According to Matt,
District Chancellor Raghu Mathur, who is also named as a defendant in the suit, has retained David Llewellyn of the Sacramento-based Llewellyn Spann law firm. Llewellyn, who often represents conservative Christian groups, left a message with the Weekly vowing that Westphal v. Wagner will be settled through "constitutional law designated in the courts."Yeah, but it isn't that simple, L-man:
Llewellyn also revealed his defense strategy, saying official government sessions have begun with prayer invocations since the United States was founded and that the public college district simply wants to follow that tradition.
[T]he Americans United complaint references more than just invocations before public meetings. Saddleback officials are accused of showing a video titled God Bless the USA during a faculty training session this past August.This isn't just about prayin'.
"The video included religious images and closed with two pictures of military personnel carrying a flag-draped coffin," according to the complaint. "Superimposed on those images was the following text: 'Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you. Jesus Christ and the American G.I. One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom.'"
Such spectacles subject some members of audiences to "unwanted religious practices," according to Americans United, which adds that attendance at some events where this occurs are mandatory, citing students who are awarded scholarships but must go to a public ceremony or forfeit the financial aid.
COMMENTS:
Anonymous said...
You can't make this stuff up, can you? That video is shameful.
7:36 PM, November 20, 2009
Anonymous said...
It's about time something was done about this. But does the lawsuit not say anything about prayer at Irvine Valley College?
8:34 PM, November 20, 2009
Anonymous said...
Well, the Chancellor's "opening session" in August was at IVC. So there's that. The notorious "Jesus Christ" video was shown there.
9:16 PM, November 20, 2009
13 Stoploss said...
I (still) take offense that Mathur thinks soldiers are willing to die for assholes like himself. btw, do you have video of this invocation? I'm sure there are scores of veterans, possibly hundreds, that would love to see that video.
11:54 PM, November 20, 2009
Anonymous said...
Does this also mean that the District, using taxpayer dollars, will be paying these lawyers to defend these actions? Just what we need on the heels of this week's announcement that the State is projecting another $21B deficit and education funding is again at stake.
1:39 PM, November 21, 2009
Anonymous said...
Yes, it does mean that. The behavior of Wagner, Fuentes, and Mathur seems to have been particularly provocative. And so now they've got a lawsuit on their hands, and it will cost the taxpayer many tens of thousands of dollars at the very least.
5:03 PM, November 21, 2009
6 comments:
You can't make this stuff up, can you?
That video is shameful.
It's about time something was done about this. But does the lawsuit not say anything about prayer at Irvine Valley College?
Well, the Chancellor's "opening session" in August was at IVC. So there's that. The notorious "Jesus Christ" video was shown there.
I (still) take offense that Mathur thinks soldiers are willing to die for assholes like himself.
btw, do you have video of this invocation? I'm sure there are scores of veterans, possibly hundreds, that would love to see that video.
Does this also mean that the District, using taxpayer dollars, will be paying these lawyers to defend these actions? Just what we need on the heels of this week's announcement that the State is projecting another $21B deficit and education funding is again at stake.
Yes, it does mean that. The behavior of Wagner, Fuentes, and Mathur seems to have been particularly provocative. And so now they've got a lawsuit on their hands, and it will cost the taxpayer many tens of thousands of dollars at the very least.
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