I begin my rant, let me say that there is no doubt that what she and her friends did was juvenile, stupid, and malicious. I agree with that much. In fact, I fantacize about punishing (an actual punshment, not just ignoring them or using relational or social aggression) people when they behave this way. I think it's awful and is even perhaps indicative of some kind of bad human condition. I'm a wuss, or maybe just too imaginative.
However, the internet, and Facebook.com are public domain, which is where free speech reigns. The comments were (I actually thought they were funny) mean and spiteful, but they weren't directed at the professor. They were directed at an effigy of the professor. They posted a little picture of her and said gross things and that's it. There is a difference between the actual professor herself, the tangible flesh and clothing version, and the intangible, pixalted version. I think defamation of character doesn't apply to the internet. Maybe I'm crazy, as most people might think when reading this.
The kids set up that dumb group as a virtual punching bag for the professor who was, even for decidedly stupid reasons, consistently aggravating to the students. Kind of like group therapy for people who share a common grievance, albeit a dumb one. This was comiseration in action. That's fundamentally it, in my opinion. If they were sending hateful or harmful emails to the professor, that would be another thing. I think the whole thing was blown out of proportion.
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You said Rachel was wronged, and that what she and her friends did was juvenile. I was under the impression that Rachel was the instructor that the posts were about.
That aside...I do not believe that this was blown out of proportion. Who cares about the first amendment....imagine how it would affect you to see that your students were writing such horrid things about you. It would spill over into your family life (and the obvious...your professional life). Not only were the girls record "tarnished" but any future employer of the instructor will also be able to view these things. It will affect Rachel's ability to gain employment in the future as well.
In my opinion, mooning someone, teepeeing a house, etc. is harmless play....posting things on the web and starting such an obnoxious group (with officers to top it off) should get what they have coming!
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