Teacher wins major victory for God in school

Judge scolds district for trying to scrub America’s Christian heritage

by Drew Zahn at World Net Daily

A federal judge in California has handed down a scathing ruling against a school that required one of its teachers to remove signs celebrating the role of God in American history from his classroom walls.

As WND reported, math teacher Bradley Johnson had banners hanging in his classroom at Westview High School in San Diego, Calif., for more than 17 years with phrases like “In God We Trust” and “All Men Are Created Equal, They Are Endowed by Their Creator,” only to have the principal order them torn down during the 2007 school year.

But Johnson filed a lawsuit alleging the order a violation of his constitutional rights, and the teacher has now been rewarded with a court victory and a powerfully-worded ruling.

“May a school district censor a high school teacher’s expression because it refers to Judeo-Christian views, while allowing other teachers to express views on a number of controversial subjects, including religion and anti-religion?” posited U.S. District Court Judge Roger T. Benitez in his judgment. “On undisputed evidence, this court holds that it may not.”

He continued, “That God places prominently in our nation’s history does not create an Establishment Clause violation requiring curettage and disinfectant for Johnson’s public high school classroom walls. It is a matter of historical fact that our institutions and government actors have in past and present times given place to a supreme God.”

The judge further reprimanded the school, stating that while teachers at the district “encourage students to celebrate diversity and value thinking for one’s self, [they] apparently fear their students are incapable of dealing with diverse viewpoints that include God’s place in American history and culture.”

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Should “In God We Trust” be removed from US currency?

MSNBC has an online poll asking that very question. Oh how they probably want to see Americans vote “Yes!”

If so, they’re most likely extremely disappointed. Currently, the vote stands 89% to 11% in favor of keeping the motto on our dollars and cents. Over 17 million have already voted.

So please do your part and help to keep the vote an overwhelming endorsement of the motto and continue letting the rest of the world know “In God We Trust!”

Vote Now!

Desperate Dems Keep Dropping in Polls

The Obama propaganda blitz is in full swing. At a time when Congressmen can barely seem to find a supporter for the Obamacare plan, the President’s town hall meetings are packed with them. The administration swears lies that they’re not handpicked crowds intended to boost Obama’s ratings and poll numbers for the nationalization of the health care industry, but it’s impossible to believe him.

In Rasmussen’s Daily Presidential Tracking Poll the number of likely voters who disapprove of the President’s policies has now risen to 52%, the highest it’s been since his inauguration. ARRA News Service notes a Gallup poll shows the President’s full court press to push the issue hasn’t helped. Last month 50% of respondents disapproved of Obama’s handling of the health care issue while 44% approved. This month, even with the concerted effort by Obama and his lackeys, 49% disapprove and 43% approve. A net gain of zero.

Other polls show 54% of Americans favor middle class tax cuts over spending more than a trillion dollars for a government takeover of the health care industry and support among likely voters for HR 3200 has fallen to a new low with only 42% favoring the House plan.  The growing distrust of Obama on his signature issue isn’t sitting well with the President or his supporters.

After the Obama administration threatened to “punch back twice as hard,” protests began turning violent as desperate liberals attacked when they felt their dream of socialized medicine slipping away.  Many Congressmen are refusing to hold more town hall meetings as the futility of fooling voters becomes apparent.  Once the Democratic strategy of lying to Americans at town halls failed to accomplish desired results, the Obama camp turned to attacking the ordinary citizens standing up for their freedom.  Democrats in the White House and elsewhere labeled protesters “un-American” and an “angry mob.”

As the polls referenced above show, their desperate tactics have thus far been unable to stop the rushing tide of resistance to a government takeover of another 1/6 of our economy.  Now Obamanot Senator Chuck Shumer (D-NY) is looking  to force the American people to accept the unpopular takeover by trashing the Senate tradition of allowing unlimited debate by re-labeling the health care bill as a sort of budget bill.  Dishonest?  Yes.  But Democrats have little respect for truth and transparency.

Conservatives still have the advantage though.  With public sentiment against Obama and Democratic policies growing at an unbelievable pace and the 2010 campaign season pretty much beginning now, Dems up for re-election have to be squirming in their seat, especially Blue Dogs in conservative districts.  They realize their necks are on the line if their constituents are unhappy when they pull the lever in November.

As long as the opposition to a government-run health care system doesn’t fade, Pelosi and Obama won’t have the votes to pass Obamacare.

David vs. Goliath of Governmental Agencies

by Chuck Norris on Townhall.com

One of the most hideous ways the Internal Revenue Service usurps power and control over Americans is through its oppression over nonprofits, especially religious groups. Threatening to withdraw tax-exempt status and to levy penalties are just a couple of ways it exercises its tyranny.

For example, April 3, Catholic Answers, one of the nation’s largest lay-run apologetic (or defense) ministries for the Catholic movement, filed suit in federal court against the IRS for violating its right to free speech.

What spurred on the lawsuit is that the IRS imposed fines on Catholic Answers because Catholic Answers’ president, Karl Keating, wrote in one of his “E-letters” that 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry shouldn’t be allowed to receive the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion) because of his pro-abortion stance, advocacy and voting record. Whether you agree or not, Keating was voicing his conviction and opinion, which he has a First Amendment right to do. At no point did Catholic Answers even tell people for whom to vote or not to vote.

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You did it: KS teacher rehired!

Great job and many thanks to all who stood up for Lawrence High School history teacher Tim Latham, whose contract wasn’t renewed due to his conservative beliefs.  The pressure you put on resulted in Mr. Latham being rehired!

Mr. Latham’s response:  “I couldn’t be more pleased with this outcome. While I am happy to have this behind me, and look forward to returning to LHS next fall, I will always be grateful to my students for actually putting what I teach into practice.”

I, too, am grateful to Mr. Latham’s students, several of whom created the Facebook group, Save Mr.Latham, Lawrence High History Teacher, which counts almost 2,000 members after only a few days.  These students refused to stand by and let their successors at Lawrence High be deprived of, as one student put it, “…a really good teacher.”

Statement from Tim Latham

From Save Mr.Latham, Lawrence High History Teacher

STATEMENT FROM MR. LATHAM:

There has been a rumor going around that the main reason I was non-renewed is because I supposedly compared Obama to Hitler. I have been receiving some pretty nasty e-mails about it so I feel I must speak.

This is completely and totally false. I NEVER compared Obama to Hitler.

This is what happened and where the rumor comes from:

In a good GOVERNMENT class you learn about ALL forms of government. On one particular day we were discussing the various forms of government; i.e. Democracy, Socialism, Communism, Fascism, etc. The difference between dictators, Prime Ministers, and Presidents, etc. We talked about many differences between the Democratic and Republican platforms. You have to understand I had VERY GOOD students who asked great questions leading to great discussions.

As we were talking about fascism (a gov’t that allows private property ownership but maintains strict control over banking and major industry) a student asked me what governments were fascist. The term was familiar but he couldn’t remember why. I pointed out that Benito Mussolin (Italy) and Adolf Hitler (Germany) of WWII were the most famous fascist dictators. Another student made a comment asking how someone like Hitler gets in power. I explained that he had actually been DEMOCRACTICALLY ELECTED… something many people don’t realize. He then became a dictator and took over control of everything. Another student asked how someone like Hitler could get elected? I stated that people didn’t realize he was going to become the person he did. Germany was suffering worse than any country in the world from the Great Depression (economic crisis), Germany was still angry over the Treaty of Versailles (WWI) and Hitler was a very good public speaker and told the people exactly what they wanted to hear. He made a lot of promises and appealed to the masses.

About 15 minutes later into the class we were discussing McCain and Obama again and what people liked about them, what each ones chances were of getting elected, etc. And yes, I did mention, that the best thing going for Obama was that he was an eloquent speaker, people were unhappy with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the economy was looking bad. ALL points being covered in the news every day, by every political pundit in the world.

There is a girl in that particular class who LOVED to argue and who was a major Obama supporter. Made for good debates sometimes, sometimes frustration. This is one of those frustration times. THE STUDENT HERSELF is the one who, after I made the above statement about Obama, that said “so you’re comparing Obama to Hitler?” As soon as she said it, before I could even speak, several other students (who were used to argueing with her) stated that is not what I said. I myself repeatedly said no I was not comparing the two. I did admit that the “situation” for them to get elected is similiar but I in no way thought that Obama was in any way like Hitler. I repeated that statement more than once since she wanted to argue it, no I WAS NOT comparing Obama to Hitler. I pointed out that those situations are common in many elections; i.e. using the economy, an unpopular war (see Vietnam), etc. in order to gain support for an election. Not good enough, she went straight to the Asst. Prinicipal and said I was picking on Obama and comparing him to Hitler. I was called in, I explained everything that happened exactly like I have just stated, and I thought, that was that. Evidently not.

That is the true story. You decide for yourself.

Tim Latham

Teacher, father of 3, fired for conservative views

UPDATE: Tim Latham and students will be on Fox & Friends at 7:45 AM tomorrow, Monday, June 15, 2009

UPDATE 2:  Statement from Tim Latham

UPDATE 3:  Latham rehired.

Though this was his first year at Lawrence High School, he’s been teaching History for the past 19 years. A self-professed liberal student who graduated this spring says, “It’s really disappointing because he’s a really good teacher. It doesn’t seem fair. Why would they let a good teacher go?” But let him go they did, after repeatedly chastising him for being critical of President Obama and even for having a McCain/Palin bumper sticker on his car!

Tim Latham states he was also dressed down by his assistant principal Jan Gentry for content on his school website, which she deemed “too patriotic.”   But liberals needn’t worry now because his links to different branches of the US military and the military academies have been removed from the site.  The Left no longer needs to worry that his pages may encourage high school students to serve their country.

While some of his pages have been left in tact, clicking on the “What I Think” tab now yields an empty page.  Another tab on his home page labeled “Terrorism” also contains nothing.  Apparently, school officials have scrubbed his pages of anything that might let young minds experience something other than the liberal education establishment view of our world.  God only knows that they could just get the idea that Conservatism isn’t the evil so many educators wish to brainwash the children to believe.

You can help by joining the “Save Mr. Latham, Lawrence High History Teacher” group on Facebook now.  Already, 655 have joined to show their support!  There’s also a discussion thread on the group site to leave your comments.  You can also sign a petition to help Mr. Latham get his job back.

Read more on this story here.

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Chuck Norris: Freedom of speech slipping away

I’m always amazed when a Hollywood icon stands up for conservative values.  Few suspect any who earns his living in Tinseltown to be anything but a flaming liberal.

But here’s Chuck Norris on Townhall.com, refusing to acquiesce to the powers-that-be in one of the most liberal cities in the US.

Outlawing Opinion It greatly alarms me that Americans’ constitutional right of freedom of speech is being squeezed out of our culture. Several years ago, I watched then-“20/20” correspondent Diane Sawyer interview Saddam Hussein, who was dictator of Iraq at the time. She respectfully confronted him for the atrocities and executions he used as punishments for people who merely spoke out against him, his rule or his politics. Surprisingly naive of America’s constitutional basis, Saddam asked, “Well, what happens to those who speak against your president?” (He clearly was expecting that such speech was also a crime in the U.S. and punishable by law.) Shocked by his sheer ignorance of the U.S. — and somewhat at a loss for words herself — Diane quipped back in answering his question, “They host television talk shows!” Saddam’s facial expression revealed that he was totally confused by her answer. Sounds so far-out, doesn’t it? Offensive speech being punishable by law? But it might not be that far off for America, especially if the course of free speech continues on its present track — a path of progressive restrictions, both from our government and our culture. (…More)

Signs of hope in Hollywood!

Help Melt Schakowsky’s Phone Lines

The latest TCOT Action Project:  Melt Schakowsky’s Phone Lines

Congresswoman Schakowsky Owes us an Apology Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) blasted “tea party” protests last week, labeling the activities “despicable” and “shameful.” “The ‘tea parties’ being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs,” Schakowsky said in a statement. “It’s despicable that right-wing Republicans would attempt to cheapen a significant, honorable moment of American history with a shameful political stunt,” she added. “Not a single American household or business will be taxed at a higher rate this year. Made to look like a grassroots uprising, this is an Obama bashing party promoted by corporate interests, as well as Republican lobbyists and politicians.” What is it that the good Congresswoman finds so despicable? People exercising their 1st amendment rights to peaceably assemble and speak their minds? Please write and call Jan and let her know that she owes the good people of her state, and her country, a sincere apology or she can look for a new career in 2010. Her Chicago Office: 5533 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60640 Phone: (773) 506-7100 Fax: (773) 506-9202 Her Evanston Office: 820 Davis Street, Suite 105 Evanston, IL 60201 Phone: (847) 328-3409 Fax: (847) 328-3425 Her Washington DC Office: 2367 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2111 Fax: (202) 226-6890 Don’t have a fax machine? Use www.faxzero.com. They will send 2 free faxes a day for you. SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT: “I am calling Congresswoman Schakowsky today to let her know that as an American, and a Tea Party participant, I was deeply offended by her remarks on Fox News that my exercising my 1st amendments rights were “despicable”. I demand that she retract her statements immediately and issue a sincere apology for her thoughtless words. Does she still stand by her statement that these Tea Parties were the work of right-wing “activists”and not ordinary Americans? (if “yes”) I can assure you that I am not paid or unpaid activist for any political party. I hold her and everyone in congress accountable for the mess we are in. If she refuses to apologize, I just might have to join one of those right-wing activist parties and see to it that she is replaced in 2010″ SAMPLE FAX/E-MAIL “Dear Congresswoman Schakowsky: I have recently become aware of your outrageous remarks made last week on Fox News regarding the Nationwide Tea Parties and am writing to demand that you retract these statements and offer a sincere apology to the hard working Americans that participated in these parties. Had you actually attended a Tea Party, you would have seen that these parties cut across all racial, financial and political party lines. The people that attended these parties were not “right-wing activist”, but ordinary American citizens who have been watching you and the rest of the spend thrift congress pass bill after bill without scrutiny and putting our countries financial future in perilous jeopardy. The only thing “despicable” and “shameful” is the way the everyone in Washington has behaved over the last year! I demand an apology from you for your assault on the character of not only me, but the other Tea Party participants. We will not be quiet, and we will not go away. This is our country, Congresswoman, and you will do well to remember that you work for us. Sincerely, (Name)”

I just sent two free faxes from faxzero.com using the text above. It only took a couple of minutes and it’s free. This is a quick and easy way to get involved so help us let Rep. Schakowsky know we’re not intimidated by her intolerance of our 1st Amendment rights!

Unblocked. Finally!

Google has finally unblocked this blog so visitors no longer have to suffer through the warning page which stated it may be a spam blog. Finally.

The first post was made on 11/6/08 and the block went up almost immediately. It took three times submitting it for review, but it appears readers will now be able to access this page directly.

I look forward to all comments from readers, both liberal and conservative.

Enjoy.