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School system sued for denying pacifist

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

(Updated 7:19 am)

By The Associated Press

NORTH WILKESBORO (AP) — The ACLU is suing a North Carolina school system it says has denied access to a pacifist who wants to talk to students about alternatives to the military.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported that Sally Ferrell represents North Carolina Peace Action and says Wilkes County schools haven't allowed her to present her message, even though military recruiters get time with students.

Ferrell wants to recruit for such groups as AmeriCorps, while also presenting information that might convince students not to choose the military.

School attorney Fred Johnson says the policy provides equal access for presentations to students. Wilkes County Schools superintendent Stephen Laws says the school's policy doesn't allow a recruiter to criticize other groups.

Laws and Johnson say the school system will defend its policy.

What do you think?

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holt

January 6, 2009 - 8:49 am EST

The School Boards in NC are totally out of control. The rules are good for one but not for another. We are currently having issues with another School Board. I would like to know the attorney that is representing the person against the School Board. It seems that if no one stands up to the "fence riders" of the School Boards NOTHING will change. It is TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO STAND UP !!!

Panacea

January 6, 2009 - 9:01 am EST

I have a problem with these so called peace activists. They give kids just as much a mixed message as military recruiters do. These activists want to tell kids they will be horrible people if they join the military, and responsible for murder. Not true.

The military is a viable option after high school for some kids. Not everyone can or should go to college right away, and who wants to work at McDonald's full time? The military teaches valuable skills to aid its members in national defense.

Kids and their parents do need to do their homework before enlisting: examine the risks vs the benefits.

Military recruiters are just like any other job recruiter (and I've had plenty of civilians ones lie to me as well).

If AmeriCorps wants to recruit, they can sent their own representatives. But "peace activists" want to spread a purely political and ideological message, and a job fair is not the right forum.

I support School Boards who refuse to endorse such nonsense.

Garth

January 6, 2009 - 12:07 pm EST

Let me see…Pacifist wants to expand right to trash military and heroes that fought for the liberty and freedom that created and defended the right that pacifist wants to expand? I guess that is why we often forget the third verse of our National Anthem.

“O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand,
Between their lov'd homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserv'd us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause. it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!”

A vacation in the Golan Heights might offer a broader perspective on how freedom is a slippery creature to be appreciated by those living on the blood shed for us and our cherished freedom by those in the military.

And yes I am on the School Board, but I assure you I sit on no fence!