Back in 2004, some kids in Plano tried to hand out candy canes at Christmas with this story about how candy canes having a Christian origin and reminding people that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” or some such thing. The principals at those schools put the kibosh on the handout, saying that it might offend some students and that the district policy precluded handing out such materials. Well, the parents of some of those children sued. And the case has been winding its way through the court system and appeals process ever since, with the most recent ruling giving the principals involved immunity from damages.
And yes, as a journalist, I like freedom of speech, and am awfully fond of the First Amendment. But, well, the story that started this whole mess? Not even true. Not even a little bit.
