Scout's bible in Osama terror ban: It's Laden Powell

News of the World ^ | Sunday 29th February 2004 | Keith Gladdis

[nickcarraway]

THE Boy Scouts' official handbook has been blacklisted by the government—because it could be used as a training manual by Osama bin Laden.

For almost 100 years the scout and cub movement has sworn by Scouting For Boys, written by founder and Boer war hero Lord Baden-Powell.

It teaches youngsters survival in the wild. But forget Akela, it's al-Qaeda Whitehall fears.

Anti-terror chiefs are convinced fanatics will use the book. Under the Terrorism Act 2000 merely owning a copy puts you in the frame.

Labour MP Bob Marshall-Andrews confirmed: "I've seen it on a list of books in an indictment. It's undoubtedly an offence just to possess it."

The book's vital gen includes advice to take care when felling timber "lest you miss the tree and chop your own leg".

The legislation was designed to hit bomb-making guides such as The Terrorists' Handbook.

But while it is unlikely scout troops will be hauled off to Guantanamo Bay, MP Bob insists the law is so broad it could snare the innocent.

A Scout Association boss said their book is based on high moral principles, such as loving all fellow humans, and added: "Our movement condemns all acts of terrorism."

But, if you spot anyone suspicious with a beard, a woggle and a talent for lighting fires by rubbing sticks together, call the cops.

Be prepared!

[VadeRetro]

I had one, once. Never noticed anything all that sexy in it.

Some of the camp furniture you were supposed to lash together out of sticks looked like it would have taken a month. Stuff about hygiene, instructions for playing "Capture the Flag," terrorist training like that.

[BenLurkin]

Generally speaking, modern Governments are increasingly hostile to anything which leads people to be self-sustaingin. Much better for the subjects to be as dependent as possible.

[jwh_Denver]

It teaches youngsters survival in the wild. But forget Akela, it's al-Qaeda Whitehall fears.

What a nuck. If al-Qaeda resorts to the Boy Scout Handbook what's the worry about them?

[skinkinthegrass]

..not to mention "SURVIVE SAFETY ANYWHERE (The S.A.S. Survival Manual)" by John Wiseman, Pub. 1986 Crown Publishers, NY....A fine book. :))

[NeoCaveman]

BWahahaha

[skinkinthegrass]

LOL!..Man, that was real fast.

[atomicpossum]

Anti-terror chiefs are convinced fanatics will use the book. Under the Terrorism Act 2000 merely owning a copy puts you in the frame.

Labour MP Bob Marshall-Andrews confirmed: "I've seen it on a list of books in an indictment. It's undoubtedly an offence just to possess it."

Yeah. Right.

Is this from the Onion?

[mrsmith]

Three badges he
could wear...

For hiding away in the Tora Bora range with his troop.

For posting a tape of his own voice and getting it played on Al Jazeera.

For keeping note of every Awacs spy plane observed overhead.

[onedoug]

"The Boy Scout Handbook". Good survival guide.

[nickcarraway]

Does he help ``lottle old ladies'' cross the street?

[NeoCaveman]

LOL!..Man, that was real fast.

I just clicked the link and they were part of the story on this "highly respectable news site" out of the UK.

[NYC GOP Chick]

OMG! That is the funniest thing I've seen in a long time! :D

[mrsmith]

He mostly just concentrates on getting his animal husbandry merit badge for his work with sheep and goats. Ladies don't interest him.

[freekitty]

Is this for real?

[DonQ]

I would honestly have supposed that (a) the Scout handbook in English would have limited readership among Al-Qaeda's troops, (b) there are Boy Scout publications already available in Arabic so banning the British edition wouldn't have any effect, and (c) although the British Boy Scout book might give British boys a little information on living in the wild - there aren't too many places in the British Isles that are more than an hour's walk from a town or city - there must be better books in Britain, such as Army manuals left over from WW2.

[eno_]

The Scout Handbook.

Model rocketry. (Try to buy 50% peroxide! It's now a "hazmat.")

High-power rifles.

There is all kinds of knowledge governments are going to clamp down on. And if it makes the people more docile and vulnerable, well...

[JoeFromSidney]

there are Boy Scout publications already available in Arabic so banning the British edition wouldn't have any effect,

Once when I was visiting a town in southern Turkey I took a walk along the beach after dinner. I came to a sunken concrete court, apparently used for basketball. Right in the middle of it was what looked like a Council Fire, ready to be lit. I went closer, and sure enough, there was a group of Turkish boys in Scout uniforms sitting nearby. Yes, I know a Council Fire when I see one. My command of Turkish wasn't that good, so I didn't try to chat with them, but I found it interesting that Turkish Boy Scouts have some of the same traditions as American Boy Scouts.

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[armyboy]

Gee. are some the books from Paladin Press on that list too?