Posted on 11/23/2004 8:35:11 PM PST by Southack
November 23, 2004
Bill to Help Scouts Introduced
by Steve Jordahl, correspondent
Boy Scouts get help in bill that would grant specific protections.
With opposition to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) on the rise—from groups like the American Civil Liberities Union (ACLU) and, most recently, from a court ruling requiring the Pentagon to cut the group off from meeting on military bases—the group is getting help from Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Frist has introduced the "Save Our Scouts" bill which will offer the beleaguered organization some protection. The bill states that no federal law can be interpreted to limit federal agencies from providing any form of support to the Boy Scouts.
Frist, a former Scout himself, said the ACLU's attack on the organization is indefensible and he is tired of seeing the organization being maligned.
"It's almost as if in (the) ACLU's view, where there's government, there cannot be faith," Frist said. "It's wrong, it doesn't make sense and thus I introduced a bill called 'Save Our Scouts.' "
The bill, however, failed to gain unanimous consent over the weekend with opposition coming from the Democratic side of the aisle. He hopes to avoid such partisanship in the next session of Congress.
"It's only common sense to pass this legislation," Frist explained. "The Boy Scouts of America is congressionally chartered. It's supported by (the) federal government in our laws today."
BSA spokesman Bob Bork said they appreciate the support.
"We're obviously heartened by all the outpouring of support by the House of Representatives and by the Senate—Sen. Frist in particular," Bork said. "We would be very happy if this bill were ultimately to become law in the next Congress."
With or without passage, he says the Scouts are not about to back down because of the attacks.
"We're never tired for standing up for traditional principles," Bork explained. "Family values, that's what we're about. We will never give in."
The ACLU refused to comment for this story.
TAKE ACTION
Sen. Frist is asking concerned Americans to call their senators and urge passage of the "Save Our Scouts" legislation when the Senate reconvenes. For help in contacting your senators, please see the CitizenLink Action Center.
Contacting my Calif. Senators does about as much good as shouting down a rat hole, unfortunately.
ACLU = The Enemy Within™.
I got a "C" in my Family Law course because I said I couldn't stand the ACLU, found out the Professor was a member. She kept preaching to us about freedom of speech, however, when the military was coming to our Law School the Federalist Society put up posters and she was seen tearing them down. I confronted her during clas time asking her why she ripped down the posters and whether she was really for free speech or just speech she agreed with, from that time on I knew that I was in trouble.
I understand your "difficulty" with the prof. I had to take Soc. 101 and almost went nuts. (I ended up with a minor in Soc because I wanted to know my enemies.)
God Bless ya, I took a Soc class in undergrad and had to wrap my head with duct tape to keep it from exploding. The students in that class were brutal.
Ping to self for later pingout.
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