Bush seeks billions for religious groups ($3.7B) - Is this even Legal?

[cthrumatrix]

Bush seeks billions for religious groups
Thu Jan 15, 1:34 PM ET


NEW ORLEANS, United States (AFP) - US President George W. Bush (news - web sites) asked his Justice Department (news - web sites) to take steps to release some 3.7 billion dollars in federal monies aimed at helping religious charities, the White House said.

"At the President's direction, the Department of Justice (news - web sites) took action to finalize regulations that implement President Bush's policy of ending discrimination against faith-based charities in the Federal grants process," it said in a statement.


The move applies to 3.7 billion dollars, including programs to support victims of crime, the prevention of child victimization, and safe schools, the White House said.


Bush decided one year ago to implement by decree some elements of his controversial "faith-based initiative," which aims to steer funds to religious charities, eroding the traditional separation between church and state.

snip

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040115/pl_afp/us_politics_bush_040115193416

[Melodybe]

1. It shouldn't be.

[Goldom]

2. It ISN'T.

As the one Bi30S ad said, "He can't do that!" Not that that'll STOP him, but it's still illegal.

[Homer12]

3. Totalitarian Governments use Religion to Justify "their" Existance

(n/t)

[liberalhistorian]

9. Yeah, like Pat Robertson

saying God told him Shrub would win in a "blowout" this fall. I don't know what "God" Pat's talking to, if any, but it sure ain't the God I talk to.

[tom_paine]

13. Exactly.

[lovedems]

4. Are they going to discriminate against religion? If you give to one, you

have to give to all. Will they discriminate against Muslims? I sure can't see Asscroft giving government money to a muslim church who wants to help. Well, that would be discrimination and they should sue the federal government and this whole silly faith based initiative could be deemed unconstitutional in the courts.

[kayell]

16. Sure looks like they'll pick and choose

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A43967-2003Dec7

Wiccans, Druids and other pagans across the country, along with the Washington-based advocacy group Americans United for Separation of Church and State, are demanding an apology from Towey for his remarks in a White House-sponsored online chat Nov. 26.

According to the official transcript, Towey was asked by someone in Centralia, Mo., whether pagan groups "should be given the same considerations as any other group" that applies for government funds.

"I haven't run into a pagan faith-based group yet, much less a pagan group that cares for the poor!" Towey wrote.

"Once you make it clear to any applicant that public money must go to public purposes and can't be used to promote ideology," he wrote, "the fringe groups lose interest. Helping the poor is tough work, and only those with loving hearts seem drawn to it."

I suspect they will think that muslims don't have loving hearts either. We all know that those fundie christians are all just full of love.

[Ilsa]

5. What do the rest of us need to do to grab some of that money?

Do we need to declare our homes as temples? If I preach on my front steps am I officially a church? Can I claim my home is a religious haven and get funding for disabled children because my own disabled child lives here? gray area ahead.

[rucky]

6. Wonder if the Satanic Church Childrens Fund will get any?

[Toots]

7. When you govern by decree it is no longer Democracy.

Bush decided one year ago to implement by decree some elements of his controversial "faith-based initiative," which aims to steer funds to religious charities, eroding the traditional separation between church and state.

[cthrumatrix]

8. all politics all the time -- what happens when the scientoligists want $$

you can't decriminate and it's against our constitution (at least I thought)

[Q]

10. Bush* is buying votes...

...with OUR tax dollars.

[the populist]

11. How about replacing churches and synagogues with schools?

How about replacing churches and synagogues with schools, libraries, hell even hospitals.

Oh wait I forgot, people like giving money to crooks so they can feel decent on a Sunday afternoon.

I'm all for banning religion.

[radwriter0555]

12. It doesn't HAVE to be. He's BUSH. He can do anything he wants

it seems.

With no regrets, limits, remorse or consequences.

Welcome to Amerikkka Under A Bush.

[tom_paine]

14. You beat me too it, radwriter

With our checks and balances rapidly disintegrating. With rule by Imperial Fiat already pretty much a fact of life in the Empire.

How much more does Smirky* even have to push the envelope before the last vestiges of the Old Republic (except those which the Busheviks wish to preserve for illusion's sake) are swept away?

Though I have to admit, Cheney really does make a keen Grand Moff Tarkin.

There is NO LAW for the Imperial Family. You'd think this would siturb the Imperial Subjects of Amerika, but then, if that were true we never would have handed over our freedom to a Tyrany and a Hereditary Boob (so much like the last King George to rule us).

[the populist]

15. "Amurikkka" you mean. that's how Bush pronounces it n/t

[Th1onein]

17. It should be illegal

If there is a true separation of church and state. Of course, like a previous poster said, that never stopped Bush.

Also, why is Pat Robertson able to make such statements? I think that he should lose his tax-exempt status if he engages in politics.

[indepat]

18. What does legal or constitutional have to do with anything?