Kelly Shackelford, President/CEO, with Texas Gov. Rick Perry

Suspension, Psych Evaluation for 8-Year-Old After Drawing Jesus on the Cross

In Massachusetts, an eight-year-old special needs boy was sent home from school and required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation after he drew a picture of Jesus on the cross.  The assignment?  Draw something that reminds you of Christmas.  His teacher said that it was violent, and school administrators forced him into counseling.  The boy will soon transfer to another school, but the damage is done. 

Tell us what you think in the comments section below!

Interview Updates on Don’t Tear Me Down

Here are some links to just a few of the videos Liberty Legal Institute and clients did recently in the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial case:

• Lou Dobbs (CNN, Kelly debates Barry Lynn)
• Fox and Friends
• America’s Newsroom (Fox News)
• Religion and Ethics Newsweekly on PBS
• Washington Post about the case
• Washington Post bio on Henry and Wanda Sandoz
• CBN
• C-SPAN (Liberty Legal and clients begin at 4:10)
• CNN bio on Henry and Wanda Sandoz
• CNN on oral arguments
• CNN about the case
• NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams (Wednesday, features VFW client Joe Davis)
• NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams (Sunday)
• ABC World News with Charles Gibson

Don’t Tear Me Down Goes to Washington!

On Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the high profile Mojave Desert War Memorial case.  It’s the most important case of the term; so far, Fox News has run stories on this issue with us and our clients (click here for America’s Newsroom from Sept. 17, check back soon for more information on the Fox and Friends interview from Thursday).

Here are other shows to watch soon:

• NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams (Airs Sunday with follow up later.)
• PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly (Here’s a link to the segment.  Airing likely on Sunday, varies by region. Click for your PBS station.)
• CNN American Morning (Monday between 5 a.m.-8 a.m. CST), Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer (Monday between 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
• ABC World News with Charles Gibson (more details coming soon)

The NBC National News interview we thought would air last night will now air on Sunday as a preview and then again next week before the argument.

In addition to these on-camera interviews, the Washington Post released articles on Monday profiling the case and our clients Henry and Wanda Sandoz, who have been taking care of the memorial for the last 25 years!  Be sure to leave comments on these articles!

Next week, we will keep you up-to-date minute by minute via Twitter and Facebook pages.  Should we lose this case, ALL veterans memorials across our country that contain religious imagery will be at risk of being torn down.

www.donttearmedown.com

American Soldiers’ Caravan to Mojave Desert War Memorial

On Monday, six American soldiers, recently home from Iraq, kicked off a cross-country tour to bring awareness to the plight of the Mojave Desert War Memorial.  They stopped in Texas on their way to visit the memorial to speak with War Hero and US Congressman Sam Johnson and to collect signatures for the petition at www.DontTearMeDown.com.  The soldiers will arrive at the Memorial tomorrow and will lay a wreath and read the names of fallen comrades.  Hundreds of veterans from around the region will be there to greet them, and CNN and ABC Nightly News will be there to cover the event. If you haven’t signed the petition of support for the memorial, we urge you to do so now.  Go to www.DontTearMeDown.com!

The six soldiers on their way to the Memorial.

Congressman Sam Johnson with Kelly Shackelford

Kelly presents Congressman Johnson with a “Don’t Tear Me Down” shirt.