Letter to the Editor....

....about Gideon Bible distribution in public schools:

I wish to commend the AISD for their enlightened policy prohibiting Gideon Bible distribution on the campuses of (our city's) public schools. It is unfortunate (and decidedly unlawful) that the presumptuous practice continues in (local small towns).The constitutional guarantee regarding "no establishment of religion" should extend to all communities where the U.S. flag is flown, without exceptions made just because a town is little. It would not hurt for public school students (and faculty/administration) in those places to learn that tax-supported institutions are supposed to be neutral in the matter of faith options. Unless they welcome the literature of Buddhists, Pagans, etc., just as affirmatively as they do Gideon Bibles, they are in egregious violation of the letter and spirit of constitutional religious liberty.
In the same sense, it violates the rights of many citizens to have prayers "in Jesus' name" at graduation ceremonies; to present the creationist or intelligent design "theory" alongside or instead of valid science; to use elementary school rosters for Vacation Bible School mailings---and indeed, to have inserted the expression "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance at public school functions all these years.
There has been progress, but surely a ways to go yet toward the ideal of justice for all Americans regardless of faith status. Freedom is dubious that hasn't proper equality to it.

SGTex
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photo borrowed from pyrophile.livejournal.com

Spring is on the move, and so are the rattlesnakes, it seems....

I love this picture of the bird's nest. Spring is well underway around here. Some would say it'll be summer before you know it, and others say that it's already here! Whichever it is out there, it's been the usual busy schedule for us, mostly work and a little R&R time on the weekend. We did go out to do some more treasure-hunting out at the old fort site where we were before. We had a car picnic and the caretaker came by to chat. "Are you guys going to get out and walk around?" "Yeah, we are." "Well, watch out for rattlesnakes!" "Oh yeah? Okay." "Yeah, someone saw one yesterday out by the surgeon's quarters." So, DH tells him about the one I'd encountered last time, and the caretaker's eyes get all big. Then he proceeds to tell us, rather matter-of-factly and by the way, about the one he shot the day before that he and his puppy encountered...finishing his story up with a wave of the hand and a "Be careful, they're on the move!" Needless to say, I didn't get out and walk around after all. SGTex did, and since I was wearing sandals--the same ones I had on last time I was there. I know...what was I thinking? LOL

Oh, yeah, and then there's the sign we see at a local vet's office about "It's time to get your dog immunized for rattlesnake bite." I'm like, "Whaaat?"

Anyway, here's hoping you are having a wonderful spring!

Shawn
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Picture courtesy of our friend T in TN, a Chipping Sparrows nest. Thank you, T!