Free lunch and tour of Free Market Foundation… Thursday!

Free Market Foundation will be hosting a free, one-hour lunch and tour this Thursday, May 1st!  This is an excellent way to get the inside scoop on all the exciting things Free Market is doing.  The open house will be held at our office in Plano from 12:00-1:00 p.m.  If you would like to attend this free event, please RSVP to Sarah at scrawford@freemarket.org or call (972) 423-8889 x106.  We hope to see you there!

A PHD in Odessa: Professor Silences Critics on Bible Courses

Friday Night Lights brings Odessa to mind, but you’ll have to conjure up images of an OSU Professor teaching Bible to the crowd to keep up with the latest news.  In fact, after Dr. Duke Pesta’s persuasive case for teaching Bible curriculum last Wednesday, any advocacy for these Bible courses could be preaching to the choir.  Just CHECK OUT KWES’s take on the University Professor’s presentation and you’ll know Free Market’s most recent attempt to allow teaching the history and literature of the world’s #1 bestseller of all time was a huge success.  Professors from Yale, Harvard and Stanford agree with Pesta—barring students from studying the Bible academically only increases the next generation’s cultural ignorance (if you haven’t noticed, it’s not up to par).  Pretty soon Odessa will be known for its brawn and brains—football and academic excellence in West Texas. 

 

Texas Taxpayers Footing $3 Billion for Family Breakdown

If ever anyone needed an argument to prove why policy supporting marriage and family is necessary, $3 billion in Texas would be that argument.  Not to mention the emotional and psychological harms to children and the struggle of single parents (mostly mothers).  THIS recent report didn’t even splurge upon the humanitarian concerns that should be a consideration in promoting parental and spousal responsibility, because the economics alone are impacting enough to strike a chord.  TAKE A LOOK at the report to see how Texas tax burden is faring in the ranks, but take hope!  Texas is the only state mentioned that’s taken positive measures—like $15 million from the Texas Assistance to Needy Families—to protect marriage.  This could be the most cost-effective form of welfare yet. 

CHECK OUT OneNewsNow article and audio on fragmentation taxation. 

Can You Express Your Faith In Public School?

Experts Kelly Shackelford, Jonathan Saenz and Kelly Coghlan seen here informing Houston students of their religious liberties. 

Check out the slide of one case between the Katy ISD School District and a number of public school families. 

 

Do teachers really believe religious valentines aren’t permitted or is it blatant prejudice? 

 If you haven’t read it—or you don’t believe it, take a look at Free Market’s Hostility to Religious Freedom: The Case Today

‘John Edwards ’08’ T-Shirts-Censoring Students for Political Opinions?

 

That’s the reality that Paul “Pete” Palmer has faced from his Waxahachie high school administrators since they suspended him from class for wearing the simple ‘John Edwards ‘08’ t-shirt you see in this photo. Does it look dangerous to you?  Any offensive speech?  Disturbance of the peace?  In fact, the school district itself told him the language isn’t offensive, it just isn’t approved.  Waxahachie school district onlyallows students to wear approved messages like “We love Waxahachie band” or “Go Longhorns.” 

Everyone should appreciate Texas’ schools desire to create a safe learning environment for students, and some have found uniforms even necessary to accomplish this goal.  But even uniform policies across Texas have caveats for political and religious speech that is protected under the 1^st Amendment of the Constitution.  This is essential to every students’ free speech.  What’s the danger of censorship?  If codes like that of Waxahachie school district’s code were allowed, then students couldn’t wear t-shirts saying “I love Jesus,” or “Support our troops.”  Free Market’s legal division is representing Palmer in his lawsuit against the school district for this very reason—blatant censorship allows officials to stifle any speech they don’t like and that includes the good with the bad and the ugly. 

CHECK OUT Fox4’s story on Pete Palmer.