There was never a question
No slightest suggestion
That Jessica would not prevail
The Cranston West banner
In no form or manner
Was legal, or so goes the tale.
The Judge has decided;
The school has been chided—
The ruling: It must be removed!
It’s great! Well, it ain’t if
You’re not with the Plaintiff
But only the wrong disapproved!
As a matter of prudence
It’s worth telling students
That Jessica’s view is the law
And I’m sure that they’ll cope,
But in truth, it’s my hope
That they see what Jessica saw
Via Ophelia and PZ, Jessica Ahlquist has prevailed! No great surprise–we knew she was on the side of right. We knew there were idiots massing against her. But frankly, it’s easy being the people watching from the sidelines. As much as we knew the outcome, it can’t have been easy being Jessica.
I know there have been other contests, but Jessica Ahlquist gets my nod for person of the year. Not just atheist of the year, let alone female atheist of the year. Person of the year. I (vaguely–I’m old) remember being that age. Jessica is braver than I have ever been. My hat is off to her!
Yes indeed, I would not have had the courage to do anything like that at her age, and probably not now.
There are two things that astonish me about this case:
1) The awesomeness that is Jessica Ahlquist
2) The stupidity that is the legal team chosen by Cranston School Committee – they should have known that the Committee didn’t have a leg to stand on.
I see two possible explanations for this:
1) The lawyers knew that the Committee didn’t have a hope of prevailing, but figure, hey, it’s what the client wants and we’re getting paid, win or lose.
2) The lawyers were graduates of the Regent University Diploma Mill and therefore believe that Jesus will make it all work out if they have faith.
Cuttlefishes wear hats?
@d cwilson
Not explanation #1. Joseph V. Cavanagh Jr. and the Becket Fund represented the School District pro bono. They weren’t in it just for a paycheck.
So at least they won’t have to pay their lawyers’ legal fees.
Hement has set up a scholarship for Jessica:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/01/13/a-fundraiser-for-jessica-ahlquist/