Posted on 07/22/2005 8:41:37 AM PDT by Chris Dickson
Just hours ago, I introduced an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill ... "Support Our Scouts Act of 2005."
You may recall that I wrote to you about this subject a few months ago. I wanted to give you an update ...
You may recall that I wrote to you about this subject a few months ago. I wanted to give you an update ...
Earlier this month, an appeals court judge declared Pentagon support for the Boy Scouts of America major gathering -- the National Scout Jamboree -- unconstitutional.
Why?
Well, in the words of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) -- who petitioned the court: the Scouts require members to "privately exercise their religious faith as directed by their families and religious advisors."
That, they argued, was a violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (separation of church and state).
Sadly, the court agreed.
You're probably wondering what takes place at the National Scout Jamboree ... just what it is that had the ACLU so aghast.
An American tradition, the National Scout Jamboree is a gathering of over 40,000 people -- scouts, moms and dads -- at Ft. A.P. Hill in Virginia (a military base). They come together every four years and learn important skills, such as canoeing, leathercraft, land navigation, first aid, and survival skills.
They also come together to celebrate their bedrock values. They talk about patriotism; they talk about public service; they talk about conservation; they talk about civic virtue; and they talk about faith.
No specific denomination, mind you, but rather the mere acknowledgment of a higher power.
That was enough to set the ACLU attack machine in motion; they put this venerable organization in their crosshairs.
Once again, the ACLU sued the Boy Scouts of America.
This is an organization -- the Boy Scouts of America -- whose motto reads (in part): "On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country ..."
They gather -- as I once did, as my three sons did, as more than 40 members of the United States Senate and 150 members of the House of Representatives did -- to talk about principles.
Principles like honesty, integrity, and character.
My friends, the Boy Scouts of America produce good kids ... the true leaders of tomorrow.
They've been doing it proudly since 1910.
And it's a sad day when we need to enact legislation to enable them to keep doing it ... particularly at a time when we face such unprecedented challenges at home and abroad.
As they say, America's greatness is determined by our goodness.
Well, let me tell you, these kids are as good as it gets. They make us proud.
And we need to stand up for them.
My amendment does the following:
It makes clear that the Congress regards the Boy Scouts of America to be a "youth organization," not a religious organization. It asserts the view of Congress that government support of the National Scout Jamboree (by the Defense Department) helps with the training of our armed forces. It removes ANY DOUBT that federal agencies may welcome Scouts to hold meetings and go camping on federal property.
I believe this amendment will receive broad, bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House, and that it will pass this year.
And I hope you will join me in standing up for the Boy Scouts of America by calling your Senators and Representatives and asking them to support the "Support Our Scouts Act of 2005."
As for me, I hope to proudly be among those attending their annual Jamboree next week.
Bill Frist, M.D. Senate Majority Leader
Nice. Too bad about the judges.
how sad that we have to pass a law to allow good behaviour.
I HATE THE ACLU. DEFUND THEM AND LETS FREEP THEM. I see freepers going to their local ACLU and getting in their faces about the destruction of the goodness of America.
Did ya'll hear about the Scout troop who set up their popcorn stand in front of the ACLU? A national talk show guy happened to be in town and sent his guy with the microphone there and they made tons of sales! HA HA
didn't mean to pm that...
Good for Frist.
I'm sorry, but when was the last time that leathercraft was considered an "important skill"? LOL
The ACLU is evil and it rages against the good in America. I have asked my senator to remove the ACLU's federal subsidy....it too is unconstitutional. Congratulations to Sen. Frist for doing this one right.
OK, good -- but, does anyone know: would it override the court ruling? What real-world effect would it have?
Dan
Oh, here in Sodom by the Bay, Leather craftsmen are very much in demand.
Instead of adding this as a rider to an existing bill that is sure to pass, he should have made it a stand alone bill. Make the leftists stand up for what they believe in.
Yes, but do you really want Boy Scouts growing up to supply the S & M freaks? lol
This support for the Boy Scouts is a noble, pro-American move. The boys learn the values that have supported this nation since it's beginning. That's why we need to correct the liberal errors on the Supreme Court.
Rarely a day goes by, that I don't employ something I learned as a Scout.
And yes, leathercraft has come in handy a time or two
The Boy Scouts learn how to be prepared in any emergency. There could be a day in the future, because now they're just boys, where they may need to make foot ware and other items. It would great if everyone knew that stuff.
"A wise man hears of trouble coming and prepares for it. If that day does not arrive, he's still much better off because of it."
Learning to do things with your hands (other than handle a joystick, which is universal among kids today) is certainly an important skill, whether it's leathercraft or carpentry or shooting at a target or lifesaving or orienteering.
The merit badges that Scouts earn expose them to a wide range of skills and foster respect for others who with such abilities.
Do scouting skills transfer into real-life accomplishment? Ask those guys who went to the moon.
Sorry to be touchy about this, but don't pick on or scoff at the Scouts. You missed out if you weren't one.
An Eagle parent.
I'm not picking on the Scouts. I'm a huge fan! Unfortunately, there wasn't a Boy Scout organization in my area when I was growing up. But, if I ever have a son, I FULLY plan on him being a part of it.
I was more making fun of Frist's office. I think they could have found something else that the Boy Scouts teach to list as an "important skill" than leathercraft!
I think the point was to illustrate the absurdity of the ACL-leftists "fear" of the Boy Scouts.
"I was more making fun of Frist's office. I think they could have found something else that the Boy Scouts teach to list as an 'important skill' than leathercraft!"
You're right, of course.
I still have some pretty grim leather projects stuffed in the back of a closet!
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