Ed Brayton is a journalist, commentator and speaker. He is the co-founder and president of 
Remember the situation in Indian River, Delaware, where a Jewish family were the victims of multiple instances of intimidation in the schools? That case has now been settled. The facts were truly stunning. When the family went to the school board to ask that their children stop being harassed over being Jewish, one community member stood up and said of their 11 year old son, "If you want people to stop calling him 'Jew boy,' you tell him to give his heart to Jesus."
Jews on First has a report on the case and the settlement, the text of which can be found here. You may recall that after the suit was filed, Nedd Kareiva of STACLU posted the home address and phone number of the Jewish family and urged people to attack them, showing exactly what kind of asshole he is (just like our old pal DaveScot urged for the Dover plaintiffs, showing what an asshole he is too).
Here's what the settlement requires:
The settlement announced today obliges the district to adopt a set of policies to prevent teachers and other employees from promoting religion. In addition to the policies themselves, as part of the settlement, The settlement includes a set of "real-world" examples illustrating how the policies will operate in typical situations.According to Allingham, the concept of real-world examples originated with the plaintiffs, but was accepted by the school district. "The district offered a couple of its own examples that were incorporated in the settlement," he said.
Additionally, the settlement requires all district personnel -- including teachers, administrators and coaches -- to read the religion policies and the accompanying examples and then sign a written acknowledgement that they have done so. Said Jane Doe: "We entrust our children to our public schools. It's crucial that the teachers and guidance counselors who are in daily contact with them understand the boundaries of religious establishment and expression."
Sounds like justice is finally being served.
Comments
I thought this policy already exists. It's called the constitution. Perhaps they've heard of it?
Posted by: Dave S. | February 29, 2008 9:55 AM
Yeah, they've herd of it. It's just not as important as teh Bibble.
Posted by: PalMD | February 29, 2008 10:12 AM
I'm thinking that the residents of Indian River are now doomed to living a life of constant sorrow, knowing that they will never, ever be allowed to wear those fancy uniforms with boots, and twin lighting bolt runes forming the letters SS.
Perhaps they could write a letter to the Pope for advice on how to deal with it.
Posted by: J-Dog | February 29, 2008 10:28 AM
> Sounds like justice is finally being served.
Huh? Surely justice is served when those in authority who displayed those attitudes are removed from their roles?
Posted by: David Durant | February 29, 2008 10:45 AM
"never, ever be allowed to wear those fancy uniforms with boots, and twin lighting bolt runes forming the letters SS."
Maybe just "Gott Mit Uns" belt buckles?
Posted by: RAM | February 29, 2008 10:57 AM
RAM: Jawohl, Herr Sturbanfurher Pope Bendict! Befel est befel!
Posted by: J-Dog | February 29, 2008 11:25 AM
OK J-Dog, can't translate it and it won't Google. Educate me. What does it mean?
Posted by: RAM | February 29, 2008 3:55 PM
Too bad the settlement can't enjoin members of the community from being religious bigots.
Posted by: Dan | February 29, 2008 3:56 PM
one community member stood up and said of their 11 year old son, "If you want people to stop calling him 'Jew boy,' you tell him to give his heart to Jesus."
How about treating other people the same way as you would hope/expect other people to treat you.Moronic fucktards like that should have been left on the sheets.
Posted by: Wobert | February 29, 2008 5:26 PM
It may be premature to declare justice served. According to the New York Times, one of the families involved was run out of town and their daughter had to drop out of college due to financial difficulties caused by this situation:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/us/28delaware.html?_r=2&oref=login&oref=slogin
Posted by: Boo | February 29, 2008 5:44 PM
1. Sturmbannfuhrer = Leader of the storm troopers.
2. Befehl = order. "Orders are orders."
Posted by: andy | March 1, 2008 11:49 AM
From the Jews On First article:
It took courage to attend that school board meeting, Doe said. It was daunting simply to pass through the hostile mob turned out by local churches and the local talk radio station in support of prayer in the schools.
Ah, what a simply wonderful town that must be; not only do the local churches see fit to ignore all that "love thy neighbor" jazz that they're supposed to be teaching, but the local Dittohead/demagogue radio station saw fit to use its First Amendment rights in an effort to deny someone else theirs!
I'm hoping that its something in the water, but as with most really stupid people, it probably isn't.
Posted by: Chris Krolczyk | March 1, 2008 5:31 PM
Perhaps someone can tell me why this is so different to Fred Phelps and his wackos. These ARE your moderate christians and really that makes it worse. At least Fred is honest in his nuttiness. This is slimy cruelty and hatred.
Posted by: Richard Eis | March 5, 2008 6:06 AM
th'n'kss
Posted by: netlog | January 24, 2009 1:03 PM
thanks for all
Posted by: sex shop | April 4, 2009 8:51 AM
Perhaps someone can tell me why this is so different to Fred Phelps and his wackos. These ARE your moderate christians and really that makes it worse. At least Fred is honest in his nuttiness. This is slimy cruelty and hatred
Posted by: bitkisel ürünler | May 4, 2009 5:01 AM