Gov. Bush touts Christian-based program for schools [FL ACLU criticizes All-Pro Dad program]

Palm Beach Post ^ | July 06, 2005 | Dara Kam

[summer]

Re Gov Jeb Bush, Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida, said:

"From vouchers, from faith-based initiatives, to the nation's first faith-based prisons, this governor has a blind spot when it comes to the constitutional requirement on separation of church and state..."

I actually think this ACLU spokesperson was trying to be dilplomatic when saying Gov Jeb Bush has a "blind spot," because the rhetoric in this state has often been a lot worse against Gov Bush -- yet Gov Bush's approval ratings with FL voters remain high.

I often conclude there is a major "blind spot" with the ACLU and others opposed to Gov Bush, because my thought is alwasy this: Well, if you don't like THAT program, what is your BETTER suggestion?

And, it seems there is never is one from them. They spend so much time and energy criticizing him, but Gov Bush is the only one putting something on the table. I think this is why so many FL voters like Gov Bush.

The other day I read a NYT column by liberal op-ed writer Bob Herbert, and Herbert, surprisingly to me at least, took a very Bill Cosby-like stand on the issue of absent black fathers in black families, as Herbert bemoaned the lack of fathers in black families in this country. Well, how are you going to reach these people? Bob Herbert didn't have any suggestions. At least Gov Bush does.


NYT Op-Ed Columnist Bob Herbert

Dad's Empty Chair by Bob Herbert

Published July 7, 2005

Excerpt:

...Kids who grow up without a father never experience that special sense of security and the enhanced feeling of belonging that come from having a father in the home. So they seek it elsewhere. They don't get that sweet feeling of triumph that comes from a father's approval, or the warmth of the old man's hug, or the wisdom to be drawn from his discipline.

I don't have the statistics to prove it, but black kids would be tremendously better off if the cultural winds changed and more fathers felt the need to come home.,,,

[summer]

FYI.

[mlc9852]

I love President Bush. Too bad he can't run again.

[San Jacinto]

ACLU..............ever on the lookout to save America from anything with "Christian overtones"

[Born Conservative]

[summer]

Thanks for pinging. :)

[Protagoras]

The article is about Jeb. And don't worry, he will be crowned as next in the family line.

Then they can make more policies that lead to government control over religious services.

[Taggart_D]

ever on the lookout to save America from anything with "Christian overtones"

No...you must mean....

"ever on the lookout to extinquish Christianity from America."

Correct?

[summer]

And don't worry, he will be crowned as next in the family line.

This is a myth that needs to stop. You are insulting the voters of this state who elected Gov Bush. No one ever "crowned" Gov Bush the governor of this state. He ran once in 1994 and lost. He ran again in 1998 and won. He was also the first GOP governor in this state to make history, by then running again, in 2002, and winning re-election. No other GOP governor in FL had ever done that before. And, he won by the largest landslide in FL history. So, get your facts straight. And stop pretending every political victory that Gov Bush EARNED happened because of some dynasty policy in FL when every race in FL is VERY hard fought in this state.

[summer]

Then they can make more policies that lead to government control over religious services.

You're never going to convinice me that having more black fathers raise their kids is a bad thing, or that giving people in prison who want religious services of their choice more often is a bad thing. Sorry.

[moog]

Then they can make more policies that lead to government control over religious services.

That's where it scares me too. I love the aims of this program, being a male teacher. It's my biggest political agenda--getting dads involved with their kids.

[moog]

You're never going to convinice me that having more black fathers raise their kids is a bad thing.

I do agree with this statement, that's for sure. I've seen some black fathers be among the best there are. I hope that many more can follow suit.

[summer]

I also believe these kinds of programs are more important now, to prevent kids from joining gangs, and to prevent those gang kids from being recruited by terrorists. The fathers in this country have never been more important.

[moog]

"ever on the lookout to extinquish Christianity from America."

"Correct?"

Actually, no, not correct. That q should be a g. :)

[moog]

I also believe these kinds of programs are more important now, to prevent kids from joining gangs, and to prevent those gang kids from being recruited by terrorists. The fathers in this country have never been more important.

No argument here on those either. I know firsthand (not my own experience I guess, but through my students) about what the absence of a father can mean to a kid. Generally, the most well-adjusted students come from two-parent homes with BOTH parents involved with their kids.

[Taggart_D]

I chuckle, but I am ever so thankful that you are on the lookout. Next time I'll use the spell check.

[moog]

chuckle, but I am ever so thankful that you are on the lookout. Next time I'll use the spell check.

Even though I'm a grammar fiend, I make many, many, many, many, many, many mistakes (and forget to use the spell check too). I don't think I'm any expert with words. I do have a few pet peeves like misuse of lose and loose and affect and effect. I see those mistakes made all the time and by all sorts of people. BUT I make plenty myself, that's for sure.

[traviskicks]

dunno. I think Bush is one of the best governors in the nation and has passed great charter school legislation that should be expanded further, but the idea of having religion in the classroom is antithetical to the idea of the separation of church and state. I don't mind having the ten commandments in schools or courthouses, but this reminds me of George Bush's 'faith based' intiatives, an act which puts religion at danger of being influenced by government. Government destroys nearly everything it touches so religion must be sanctified from the clutches of government. I don't think this is a good thing. If you have good charter school legislation then no one can complain about what their kids are taught in school.


Its [the Establishment Clause] first and most immediate purpose rested on the belief that a union of government and religion tends to destroy government and to degrade religion...
-Justice Roy Black

[traviskicks]

Bob Herbert is an idiot.

***

The New York Times, July 22, 1996

Op-Ed By BOB HERBERT

HEADLINE: In America; The Mouths of Babies

There is something very creepy about the welfare debate.

The politicians have gotten together and decided it's a good idea to throw a million or so children into poverty. But they can't say that. The proponents of this so-called "reform" effort have gone out of their way to avoid being seen for what they are -- men and women of extreme privilege who are taking food out of the mouths of infants and children, the poverty-stricken elderly, the disabled. (165)

* * *

The New York Times, August 2, 1996

Op-Ed: By BOB HERBERT

HEADLINE: In America; Throw Them Out

They should have included, in this charade called welfare reform, instructions on how you actually get these useless elderly people out of their dwellings -- these blind people, and the men and women addled by Alzheimer's, and the ones disabled by strokes or cancer or heart disease. I'm talking about the elderly disabled immigrants who, by the grace of our President and a rabid Congress, are soon to be suddenly destitute. Paying rent will be out of the question, so they will have to be evicted. Do you get stretchers and carry them out of their homes and leave them at the curb, or do you wheel them out, or do you just drag them out? (165)

***

Compare this hateful and inciteful rhetoric to these charts:
http://www.neoperspectives.com/summary.htm

[moog]

I don't agree with everything in your last post (though a good amount of it I do), but you certainly have some interesting arguments and food for thought. Good post.