You Have a First Amendment Right to Paint With Your Butt

So says the ACLU in this action involving a high school teacher in Virginia:

RICHMOND, Va. — Chesterfield County school officials have suspended a teacher they say may be setting a bad example for students through his outside artistic activities.

Stephen Murmer is a self-described "butt-printing artist."

He creates floral and abstract art by plastering his posterior and genitals with paint and pressing them against canvas.

His cheeky creations sell for hundreds of dollars.

But Murmer is also known as a popular, joke-cracking art teacher at Monacan High School.

Chesterfield County schools spokeswoman Debra Marlow says school system regulations state that teachers must set an example for students through their personal conduct.

Murmer was placed on administrative leave on Friday.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia says the suspension goes against Murmer's First Amendment rights.

As long as he's not doing his painting in the classroom or involving his students, I'm not sure the school district has a case.

Let me tell you, folks, if I could get people to pay hundreds of dollars to buy something I painted with my butt, well drop my drawers and get out the Sherwin-Williams, I'm going in the art business.