Nonviolence rally debate turns nasty; Board rejects proposal

Pensacola News Journal ^ | PUBLISHED WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2002 | Jenny LaCoste

[Eagle Eye]

What started out as an idea to promote nonviolence among high school students using locally born sports celebrities sparked heated controversy at the Escambia County School Board's Tuesday meeting.

From concerns about loss of academic time and the opportunity to proselytize to accusations of discrimination and comparisons to Nazi attacks on Jewish businesses and synagogues, the debate culminated in a 3-2 vote to reject a request to allow the "Ultimate Pep Rally" to occur on school time.

[Eagle Eye]

Escambia County. This county recently had 4 of 5 County Commissioners ousted and indicted. This county has the ONLY schools that have had state approved vouchers due to chronically failing schools. This county's schools, again, are well below other areas. It would seem that a little 'faith' might be appropriate considering the circumstances.

The article didn't mention this, but the father of Rachel Scott (who died in the Colombine shootings) is also supposed to be a speaker.

I thn

The site for Escambia County School Board was not working at post time.

Remember, The Rev. Jack Murray of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church spoke against the rally, comparing the situation to Kristallnacht!!

Holy Trinity Espiscopal Church
850 N. Blue Angel Parkway
Pensacola, FL
850-456=5474

[Eagle Eye]

You might appreciate this.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The Escambia County School Board is one f****ed up collection of bigots and idiots.

[Eagle Eye]

3 of 5 anyway. The local ACLU is behind this.

[AppyPappy]

The Rev. Jack Murray of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Back to the altar boys, Rev Murray.

[Eagle Eye]

I believe that the board members may be reached with this format and I'm sure that they would appreciate supportive input: jdewitt@escambia.k12.fl.us

lfinkelstein@escambia.k12.fl.us

ejenkins@escambia.k12.fl.us

jpaul@escambia.k12.fl.us

cstidham@escambia.k12.fl.us

gbergosh@escambia.k12.fl.us

[Eagle Eye]

Comparing Athletes in Action to NAZI's? He needs to lay off the communion wine for a while.

[AppyPappy]

Isn't the Rev guilty of a hate crime?

[Dr. I. C. Spots]

How DARE these Faith Based (no doubt those Christians, again) people, to come into a school free of charge and teach our kids about kindness, compassion and love, just who do they think they are? As if we need to learn about good sportsmanship! I say we start a new school club: BASH- Bigots Against Sincere Help. We can always get some Radical Islamic speakers in to teach our kids how to love each other. These people get results just look how peaceably they live with their neighbors in the Middle East. I’m surprised that the school board didn’t punch these “peace-nics” out for wanting to teach non-violence. What is this country coming to?

[Eagle Eye]

We can always get some Radical Islamic speakers in to teach our kids how to love each other.

As I understand it, not long ago the same school system bussed kids during school hours to see a presentation by Muhammed Ali. But then, he's not Christian, is he?

[Dr. I. C. Spots]

And let's not forget that, that was educational and by no means a waste good time that could otherwise be spent teach the three R's. I'm sure Mr. Ali taught them some good non-violence moves of his own. (the "Rope-a-Dope seems to work well on liberal school board members).

[Eagle Eye]

Next door neighbor bumps.

The ACLU is already screwing things up around here.

[Eagle Eye]

The ACLU can meet inside a county school but an assembly is off limits if the word "faith" is used.

ACLU Panhandle Chapter (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties)

Chapter Chair: Susan Watson
Phone: (850) 433-5753

The Panhandle Chapter meets the fourth Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in Room 225 of Washington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola. The mailing address is: ACLU of Florida, Panhandle Chapter, P.O. Box 30353, Pensacola, FL 32503-1353.

[strela]

Godfrey and Chris Sawyer, both local businessmen, came up with the idea of the rally about a year ago and have commitments from several sports celebrities, including Jay Bell, Travis Fryman, Derrick Brooks, Joe Durant and Roy Jones Jr.

Who? I've never heard of any of these "celebrities."

[Eagle Eye]

These are all local guys. But you've never heard of Roy Jones, Jr. the boxer? Or Derrick Brooks the Buccaneers linbacker? Joe Durant, money winning touring golf pro? Professional baseball players Jay Bell or Travis Fryman?

[Eagle Eye]

Cited as the best ‘Pound for Pound’ fighter in the world, Jones is the undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. Additionally, Jones has recently been awarded the Lifetime Achievement award by the WBC...

Roy Jones Jr.

[strela]

I know Tyson, Ali, Foreman, and Frazier. That's about it from the sweet science - I'm not a big fan.

[Lanman]

Thanks for the bump. This is about what I would expect.

[blam]

Just let me know when you need me to come over there and what I need to do when I get there.

[Eagle Eye]

Thanks. I know I can count on you.

The local talk radio host is all over this, has been for a few days. He has no use for the ACLU, either.