this is the stupidist(word?) state in the union. how do we keep electing these nimrods to the legislature?

I asked both of my kids how their first moment of silence went yesterday...the Hadley 8th grader said that it didn't happen (although he admitted that he might not have been paying attention) and the West Junior also said the same thing- absolutely no mention of it in 1st period.

quote:

Originally posted by agnes:
I asked both of my kids how their first moment of silence went yesterday...the Hadley 8th grader said that it didn't happen (although he admitted that he might not have been paying attention) and the West Junior also said the same thing- absolutely no mention of it in 1st period.

Per a brief discussion at the Board meeting last night, D41 has not yet implemented the moment of silence. The District, along with probably dozens, if not hundreds, of Districts around the State, are awaiting word from the ISBE as far as any rules or suggested procedures for implementation, as well as the definition of a "moment".

Way too funny...

FWIW, it looks like our local state rep, Pihos,opposed the veto override.

From the Daily Herald:

"State Rep. Sandra Pihos, a Glen Ellyn Republican who voted against the measure, said she believes the law unnecessarily intrudes in the classroom.

"I think teachers should conduct their classroom in a way they think fitting to start the day," the former educator said."

-------------------

How they voted

The Illinois House gave final approval Thursday to requiring a moment of silence at the start of every school day. The 74-37 vote cast aside Gov. Rod Blagojevich's veto and puts the law into effect immediately.

Local lawmakers supporting the moment of silence:

Robert A. "Bob" Biggins, Elmhurst Republican; Linda Chapa-LaVia, Aurora Democrat; Fred Crespo, Hoffman Estates Democrat; Tom Cross, Oswego Republican (House Republican leader); Mike Fortner, West Chicago Republican; Brent Hassert, Romeoville Republican; Patricia Reid Lindner, Aurora Republican; Ruth Munson, Elgin Republican; Harry R. Ramey Jr., Carol Stream Republican; Dennis Reboletti, Elmhurst Republican; Angelo "Skip" Saviano, Elmwood Park Republican; Timothy L. Schmitz, Batavia Republican; Ed Sullivan Jr., Mundelein Republican; Michael Tryon, Crystal Lake Republican; Eddie Washington, Waukegan Democrat.

Local lawmakers opposing:

Mark H. Beaubien Jr., Barrington Hills Republican; Franco Coladipietro, Bloomingdale Republican; Sandy Cole, Grayslake Republican; Joe Dunn, Naperville Republican; Jack D. Franks, Woodstock Democrat; Paul Froehlich, Schaumburg Democrat; Carolyn H. Krause, Mount Prospect Republican; Sidney H. Mathias, Buffalo Grove Republican; Rosemary Mulligan, Des Plaines Republican; Elaine Nekritz, Northbrook Democrat; JoAnn Osmond, Antioch Republican; Sandra M. Pihos, Glen Ellyn Republican; Kathleen A. Ryg, Vernon Hills Democrat.

Absent:

Suzanne "Suzie" Bassi, Rolling Meadows Republican; James H. "Jim" Meyer, Naperville Republican

Source: Illinois House roll call SB1463

In district 15 in Glendale Hts there has been no mention of this yet either.

What if the State of Illinois threw a moment of silence and nobody listened?

What's the longest moment of silence you've ever had Clam?

GateHouse News Service
Tue Dec 11, 2007, 10:50 AM CST

Moment of silence good for students
The Illinois General Assembly recently overwhelmingly passed a bill — over the veto of Gov. Blagojevich — requiring all public schools in the state to observe a brief period of time “for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day.”

The Illinois Senate voted 42-9, and the Illinois House voted 74-37.
The new law was immediately challenged in federal court by atheist activist Robert Sherman. In his complaint, Sherman claims that the new law is obviously intended to be a religious exercise — even though no particular religion is mentioned or specified in the law.

Now a federal judge has enjoined the new moment of silence law while the Sherman lawsuit proceeds. Do the quiet — religious or irreligious — musings of students pose such an immanent threat to certain students in Illinois that the judge has to restrain the wishes of the legislature?
Moreover, does the mere thought of students’ recognition of their creator through prayer and reflection and the speculation of what may be taking place entirely within the mind of each individual student so convict Sherman that he has to try and squelch it via the heavy hand of the court?

Make no mistake, this is another attempt to entrench the idea of “separation of church and state” — an idea that doesn’t exist in any founding document.
The First Amendment guarantees us the freedom of religion, not from religion. Simply offering students a moment of silence for prayer or reflection each school day in appreciation of that sacred right is a good thing.

David E. Smith, executive director, Illinois Family Institute, Glen Ellyn

Mr. Smith,

The concept of a moment of silence in our schools is ridiculous. If your child wants to muse silently during school, that is up to him or her. However, I'm sure your child can set aside enough time outside of school to extol the deity of his or her choice. A state mandate of such a thinly veiled attempt at prayer in school is wholly inappropriate, and to argue it is not a state sponsored religious exercise is completely disingenuous. The overwhelming support in Springfield for such a bill only underscores the fact that you don't have to be very intelligent to be a politician.

Now, do I blame your or Jerry for the misuse of "immanent" in your letter? Maybe we should use all of our allotted school hours for educational purposes, clearly you and/or Jerry could benefit.

Whenever I see "Illinois Family Institute," I ignore what they say - though I'm tempted to respond to their desire to impose their values on everyone else.

Hmmm....I read Bob S' comments regarding that it hasn't been implemented yet in D41. I remember a note home from D41 (I thought from the super on their green/white stationery) about the moment of silence beginning. The note was maybe a month ago if I recall. Perhaps even tho the note went out, it got stopped???

maybe something's changed since October (didn't notice date of Bob S' post till I posted)

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:

Mr. Smith,

The concept of a moment of silence in our schools is ridiculous. If your child wants to muse silently during school, that is up to him or her. However, I'm sure your child can set aside enough time outside of school to extol the deity of his or her choice. A state mandate of such a thinly veiled attempt at prayer in school is wholly inappropriate, and to argue it is not a state sponsored religious exercise is completely disingenuous. The overwhelming support in Springfield for such a bill only underscores the fact that you don't have to be very intelligent to be a politician.

Now, do I blame your or Jerry for the misuse of "immanent" in your letter? Maybe we should use all of our allotted school hours for educational purposes, clearly you and/or Jerry could benefit.

W00T!!!

Fish - I'll remove the post for $100.00.

PHOTO ADDED TO POST

This message has been edited. Last edited by: JRP,

quote:

Originally posted by JRPotts:

quote:

Originally posted by Fish:

Mr. Smith,

The concept of a moment of silence in our schools is ridiculous. If your child wants to muse silently during school, that is up to him or her. However, I'm sure your child can set aside enough time outside of school to extol the deity of his or her choice. A state mandate of such a thinly veiled attempt at prayer in school is wholly inappropriate, and to argue it is not a state sponsored religious exercise is completely disingenuous. The overwhelming support in Springfield for such a bill only underscores the fact that you don't have to be very intelligent to be a politician.

Now, do I blame your or Jerry for the misuse of "immanent" in your letter? Maybe we should use all of our allotted school hours for educational purposes, clearly you and/or Jerry could benefit.

W00T!!!

Fish - I'll remove the post for $100.00.

PHOTO ADDED TO POST

quote:

Originally posted by Nylle Nelg:
maybe something's changed since October (didn't notice date of Bob S' post till I posted)

It has. We now have a moment of silence. It's a 10-second moment at the start of the day.

See Page 4 of the PDF'd minutes at this link.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Solak:

quote:

Originally posted by Nylle Nelg:
maybe something's changed since October (didn't notice date of Bob S' post till I posted)

It has. We now have a moment of silence. It's a 10-second moment at the start of the day.

See Page 4 of the PDF'd minutes at this link.

AAAAAAAMEN!