Posted on 07/10/2005 4:07:06 AM PDT by DaveTesla
CHICAGO — A federal judge has ruled the Pentagon can no longer spend millions in government money to ready a Virginia military base for a national Boy Scout event typically held every four years, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Thursday.
U.S. District Judge Blanche Manning's June 22 order stems from a 1999 lawsuit by the ACLU of Illinois that claimed the Defense Department sponsorship violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.
Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller said Thursday the government was still considering its options.
The order doesn't cover this year's National Scout Jamboree (search), which start July 25 and is expected to draw more than 40,000 people to the Army's Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia.
A Scouts spokesman said he expects the Pentagon's lawyers to appeal.
"We are confident that an appeal to the 7th Circuit will return everything to the status quo," Bob Bork said.
ACLU of Illinois spokesman Ed Yohnka said no other youth organization receives millions of dollars in government support, and that the injunction is the latest step toward ending the Scouts' unfair advantage.
The Defense Department notified the Chicago federal court in April that it would support this summer's jamboree, despite a ruling by Manning in March that the department's aid was unconstitutional. The government argued at the time that the ruling wasn't final.
The government aid, which amounted to $6 million and $8 million respectively for the jamborees in 1997 and 2001, was used to transport military personnel and other goods there, according to Manning's March order. The government expected to pay about $7.3 million for this year's jamboree.
Jamboree activities include archery, biking, a confidence course, environmental conservation programs and kayaking, according to the Scouts' Web site.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Why is it legal for other faith based initiatives - like government food given to churches to give to poor people but not scouting? I was a scout and they were really providing a service rather than being religious.
The key assertion here is "unfair advantage." I assume this ACLU assertion is a lie, but if the Scouts are in fact the only civilian organization allowed to use military facilities on an occasional basis, I am willing to be corrected.
If, on the other hand, a wide variety of organizations and events are accommodated on military bases -- with the incidental logistical expenses entailed -- then the ACLU needs to explain why the Scouts should be discriminated against. This is the point President Bush's faith-based initiative is meant to address.
The rule usually is that if you make a facility available for one organization you have to make it available for all (legitimate) organizations.
I think the question is whether any other non-profit has ever asked and been turned down.
The judge is correct. I got out my copy of the Constitution and written in invisible ink on the back, in small script, it plainly says no money for scouts.
So it would be all right for the Pentagon to fund activities of the Communist Youth League since they're athiests.
But on the front it says 'Congress shall make no laws...'.
Last time I checked Congress hadn't passed a law establishing a religion.
The Scouts are all that is Evil in our world. They teach boys to become good Men. Lord help us if those Men are good God fearing Men.
Is anyone else tired of one craphead going to the ACLU and changing American life by using the courts to screw over Americans?
I dont mind spending millions on the scouts but I sure get P***** when I think of Millions being paid to the ACLU. Who are these anti American MF's who belong and work for the ACLU changing all things good in America.
Maybe the Army should just change the way it places money for the scouts in the column under expenses and add it as a Recruitment expense. They can pay for a car in NASCAR as recruitment expense they could pay for the boy scouts the same way , Lets see a Judge who would claim they cant spend recruitment money going after America's scouts, and after all isnt that what the jamboree is?
Anti
Christ
Lawyers
United
I used to attend a Methodist Church but changed to Lutheran because the Methodist have become more of a liberal front group than a religion as far as I can tell. Their leadership leaves a lot to be desired.
Of course those doddering olde fools never considered that this country would resort to lifetime career professional politicians.
You just have to remember your place. If you are a liberal and something happens that offends you, why that is a national disgrace. If you are not a liberal then it's a different matter all together. Remember, we must never make liberals cry or feel bad in any way because we are above that sort of thing.
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