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NYC CHANCELLOR DOES 360: RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION THROWN OVERBOARD (keeps JudeoChristian prayer out)
Catholic League ^
Posted on 11/16/2001 1:23:59 PM PST by Notwithstanding
NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR DOES A 360: RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION THROWN OVERBOARD
New York City Schools Chancellor Harold Levy, who just yesterday had given approval to a new policy that would allow school officials to designate a specific area where Muslim students could gather to pray during Ramadan (which begins today), has now reversed himself saying that no such accommodation will be tolerated.
Catholic League president William Donohue commented as follows:
“Yesterday, I faxed a letter to Schools Chancellor Harold Levy commending him for his decision to accommodate the religious rights of Muslim students during Ramadan. Then I said, ‘In the spirit of inclusiveness, I am asking that you also accommodate the interests of Jews and Christians.’ But all this has been undone by the latest flip-flop.
“We contacted the Schools Chancellor’s office late yesterday afternoon to find out if there were any new developments regarding this issue. We were told there were not. We also told his office that I was going on national television to discuss this issue (I appeared on the Fox News Channel show, ‘Hannity and Colmes.’) Yet today we learn that the policy has been reversed. Is it because the Catholic League was requesting parity for Jews and Christians?
“There is another troublesome aspect to this story. The initial decision to accommodate Muslim students was never publicly announced—the New York Post broke the story—but the decision to do a 360 was formally posted on the Board of Education’s website. Was Levy trying to slip this by New Yorkers? What accounts for his duplicity?
“We have contacted Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg’s office asking that he question Levy about both his reversal and his tactics when they meet today for lunch. Something smells about all this and we hope Bloomberg (who has said he supports school prayer) gets to the bottom of it.”
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Front Page News; News/Current Events
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To: Notwithstanding
Just an observation...I think the Catholic League spokesman means a "180".
To: Notwithstanding
Did he do a 360 or a 180? I wish these illiterate reporters would brush up a tad on their geometry.
To: Notwithstanding
Notwithstanding the good news, I believe they mean a "180", not a "360"? A "360" would be a complete circle - not an about face - and would put them right back where they started.
4
posted on
11/16/2001 1:23:59 PM PST
by
Gritty
To: Notwithstanding
Uh, that would be 180.
To: Gritty
Well, actually, the school went from 0 degrees ("no religion at all") to 180 degrees ("religion for Muslims") and then back around to 360 degrees ("no religion at all").
To: Unam Sanctam
Actually, the question is, is it a "pi" or "2 pi"?
I think in this case they mean 360 -- two 180s. The original position is: No religious accomodation. The changed position is: Religious accomodation for Ramadan. The re-changed position is: No religious accomodation.
7
posted on
11/16/2001 1:24:00 PM PST
by
AmishDude
To: Unam Sanctam
The arrogance and hypocrisy of the left never ceases to amaze me.
To: Notwithstanding
It all goes to show that administrators are weak. They will back down if the right pressure is exerted. This is a valuable lesson for freepers.
To: Notwithstanding
This is what happens when government controls schools.
To: Notwithstanding
Your explanation is better.
I should have put two m's in accommodation.
To: Austin Willard Wright
Absolutely - the only reason the schools went so liberal is becuase the ACLU historically has handed them letters threatening expenive and embarrasing legal action. The other side historically has not done this (until recently). If you were a typical public servant facing legqal threats, you would generally feel obliged to avoid litigation as much as possible. If one side has pitbulls sicced on you and the other side merely bitches loudly but with no legal teeth, you can count on the school beureaucrat to cave in to the legal threat.
Who are the very best and committed Christian lawyers to see you through from start to finish free of charge for this type of legal action? The Thomas More Center Legal Center - just ask high-profile Caliifornia FReeper Saundra Duffy about how good these guys are. www.thomasmorecenter.org
To: Austin Willard Wright
Absolutely - the only reason the schools went so liberal is becuase the ACLU historically has handed them letters threatening expenive and embarrasing legal action. The other side historically has not done this (until recently). If you were a typical public servant facing legqal threats, you would generally feel obliged to avoid litigation as much as possible. If one side has pitbulls sicced on you and the other side merely bitches loudly but with no legal teeth, you can count on the school beureaucrat to cave in to the legal threat.
Who are the very best and committed Christian lawyers to see you through from start to finish free of charge for this type of legal action? The Thomas More Law Center - just ask high-profile Caliifornia FReeper Saundra Duffy about how good these guys are. www.thomasmorecenter.org
To: VoodooEconomist
Actually, in quantum mechanics particles with half a quantum of 'spin' have to rotate 720 degrees to get back to their starting point.
Seems relevant here.
To: Notwithstanding
Levy is the lowest of the low. Doubt anyone could have done a worse job, spent more money doing it, and accomplished less than this man. The left loves this man!
To: VoodooEconomist
Did he do a 360 or a 180? I wish these illiterate reporters would brush up a tad on their geometry It also depends on the starting position. They did do a 360. The school administration had banned all religious activities. Then they pandered to Islamic activists. Christian organizations demanded equal accomodation for Christian and Jewish actvities. Then the administration went back to its previous position banning all expression of religion in the school.
To: Notwithstanding
When this educated idiot discovered that rules and laws must apply to everyone, he had no choice but to refuse prayer.... for Christians...with Christmas coming and all.
To: NittanyLion
If I were describing it, I would say that the Chancellor has "come full circle," so although it's awkward, perhaps Mr. Donohue
does mean 360°, drawing attention to Levy's confusion.
(A simple 180° pivot might be construed as permitting ALL religious expression in school)
To: Goetz_von_Berlichingen
Just what I was going to say. He COMPLETED a 360. First he did a 180 by violating the ban against religion in schools for the Muslims. Then he did a second 180 when Jews and Christians complained about it. Thus he reversed school policy twice. Full circle.
19
posted on
11/16/2001 1:24:19 PM PST
by
Cicero
To: Cicero
3+6+0=9, 1+8+0=9, 9+9+1(principal)=19!
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