[mc6809e]

Cutting the mic effectively negates the speech. It's the girl's point of view, for crying out loud.

So what? She can express her point of view all she wants, but she's not allowed to use public resources to do it, especially to a captive audience.

Are you really going to align yourself with the North Koreans who are obviously running the graduations?

If I were aligned with the North Koreans, I'd be the kind of person that thought the purpose of school was to force my religious views on a captive audience during an official state ceremony. Oh, and I would get one of my best students to deliver the official message.

[jwalsh07]

You don't know what you're talking about but if you'd care to know you can read the SCOTUS decision in Tinker.

To wit:

School administrators can only prohibit protected speech by students when it "materially and substantially interfere[s] with the requirements of appropriate discipline in the operation of the school."

Prohibiting a valedictorian from mentioning or witnessing during her speech is CENSORSHIP clown.

[Rodm]

This student is making more of an impact for Christ by being willing to stand alone. The school can turn off the mic but they can't dim the Light of the Lord Jesus Christ reflected in her life.

[VegasCowboy]

She can express her point of view all she wants, but she's not allowed to use public resources to do it, especially to a captive audience.

What is the point of a valedictory speech? Isn't it to have the highest achieving student in each class present a point of view? Your viewpoint tells me you don't think anyone should be allowed to speak on any subject at a graduation, as they would undoubtedly "use public resources" to "express a point of view."

[markman46]

sorry you are wrong, as taxpayers the mike belongs to the citizens and parents, not the goverment school officals

[wintertime]

So what? She can express her point of view all she wants, but she's not allowed to use public resources to do it, especially to a captive audience.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It is neither proper or right for public resources to be used to undermine or suppress religious expression. Our First Amendment does not guarantee free speech, free press, free assembly and free expression of religion except at a government school.

Our state constitutions also uphold First Amendment rights. That they also mandate compulsory attendance government schools is an internal conflict with their documents.

The following is an excellent essay explaining why government schools are unconstitutional on a state and federal level:

http://www.newswithviews.com/Stuter/stuter9.htm

[Shimmer128]

Why don't the teachers and principal just write the speeches for them then???
Why invite someone to give a speech and then cut it off in the middle for mentioning God and giving thanks to a higher power??
Listen to yourselves! this is just crazy!