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Quiet, Kids. It's the Law.

Fri Jan 04, 2008 at 01:05:56 PM

This morning we received a media release from Plano-based Liberty Legal Institute, about which I wrote a couple of years back, celebrating U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn's decision today to uphold the state's law mandating that schoolchildren start their mornings with a moment of silence. David and Shannon Croft, who have kids in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district, brought the initial suit -- and they also tried unsuccessfully to get their kids exempt from reciting the Texas Pledge of Allegiance.

In the media release, LLI's Kelly Shackleford calls the Dallas judge's ruling "a victory for everyone who believes in freedom.” Here's the Houston Chronicle's take from moments ago. And for David Croft's take, well, we'll have to wait till the "optihumanist" updates his blog. --Robert Wilonsky

6 Comments:

LaceyB says:

Surprising that they are making such a stink about the moment of silence (a salvation for educators, so long as we aren't making sure students are "enjoying" their moment of silence), especially since Plano ISD still has "God" in the pledge. Richardson ISD does not, and it sounds kinda funny.

religion of bacon says:

How could anyone be offended by starting the day with a brief moment of STFU? Is the idea that someone's being oppressed because they know that someone near them is silently thinking about God? Isn't that a bit paranoid? If you feel oppressed, just silently recite "Booty Juice," or think about the girl sitting in front of you or whatever.

dave little says:

How about if people(including kids) just had a moment of silence when they woke up in the morning? And the best moment of silence winner gets hannah montana tickets.

John says:

Lacey B wrote "especially since Plano ISD still has "God" in the pledge. Richardson ISD does not," I wasnt aware that the RISD got to make up its own version of the pledge. I thought only Congress could do that. This is the stupidest thing ever. The pledge has lost meaning since we are forced to recite it everyday (yes I work in a local district). The Liberty Legal Institute -aka the Your going to Hell institute is desparate to force religion down our throats. The Texas pledge was defiled by that godless sinner who made the change to "one state under God" - because you know if we only get pray back in school - all of our issues will be solved!

Liles says:

Wouldn't it be cool if public schools taught meditation as a required course? No books, pens or paper, just an hour every day sitting in total silence.

Just like detention, without the nimbus cloud of guilt hanging over your head.

Robert says:

While I have no problem with the "moment of silence" silliness (I'm shocked anyone of sound mind gives a crap one way or the other on this "issue"), someone needs to take a good look at Kelly Shackleford and his firm's tactics.

Read some of their federal pleadings and their demands for massive sums of attorneys' fees for doing menial, repetitive tasks. Whenever I read that they are a non-profit organization, it turns my stomach. Start your audit, Observer.

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