Posted on 05/24/2006 3:15:05 PM PDT by 68skylark
Members want to cut program over 'Don't ask, Don't tell'
The San Francisco Board of Education appears poised to kick the military's Junior ROTC programs out of the city's public schools, saying the Pentagon's refusal to allow openly gay service members is deplorable and not in line with the school district's anti-discrimination policy.
School board members are scheduled to introduce a resolution tonight outlawing the JROTC because of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule. The resolution calls that policy an "unjust, indefensible, unintelligent, state-sanctioned act of homophobia."
The resolution, which won't get a final vote until June, would create a task force to develop a similar program without a tie to the military and would phase out JROTC by the 2007-08 school year.
JROTC currently has 1,625 students in seven San Francisco public high schools: Balboa, Burton, Galileo, Lincoln, Lowell, Mission and Washington. Students enroll on a voluntary basis and earn physical education credits for participating in the military-sponsored program. The students engage in physical training such as running, push-ups and jumping jacks; and discipline training such as marching, drill-practice and using a mock chain of command. They also study military history and perform community service.
"They really help you stay focused, stay on track and get your stuff together," said Timothy Twyman, 16, a sophomore at Mission High and a member of that school's JROTC program. "It teaches you about how the world's going to be."
Supporters such as Twyman say the program helps students develop self-confidence and prepare for the working world, while opponents counter that it's just an easy way for the military to get a foothold in public schools and encourage teens to enlist after they graduate....
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Sean Connery and Nick Cage should have let General Hummel nerve gas San Francico...
What a bunch of arse-clowns...
It does not say so in the article but I would guess if SF does cut out ROTC at schools the Feds could withhold funds to the city and/or schools. These libs must stay awake night thinking this stuff up. The supervisors seem to forget this is good for the students. To many this is a real chance to grow and exert themselves.
San Frangayco truly is a disgusting place. It's no wonder that that scum infested city has a hard on for a fraud like Barry Bonds. Sure, worshipping a drug addled phony like Bonds is widely accepted there, but having JROTC programs which teach kids the values of service and love of country is "unjust, indefensible, unintelligent, state-sanctioned act of homophobia."
I'm ashamed that this city is considered a part of the United States.
I guess you're joking around, and looking to vent some of the frustration we all feel about this. But joking about a WMD attack on a U.S. city isn't really the best reaction.
If the left wing honestly didn't like this policy, they'd direct their ire at Congress.
But we all know that "don't ask - don't tell" is not the reason for anti-military policies on the left. Their anti-American feelings are the reason behind their anti-military policies.
I wonder if this might be a way for the board to retaliate for the recent SCOTUS ruling on military recruiters on campuses. If this is passed and a law suit is filed, the board may get slapped down and that would be a good thing.
Good point, a little venting...just tired of the continual disrespect this city shows the armed forces.
First it was with HS campus recruitors from the various military service branches, then it was the fiasco with U.S.S. Iowa, and now with JROTC...
I am beginning to wonder if San Fran is a US City. At least the city government sure doesnt act like it.
It was only a euphomistic post, but a poor one.
So they're going to discriminate?
Yeah, I know what you mean. Lots of us have similar feelings about this. With a war going on, it's not pleasant to have some of our own citizens metaphorically stabbing us in the back.
I'm not sure the Solomon Act would apply. It's wording states "institutions of higher learning." I don't think the SF school system would qualify.....legally speaking. :)
What fools the SF people are.
Of course homosexuals are welcome anytime at San Francisco schools. Point is, they make their own value judgements, in this case anti-military. They accuse others of imposing values and making value judgements about subjects such as homosexual lifestyles, yet........They do the same thing themselves about whatever it is they oppose.
Yep, that would be great to see S.F. schools lose federal funding. Put their money where their mouth is. Or, how strongly do they feel about their policy?
The Feds should cordon S.F off, institute a naval blockade, and stop all shipments of KY jelly. That should do it. [I would have said bring them to their knees, but they'd do that regardless of any blockade].
Agreed. No one is forcing you to join the military and there is a don't ask don't tell policy in place.
I think the law says schools can lose funding if they bar recruiters. It doesn't say anything about barring ROTC programs.
I think it would be a good idea to extend the law to cover ROTC both at the High School and College levels.
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