Chad Vegas in the ABC23 Studios, 5pm news...
Photo by N.L. Belardes
First, it was changing winter and spring breaks, back to Christmas and Easter.
Now, Kern High School Trustee Chad Vegas wants to redecorate every classroom in the district with the phrase, "In God We Trust".
In a press release from Vegas, he stated that it was the "logical first step in making sure our students are informed and grounded in these basic tenets."
Which ones?
I don't have a problem with the phrase in the Bakersfield City Council chambers, in fact, I silently supported the idea from Jacquie Sullivan.
Take another step back.
I openly complained about the lawsuit brought by an atheist in San Francisco wanting to erase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance.
But "In God We Trust" in the classroom?
Why not the Bill of Rights or maybe the U.S. Constitution?
Even if some people believe the phrase might inspire some kids, I think that needs to start at home. My two sons are 10 and 2, and will learn about God and religion at home or in church.
I learned Monday morning while stumbling past a local radio talk show, that part of the confusion and/or resistance is being supplied by the LIBERAL media.
As Chad and the host berated, what I believe they meant to be the local media, I started to laugh.
The conservatives call the media liberal and vise versa. That's the stuff bumper stickers are made of.
It's our job to question everything, especially from our elected leaders. If ONE person has a problem with what you're doing and we report it, suddenly we're the enemy.
But despite our personal feelings, the media is beholden to present BOTH sides of an issue on a daily basis. That job can difficult at times, but not on the topic of religion, where everyone has an opinion and are not afraid to express it.
Good thing this isn't real estate.
I looked back at the story we did in 2004 shortly after Chad Vegas was elected to the board.
Some people were worried about a possible religious agenda, to which Chad replied he was elected to represent the people of the district.
We in the media understand that you can't please everyone and the trustees will have the final say on Chad's plan for new wallpaper.
So perhaps for now, the rest of us will trust in them.
Related Video:
31 comments:
Just put the slogan on all those bullet-proof backpacks that are all the rage... and we'll make the kids were 'em.
I posted a more serious comment on the ABC23 Files
The "Bakersfield Peace Corner" Myspace wrote:
Yes. and if you don't want to say it.IT SHOULDN"T BE A BIG DILL.
Bakersfield.com blogger, Blog N'Roll wrote:
The closer I get the Maker, the less I am made a Myrmidon of the moto. This feels more like formula than faith.
Now how much is this all going to cost the taxpayer? How much is it going to take away from a already drained school system? This is all stupid! "In God We Trust", who's "God" are we trusting? Is it my God or is it your God. The separtion of church and State. What happened to that? I have to admit, I am getting damn tired of all of this. Where's all the hupala about the kid's themselves? Their isn't 1 kid who gives a shit if the word God is used or not used, unless their parent's tell them to say it matter's. I am personally Agonistic, what about these children? Hindu? Jewish? The Jahova Witness people (sorry typo)? Christanity seems to think they are the only ones out there, they are not! I wish the school system would just START teaching the kids, and quit filling their heads with all this stupid shit.............
No more cursing, pretty please. Great comment otherwise. :)
I agree, Lynn (minus the profanity)
We have enough trouble getting students to pass the exit exam, than to start a debate over passing a motto in the classroom.
After listening to Chad and Jackie today, it seems more like an agenda than a teaching tool.
Again, I don't mind the motto in City Hall, we're all adults.
In classrooms, our children are left getting explanations from a teacher. Someone who I can monitor when it comes to math, english, etc... but a person I'm not likely to understand when it comes to their religious persuasion.
That's not something you go over during parent-teacher conferences.
My boys will learn religion at home or in parochial school and church.
The inspiration or education they need when it comes to "In God We Trust" or anything spiritual will come at home.
I believe children need religion, in some way shape or form, but there's a time and place.
It's our national motto, yes, but it's not a catch phrase that goes on a wall, close to the school mascot.
Wouldn't it be better if this guy actually came up with an idea that helped the schools teach kids? Why not take the money it would cost for this to be put in the schools and put it towards something like...I dunno...school supplies and books?
He claims it's because he wants kids to know their history. Well, I'm thinking this guy needs to go back to class for a refresher.
It all reeks of a personal agenda to me.
Bummer! Another self serving human trying to jam God down others throats. You know with any topic you will have your extreme left and extreme right and Vargas is to me that extreme. I love the Lord no doubt! My eyes are on Him in my day to day life. However I will be the last person to push my beliefs on another. I'll share my beliefs if someone inquires, but thats it. And for the "Vargas'" out there I certainly do not need or want you to teach MY children anything about God. I as a parent am appointed by God Himself to raise my children in the word. Thats my job as a parent. It sounds like Vargas needs an agenda. I just do not think that posting "In God We Trust" posters in schools is the way to do it.
If you get a paycheck to spread GOD's word are you really living a true Christian life?...just wondering...
You do need to remove the hair jell and pastey ties and get into the community by "working it". Walk the walk and stop talkin talk!!!
Go clean some neighborhoods or ban those idiotic gas leaf blowers that every frickin gardner uses in this city of horrid air quality and valley fever!!!!!
You want to do something BIG for this community you pathetic board members?
BAN THE BLOWERS!!!
...come on Bakersfield sheeples...everybody yell!!!...
BAN THE BLOWERS!!!
Remembering the times when i was in grade school, i always thought how awkward it was for some kids not to take part in the Plege of Allegiance. i also remember other kids asking them questions about why they wouldnt participate along with the rest of the class and the bullies would come along and heckle or harass the children who refused to just "sing along". Targeting them as "different" than us "normal kids". And always since i was a kid and even still now, i believe how wrong it is for someone to pick on something that is not commonly found in society. and when i see some sort of publicity stunt when some person wants to enforce "God" in public schools i think to myself, 'why are there such douche bags (bullies) in the world who have to push their religious beliefs onto other people?' - I am a United States Marine, a Hispanic American, an Atheist, and i am very loved amongst my friends and family. I serve this country knowing that the people in it are Free to live how they want, and they are also Free to choose what they want to believe in. And when i see some Communist Bastard who wants to enforce his beliefs amongst a group of children and teenagers, it disgust's me to my stomach that someone could be so arrogant that posting "In God We Trust" in every class room across the KHSD will satisfy him. it is very clear that this man has not been exposed to a rash diversity in the many differnt "Walks of Life". And that is why i am contempt in knowing that this Stunt will never prevail. this Turd just wants his 15 seconds of fame.
Ok, I will do my best with the cursing......The CDC inmates are getting the best of me..........hahaha.
So, to all I apoloize..........Also, yes I can't spell. Anouther reason to spend the money on the kids and not all this other stuff.
Personal agenda........I do agree with!
I don't think they should be putting that slogan in public schools. They say it's not a religious thing. I think that's bunk. Isn't this the same guy that proposed classes in religion debunking evolution? I feel they should leave the god this and god that in church schools and not public schools. To me that's shoving religion down all the students throats. Grant you 90% of the population still live in the stupid ages but if that's what they choose, that's their business. Don't keep trying to expose the rest of us with this dribble. They are lucky I'm not a parent or I would be sueing.
As a former school administrator and educator for the past 45 years, I have a problem with Chad Vegas and his proposal. As an elected Trustee of the Kern High School District, Chad is responsible for helping to set Education Policies for the Kern High School District. Our schools and students desperately need improvement as reflected in our State testing scores. Chad's attention to the educational needs of our county's students is derailed with his obvious personal agenda. As a duly elected trustee he is not meeting his obligation to the people of this county. In particular he is doing a disservice to our high school students that need an improved educational program, not wasted time spent in trying to force a slogan (not matter how worthy)to be placed in every classroom. I believe Chad is experiencing a "conflict of interest". He is misusing his position and the trust of the people that elected him. GLW
Hey here's an idea oh wonderment of a board member half crocked in self-annointed power trip passion...how about seriously looking into bilingual studies. Like so many other countries have been doing for decades. Instead of sweatin kids older and in high school, how about starting Spanish for our children at the Elementary level. Serious conversational Spanish and English. The kids would grab ahold much quicker, and the bond between cultures would be phenomenal at an earlier age...or you pompous a-wipes can just sit there in your dreamstate and keep fantasizing a creampuff world of self-righteousness and personal magnification!Holy Begeezers!!
Time to vote these narrow minded idiots out of office!
Ever seen how many times "In God We Trust" appears in our nations capitol? Take a walk around Wahington D.C sometime and really look. I f the founders and Architects of the Nations Capitol found it Important enough to emblazin on all the federal buildings and our national currency....why shouldnt it be in the classrooms
Have you ever noticed how much athiests blame religous conviction on a failure of being"exposed to a rash diversity in the many differnt "Walks of Life".
While ABC23 appreciates all comments, people commenting really need to leave names. We can't continue to allow anonymous comments. If you have something to say, please leave a name. Otherwise commenters won't know how to address each other.
I agree with anonymous~ whether we like it or not it is part of our history and should be in the classroom! Since California schools need so much improvement, maybe we should all focus on what we can do to improve it instead of the 'wallpaper' in the classroom! dwed34rreef4
Update: A new proposal from Mr. Vegas now includes the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights.
Is that all?
Anything else?
Does watering down the initial resistance to "In God We Trust" suddenly make it OK?
Vegas made reference to the other documents, which mention God, like the Declaration of Independence.
In the opening sentence, it mentions the "laws of Nature and Nature's God."
Then, of course, the phrase everyone seems to remember:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
Inspirational, yes, but worthy of a rallying cry that will stir a sea of patriotic emotion in our kids that will inspire a deeper understanding of our country's origin. Doubtful.
Arguably, one of the most patriotic sporting moments in this nation's history was the US Olympic Hockey team of 1980.
I was 16 when I saw the guys beat Russia and then Finland to win the Gold Medal.
I was watching it the other day with my 10-yr old son, who loves hockey. I explained the significance of the game with the Soviets, what was happening in the world at the time, etc, etc.
He was glued to the contest and started to get into it, yelling by the end of the game.
Our conversation turned to the Revolutionary War, the founding fathers and we began looking up these documents on the computer.
I think filling the wall with more educational material will make the documents as transparent as the ones that are already there.
If you need four to make sure the one you really care about gets up there, your message will almost surely be lost.
Maybe all we need is a DVD copy of Team USA and a computer.
C'mon now,kids aren't paying attention to posters on the walls in classrooms, they're text messaging on cell phones and playing games on expensive calculators...if you're serious about reaching the kids with messages you better get high tech and up to date...or here's an idea, take a 5 dollar bill every week, turn it over(In God We Trust side showing), and tack it to the wall. The kid who gets the best grade that week gets to have it...there's your American dream lesson!
dw
My name is Jerry. I am an American by birth. I am a veteran. I have on several occasions made an oath to this country which included, as the founding fathers also vowed, to uphold the constitution including Article VII which states "the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty seven", Lord capitalized. What do you reckon that meant? In addition, the Declaration of Independence, written earlier, refers to "Natures God", (capitalized), Creator (capitalized), and Divine Prividence (capitalized). Is there any question as to what is meant here? Why not let children know the foundings of our great country? They aren't required to agree with it, just know how this country came about. Enough said, peace to all!
If this saves one life it's worth it, ethics and morals goes hand in hand with respect of yourself and others. I hope the students actually bring some of this goodness home as it just doesn't come from that direction anymore.
If you want to know what "Nature's God", "Creator" and "Divine Providence" meant to Thomas Jefferson then you need to read his letters and other writings. Jefferson was a Deist, not a Christian. He thought religion to be nothing more than supersitions, and referred to clerics as "cannibal priests." Read Jeffersons letter to John Adams in which he states "And the day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerve in the brain of Jupiter." Read James Madison, you remember him, the father of the Constitution? He predicted the threat of "ecclesiastical corporations" and was opposed to the idea of chaplains for Congress and the armed forces. Read his "Memorial and Remonstrance against Religious Assessments" or John Adams' "A Defence of the Constitution of Government of the United States of America", or Thomas Paine's various writings including "The Age of Reason." Washington and Franklin were both Deists and disbelieved Christianity. Their writings are equally revealing. What I'm suggesting is that you look up the record for yourself and quit spewing the tired old rhetoric that you have heard repeatedly from preachers pounding the pulpit. They have an agenda that is not in the best interests of this nation. Granted, I too have an agenda, but mine is to preserve this nation's ideals. I also am a veteran and I did not fight to allow this country to become a theocracy. I fought for the same freedoms our forefathers fought for. I fought for all the rights we have including the right to worship as one believes even if I don't agree with it. The Chad Vegas' of this world would pervert this country with their narrow-minded, bigoted views. How long would it be until we began losing those rights?
EVERY AMERICAN should view this audio on The ACLU and their HIDDEN AGENDA.
Absolutely Powerful and Sobering: Check out at the bottom of this link.
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=27438
The ACLU is the ENEMY of the US Constitution, which Every Politician has sworn their allegiance to DEFEND...
Sure - put up the posters- ten we can put up the "In Allah we trust" "In Mohammed we trust" In Budah we trust" and so on and so forth- then we can strap bombs to our children so they can suicide bomb those who oppose us. And then promise them virgins when they die.
Learn a little America- the Pilgrims came because there was no seperation of church and state - the last thing they want is a 'christian' or 'muslum' or any other religoin dominated goverment.
Hell- even Jesus said- "Give unto Ceaser that which is Ceasers and God that is Gods. Dont preach in court, and dont hold court in church.
I have no problem with schools promoting patriotism through historical documents. I do, however, have a big issue with religion being force-fed in our education system. Separation of Church and State. Whatever happened to that?
Furthermore, Ms. Sullivan's comment about people loving "God first and then Country," is merely her opinion - not a fact. Obviously, Ms. Sullivan has difficulty with separating church and state and would do well to go back and read the historical documents she so adamantly supports. Its apparent she has much more to learn.
Do you all like to spend money or make money? All our money says "In God We Trust". You people seem to have no problem with spending or earning money or what is stated on money so why do you have such a problem with a slogan that built these United States we live in. If you people would learn more about the history of this country and show more patriotism to this country, it would be a better place to be in. Everyone is so damn concerned over themselves and what they want! You people are not the only one's who live, breath, and work in this mighty nation we live in. That's why our government and country has been declining the last 50 years! People have forgotten what this great nation was based on, what it stands for, and the great "American Dream". Everyone is concerned about themselves and being politcally correct. Who gives a crap about you people who don't support our Bill of RIghts, Declaration of Independance, and all our nations great bills that were written many many years ago. We were a better nation then when we weren't so worried about being politcally correct, worried about everyone getting offended by the word "GOD". We were a better nation when we thought about the welfare of the whole nation not just the ignorant one's sith stupid opinions! If you don't like our "BIll of RIghts", Declaration of Independance, Our National Anthem because GOD is listed in them, then get the heck out of our country and stop spending our money cause our money states "In GOD we Trust". I'd rather trust in GOD, whom I can't see than you retards who think you know everything and everything should be about you!
This is a ridiculous situation! The slogan "In God we Trust" is already everywhere we go if you haven't noticed its on OUR DOLLOR BILLS! Every time you give your child money they see the slogan. Whatever happened to "open minded?"
This will not affect anything or anyone who goes to school. If you have a problem with this whole ordeal go take it out with the congress their the ones who put it out first on the dollor bills (which by the way you see everyday)
Just because one person decides to take it to school grounds doesn't mean the whole school district will become religous, come now we all know better than that. Instead of arguing and cursing about this particular situation maybe you should just let it be and be supportive and show peace, because that is really what we want in this world.(even though we know it might never happen)and you guys ain't helping out at all. Christians and Catholics already belive in GOD but does that mean they trust him? People its just a slogan get over it! Find a better way so we could all cope with this istead of turning it into a controversy. The students right now are not seeing the slogan but they are seeing YOU the way you act. Just think about that for a while and ponder if thats the way you want you child to grow up arguing about anything and not giving him an open mind so he or she could do what pleases them not us!!!
I thought the National Motto was E Pluribis Enum - a very secular phrase when translated.
Out of many, One. Isn't that what this nation was all about to begin with?
(Oh and E Pluribus Enum was adopted in 1782).
Yes, yes, Congress passed a resolution in 1956 making "In God We Trust" the national motto, but I personally see that as a backlash from McCarthyism.
to those who would use money and the slogans on it as proof of the USA's religious facing.... It was only added 50 years ago during the McCarthyism period. the money and the pledge were altered to show that the USA was not some "godless" oountry like the soviet union....Communism was the reason for "god" being mentioned at all there. Not that the average person even has a clue about it anymore. The standard USA citizen is ignorant of the history of the US, and in such is subceptable to surface reasonings and influance. Educate Yourselves!
The US was founded on money, not religion, however since many of the various people had differant religions, it was decided to have religious freedom instead of a church dominated state. The founders had seen what religious wars did, they were frequent and bloody becuase face it....NO ONE can agree on religion.
Sure you can get some vague agreement, but most people either pay lip service to religion or they hold deeply felt beliefs that there is no way they can prove or even in many cases define.
on this subject however, it is offensive to have to use money that has the word god on it, becuase I am not christian, it is offensive that I have been made to say a pledge, in school years ago, or in court, or for official oaths ( I too am a veteran, and I never fought to have a christian tell me who to bend a knee to), and if my children had to attend this school system... well they simply would not. That is WHY there is a seperation of church and state...so that people can work and learn in a common ground without having to worry about a group trying to influance them.
btw.... even if there is a allowance for people NOT to have to say the word god... or use the word...many still will and simply keep their mouths shut about feeling poorly on using it. Peer pressure and the feeling of being obvious is too great for most people. It takes someone brave to stand up and say it is not right that you are trying to intimidate and brainwash people with your religious bias! and this is excatly what they are doing at this school system.
Personally this country started going to pot was when they really started TRYING to put "god" in this country!
I dont post much so im anonymous here...But you can have my name becuase I dont hide... Dale.
American Talibanism strikes! Just like the stupid people who don't know which war we should be fighting... These idiots are all about believing in magic. I don't care if you believe in your "invisible friend"; that's your business... However, when your proselytizing spreads to biasing young impressionable minds with that claptrap then reason has to step in. In God we trust belongs on coins and $$; not in our faces.
Post a Comment