Sounds like USSR. Nobody brought a bull horn as a backup?
Just how in the Hell do a bunch of loonie jerks like the ACLU gain so much power?
WHAT THE F--K?
This is a tough one for me. While I don't want to see any particular religion promoted, I don't want to see first amendment rights violated either.
At this point, any American parent who sends their kids to government schools is coooooooooooooooRAZY.
Congress can't, but the ACLU can.
> The ACLU was happy. They had silenced another Christian.
Really? So... this girl will never speak again?
So in the end, we have to keep the very slight minority happy... great democracy
When we said "Free Speech" we didn't mean for you. :P
-Leftist Mantra
Jfk said it well:
We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people. ~John F. Kennedy
I find this girl to be an obnoxious pest. If she is so principled, why didn't she decline the invitation to speak when her speech was edited by the school (which isn't unusual, even if I disagree with their edits)?
No, this principled wondergirl agreed to the changes and then reneged on her promise.
Obnoxious.
She should have known she was going to be censored and she should have edited her copy for review. The school officials then would have been unprepared to cut off her mike.
4.7 GPA?????????
The names of these school officials need to be published and information about them released. Incredible that they would run to the ACLU for approval. My guess - they are members of ACLU and/or NAMBLA or similar organizations.
There was nothing obscene, improper, or hate-filled in her comments. The school had no excuse to censure her. Whatever ACLU stands for, freedom of speech is not one goal (except for those who hate religion).
My opinion on valedictory speeches is that they should be whatever the valedictorian wishes them to be. They should not be edited by the school in any way.
By not attempting to edit such speeches, the school relieves itself from all responsibility for the content of the student's expression.
At graduation time, most high school seniors are 18, and so are adults. Whatever they say is their responsibility.
I'm an atheist, yet I've never been harmed by any speech. I hear people mention religion all the time, and don't find that it's harmful to me in any way.
That said, it must be understood that giving free rein to valedictorians to say what they will may lead to speeches not to the liking of everyone. One speaker may call on Jesus in the speech. Another may point out the failings of the local school system. Yet another may praise Allah, or another may give a speech based on Wiccan principles.
Either valedictory speeches are unedited, or they are edited. If they are edited, then the school may edit whatever they wish.
I prefer unedited, even if I don't much like what's being said.
And the ACLU would have likely defended anyone else in court to say "I'd like to thank the prince of darkness....." calling it freedom of speech.
A simple solution ...start a petition drive to recall all the members of the school board and seriously clean house with a new board by starting with termionating the contracts of the top school administrators. The people pay for the schools and school employees work for the people.