Free Republic

Currently, the constitution allows prisoners to perform work for governmental agencies during their prison sentence, but the amendment would allow them to volunteer for religious, charitable and educational groups as well. Letting inmates work for non-profits was common practice for jails across the state until the state Commission of Correction determined it was unconstitutional about three years ago, state Sheriffs' Association Counsel Thomas Mitchell said. The nonprofit work could be used as an incentive for good behavior.

Responding to the almost monolithically positive coverage of the Obama administration by the national press, Phil Bronstein, editor-at-large for the Hearst Newspapers, observed recently that the Administration and the reporters covering it should "get a room." And while USA Today's account of Barack and Michelle Obama's "United We Serve" initiative appeared after Bronstein's quip, its coverage of same serves as yet another example of a media apparently unwilling to show even the remotest amount of skepticism about an Administration and program that deserve a great deal of it. As USA Today's Andrea Stone wrote, "First Lady Michelle Obama will launch...

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama gives her speech to the National Conference on Volunteering and Service in San Francisco, California June 22, 2009. Obama kicked off President Barack Obama's United We Serve campaign urging people to help the nation's economic recovery through volunteering and public service.

SAN FRANCISCO -- First Lady Michelle Obama will be in San Francisco on Monday to deliver the keynote address to the National Conference on Volunteering and Service. More than 4,000 national and international volunteer and service leaders are expected for the three-day conference at the Moscone Center. The event also kicks off United We Serve, a national call to community service from President Obama.

When the American minesweepers USS Patriot and USS Guardian docked in Hong Kong on Monday, Wan Chai's bars and clubs heaved with off-duty sailors who hadn't been allowed booze for weeks. But many American servicemen find alternative ways to spend their shore leave here. Although scores of their colleagues spill into the tawdry traps of Lockhart Road, petty officer first class Jason Davis and some of his shipmates from the guided-missile destroyer USS Chafee prefer home cooking with mainly compatriot host families in Hong Kong. "Carousing and staying up all night ... that's not me any more. It's too crazy...

CHICAGO – Volunteering has helped define a generation of young Americans who are known for their do-gooder ways. Many high schools require community service before graduation. And these days, donating time to a charitable organization is all but expected on a young person's college or job application. Even so, an analysis of federal data has found that the percentage of teens who volunteer dipped in recent years, ending an upward trend that began after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "They're still volunteering at higher rates than their parents did," says Peter Levine, director of Tufts University's Center for...

I want to make a Video to answer Janeane Garofalo with her filthy mouth. I need people (preferably several) who can video themselves, and the videos will then be combined, to make kind of a mosiac of who we are. I will post it on YouTube and send it to all the news organizations. Thats really all I want to say about it, but if you are interested please Freepmail me.

Sen. David Vitter (R-Louisiana) tried to stand up for civil society and taxpayers last week but his effort was shot down by liberal Democratic senators.Vitter tried to prevent the radical direct-action group, ACORN, and its affiliates from benefitting under the odious national service legislation known as the (proposed) GIVE Act. The bill itself, which received a glowing review from John Podesta's pro-Obama propaganda factory, the Center for American Progress, would give government money to volunteer programs and would dramatically expand the feel-good liberal program, AmeriCorps, which ACORN and other groups have used to promote their own political objectives.Vitter's amendment to the bill known...

I came across a video that left me shaking with fear and outrage: If this footage doesn't disturb you to your very core, I don't even know what to say. We have here a militarized group of young men being steeped in not only political ideology, but in literal cult worship of Barack Obama. This was going on before the election. I still remember the video featuring a glassy-eyed girl singing, “We’re gonna spread happiness! We’re gonna spread freeeeedom! Obama’s gonna change it, Obama’s gonna lead ‘em…” The cult mindset continued into his inauguration, with a creepy "Kids' Inaugural." That...

The language about mandatory volunteerism that was "missing" from the HR1388 bill voted on yesterday in the Senate, is now showing up on this bill HR1444 http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-1444

Interestingly enough an important amendment brought to the floor today was not in the H.R. 1388 when it passed the Senate today. The first presented by Sen Vitter (LA) wanted to insure that no money be made available to ACORN and its affiliates, on the grounds that it is a organization with possibly suspect behaviour and that including it in the bill would not be able to politicize charitable giving and activities. Saying that the bill doesn’t allow politicized does not necessarily protect the country from ACORN’s “so-called” charitable activities. ACORN has already received considerable funding from the government, for...

It is another sound good piece of legislation. H.R. 1388 has a creative title; The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act. 321 representatives of the people voted approval for this legislation which, among many other things, strikes a blow to the rights of people to mount any protests against legislation. Listen closely, it outlaws the right to mount protests against proposed legislation.

H.AMDT.43 (A006) Amends: H.R.1388 Sponsor: Rep Kilroy, Mary Jo [OH-15] (offered 3/18/2009) AMENDMENT DESCRIPTION: Amendment to provide volunteers to supervise physical education classes at elementary and secondary schools, provide nutrition education to students, and supervise, organize, and manage after school physical activity/education programs. The amendment would also provide services to these elderly people through food deliveries, legal and medical services provided in the home, and transportation. AMENDMENT PURPOSE: Amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 111-39 to provide volunteers to supervise physical education classes at elementary and secondary schools, provide nutrition education to students, and supervise, organize, and manage after...

With all the focus and attention on the TARP, the so-called “stimulus” bill, the nationalization of huge chunks of our economy and the various issues economic – lost in the weeds have been a host of destructive “programs” being developed and passed by the Obama-Democrat machine. Right now on the floor of the United States Senate is one of the most disturbing pieces of legislation I have seen in a long time. HR 1388, the “Serve America Act” is cloaked in feel-good rhetoric and supposedly noble goals, but it is nothing more than another Washington power-grab – this time targeted...

My parents taught me to read every word of any contract I signed. Obviously Congress doesn't follow that rule. Already we have Congress' frantic backlash from the AIG bonuses, which were in fact authorized by specific language buried deep in the stimulus bill that gave AIG its handout. Now we have more dynamite buried in the GIVE Act (H.R. 1388), already passed in a whirlwind by the House and being fast-tracked in the Senate. The GIVE Act reauthorizes the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, and also includes many more new...

Were Nashville to be hit with a catastrophic event like a bio-weapon terrorist attack or a citywide flu pandemic, a new emergency response initiative would allow volunteers to quickly gather and dispense medicine to the entire citizenry within 48 hours. Mayor Karl Dean held a news conference Tuesday to announce the program and to call for volunteers. Dean’s office said the program, being conducted with Hands On Nashville, was the largest emergency recruitment drive ever. The plan calls for 4,000 volunteers citywide. “We need to be prepared to respond to any time of major disaster in our city,” Dean said....

The Senate Finance Committee’s top two members — Democrat Max Baucus and Republican Charles E. Grassley — teamed up today to introduce legislation that would provide money to help small and medium-sized charities get training and management assistance. The legislation, introduced as an amendment to a national-service bill now being debated by the Senate, would provide $25-million over five years to a “Nonprofit Capacity Building Program” within the Corporation for National and Community Service. The amendment would “strengthen small charities around our country, especially where resources are scarce,” Senator Baucus of Montana, who chairs the finance committee, told his colleagues...

<p>House Passes Mandatory National Service Bill http://www.infowars.com/house-passes-mandatory-national-service-bill/ The House passed a bill yesterday which includes disturbing language indicating young people will be forced to undertake mandatory national service programs as fears about President Barack Obama’s promised “civilian national security force” intensify.</p>

Maybe it's just me, but I find federal legislation titled "The GIVE Act" and "The SERVE Act" downright creepy. Even more troubling: the $6 billion price tag on these bipartisan bills to expand government-funded national service efforts. Volunteerism is a wonderful thing, which is why millions of Americans do it every day without a cent of taxpayer money. But the volunteerism packages on the Hill are less about promoting effective charity than about creating make-work, permanent bureaucracies and left-wing slush funds. The House passed the "Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act" -- or the GIVE Act -- last week. The...

<p>Obama promised during the campaign to create a Socialist National Civilian Security Force similar to what they have in other Marxist regimes. Yesterday, the US House took the first step in organizing Dear Leader's dream youth service corp.</p> <p>German youth praising Hitler.</p>

Following overwhelming House passage last week, the Senate tonight voted 74 to 14 on a procedural move that essentially guarantees a major expansion of a national service corps, a cornerstone of volunteerism that dates back to the era of President Kennedy. It’s akin to a call to arms by President Obama, who has harkened back to those early days to demand giving back by those who voted for him. In fact, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, the senior Democrat from Massachusetts whose battle with brain cancer has oft kept him absent from the Senate these days, appeared on the floor to...

HOT off the press! The Congressional Budget Office just released the cost estimates for S. 277 Serve America Act.(Senate’s version of HR 1388, Give Act) CBO estimates S 277 would cost over $6.1 billion dollars over the 2010-2014 period. Programs funded under National Community Service Act of 1990 (NCSA) and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (DVSA) received appropriations of $1.1 billion for fiscal year 2009, including $200 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009...otherwise known as the PORKULUS/SPENDULUS Bill that passed that NO ONE in Congress read. Just lovely. Taxpayers would fund international...

"We're looking for supporters," said DeHaven of Hoover, one of the event's organizers. "We're not looking for a fight. That will come later, when we have an army."

America Serves "When you choose to serve -- whether it's your nation, your community or simply your neighborhood -- you are connected to that fundamental American ideal that we want life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness not just for ourselves, but for all Americans. That's why it's called the American dream."The Obama Administration will call on Americans to serve in order to meet the nation’s challenges. President-Elect Obama will expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps and will create a new Classroom Corps to help teachers in underserved schools, as well as a new Health Corps, Clean...

..(snip)…Does this not raise suspicion? While we hear of the “outrage” of the people who brought us the bonus scandal, the same people are rushing to pass the GIVE Act (you give, they take): national service. Senator Reid asked that the Senate proceed to act on this bill and then immediately asked for a cloture motion. Cloture The cloture rule–Rule 22–is the only formal procedure that Senate rules provide for breaking a filibuster. A filibuster is an attempt to block or delay Senate action on a bill or other matter. Under cloture, the Senate may limit consideration of a pending...

I read a disturbing story that showed advancement of the "well funded" civilian security force that candidate Barak Obama promised, and President Obama appears to deliver. The bill is passing under the guise of "volunteer" work, but would be mandatory. The bill stipulates that middle-school children would be required 50 hours per year, high schoolers 100 hours per year, and so on through college. The program included uniforms that the children will wear. I ask, why not ad a spiffy arm band with, perhaps the Obama emblem for good measure. This program will also enlist adults on up to seniors....

WHILE YOU WERE BEING DISTRACTED BY THE AIG SHAM OUTRAGE AND YOUR OWN CLASS ENVY…. the Obamessiah administration continues on with its plans behind the scenes. As we mentioned earlier in the week, The Obamessiah is pushing to community organize all of us into his own league of Socialist Brownshirts. The House passed the “Give Act” on Wednesday. How many GOP members caved and stabbed us in the back this time, you must be asking? 70. Full list of turncoats below the fold. Only one Democrat voted against it - Robert Berry of Arkansas. Kudos to him. The rest of...

Remember this? (see video at link) Obama's vision of a domestic security force "just as strong, just as well funded as our military" ( and presumbly loyal to him personally) just got a lot closer. The House of representatives has just passed HR 1388 otherwise known as the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act. This reauthorizes through 2014 the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973, acts that originally, among other programs, funded the AmeriCorps and the National Senior Service Corps. However, it not only reauthorizes the programs, but also includes...

"The U.S. Public Service Academy will be an undergraduate institution devoted to developing civilian leaders for the public sector. Modeled on the military academies, the Academy will offer four years of tuition-free education in exchange for five years of civilian service following graduation. Its mission will be to educate, develop, and inspire civilian leaders who have the character, intellect, and experience necessary to serve the nation honorably and effectively, and who are committed to devoting their lives to public service. The initiative to build the Academy was launched by two Teach For America alumni in the wake of Hurricane Katrina,...

Contained in the Bill: Title VI - Sec. 1604. Duties. (5) The effect on the Nation, on those who serve, and on the families of those who serve, if all individuals in the United States were expected to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount of national service. (6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse...

FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 140(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)       H R 1388      YEA-AND-NAY      18-Mar-2009      4:39 PM      QUESTION:  On Passage      BILL TITLE: Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act Yeas Nays PRES NV Democratic 251 1   2 Republican 70 104   4 Independent         TOTALS 321 105   6 ---- YEAS    321 --- AbercrombieAckermanAdler (NJ)AltmireAndrewsArcuriAustriaBacaBachusBairdBaldwinBarrowBeanBecerraBerkleyBermanBiggertBilbrayBilirakisBishop (GA)Bishop (NY)BlumenauerBoccieriBono MackBorenBoswellBoucherBoydBrady (PA)Braley (IA)BrightBrown, CorrineBrown-Waite, GinnyBuchananButterfieldCalvertCampCaoCapitoCappsCapuanoCardozaCarnahanCarneyCarson (IN)CassidyCastleCastor (FL)ChandlerChildersClarkeClayCleaverClyburnCohenColeConnolly (VA)ConyersCooperCostaCostelloCourtneyCrenshawCrowleyCuellarCummingsDahlkemperDavis (AL)Davis (CA)Davis (IL)Davis (TN)DeFazioDeGetteDelahuntDeLauroDentDiaz-Balart, L.Diaz-Balart, M.DicksDingellDoggettDonnelly (IN)DoyleDriehausEdwards (MD)Edwards (TX)EhlersEllisonEllsworthEmersonEngelEshooEtheridgeFarrFattahFilnerFortenberryFosterFrank (MA)FrelinghuysenFudgeGalleglyGerlachGiffordsGonzalezGordon (TN)Grayson Green, AlGreen, GeneGriffithGrijalvaGuthrieGutierrezHall (NY)HalvorsonHareHarmanHastings (FL)HeinrichHellerHerseth SandlinHigginsHillHimesHinojosaHironoHodesHoldenHoltHondaHoyerInsleeIsraelJackson (IL)Jackson-Lee (TX)Johnson (GA)Johnson (IL)Johnson, E. B.KagenKanjorskiKapturKennedyKildeeKilpatrick (MI)KilroyKindKing (NY)KirkKirkpatrick (AZ)KissellKlein (FL)KosmasKratovilKucinichLanceLangevinLarsen (WA)Larson (CT)LathamLaTouretteLee (CA)Lee (NY)LevinLewis (CA)Lewis (GA)LipinskiLoBiondoLoebsackLofgren, ZoeLoweyLucasLujánLynchMaffeiMaloneyMarkey (CO)Markey...

OBAMA WATCH CENTRAL House adopts plan for 'volunteer' corps Also requires new evaluation of 'mandatory' service for all -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Posted: March 19, 2009 4:58 pm Eastern By Bob Unruh © 2009 WorldNetDaily The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a plan to set up a new "volunteer corps" and consider whether "a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people" should be developed.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2009. Anticipated Floor Schedule On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. Last votes expected: Afternoon..(snip) H.R. 1388 - GIVE, (Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (Structured Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. McCarthy (NY) / Education and Labor Committee) The rule provides for ONE HOUR of general debate and makes in order the following amendments:

As HR1388,GIVE Act is on its way to the Senate as many of you know. It will be called S.277, the Kennedy/Hatch Serve America Act. It is on its way to the Senate. Tonight Obama did a TELEVISION commercial about “STEPPING UP” to serve. It sounded like HE WAS RECITING A 30-SECOND POEM and at the end of the commercial he advertised this website. Check it out. I was at my computer listening to Greta on FoxNews in the background as I worked on my computer so I didn’t see it but I heard it. Did anyone see it?...

HR 1388, will hit the House floor on Tuesday.It is called the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (The Give Act.) The House is scheduled to Rule this week. Sponsored by Democrat Representative Carolyn McCarthy (NY), Education and Labor Committee. The objective is to reauthorize and reform the national service laws. Democrat Rep. McCarthy is sponsoring the bill with 25 co-sponsors, ALL Democrats, including Charlie Rangel. Need I say more.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a plan to set up a new "volunteer corps" and consider whether "a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people" should be developed. The legislation also refers to "uniforms" that would be worn by the "volunteers" and the "need" for a "public service academy, a 4-year institution" to "focus on training" future "public sector leaders." The training, apparently, would occur at "campuses."

There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed. – Woodrow Wilson (and his worship of the STATE) Way back when, during the campaign, Obama made the declaration that America needs a national civilian security force, that is “just as strong and just as well funded as the military.“ Well, folks, here it comes. The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, known as the GIVE Act -- sponsored by Reps. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y, and George Miller, D-Calif. -- was approved by a 321-105 vote and now goes to the Senate.

A bill tripling the size of the AmeriCorps program that is scheduled for a House vote Wednesday would also create fellowships for people 55 and older and a separate Summer of Service program for middle and high school student volunteers.... Sens. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., have introduced a similar measure that also adds 175,000 positions to AmeriCorps. A Senate committee is scheduled to vote on its legislation on Wednesday and it could come before the full Senate for a vote as early as next week.

WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives passed a measure Wednesday that supporters are calling the most sweeping reform of nationally-backed volunteer programs since AmeriCorps. But some opponents are strongly criticizing the legislation, calling it expensive indoctrination and forced advocacy. The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act, known as the GIVE Act -- sponsored by Reps. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y, and George Miller, D-Calif. -- was approved by a 321-105 vote and now goes to the Senate.

Tonight, Republican Minority Whip Eric Cantor announced an update to the House Schedule for this week. H.R. 1388, The Give Act, is scheduled for Wednesday. Note: The title is “Anticipated Floor Schedule.” The Whipping Post states, “On Wednesday, the House will meet at 10:00 a.m. for legislative business. H.R. 1388 - Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act (Subject to a Rule) (Sponsored by Rep. McCarthy (NY) / Education and Labor Committee)

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28, 2009 – Gayle Lucas’ extensive volunteer efforts began when she opened her home to two cats in need. Gayle Lucas of Darien, Conn., is an avid troop supporter who started her efforts five years ago when she provided foster care for two cats for a deployed servicemember. Courtesy photo  (Click photo for screen-resolution image);high-resolution image available. The Darien, Conn., resident offered to take in the cats, Boots and Scooter, when their owner, a soldier, was called to active duty in Kuwait in October 2004. She volunteered through Operation Noble Foster, a nonprofit organization that connects servicemembers with...

Rasmussen reports that Saxby Chambliss is clinging to a narrow lead of only 4 points in the Georgia runoff election scheduled for Dec. 2. With Ted Stevens defeated for the Alaska Senate seat and Al Franken within 200 votes of overtaking Norm Coleman with the Minnesota recount yet to even begin, the Chambliss seat is all that stands between the Democrats and 60 votes in the Senate — a Senate that would be filibuster-proof.

November 11, 2008 Q: Is Obama planning a Gestapo-like "civilian national security force"? I read a quote from Rep. Paul Broun from Georgia which stated that Obama wants to set up a civilian national security force that was similar to the "Gestapo" or the Nazi Brownshirts. What is the truth behind Obama's statements that he wants to create a "civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded [as the military]"? A: This false claim is a badly distorted version of Obama's call for doubling the Peace Corps, creating volunteer networks and increasing the size...

After local county elections officials verified 2.9 million votes in the Minnesota U.S. Senate race, Republican Sen. Norm Coleman's lead over DFL challenger Al Franken shrank to a whisper, the difference settling Monday at a mere 206 votes. Elections officials in Minnesota's 87 counties had until Monday to finalize their results, which will now be forwarded to the state for approval. After that, one of the most closely watched recounts in state history will get under way, even as maneuvering over the recount — and the rhetoric surrounding it — continues to escalate. The Coleman campaign on Monday accused Franken...

On the subject of campaigns we all know that candidates are not supposed to accept foreign donations (Unless you are Bill Clinton or another very liberal Democrat) If their money can not be used...can they volunteer? The reason I bring this up is from an unrelated news item from the UK. Seems a Mr. Adam Smith in a drunken rant telling his boss to umm to "make love to himself" spoke of his getting on a plane and getting to Miami to "volunteer for the Barack Obama Campaign." While I can't say that I know of any specific prohibition its...

The race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. John Doolittle has tightened, with Republican Tom McClintock holding on to a 291-vote lead districtwide. With about 40,000 ballots that remain to be counted in the 4th Congressional District, Republican Tom McClintock is asking for volunteers to observe the count in county elections offices throughout northeastern California. “The process of counting the remaining votes could take several weeks, and the Democrats are bringing people in from around the state and nation,” McClintock wrote in an e-mail to supporters today. “We need additional volunteers to help staff the office and monitor the vote-counting process....

If you think we are going to lose, don’t let it be because you personally did not do everything you possibly could to stop them from killing our America. The country we grew up in and has been so good to us and for us all our lives needs you right now this very minute! Get on the phone and find your local Republican headquarters! You past military people know the feeling. Those of you who are “thinking this over” grab the phone and report for duty. This is a war to save our country. It is nothing less than...

Hi FReepers! I just wanted to mention here that every time I sign in online to make phone calls for McCain/Palin, I seem to get contact information for people in Wisconsin! I'm thinking that they could use more help up there. If you can spare even 15 minutes tomorrow, please log in and do so and fire up some voters in Wisconsin!

GOTV calls are a keystone of any successful campaign. Went to homebase today and made 598 calls. Still rockin’ with two phones and brought in three volunteers from my posse. One new volunteer is 75. He is one of the kindest, gentlest people you would ever have the pleasure to meet. He learned the phones and called 50 people. But in light of this new volunteer success, today I dedicate this post to “Cathy.” I called to speak with “Brian,” who wasn’t home yet. I asked my question and Cathy answered. Then, she said “Can I ask you something?” That...

You can make calls whether or not you have dial-up. I have dial-up, and simply click off the internet, while making the call, go back online to record my results with the McCain/Palin camp, and get the phone number for the next person to call.