"prayer"said in Athens, GA high school

[anotherginger]

Hi,

My daughter is a junior at Cedar Shoals High School in Athens, Ga. This morning the principal, Dr. Craft, read a "prayer" over the
intercom.

I find this poem offensive and degrading. Our children
do not need to be subjected to this kind of political
brainwashing at school. What he did is indefensible.

This is what he read:

---------------------------------------------
THE NEW SCHOOL PRAYER

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule

For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.

And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.

They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.

It's "inappropriate" to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.

But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.

So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

-------------------------------------------
I am outraged and I am not alone. Many parents have
called me and are also making phone calls and sending
emails. Dr. Craft should be fired for crossing the
line separating church and state.... and for being dim
enough to read a poem like this to our children.

Please contact these officials to let them know that
his behavior will *not* be tolerated.

* Cedar Shoals High School 706-546-5375
* Clarke County Superintendent Dr Lewis Holloway
546-7721 x 18231

[Wickerman]

1. Its most appalling that he did this "stand" with a time worn email spam

:puke:
Willful violation of church and state sepration.

Moran, he should be fired - thanks for the contact info.

[Mr_Spock]

2. That man is insane - he must be fired at once.

That is one of the most outrageous things I have ever heard of being read in a public place.

[Inland]

3. Kids subjected to bad poetry, bad politics along with fake religious piety

I bet that school is crap in every endeavor.

[CottonBear]

15. Actually, it is a good school.

My two goddaughters attend. They are getting an excellent education. In addition, I have many other friends who had children graduate from this school. The school is right around the corner from my home. It is NOT a lily white suburban white flight Chritian school. There is a diverse population. Many UGA professors and emplyees send their kids there. My godchildren are half jewish. There are white, black, asian and hispanic students as well as gay students. I have never heard of such a thing happening here in Athens-Clarke County. The right wing fundies send their kids to private (read: WHITE) religous schools. There is much racism is the outlying counties. Most of those schools are almost all white, all Christian (read: protestant.)

[mitchum]

31. I work at Cedar Shoals and I agree with you about it being a good school

And I had considered Craft a capable and dedicated administrator until I heard this swill on Tuesday.

[GOPBasher]

4. This is where the nation is going.

Theocracy is around the corner, folks. Pretty soon, we won't be able to be citizens unless we sign a paper that says, "Yes, I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior."

[Lenape85]

5. This deserves to be in the top 10 conservative idiots, it's so outrageous

[LoZoccolo]

6. I think your daughter is getting an excellent education.

Never in my 13 years of public schooling was I able to write as fast as she apparently can.

[anotherginger]

8. LOL!

The office gave out copies of the announcement after several students went and demanded it... and it is the exact one that is sent as an email... he must have gotten the email and thought it was cute.x(

[anotherginger]

7. I will post something tomorrow...

I am hoping the local paper will carry it... I emailed all the papers here in Athens. I'll post a link tomorrow if there is one.

Someone in another DU forum said that they need more proof, since this reads like a spam email... and I don't blame him... so I hope to post more proof tomorrow.

[RubyDuby in GA]

13. Send this and copies of your letters to the AJC

This is just stupid.

Ah....the religious right...it's oh so wrong.

I'll be sending them a little note too as an outraged taxpayer from the state of Georgia who doesn't approve of her hard earned tax dollars being spent on the salary of a man who has a blantant and wanton disregard for the laws of this country (i.e.separation of church and state).

:evilgrin:

[anotherginger]

18. the AJC contacted me and wants to do a story n/t

[Phentex]

22. Have you heard anything yet?

[anotherginger]

23. I have only heard from the head of the BOE...

she wrote:

"Although I can't say much more than what Dr. Mewborne has already written to you, you have my assurance that I agree that this matter will be handled within the next two days. We cannot interfere with the Superintendent's decision making, but we can tell him of our serious concerns about this issue. I cannot say more than that publicily. "

We are continuing to write emails and make phone calls.

Nothing is in the papers yet.... I am dissapointed, but not surprised.

[bunkerbuster1]

26. I see it's an AP story now. Kudos!

Congrats on getting this into a national news outlet, Ginger.

I'd like to have seen the SOB fired, but having him hauled out in front of the national media--and used as a whipping boy by our side when convenient--will have to suffice for now.

[bunkerbuster1]

9. I'm passing this along to the CPOG-ers

that's the Concerned Parents of Georgia, whose forum is at

http://voy.com/32130/

That group tends to be supportive of church/state separation, although there is always a fundie or two howling otherwise. Should be interesting to see where it goes.

Anyhoo, here's hoping this prick is fired: however, since I've little or no connection to this school system, all I can offer is moral support.

Could you post a scanned copy of this manifesto? It'd lend a little more credence to your efforts. (I'm all for banding together and getting this jerkoff fired, but a little evidence would be nice.)

[Phentex]

10. Sorry to say

I think you'd be fighting a losing battle there for many years to come. My brother-in-law teaches at a public school near there and you would not believe the stuff that goes on. He is from the north and is shocked! Religious e-mail is distributed to teachers on a regular basis. The kids are allowed to pray out loud all the time. The kids openly bad-mouthed John Kerry before and after the election. They cheered about the admendment banning gay marriage. AND if a teacher dares to speak up, they are asked to resign.

Yes, he's looking for another job. But the point is you are talking about an area where there isn't much diversity and the kids have been brought up with this type of thinking from birth. The citizens in a nearby county have agreed to use *taxpayer* money to fight to keep the ten commandments in the courthouse.

It's appalling.

[CottonBear]

16. Athens-Clarke county is diverse.

It is Oconee, Barrow, Oglethorpe and Jackson that are the problems. Oconee is especially "upscale", white, protestant and fundie. The others are just plain redneck.

[anotherginger]

11. I talked to the principal this morning......

The principal called me this morning... he admitted to reading the "new school prayer"... he said he did it to "provoke thought"!!

I asked him where he got it... he said he had a hard copy of it that someone gave him. I have been asked to scan a hard copy to show this is legit, but right now all I have is the email version. I can hopefully get one today and scan it in... the school office gave them out to students asking for it yesterday.

Dr Craft said that he didn't "mean to offend any student" ... I asked what he intends to do about it and he said he didn't know...that he is open to suggestions. I told him he should be suspended at the very least... that we need to send a message to schools everywhere that this is not to be tolerated.

I asked if any teachers complained and he said no.... that a few said they liked it... it is my understanding that most teachers were very upset.

He did say that he takes responsibility for what he did... his intent was to make the kids think about the changes in the public school system over the years. I asked what he intends to do about this... if he is going to have an open mic in the mornings where we can read our thought provoking material... he said that wouldn't be a good idea.

I won't go into what all *I* told him..... I have contacted many organizations, including the aclu (national and Georgia), the mayer and commissioners, BOE members, all local papers....
even libertarians.

It's not in the paper yet.. am still waiting.

Thanks for your suggestions and support!

[anotherginger]

12. the principal called me this morning.....

The principal called me this morning... he admitted to reading the "new school prayer"... he said he did it to "provoke thought"!!

I asked him where he got it... he said he had a hard copy of it that someone gave him. I have been asked to scan a hard copy to show this is legit, but right now all I have is the email version. I can hopefully get one today and scan it in... the school office gave them out to students asking for it yesterday.

Dr Craft said that he didn't "mean to offend any student" ... I asked what he intends to do about it and he said he didn't know...that he is open to suggestions. I told him he should be suspended at the very least... that we need to send a message to schools everywhere that this is not to be tolerated.

I asked if any teachers complained and he said no.... that a few said they liked it... it is my understanding that most teachers were very upset.

He did say that he takes responsibility for what he did... his intent was to make the kids think about the changes in the public school system over the years. I asked what he intends to do about this... if he is going to have an open mic in the mornings where we can read our thought provoking material... he said that wouldn't be a good idea.

I won't go into what all *I* told him..... I have contacted many organizations, including the ACLU (national and Georgia), the mayer and commissioners, BOE members, all local papers....
even libertarians.

It's not in the paper yet.. am still waiting.

Thanks for your suggestions and support!

[Charlie Brown]

14. This "poem" is the most offensive thing

I've ever read. It's insulting to non-Christians, atheists, non-traditional students ("dress like freaks?" Do Muslim women or Mennonites fall under that designation?), pregnant teens, and dozens of other constituencies. If I were in your position, I would seriously considering contacting the ACLU of Georgia and ask them to file suit against this idiot.

Incidentally, WHO is he complaining about? GA is now under complete Republican control. Our Supreme Court Justices were mostly appointed by Zell (the Repugs new hero), and the Federal Gov't is equally stacked toward the right. It seems some people will never be happy as long as people dare to think differently than they do.

If I had been a student, and heard this, I would have requested a moment of the principal's time to tell him how mean it was of him to read that (I had many friends who were non-traditional - atheists, Jehova's Witnesses, wiccan, etc. and they should not be put on the spot for not being "moral." This jerk will probably play the martyr now (if he's fired), feigning disbelief at the actions of the mean 'ol PC police (Roy Moore, anyone?). They should trim his salary, until he leaves willingly for a job that pays better (we'll see how "moral" he is once goes where the money is). This just irritates me TO NO END.

[anotherginger]

17. update

My daughter did go to the office to talk to the principal right after he read it, but he "wasn't in his office" although she saw him in there.

I have contacted the ACLU (both in GA and national)... I talked to the superintendent this afternoon who pretty much blew me off.

A student came by today to tell me about her and other students and parents meeting a teacher from the school who gave them more info about things the principal has done prior to this.... like asking teachers to stay after a meeting for a prayer group....

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution emailed me today for more info.... they want to do a story.... so maybe I will have a link soon.

The Flagpole (a local publication)said they will print a letter from a group of students either next week or the week after that.

The mayor of Athens emailed me and said she was concerned about this too and plans on meeting with the superintendent.

Thank you again for your support... I have had people contact me telling me that they agree with the poem and "the truth hurts, huh"... and someone told me that I am making the school look bad to the rest of the nation!!!

[bunkerbuster1]

19. Fuckin-A right you're making the school look bad to the rest of the nation

as well you should.

Those fudie pigs should be ashamed of themselves. Before this is over, they will be.

[JohnLocke]

20. + Native Americans

[anotherginger]

21. Not to mention that *I* am a Native American n/t

[anotherginger]

24. finally, a link!

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/politics/10298258.htm

[Phentex]

27. I saw it on the news!

:bounce:

It was brief but they showed a printout of the "poem" and claimed exactly what you said: that the principal read it to provoke thought and discussion. Uh huh, yeah right!

Way to go! I hope they show it again at 6:00!!!

[mac56]

25. anotherginger, you rock!

Props from over here in lil' ol' Cedar Creek.

[anotherginger]

28. check out this poll on the AJC web page:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/1104/30verse.html

I'm not surprised...I got an email this morning from someone call me a "whiner" and someone else basically saying I should put all this energy in doing something for good, not evil...after all, he *did* apologize.
:eyes:

[Phentex]

29. well then we need more whiners

like you.

[Phentex]

30. PS Have you posted the link elsewhere for more people to see?

I'd love to slam this poll!

[anotherginger]

32. EMAIL ADDRESSES and PHONE NUMBERS

I have been told that the school is getting *many* calls of support!! from as far away as Utah!!! We have got to get the word out.... they are making him into a martyr.

Cedar Shoals High School 706-546-5375

Principal and Asst Principals CSHS
Tommy Craft [e-mail]
Linda Dunn [e-mail]
Hill [e-mail]
Morgan [e-mail]
Charlten Torbett [e-mail]

Superintendant Dr Lewis Holloway 706-546-7721 x 18231

Board of Education
Dr Mewborn [e-mail]
Rev. David Nunnally [e-mail]
Mrs. Svea Bogue [e-mail]
Dr. Jackie Saindon [e-mail]
Mr. Chester Sosebee [e-mail]
Sidney Waters [e-mail]

Kathy Cox
Georgia State Superintendent
Tel [phone]
[e-mail]

[anotherginger]

33. more activity at the school

There was a performance at Cedar Shoals High School from the "Steel City Impact" drama troop. Take a look at their website: http://steelcitymc.com/.

From their website: " Our mission at Steel City
Master’s Commission is to equip students with
knowledge of God’s Word, personal discipline,
confidence in themselves, and excellence so they can
live out their God-given destiny. These individuals
will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy for Christ
upon their generation."

The troop performed for the school on Friday, November
12, 2004.

[anotherginger]

34. New School Prayer Story Bodes Well

New School Prayer Story Bodes Well
November 30, 2004

Listen to Rush Conduct the Broadcast Excellence Transcribed Below...(audio)

BEGIN TRANSCRIPT

RUSH: A small question of values. It just keeps effervescing. It just keeps showing up in places. These are all good signs, ladies and gentlemen, despite this might appear to be a temporary setback. This is actually a good sign. This is about the high school principal who apologized yesterday for reading a poem called The New School Prayer over the skrool's intercom "brought complaints from some parents who said it violated the principle of separation of church and state." The principal's name is Tommy Kraft, and again, he said he "didn't want to promote religion, but, rather, provoke thought and discussion among students about the changing political climate in when he read the poem the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break.

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_113004/content/institute.guest.html

[anotherginger]

35. I'm not a freeper!!

[bunkerbuster1]

36. Who said you were?

BTW, it's just soooo surprising that Druggie Limbaugh would take the principal's side, huh?

[anotherginger]

37. People defending the "prayer"

I am a little discouraged this morning... I did expect people to write and call in support of the principal... the paper is printing more for than against him reading the prayer... no surprise there.

On WUGA's Athens News Matters yesterday afternoon, Tim Bryant ([e-mail]), news director of a local conservative radio station WGUA, called me a "tattle tale"! He also said that high school is no place for a pregnant teenager.

It was a wimpy show with all the people on there saying they didn't see the harm of reading the poem... but one did say the prayer did show a lot about the person reading it... no one made the connection.

[anotherginger]

38. AJC article!!

http://www.ajc.com/opinion/content/opinion/1204/03poem.html