Hey...Let me burn a cross into your arm

The same ole argument over evolution and creationism.

This is an undated picture, and it is figured that the teacher, John Freshwater, has been teaching religion in his classes for some time. It is only recent that complaints have been filed, and the students burned have come forward.

The town in Ohio are split between the issue. "Some residents consider him a courageous fighter for religious freedom. Others say he has brazenly violated the church-state divide."

"Freshwater told investigators he simply was trying to demonstrate the device on three to eight students and described the images an ''X'' not a cross. But pictures show the images depict a cross, the report said.
Investigators also found that at least one school administrator dealt with complaints about Freshwater for much of her 11 years at the district."

Here's what I think...

Freshwater...who has been fired, should also NEVER be allowed to teach in the United States of America EVER again. The matter is not his poor decision to teach religion in a PUBLIC school, it's also a matter of assault. Who should trust their child with someone who believes it's legit to BURN students?

Public school is not meant for religious purposes. If you have an issue with teaching solely science in a public school...then maybe you should begin your own institution or teach at a private school.

As a future teacher, it makes me sick to see individuals in Freshwater's position make decisions as he has done. He violated those students' rights!

Maybe it's just me, but I see nothing right about what he's done.

Ohio town split over teacher accused of preaching

Hippo Roller

I was reading Skirt! (*loves*) and found out about this amazing contraption.

vs.

It's called the Hippo Roller. Check out the link here.

The article I read in Skirt! is as follows.

Some of us only have to walk a few feet to a tap to get water -- other have to walk long distances every day to get theirs. The Hippo Water Roller is a 20-gallon rolling water receptacle that is simple for anyone to navigate, and saves the carrier from the excess energy usage and spinal damage that the traditional way (in buckets on their heads) causes. The Rollers have even proven to help protect the person moving them when rolled over landmines --the water absorbs the shock and heat of the blast, minimizing injury.

Prejudice that kills.

I discovered GLAAD today while watching the awards show.

There was a segment on Sean Kennedy who was killed by a drunk individual (a bigot, some may say), named Stephen Moller.

Considering that I live in South Carolina, I have had experience with people who do not posses the most open of minds. Although I am not from Greenville, Sean Kennedy's death seems to be a representation of a state that I often wish to disown and leave. The loss of his life is proof and reasoning as to why I hope not spend the rest of my life in South Carolina. Bigotry is unfortunately everywhere, but South Carolina is a unique creature.

From what I read, both Kennedy and Moller were out the night of Kennedy's death. Moller punched Kennedy so hard that he broke facial bones, when his head hit the pavement he consequently suffered from severe/fatal brain damage. Moller plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter. His possible life sentence in prison was reduced to three years in prison and three years probation after his release. I read on the webpage Elke Kennedy (Sean's mother) has created that he will most likely be up for parole within 10 months. The sentence was reduced because the jury (who possibly lacks brain cells and maybe moral fiber) saw no "malicious intent" in his actions.

If South Carolina had a hate crime legislation on the books Moller would have received a harsher sentenced. There are five states that do not have hate crime legislation: South Carolina, Arkansas, Indiana, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

Check out the links below.

Stephen Moller gets three years in Sean Kennedy's death at club

Human Rights Watch: U.S. LAW AND INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

National News: GLAAD Helps Pitch Story of Sentencing of Man who killed Sean Kennedy

GLAAD: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation