What was she saying? She was telling the crowd of her relationship with her personal lord and savior, Jesus Christ. There are few things in this that I take issue to:
- According to the interview, she admits that the school district edited her original speech citing, among other things, that it identified a specific religion. She also admits that she conceded to the changes but felt "pressured" to do so.
- The school district sent home a letter citing a similar case in California where the court upheld the school district's decision to keep church and state separate. Later in the interview, the girl's father stated that he was going to sue the school district not for money, but to "set precedent." Um, isn't that what the school board letter referenced.
- The other thing that struck me is that the school had a copy of the speech in a teleprompter and the AV person said that anyone who veered from the written speech would have their mic cut off. Her mother stated "We were hoping that was a scare tactic."
Okay, I'm wholeheartedly for free speech, but how can this girl claim her free speech was impeded. She does not have a right for amplification. The Bill of Rights says nothing about that.
Another thing that upsets me is that several Christian conservatives are the first to claim protection under the Bill of Rights when it comes to praying and other religious actions. However, they also vehemently oppose when others use these same freedoms in cases that don't suit their agendas (ie-flag burning, Marilyn Manson, etc).
Lastly, I would be interested to see how much attention or support a student would get if they were to go on stage and preach the word of Satan.
Freedom of Speech doesn't just protect the speech we agree with.
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