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Politics : Al Gore vs George Bush: the moderate's perspective -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Hawkmoon who wrote (112)	9/1/2000 10:22:19 AM
From: Hawkmoon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10042

White House defends probe of Scouts gay ban Friday, 1 September 2000 6:39 (ET) vny.com WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- The White House defended its probe of the Boy Scouts' use of federal facilities, while Texas Gov. George W. Bush urged President Clinton not to sever "the federal government's long-standing relationship" with the Scouts, The Washington Times reported Friday. White House Deputy Press Secretary Jake Siewert said the review is an effort to determine whether federal agencies are complying with President Clinton's recent executive order banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The private youth group does not allow homosexuals to serve as Scout leaders -- a position the Supreme Court upheld last month. "The bottom line is there's been no final determination yet on the federal government's involvement with the Boy Scouts - whether it violates the order," Siewert said. "The Justice Department's developing guidelines, and they are still working on them." Republicans, including GOP presidential nominee George W Bush angrily denounced the Clinton administration for the probe, the paper reported. Bush, a former Cub Scout, expressed concern over an Interior Department memo telling officials to cooperate with the Justice Department's scout inquiry. "I am troubled by this memo appearing to suggest that the Clinton-Gore administration might sever the federal government's long-standing relationship with the Boy Scouts of America," the Republican presidential nominee said. "For many years, the Boy Scouts have conducted Jamborees and other events on public lands and provided thousands of volunteer hours to help maintain our national parks," Bush added. "I hope that President Clinton and Vice President [Al] Gore respect the role the Boy Scouts play in our society and will not allow them to be shut out of federal lands." Gore spokesman Chris Lehane refrained from taking a position. Gore is a former Boy Scout who automatically becomes honorary chairman of the Boy Scouts if elected president. His running mate, Connecticut Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, is another former Scout. Congressional Democrats who were once Scouts were similarly wary of wading into the flap. But congressional Republicans had much to say about the probe. "The administration's recent memorandum raises troubling questions and requires an immediate and complete explanation," said House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, a former Scout. "The Clinton administration would do well to use its time and resources to affirm and practice, rather than assault and undermine, the values of the Boy Scouts." ******* Although not a big fan of Tom Delay, I'll I can say is "AMEN"!!! And please note that this investigation is authorized SOLELY on the basis of a presidential Executive Order, not by any law of the land proposed by congress and signed by the president. The Supreme Court, the final arbiter of constitutional law, upheld the Boy Scout's right to determine the moral values they wish to uphold as a private organization. Bill Clinton has usurped the Supreme Court's authority by launching this investigation. This is just another example of why I think this administration has gone too far in trampling people's rights and demagouging the issues. Next thing you know, they'll be coming after churches, and trying to remove tax-exempt status unless they permit homosexuals to become priests, NO MATTER HOW MUCH IN CONFLICT THOSE VALUES ARE WITH THE ORGANIZATION. It's called destroying the right of Free Speech and Freedom of Association. I personally could care less if someone is gay. If they want to have an organization of gay scouting, let them form their own organization, NOT COERCE OTHERS TO CHANGE THEIR OWN MORAL BELIEFS.** Regards, Ron