Posted on 08/02/2005 1:26:30 PM PDT by dukeman
August 2, 2005
The legal bullies at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sustained a substantial loss with the Senate's passage this week, by a 95-0 vote, of the Support Our Scouts Act of 2005.
The Act, which is an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill, is expected to pass in the House.
The Act establishes that the Boy Scouts, and any group officially associated with them, cannot be discriminated against in any way through the denial of access to federal funding or public facilities.
"It's about time Congress stepped in to protect the Scouts from the ravenous wolves of the ACLU and the other Scout haters," said Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America's (CWA's) Culture & Family Institute, who is himself an Eagle Scout. "For too long, the Boy Scouts have been treated like criminals instead of the irreplaceable, character-building outfit they are. Sen. Frist deserves a high-five for his leadership on this bill."
The ACLU has been after the Boy Scouts for years for the group's refusal to include atheists and homosexuals. In 1999, the ACLU of Illinois filed a lawsuit against the Boy Scouts because of the Defense Department's sponsorship of the group. The ACLU claimed that federal funds should not be used to support the Scouts because members were required to swear an oath of duty to God, and that this violated the separation of church and state.
As a result, U.S. District Court Judge Blanche Manning ruled on June 22 that the Pentagon could no longer fund the readying of a Virginia military base for the 2005 National Scout Jamboree, which is currently taking place. The Jamboree brings together more than 40,000 Scouts, leaders and volunteers, and President George W. Bush is scheduled to speak.
Sen. Bill Frist (R- Tennessee), who spearheaded the legislation, expressed his gratitude to the Senate:
"This amendment protects a unique American tradition that teaches our youth the importance of honesty, integrity and character. It enables the Scouts to continue their public service without the distraction of senseless legal and political attacks. I'm proud that my colleagues from both sides of the aisle chose to uphold the Boy Scouts' fundamental right of fair and equal access to public facilities. Now, more than ever, our nation needs young leaders who understand that content of character counts, and I'm pleased to know this integral scouting tradition will be protected as they continue their noble efforts to mold the hearts and minds of the next generation of America's leaders.
CWA strongly supports and encourages the leadership of Sen. Frist and the Senate on this issue. The Boy Scouts is an important institution that teaches values and life skills. In light of ongoing assaults on the morality of young people today, we must support the continued work of the Boy Scouts to encourage integrity and character among tomorrow's leaders."
Good!
"Sen. Bill Frist (R- Tennessee), who spearheaded the legislation, expressed his gratitude to the Senate: "
Let me express my gratitude to Sen Bill Frist for supporting scouting. .... and common sense.
congrads ! this win made a whole lotta sense !
Boy Scouts ~ Bump!
Beautiful headline!
Truly a win-win.
Poor liberals were afraid to vote their 'conscience'.
Me too.
Scout ping...
How is it possible that 95 Senators supported this?
May the scouts continue to be a blessing to this nation and may God continue to protect and bless the scouts.
So they'll count on the courts to do their dirty work and overturn this.
I'd like to know who the 5 missing Senators are.
"...Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America..."
Huh?
"...Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America..."
An Equal Opportunity Employer, LOL. But I don't think he'd have to speak with a lisp at that particular firm, thank God!
Are you a former Scout, by any chance?
Good for the Boy Scouts. The ACLU has acted contemptibly in attacking them.
I hope that this holds in the courts, but I suspect that the reason that the usual lefties didn't vote against this is because they are counting on the courts holding it unconstitutional. I hope that by the time that it works its way up the court system, President Bush's appointments will be having a strong influence on the whole judiciary.
The five who didn't vote FOR must be identified and 'NUKED' at the next election. Abstention = nay vote in my book.
If this was a roll call vote, someone please post the names of the Intolerant Five.
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