What happened to the coach's first amendment rights ? The student recording the coach without his knowledge probably violated Federal laws !

I agree with the coach on both counts sue me .

So, the first lady has a big butt, so what? I agree with James W, what about the first amendment? Our rights are disappearing right before our eyes!

this guy should never be able to teach in any school system anymore

I certainly would not want this redneck bigot influencing my children. I am no liberal but his remarks inexcusable. I wonder if he has pictures of Hitler and a swastika on his basement wall. If you do your home work you will likely find the teachers union AKA AEA was in full force saving his job. People wonder why Alabama has a poor image in the world.

There is a reason that neither scholars nor school children study the great homosexual civilizations of the past. Obviously. School board support for tolerance of open homosexuality must be withdrawn and forever removed from all children. The teacher must not be forced to suffer indoctrination under the banner of "sensitivity training". Adult males advocating homosexual tolerance in classrooms half-filled with young boys is a recipe for disaster. The very mention of homosexuality by grown men in the presence of minor boys brings to mind a different word: Pedophilia.

It's Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.

Adam and Eve weren't married.

And what does this so-called 'sensitivity training' consist of? As one comment put it, it's indoctrination. I'd like to see an explanation of what is involved in this 'training.'

As a public school teacher and Christian, I am not happy with this situation, like so many others. As Christians, our mission is to serve God and WIN more souls to Him. This cannot be accomplished with the method this Coach took. Even though he is standing with God's word, we must remember that Jesus provided the perfect example of TACT. The approach to helping others understand and apply God's word, cannot be out of anger or making fun of people. We must also teach the entire message, as taught in Romans 1:28-32. Verse 32 says "Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them." (NIV). Let's not forget that it is wrong to SUPPORT breaking God's laws. We must win souls to Christ with our example and outreach in helping others. Exodus International (www.exodusinternational.org) offers Christian support to those who want to leave the homosexual lifestyle. Resource information for parents, teachers and individuals are also available.

As far as making fun to our first lady, the coach made a personal opinion comment during school hours, that should have remained for his personal life. We need to teach our students that regardless of who is in the office, we must respect the office of the presidency. Remember, Jesus even said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

This is talking about more than just money, it is also respecting the office that is being held.

I still believe that 10 days off, is a bit much. I would like to know more about the motivation of the student who in secrecy, taped and turned in this teachers comments. Removing this teacher from the classroom only gives more power to the student. I totally disagree with this teacher no longer teaching the psychology class! He is the instructor and once his 10 day suspension is up, the students need to see him back in the class and teaching, even if he is monitored daily. So should the students be monitored, because the motivation sounds alot like a student doing anything necessary to win a power struggle with this teacher.

As Christians and adults, we must also be mindful that the gay rights movement is focusing on our children, by attacking them during their developmental years, in efforts to win them to their movement. How? by providing special treatment that teaches students that they are enlightened and smarter than all the adults around them. The boards decisions to remove this teacher from his psychology class is wrong and sends the message of support to the gay movement.

As Christians we must be strategic in our efforts to win over others to Christ. We must also educated ourselves on the struggles of homosexuality. Of all the students I have worked with that have struggled with homosexuality, not one said that they desired this lifestyle. They were confused, stressed and exhausted from indecisiveness. With the love of Jesus, and great professional resources, we can provide relief, recovery and rehabilitation that from the beginning lets our children know that they are valuable NO MATTER WHAT and to seek the Lord in all things.

The training he is going to receive is something he should have already known. Yes, place the blame on the cell phone. When I saw that the meeting lasted 30 minutes, I knew what the outcome would be. He is so wrong to have said the things he said. I hope all of the school board members sleep well tonight knowing that they defended someone that is in a position to teach and to take the students concerns seriously and did just the opposite. How about an apology to that class.

Too bad moral values are not taught at home anymore, mature young people can think for themselves and draw off what they have been taught at home and life experiences, it shouldn't be a crime for them to hear something different from what they are being taught at home if they are. I feel like this was just a personal opinion but shouldn't be shouted out across a class room. Punishment is too severe for the action. The earlier statement about drawing off the past history of Gay civilizations, well that's in the bible also, that is when God decided to end the world with water because of the sins of man. Men laying with men and women also, it's in the old and new testament. As far as the bible goes, God said it, I believe it and that settles it.

Will the student be suspended for using a phone at school?

The bigot should have been fired.

Let us never forget that the teachers' unions in all fifty states have very generously funded the horrible Democrat Party agenda that embraces easy divorce, wholesale abortion, and open homosexuality to the point of enshrining these nightmarish endeavors into law. In order to eradicate disagreement with homosexuality in future generations, the federal government through the Department of Education implements policies that are carried out at the local school level. Absent complicity from local teachers and school boards, this agenda could not move forward. Those who teach the Christian perspective are subject to suspension and, in some cases, arrest. Such is what passes for tolerance in our local school systems. Disavowing with words that which funded in deed is, to many, the height of hypocrisy. Being required to teach that which one funds is to be expected. Teachers must decide on an individual basis whether to retain their salaries and benefits and continue to promote and fund a horrific policy, or, that children's minds and our nation's health are more important, a terrible dilemma wrought by the Democrat Party. The key to turning the tide lies at local level with teachers and school boards as the remainder of the Alabama citizenry including city councils, mayors, sheriffs and other elected officials have not yet been so co-opted by the federal government. This is precisely why teachers are no longer held in high esteem, not their ability to teach algebra and grammar.

The comment that stands out to me is- go tell the principal-- sounds like he has no respect for authority. It seems like the board gave this guy a huge break.

Bubba

Otis, false witnessing is a sin. I think this sin is even in the top ten, right??? Republicans had a chance to change all your rants and have choose not to. Stop the political christian hate talk.

Bubba says My God loves everyone

This whole conversation is like beating a dead horse! He can believe whatever he chooses, but to voice that when you have young minds you are "supposedly" helping mold is wrong. What would be the outcome if a gay teacher was telling the students his/her beliefs of being gay during school hours!

Listen to this "teacher" articulate....He sounds so uneducated! Free speech has nothing to do with this person expressing his own personal beliefs in a classroom setting.

Now let's blame the kid for recording this HICK....RIGHT!!!! If the entire conversation was recorded, what else would we have learned of this "coach"....This man is not showing respect to the First Lady, so how could he expect his students to respect him. I think I heard a comment from a student that call the First Lady "a fat gorilla"....The coach is promoting disrespect at he least.

He should NOT be allowed to influence a young mind w/ his own personal beliefs. That's where he messed up! I just hate they are allowing him to maintain his job! Such a let down! What else is he teaching these children that you don't know about? Glad my children do not attend this school system!!!!!

First Amendment doesn't apply to Public School Teachers making discriminatory remarks or using anti-gay slurs. Do some research into some of the supreme court rulings on this subject. His comment about the First Lady isn't really the issue, but any discriminatory action or derogatory statement regarding the sexual orientation of students is prohibited. Trust me, I'm an educator and this is the stuff you learn in your first semester. Most states have laws that would call for his immediate dismissal but Al is not one of them. However, several supreme court rulings and federal laws already in place will most likely be used as grounds for termination once this is taken to court, and I assure you all, it will be taken to court. As educators and public servants, we are and should be held to a higher standard. Free Speech is important in this country, but the 1st amendment doesn't give me or Mr. Grisham the right to use our positions as a platform for homophobia. I honestly can't understand why you people don't see that? Every single American child has the right to a quality education and to feel safe and comfortable in our public schools. I guarantee you that a LGBT child is in that school right now and will someday pass through his classroom. He may be a nice man, a good teacher even, but he crossed a line that must exist to ensure that all students, regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, are treated equally. When discussing this, understand that the argument is not over the morality of homosexuality, every American is entitled to his/her opinion on the subject, but those opinions have no place in the classroom and his failure to understand that will cost him his job. If you think this stops here, you are wrong, this is quickly becoming a national story. If taken to court, he will inevitably lose.

Teachers and the Democrat Party have long relied on the courts to impose that which the citizenry opposes. Note that the previous commenter does not even mention legislative and executive remedies. So conditioned are Democrat Party supporters to turn to the court system for a ruling rather than sway the public to their cause and enact legislation, they have forgotten or are deliberately ignoring the path set forth in the Constitution. Many citizens view this as arrogance and contempt for the public, a kind of "we know better about homosexuality than the citizenry, we will simply get the court to impose it". It is in this way that the commenter hopes the issue will be resolved.

Kenneth, you are so correct. From the headline "Coach is punished". Maybe they meant disciplinary action would be given. You are also correct in that this is not over. It is against the law. Those that agree with the coach can quote the bible all you want. The things he said is not that of a Christian and he should be asking for prayers and forgiveness. Saying the "Lords Prayer" at the beginning of the school day will not help this school. Let all that are for him chip in and pay his salary for 10 days. For all those that believe a straight person can be made gay are just showing your ignorance and lack of knowledge. I usually find that men that are so against the gay men have an inferiority complex about themselves. If there was a gay student in that room, he had better pray that nothing happens to him.

Why is there not majority public support for homosexual tolerance in the Florence - Quad cities area? Why, instead, is there overwhelming opposition in the local citizenry?

Otis, could it be a taught intolerance?

analytical, is it the overwhelming majority? The entire majority were taught wrong and only few have the answers?

Otis, bless your heart, you poor, pitiful, hateful creature. I'll pray for you.

Thank you Q for your blessing, but, the name calling bores me. I would much rather entertain your spirited argument.

He spoke the truth about sodomite's and the first ladies big gluteus maximus,he could have been more eloquent in his statement and he'll pay for those words, but in the words of that famous American Rodney King,"Can't we all just get along ".

Kay, you obviously are so sin free that you can judge everyone else. Get a life.

I wonder how what kind of pay cut he took???? "NONE"

I just want to add this last comment. What will one of you that agree with the coach's remarks say when their son or daughter comes to them and says " Mom, Dad - I am gay.

Coach Grisham has a right to his private opinions but not necessarily a right to express them to his students.

I for one don’t like rednecks, especially Christian rednecks. Don’t like to be around them. As far as i’m concerned rednecks are an abomination to God. Coach Grisham is a redneck and a bad example of a teacher. As far as big butts go, Alabama has more than it’s share.

gus walker

Decatur

Gus . . what is a Christian redneck??

William - "He spoke the truth about sodomite's and the first ladies big gluteus maximus"... Really? What Mr. Grisham spoke was his opinion! Just because you agree doesn't make it the truth. When Rodney said, "Can't we all just get along?" he was speaking of tolerance. The attitude of many here is, "We'll all get along fine when everyone believes the way I want them to believe." This arrogant line of thinking is the very reason that the answer to his question is...apparently not.

Gus Walker, what is a "redneck". Sounds like I may not want to be around any either. Could you explain.

I'm not worried about a "christian redneck" as I don't think they will hurt me too bad, but you make it sound like a "redneck" is a terrible thing.

Punishment of coach was required. Florence is well known as a bastion of pro fat butt / pro homosexuals.

Good reporting.

What about his First Amendment rights? What of his freedom of speech? Has he now been charged with a crime? Is he now in jail? If not, then how has his right to freedom of speech been violated?

The First Amendment protects the citizen from retribution by the Federal Government for speaking against that government and its policies. It does not protect anyone from the consequences of failure to comply with the policies of their employer. I feel fairly certain that the county school board has a written policy about the type of statements Mr. Grisham made in the classroom. I also conjecture it likely that at the time of his employment he signed a statement to the effect that he understood and agreed to abide by the written policies of the school board as a condition of his employment and that failure to abide by those policies could result in disciplinary action up top and including termination. It is entirely reasonable to assume that at several regular intervals since his employment began he has been required to renew said agreement. If he failed to maintain the terms of that agreement disciplinary action is appropriate.