Foothill valedictorian criticizes decision to censor her proclamation of faith

Las Vegas Review Journal ^ | 06/17/2006 | Antonio Planas

[atomicweeder]

She knew her speech as valedictorian of Foothill High School would be cut short, but Brittany McComb was determined to tell her fellow graduates what was on her mind and in her heart.

But before she could get to the word in her speech that meant the most to her -- Christ -- her microphone went dead.

The decision to cut short McComb's commencement speech Thursday at The Orleans drew jeers from the nearly 400 graduates and their families that went on for several minutes.

Read more ...

[goldstategop]

Where did the young lady lie? She was about to tell them she believed in God? Telling others what you really think isn't a lie in my book. Its telling others what they want to hear that is a lie. And liberals do a lot of the latter.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[Alamo-Girl]

It's not just dumb, it's a lie.

I object, sinkspur!

It is a matter of Spiritual priorities.

Perhaps there was a young Christian a few millennia ago who agreed to worship Caesar, but when the time came was convicted in the Spirit and knew that it was vitally important to proclaim Jesus publicly - even though the result would be becoming some lion's afternoon snack.

[Torie]

She has a serious if uncertain case, if she can get beyond the mootness matter, per the Tinker SCOTUS case. That is my professional judgment.

[goldstategop]

How do you know? You must have an inside track with the court if you can divine the lawsuit has no merit before its even heard.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[Nik Naym]

"Whatever" is what people usually reply with when they realize they don't have anything with which to win the argument.

I simply don't believe that the only thing you are upset about is that she lied about not reading the edited version.

[paulat]

Where did the young lady lie?

I repeat...She's a conniving little weasel.

She wemt over her speech with the school authorities and agreed to give it as edited.

She lied...

...and she's no lady....

[Kryptonite]

I hope she becomes a lawyer.

Me too. But I can't say that she lost any legal advantage whatsoever by not moving for a TRO before triggering the mike being cut off. The constitutionality of the school's policy and implementation of same doesn't change just because she actually said the words she spoke.

[sinkspur]

So, what you are saying is that you would have no problem with her deviating from the edited version if she had not said anything when they edited it. If instead she just said nothing when informed of the "editing", and then went up and said what she wanted to, without regard to the editing, you wouldn't be the least bit upset. Is that about it?

No. Silence gives assent.

If she voiced an objection, or refused to speak because she was not allowed to say what she wanted, then one could admire her.

But, to agree to a course of action, then to deviate from that course of action simply out of "I'm going to do what I want" is insolence.

This little lady is being primed for a life of misery.

You can't always get what you want.

[sinkspur]

I simply don't believe that the only thing you are upset about is that she lied about not reading the edited version.

OK. This is the second time you've said that. It's your problem.

[sinkspur]

Where did the young lady lie?

She told school administrators she would give an agreed-upon speech. Gave her word, in fact.

She then deviated from her agreed-upon speech. Now, she wants to sue because her mic was turned off (as she was told it would be) because she deviated from her agreed-upon speech.

[goldstategop]

Yes, I can see where censoring yourself is the highest form of integrity. That is what we have to teach our children. The state is always right.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[paulat]

Yes, I can see where censoring yourself is the highest form of integrity. That is what we have to teach our children. The state is always right.

Golly, that's ignorant!

[A CA Guy]

She is heading to BIOLA college.

That is the Bible Institute of Los Angeles in La Mirada, California.

They are going to be proud to get her IMO.

[goldstategop]

As I told the last poster, the state is always right. If we have to lie for it, absolutely! I'm right there with you about not letting anything get in the way of the official program. You must never follow your conscience.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[Nik Naym]

"No. Silence gives assent."

No it doesn't. It quite often just means you are being ignored, perhaps because the person sees there is no point in trying to reason with foolishness.

For example:

[Kryptonite]

:)

[paulat]

As I told the last poster, the state is always right. If we have to lie for it, absolutely! I'm right there with you about not letting anything get in the way of the official program. You must never follow your conscience.

"The state"...geez...get a grip...it's a high school speech. She's a conniving little weasel.

I will be bourne out as this lawsuit unfolds.

[goldstategop]

Yet you and sinkspur are defending the authorities' right to decide what can be said in a high school commencement. If that's ignorant, I'd love to know what you consider enlightened.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

[Nik Naym]

Sometimes I wonder what the hell parallel universe I wandered into here on FR of late.