American Thinker has posted more on HR1388. The text of the bill really is quite terrifying, and it's a shame that few people actually know about it. I was unaware of it until I noticed it on Gateway Pundit. So just imagine how many college students don't spend their evenings reading various political blogs and news sites (quick answer: a lot/those with social lives/those who don't procrastinate). But I bit the bullet and read through it, anyway.
SEC. 1508. AUTHORIZED BENEFITS FOR CORPS MEMBERS.
Section 158 (42 U.S.C. 12618) is amended--
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking 'Clothing' and inserting 'Uniforms'; and
. . . "uniforms?" Will members of the Corps be identified with chevrons and bars and stars?
Parents and legal guardians also have parts to play!
SEC. 1604. RESOLUTION OF DISPLACEMENT COMPLAINTS.
'(f) Parental Involvement-
'(1) IN GENERAL- Programs that receive assistance under the national service laws shall consult with the parents or legal guardians of children in developing and operating programs that include and serve children.
'(2) PARENTAL PERMISSION- Programs that receive assistance under the national service laws shall, consistent with the State law, before transporting minor children, provide the reason for and obtain written permission of the children's parents.'.
"We're dragging your kid off to build a ditch because it serves the community and builds character!" I can already imagine kids turning those When-I-was-your-age-I-walked-a-mile-to-school-in-three-feet-of-snow-during-a-raging-blizzard stories on their parents (or maybe grandparents). "I built a dam before I learned algebra!" Actually, considering the fact that kindergarten has become more like school and less like nap time, the kid would probably learn algebra while he's building the dam.
There is also a "State Plan for Baby Boomer and Older Adult Volunteer and Paid Service" which will "include . . . recommendations for . . . how to best tap the population of members of the Baby Boom generation and older adults as sources of social capital."
Yes, let's tap the population and use my parents as sources of social capital.
SEC. 1704. AUTHORITIES AND DUTIES OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.
'(12) bolster the public awareness of and recruitment efforts for the wide range of service opportunities for citizens of all ages, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, through a variety of methods, including--
[lists seven types of media]
'(18) where practicable, provide application materials in languages other than English for those with limited English proficiency who wish to participate in a national service program;
I'd suggest we start growing Victory Gardens, but I've recently heard that the government wants to end private gardens and the like because food might be unsafe. Let's hear it for irradiated vegetables!
If people can't fill out an application in English, how are they expected to communicate with their coworkers? I thought this was about community service and serving the nation and forming bonds and bridges and filling gaps. Speaking the same language fills at least one gap.
'(F) how to improve utilization of veterans as resources and volunteers.
Haven't they already served their country? Especially the baby boomers this act mentions rather frequently (especially in the National Senior Service Corps!).
Also, "Not less than 180 days after enactment of this Act, the Corporation shall conduct a nationwide 'Call to Service' campaign, to encourage all people of the United States, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, religion, or economic status, to engage in full- or part-time national service, long- or short-term public service in the nonprofit sector or government, or volunteering. In conducting the campaign, the Corporation may collaborate with other Federal agencies and entities, State Commissions, Governors, nonprofit and faith-based organizations, businesses, institutions of higher education, elementary schools, and secondary schools."
A "Call to Service?" That sounds more like a slogan the military would implement.
Also, I don't understand why the Corporation should be able to work with faith-based organizations, since "engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as aprt of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization" is listed under "'SEC. 125. PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES AND INELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS."
Thankfully, they're repealing military installation conversion demonstration programs. If they included that, we might as well just enlist. Not only would it be the honorable thing to do, but I'd be serving the helpless. Not people who don't help themselves.
Sec. 198E refers to the National Service Reserve Corps. Sort of like the Reserves and the Marine Corps stuck together with some sort of national service. It sounds almost militant. Or maybe I'm just nitpicking. The National Service Reserve Corps will "prepare and deploy National Service Reserve Corps." For example, members will be deployed on "30-day assignments to assist with local needs related to preparing or recovering from the incident in the affected area," in relation to a "major disaster or emergency."
'(c) Certification of Organizations-
'(1) On a biannual basis, the Corporation shall certify organizations with demonstrated experience in responding to disasters, including through using volunteers, for participation in the program under this section.
'(2) The Corporation shall ensure that every certified organization is--
'(A) prepared to respond to major disasters or emergencies;
'(B) prepared and able to utilize National Service Reserve Members in responding; and
'(C) willing to respond in a timely manner when notified by the Corporation of a disaster or emergency.
I thought that's why we had the Coast Guard and the National Guard. And FEMA!
This act passed through the House of Representatives March 18th and is in the Senate.
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