1 objection ends Bible tradition in Big Timber

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

Enlighten us, oh mighty one! Our feeble brains are unable to process much beyond our next meal and getting laid.

OK. Since you asked... and you called me a nice name....

The issue ISN'T that they're handing out bibles. The ISSUE is that they let ONE person's complaint determine what an ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT was going to do. It's the inmates running the asylum, and it's ground ZERO for what's wrong with our country today. What happens when ONE PERSON bitches about what's served at the school cafeteria? Do they go all nuclear and change the entire menu? What about if ONE person bitches about the content of the English curriculum? Do they change the entire English curriculum?

This issue isn't about BIBLES, it's about a VERY VOCAL, largely annoying VERY SMALL minority being allowed to run roughshod over a meek, spineless school district.

Fcukers ought to be ashamed of themselves.

If I lived in that district I'd immediately start circulating recall petitions just to prove a point.

As school board members---nay---ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL, is supposed to represent what the MAJORITY of their constituents want. Period. These people failed miserably.

AZ I agree with you assertion if it were gone completely and taken away from those that enjoy it but in this case it is still freely available to those that want it. In many other cases I would line up with you on the issue but on this one nothing has been taken away from the students that do want the bibles. On top of that only one voice said something but I'll darn sure guarantee you that not all of the other 49 are in the other corner on this one.

[AZGrizFan]

OK. Since you asked... and you called me a nice name....

The issue ISN'T that they're handing out bibles. The ISSUE is that they let ONE person's complaint determine what an ENTIRE SCHOOL DISTRICT was going to do. It's the inmates running the asylum, and it's ground ZERO for what's wrong with our country today. What happens when ONE PERSON bitches about what's served at the school cafeteria? Do they go all nuclear and change the entire menu? What about if ONE person bitches about the content of the English curriculum? Do they change the entire English curriculum?

This issue isn't about BIBLES, it's about a VERY VOCAL, largely annoying VERY SMALL minority being allowed to run roughshod over a meek, spineless school district.

Fcukers ought to be ashamed of themselves.

If I lived in that district I'd immediately start circulating recall petitions just to prove a point.

As school board members---nay---ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL, is supposed to represent what the MAJORITY of their constituents want. Period. These people failed miserably.

AZ I agree with you assertion if it were gone completely and taken away from those that enjoy it but in this case it is still freely available to those that want it. In many other cases I would line up with you on the issue but on this one nothing has been taken away from the students that do want the bibles. On top of that only one voice said something but I'll darn sure guarantee you that not all of the other 49 are in the other corner on this one.

It's a slippery slope Ursus, and once headed down it, there's only one logical ending----and it AIN'T good.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

You are completely wrong, Z

The only rights restricted were of those that didn't want a bible shoved down their throat. If a student wants a Bible, they can still get one.

Would you be ok with Cave Creek handing out Scientology materials to your kids?

And if a student DOESN'T want a bible, don't fcuking take it. It's really that simple, Jon.

I don't give a shit what the district hands out. I TALK to my kids about this stuff and they know better. It's called parenting. Something a lot of people should do a little of.

Your theory confuses the hell out of me. by your logic (which... our Constitution was written EXPRESSLY to prevent) 51% could enslave 49%... Majority rule does not mean majority domination. The idea that this is just a case of a "vocal minority ruining things for everyone else" is absurd. This isn't a case of tater tots or a baked potato at lunch... it's a CLEAR violation of the establishment clause.

I again return to the question... if this was a Koran... pitchforks would have been raised already.

moreover... what about Baccalaureate? a private religious service for grads... where they could be presented without a problem? we had this at my high school... seemed not to be a problem

[AZGrizFan]

And if a student DOESN'T want a bible, don't fcuking take it. It's really that simple, Jon.

I don't give a shit what the district hands out. I TALK to my kids about this stuff and they know better. It's called parenting. Something a lot of people should do a little of.

Your theory confuses the hell out of me. by your logic (which... our Constitution was written EXPRESSLY to prevent) 51% could enslave 49%... Majority rule does not mean majority domination. The idea that this is just a case of a "vocal minority ruining things for everyone else" is absurd. This isn't a case of tater tots or a baked potato at lunch... it's a CLEAR violation of the establishment clause.

I again return to the question... if this was a Koran... pitchforks would have been raised already.

moreover... what about Baccalaureate? a private religious service for grads... where they could be presented without a problem? we had this at my high school... seemed not to be a problem

You know what, TT, if it WAS 51-49%, I'd be fine with them doing what they did. But we have no idea WHAT the majority wanted. We know what ONE family wanted, and they got it. THAT'S what concerns me. And again, I don't consider this as a "bible issue".

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

AZ I agree with you assertion if it were gone completely and taken away from those that enjoy it but in this case it is still freely available to those that want it. In many other cases I would line up with you on the issue but on this one nothing has been taken away from the students that do want the bibles. On top of that only one voice said something but I'll darn sure guarantee you that not all of the other 49 are in the other corner on this one.

It's a slippery slope Ursus, and once headed down it, there's only one logical ending----and it AIN'T good.

I have my kitty litter at the ready and as I said I agree with you when interest groups have things taken away from those that enjoy something but this isn't that.

[AZGrizFan]

It's a slippery slope Ursus, and once headed down it, there's only one logical ending----and it AIN'T good.

I have my kitty litter at the ready and as I said I agree with you when interest groups have things taken away from those that enjoy something but this isn't that.

Well, I disagree. This is just the most visible example of exactly that.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

i agree with Ursus... I used to get pissed at NDSU for having a "vegan option" at all three dining halls on campus... when we could prove (i worked in dining services) that fewer than 10 vegan meals were eaten on a given day. when we asked that, to save money, it be moved to one dining hall (the main one) we were rebuffed, and so... wasted money on phoney baloney sandwiches which never moved.

but again... vegan meals aren't Bibles being handed out on stage at graduation

[Cap'n Cat]

Z, give it up.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I have my kitty litter at the ready and as I said I agree with you when interest groups have things taken away from those that enjoy something but this isn't that.

Well, I disagree. This is just the most visible example of exactly that.

Well you're not wrong very often so I'll give you a pass this time my man. When they're trying to silence something though you and I will turn this motha out.

[AZGrizFan]

Well, I disagree. This is just the most visible example of exactly that.

Well you're not wrong very often so I'll give you a pass this time my man. When they're trying to silence something though you and I will turn this motha out.

As I told Cappy, he thinks this is OK because he happens to agree with THIS one...when it's something he DOESN'T agree with, God help us all!

[Cap'n Cat]

Well you're not wrong very often so I'll give you a pass this time my man. When they're trying to silence something though you and I will turn this motha out.

As I told Cappy, he thinks this is OK because he happens to agree with THIS one...when it's something he DOESN'T agree with, God help us all!

No, Z. I'm as forceful as your Navy ass when I disagree. That's all

At the end, unlike many Conks here, I still love you guys.

[AZGrizFan]

As I told Cappy, he thinks this is OK because he happens to agree with THIS one...when it's something he DOESN'T agree with, God help us all!

No, Z. I'm as forceful as your Navy ass when I disagree. That's all

At the end, unlike many Conks here, I still love you guys.

If that's the case, then you of all people should understand that this is NOT about bibles, but about the few enforcing their will on the many. It's a dangerous road to go down.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

No, Z. I'm as forceful as your Navy ass when I disagree. That's all

At the end, unlike many Conks here, I still love you guys.

If that's the case, then you of all people should understand that this is NOT about bibles, but about the few enforcing their will on the many. It's a dangerous road to go down.

that pesky establishment clause in the constitution makes it totally different - we've been dancing this one for awhile...

[AZGrizFan]

If that's the case, then you of all people should understand that this is NOT about bibles, but about the few enforcing their will on the many. It's a dangerous road to go down.

that pesky establishment clause in the constitution makes it totally different - we've been dancing this one for awhile...

True, THIS particular instance may be a constitutional one....but it's not the issue to me. It's AN issue, but not THE issue here....there's a larger danger here, in my opinion.

[bench]

This issue isn't about BIBLES, it's about a VERY VOCAL, largely annoying VERY SMALL minority being allowed to run roughshod over a meek, spineless school district.

Fcukers ought to be ashamed of themselves.

As a Christian, shouldn't you instead be ashamed of those who would make a showy display of their faith in public to assert their moral superiority over others? These people must have three arms in action simultaneously – one to hand a graduate a Bible, the second to shake their hand, and the third to pat themselves on the back.

[Cap'n Cat]

No, Z. I'm as forceful as your Navy ass when I disagree. That's all

At the end, unlike many Conks here, I still love you guys.

If that's the case, then you of all people should understand that this is NOT about bibles, but about the few enforcing their will on the many. It's a dangerous road to go down.

Love ya, but yer dead wrong, my brother. Check this: When it comes to matters that occur between the ears of the individual, such as religion, the Constitution protects the minority from the whim and fancy of the majority. Always has. Always will. Welcome to the new America.




Sorry, my Intermountain West brother.

[AZGrizFan]

This issue isn't about BIBLES, it's about a VERY VOCAL, largely annoying VERY SMALL minority being allowed to run roughshod over a meek, spineless school district.

Fcukers ought to be ashamed of themselves.

As a Christian, shouldn't you instead be ashamed of those who would make a showy display of their faith in public to assert their moral superiority over others? These people must have three arms in action simultaneously – one to hand a graduate a Bible, the second to shake their hand, and the third to pat themselves on the back.

I'm not sure how else I can say it: This ISN'T about bibles. It's about ONE family determining the actions of an entire school district. These people (bible givers) could be complete morons...I really don't care. THAT isn't my issue. I'm embarrassed by LOTS of thumpers forcing their religion onto others....but that's just the example here. America has become a country that bends over backwards placating the minority. One person stands up at a school board meeting and complains about how "hot the playground equipment gets in the summer" and viola! The school board decides to spend $300,000 on shade structures to cover the playground equipment. The school district needs to shave $5 million off it's annual budget because of a failed bond and decides to close a school. ONE person stands up to complain about THEIR child being affected, and the district takes school closure off the table. Never mind that it's the RIGHT decision and the ONLY way to get to the $5 million number. They cave in to the bleating of a very vocal, very small minority....in the name of political correctness.

Ultimately this becomes an issue of having the backbone to tell this ONE family that they can either start a petition and get X # of signatures and THEN the board will take action (once they know it's not just one wackjobs opinion), or they can choose to NOT take a bible.

I realize I'm beating my head against the wall with all the anti-religion zealots here, but my issue is NOT about the religious aspect of this. It's the spinelessness of it all that just appalls me.

[bench]

As a Christian, shouldn't you instead be ashamed of those who would make a showy display of their faith in public to assert their moral superiority over others? These people must have three arms in action simultaneously – one to hand a graduate a Bible, the second to shake their hand, and the third to pat themselves on the back.

I'm not sure how else I can say it: This ISN'T about bibles. It's about ONE family determining the actions of an entire school district. These people (bible givers) could be complete morons...I really don't care. THAT isn't my issue. I'm embarrassed by LOTS of thumpers forcing their religion onto others....but that's just the example here. America has become a country that bends over backwards placating the minority. One person stands up at a school board meeting and complains about how "hot the playground equipment gets in the summer" and viola! The school board decides to spend $300,000 on shade structures to cover the playground equipment. The school district needs to shave $5 million off it's annual budget because of a failed bond and decides to close a school. ONE person stands up to complain about THEIR child being affected, and the district takes school closure off the table. Never mind that it's the RIGHT decision and the ONLY way to get to the $5 million number. They cave in to the bleating of a very vocal, very small minority....in the name of political correctness.

Ultimately this becomes an issue of having the backbone to tell this ONE family that they can either start a petition and get X # of signatures and THEN the board will take action (once they know it's not just one wackjobs opinion), or they can choose to NOT take a bible.

I realize I'm beating my head against the wall with all the anti-religion zealots here, but my issue is NOT about the religious aspect of this. It's the spinelessness of it all that just appalls me.

Can you not imagine your belief being in the minority, and how you would react if the majority were constantly pushing their beliefs on you? What if you were put in the uncomfortable position of being forced to either bite your tongue and publicly accept something that contradicts your own belief, or perform a very public refusal or the majority's values? For your information, I would be in the majority here, and given the choice between the minority view (Constitutionally-backed no less) and a bunch of smug, self-righteous do-gooders, I'll take the underdog.

Local tradition be damned, our public schools shouldn't be handing out Bibles. Period. They shouldn't be handing out the Koran, the Kama Sutra, or Dianetics. That's not their job. That's our churches' job. And local decisions about whether to follow our nation's laws shouldn't be subject to an American Idol-style exercise in mob rule, regardless of which of several parties happens to be in charge.

[Appaholic]

that pesky establishment clause in the constitution makes it totally different - we've been dancing this one for awhile...

True, THIS particular instance may be a constitutional one....but it's not the issue to me. It's AN issue, but not THE issue here....there's a larger danger here, in my opinion.

Yep......and the Civil War was really about state's rights... So, as long as his parents petitioned the school board to get it over-turned with majority signatures, you'd have no problem with the football coach not allowing the black kid to come out for the team? Sorry, you may have an ambiguous point about inmates-running-asylum, but you, like Citdog and the rest of the south, are backing the wrong horse to make your point.....btw, didja ever think that it's this kind of sh!t that makes some of us anti-religion to begin with?....

[houndawg]

As a Christian, shouldn't you instead be ashamed of those who would make a showy display of their faith in public to assert their moral superiority over others? These people must have three arms in action simultaneously – one to hand a graduate a Bible, the second to shake their hand, and the third to pat themselves on the back.

I'm not sure how else I can say it: This ISN'T about bibles. It's about ONE family determining the actions of an entire school district. These people (bible givers) could be complete morons...I really don't care. THAT isn't my issue. I'm embarrassed by LOTS of thumpers forcing their religion onto others....but that's just the example here. America has become a country that bends over backwards placating the minority. One person stands up at a school board meeting and complains about how "hot the playground equipment gets in the summer" and viola! The school board decides to spend $300,000 on shade structures to cover the playground equipment. The school district needs to shave $5 million off it's annual budget because of a failed bond and decides to close a school. ONE person stands up to complain about THEIR child being affected, and the district takes school closure off the table. Never mind that it's the RIGHT decision and the ONLY way to get to the $5 million number. They cave in to the bleating of a very vocal, very small minority....in the name of political correctness.

Ultimately this becomes an issue of having the backbone to tell this ONE family that they can either start a petition and get X # of signatures and THEN the board will take action (once they know it's not just one wackjobs opinion), or they can choose to NOT take a bible.

I realize I'm beating my head against the wall with all the anti-religion zealots here, but my issue is NOT about the religious aspect of this. It's the spinelessness of it all that just appalls me.

And viola?

[Wedgebuster]

So bibles were only being given to those who graduated? So WTF is the deal with not giving bibles to those who are less academically gifted and did NOT graduate? Does God hate retards?

Talk about taking a swing and missing the whole point, this is the real reason the historically ensconched practice has been terminated, inequality.

[Cap'n Cat]

So bibles were only being given to those who graduated? So WTF is the deal with not giving bibles to those who are less academically gifted and did NOT graduate? Does God hate retards?

Talk about taking a swing and missing the whole point, this is the real reason the historically ensconched practice has been terminated, inequality.

Bibles were given to white students only, too.

[hank scorpio]

So bibles were only being given to those who graduated? So WTF is the deal with not giving bibles to those who are less academically gifted and did NOT graduate? Does God hate retards?

Talk about taking a swing and missing the whole point, this is the real reason the historically ensconched practice has been terminated, inequality.

Bibles were given to white students only, too.

Are you saying there is a lack of diversity in Big Timber?

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

AZ's point as he has said is not about religion but it is what everybody is focusing on AZ because IT IS what this particular story is about. That makes it a litle different and thus why you are unable to get us to focus on your point about the minority leading society at this point. On this particular story thr religious angle is THE POINT. If it were something else like censoring speech on the airwaves or something like that then we could understand your point/focus on your point a little easier. Appaholic put it best when he said you're backing the wrong horse to make your point. We understand what your saying but you aren't getting what the focus of our argument is on this particular subject.

[Wedgebuster]

Much to the relief of these and future bible possession challenged graduates, there are still some un-edited of the Gideon version to be found in motel rooms.

Unfortunately, for the non-graduating and non-white former students who have apparently always been bible possession challenged because they are also likely monetarily challenged and in denial for equal access to motel bibles, their plight is likely to continue.