Oklahoma Senate Bill 364, seeking to ban corporal punishment for disabled students, faced opposition from Senator Shane Jett, who cited Proverbs 22:15 to argue against the bill’s alignment with scripture. Proponents, including Senator Dave Rader, countered that the bill ensures appropriate discipline for students with special needs, while prohibiting corporal punishment. Despite this opposition, the bill passed the Senate and now proceeds to the House. Currently, Oklahoma permits corporal punishment in schools, though a 2017 law and a 2020 Department of Education directive restricted its use on certain disabled students.
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Senate Bill 114, proposing mandatory Ten Commandments displays in Montana public schools, was defeated for a second time. Despite amendments allowing, rather than requiring, district funding, the bill failed to garner enough support, with eight Republicans joining Democrats in opposition. Opponents argued the bill was unconstitutional, citing the First Amendment and lack of tribal consultation, while proponents emphasized the historical significance of the Commandments to American law and heritage. The Senate ultimately voted to indefinitely postpone the measure, effectively killing it for the session.
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Trump authorizing ICE to target schools and churches is a deeply troubling development, raising serious concerns about the potential for widespread human rights violations. The very idea of immigration enforcement agents entering these sacred spaces, places traditionally seen as sanctuaries, is jarring and unsettling. It represents a dramatic escalation of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, moving beyond workplaces and into the heart of communities.
This action raises fundamental questions about the safety and well-being of children. The image of children being forcibly removed from their classrooms by armed agents is deeply disturbing and potentially traumatizing. It’s difficult to imagine the psychological impact on both the children targeted and their peers witnessing such an event.… Continue reading
The Texas State Board of Education narrowly approved a new elementary school curriculum incorporating Bible-based lessons, despite concerns about the separation of church and state. This decision, incentivized by funding for participating districts, sparked debate and legal challenges, mirroring similar controversies in Louisiana and Oklahoma where mandated Bible inclusion in schools faces lawsuits. Legal experts highlight the distinction between teaching about religion objectively versus promoting a specific faith, emphasizing the potential for constitutional violations if public schools endorse a particular religious doctrine. The ongoing legal battles and varied state-level initiatives underscore the increasing tension between religious expression and public education.
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Oklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters mandated that public schools show a video promoting his new Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism, a directive swiftly rejected by at least seven large school districts citing a lack of legal authority and infringement on local control. The Attorney General’s office confirmed the mandate’s unenforceability. This action, along with a controversial purchase of 500 Bibles for AP Government classes using unapproved funds, has drawn significant criticism from lawmakers and the public, raising questions about Walters’ priorities and the use of taxpayer money. The controversy highlights a clash between state-level directives and local autonomy in education.
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As Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Education, I’ve established a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism, mandating that all public schools show students a video announcement. This video promotes religious liberty and patriotism, includes a prayer mentioning President Trump, and states that participation is optional. However, the Attorney General has declared this mandate unenforceable, citing conflicts with parental rights and local control. This action follows my previous, legally challenged mandate to incorporate Bibles into school curricula, further highlighting my ongoing efforts to combat what I perceive as “woke ideology” in schools.
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A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked a new state law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments, ruling it unconstitutional. The judge determined the law’s primary purpose was religious, citing its lack of historical significance compared to other foundational documents. He also argued that the law amounts to government coercion of students, as parents are required to send their children to school. The judge’s ruling granted a preliminary injunction, suggesting the law is likely to be permanently struck down. This decision comes as part of a broader trend of conservative efforts to incorporate religion into public schools, reflecting a national debate about the separation of church and state.
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Cycling Frog is gaining popularity with its hemp-derived cannabidiol products such as gummies, softgels, and THC seltzers, which are vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO. The company is adding two new flavors to its seltzer range: raspberry lemonade with 50mg of THC and CBD, aimed at experienced users; and cran razz with 10mg of THC and CBD, suitable for those seeking a more balanced effect. Cycling Frog’s award-winning black currant flavor, with 5mg of THC and 10mg of CBD, is an ideal pick for beginners or those desiring a milder high.
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As an Oklahoman parent and a concerned citizen, the recent news of top education officials attempting to mandate the Bible in public school classrooms is not only outrageous but a blatant violation of the separation of church and state. The attempt to bypass the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment under the guise of academic necessity is laughable. Ryan Walters, in Oklahoma, is pushing for the integration of the Christian Bible into core subjects like math and science, claiming it’s for historical context. But let’s be real, this is a clear attempt to indoctrinate children into one specific religion under the guise of education.… Continue reading
As a concerned citizen, I am deeply troubled by the recent news that Oklahoma schools are purchasing bibles that are linked to Trump. This raises serious questions about the integrity of our public education system and the separation of church and state. Why are public funds being funneled towards a specific vendor, especially one with ties to a political figure? It is disappointing to see money meant for educating children being diverted in such a manner.
The fact that these Trump bibles are the only ones that meet the new criteria for purchase is concerning, to say the least. It appears as though the criteria were intentionally crafted to benefit a specific vendor, creating a monopoly on the sale of bibles to schools in Oklahoma.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood