[TLBSHOW]

Please click source and join today let's roll........

[piasa]

It's a bad idea. If there is an interest in a serious civil defense training, it should be done on the state level and called what it really is- part of the process of training the people for their responsibilities as part of the militia. This would include firearms handling and safety, rescue training, emergency medical training, etc., and an understanding of how different emergency situations would be dealt with by people when a call for volunteers has been put out, so that citizens know what is going on.

This should definitely NOT be federal. The local sheriff and only the county or parrish sheriff should set up such a training program, and people so trained would not be on call or answerable to federal authorities but only to their sheriff and local elected officials. The sherriff should then deal with organizing between different sheriff's offices in a state and delegating specialty areas like medical issues to a team of local medical workers, and so on. But under no circumstances should any organizing of people be done if it does an end run around the sherriff and state, and federal monies or influence should not dictate to the sheriff what is to be done. Funding should be local if such is needed, but this can be done without tax money even local tax money, if people really want to be serious about this.

[Cacophonous]

I thought the Republican Party was the party of smaller government, and less federal intrusion...what part of "less federal intrusion" does the Freedom Corps fall under? A different part than Slick's America Corps (or whatever he called it)?

[Ol' Sox]

Wait! There's more!

Legislative Changes That Will Strengthen AmeriCorps

In addition to expanding the number of service opportunities, the Administration will propose legislation to strengthen national service. The bill makes a number of changes that are intended to strengthen the roles of states and communities and achieve greater accountability in the use of public funds, including:

Ø Strengthening the role of states consistent with principles of new federalism. This bill will strengthen the role of states and seeks to provide state commissions and other partners within the state with greater flexibility to coordinate the federal, state, and local resources, both public and private, that are available to promote service and volunteerism.

Ø Providing for volunteer generation and mobilization as an explicit criterion for evaluating and funding programs. Federal resources will be targeted to support volunteer efforts within the community.

Ø Assuring accountability for results. Grantees must meet accountability measures established by the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer is given authority to terminate or reduce funding for those organizations not meeting the standards.

Ø Promoting greater sustainability of programs. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation is given authority to take additional measures to assure the sustainability of programs with non-Federal resources.

New Federalism? Volunteer generation and mobilization as an explicit criteria for funding? Authority to take additional measures to assure the sustainability of programs with non-Federal resources? This sounds like a takeover to me.

I smell something nasty. Did someone step in something? Everybody please check their shoes.

[hattend]

I see AmeriCorps, Clinton's paid volunteers, are in on this.

Should have been the first thing cut loose, but no, we must add to it.

[onedoug]

All guns cleaned and oiled, locked and loaded.

Ready for service, sir!

[dead]

Listen, kid, we're all in it together.

[My2Cents]

Thanks for posting the link. I've bookmarked for later review.

But I must say, perusing the comments on this thread, that the crumudgeons are out again today in force. Their negativity is depressing. Is this all that the face of conservatism should wear? -- a sour frown?

Maybe some of you are up to your eyeballs in public service in your communities. But, you know, what's wrong with encouraging people to get off their fat butts, drop the TV remote, and become involved in their communities? And what's wrong with a government-funded program to help facilitate people's desire to serve?

Some of you Freepers are simply sour grouches. In the name of Ronald Reagan, who always projected a spirit of optimism, and who put a smile on the face of conservatism, I rebuke you!

[Alas]

hummmmmmmmm

[jokemoke]

Volunteerism is always a good thing. It's always a good idea to help your neighbor or any another human being...... Sadly, after reading some of your wacky posts, I'm really glad I'm not your neighbor.

Must be alot of Buchanan freaks on this thread?

[illbenice]

Why dont they put the militias to work? The militias could give up a few hours a week to gaurd government buildings, and utilities. We come pre trained and armed.

[Kangaroo Court]

Thanks for the link. Volunteers will be an aid to those who are paid by our tax dollars. If we don't respond, that need will be paid for by putting more on the payroll. If we are to keep America secure from those who would destroy us, we will either respond with a higher rate of volunteers or higher taxes to pay for the professionals to do the job. Of course, there are always those who want to do nothing, just their usual bitch and moan routine.

[the]

If they are all filled up, I hope I can get in at the WPA or the CCC...

[VoodooEconomist]

I'm saddened to see so many FReepers condone the creation of yet-another unconstitutional aspect of the federal government. It's hard to believe that many of these FReepers were once condemning Clinton for the government "volunteer" organization he created. The moral authority has mostly left FReerepublic ... and is now dominated by Bush yes-men and yes-women who wholeheartedly embrace unconstitutional government since "our guy" is the one promoting it. What a sad state of affairs.

[CobaltBlue]

Thanks for the link. The nay-sayers on the thread remind me of my kids act when I ask them to clean up their rooms and do the dishes. "But Mo-o-o-m. How come I always have to do everything? Why am I your slave?"-g-

[Spiff]

So, we all screamed and hollared when Clinton created AmeriCorps. But now we all shout and cheer when Bush expands it!?

Something is definitely wrong here.

If you want to volunteer to work for the government, go sign up for the military. Therein you will fulfill a constitutional role of government. Too old? Volunteer in your community for a local charity.

This socialist nonsense stinks of Clinton and FDR. Government is not the answer.

[LantzALot]

My first reaction as I listened last night was, "Where can I go to find out about this?" Thanks for your post.

You've got the gamut of reactions here -- as you would expect on a site devoted to freedom of expression. I for one do not like government programs any more than anyone else here. At the same time, I have recently been cut adrift, and expect to have time to do some good, hopefully in a way that supports my political beliefs.

If people like us get a look at the inside of some of these programs, we may be able to perform a better service for our republic than if we disdainfully turned away and left them to the types who would do exactly as we prophesy.

I've bookmarked the site, and after finishing some unpleasant tasks, will begin to investigate how I can be a part of it.

[Sandy]

Give me a break. Freedom Corps? What Newspeak. *retch*

[Thanatos]

Thanks for the Post!

I submitted my name to volunteer..

I saw abunch of people say.. "Geeze, another govt. program... another waste of time"..

Well, don't let the Liberals take over how our country is protected against Foreign and Domestic terrorists... We need People who LOVE and BELIEVE in our country be in control of the programs.. otherwise, these left-wing Bleeding Hearts will ensure we will surrender our rights and constitutional protections to the very enemies we need to be protected against...

Serve your Nation.. Volunteer!

[unamused]

OH, Boy!!!! Can I join the Hitler Jugend too???

[harpo11]

I don't know, isn't being in the top 3% of taxpayers enough public service?