Bush Admin: Groups That Hire Based On Religion Can Receive Taxpayer Money

[babylonsister]

Bush Aides Say Religious Hiring Doesn’t Bar Aid

By CHARLIE SAVAGE
Published: October 17, 2008



WASHINGTON — In a newly disclosed legal memorandum, the Bush administration says it can bypass laws that forbid giving taxpayer money to religious groups that hire only staff members who share their faith.

The administration, which has sought to lower barriers between church and state through its religion-based initiative offices, made the claim in a 2007 Justice Department memorandum from the Office of Legal Counsel. It was quietly posted on the department’s Web site this week.

The statutes for some grant programs do not impose antidiscrimination conditions on their financing, and the administration had previously allowed such programs to give taxpayer money to groups that hire only people of a particular religion.

But the memorandum goes further, drawing a sweeping conclusion that even federal programs subject to antidiscrimination laws can give money to groups that discriminate.


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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/washington/18discrimination.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin

[frebrd]

1. I wonder if anyone will ever be able to restore our Constitution....

or ever even be inclined to do so.

:puke:

[fishbulb703]

2. that made me sigh out loud. how many more days?

[babylonsister]

3. Not soon enough for me, really. nt