Colorado Student Files Lawsuit Over Commencement Speech That Mentioned Jesus

AP DENVER — A student who said she was told she wouldn't get her diploma unless she apologized for a commencement speech in which she mentioned Jesus has filed a lawsuit alleging her free speech rights were violated.

The school district contends its actions were "constitutionally appropriate."

Erica Corder was one of 15 valedictorians at Lewis-Palmer High School in 2006. All were invited to speak for 30 seconds at the graduation ceremony. When it was Corder's turn, she encouraged the audience to get to know Jesus Christ.

Corder had not included those remarks during rehearsals.

Corder's lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court, said Principal Mark Brewer told her to prepare a public apology or she would not receive her diploma. She was still allowed to graduate.

The lawsuit said Brewer would not give Corder her diploma until she included a sentence saying, "I realize that, had I asked ahead of time, I would not have been allowed to say what I did." Corder received her diploma after complying.

The school district released a statement Wednesday saying officials reviewed Corder's case when it happened in 2006 and also met several times with Corder and her parents.

"While we are disappointed that this matter has resulted in litigation, we are confident that all actions taken by school officials were constitutionally appropriate," the statement said. "As a result, we intend to vigorously defend the claims. Beyond that, it is the district's policy not to comment on pending litigation."

Brewer, who now works for Douglas County schools, declined to comment Wednesday.

Corder is represented by attorneys affiliated with Liberty Counsel, an Orlando, Fla.-based group that says it is dedicated to advancing religious freedom.

Heroes: Season 2

Just a quick preview for the second season of Heroes.



If you missed season one, be sure to grab the DVD set!

Love that Triple-Pane Action!

We finally have our new windows installed! That should be it on major 'repairs' to our new home for a while. I felt bad for the guy doing them. We had nine windows replaced and he was all by himself doing the job. His help had called in sick. He got here around nine on Friday and left after six. He was able to take out all the windows and put the new ones in.

He came back Saturday at eight and worked till about 5:30 installing the trim inside and out as well as caulking and all that stuff. Not bad work really for one person. I was quite impressed with Newpro. They cleaned up everything nicely, cut some wood for me to use on a different project, scrubbed the windows down before leaving...all that good stuff. It is nice to be able to lock the windows now as well as not have every bug of the night sky come in to mate with our lights. It's also nice in the bathroom - we don't have ventilation in there so it can be rather hot after a shower and of course the other more obvious problem. The window in there before wouldn't stay open. I can tell a huge difference in the whole house as far as temperature goes. All that to say it was money well spent...or borrowed, whatever.

The only real snag was having to take our A/C out. I took it out Thursday night which wasn't a problem. We hadn't used it for almost a week because it had been in the 60's. Friday was 80's...warm but bearable. Saturday however was in the upper 90's. It was nasty hot in here (and nothing like a 30 degree temperature jump to make you sick FYI). So by the time the guy left, Jennifer was more than ready for me to put the A/C back in. One look told me we had a problem I didn't want to say out loud. Yep - wouldn't fit in the window anymore. Yes it is the same size window, but I think the sill or some other part raises up high...whatever the problem, the unit was now too tall to fit in the window.

Now Jennifer and I never really have fights. If we do they last maybe 5 minutes before one of us laughs. This basically sent *everyone* off the deep end. Let's just say it was my fault that I didn't predict the future and I do take full responsibility for that. We went to our corners for a while and I went to work on a solution. I ended up putting the A/C at the dining room window. Not the ideal location, but it does work. Actually it was a better fit there, easier to install and is less of an eye sore for the living room as well as curb appeal. Once the cool air was flowing again and the furniture was put back in place, *everyone* was happy again.

All in all a loooong weekend, but things look nice now!

I love the comic strip "Zits". I started reading it at Adams & Coker and then asked Santa for the book collections after we moved here. Anyway, I came across one I wanted to share. This is also the last week of summer camp at work. Things will go back to normal finally next week. My final semester begins September 5! I ordered my books on Amazon and all too late realized I didn't change my default shipping address :(

Hope everyone has a great week!

Sorry Tyler, TX

Just read a very shocking article reporting that the brilliantly created reality FOX show Anchor Woman would be canceled after only one airing. I know, I know - it's very upsetting and most of us won't be able to sleep at night. I mean seriously, what are these people thinking? A woman who has no acting much less anchoring (that a word?) experience gets a job at a struggling news station in Tyler, TX. Maybe the woman had nothing to lose, but I have to figure that it would harm the station more than help it. I would find it hard to take them seriously afterwards.

It all works out though. I think Tyler is better off with out this show. No offense (because they do this in every town) but the people they spoke with off the street weren't exactly the brightest in the box. I know Tyler is not a hick town, but FOX was advertising it like it was. Saves me a lot of heat at work and school too. Didn't want to get into any fights defending family and friends (though I would have if need be).

Speaking of getting into fights - I had an alteration at work this week with a very tall man. This guy, who will go unnamed, works at the same place I do with the older children (I am with kindergarten). We have two buses at work: one has a CD player/radio the other does not. Whoever the site coordinator is that day tells everyone which bus to get on. This particular day we got the "fun" bus. I use quotes because quite honestly I'd rather the none radio bus. I generally have to find a happy place when the radio is involved. Scary some of the songs these young children know and even scarier the dance moves they do, but that is a different post.

Anywho, as we were loading up to leave and head back from our trip, this co-worker began yelling at me for getting on the bus with the radio. Literally yelling and in front of all the students (which is a pet peeve of mine). He kept saying all this stuff about us not being fair and that our kids always get the bus (which we hadn't in over a week). I calmly told him that the boss man told us to get on this bus and he should talk to him. This really set him off. He began saying that this wasn't about the boss and it was about me and him and the fact that I am not fair. Now in print, this seems like a fairly simple conversation, but it was anything but. This guy was not going to listen to reason, he wanted his way or nothing and was basically trying intimidate me. I don't get angry very easily, but I was set off this day. Probably because I was being accused for no reason and he wouldn't listen. I finally walked away and then he began yelling at other teachers about me.

As I said this guy is tall. He is a professional basketball player (though not pro) and has played for the Harlem Globetrotters. I think I reach his mid chest region. No teaching experience, but his agent (seriously) got him the job here. He never follows the rules the rest of the teachers have to and he also finds screaming in the face of children and threatening them with jail time a good teaching method (he makes most of the kids cry which gets them yelled at more). I figured if it came down to throws, I'd make a punch for the crotch which is near my shoulder and then run. Remember kids, you don't have to run the fastest...you just can't be the slowest.

We're getting our windows replaced today so I am hanging in the basement. Pray that the guy finishes today. He said it may take till tomorrow (his help is sick) but I would love for Jennifer's sake for it to be finished today. The noise is quite amplified down here. I may take some Ambien to make it through the bulk of the day. Joking. Or am I?

More to come.

Pastors and Pews Conference: Huckabee

Stole this from my best friend Bryan's blog. Glad to be able to share it with everyone. I know it's long, but at least listen to the first 2 or so minutes. You'll quickly understand why I support this man for President.



PS - I have finally changed my background colors again. As excited as I was for the Spurs to win again, it is time to turn my attention to the 49ers upcoming season.

Movie Previews

This seems to be the new norm in Robert's Land: political posts followed by a movie teaser post. 10 hour days = lack of creativity. Anywho, the last one looks really good and I hope to see it before little Jacob arrives.

1-18-08


Opens 01-18-08
----------------------------

National Treasure: Book of Secrets



Opens 12-21-07
------------------------------

I Am Legend



Opens 12-14-07

Huckabee Suprise!!

Romney Wins, as Huckabee Takes Second in Iowa Poll (Update1)
By Hans Nichols

Aug. 11 (Bloomberg) -- Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, won the Iowa straw poll, securing his status as the leading Republican in a state that has dashed the ambitions of many would-be presidents.

``This important victory sends a signal to grassroots Republican activists across the country that we are working hard to earn their support,'' said Romney, who received 4,516 of the 14,302 ballots cast, for 31 percent.

He was followed by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, who secured a surprising 2,587 votes, at 18 percent. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas came in third place, with 2,197 votes at 15 percent.

With former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain skipping the event, and Romney the presumed winner, the race was largely about who would come in second.

``For all practical purposes, we won the Iowa straw poll,'' Huckabee said. ``No one gets more mileage for their money,'' he said, referring to his shoestring campaign.

Brownback, Huckabee's main competitor for second place, had a more organized Ames operation, complete an air-conditioned tent for his supporters. By contrast, Huckabee's effort was a ragtag affair in the sweltering heat. His campaign could only afford to purchase 1,800 tickets, far fewer than he needed to come in second.

Early Indication
In fourth place was Representative Tom Tancredo of Colorado at 13 percent, followed by Representative Ron Paul of Texas at 9 percent and former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson at 7 percent. Representative Duncan Hunter of California, Giuliani, McCain and Fred Thompson all received a little over 1 percent.

Part political rally, part summer festival, part fund- raiser, the event on the campus of Iowa State University won't award any of the delegates that will determine the 2008 Republican presidential nominee. Nonetheless, it gives an early indication of Iowa Republican sentiment before the state caucuses traditionally held in January, mainly by determining who leaves the stage.

All week, analysts and campaign advisers have predicted that the event in Ames, Iowa, would winnow the crowded field of nine candidates. Days after the 1999 contest, Republican Senators Elizabeth Dole and Lamar Alexander and former Vice President Dan Quayle all ended their quests.

Romney had a distinct advantage in cash and organization, having raised the most money among all the Republican presidential candidates this year. The money helped Romney blanket Iowa with advertising. It also bought plenty of the $35 tickets needed for each supporter to vote and pay for buses to get them to Ames.

A strong showing in Ames doesn't guarantee success in the delegate-selection caucus, traditionally the first contest in the presidential nomination race. In 1996, then-Senator Phil Gramm of Texas tied fellow Senator Bob Dole of Kansas in the straw poll, only to finish fifth at the caucus in January. Dole went on to win the Republican nomination.

In 1979, George H.W. Bush, the president's father, won the straw poll, only to lose the nomination to Ronald Reagan, who went on to win the presidency.

To contact the reporter on this story: Hans Nichols in Ames, Iowa, at Hnichols2@bloomberg.net . Last Updated: August 11, 2007 23:26 EDT