Fort Worth Bans Santa From Classrooms

Fort Worth Bans Santa From Classrooms. A separation of church and state? Bah humbug! Here we have a separation of brains from the school district.

This post was last modified on January 26, 2021

CO2Insanity: Tired of the CO2 BS and all the other BS in the US and the world.

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  • That just blew up the hypocrisy meter. You lost this argument (especially by introducing Nazis into the discussion) a long time ago but you keep throwing more stuff against the wall to see what will stick.
    *********************
    When I see far righters aping the rationale that Nazis used to justify marginalizing groups deemed undesirable by their leader, and copying their propaganda tactics, I'm going to comment on it, Kick. As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Don't like it? Then don't use such tactics.
    *******************
    Rose and C02 are right you are crazy AND stupid.
    *******************
    Translation: "I can't refute your logic, so I'll call you a lot of childish names instead. If a whole lot of us get hysterical and childish and fling insults at you, does that mean that our position is right and yours wrong?"

    THis is so comical. You guys post a lot of hammy and sentimental drivel about how important it is for kids to believe in the wonder of Christmas....then you start attacking anyone who suggests that maybe Santa ought not to interrupt public school class time. Where's that joyous Christmas spirit that you pretend to believe in, to the point of demanding that public schools actively foster it? Because you surely aren't showing any. ;)

  • Because I tailor my replies to the person and post I am replying to. You aren’t worth the time to research and type a logical, well thought out reply. Therefore all you get are TURKEY TURDS and insults. We have tried the well researched and logical route with you, etc., etc., etc., etc......
    ***************
    Translation: "Me? I don't know nuthin' about the subject, but I sure do like to call people childish names!"

  • Here. Not that it will pierce the stupidtanium surrounding your walnut sized brain. http://goo.gl/GxJ3u
    http://goo.gl/gz985
    http://www.akdart.com/islam4.html
    http://goo.gl/XK4Br
    http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=64151
    *******************
    This is a bunch of scaremongering propaganda, CO2. Got some reputable sources (i.e., news stories) verifying these hysterical threats, or were you seriously trying to convince me with let's-frighten-'em-to-death sources like these? :D

    • Oblivious, we realize how hard it is for you to follow a link to the original source, after all, you can't seem to post to the thread you are replying to. Therefore, here are the links to the NEWS SOURCES that CO2's links originate from:

      http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/02/07/mandatory-arabic-classes-coming-to-mansfield/
      http://www.delmartimes.net/2011/02/10/three-high-school-district-parents-contend-textbook-%E2%80%98romanticizes%E2%80%99-history-of-islam/
      http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/17/school-apologizes-students-pray-allah-field-trip-mosque/
      http://news.investors.com/Article/507056/200909241853/Schoolhouse-Shariah.htm
      http://www.newsreview.com/chico/teaching-islam-a-touchy-subject/content?oid=4325677
      http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=64151
      http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sctimes/results.html?st=advanced&QryTxt=Tyler+Hurd&type=current&sortby=RELEVANCE&datetype=6&frommonth=05&fromday=02&fromyear=2008&tomonth=05&today=15&toyear=2008&By=&Title=

      • Oblivious, we realize how hard it is for you to follow a link to the original source, after all, you can’t seem to post to the thread you are replying to. Therefore, here are the links to the NEWS SOURCES that CO2′s links originate from:
        *****************
        You regard World Nut Daily as a "news source"? You're funny. Do you not realize that, when a news story includes directions on how to react and how to feel, it's NOT a news story----it's a commentary?

        So, let's take these "news sources" one by one:

        Oblivious, we realize how hard it is for you to follow a link to the original source, after all, you can’t seem to post to the thread you are replying to. Therefore, here are the links to the NEWS SOURCES that CO2′s links originate from:

        http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2011/02/07/mandatory-arabic-classes-coming-to-mansfield/
        z------This one IS a legitimate news story, about the controversy surrounding Arabic language classes in five schools in the country.

        Poopajoe, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but teaching Arabic has nothing to do with religious indoctrination. I know it's ultratrendy for the far right to assume that the terms Arabic and Muslim are interchangeable, but they aren't. Shoot, I learned some French in fourth grade (or, as melodramatic righties like to put it, we were "forced to learn French"), but that doesn't mean I received Roman Catholic indoctrination. ;)

        Next:
        http://www.delmartimes.net/2011/02/10/three-high-school-district-parents-contend-textbook-%E2%80%98romanticizes%E2%80%99-history-of-islam/

        So three rabid Islamophobes are offended, because their kids' textbook presents Islam as a major world religion, instead of indoctrinating kids to hate and fear Muslims. Again, this is NOT an example of "forcing" kids to observe Muslim traditions at school. It's also pretty foolish of CO2 to leap to the conclusion that those three parents are right, and the professional educators and all the other parents are wrong.

        http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/17/school-apologizes-students-pray-allah-field-trip-mosque/

        I agree that proselytizing is wrong, and that these kids shouldn't have been on the receiving end of it. But I'm one of those dastardly liberals, who would have been VERY leery about taking middle school kids to houses of worship (regardless of the religion) for a public school project. Kids that age love to try on unfamiliar roles, and I can easily imagine a few kids deciding to participate in Muslim prayers, just to see what it was like----just as some kids might be tempted to belt out gospel songs at the gospel music concert.

        But, again, this is NOT an example of the school "forcing" kids to observe Muslim traditions.

        http://news.investors.com/Article/507056/200909241853/Schoolhouse-Shariah.htm
        This website wasn't available.

        http://www.newsreview.com/chico/teaching-islam-a-touchy-subject/content?oid=4325677
        This is an opinion piece, Poopajoe. What's more, it's one of those opinion pieces that presents only one side of the story. Even so, nowhere does it state or imply that the woman's daughter was "forced" to observe Muslim traditions at school.

        http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=64151
        Typical one-sided World Nut Daily account, that seems to be posted only on rabidly Islamophobic sites. (Why, for example, are they paraphrasing the statements of the people allegedly involved in this issue, but including a direct quote by "scorpionthoughts," who wasn't there and didn't have anything to do with the alleged incident?)
        In any case, this alleged incident has nothing to do with "forcing" students to observe Muslim traditions. It's merely an alleged outburst by a Muslim student---hostile and rude, certainly, but no more so than many outspoken teabaggers.

        http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sctimes/results.html?
        This is merely a link to the St. Cloud archives. If CO2 actually accessed this story, why didn't he post it here, instead of this very slanted World Nut Daily interpretation? Could it be that the story, inconveniently titled "Islamic Community Supports Teacher," completely trashes the goofy World Nut Daily version? ;)

        So, Poopajoe, there is NOT ONE SINGLE example in this list, of a public school "forcing" students to observe Muslim traditions. Again, the righties are whimpering a mile a minute, trying to pretend that they're being abused by them thar evil Muslins----but fooling only themselves.

          • http://news.investors.com/Article/507056/200909241853/Schoolhouse-Shariah.htm
            This website wasn’t available.

            Yes it is
            *****************
            I guess I should thank you, since I was able to access it from your link (I have no idea why it worked this time, but not before).

            Unfortunately, this, too, is a rabid opinion piece rather than a news story. Anyone with a working synapse should have been able to see that, just by reading the first very biased line.....or even the word "EDITORIAL" directly above it. Why do you guys keep falling for this sort of thing?

            What's more (here comes the same old refrain), it STILL doesn't provide documentation that public school students are being "forced" to observe Muslim traditions in class. It's simply a generic rant, that (if nothing else) provides a very good example of WHY it's important for American kids to learn more about Muslims and their respective cultures....because there's far too much ignorant bigotry out there, masquerading as "news."

          • Everything is a rabid opinion piece to you, that's why I don't even try to discuss anything with you any more. You are blindingly stupid!

          • "...that public school students are being “forced” to observe Muslim traditions in class."

            Which poster asserted that? Olivia, once again I believe that you are trying to have a semantic argument. I see it this way: The media will exhaust themselves covering stories of 10 Commandment displays of varying sorts in courthouses (never mind that the Supreme Court building has a relief of the same depiction on its facade), Santa in the classroom/school, a nativity scene in a public space but they are relatively silent on Muslim questions. Just because a piece linked here is an editorial in no way makes it less valid especially when it is backed up with documentation. I looked at those websites too and I linked to a large number of news sources that were attached. There is a double standard at work here and it is not limited to the schools. There is the well known story of Muslim airport based cab drivers who won't transport passengers who carry liquor, there is the instance in Tampa where a legal dispute within a mosque among Muslim members was allowed by a judge to be settled using Shariah, and, back to the schools, there was a well known story in Wellesley, Massachusetts where a class field trip to a mosque was extremely controversial because the kids were separated by gender and led to prayer. Try that at St. Whathaveyou and see how fast the ACLU files a suit.

            http://articles.cnn.com/2007-01-25/us/oppenheim.cabbies_1_muslim-american-society-cab-drivers-cabbies?_s=PM:US

            http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/state_news/032211-judge-orders-use-of-islamic-law-in-lawsuit-arbitration

            http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/metro-west/12002241117692/wellesley-students-visit-mosque-on-class-trip/

            Why is it okay for a Muslim woman to raise a huge stink over a Vernon, CT roller skating rink because the management there told her she had to remove her hajib for safety and insurance regulations reasons? If a Mennonite or an Amish woman chose to roller skate they too would have to remove their head covers. Do you honestly believe that they would have run to the media screaming prejudice and First Amendment rights violations? You can't yell "fire" in a movie theatre for safety reasons either.
            http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/24/connecticut-roller-rink-defends-policy-headscarves-muslim-customer-complains/

            You may not like the format of some of the websites C02 attached but sites like Pam Gellar's are documenting a pattern of behavior that if it were Christians the atheists and secularist progressives would be raising holy hell (irony intended).

            When the government's official position on the FT. Hood massacre was workplace violence, honor killings are under reported, and seemingly the media avoids using the name of a terrorist if he had a Muslim sounding name such as was the case of the Times Square bomber it is not difficult to see why many see Islam as occupying a totally different standard in this country. Whether it is out of fear or PC gone crazy it does not matter. In short, there is a concerted effort to appease Muslims lest they protest.

            Denying that these things are happening everyday is foolish. Much of Europe, socially, is a mess as a result of mass North African and Arab immigration. Even the Dutch have banned multi-culturalism (http://www.hudson-ny.org/2219/netherlands-abandons-multiculturalism) because it is destructive to the host society. I don't know why you refuse to acknowledge what is happening other than perhaps you do not live where there is a large Muslim population. I do and I can tell you that some within that community are perpetually aggrieved and are looking to bring CAIR in the same way the race baiters used to bring in the Rainbow Coalition or Al Sharpton to force their agendas.

          • You may not like the format of some of the websites C02 attached but sites like Pam Gellar’s are documenting a pattern of behavior that if it were Christians the atheists and secularist progressives would be raising holy hell (irony intended).
            **************
            No, what they're doing is taking an existing anti-Muslim prejudice among far righters (who generally have to have one ethnic group or another to hate), and fanning the flames of hatred and hysteria for profit and political gain.

            Your suggestion that a highly slanted editorial is "valid" as a news story shows just how gullible you are, when it comes to written propaganda techniques. As I've said before, that's like having friends who are going through a nasty divorce, listening to just the husband's side of the story, and assuming you've got the whole picture accurately.

            Today's anti-Muslim propaganda isn't so different from antisemitic propaganda in Germany during the thirties. The people who swallowed those lies and exaggerations, like you, were absolutely sure that the German government was telling them the truth-----and didn't care whether it was taught to them in unbiased news accounts, or scare-you-tp-death propaganda. How did that work out for Germany, Kick? http://mason.gmu.edu/~amcdonal/Propaganda%20Techniques.html

            Your rant against Muslims "forc(ing) their agendas" is little more than a bigot's rant against cultural differences, which are inevitable in a multicultural society. Yes, there are some bad apples in American Muslim society, just as there are in the Caucasian Christian sector. But only a gullible fool woud try to generalize about a whole religion, based on those who abuse it for political power or personal gain.

            Now, then, I have Christmas shopping to do. I'm simply amazed that some of you self-professed Christians, who are so defensive on Santa's behalf, don't seem to have anything to do during this very busy season. Is that why you wanted the "government schools" to provide Santa visits for your children----so you could sit here and argue, instead of teaching them Christian traditions yourself?

          • “Today’s anti-Muslim propaganda isn’t so different from antisemitic propaganda in Germany during the thirties."

            Now that is some amazing stupidity,

          • An "Onion" piece about a batshit crazy liberal wouldn't have gone that far. No-one could. The idiot accuses some of us as being hyperbolic!?

          • What amuses me is that she just doesn't get it. She wonders why I have resorted to just insulting her. Maybe because in spite of tons of evidence handed to her, she can't see the forest for the trees.

          • You wrote this....
            "Your suggestion that a highly slanted editorial is “valid” as a news story shows just how gullible you are, when it comes to written propaganda techniques. As I’ve said before, that’s like having friends who are going through a nasty divorce, listening to just the husband’s side of the story, and assuming you’ve got the whole picture accurately.

            In reaction to this...
            Just because a piece linked here is an editorial in no way makes it less valid especially when it is backed up with documentation. I looked at those websites too and I linked to a large number of news sources that were attached. There is a double standard at work here and it is not limited to the schools.

            Why do you always mischaracterize what others write? You embarrass yourself.

          • "Today’s anti-Muslim propaganda isn’t so different from antisemitic propaganda in Germany during the thirties. The people who swallowed those lies and exaggerations, like you, were absolutely sure that the German government was telling them the truth—–and didn’t care whether it was taught to them in unbiased news accounts, or scare-you-tp-death propaganda. How did that work out for Germany, Kick?

            There is no equivalency between the Jews in Nazi Germany and Muslims today in the US. The Jews had all of their rights stripped and they were later murdered. The Muslims I cited want SPECIAL rights or expect the rest of us to acquiesce to their mores. No-one is suggesting that Muslims be stripped of the rights of every other citizen. That you can not make that distinction points to the fact that you are absolutely ignorant of history, the present, and it is amazing that you can function at all.

            "Your rant against Muslims “forc(ing) their agendas” is little more than a bigot’s rant against cultural differences, which are inevitable in a multicultural society. Yes, there are some bad apples in American Muslim society, just as there are in the Caucasian Christian sector. But only a gullible fool woud try to generalize about a whole religion, based on those who abuse it for political power or personal gain.

            Olivia, I wrote a restrained and objective post about what is happening all around the country. I did not claim ALL MUSLIMS anywhere in my post You truly are incapable of thought beyond a primitive reflex action. Can you point to one specific thing in my post that is inaccurate....not that you deny occurred but actually can point to and prove it did not happen? Until that time you are nothing more than a raving loon.

    • Ummmm, C02's links all have stories culled from places like the Minnesota Star Tribune and the CBS affiliate in Ft. Worth. You lost the argument. As usual.

      • Ummmm, C02′s links all have stories culled from places like the Minnesota Star Tribune and the CBS affiliate in Ft. Worth. You lost the argument. As usual.
        *****************
        If those stories had any validity to them, then he should have cited THEM, rather than a bunch of rabid propaganda sites commenting on them.
        If you're truly that dense, that you don't understand that a commentary, citing carefully edited and paraphrased versions of the real story, isn't the same as reading a news story, then it's no wonder that you're so easily duped.
        As I've said before, you don't seem to me to be a stupid man, but your critical thinking ability seems to be nonexistent.

      • Remember, if you post links, you are a moron who cannot speak to your own beliefs and opinions. And if you don't post links, she cannot begin to "discuss" anything with you!

        • Remember, if you post links, you are a moron who cannot speak to your own beliefs and opinions. And if you don’t post links, she cannot begin to “discuss” anything with you!
          ********************
          You're confabulating again, Rose----I never expressed such a view here. I have no problem with links, if they're used to back up one's own argument. But, when I see someone post a whole slew of links, with little or no commentary, I know s/he's either being lazy or doesn't have a mind of his/her own.

          I also have a BIG problem with those who post rabid commentaries, and try to foist them off as "evidence" of anything in particular. Any idiot can post an opinion on the internet. But, unless that opinion includes verifiable facts and logic, it's just mindless drivel.

          • Olivia December 7, 2011 at 2:51 pm
            Poorly Rated. Do you Like or Dislike? 0 12

            Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.

            No, I missed it. I don’t sit here all day every day, watching for new posts, and I was done with that thread—as you claimed YOU were, about 50 posts ago. I also tend not to bother with posts loaded with links. I figure that, if a poster can’t be bothered to come up with his own discussion points, in his own words, he’s not worth my time.

            Now that I’m back to work, I have limited time, and I really don’t care to spend it plowing through a bunch of this-guy-says-it-better-than-I-could links. I’ll do my best, but it seems to me that, if your position has any merit whatsoever, you ought to be able to back it up YOURSELF, using YOUR own words.

  • Hi gang, nothing to add, just saw that this thread was still active, over on the sidebar there, so dropped in to ‘thumbs down’ all the Livvy posts.
    *********************
    Translation: "Hmmmm....looks like she cleaned your clocks good. I'd better get to work hiding the evidence. Drat her for dragging in all this unwelcome logic, and making our bigotry and hysteria look silly!"

    • looks like she cleaned your clocks good.

      As we would expect from a janitor. Now isn't it time for you to clean the bathrooms?

    • Translation to the translation: Dad saw I am STILL trying to defend my defenseless stands, and came over for a good laugh. Why won't these people just accept that I am RIGHT!

  • Hi gang, nothing to add, just saw that this thread was still active, over on the sidebar there, so dropped in to 'thumbs down' all the Livvy posts.

  • OK, why don't we just admit it, it's all Bush's fault!

    http://www.aurorasentinel.com/opinion/columnists/article_008243b2-1535-58e9-a4b8-75ad20b402a4.html

    Green: Obama is a victim of Bush's failed promises

    Posted: Sunday, February 7, 2010 12:00 am

    Green: Obama is a victim of Bush's failed promises By CHUCK GREEN
    Columnist Aurora Sentinel | 21 comments

    Barack Obama is setting a record-setting number of records during his first year in office.

    Largest budget ever. Largest deficit ever. Largest number of broken promises ever. Most self-serving speeches ever. Largest number of agenda-setting failures ever. Fastest dive in popularity ever.

    Wow. Talk about change.

    Just one year ago, fresh from his inauguration celebrations, President Obama was flying high. After one of the nation’s most inspiring political campaigns, the election of America’s first black president had captured the hopes and dreams of millions. To his devout followers, it was inconceivable that a year later his administration would be gripped in self-imposed crisis.

    Of course, they don’t see it as self imposed. It’s all George Bush’s fault.

    George Bush, who doesn’t have a vote in Congress and who no longer occupies the White House, is to blame for it all.

    He broke Obama’s promise to put all bills on the White House web site for five days before signing them.

    He broke Obama’s promise to have the congressional health care negotiations broadcast live on C-SPAN.

    He broke Obama’s promise to end earmarks.

    He broke Obama’s promise to keep unemployment from rising above 8 percent.

    He broke Obama’s promise to close the detention center at Guantanamo in the first year.

    He broke Obama’s promise to make peace with direct, no pre-condition talks with America’s most hate-filled enemies during his first year in office, ushering in a new era of global cooperation.

    He broke Obama’s promise to end the hiring of former lobbyists into high White House jobs.

    He broke Obama’s promise to end no-compete contracts with the government.

    He broke Obama’s promise to disclose the names of all attendees at closed White House meetings.

    He broke Obama’s promise for a new era of bipartisan cooperation in all matters.

    He broke Obama’s promise to have chosen a home church to attend Sunday services with his family by Easter of last year.

    Yes, it’s all George Bush’s fault. President Obama is nothing more than a puppet in the never-ending, failed Bush administration.

    If only George Bush wasn’t still in charge, all of President Obama’s problems would be solved. His promises would have been kept, the economy would be back on track, Iran would have stopped its work on developing a nuclear bomb and would be negotiating a peace treaty with Israel, North Korea would have ended its tyrannical regime, and integrity would have been restored to the federal government.

    Oh, and did I mention what it would be like if the Democrats, under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, didn’t have the heavy yoke of George Bush around their necks. There would be no earmarks, no closed-door drafting of bills, no increase in deficit spending, no special-interest influence (unions), no vote buying (Nebraska, Louisiana).

    If only George Bush wasn’t still in charge, we’d have real change by now.

    All the broken promises, all the failed legislation and delay (health care reform, immigration reform) is not President Obama’s fault or the fault of the Democrat-controlled Congress. It’s all George Bush’s fault.

    Take for example the decision of Eric Holder, the president’s attorney general, to hold terrorists’ trials in New York City. Or his decision to try the Christmas Day underpants bomber as a civilian.

    Two disastrous decisions.

    Certainly those were bad judgments based on poor advice from George Bush.

    Need more proof?

    You might recall that when Scott Brown won last month’s election to the U.S. Senate from Massachusetts, capturing “the Ted Kennedy seat,” President Obama said that Brown’s victory was the result of the same voter anger that propelled Obama into office in 2008. People were still angry about George Bush and the policies of the past 10 years, and they wanted change.

    Yes, according to the president, the voter rebellion in Massachusetts last month was George Bush’s fault.

    Therefore, in retaliation, they elected a Republican to the Ted Kennedy seat, ending a half-century of domination by Democrats.

    It is all George Bush’s fault.

    Will the failed administration of George Bush ever end, and the time for hope and change ever arrive?

    Will President Obama ever accept responsibility for something — anything?

  • What you're referring to is a "human interest story," not a school routine, Lion. I would presume that classes at Lakewood Elementary School don't routinely have reporters milling around, and that students don't routinely have their fondest wishes granted by school officials, via Santa Claus.

    Like your right wing extremist buddies here, you've missed the whole point of the discussion. It's not "Should Santa Claus ever be included in any public school functions?" but, "Do Ft. Worth district officials have the right to ensure that class time be dedicated to class work, rather than frills and entertainment?" But, as usual, the far right is scrambling around, searching for things to get offended about, and tried to turn a routine education policy into a vast left wing conspiracy to murder Jesus. @@

    <<<According to a Dec. 1, 2011, news story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Fort Worth school district’s attorney recently sent a memo to staff stating that students should not be allowed to exchange gifts or "distribute personal holiday messages" during class. The story says the memo cites legal concerns associated with the distribution of personal holiday messages.

    "For example, if students are allowed to exchange cards or small trinkets, the district would be required to allow a student to distribute a religious message with the gift or card," the memo says, according to the newspaper. "In other words, the school district cannot prohibit the distribution of unsolicited religious material directly to students if it allows other personal messages to be distributed during school activities held during the school day."

    The paper quoted a district spokesman, Clint Bond, saying that students can, however, exchange gifts and cards before and after school and during lunch. Students can say "merry Christmas" to one another during the school day, Bond was quoted saying.

    The Fort Worth district’s memo also says Santa Claus is not allowed to visit classes, the newspaper reported, though it says the memo also says that "seasonal decorations are appropriate if they are not religious in nature" and classroom parties are allowed if they "serve an appropriate instructional purpose."

    According to a Dec. 1, 2011, news story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Fort Worth school district’s attorney recently sent a memo to staff stating that students should not be allowed to exchange gifts or "distribute personal holiday messages" during class. The story says the memo cites legal concerns associated with the distribution of personal holiday messages.

    "For example, if students are allowed to exchange cards or small trinkets, the district would be required to allow a student to distribute a religious message with the gift or card," the memo says, according to the newspaper. "In other words, the school district cannot prohibit the distribution of unsolicited religious material directly to students if it allows other personal messages to be distributed during school activities held during the school day."

    The paper quoted a district spokesman, Clint Bond, saying that students can, however, exchange gifts and cards before and after school and during lunch. Students can say "merry Christmas" to one another during the school day, Bond was quoted saying.

    The Fort Worth district’s memo also says Santa Claus is not allowed to visit classes, the newspaper reported, though it says the memo also says that "seasonal decorations are appropriate if they are not religious in nature" and classroom parties are allowed if they "serve an appropriate instructional purpose."

    According to a Dec. 1, 2011, news story in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Fort Worth school district’s attorney recently sent a memo to staff stating that students should not be allowed to exchange gifts or "distribute personal holiday messages" during class. The story says the memo cites legal concerns associated with the distribution of personal holiday messages.

    "For example, if students are allowed to exchange cards or small trinkets, the district would be required to allow a student to distribute a religious message with the gift or card," the memo says, according to the newspaper. "In other words, the school district cannot prohibit the distribution of unsolicited religious material directly to students if it allows other personal messages to be distributed during school activities held during the school day."

    The paper quoted a district spokesman, Clint Bond, saying that students can, however, exchange gifts and cards before and after school and during lunch. Students can say "merry Christmas" to one another during the school day, Bond was quoted saying.

    The Fort Worth district’s memo also says Santa Claus is not allowed to visit classes, the newspaper reported, though it says the memo also says that "seasonal decorations are appropriate if they are not religious in nature" and classroom parties are allowed if they "serve an appropriate instructional purpose."
    http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2011/dec/09/rick-perry/rick-perry-says-kids-cant-openly-celebrate-christm/

    • No, I guess it's not a "school routine" for Santa Claus to come to school, since we're basically only talking about the time from after Thanksgiving until about mid-December. How pathetic that you keep hiding your disdain for a just a little bit of Christmas in the public schools behind the idea that every second of every day must be given to formal instruction. There are all sorts of exceptions to this rule and anyone who has been to a public or private school knows it. We used to have little birthday parties the last period frequently in the Catholic grade school I went to. So, we missed a bit of instruction occasionally. What were the results? The results were that the school I went to was a blue ribbon school which excelled over all the public schools. Other times, when it was getting warm outside or for some other reason, the teacher would tell us to shut our books as we were going to do something different. Sometimes we would go outside for a little fresh air. God forbid the students have one period before Christmas where they have a little party or enjoy a visit from Santa. How about cutting one of the condom on cucumber sex ed lessons or one environmental propaganda lesson for one Christmas party? It's not about missing formal instruction for you. You're hiding behind that so you don't have to admit that you want secularism enforced in the public schools.

      • No, I guess it’s not a “school routine” for Santa Claus to come to school, since we’re basically only talking about the time from after Thanksgiving until about mid-December. How pathetic that you keep hiding your disdain for a just a little bit of Christmas in the public schools behind the idea that every second of every day must be given to formal instruction.
        **********************
        Not "formal instruction," Lion: education. IF you don't know the difference between the two concepts, then you clearly haven't spent much time around schools during the past few decades. ;)

        Now, once again: tell me why you think the professional educators employed in the Ft. Worth public school district are less qualified than YOU are to determine the best education policies for the students they oversee. And try to answer it without resorting to silly hyperbole (and lies) about "cucumber sex ed lessons."

      • I think it is funny and telling when Olivia accuses the right of scrambling around looking for something to be offended at when it is the left wing secularists that have clogged up the courts for the past 30 years with this faux outrage. How many other "causes" must we endure because some loon on the left is offended or is appeasing some "victim" group.

        • I think it is funny and telling when Olivia accuses the right of scrambling around looking for something to be offended at when it is the left wing secularists that have clogged up the courts for the past 30 years with this faux outrage. How many other “causes” must we endure because some loon on the left is offended or is appeasing some “victim” group.
          ********************
          Wrong again, my boy. Those who insist that government institutions be shills for the Christian religion are being unreasonable. They're saying "I WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO VALIDATE MY RELIGION AND MY POLITICAL VIEWS, WHETHER OR NOT IT INTERFERES WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S RIGHTS!"

          When people behave like selfish children, demanding that other Americans be forced to follow the practices THEY'VE chosen for them, it's right and proper for the courts to intervene. That's a very different thing from "faux outrage."

          • They’re saying “I WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO VALIDATE MY RELIGION AND MY POLITICAL VIEWS, WHETHER OR NOT IT INTERFERES WITH OTHER PEOPLE’S RIGHTS!”
            *************************
            Indeed, that's what Muslims are saying: "We are a religion of peace, and we'll kill you if you disagree. No depiction of Mohammed in ANY form, or we'll kill you. No statements against our religion, or we'll kill you."

            Their religious rights are interfering with MY right to not be decapitated.

          • Wrong again, my girl. You presume too much.

            When people behave like selfish children, demanding that other Americans be forced to follow the practices THEY’VE chosen for them, it’s right and proper for the courts to intervene. That’s a very different thing from “faux outrage.”

            It is the left that put all of this into motion in violation if the First Amendment. This was a non issue until the militant atheists got involved with the ACLU. The only POV being forced is the minority POV. What you wrote is backward. The atheists and their left wing allies, by means of the courts and a flawed concept of separation of church and state, have forced 87% of the US population (percent who are Christian) to bow to their demands.

            Like I said before, I'm not religious and I do not attend church but I resent tyranny by the few and I resent the notion that Christians started this controversy.

          • And in fact, these constant lawsuits are impacting Christians ability to practice their religion-a clear violation of the Constitution. Last May, a local school got sued by ONE CHILD (via their atheist parents) because the Valedictorian wanted to say a prayer of thanks in her Valedictory speech. The courst issued a restraining order against the inclusion of the prayer then another court held FOR the prayer. She said the prayer in her ceremony. The atheist family just now dropped the lawsuit. The atheist child could have stood quietly while others prayed. No one was insiting he take part. These test cases are run everywhere, just to see if they can set a precedent for future lawsuits.

          • If you hate religion in government so badly, then stop spending the money that has "IN GOD WE TRUST" on it. It's against your beliefs to posess such items, so go somewhere that they don't have it on the money.

    • This....

      "Like your right wing extremist buddies here, you’ve missed the whole point of the discussion. It’s not “Should Santa Claus ever be included in any public school functions?” but, “Do Ft. Worth district officials have the right to ensure that class time be dedicated to class work, rather than frills and entertainment?” But, as usual, the far right is scrambling around, searching for things to get offended about, and tried to turn a routine education policy into a vast left wing conspiracy to murder Jesus. @@"

      Contradicts this..

      "The Fort Worth district’s memo also says Santa Claus is not allowed to visit classes, the newspaper reported, though it says the memo also says that "seasonal decorations are appropriate if they are not religious in nature" and classroom parties are allowed if they "serve an appropriate instructional purpose."

      Your article does not state whether or not Santa can visit before or after class.  Since it did go to great length to state twice that gifts or trinkets could be exchanged before or after class, then I, as a reader, am led to believe that Santa is not welcome at all.  The decision has nothing to do with the rights of the administrator.  It has to do with political correctness as shown below.

      FTA: The Fort Worth Independent School District also banned students exchanging Christmas gifts after they determined that public schools could no longer “endorse or sponsor any religious activity or doctrine.”

      A spokesman for the school district told Fox News & Commentary that “in an effort to be politically correct” teachers are not allowed to “post something that would foster or promote or impugn one doctrine or religion over another – or even give that impression.”

      By the way, no-one said anything about murdering Jesus.  That's just you being a hyperbolic left-wing loon.

      • Your article does not state whether or not Santa can visit before or after class. Since it did go to great length to state twice that gifts or trinkets could be exchanged before or after class, then I, as a reader, am led to believe that Santa is not welcome at all.
        **********************
        You, "as a reader" clearly weren't paying attention, Kick. I have pointed out, several times here, that Santa was NOT banned from Ft. Worth public schools altogether. Here's the official word, as released over a week ago:

        FORT WORTH -- Santa Claus may not be allowed in the classrooms of the Fort Worth school district, but administrators want the public to know that he's not banned from schools.

        "Fort Worth ISD loves Santa Claus and continues to support his universal message of generosity and kindness," officials said in a statement posted on the school district's website Friday morning.

        "Santa Claus is welcome to visit our schools. He can be in the lobby. He can be in the cafeteria. He can be in the auditorium. He can be in the school, around the school. But he cannot visit the classroom while the teacher is teaching," interim Superintendent Walter Dansby said in the statement.
        http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12/02/3567388/in-fort-worth-santa-claus-can.html#ixzz1gEd2dSeM
        ******************
        By the way, no-one said anything about murdering Jesus. That’s just you being a hyperbolic left-wing loon.
        *******************
        No, that's me parodying the high drama here. I was making fun of those who accused Ft. Worth school officials of trying to "destroy Christianity." But, of course, it would take a sense of humor (or at least of proportion) to recognize that. ;)

        • I think it is interesting that your last link to the Star- Telegram appears to be a clarification and a response to the parents's outrage. Until that story, there was no clarification that Santa was welcome at all. The originally posted article did not make that distinction. I'd say a compromise was reached.

          • Kick, this just proves there is more revisionist history coming from the left!
            It will not stop for at least another month, but will pick up again around Easter! ;-)

  • Students at Lakewood Elementary School in Hardin County, Kentucky, were led into the school library on Friday to hear read what one news source described as a "Christmas" story. With the students in the library, Santa Claus came in for a visit. Santa asked two sisters, first grade and fifth, what they wanted for Christmas. The girls said they wanted to see their father who was deployed in Afghanistan. And then Santa granted their wish as their father walked in for a beautiful reunion.
    http://www.thenewsenterprise.com/content/cecilia-girls-get-their-christmas-wish-dads-home-war

    I am outraged that this egregious violation of the separation of church and state was allowed to take place. I hope counselors will be made available for any children deeply traumatized by hearing read a Christmas story, in addition to seeing Santa Claus. Lakewood Elementary has obviously established Christianity as an official state religion with this event. This time could have been used for environmental studies. Don't they know the planet is on fire! My only hope now is that Grinches and Scrooges, oops, I mean, lawyers, will be able to stop the school's "Christmas Performance" which according to the school's website is scheduled for Thursday. (Sarcasm)

  • This is great news. We need lets distractions from the lord. These kids outta learn about the Bible instead of fake Santa Claus.

    • Yeah, that would be a sticky wicket. Let's just wait and see if it makes it into the pop culture first. If it was a vote for new entrants to 'gift giving holiday superheroes', mine's for Hanukkah Harry, as he was on the US scene earlier.

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