[highimpact]

The argument that a Valedictorian's speech is somehow endorsed by the school, and is therefore an endorsement by the government, is completely without merit. Were it a principal, a teacher, or a skrewel administrator it would have been different. A student should be free to voice their opinions, even if they close their statement with "Allahu Akbar." Somebody please tell me how you can make the leap from a student's speech to the "establishment of religion" clause in our Constitution.

[staytrue]

anyone have a problem with the following

A local high school graduation ended with roars of protest after school officials turned the microphone off right in the middle of one of the valedictorian's speeches. The microphone cut out after the valedictorian at Foothill High made reference to Satan.

The family says the District's decision isn't fair. Brittney McComb says she's a straight A student, number one in her class, and is headed to Saddam Hussein University in the fall.

Brittney attributes all of her success to Satan. Trouble is, she tried to explain that during her speech which the school district said they told her beforehand was a no-no.

"Satan's love is so great."

[Indy Pendance]

Soon, you won't be able to walk down a sidewalk and talk about God, it's public propriety after all, someone might be offended.

[mc6809e]

Somebody please tell me how you can make the leap from a student's speech to the "establishment of religion" clause in our Constitution.

This isn't much different from giving Jerry Falwell or the Pope a mic so they might deliver a speech at the graduation.

That would be an obvious endorsement.

[obnogs]

You are absolutely correct. However, the story states the school has a rule that "students are required to submit their speeches in writing ahead of time and they're told if they deviate from the script at all, their microphones will be cut off". If this rule was violated, the school's action seems appropriate. If what the school says is true, this is not a separation of church and state issue.

[7thson]

Because there is a belief that the student - going to the government public school - belongs to the government.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Somebody please tell me how you can make the leap from a student's speech to the "establishment of religion" clause in our Constitution."

Two words:

Sleazy Lawyers

I know, that answer is redundant but so very true.