Hire Wendy Gonaver

Teacher fired for refusing to sign loyalty oath. This issue hits way too close to home since I am also a college professor. I have signed such oaths before, grudgingly. Gonaver has bigger cajones than I do because I may talk a good fight and denounce the need for such an oath, but ultimately I signed.

The loyalty oath was added to the state Constitution by voters in 1952 to root out communists in public jobs. Now, 16 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, its main effect is to weed out religious believers, particularly Quakers and Jehovah's Witnesses.

I just don't get it. We know McCarthy's shenanigans had nothing to do with a threat to national security and more to do with a distorted wannabe demigod with mommy issues. In the 21st century he is nothing but a running joke and the basis for an outstanding George Clooney produced movie. Also, I didn't know that we were at war with the Quakers and Jehovah's Witnesses? Just don't answer the door when the JWs show up like the rest of us. Or study the Bible and out-quote-them like my mom does.

We need more brave people with such outstanding character to lead us out of the darkness.

As a Quaker from Pennsylvania and a lifelong pacifist, Gonaver objected to the California oath as an infringement of her rights of free speech and religious freedom. She offered to sign the pledge if she could attach a brief statement expressing her views, a practice allowed by other state institutions. But Cal State Fullerton rejected her statement and insisted that she sign the oath if she wanted the job.

I am stunned that at at time when we need more educators and tolerance in the world, Wendy Gonaver is being persecuted on the basis of an incorrect, hurtful, and outdated interpretation of our American Values. And for those of you who think California is filled with a bunch of liberals, NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Night and Good Luck,
JA