Jano, I absolutely agree with you. I grew up without a father but I would never take that right away from those daughters who have fathers in their lives. I mentioned in my vote that it is like taking prom away from all seniors because it would not be fair for the other students who couldn't afford to go or taking away sports from the kids because not all kids can afford to be in sports so if one can't play, no one can play. Life is not fair, people need to get over it.

My daughter also grew up with out her father. My brother stepped in and they both had a blast. If he hadn't been able to, my Dad had already volunteered. There are options. It's not just about fathers and daughters, it's also about little girls and male role models and that shouldn't be taken away.

That Mother is a piece of work. Of course, they don't say "why" there is no Father. Deceased, court ordered not to see her....etc, etc? I'm certain they would allow the "Father figure" in her life take her. Grow up and stop with stupid lawsuits like this one!

I was a daughter raised by a single mom. Dad didn't want anything to do with us. When these situations came up when I was a kid my uncle or grandfather stepped in and played the part of Dad. Did it bother me that my father wasn't there, maybe on some level, but that wasn't the school's fault. It was my parents fault for not realizing how important having my dad be a part of my life was growing up. I say "parents" not just my father's because while my father made a choice to be absent, my mother made no effort to invite or include him in my life. Anyway, I think that the dances should go on. I also think that mother's need to stop plugging their ears and singing "lalalala" everytime their parenting choices are shown to be less than optimal for their children.

I think the ACLU should also ban the words "manslaughter", "manhandle", etc since this is prejudicial against men.

ACLU=Absolutely Clueless Liberal Union.

With all the things that are actually important, they come up with this childish stupidity.

I guess soon the schools will be forbidden to have kids make Father's day presents in case the little rascals don't have a daddy too?

Why didn't "mom" just go with the girl? That's how people I know do it.

Next lawsuit will be to re-name Father's Day to "Male Role Model Day" and Mother's Day to "Female Mentor Day" just so kids being raised in non-traditional families don't feel badly.

If "mom" goes with the girl, what's the point in calling it a Father-Daughter dance?

Why not just call it a Parent-and-Child dance? What's wrong with that? There's no need for the specifics. Parent takes child to dance. Labeling it as Mother-Son/Father-Daughter is sweet in the specifics but pointless overall.

Robert in Oregon

They're also more than a little bit ...creepy!

I'm assuming you don't have a daughter? If you did and had ever been to one (and btw they're pretty standard at ballet classes for the real young ones too) then you'd know from experience that your daughter will still remember this when she's older and you'll share laughs about it.

And what's the next step? Banning father/bride dances at weddings?

Xina the Awesome - Don't give them any ideas. Before you know it "Mother's Day" and "Father's Day" will be replaced by "Parent's Day."

Since your dad wasn't around, you were probably like my kids who's father wasn't around either - I got all the goodies and was proud of everyone of them.

How is it creepy to dance with your 10 year old daughter?

Stupid at best.

If ANY of you have EVER attended a father-daughter dance you know that is an event whereby fathers and daughters dress up and drive together to school. Once there the girls get into packs and run around for about four hours- screaming, playing, and dancing together, while the dads stand along the outside walls of the gym talking. Maybe, just maybe, once in the evening you actually get to dance with your child- and likely to a Justin Bieber song. YEAHHHHH, totally creepy. It's a completely over chaparoned little girl dance party.

For such a small state, Rhode Island certainly is harboring the most "offended" people in the country.

This is really sad. The ACLU should be ashmaned at what they have become...

Liberal F'ing morons and their political correctness are going to be the end of us. It is scary this type of outlook is representative of most of the teachers in the US. Our schools teach little, but revisionist history, sex education, love for Obama, hatred for America, complete disdain for a traditional and culturally
homogenous America and social engineering. Liberals and their obsessive need to correct what they see as wrong and impose their ideas are as bad the religious right they seem to hate and criticize ad nauseam.

Time to clean house, remove liberals, and there influence everywhere. They are as much a bane to our society as the extremists on the right they hate so much. We need to start looking for and placing moderates who will maintain a responsible semblance of traditional American outlooks and values. A good first start is at the top with the firing of Obama, his liberal cabinet and henchmen and those who support their actions.

Ummm, why not just open up the dance to any parent figure? Mom could go, or maybe grandpa... No need to eliminate the dance entirely.

It's too bad you missed the experience Joe. At my daughers schoold the dad's danced, participated on the limbo contest, the twist contest and the Charleston contest. The girls never laughed harder in their lives. On our way home in her freshman year, my daughter told me she'd never had more fun. She said the boys just stand along the walls but the dad's danced. In her Senior year, she was quite proud when they had the promenade into the hall for Seniors with dad's wearing a tuxedo and his daugher on his arm. Some of us had a "kodak" moment that will last forever. BTW, there were also girls there with their uncles and other relatives. A fun time was had by all.

ACLU=Absolutely Clueless Liberal Union.

Keep in mind that the ACLS has also defended the rights of the KKK and the American Nazi Party.

Liberal F'ing morons and their political correctness are going to be the end of us.

Why do you think say this is a liberals versus conservatives thing? I'm a liberal and I think this ban is stupid, as do many of my "liberal F'ing" friends. I do understand however you were just looking for a reason to badmouth people who don't think in lockstep with you. I've read your posts before.

Why don't we have Mother/Son dances?

Why don't we have Mother/Son dances?

My daughter's elementary school did, but the boys were a little reluctant to attend with their mothers. Daughters, on the other hand seem to be Daddy's girls. At least my daughter was at that age. Now that she's almost 17, not so much.

I seriously hope that the court throws this case out as being frivilous.

Normal bonding in a family is father/son and mother/daughter. This type of function was meant to help family bonding to improve the total family bond. It was never meant to be discrimnatory.

@Jano the word is stupid not stoopid.

The ACLU use to have a purpose, they did good things, but no more. Now they're just wasting everyones time trying to keep an organization together that has no real agenda so they file these idiotic suits. It would be sad if they weren't so incredibly idiotic.

Just to protect these guys: Think about it.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4240096,00.html

Severed Head in a Jar,

You are defiitely not to be confused with a Jarhead!

According to the Providence Journal, Lundsten said that while federal law banning gender discrimination gives an exemption for such gender-specific events, Rhode Island law does not.

Maybe the fathers and daughters should sue the state and the ACLU in FEDERAL court.

Normal bonding in a family is father/son and mother/daughter.

That is ridiculous. Normal bonding in a family is father/mother/son/daughter.

This is completely absurd. It is the typical I can't have it so no one else can either mentality. I hope that this ruling is appealed and thrown out. Just because this one girl does not have her father around is no reason to deprive everyone else of this experience. She could just as easily asked another male relative to go with her if her dad is not around. I am sure that a grandfather or uncle would have been delighted to stand in. This is truly a bad case of sour grapes that never should have been taken to court to start with. It is completely childish on the part of the mother to bring this suit and a horrible example to be setting for her daughter.

Allow me a quess. The one person complaining is a lesbian!

Federal law overrides state law or doesn't the school superintendent understand?

Big Ol- I was essentially responding to someone whom claimed the Father/Daughter dances were "creepy". We do have a good time, but the perceived creepy thing is BS. I was showing what a young version of this concept is.

I'm glad you have some great memories from them. I imagine by the time my daughter goes to college we'll have a lot of great memories of ACLU approved of events like "sitting in the gym quietly thinking because any speech is hateful" event, the new and improved "fundraiser for something you can't say anymore because it might make someone feel bad", or please bring in food for "well, we can't tell you but someone is going to get it" event.

Federal law doesn't protect father-daughter dances - it exempts such things from federal anti-discrimination law. States therefore can and do put more stringent anti-discrimination laws in place that don't include such exemptions.

ofcourse1: actually, in this case it does not. Just as a state law may increase minimum wage to be more than federal law, the state law in this case gives additional protections not available from federal law.

IMO, any state law which ends up preventing students from having a dance with their fathers or mothers is not fully thought out. Yes, sometimes there will be one or more students who are excluded because there mother and/or father is either dead or not available. However, EVERY child has had a biological mother and a father. We have not yet discovered how to have children without one parent from each sex. For any daughter who does not have a father who can go or any son who does not have a mother who can go, well that is just part of life and it is a learning experience on the fact that life can be rough sometimes.

This just proves once again that no matter what you do, someone is going to be offended. I guess all that's left is for everyone to sit on their asses and do nothing so we don't offend anyone.

IMO, any state law which ends up preventing students from having a dance with their fathers or mothers is not fully thought out.

Actually, if the dance was actually "students" (gender not specified) "with their fathers OR mothers" then there wouldn't be an issue.

Severed Head in a Jar

In responding to your comments in # 1/22, I guess I should open with "Hey Pot."

Regarding your comment

"I do understand however you were just looking for a reason to badmouth people who don't think in lockstep with you." (SeveredHead)

This comment sounds like typical “F’ing liberal” hypocrisy to me. Read your own comments and think
about it.

Conservatives and their silliness are ruining our nation. Deport them all. (Fri Sep 14, 2012 Severed Head)

and

Hey, it's official now; Republicans don't need facts. (Mon Sep 17, 2012 Severed Head)

There are certainly never any attack comments or generalizations from you are there? I'm sure, if I wished to take the time, I could find more and probably more egregious examples. However, identifying your hypocrisy itself, not the degree, was the intent.

Whom are you trying to convince? Your comments and accusation against me sounds just like another self-serving typical “Liberal F'ing” BS comment. Ergo, the use of “F’ing liberal” in my comment seems very appropriate regardless of what you think about school dances..

Regarding those you call “many of" your "liberal F'ing" friends”, perhaps you should choose your friends a little better.

Signed,

Kettle

If this were a private school this discrimination would of
course be perfectly fine. However, this is a public school using public funds and
therefore, is a state actor. A state cannot gender discriminate unless there is
found to be an important government interest in discriminating also known as
intermediate scrutiny. So, in very rare/limited instances it is constitutional
for the government to discriminate based on gender.

In my years of studying gender discrimination cases I would
venture to say this gender discrimination does not meet the requirements for
there to be an important government interest. Therefore, this discrimination
would be deemed to be unconstitutional.

Lawpraf nicely done..if only these peeps understood the law.....SMFH!!

I was a daughter raised by a single mom. Dad didn't want anything to do with us. When these situations came up when I was a kid my uncle or grandfather stepped in and played the part of Dad.

You're lucky that you had an uncle or grandfather who could do that for you. We don't know the situation here. There may not be an uncle or grandfather, or they don't live close enough to fill the "father" function. This concept of a "father-daughter" dance is outdated. We're not living in the 50's (not that the 50's ever existed the way some of us seem to remember). The family with a father, mother and 2.2 children doesn't exist.

Lawpraf ... thank you! I was wondering when someone would bring up the fact that there is little excuse for discrimination if public funds or facilities are involved. If they want to have a father-daughter dance, they are free to have it on private property and without public funding. No one, not even the ACLU, will try to stop them.

I honestly don't care of it's unconstitutional or not in this particular case. It's still a most stupid case to be brought up. There have been daddy daughter dances for ages. Now suddenly, some crybaby gets her panties in a twist and ruins for countless others. That sounds more like a tantrum to me or a grab for money.

It is the school that is "ruining" the dance for others. The whole issue could have been resolved by allowing the daughters to bring the parent or guardian of their choice.

Instead of blaming the mother, why don't you ask the school why they didn't let the mother bring the girl when they most likely told her she couldn't come. Yes, it would be nice if an uncle or grandpa could have taken her but what if she is not near family, don't have family or don't trust the men she knows. And what if the girl's father is deployed? Is it fair for her not be allowed at the dance because her father may be at war? Don't blame the ACLU, blame the school.

No it's not the school. It's the single mother who went to a lawyer to have it stopped because her daughter didn't have a dad. There have been these dances for decades all over country. They're a lot of single mothers out there,she is not the only one. Get a substitute. There's always an uncle or grandfather or neighbor or a friend. I had to have a substitute. And it worked out just fine. These little kids needs these dances and social events at this age to be to socialize well with others. Good luck to all.

When the mother is a piece of work, the school was just stupid.

I hate most PC solutions, but just combining them into a single Parent/Child dance is to simple? I know, the boys with only a Father would still be out of luck, but they don't have to dance.

And a substitute in this day and age would need to be vetted by the FBI before some schools would let them on the campus.

Question: Was she even allowed to bring a substitute for her father? Some of these dances DON'T allow anyone else but the father/stepfather. If that is the case, then it is wrong.

Finally a topic democrats and republicans can agree on. I think it's clear we all think this is stupid.

why not just call it my two homosexual dads dance or my two lesbian mothers dance? that way the millions upon millions of children being raised by homosexuals and lesbians wont feel like such losers now.

so because one girl does not have a male to escort her then nobody gets to go? isn't this a little bit a spoiled brat syndrome? i can't have that toy so no one else can have it either

wonder if she will grow up to think if i can't have him/her no one else can either

This is insane -- once again, the ACLU fights the wrong battles. They get so caught up in microscopic details that they can't see the forest for all the trees. My siblings & I went through vastly more difficult experiences in our youth than anything this woman's daughter would experience from this dance. I'm sure if they asked, she could dance with a male relative.

This is one of the results of a populace that has lost perspective and increasingly refuses to consider the equal rights of others. And so many have become so fragile, unable to deal with adversity by keeping their chin up. The GREATEST GENERATION, this isn't.

I didn't initially see the part of the article about the existing Rhode Island law, so I see now that the school couldn't simply let her bring a male relative. Hopefully, that law is changed.

I still maintain my view of the ACLU as a group that fights the wrong battles too often. They defended Fred Phelps' hateful speech when surely they could have found more worthy people to help (like in this case). At some point, civil liberties AND civic responsiblity have to share the same paragraphs, and the last I checked, the ACLU says little about the latter.

Re; Xina the awesome;

You are not so awesome, you make me sad.

What is wrong with dancing with your 10 year old daughter?
Is it also creepy to dance with your daughter after the wedding ceremony?

Context is everything and if you think it is creepy, i submit you're the creey one.

If a gay man is not allowed to be around young boys, then a straight man is not allowed to be around young girls.

Nobody argues with the former, but somehow the latter is a point of contention? Doesn't work that way. Oh I get it, people just want to have their cake and eat it too.

Yes: Hypocrisy does prevail when people try to justify treasured, traditional, discriminatory practices.

That sound you hear is 10 year old girls alll over the state of Rhode Island breathing a sigh of relief.

For all of you on here: THIS IS JUST ONE ARTICLE on this subject. I have read the other articles and the dance was a Parent/Daughter Dance and they invited the mother to come as well, in the instance of her child's father not being there.

They also do Mother/Son dances as well.

I get the legal ramifications, if the invitation and name change were not extended to the mother. But she's being a twit and quite honestly, I think when the daughter gets a little older, and possibly even now, she's going to confront her mother and ask what in the world is her problem? My parents did a lot of silly things that I, as I got older, disagreed with and asked them point blank- "Did you just do that to make my life a living hell or did you really think you had good intentions?"

The world isn't fair! No lawyer, no club, no government entity will change that, regardless of how they spin or push. If it was, we would all be rich, beautiful, smart, doctors, lawyers, and famous. Get over yourselves people.

And just so this twitty woman knows, I had a Dad in my life. But he never took me to a Father/Daughter dance- heck, he rarely took us anywhere. Yes, I was disappointed then but ummm, it didn't ruin me for life and make me want to kill myself because it ruined my self-esteem.

Logic4U

I think the ACLU should also ban the words "manslaughter", "manhandle", etc since this is prejudicial against men.

ACLU=Absolutely Clueless Liberal Union.

With all the things that are actually important, they come up with this childish stupidity.

I wouldn't result to name calling. The ACLU does a lot of good as well. Sometimes they go too far and pick the wrong battles. I feel this is one of them.

Care to name "the good" things?

Not everyone voted for Obama, but he's our president. Those who didn't get another chance soon. Until then they just have to deal with it. Majority rules. Or at least it's supposed to. Too often today the majority has to make sacrifices. 80% say yes to the dance, 10% say don't care either way and another 10% say no. Instead of saying "too bad 10%'ers" they say "sorry 80%'ers, but a couple of children would be left out due to circumstances beyond their control and the only way to correct it is to do away with the activity all together." Absolutely ridiculous!

Superintendent Judith Lundsten told the newspaper the decision was in response to a complaint from the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of a single mother who said her daughter was not able to attend a father-daughter dance.

I can only assume from this statement that the daughter was actually told not attend the dance, which is totally STUPID! It would be so easy to fix, go ahead & call it a "Father-Daughter" dance, but let anyone come in who wants to. Don't know too many guys who would want to dance with their Moms, but it could happen....

Is the ACLU against divorce and death or a woman who decided to have a baby out of wed lock, got knocked up and decided to have the baby or a woman who went to a fertility clinic to have a baby. Lets have the details and find out what is really in back of this horse sh*t!

@ofcourse1 ... why the mother is single is irrelevant. She might have been an unwed mother, or she might be a widow. But, it doesn't matter. The point is that she is unmarried and her daughter was denied the right to attend the dance.

Now because her daughter was not able to attend this dance everybodies daughter will not be able to attend. This PC garbage is getting out of hand. Any event that you have is going to offend someone for some reason. Should we just stop all events because of this?? If this action offends me can we put an end to it? I guess not because I am not part of a minority group. Being offended seems to apply to a few.

Now because her daughter was not able to attend this dance everybodies daughter will not be able to attend.

Simple solution ... allow the daughter to attend the dance with the parent of her choice. It is the school, not the student, the mother or the ACLU, that caused the dance to be cancelled.

Make no mistake this is a case of political agenda. A demand that if I can't have it I will make sure no one is able to have it. The actions of a rather small minority are imposing their will upon everyone. I understand that we should make efforts not to discriminate against minorities but in cases such as this who is discriminating against who? Is this my imagination or does this only serve to anger those who are now being imposed upon?

Is this my imagination or does this only serve to anger those who are now being imposed upon?

This is correct. But at that point she will only file a different suit. She's looking for perfection and will be sorely disappointed when she doesn't find it. Too bad for her it doesn't exist. I also think she has taught her daughter a sorry lesson which will be a disservice to her for the rest of her life. I can see her in the future wondering why she can't keep a job or why people who work with her want little to do with her.

YES. This is political correctness run wild. It is STUPID things like this that that makes tolerance even harder to obtain. So they kill off a very good thing because they are scared one single person MAY feel left out.

Within each State their Political Parties (all) should start scrapping all Laws on their books and start anew. There are too many Laws that contradict other in-State Laws, are archaic, or conflict with the Laws of other States, or conflict with Federal Laws. And they are too complicated for laymen to comprehend, and even Judges are often confused. PS: TAKE RELIGION OUT OF ALL LAWS.

The ACLU has done good things in the past, and there are a few (too few, unfortunately) instances in the present where they actually fight for something where there really is discrimination. Most of the time these days, though, they take on ridiculous "causes" that shouldn't be litigated anyway." (e.g. banning citizenship question [not documentation even] on voter ballot registration!!)

There are many events, benefits, and rules that may not be fair or inclusive to everybody. Those that are innocuous need to be left alone. They should use their resources to fight real causes; for example, gender and race discrimination in the workplace, etc.

Get a grip!! (By the way, this isn't a "liberal" issue; I consider myself quite liberal and I think this is stupidity at its finest!)

The arrogance here is that the school thought that it was an appropriate use of public funds and/or facilities to discriminate against students who don't have a father in their life.

This is too progressive....even for Progressives! Can I even call it progressive? Or is it just stupidity gone crazy.

ONE MOM brought about this suit. I could see if a hundred came forward....but ONE?

Discrimination against one hurts us all.

I noticed that no one has explained why the school didn't just say, "Bring whatever parent you want to bring."

How is it "fair" to the rest of the Father Daughters when one person takes this away from them?

Libtards forget that in this country majority rules, but they are out to destroy our nation one piece at a time.

eFirefly -

I understand your point and you're right, life can't always be fair, but I'll bet the little girl already gets that since her father isn't around, for whatever reason. A better option would be one - if her Dad is around, she could ask him to take her - if Mom is in the way, she needs to get out of it. If he's not around, Mom can ask a family member or a close friend who is a role model to take her. There are options.

Oh bulltihs, Robert; wtf does this have to do with liberals or conservatives?

I'm an incredibly liberal person and I think this lawsuit is crap. I grew up in another state than my dad. Whenever my school had these things, my brother or mom would take me. This mother needs to pull her head out of her a$$ and realize that her precious little princess isn't the center of the world and try to come up with another solution or tell her kid that life isn't fair and to get used to it.

What you don't think the ACLU is a liberal organization? get a clue troll.

The ACLU fights for rights. These things are typically considered "liberal", but are just as equally "libertarian" in nature (For example, the ACLU supports gun owner's rights). The ACLU does not push an economic agenda either. Nor do they care who they defend (they will support free speech for the KKK, which is decidedly not "liberal").

What a bunch of liberal PC BS! I remember taking my now adult daughter to one and all concerned had amarvelous time. My daughter is unmarried and the mother of two children, a boy 13 and a beautiful little girl of two. The fathers of both her children are not in the picture and most likely never will be. I am the closest thing they both have to a father and am very involved in raising the both of them. My daughter says that when my grand daughter is old enough, she hopes I take her to a father-daughter dance as well.

As for anyhting put out by the ACLU (American Civil Leftist Union because the only liberties they recognize are leftist liberal inspired ones), I place very little stock or faith in things they say or do. If the single mother in question was so concerned about her daughter, why did she not ask the child's grandfather, or other male relative to attend the dance with her child? Instead, she had to whine and ruin an event for a lot of other people who do have her hang ups! Flat out disgusting!

Robert:

in this country majority rules

Um, not necessarily. We cannot vote on rights, for instance.

That being said, this is a terribly silly suit and I'm somewhat disappointed in the ACLU for taking it. The only way this could truly be a discriminatory situation is if they told the girl she could not come with anyone but her father.

Political Correctness: Just to be fair, maybe that should apply to all School activities. Ban Parents from all school activities including Sports. Ban Proms, ban Clubs, ban Sports, ban all other activities except actual School Teaching/Learning. Why? There are, perhaps, more than a hundred reasons for a Student to be left out of participation in one or more activities......

Clearly you didn't read the article. This has nothing to do with parents in general. It only has to do with the application of gender-bias.

Can I ask what is so wrong about simply having "family dances." That does not ruin anyone's good time nor does it make anyone feel left out.

My father died when I was six. I have a very distinct memory of sitting at a Girl Scout meeting and being told of an event that "pertains to everyone except Barbara." Yes, that was the exact quote. It was more than 30 years ago and I still remember it.

Should these things be illegal? Probably not. But a little sensitivity goes a long way and it saddens me that many of you refuse to see that.

Can I ask what is so wrong about simply having "family dances." That does not ruin anyone's good time nor does it make anyone feel left out.

You've got the right idea, Barbara. What is the school's "overwhelming interest" in limiting the dance to girls and their fathers? Does that advance the school's educational purpose in any way?

Thank youR local church for shoving religion, god in school, and the bible down everyone's throats. They started this politically correct crap. And now, people don't like it when everyone else demands the same rights. As their book tells them....YOU REAP, WHAT YOU SOW!

@ Truman - LOL you're kidding me. Churches started the PC crap? Not hardly.

Robert -- In this country the majority does not always rule. An important part of the Constitution deals with prevention of the "Tyranny of the Majority." It's why we have checks and balances in government and why we have the Electoral College, to prevent the Majority from running roughshod over the rights of the Minority. For example, if a majority of the people of the US wanted to re-institute slavery, would that make it right? Of course not. Sometimes the result doesn't seem reasonable but it's necessary.

@ Gneisenau - Is PC really that different from religious dogma/doctrine? Think about it. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing. Just raising a point that's all.

@ ed. I would say yes. Religion is generally more interested in actions where PC seems to be more interested in words. As in which is more PC the word "needy", "handicapped", "challenged" or "crippled"? In some cases, you may be just as accurate with any of the 4 words but some are more PC than others. Religion is more concerned with the person than which name he is called.

But I see your point. Both can be PITAs. Being PC generally does less good then being religious IMO being what I see as more emotionally based, but there are certainly those that can ruin either for everyone.

@ EngEsq - Please quote us at least one instance whereby the ACLU has actually defended a gun owner's rights, let alone the KKK, and be specific as to date and place! I don't think you can.

American Civil Liberties Union defends KKK in court - September 11, 2012 (Missouri)

ACLU Will Defend KKK In Bid To Adopt Stretch Of Ga. Highway

ACLU Files On Behalf Of Gun Owner Abusively Arrested By Philadelphia Police

ACLU Sues to Expand Immigrant's Gun Rights in South Dakota

ACLU Sues to Get RI Man His Guns

@ Ed - I remember them defending gun owners. I don't remember the case. All I knew that since I was agreeing with the ACLU it scared me to death.... ;)

Okay, I'm man enough to admit when I have been proved wrong. My apologies to all concerned. That still does not change my view that the ACLU will only take what they consider to be high profile high publicity cases only. The common man or woman just does not count to them. About two years ago I filed a case to the Arizona ACLU regarding age discrimination to them from a former employer and they would not even reply to my inquiries. When I phoned their office in Phoenix to inquire why I had not heard from them, I has some office staffer tell me that they had indeed received my paperwork, but I should not expect any answer or help from them as it just was not high profile enough for them to bother with. End of story. I also went to the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission and got the same treatment from them for the same reasons. Life's a bummer, I guess.

Perhaps your case was simply not strong enough or your need significant enough to warrant the limited resources that the ACLU has available. (Remember, we only have your view of your side of the discussion with the ACLU; we haven't heard their side of it.)

I am fully aware of that and did not really expect otherwise. Either way, it is over and done with so I try not to dwell on it.

Or, you know, he could have died.

We don't really know the whole story... Oh, wait. In your omniscience, you know everything.

Congratulations.

*sigh* the ACLU doesn't make the laws, it just ensures they are enforced. I think this is bull, but since the discrimination law in Rhode Island are written as they are the ACLU will pick up the case. Obviously the law needs changing.

Many on the left don't like it when the ACLU works to protect gun rights... which they do very often, because our laws protect gun ownership rights.

I wish someone would start a prejudice complaint against the ACLU and get them banned.

The ACLU made a complaint, just as anyone else it legally entitled to do. It doesn't make law or court rulings. If the school thought that it had a legal right to have a "father-daughter" dance, it could've denied the ACLU's complaint and the ACLU take it to court.

Now Barry, the cheapest way for the school to handle this BS suit was to cancel the dance. Had it gone to court the school would be looking at a huge legal bill. ACLU knows this and knows they will win. That is why they took this case. The dance should go on, regardless if it is a public school. You must not have had a father to take you to the father daughter dance. I feel for you

The dance should go on, regardless if it is a public school. You must not have had a father to take you to the father daughter dance. I feel for you

As a matter of fact, my father died when I was young. Luckily, I went to a school that didn't consider me to be a second-class citizen as a result.

Yes, like I said this would be an easy thing to fix - no need to ban "Father-Daughter" dances, just let everyone come.

No, it's a situation of let's see if I can complain and whine the loudest so I can get my way, screw everyone else attitude.

Yes, it would be a problem with parent-teacher conferences were indeed limited to parents, but they're not. So, what's your point?

Hey Robert, Are you the pot, or the kettle?

Neither, he's the idiot, because Moe is not being a troll.

Robert was referring to himself...........

Instead, it helped me learn a couple of the biggest realities of life .... that everyone cannot always do everything that others do, and life is NOT always "fair".

That's right, life isn't always fair. But, a school should not go out of its way to make it even more unfair.

So when I danced with my daughters at my Brother-In laws wedding that would be creepy as well? I guess I'm creepy then because I plan to participate in the father daughter dance at their weddings as well.

howitis-1710173

my father, a dyed-in-the-wool, family-values-conservative if there ever was one, refused to go with me

I think you knowingly or unknowing said an awful lot about you and the whys of your eerie comment. Perhaps it is your own deep-rooted emotional problems, resulting from events and relationships in your life, which makes things creepy to you. Perhaps you should talk to someone, even you father, and work it out.

Interesting how liberals, such as yourself, will accept the often considered unnatural sexual nature of homosexuality unquestioned and demand others do the same. I have no problem with homosexuality or Christianity or both. Yet you folks find it creepy that impressionalbe young girls will take purity pledges and "vow to remain chaste" and you expect everyone to share your disdain for "Fundamentalist Christianity" orf possbily even just Christian values.

Then to suggest it is attributed to some "creepy current of incest underneath that is just downright gross..." is really strange. By my best guess the idea of the strangeness is yours not on the part of the others (gays or fundamentalist virgins). Perhaps the kinks at your place are not just in you garden hose.

I'll tell you what you might want to consider creepy is the Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Productions video where celebrities and musicians tell how they will pledge to “be a servant to our president.” Or how about the brainwashing of our children to pledge their love and fidelity Obama

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW9b0xr06qA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=WqF19Phn0Og

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ettl3zfLWus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfhHHCXxVe4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5UPFj8NCPY

Now that is weird and really Creepy.

It's fine if you don't want to dance with your son/daughter. Don't go. Don't like the virginity pledges? Don't participate.

However, why should one person get to decide what is appropriate for someone ELSE's father/daughter relationship?

I have never once seen my dad dance (another Southern Baptist). Not once have we done a father/daughter 'thing'. My husband, on the other hand, loves dancing with our young daughters and enjoys the father/daughter events put on through our churches and schools. There is nothing creepy about how he interacts with our girls.

I'm not a big fan of public chastity pledges, but who am I to tell someone else not to do them?

Buzz,

How did you deduce she was a liberal?

But way to make it into an Obama-bashing tirade. Of course, somehow, this is all Obama's fault.

I've never called anyone this before, but: troll.

hambone johnson

"But way to make it into an Obama-bashing tirade."

Thank you. Since Obama is the clown prince of political correctness and all things liberal it is only right to include him. However, I am not limiting my bashing to him; I am willing to bash all liberals and the mess they are making of America.

Using "troll" is a clever and intelligent comeback. Which elementary school grade are you in? Do you have any more playground insults? How about Na-Na, Nanny Freakin' Boo Boo." Here’s one for you - “Hey liberal.” Or, are you a progressive? Some of you people seem to think that has some class and sets them apart from their hoi polloi liberal kin. In reality is all part of the same cabal set on destroy this country.

Wow Buzz.

And now you know I'm a liberal. You're impressive.

And Obama had nothing to do with this, you just needed to derail the conversation to suit your agenda. That's called trolling. It has nothing with schoolyard insults.

I don't know if you're right-wing or Tea Party, or conservative or if you ridiculously consider yourself independent, and I don't care. You contribute nothing to this conversation.

Golly Gee hambone johnson

More liberal treif. There was no derail other than in your lopsided imagination. My initial comments were in response to someone's comments about "creepy" things. In conclusion, I offered that the completely
inappropriate efforts at Obama adoration and brain washing in our schools and by public figures was an example of “really Creepy.”

Liberals. like are yourself, are so in the bag for Obama they see anything about him that is less than adoring and affectionate as an “Obama-bashing tirade” (your words). Liberals, again like yourself, view any comment that does not give great acclaim to him as a source of salvation as tantamount to religious heresy and blasphemy.

Regarding alleged “trolling,” my examples using Obama were part of and in context of the comment I was making. Conversely, your response was indeed trolling, liberal trolling, by injecting your ideas into the comment steam and responding not about the details of the comment, but about your interpretation of me and what I said. More liberal hypocrisy, now that is also “really Creepy.”

Butt out Hamboy and stop derailing because of your liberal sensibilities. Embarrassed being viewed as liberal, stop with the disciple of Obama stuff.

Sorry Buzz,

You're full of it. You chose to call howitis a liberal so you could go off on Obama. It's obvious because nothing in her comment suggested she was a liberal.

And I don't care if you call me a liberal. I'm not offended. But I'm definitely not a "disciple of Obama." Why would I respond to the details of your comment when they are a totally pointless derail. And the fact that you find a way to bring him into this makes you no better than those liberal hypocrites you seem to hate so much.

It seems to me, both sides are hypocrites. Get over yourselves.

OK Hambone,

More of your liberal drivel. How do I know howitis-1710173 is a liberal? Read some of her comments before you run your mouth. What do she sounds like to you? Try again.

"this man will, or has, sold his soul to become President" You have to have a soul in order to sell it. I am pretty convinced that Romney never had a soul to begin with. Look into his eyes...there is nothing there. Nothing. It's a little disturbing, frankly. (howitis-1710173)

and

The greedy, filthy, sociopathic little pigs of Wall Street destroyed our economy. Most should be in jail. This is the least they can do. (howitis-1710173)

The Mother can't keep a husband or a boyfriend to escort the daughter to a dance, so the rest of the school has to suffer because the mother is a man hater?

First, I don't agree with what this mother is doing (I think it really crosses the boundaries of being overly politically correct) but you're assuming quite a bit there when you make that statement. How do you know she's a "man hater" and how do you know she can't "keep a husband?" Her husband could have died in Iraq for all you know. You can dislike what she's doing all you want, but don't make up @!$%# about her that you can't possible know. Talk about being unfair - you're the worst.

Or the mother might be a lesbian?

Kat-1745504

When the mother is this retarded.............she tosses out any sensiable assumptions.

The Mother can't keep a husband or a boyfriend to escort the daughter to a dance, so the rest of the school has to suffer because the mother is a man hater?

How does allowing the mother to attend when the father isn't available make the "rest of the school suffer"? She's not demanding an end to dances, just that they be more inclusive. I don't see a problem with that.

When the mother is this retarded.............she tosses out any sensiable assumptions.

thepunisher - you've got a @!$%#ty attitude, too. How come none of you can see that you're just as bad as you claim she is but at the other end of the spectrum? Why can't anyone be reasonable anymore? You're either a wing-nut or a mean and hateful hypocrite. Sure, you're all preachy about the warm and fuzzy stuff like father-daughter dances and how important they are but when it comes down to it, you're all willing to call a woman you don't even know a man-hater, evil, a bad parent, a lesbian, etc. She didn't bring on this suit and the school is who decided to ban the dances. Read the fricken headline of the article, for god's sake. Read the whole article, for that matter. You learn NOTHING about the woman in question. Just that she's a single mother and that she'd like for her daughter to be included. Your beef should be with the ACLU and the school. Not her.

kat, you hit the nail on the head. well done.