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High School Valedictorian Refuse to Bow Down; Has speech censored -
American Family Action ^ | June 22, 2006

Posted on 06/22/2006 10:46:58 AM PDT by UnklGene

High School Valedictorian Refuses to Bow Down; Has Speech Censored

June 21, 2006

Brittany McComb was the valedictorian at Foothill High School recently. She graduated with a 4.7 GPA. She earned the right to address the other graduates at Foothill, located in Henderson, Nevada.

She gave a copy of her graduating speech to the school administrators. It contained some Biblical references and even mentioned (one time) the name “Christ.” The school administrators censored some of the Biblical references. They also censored the single reference to Christ.

Then the school officials handed the speech over to the ACLU for approval and/or more censoring. After getting the OK from the ACLU, Brittany’s speech (minus the censored references to the Bible and Christ) was approved. Brittany was warned that if she deviated from the ACLU approved language, her mike would be cut off.

Then came the moment for the big decision. She would not bow down, she decided. She would go with her original version. She stepped to the mike and began her speech. But just before she could utter the name “Christ,” her mike went dead. School officials silenced her. The crowd of 400 jeered for several minutes, angry at the action of the school officials. The ACLU was happy. They had silenced another Christian.

“I went through four years of school at Foothill and they taught me logic and they taught me freedom of speech. God’s the biggest part of my life. Just like other valedictorians thank their parents, I wanted to thank my lord and savior,” Brittany said.

Because she refused to bow down to the ACLU’s idol of gold, she did not get her wish. She was censored.

This young heroine deserves praise and a thank you from those who believe in free speech.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; US: Nevada
KEYWORDS: 1stamendment; aclu; antichrist; antichristian; bigotry; bowsdowntoaclu; christianstudents; constitution; educashun; education; firstamendment; freedomofspeech; freespeech; freespeechbashing; publicschools; publicscrewl
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To: HitmanLV

Do you have a reputable source confirming that she agreed to the changes? If so, please enlighten us.


41 posted on 06/22/2006 11:45:24 AM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: orionblamblam

***> The ACLU was happy. They had silenced another Christian.***

<<<Really? So... this girl will never speak again?<<<

It's truly a shame that you were unable to understand the implication of the sentence to which you replied. Perhaps we should all type slower to accommodate your comprehension level.

Or perhaps you intended your question as humor. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, but trust you will apologize for your mistake.


42 posted on 06/22/2006 11:45:26 AM PDT by kitkat (The first step down to hell is to deny the existence of evil.)
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To: savedbygrace
Sure - my post #33 references Las Vegas attorney and regular Fox News contributor Bob Massi on the O'R Factor, who related the relevant facts of the case, including the girl being informed of the edits and her agreeing to them.

Consider yourself enlightened.
43 posted on 06/22/2006 11:48:04 AM PDT by HitmanLV ("5 Minute Penalty for #40, Ann Theresa Calvello!" - RIP 1929-2006)
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To: davisfh

with a lot of help from groups like the communist Party USA,
Democratic Party, Ku Klux Klan, And certain churches that
have traded the truth of God for a Lie.Balwin was a smart con.He taught his soldiers to wrap themselves in the flag and pretend they shared the PAtriotic interests of most Americans.


44 posted on 06/22/2006 11:48:08 AM PDT by StonyBurk
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To: HitmanLV
"lying obnoxious pest"? "big whoop" to her accomplishment?

Sheesh- judgemental much? You "reason" like a liberal....big on opinion, but low on logic.

45 posted on 06/22/2006 11:50:52 AM PDT by Sisku Hanne (*Support DIANA IREY for US Congress!* Send "Cut-n-Run" Murtha packing: HIT THE ROAD, JACK!)
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To: HitmanLV
"Big whoop. Nobody much remembers that kind of stuff two weeks later, let alone two years or twenty years. It's the kind of things mom's love, and underachievers in life bring up when they sit at bars alone in the early evening giving the questions on Jeopardy on tv."

Yeah. Freedom sheemdom.

They ought to just stop allowing students to be represented at their own graduation.

In fact they ought to just abolish commencement altogether. Who remembers it, anyways? Unless any event is guaranteed to etched equally and equitably in the minds of every attendee, involved high achievers and losers alike, it should just be done away with.

The schools can just mail out the diplomas to an ACLU-approved list of graduates, since that's all that matters about graduation.

46 posted on 06/22/2006 11:52:52 AM PDT by TheClintons-STILLAnti-American
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To: HitmanLV

***Stuff like this shows that people well along the way to spiritual salvation can, indeed, be obnoxious pests.***

Christ was considered an obnoxious pest by the pharisees.


47 posted on 06/22/2006 11:54:27 AM PDT by kitkat (The first step down to hell is to deny the existence of evil.)
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To: Sisku Hanne
Who said she lied. I explicitly said I don't know if she lied, and suggested that she may have just changed her mind.

Obnoxious pest, yes. Big whoop to being valedictorian, and being so vain as to think it was all about her, yes.

I didn't call her a liar, though. I don't know where you got that. You say I reason like a liberal, you must read like a liberal - that is, see things that aren't there.

My logic is sound - and Nevada attorney Massi on Fox (certainly a cool headed and reasonable guy, and not an ideological shill, and certainly logical) agreed with my analysis of the issue that I posted a few days ago. She agreed, then reneged, then got cut short. Good.
48 posted on 06/22/2006 11:54:40 AM PDT by HitmanLV ("5 Minute Penalty for #40, Ann Theresa Calvello!" - RIP 1929-2006)
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To: UnklGene

4.7 GPA?????????


49 posted on 06/22/2006 11:54:44 AM PDT by D-Chivas
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To: UnklGene
Ph, the horror! She dared not only to mention God but also Christ! Just part of the trend in many school to make God a dirty word. Very sad.

The names of these school officials need to be published and information about them released. Incredible that they would run to the ACLU for approval. My guess - they are members of ACLU and/or NAMBLA or similar organizations.

There was nothing obscene, improper, or hate-filled in her comments. The school had no excuse to censure her. Whatever ACLU stands for, freedom of speech is not one goal (except for those who hate religion).

50 posted on 06/22/2006 11:55:10 AM PDT by Dante3
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To: Theo
What do you not understand about free speech? Note the key word: "free." That means we're free to speak. In a public high school. Note that word, too: "public."

You may be able to speak in a public school, but a high school kid is not free to say whatever he/she wants. If she's at a school function, the administration is free to let her speak, or not, and can ask that she not speak about certain things.

The fact is, she agreed to deliver the edited speech, then went back on her agreement.

Her parents, instead of applauding her insolence, should have encouraged her to simply decline to speak.

51 posted on 06/22/2006 11:56:22 AM PDT by sinkspur (Today, we settled all family business.)
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To: D-Chivas

Back when I was in school, 4.0 was as high as you could go. Maybe the .7 is for band or swim team or driving lessons.


52 posted on 06/22/2006 11:58:12 AM PDT by linda_22003
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To: TheClintons-STILLAnti-American
The school is well within its rights to edit her speech. That has nothing to do with 'freedom.'

I would have made a different call than they did, but I don't think that disconnect makes this a Federal case.

To be a Valedictorian is an honor, but lets not overstate it. Banks won't close because she has a 4.7 GPA. It's just a nice passing memory, one that she marred when she reneged on her promise.
53 posted on 06/22/2006 11:58:42 AM PDT by HitmanLV ("5 Minute Penalty for #40, Ann Theresa Calvello!" - RIP 1929-2006)
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To: Mazda3Fan

Might read Joesph Story - A Familiar Exposition of the Constitution of the United States" Published in 1840 ,and
1859 A condensed version of his seminal Commentaries on the
Constitution of the United States Of America.Section 444 speaks to the First amendment and declares that the General if not universal sentiment in America was that Christianity ought to recieve encouragement from the State... anattempt to level all religions or to make it a matter of Statpolicy to hold all in utter indifference would have created universal disapprobaon if not universal
indignation." Cited directly by the US House Judiciary report on the Establishment clause by Mr Meacham US House of representatives Mar.27,1854.Story was th son of one of the Indians of Boston Tea Party , a graduate of Harvard Law (when that meant somehing good) Is memorialized in the
permanent displays of the US suprem Court building- and sadly has been edited out of our education concerning our
Constitution- for convienence sake?


54 posted on 06/22/2006 11:58:52 AM PDT by StonyBurk
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To: kitkat
Christ was considered an obnoxious pest by the pharisees.

True. Now what does that have to do with anything?

55 posted on 06/22/2006 11:59:18 AM PDT by HitmanLV ("5 Minute Penalty for #40, Ann Theresa Calvello!" - RIP 1929-2006)
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To: UnklGene

My opinion on valedictory speeches is that they should be whatever the valedictorian wishes them to be. They should not be edited by the school in any way.

By not attempting to edit such speeches, the school relieves itself from all responsibility for the content of the student's expression.

At graduation time, most high school seniors are 18, and so are adults. Whatever they say is their responsibility.

I'm an atheist, yet I've never been harmed by any speech. I hear people mention religion all the time, and don't find that it's harmful to me in any way.

That said, it must be understood that giving free rein to valedictorians to say what they will may lead to speeches not to the liking of everyone. One speaker may call on Jesus in the speech. Another may point out the failings of the local school system. Yet another may praise Allah, or another may give a speech based on Wiccan principles.

Either valedictory speeches are unedited, or they are edited. If they are edited, then the school may edit whatever they wish.

I prefer unedited, even if I don't much like what's being said.


56 posted on 06/22/2006 12:01:06 PM PDT by MineralMan (non-evangelical atheist)
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To: HitmanLV

***Christ was considered an obnoxious pest by the pharisees.***

>>>True. Now what does that have to do with anything?>>>

Sad that you actually have to ask that. My answer would be too long for the bandwidth of FR, so I'll just refer you to a book called, "The New Testament."


57 posted on 06/22/2006 12:05:20 PM PDT by kitkat (The first step down to hell is to deny the existence of evil.)
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To: HitmanLV

My opinion is that she EARNED her place as valedictorian. She should be able to have her say. Note that it is a literal contraDICTION to not let a valeDICTORIAN speak.


58 posted on 06/22/2006 12:06:20 PM PDT by swain_forkbeard (Rationality may not be sufficient, but it is necessary.)
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To: UnklGene
"Then the school officials handed the speech over to the ACLU for approval and/or more censoring."

How does the ACLU get an opportunity for approval or censorship? When did ACLU get the privilege to be God or act on behalf of the government?
59 posted on 06/22/2006 12:08:46 PM PDT by ADSUM (Democracy works when citizens get involved and keep government honest.)
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To: HitmanLV

OK. So far, I haven't found that mentioned anyplace online.


60 posted on 06/22/2006 12:09:18 PM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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