Ron 10 #1 December 15, 2004 http://www.catholicexchange.com/vm/index.asp?vm_id=43&art_id=21582 Quote The city permits Menorah decorations and displays of the Islamic star and crescent in schools, but has banned Christian symbols. Skoros believes the city is intentionally discriminating against Christians. At first the New York woman says she thought the prohibition was simply an attempt at political correctness, but after hearing some of the voices of opposition, she realized that many people were saying they were actually offended by the Christian display. Skoros says hearing people voice their offense changed her understanding of the controversy. "I was never offended by the Menorah — I just thought it would be more fair if they put them side by side. That's why I started the fight," she explains. "But when they say they're offended by the Nativity scene, I think it's more of a biased thing, from their end." The New York school system has argued that Christian holiday displays violate the separation of church and state. However the city apparently has no problem with non-Christian religious symbols. "Ideally I would like to see them allow [all the] religious symbols — the Menorah, the Nativity scene, and the star and crescent. I don't think it's fair that they allow two and then prohibit the Nativity scene," Skoros says. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C104916%2C00.html Quote NEW YORK — If a Christmas tree can stand in a school's halls during the holidays, then a model of baby Jesus and his manger should also be welcomed, contends a Queens, N.Y., mother who is going to court to prove her point. Andrea Skoros (search) sued the New York City public school system after being told her kids' Nativity scene could not be a part of the holiday display although a Hanukkah menorah (search) and the star and crescent representing Islam could be exhibited. A federal judge in Brooklyn Thursday held a procedural conference on the suit and Skoros hopes the ban will soon be overturned. School officials say that all displays must be secular in nature and chose a Christmas tree to symbolize the holiday but Skoros said this a double standard. "I felt that it is only fair if they are going to display the menorah, which is a religious symbol, that they also display the Nativity scene instead of just snowmen and stockings and Christmas trees." While school officials wouldn't discuss the lawsuit, legal briefs filed said it has "drawn an appropriate line between secular holiday decorations and those that are purely religious." Political correctness has gone haywire."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #2 December 15, 2004 I have a friend I send a Kwanzaa card to every year. He's got almost my exact political views (libertarian, white, gun owning male). I always say something like "wishing the best of the season to you and all those who you domestically oppress." His wife (a Chinese woman who earns well over $200,000/yr as a corporate lawyer) always finds them hilarious (of course, she's also a libertarian gun owner). Political correctness about holidays is a little overboard, I think. People are pretty much going to celebrate as they wish. And if you want me to take down the christmas decorations in my front yard, just remember that I'm well armed in both a physical and legal sense.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #3 December 15, 2004 At college I remember going over to the big christmas tree in the student center one night and putting up a sign saying "DECORATIVE HOLIDAY SHRUB." People actually took it seriously. There were letters to the school paper. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #4 December 15, 2004 the Holiday card the house i lived in at the time used to mail out was have a.... [ ]Merry Christmas [ ]Happy Chanuka [ ]Joyous Yule [ ]Solemn Ramadan [ ]Sexy Kwanzaa... ____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #5 December 15, 2004 What's interestign is how they seem to be thinking Christmas Trees are purely religious. Again, we are seeing the "Separation between church and state" being taken reductio ad absurdum. My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #6 December 15, 2004 well they are religious, at least were initially, but that religion is pretty much dead/ disorganized so.....the only people that gripe are the same ones who dont want to see any eggs on easter since its not part of their religious imagery...____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GQ_jumper 4 #7 December 15, 2004 everything that isn't the majority is ok. but those who have the majority have no voice and can't present themselves in any way, that would be unfair to the minorities!!History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid. --Dwight D. Eisenhower Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #8 December 15, 2004 Ron, the school system is a democratic system run by elected trustees. IN anotehr thread you are okay with a majority deciding. Actually you said that is how it should be. How come you are complaining about it here? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ron 10 #9 December 15, 2004 QuoteRon, the school system is a democratic system run by elected trustees. IN anotehr thread you are okay with a majority deciding. Actually you said that is how it should be. How come you are complaining about it here? Actually I said the majority should decide. This is not a case of majority, it is the case of a minority over coming a majority due to stupidity and fear. And if you actually read mt post in another thread I say that you *should* complain to the powers that be....I am a big fan of your voice being heard. Then you trust the people you hired to do what the majority wants....If they don't, then the majority wil fire them. Great system."No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms." -- Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson Papers, 334 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #10 December 15, 2004 Letting "majority rule" is always a dangerous proposition. That's one of the reasons for constitutional safeguards.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #11 December 15, 2004 QuoteLetting "majority rule" is always a dangerous proposition. That's one of the reasons for constitutional safeguards I agree with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #12 December 15, 2004 QuoteLetting "majority rule" is always a dangerous proposition. That's one of the reasons for constitutional safeguards. But when it's not unconstitutional, the majority should rule. As is the case. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyDekker 1,465 #13 December 15, 2004 QuoteBut when it's not unconstitutional, the majority should rule. As is the case. Exactly. Some however use the majority rule thing when they agree with the issue, yet are all upset when they don't agree with the issue. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomAiello 26 #14 December 15, 2004 QuoteQuoteLetting "majority rule" is always a dangerous proposition. That's one of the reasons for constitutional safeguards. But when it's not unconstitutional, the majority should rule. As is the case. Sure. That's why it's a "constitutional democracy" or "republic" or whatever you want to label it. The point is that the majority can have some pretty weird whims. And 51% of the people shouldn't be allowed to, say, ship the other 49% off for execution, just because they are the majority.-- Tom Aiello Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com SnakeRiverBASE.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
