Gov't Wants Boy Scout Ruling Overturned

[Judi Lynn]

Gov't Wants Boy Scout Ruling Overturned
Friday April 7, 2006 4:01 AM
By NATHANIEL HERNANDEZ
Associated Press Writer

CHICAGO (AP) - The Defense Department wants to continue supporting the decades-old National Boy Scout Jamboree because preparing a military base for the event trains soldiers how to deal with displaced people, government attorneys said Thursday.

The government is asking a federal appeals court to overturn a ruling that the Pentagon's support of the jamboree violates the First Amendment because the Scouts require members to swear an oath of duty to God.

The Boy Scouts received about $7 million in support from the Defense Department for the 2005 jamboree. More than 40,000 Boy Scouts attended, pumping an estimated $17 million into the economy in Virginia, where the event is held.

Justice Department attorney Lowell V. Sturgill argued that the military benefits because the jamboree produces conditions similar to those soldiers may face while serving in Iraq or responding to a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina.
(snip/...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5739490,00.html

[Nostradammit]

1. Those poor boy scouts -

"the jamboree produces conditions similar to those soldiers may face while serving in Iraq or responding to a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina."

But seriously, the Defense Department just wants to continue the militarization of our next generation.

[unschooler]

3. Gag me with a spoon! Those Bushie lawyers beat all!

No doubt they can produce dozens of DoD internal memos lamenting the lack of opportunities to practice putting up tents and field kitchens. :sarcasm:

What a complete and utter load of crap. :mad:

[monarch]

And is this a top story on their website?

Noit isn't. Well, to be fair, it wasn't at 3:15am which was the last posting when I checked. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/fronts/US?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME

[Charlie Brown]

2. If they're a private, religious-affiliated organization

they really shouldn't be on the public dime, nor should they be singled out above other youth organizations. If the fundies want these jamborees, let them pay for it.

[xchrom]

5. that seems obvious on the face of it, doesn't it?

but we've come really far down the yellow brick road in this admins tenure.

the frightening thing is even if we regain control of the house, senate and the white house -- it would take many years to reverse this crap.

and you know there are probably hundreds of right wing ''moles'' that will be left behind to under mine any democratic party gains.

[saigon68]

6. The only thing missing is a Few Islamics to Torture

They will need a few STOOLS, SAND BAGS and ELECTRICAL WIRE

Or maybe a dog or too and the EVER PRESENT LEASH

[HuffleClaw]

4. "the jamboree produces conditions similar to those soldiers may face...

...while serving in Iraq..."

i don't recall the boy scouts having an 'insurgency 101' or 'IEDs for fun and profit' merit badges.

[ozone_man]

7. This furthers the concept of the Boy Scouts

as a paramilitary organization. A religious one at that. Believing in God early prepares them for believing in fighting illegal wars under false pretenses later. Don't question authority, follow orders, that's the way.