Bush's "charitable choice'' initiative

[Kathrine_dah_Great]

BUSH PROMOTES RELIGIOUS INITIATIVE
By SCOTT LINDLAW Associated Press Writer

WACO, Texas (AP). President Bush brushed aside doubts about the legality of his effort to expand federal funding for religious charities, saying Wednesday that critics should focus instead on potential results.

``There's great debate in Washington about the process, the legalities of the initiative,'' Bush said after banging nails at a home being built by Habitat for Humanity. ``What my administration talks about is the results of the initiative.''

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization that has a partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Bush's ``charitable choice'' initiative would allow religious institutions to compete for a share of the social-services money that the government distributes. The proposal has drawn criticism from some who say it would violate the Constitution's required separation of church and state. It has passed the House and awaits action in the Senate.

``As far as I'm concerned, the federal government will be a welcoming agency, will put money up to allow faith-based programs to compete side by side with secular programs,'' Bush said.

On the fourth day of his monthlong vacation here, Bush ventured to Waco, a half-hour from his ranch, for the house construction project. It was part of Habitat for Humanity's ``World Leaders Build.'' The heads of more than 25 countries are participating around the globe.

Bush cut his index finger when it was caught between two boards. ``I spilled a little blood on behalf of the family,'' he said, with a nod and a smile to homeowner-to-be Gladys Evans.

Bush bowed his head as Pastor Joe Carbajal thanked God ``for a president that's willing to stand up and declare biblical principles on a daily basis for our nation.''

Nearby, a protester chanted, ``Jail to the thief,'' a reference to last November's disputed election.

The visit marked the official opening day of what Bush has dubbed a ``Home to the Heartland Tour'' meant to highlight American values. Bush's actual first trip off the ranch, on Tuesday, was to a Waco country club where he played golf.

``I've told the people of the nation's capital there that I was coming back to the heartland to herald the values of the heartland, the values that make America so different and so unique,'' Bush said.

``One of those values is neighbors helping neighbors,'' he said.

And part of the American dream, he said, is home ownership. ``Owning something is what America is all about,'' he said.

Bush and his wife munched on cheeseburgers with a selected group of farmers and other residents at a cafe near his Crawford, Texas, ranch. His Texas accent grew thicker as he discussed federal agriculture aid for the local farmers.

Shunning presidential pomp, Bush traveled in a black sport utility vehicle, rather than in his customary presidential limousine.

A USA Today poll published this week showed most Americans think his month at what he described Wednesday as ``our little slice of heaven'' is too long away from the White House, but Bush rejected the notion.

``They don't understand the definition of work, then,'' he said. ``I'm getting a lot done. Secondly, you don't have to be in Washington to work . it's amazing what can happen with telephones and faxes.''

His love for Texas, he said, ``is just me. And people are going to have to get used to it.''

//NYPOST

[justoleme]

he had a black guy in DC before he got elected,a real nice guy too..who came by to visit me,,just a lowly redneck,,just dropped by for visits..the guy worked for the election of republicans,,,and the democrats just walk by with their noses up in the air..they have a rule amoung themseves i later learned,,Dont make eye contact on the street..those democrasts claim to represent poor folks..I come to find republicans more friendly to average citizens..and i like Bush better than that guy before him who was know as our biggest liar.i could have voted for a liberal,,but i have met more honest ones on the street who i have respect for.

[Kathrine_dah_Great]

News Update:

FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE HEAD LEAVES
By LAURA MECKLER Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) . The leader of President Bush's effort to open government programs to religious groups is resigning after seven months of controversy.

John DiIulio, director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, will leave as soon as a transition team can be put into place, said a White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

But DiIulio, a Democrat and academic, was regularly frustrated by the politics of Washington as he tried to steer the Bush initiative through Congress. He was also exhausted by his commute several times a week from Philadelphia, where he is on leave from the University of Pennsylvania.

His initiative was attacked by conservatives and liberals alike, who for different reasons opposed sending tax dollars to churches, synagogues and other religious groups.

Liberals opposed the initiative for fear that government would wind up paying for religious activity, breaching the constitutional separation between church and state.

Conservatives feared that government funding would lead to government intrusion on churches, and that tax dollars might wind up with non-mainstream religious groups.

DiIulio complained that critics were focusing on the extreme cases and ignoring the good work that religious people can accomplish. And he hit back directly at the conservative, evangelical critics, saying they do not speak for the entire religious community. ``Predominantly white, exurban, evangelical and national parachurch leaders, should be careful not to presume to speak for any persons other than themselves and their own churches,'' he said in March.

He is leaving at a critical time for the initiative.

DiIulio helped push legislation opening 10 government programs to religious groups through the House, but the measure faces a tougher time in the Senate. So far, no Democrat has been willing to sponsor the legislation, though Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., is working on a bill.

DiIulio, 43, will be the first high-profile Bush appointee to leave the administration. His job pays $140,000 per year.

[justoleme]

kathy.did you ever read the story of the Trojan horse?

[Kathrine_dah_Great]

No, sorry. What's it about?

[rikbe]

Timeo Danaos et dona ferentes.
I fear the greek when they do gifts.

It comes from the Trojan wars. The Greeks were not able to conquer Trojan. (it was some woman affair, the Trojans had abducted a Greek women, therefore it is considered as the only war that ever had a sense).

So the Greeks build a wooden horse, hollow inside, and they left. The Trojans thought it was something valuable an took the horse inside of their city. Next night Greek worriers that were hidden inside of the horse opened the gates and Trojan was conquered.

[Kathrine_dah_Great]

Merci, mon ami. I was just having my fun, everybody knows the Trojan horse.