“A Texas family is suing Gov. Rick Perry and a school district over a state-mandated moment of silence in schools, according to The Dallas Morning News. David Wallace Croft and his wife, Shannon, of Carrollton, Texas, have three children at Rosemeade Elementary and argue that the moment of silence is unconstitutional and amounts to state-sanctioned school prayer.[Sarcasm alert] What ever will happen to our society?? Why some of these kids might--gasp--might just...oh my...do I dare say...they just might...pray!!! AAAAAGGGGHHHHH! We can't have that!!! If only they could do something constructive like burn an American flag, or write letters of support to Cindy Sheehan!!! So, now, mommy and daddy have to go to court to make sure that this school does not hold a moment of...silence. [/sarcasm]
The couple has a history of complaints against religious-affiliated words and images in schools, having previously complained about Boy Scout rallies held during school, fliers sent home about Good News Bible Club meetings and the inclusion of “Silent Night” and a Hanukkah song in holiday concerts, according to report.
Krista Moody, a spokeswoman for Perry, said the moment of silence law that the Crofts filed a suit against on March 1, 2006, was passed in 2003 and calls for students to observe a moment of silence after reciting pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags each day… Moody said the beauty behind the freedom of the law is children get to do with the moment what they wish. There are no guidelines behind the silence.
Speaking of that whole First Amendment thingy, what exactly does it say again?
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...For a really good read on prayer, and "moments of silence" in schools, go here. Since this "moment of silence" proposed in Texas does not have a blatantly religious purpose, it should pass Constitutional muster, even at the SCOTUS level. And the Crofts will have to find some other way to fill up their time.
