thousands of youths as counter-terror and immigration enforcement operators:

The group uses compressed-air guns — known as airsoft guns, which fire tiny plastic pellets — in the training exercises, and sometimes they shoot real guns on a closed range.

Boy Scouts used to to work on survival skills, science and engineering.

So let me see if I understand. President Obama promised to build a "civilian national security force" with capabilities equal to those of our military.

Now we discover thousands of armed teenagers training for the very first time to handle all sorts of domestic law enforcement and paramilitary scenarios.

Anyone else concerned?


Update: Even The New Republic's Marty Peretz is alarmed.

http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_spine/archive/2009/05/14/have-the-boy-scouts-of-america-gone-completely-berserk.aspx

Am I the only one thinking of the Hitler Youth program. I mean, I don't like to jump to any conclusions or get alarmed, but this is just weird. When I was a boy scout, the most dangerous thing we did was roast marshmallows over an open fire during a camping trip. Now they're carrying around weapons?

I almost wish I hadn't mentioned that Hitler Youth thing. I kind of feel like a moonbat explaining how Bush is going to declare Marshall law and suspend the election.

Am I the only one thinking of the Hitler Youth program.
What I'm wondering is, aren't the parents required to give
their permission for their kids to participate in the "military" type exercises?

In fact, I wouldn't allow my kids to attend that type of training, I think that type of thing kids should learn from family members.

Reminds me of what I see roaming the streets of Gaza.

A part of me wants my children/g-children to be prepared for the dangerous world they are going to be living in...but I don't think I like the looks of this, especially if it's government sponsored.

This has been going on for a long time: Membership in the Explorers has been overseen since 1998 by an affiliate of the Boy Scouts called Learning for Life, which offers 12 career-related programs. The more than 2,000 law enforcement posts across the country are the Explorers’ most popular, accounting for 35,000 of the group’s 145,000 members. Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many posts have taken on an emphasis of fighting terrorism and other less conventional threats.The law enforcement programs are highly decentralized, and each post is run in a way that reflects the culture of its sponsoring agency and region. I'm glad to see conservatives like merrie come out AGAINST this.

....I hope Obama wants them to wear brown shirts and armbands....may as well look like the originals.

I am so thrilled conservatives don't support this because liberals on clipmarks don't either---you guys have finally found consensus! Applause! Let's get Obama to condemn this practice! All together now!

Definately Nazi-esque