White House (Bush orders policy change): Religious Schools Can Get Aid

[truthpusher]

http://www.heraldsun.com/nationworld/washington/15-658290.html

White House: Religious Schools Can Get Aid
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By DAVID PACE, Associated Press Writer
October 18, 2005 6:08 pm
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WASHINGTON -- Religious schools and other private, nonprofit organizations that provide government-type services are eligible for federal grants and loans to rebuild facilities damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Bush administration said Tuesday.

"President Bush believes that hurricanes, floods and earthquakes don't discriminate on the basis of religion and that government's response to them should not either," said Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

(snip)

Bush ordered the policy change after a Justice Department review determined that providing federal disaster assistance to rebuild the Hebrew school would not violate the constitutional requirement for separation of church and state.

The Justice Department "felt this was analogous to providing them with police and fire protection," Towey said.

Barry Lynn, an attorney with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the policy change has never been challenged in court but is of dubious constitutional merit.

complete story: http://www.heraldsun.com/nationworld/washington/15-658290.html

[MarsThe Cat]

1. yeah- they're called "charitable donations"...

and they come from the private sector.

[Deja Q]

2. Nice spin. Dubious, but nice spin. Now how about the poor people instead?

And these churches, have their pastors and congregations been politically vetted yet?

[adigal]

13. The poor people are getting their Medicaid, housing

and food stamps cut...the middle class is getting college loans cut...the wealthy are getting another 70 billion in tax cuts.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/18/AR2005101801219.html

[Angry Girl]

3. Anything to get more tax-payer $$$ to the money-grubbing churchies...

Dominionism anybody?

The Crusaders
A powerful faction of religious and political conservatives is waging a latter-day counterreformation, battling widespread efforts to liberalize the American Catholic Church. And it has the clout and the connections to succeed.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2003/11/02/the_crusaders/

'On a Mission From God': The Religious Right and the Emerging American Theocracy
http://www.buzzflash.com/farrell/04/03/far04007.html

GOD AND COUNTRY
A college that trains young Christians to be politicians
http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/050627fa_fact

Articles On the Rise of Dominionism in America
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/DirectoryRiseOfDominionismInAmerica.html


Neil Bush, Ratzinger co-founders
President's younger brother served with then-cardinal on board of relatively unknown ecumenical foundation
http://www.nynewsday.com/news/nationworld/world/ny-wochar214226829apr21,0,2092802,print.story

[MichiganVote]

4. Vouchers, Vouchers, Vouchers!

This is nothing short of a back door approach to providing vouchers to religious institutions. Public schools are both able and equipped to handle homeless children from anywhere, anytime. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act mandates that public schools provide needed services to homeless children.

[texpatriot2004]

5. Fed Gov gives money to religious fundamentalists n.t

[sofa king]

6. Too late for the Eshkol Academy, I'm afraid.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A55283-2004Sep27?language=printer

"Internal records state, for example, that Abramoff and his wife, Pam -- who are listed as the foundation's sole directors -- spent more than 70 percent of its revenue from 2001 to 2003, or $4.03 million, on a Jewish school that Abramoff founded in Columbia. The Eshkol Academy operated for two years and schooled two of his sons before closing this spring with unpaid bills, faculty members said."

[NVMojo]

7. White House: Religious Schools Can Get Aid

WASHINGTON (AP) - Religious schools and other private, nonprofit organizations that provide government-type services are eligible for federal grants and loans to rebuild facilities damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the Bush administration said Tuesday.

"President Bush believes that hurricanes, floods and earthquakes don't discriminate on the basis of religion and that government's response to them should not either," said Jim Towey, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.

Towey said the policy permitting such federal disaster aid has been in effect since 2002, when Bush changed Federal Emergency Management Agency rules to allow a $550,000 grant to rebuild a Hebrew school in Seattle that was destroyed in an earthquake.

more...

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-wh/2005/oct/18/101801933.html

[rpannier]

8. I'm not sure this is something that really upsets me

Money slated to rebuild the downtown probably should include churches. Quite often they are historical landmarks. I guess, for me, the real question is "What won't they give money to help rebuild?" If they are being really selective, and basing it on insurance and the ability to rebuild without government aid, then NO, most of them shouldn't get money. If it's a blanket, every business and building gets aid, then they should get the money.

[noonwitch]

14. I agree-if the aid is across the board, they should be able to get it.

It would be discrimination otherwise.
As long as it is for rebuilding facilities, not for paying tuition.

[Zhade]

9. Motherfucker!

NT!

[zann725]

10. Haven't they been giving special "vouchers" to Relig/Private schools

for years now? If they control the kinds of education young minds are exposed to, and diagnose "depression" (and medicate) youths, they will totally zomby-ize future generations. Clearly the quality of the religious-focused, NO Science or Art eduction will be NO education at all. Soon there'll be no one "awake" enough or "smart" enough to notice...

[arwalden]

11. This Is Wrong, Wrong, WRONG!!

NO MORE GOVERNMENT MONEY TO SUPPORT RELIGION!

[superconnected]

12. However, poor housing organizations can't get aid if they support

non-partisan voting.

This is WRONG.