“In my opinion, too many have not given equal weight to both of these clauses. Instead, they have focused only on the first clause, which prohibits the establishment of religion, at the expense of the second clause, which protects the right of Americans to worship as they please,” Byrd said in a speech to the Senate.

-So the solution is to focus on the second clause at the expense of the first then. Brilliant! (roll eyes) That’s the equavalent of “he stabbed my wife so it’s okay for me to stab his.”

“It seems to me that any prohibition of voluntary prayer in school violates the right of our school children to practice freely their religion. And that’s just not right,” Byrd said.

-Who’s prohibiting voluntary prayer? If a kid wants to bring his bible to school and pray on his own who says he can’t? It’s the require prayer for everyone that is prohibited. The “we’re so discriminated against” thing is getting so tired.

“I believe that, in ruling after ruling, U.S. courts led by the Supreme Court have been moving closer and closer to prohibiting the free exercise of religion in America. It chills my soul,” Byrd said.

-Another “we’re discriminated against line”. (roll eyes) Soooooo old and tired.

Andrew Schneider, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of West Virginia, said the amendment is not necessary because individual students already can pray.

-Finally someone who actually knows what’s going on. (clap clap)

“The right time is now,” Byrd said. “If not now, when? It’s an important step to getting the country on the right track. We need to get back on our knees in this country, get back to the things our forefathers believed in.”

-Another expert on “our forefathers”. Despite all the evidence against what he just said, people like him continue to choose to revise history to meet their needs. This guy needs to retire in the worse way.

Byrd told the Senate the importance of prayer was recognized by nearly every denomination. Those who think it is offensive “need only close their ears,” he said.

-How about those that want to pray just do it at home, or in church, or at a religious function, or the other millions of places they can do it without forcing others to “close their ears”. I’m sure he would back an amendment that students can express atheist beliefs in school too. Of course, those that are offended “need only close their ears”. Right senator?

(I know you’re choping at the bit phreedm, but it won’t matter. I don’t read you’re posts anyway.)

“It seems to me that any prohibition of voluntary prayer in school violates the right of our school children to practice freely their religion. And that’s just not right,” Byrd said.

and then:

Those who think it is offensive “need only close their ears,” he said.

Did he not hear himself say the word “VOLUNTARY”?
Yeah, I know…he’s Robert Byrd, and he’s from WestInbreeding Virginia, and he’s older than dirt.
I agree Forensic. He needs to retire in the worst possible way.

We need to get back on our knees in this country, get back to the things our forefathers believed in.”

Get back to what…blow jobs and scrubbing floors? One must get up off one’s knees to accomplish many other things.
Tell ya what…how ’bout the kneelers get on their knees and stay there until what they’re praying for comes about. Meanwhile, the rest of us can go on with our lives in peace.

Sorry. Cranky today.