School rallies to retain sign

The Sacramento Bee ^ | October 6, 2001 | Ryan McCarthy

[runningbear]

A demand by the American Civil Liberties Union that Breen Elementary School in Rocklin remove a "God Bless America" sign prompted angry parents, students and administrators to rally at the school Friday evening.

About 250 people, many clad in red, white and blue, gathered to support the message, which was placed on a marquee in front of the school after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

[Ligeia]

I have seen many schools with "God Bless America" on their school or district signs. I say God bless the schools or districts that do so.

I've driven past two schools in my neighborhood with the same sign. I agree, God bless the schools that do so. The ACLU hasn't a clue.

[Guillam]

The ACLU practices legal terrorism.

[TLBSHOW]

Well then they are on the indangered list aren't they. Look at the wins FR has had since the 11th. Lets not stop now. Lets roll on all the commie leftist spew everywhere and at once. That will finish them all. They will bury their heads so deep it will take years to get out.

[Inyokern]

The ACLU contends that the words broadcast "a hurtful, divisive message."

I guess Irving Berlin was a member of the Christian Right in the eyes of the ACLU. Amazing.

[WOSG]

ACLU is being hateful hurtful and divisive. Funny how they accuse the innocuous "God Bless America" of being that.

[WOSG]

Another thought: This message doesnt DIVIDE people along religious lines, it UNITES people across religious faiths. THe ACLU is claiming the opposite of reality.

Compare for example, the ACLU's divisive calls with the interfaith service Bush called for in wake of the attack.

[chit*chat]

I am constantly amazed at the ability of one dissenter to change what a majority wants.

[BJungNan]

"It must be replaced immediately," says the letter from Margaret Crosby, staff counsel for the ACLU of Northern California, based in San Francisco.

If the students are serious about leaving the sign up, all they need to do is physically block its removal. It will be interesting to see how determined they are.

These stories usually fizzle out, though, with the ACLU having its way.

[TheMole]

Atheist Communist Lawyers Union

or maybe

Anti-American Communist Lawyers Union

[WOSG]

"God Bless America" bad, but teenage abortion on demand good, says ACLU Dimwit Leftwingnut Lawyer

Just so you know where this intolerant Crone comes from ...

Abrotion Case argued by Margaret Crosby

So kids are not allowed to see the words God Bless America in a school, but are allowed to abort without their mos and dads knowing.

This is the America the ACLU wants to create. How wretched!

[bettina0]

"Stella Richardson, media relations director for the ACLU of Northern California, said, "It is entirely unprecedented" for a school not to take down a message such as Breen displays." Poor Ms. Richardson is going to have her work cut out for her if other public schools decide to post the sign. She is so absolutely AMAZED that this school won't knuckle under to the wishes of the ACLU. A new day is dawning, Stella.

[TheMole]

I guess Irving Berlin was a member of the Christian Right in the eyes of the ACLU. Amazing.

That's correct. When he wrote God Bless America he became a member of the Christian Right. After he did White Christmas it was the Christian Far Right.

[WOSG]

LOL!!!

[ikanakattara]

I can just imagine it - "Why aren't they cowering before us? Why won't they do as we say? Where are we going to find a judge to slap them with an injunction?" Answer: nowhere...

[Amelia]

Post #13:

Wow, a public school that is civic minded and shows some patriotic pride. This is so unusual for this type of institution.

Post #12:

I am a school photographer in WA state. I have seen many schools with "God Bless America" on their school or district signs.

I don't think it's all that unusual; I think the BAD ones, or the bad teachers or administrators at some schools, are the ones that get most of the publicity. I'm glad to see one of the good schools getting a little coverage as well.

[Amelia]

I might add that one reason some schools do things FReepers disapprove of is because of fear of just this sort of lawsuit. Even if the suits are stupid, it takes a lot of time and taxpayer dollars to fight them, and historically schools that have tried to fight have lost.

I think in particular of my former 6th grade teacher, who was also a family friend. She, the school, and the district were sued because a parent was offended at the teacher reading the class a Bible story each morning. (The mother who sued was arrested in a bar brawl several weeks after winning the lawsuit.)

Hopefully, you are correct, and a new day is dawning.

[Patriotic Rich]

The ACLU,just like a rabid animal, needs to be put down. They are a domestic enemy!

[gwmoore]

Everything the ACLU touches gets ruined. Having had a look at the link to the school webpages, I can see this looked like a typical "CA Kook" operation, complete with "sensitivity", "how to be a good victim" (their anti-bully "training?!?!??)

I, for one am pleased to see that some of the other side have finally started to come to their senses again, and who knows, they may actually learn something useful about conservative values along the way. If the events of 9/11 were tragic, they also proved a watershed opportunity for a true test of liberal vs conservative values. The conservative beliefs of ours held up, and were proven to be true values, and made stronger with every moment, as they have for generations, and will remain so for generations, while the liberal arguements were shown for what they are, specious and transparent lies, which could not stand against even a miniscule dose of patriotism.

God Bless Breen Elementary School

Keep the Faith for Freedom

Greg

[Abn1508]

"It must be replaced immediately,"

Legal terrorism indeed. Not "it would be helpful if it were replaced" or "this message is questionable" (neither of which I agree with by the way.) No, the ACLU, a bunch of unelected, unannointed liberal bed-wetters of the highest order, ORDERED the school to remove it. As if the ACLU, and not the California Department of Education nor yet the school district nor, God forbid, the parents of that school district, was in charge of every aspect of those children's education.

This is really getting me peeved.