October 3 should be interesting. Apparently it is “Bring Your Bible to School Day.”
Presumably, Muslim students will bring their Koran. Jewish students will bring a facsimile of a Torah. Mormon students will bring the Book of Mormon. And other religious groups will bring their sacred texts.
Will it remind everyone that religious activity belongs in houses of religious worship, not in the public school?
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September 23, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Students Bring Bibles to School
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — More than half a million students from across the United States will participate in the sixth annual Bring Your Bible to School movement on Thursday, October 3, 2019.
Though the First Amendment guarantees students the right to discuss their beliefs and read the Bible at school, Bring Your Bible to School day provides a unified opportunity for young people to share their faith at school without fear.
Throughout the day, students can share their experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #BringYourBible.
The Constitution allows students the religious freedom to bring their Bibles or other religious books to school and read them during free time. Students can even use the Bible in a class assignment if they do so in a way that is relevant to the subject matter and meets the requirements of the assignment. Students can voluntarily express their personal and religious beliefs to their classmates through verbal or written expressions if they follow school policy and do not engage in these activities during classroom or instruction time. The First Amendment also guarantees students the right to pray individually or in groups on school grounds during any non-instructional time. All students may express their opinions verbally or in writing before or after school, in between classes, during the lunch hour or on the playing field, according to the federal guidelines on prayer in public schoolsfound on Liberty Counsel’s website.
Liberty Counsel’s Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “Liberty Counsel supports all students who exercise their constitutional right to bring their Bibles to school on Bring Your Bible to School day and throughout the academic year. Schools must remain neutral towards any expression of a religious viewpoint and provide equal access to students exercising their right to freedom of speech by praying or reading the Bible during non-instructional time,” said Staver.
Liberty Counsel is a nonprofit, litigation, education, and policy organization dedicated to advancing religious freedom, the sanctity of life, and the family since 1989, by providing pro bono assistance and representation on these and related topics. Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost. |
Liberty Counsel, P.O. Box 540774, Orlando, FLORIDA 32854, United States
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Hey man, I’m for this, totally. Since when did we ban the science-fiction/fantasy genre? (Sorry to those who are strong in their faith, that’s merely a shout-out to one of my late heroes and influences, Mr. George Carlin. God, I miss him. We need him now more than ever.)
Who is in charge of such discussions? Children can write out what they believe? Isn’t this veering off into places we should not be entering? Do children know enough about their faiths to really have a serious discussion with their friends? What I believed in grade school through high school has changed tremendously over the years. I had catechism classes and no real instruction after that. I would not have wanted some friend to start telling me what I should be believing.
This whole idea is stupid. Are the Evangelical kids going to seriously listen to the Islamic children? If adults can’t have a decent discussion why put this on children? I see this as a ‘sneak religion into the schools’…one step at a time.
Students can voluntarily express their personal and religious beliefs to their classmates through verbal or written expressions if they follow school policy and do not engage in these activities during classroom or instruction time. Schools must remain neutral towards any expression of a religious viewpoint and provide equal access to students exercising their right to freedom of speech by praying or reading the Bible during non-instructional time,” said Staver.
Is Liberty Counsel aligned in purpose with Napa Institute’s new project providing legal expertise about religious issues?
“Do children know enough about their faiths to really have a serious discussion with their friends?”
I would urge caution there. That’s the same condescending attitude the right-wingers cop when students walk out of classes to protest things like too much testing. “They were put up to that by their parents. They don’t know enough to do that on their own.”
Give kids credit for their own actions, even if you don’t like what they do. Sure, kids are not generally very deep in their faith and that faith may very well change over their lives (I would certainly hope so anyway), but that doesn’t mean they are incapable of discussing faith on their own.
dienne77″: Let them discuss this outside of the school and not on school property. How many, on their own, will do that? Only the most heavily indoctrinated who ‘know they have the answers to everything.’
Carol. You would be amazed at how many of my 18th and 9th graders can fluently discuss their faith. After all, there are several faith traditions where young people at 11 or 12 or 13 take on aspects if their fair’s liturgy. Think bar and bat mitzvahs, altar boys and girls, etc. Kids are a lot more conversant than you might think on these matters.
It’s doubtful that the cheerful boys from a Ky. Catholic high school who were videotaped (incident went viral), after participating in a religiously driven anti-abortion event in D.C., knew the consequences to their mothers and sisters from medically-risky pregnancies or, the amount of their sisters’ suffering if impregnated by rape or incest, or how they themselves would feel about fatherhood at age 13.
If those topics come up as a result of “Bring Your Bible to School Day”- that’s great. Unlikely?
This is another manipulation of the Christian right to interject religion into the “Godless” public schools. Most students and teachers will ignore this stunt. Bringing religious books may turn out to be more divisive than unifying. Isn’t this the goal of so-called reformers? Disruption at any opportunity!
A new program to keep children from learning how to read for years.
(I).The school districts new reading program “SIPPS (Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words)” they are claiming “is a research-based decoding intervention program proven to help new and struggling readers in grades K–12 build skills and confidence for fluent, independent reading.” “The SIPPS program provides a structured literacy approach to foundational skills instruction through explicit instructional routines focused on phonological awareness, spelling-sounds, and sight words.”
Questions to ask:
1. What “…research-based…” Was done by whom? Where is the data? How long was this research done? On how many students? 2. They call it a “…decoding intervention program…” How can it be a decoding intervention program when it is “Phonics, and Sight Words”? 3. Is the testing based on any “…sight words” reading? 4. It is based on “struggling readers in grades K–12”. How do you have “struggling readers in grades…” 3rd to “…-12”? Where was the school districts when the 3rd to 12th graders did not learn to have “…confidence for fluent, independent reading.”? What reading programs failed all these students? 5. What are the “…structured literacy approach…” is it:
“whole-language approach strives to teach children to read words as whole pieces of language. Influenced by the Constructivist Theory, proponents of the whole-language methodology believe that children draw from their perspective and prior experiences to form the framework for new knowledge. This form of instruction is taught using a holistic approach, meaning that children do not learn to break down sounds individually but to take words at face value and associate them with prior knowledge. Think of it as the way we learn to speak a language. So, if a child sees the word “dog” written enough times with a picture of a dog he or she will then associate that word, in it’s entirety, with the idea of a dog.” 6. What are the “…explicit instructional routines…”? Are they science based like in Orton-Gillingham Reading Approach? 7. Who created the “…explicit instructional routines…”? Dr. Orton a neurologist and Dr. Gillingham a PHD in education created the structured program called Orton-Gillingham. 8. Does this program meet the requirements to be a scientifically based literacy instruction reading approach?
§300.226 Early intervening services (b) Activities. In implementing coordinated, early intervening services under this section, an LEA may carry out activities that include—(1) Professional development (which may be provided by entities other than LEAs) for teachers and other school staff to enable such personnel to deliver scientifically based academic and behavioral interventions, including scientifically based literacy instruction, and, where appropriate, instruction on the use of adaptive and instructional software; (2) Providing educational and behavioral evaluations, services, and supports, including scientifically based literacy instruction.
(II). It is claimed this program is: “Aligned with the RTI/MTSS Framework SIPPS aligns with the RTI/MTSS framework (Response to Intervention-Multi-tiered System of Support) and can be used across all three tiers.” 9. Is this program being used to delay, evade and deny evaluating children with dyslexia, neurological and reading disabilities?
There is no limit on how many years they can try this program before they decided it is not working. If your child is in this program you need to do a written referral for evaluation under IDEA 2004. Any questions I am a free special education advocate and can help you do a written referral. Linda D. Montalbano 352-282-2539 urania32@hotmail.com
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Napa Institute has an offshoot with legal experts available for religious issues, also. National Catholic Reporter wrote about Napa Institute’s founder, Tim Busch, who expanded Tom Monaghan’s Legatus organization to thousands of members. It was founded for Catholic members who qualified based on income received as CEO’s of companies.
When the religious right’s favorite Professor, Robert George, spoke at Ave Maria (Monaghan’s town) to the Legatus Summit he addressed the audience, “For Catholics and Evangelicals…the opportunities for worldly advancement we cherish…”
Robert George will be receiving an award named after Pope John Paul II from the Catholic Information Center in Washington D.C. More about that organization can be found with information about Opus Dei priest, Rev. McCloskey who is credited with converting Gov. Brownback, Newt Gingrich and, the Director of Trump’s Economic Advisor Council. McCloskey was described in an article as “The Catholic Church’s K Street Lobbyist”. It is reported that he said a liberal Catholic is an oxymoron.
Evangelicals and Catholics are in about equal numbers in the nation. 80% of evangelicals voted for Trump and about 60% of white Catholics voted for Trump. William Barr, raised Catholic, said, “We should press at every turn for the inclusion of religious institutions.”. His former speechwriter is currently an Opus Dei priest.
Critics say that Robert George has turned the Catholic Church into a tool of the Republican Party. Media reported Steve Bannon, Catholic, coordinated political phone ads with phones that had been in Catholic churches. Bannon is seeking a site in Vatican City for his campaign to get right wing politicians elected in Europe (Bannon’s early benefactors were Robert and Rebekah Mercer).
Robert George, in a speech harkened back to a time in the 60’s when there were jurisdictions that prohibited the sale, distribution and use of contraceptives and referenced the view that contraception opened the flood gates of promiscuity, adultery, divorce.
It’s projected, based on current demographics, that 95% of GOP House members will be white men, in 2020.
The school privatization activities of Sean Fieler (funder of the Femm Fertility App) and Frank Hanna III have been reported by media.
Pope Francis said, paraphrasing, he was honored by the opposition from American prosperity, right wing Catholics. Francis and our nation would be helped by the awareness of citizens about the threat poised by TWO sizable religious groups who are a coalition putting their religious views ahead of democracy.
Six of the Supreme Court justices are Catholic.
I thought they were Corporate , given Citizens United and all.
Theocrats drag democracy and the common good to the altar of the oligarchs, for sacrifice and profit taking.
And, the sheeple remain oblivious watching Netflix and buying from Amazon.
An amazing place to find research- AWrenchintheGears.com.
Christine- thanks for the work you do to save public education.
Aww, making me blush, Linda.
You’re no slouch yourself!
Christine Langhoff: Unfortunately, being Catholic doesn’t mean that they care about helping people. Barr is a conservative Catholic who supports Trump. I’d say the teachings of Jesus to care for others didn’t affect his thinking. No religion supports lying and Trump has lied over 12,000 times.
Attorney General Barr has some links with highly secretive, ultra-conservative Catholic group Opus Dei. Opus Dei is concerned with the economic self-interest of “friends” who already have superfluous wealth and power, often at the expense of the economically less powerful. Barr may be a “Supernumerary” (married member) or simply a “cooperator (sympathetic non-member)”; what his exact standing is with the organization is unclear.
How many in Congress have put aside their religious beliefs to support the corruption being done by Trump? The Evangelicals support Trump because of a prosperity gospel…God gave to Trump because he deserves wealth.
Pence was a Catholic. Now he is a religious zealot who probably would be worse than Trump if he had control of the presidency.
There are Catholics who truly work to help others. Mother Theresa is a very good example.
Trump and Barr belong to a new religion that worships power and money and encourages lying because the ends justify the means.
Oh, I didn’t mean it in a good way!
One of them is Kavanaugh. The rest: Gorsuch, Roberts, Thomas, Alito and Sotomayor.
One of these things is not like the others.
I did an internet search of the Acton Institute and Jewish. Established American religions are courted because there is an agenda. Steve Bannon’s goals and their appeal to populists and nationalists like Trump should be feared by all all Christians and Jews.
An article at Acton,”A Jewish Perspective: The Market, Justice and Charity”, cites Hayek. The article concludes that the Bible says nothing about social justice. It prescribes “the primacy of economic liberty, entrepreneurial freedom and free and voluntary exchange of products and exchanges.” Further, the article concludes that the Bible supports trickle down economics not the message of Lincoln about others eating the bread for which workers toil.
The understanding reflected in 80% of Jewish people voting for the Democratic presidential candidate in 2016 reflects wisdom.
Linda,
Sarah Sanders said recently that the Second Amendment is a “God-given right,” so I hope you found the source for that in the Bible. I don’t recall whether God specifically mentioned AK-47s and AR-15s. Probably.
No doubt Acton, Liberty and Legatus will find a way to spin Sanders’ pronouncement as accurate. Ohio politicians prevented guns in the statehouse despite the GOP claim that universally carried guns provide protection.
GOP and hypocrisy are synonyms. GOP and lying are synonyms.
Lake County Court house, located in Crown Point, IN also doesn’t allow guns inside. There is a sign posted at the entrance. BUT, here is a gun show in the same city. Kids under 12 can come FREE!
Crown Point Gun & Knife Show
Nov 23rd – 24th, 2019
Lake County Fairgrounds
889 South Court St.
Crown Point, IN 46307
Contact:Dan
Phone:(765)_______
Hours:Sat 9-5, Sun 9 -3
Admission: $5.00
Kids 12 & under are FREE!
Under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Law Enforcement get in FREE !
The Crown Point Gun & Knife Show will be held on Nov 23rd – 24th, 2019 with more shows on Dec 28th – 29th, 2019 in Crown Point, IN. This Crown Point gun show is held at the Lake County Fairgrounds and is promoted by Central Indiana Gun Shows. All federal, state and local firearm laws and ordinances must be followed.
Food is available offering breakfast and lunch.
FREE Parking at every show.
* Dates may be subject to change. Our website will stay updated at all times.
Is this really the best way begin 5780?
LOL!!!
Bernie 5781!
LeftCoastTeacher: I had NO idea what 5780 or 5781 meant. Now that I know here is what I feel should happen: ‘FEEL THE BERN IN 5781″.
Rock the Tanakh!
What are the agnostics and atheists to do?
Bring a blank book.
Or Inherit the Wind or Origin of the Species.
Make a bonfire?
“Though the First Amendment guarantees students the right to discuss their beliefs and read the Bible at school, Bring Your Bible to School day provides a unified opportunity for young people to share their faith at school without fear.”
Yes, Xtians are sooo persecuted. It must be really hard to be the majority. Fortunately, according to the Bible, you get extra brownie points for being so persecuted.
Schools are equipped with airport bible detectors, and random searches for bibles are conducted regularly. Reading and flag salutes “under God” at school are strictly prohibited, punishable by witch trial. There are drills twice annually where students and faculty practice lock down procedures for active tutelars. Anyone who conceal carries a bible definitely should fear, fear like it’s the Inquisition.
I used to work on airport Bible detectors.
That’s a very difficult technical problem. A lot of false positives. For example , Stephen King novels used to make them alarm.
Chuckles.
I was being serious
You’re toooo goood!
SDP, that must have been a fun assignment. Is it used anywhere?
I know for a fact that it is (or at least was) used at the Gates of Hell, cuz I installed their machine for them.
Our company made a lot on consumables on that client.
The 14k gold religious jewelry protects the Republican women
from (1) the persecution of having their wombs forced to be available for egg fertilization and birth and, (2) the unfairness of being represented in the U.S. House by 184 males (95% of the GOP seats) ..wait…
I wonder if anyone will come with the second Helvetic Confession? Maybe a Papal Bull? How about a cannon? Could I bring my guitar and sing “Build me a Cabin in Glory”? Maybe the Bagvad Gita Book of Mark Q’ran. I think I will stick to that biography of William Wiberforce I found in the church library this morning.
The Smithsonian is selling copies of the Jeffersonian Bible. I think I am going to buy one, but not necessarily from The Smithsonian.
… “Jefferson was devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ. But he didn’t always agree with how they were interpreted by biblical sources, including the writers of the four Gospels, whom he considered to be untrustworthy correspondents. So Jefferson created his own gospel by taking a sharp instrument, perhaps a penknife, to existing copies of the New Testament and pasting up his own account of Christ’s philosophy, distinguishing it from what he called “the corruption of schismatizing followers.” …
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/how-thomas-jefferson-created-his-own-bible-5659505/
Jefferson prolly didn’t like the part of the Bible that said “Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s female slaves”
LOL
That was a good one.
“Hidden Room Of Thomas Jefferson’s Mansion Solves 200-Year-Old Mystery”
Skip to #7
A controversy 200 years in the making
Let’s rewind the clock 200 years to the time of Jefferson. A political journalist who wrote for a Richmond newspaper, James T. Callender, wrote an inflammatory report on Jefferson with the intent to slander his name. The primary allegation in the report suggested that Jefferson had started a relationship with a woman after his wife died.
In and of itself, not too bad of an accusation. But things heated up as Callender further asserted that Jefferson had started a relationship with a slave girl who had been on the plantation from a very young age. Callender referred to the girl as Jefferson’s “concubine.”
Then to #10
The slave believed to be Jefferson’s “concubine” (as Callender described her) was 16-year-old Sally Hemings. Sally Hemings was the half-sister of Martha Jefferson—Thomas Jefferson’s wife. Much of Hemings’s life was shrouded in mystery for over 200 years. It wasn’t until recently that historians looked a little closer into the life of the woman who lived on the Jefferson plantation in Virginia.
Despite her connection to the First Lady, Hemings was dealt a different hand in life. She was half African American and half white. Unlike Mrs. Jefferson, Sally was born into slavery. She arrived at the Jefferson plantation at a very young age. As such, she was tasked with labor within the Jefferson household.
And there is more …
https://www.history101.com/jeffersonhemmings/
Bring your Bible to School Day in Rhode Island- how do Christ’s teachings reconcile with Lt. Gov. Dan McKee’s campaign donations from the Sackers? McKee’s a DFER favorite. It’s reported that Betsy praises him behind closed doors.
Hedge funds love R.I. Gov. Gina Raimondo who heads the Demographic Governors Association- presumably she’s a prosperity Catholic sending her kids to Catholic schools and hoping the taxpayers will foot the bill.
The conservative Democratic machine runs R.I. The Catholic Church has “long played an outsized role in R.I.”. Not surprising that two representatives from the Providence Catholic diocese are on the board of the school choice, Rhode Island Scholarship Alliance (also a representative of a Christian Academy and a Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island).
Catholic priest Bernard Healey is unusually active in state policy. And, he’s a RISA board member.
Fully expected- McKee was trained at the Kennedy School of Government, where the religion is Neo-liberal trickle down economics- proven not to work.
Destroying the common good and concentrating wealth under the banner of religion.
https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/liberty-counsel
This hate group pretends to be persecuted while in reality, the group persecutes others, The Southern Poverty Law Center details some of their discriminatory prejudices as they wave the flag and the Bible.
Thanks for the info.
Americans need to reflect deeply these days, about who we are as a nation and the larger purpose of a free society. We need to think about how we were created, where we’ve gotten it right as a country, where we’ve gotten it wrong, and our responsibility to right what is wrong and pave the way to a better future. We need a spirit of national atonement, in which we reconcile with our deepest principles.
Let’s have reverence for those in the past who, with their own struggles, created greater possibilities for all Americans. As citizens of this country now, may we do in our time what they did in theirs.
To all of you, Shana Tovah. May your days ahead be filled with wonder.
With love,
Marianne Williamson
The Supreme Court has ruled that the Holy Bible (and other religious texts) can be studied as literature. See Abingdon v. Schempp (1963)
https://www.oyez.org/cases/1962/142
For some time, I have advocated teaching comparative religions, and religious literature in public schools. Academician Stephen Prothero, has been pushing for religious literacy for many years. see
You state ” Presumably, Muslim students will bring their Koran. Jewish students will bring a facsimile of a Torah. Mormon students will bring the Book of Mormon. And other religious groups will bring their sacred texts.” Why would you think this? These other texts are not the Holy Bible, and the event on Oct 3, does not involve students from other religions bringing their texts to school.
I do not see any such activity occurring. But I would like to see more students learning the fundamentals of the world’s various religions. Our nation is a pluralistic society, and we cherish our splendid tradition of religious freedom. Very few nations prohibit their government from restricting the free exercise of religion.
The Holy Qu’Ran is one of the finest examples of early Arabic prose available. The Hindu Vedas are beautiful Sanskrit poetry. A public school education should include a grounding in the understanding of the religions which have impacted Western Civilization.
Unless you have a basic understanding of Christianity, you will have serious difficulty grasping the Protestant Reformation, the establishment of the Church of England, the Crusades, and many other major historical events.
“We must learn to live together as brothers, or we will surely perish as fools” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Clearly, with a fool as president, we are perishing.
Luckily, half a million students is only 1% of the total student population.
Any protests planned?
Let me add something with which many, perhaps most will disagree, strongly disagree etc.
I taught choral music in high school. I did a “Christmas” program. The first 2/3 was secular, a production if you will. Snowfall, scenics. Santa claus etc. The last 1/3 was sacred. We even did a candlelight processional with scenic s there also. We decorated the auditorium to add to the aura. We did the great choral literature of Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, folk, and spirituals. We usually did a cantata, Bach or otherwise. It was a most memorable experience for my students, tears et al., still remembered as a highlight of their H. S. experience.
It was my hope that EXPERIENCING the very best literature in all of these that we would give an experience to fight bigotry, foment understanding that there is beauty in all cultures, religions. Yes, I did not do Jewish music THEN. I did it at other times, the Sh,ma Yisroeyl, Eli Eli [one of the truly memorable performances we did], Song of Galilee etc, the great literature of Judaism. I still am unfamiliar with great choral literature of Buddhism and Islam.
I had an associate who was Jewish. Not knowing this one time I commented that I worked harder on the Jewish literature than for Christian. [Most of my students were Christian.] It was vitally important that Christians had a great experience with Judaism as it was vice versa. At that point he told me he was Jewish.
I still fervently believe I was right although I caught a lot of flack for doing too much religious music. I told my superintendent that if I were to do the great choral literature that up to the 20th century that the great choral literature written by the great composers was primarily religious in tone although much is not suitable for church services, the music forms, mass etc were often used as a music form.
I strongly believe that there is no better place to teach understanding, fight bigotry [on all sides] than in the public schools. If not there, where? Where else will students from all sides have the opportunity to EXPERIENCE the greatness of other cultures, including religions.
I recently went to a screening of the 1942 film “Mrs. Miniver” with Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon. It is a wonderful film in many ways. It was released in 1942, when the conclusion of the war was by no means certain. People’s lives and their civilization was on the line. It ends in a bombed out village church where everyone is singing “Onward Christian Soldiers” with great passion to express their determination to oppose the rising tide of barbarism. Although I am Jewish, I knew the song very well because I learned it in public school in Texas and sang along with gusto.
Indeed. When we share in the great “truths” and beauty found in other cultures we expand our “parameters of perspective”. Our outlook on life becomes broader, more inclusive. I do not have to be Catholic nor believe that Mary is the mother of God” but when I sing the Ave Maria and see the beauty in that culture I understand better my friends who do. Likewise with the Sh’ma. To experience the majesty and power of “Hear O Israel, the lord thy God is one”, I am enriched. Ad infinitum. Beauty, basic truths within the parameters of which those truths exist in all cultures as well as the less desirable traits.. To me to open up to this beauty etc is what real education is about.]
I recently heard of someone who, [in their profound ignorance] did not wish to use Arabic numerals. They were Arabic, ergo must not be good. How our world is being destroyed by such ignorance and narrow mindedness.
The ONLY time I ever remember yelling at a student, [it was not the best way to handle it] was when in jr. high i was teaching a Negro Spiritual and some boy said he was not going to sing that N….. song. I would not have the power to change that bigots mind but I could try.
Communist Manifesto anyone? It does talk about a specter after all.
Typical Koch network messaging – every plan that is not beneficial to the richest 0.1% is communism or socialism. The tribes of the prosperity Catholics and evangelicals are more self-serving- stupid
than millennials are. The latter understand binary choices are propaganda.
This comes from the WH:
“I want to urge everybody who’s fair to never use the word ‘impeachment’ for the current political process, because it has nothing to do with an impeachment. This is a legislative coup d’etat. It is an effort by the hard left, the news media, and the deep state to destroy the president chosen by the American people. This is a project they’ve been involved in since election night 2016,” former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich writes for Fox News. “No one should be confused by the current phony, one-sided partisan effort. It’s not in any way an impeachment process. It is a denial of the American Constitution [and] a repudiation of the American people’s choice of president.”
“the president chosen by the American people”
If this wasn’t so serious and shitty, I’d be laughing at another Trump lie. The want-to-be emperor of Trumpistan and founder of the Trump Dynasty was not chosen by the American people. Trumplestilskin lost the popular vote by almost three million and won with through the Electoral College with a lot of help from Russia.
The Urban Dictionary even has a definition for Trumplestilskin.
“Pretty much the opposite of Rumplestiltskin, he wants EVERYBODY to know his name. He has a daughter that can spin bricks into walls. The only thing he has in common with Rumplestiltskin is that he is greedy.”
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=trumplestiltskin
I have a friend that defends Trump because Trump is the president. He says Trump is everyone’s president even if we don’t like it. He said, Trump needs our support and respect so he can do his job. That is his only defense of Trump, and he does NOT think Trump is the Chosen One.
My response: “The Founding Fathers wrote this short thing called the Oath of Office in the U.S. Constitution and Donald Trump lied when he took that Oath. Donald Trump breaks that Oath every day.
“Donald Trump is not my president. He will never be my president, and when the Civil War that Trump wants, to keep him in office for life, explodes across the country, I will not be fighting for Donald Trump. I will be fighting to save the U.S. Constitution.”
Well, Trump was chosen by the Electoral College, and hence his presidency has been made possible by the Constitution. The founding fathers screwed up.
I agree. The Founding Fathers screwed up with this one. The United States is the only country in the world with an Electoral College like the one we are stuck with.
I have been reading the Federalist Papers. The one explaining the Electoral College says it is to be composed of the “best men,” who will assure that frauds and con men never ascend to the Presidency. Wrong!
This, I think, is a fundamental error in making up laws: trying to rely on people’s good intentions. The electoral college in most states is complete formality: all members vote for the winning candidate in the state, even if the difference of the popular vote in the state was just 1 vote. The only job of the electoral college in these states is to decide which candidate got more votes. For this, you don’t have to be a highly capable, morally impaccable person. You can be a 3rd grader.
It’s well known (and is easily verifiable) that with this Electoral College system we have here, the winning candidate for the presidency needs to have only 20% of the popular vote. Let’s think about that and try to digest it. I certainly haven’t been able to.
Carol
Newt Gingrich’s wife is ambassador to the Vatican. Irony.
The Gingriches can help Steve Bannon find his location in Vatican City from which to get right wing politicians elected in Europe using American wealth that belongs to labor.
Life has to SO hard for trans children. I know one really kind fellow who says that gays and trans people go against the bible. He follows the bible and teaches religion classes.
………………………………………………..
Fired teacher who wouldn’t use trans student’s pronouns sues
WEST POINT, Va. (October 1, 2019) — A Virginia high school teacher who was fired for refusing to use a transgender student’s new pronouns has filed a lawsuit.The Washington Post reports that Peter Vlaming is suing West Point Public Schools. The system is outside Richmond.Vlaming says his rights to speak freely and exercise his religion were violated. The suit states that Vlaming “sincerely believes that referring to a female as a male by using an objectively male pronoun is telling a lie.”The French teacher was fired in December. He had told superiors at West Point High School that his religion prevented him from using male pronouns for a student who had informed the school of his transition during the summer.The district did not immediately respond to newspaper’s requests for comment.
https://onenewsnow.com/ap/legal/fired-teacher-who-wouldnt-use-trans-students-pronouns-sues#.XZO87Vxk86I.gmail
Looks like this teacher has chosen his religion over his job. In a free country, he’s allowed to make that choice.
There are crazy people wandering around. This is how Trump’s spread of hatred is affecting people.
……….
Islamic propaganda in schools … and activist is tired of it
Tuesday, October 1, 2019
A pro-Israel activist is fed up with Islamic indoctrination in America’s public schools and has taken her fight to Washington, DC.
Laurie Cardoza-Moore is president of Proclaiming Justice to the Nations. Last week she went to Capitol Hill to meet with key members of Congress to educate them on the crisis she argues the nation is facing with the education of its children.Cardoza-Moore says in too many cases, lawmakers are “totally in the dark” on propaganda she says is “being peddled” to America’s schoolchildren with the support of the federal government…
https://onenewsnow.com/education/2019/10/01/islamic-propaganda-in-schools-and-activist-is-tired-of-it#.XZO-fgWxJD8.gmail
“Betsy DeVos’ DOE threatens to cut Duke, UNC funding for positive portrayal of Islam”. Salon-9-20-2019