Coin image omits 'In God We Trust' [on school year book cover]

STAR-TELEGRAM ^ | 5/20/2006 | JESSAMY BROWN

[keats5]

Thanks. I always wondered.

[upchuck]

From the article:

"We are a public school," he [Tom Gardner of Colleyville, president of the Liberty PTA] said. "We sure do not want to step on anybody's toes. I don't think any harm was intended."

So next year the yearbook will feature a plain cover with no text or markings at all. Gotta be PC, ya know?

[3D-JOY]

Where are you?

I may have to move!

[eeriegeno]

First, elementary schools really don't need a yearbook IMHO. Second, If the yearbook wasn't there, political statements couldn't be made.

Who wrote the content of the yearbook? Who paid for its publication? What value did its creation provide to the elementary students?

[MarxSux]

"wanted to avoid offending students of different religions". The motto doesn't offend students of other reigions than Christianity, it offends the irreligious.

[polymuser]

VOUCHERS!

[cvq3842]

Yup.

[Jonx6]

I wouldn't send my dog to a public school.

[Huck]

The principal is a dope. If he'd really wanted to avoid offending ppl (avoid controversy, really), then he shouldn't have used the nickel image at all. Only a moron would think using a censored nickel design was going to avoid offending ppl. Sheesh.

As for this:

She likened the situation to retailers that use "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas" in their displays and advertising.

"First, we can't say 'Christmas' trees. It's 'holiday' trees. Then it's 'holiday' decorations," Ackerman said. "It just doesn't make any sense to me."

Happy Holidays makes perfect sense to me. I use it during the holidays for the simple reason that I don't know what holiday the other person is celebrating. Hannukah occurs around the same time as Christmas. Anyone who can't handle "Happy Holidays" is too sensitive.

That said, "holiday tree" is ridiculous. Stuff that's clearly Christmas-related should be called what it is. That idiocy is what makes ppl so nuts that they can't deal with something reasonable like "Happy Holidays."

[American in Singapore]

Keller administrators agreed with the decision, which Travis made in conjunction with a school parents group, district spokesman Jason Meyer said. District policy states, in part: "The District shall take no action respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech."

So it's cool that they have taken it upon themselves to remove religion and references to religion?

Sounds eerily too similar to those that participated in and condoned the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (and I am not that religious...)

The intent of our forefathers was that religion not be sponsored by the state, not that any religious symbol or connotation be removed from "the state". These are truly evil people.

[antiRepublicrat]

Idiot. Options:

An overall design that just happens to obscure the offending text.

Use an E Pluribus Unum coin. It's a more meaningful and apt phrase anyway.

Don't use a friggin' coin!

[politicalwit]

"doesnt surprise me....its Dallas"

Since when did Keller become a part of Dallas?

[reagan_fanatic]

Janet Travis, principal of Liberty Elementary School in Colleyville, wanted to avoid offending students of different religions, a district spokesman said

Next up on the agenda to be banned:

* The phrase - 'for God's sake'
* Exclaiming 'Jesus!' or 'Christ!' when exasperated or angry
* Clothing that have a particular pattern that could be mistaken for crosses, or that have any number of lines that intersect in a crosslike pattern.
* Fish will be banned in the cafeteria, as these may remind some of the Jesus fish and might be considered offensive.
* Standard suits and dresses will now be required at graduation ceremonies, as Jesus was known to wear robes and this could be upsetting to some.

Students will be allowed, however, to use swearwords containing 'God' or 'Jesus', as banning them might interfere with their Constitutional right to use them.

[markman46]

what other religion is going to be offended by "in god we trust"? none that I know of

[agrace]

I was laughing a little at the silliness of this teacher until I got to your chilling post.