OK, I know Obama is busy but: . . . Boy Scouts as border patrol agents?

[bushmeister0]

Hitler Jungend? Perhaps we should consult the Pope about this issue?

NYT:

"The Explorers program, a coeducational affiliate of the Boy Scouts of America that began 60 years ago, is training thousands of young people in skills used to confront terrorism, illegal immigration and escalating border violence — an intense ratcheting up of one of the group’s longtime missions to prepare youths for more traditional jobs as police officers and firefighters.

'This is about being a true-blooded American guy and girl,' said A. J. Lowenthal, a sheriff’s deputy here in Imperial County, whose life clock, he says, is set around the Explorers events he helps run. 'It fits right in with the honor and bravery of the Boy Scouts.'"

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/us/14explorers.html

Jawohl!

Oh, and BTW, the Boy Scouts don't allow gays into their ranks . . . right? Right.

[salguine]

1. Not only do they not allow gay people, but if you wanna be a Boy Scout,

you better goddamn well love Jesus.

[Papagoose]

5. Explorers aren't Boy Scouts

I was both when I was younger. They are affiliated, but not the same and their names should not be used interchangeably.

[MADem]

2. Obama isn't "endorsing" this--why are you accusing him of that?

It's a job tryout program run by a PRIVATE organization....like FUTURE TEACHERS/FARMERS of AMERICA, on steroids. Law enforcement is happy to work with them because it serves as a reliable feeder program for them--but the US government is not involved in this thing.

The training, which leaders say is not intended to be applied outside the simulated Explorer setting, can involve chasing down illegal border crossers as well as more dangerous situations that include facing down terrorists and taking out “active shooters,” like those who bring gunfire and death to college campuses. In a simulation here of a raid on a marijuana field, several Explorers were instructed on how to quiet an obstreperous lookout.

The Boy Scouts don't allow girls in their ranks, either--this program, apparently, is tangential to the BSA effort--an "affilate" program, they call it.

Membership in the Explorers has been overseen since 1998 by an affiliate of the Boy Scouts called Learning for Life, which offers 12 career-related programs, including those focused on aviation, medicine and the sciences.

But the more than 2,000 law enforcement posts across the country are the Explorers’ most popular, accounting for 35,000 of the group’s 145,000 members, said John Anthony, national director of Learning for Life. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many posts have taken on an emphasis of fighting terrorism and other less conventional threats.

“Before it was more about the basics,” said Johnny Longoria, a Border Patrol agent here. “But now our emphasis is on terrorism, illegal entry, drugs and human smuggling.”

The law enforcement posts are restricted to those ages 14 to 21 who have a C average, but there seems to be some wiggle room. “I will take them at 13 and a half,” Deputy Lowenthal said. “I would rather take a kid than possibly lose a kid.”

The law enforcement programs are highly decentralized, and each post is run in a way that reflects the culture of its sponsoring agency and region. Most have weekly meetings in which the children work on their law-enforcement techniques in preparing for competitions. Weekends are often spent on service projects.



Because I was curious about these guys, I went to their website--they're already taking what can only be called STRONG issue with this article: http://www.learningforlife.org/nav/Response/index.html



The May 14th New York Times article “Scouts Train to Fight Terrorists, and More” mischaracterizes Exploring as a “law enforcement, terrorism and illegal immigration training program” and includes a number of other inaccuracies. Exploring does not train participants in those areas, but provides a simulated portrayal of events and necessary skills that are a part of that career field. Exploring is a career exploration program designed to help young people make intelligent decisions regarding their future. As noted in the article, the feature highlighted the law enforcement component of Exploring—which is just one of the program’s many areas of focus, including fire and emergency services, law, health, aviation, engineering, skilled trades, and other occupations.

We are disappointed that the article portrayed law enforcement professionals administering the program in an unfavorable light. Local community organizations administer the activities of Explorer posts in a controlled, safe, and professional manner. The story featured quotes from leaders during a law enforcement competition involving several Explorer posts and does not represent the comprehensive nature of the program as a whole. Law Enforcement Exploring has been in existence for many years and has helped to produce exceptional professionals in the law enforcement field who are actively protecting our citizens throughout the country. We are extremely proud of our youth participants and adult volunteers.

Further, the story’s claim that the program is undergoing an “intense ratcheting up of one of the group’s longtime missions to prepare youths for more traditional jobs as police officers and firefighters” is misleading. Since the 1950s, the Exploring program and its activities have been designed to keep pace with issues affecting society. The activities highlighted in the article in no way signal a change of focus for the program.

Last, the article inaccurately describes Explorers as Boy Scouts. Exploring is a program of Learning for Life, a nonprofit organization that provides character and career education programs to participating agencies or groups. Learning for Life is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America.


Exploring offers participants a well-rounded and exciting program centered on career opportunities that positively impact the lives of our youth participant and ultimately the communities they choose to serve. That is the true story of Exploring.

Sincerely,
John Anthony
National Director, Learning For Life

[armyowalgreens]

3. Right on. Some of the accusations against Obama in here are absolutely retarded.

[Adelante]

4. Not for anything

But this is one fucking stupid OP :shrug:

[aikoaiko]

6. If I were an explorer, I would have loved this.

Explorers and Scouts are more than just their paramilitary aspects, but those aspects have been there from the beginning.

I don't get the OP, if this is the "hitler youth" are you calling Obama Hitler?